Number One Hundred and Sixty-Two June 2016 Bernard Magee’s Acol Bidding Quiz This month we are dealing with the major suits. You are West in the auctions below, BRIDGEplaying ‘Standard Acol’ with a weak no-trump (12-14 points) and four-card majors.

1. Dealer West. Love All. 4. Dealer West. Love All. 7. Dealer West. Love All. 10. Dealer East. Love All. ♠ A K 8 7 6 ♠ A K 2 ♠ 9 4 2 ♠ K Q 5 4 2

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

West North East South West North East South West North East South West North East South ? 1♥ Pass 2♥ Pass 1♥ Pass 4♣1 Pass 1♥ Pass ? ? 1♠ Pass 3♠ Pass 1Splinter: singleton or void club, ? heart support, game values

2. Dealer West. Love All. 5. Dealer West. Love All. 8. Dealer West. Love All. 11. Dealer East. Love All. ♠ 7 6 ♠ A 9 8 3 ♠ K Q 4 ♠ 7

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

West North East South West North East South West North East South West North East South ? 1♥ Pass 2♥ Pass 1♥ Pass 4♥ Pass 1♥ Pass ? ? 2♥ Pass 2NT Pass ?

3. Dealer West. Love All. 6. Dealer West. Love All. 9. Dealer West. Love All. 12. Dealer East. Love All. ♠ K 8 7 6 3 ♠ 7 ♠ Void ♠ K J 10

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

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

Answers on page 7 Answers on page 11 Answers on page 13 Answers on page 17 on board Minerva

VOLCANIC ISLANDS and VISTAS

CANARY ISLANDS • MADEIRA 30 January – 12 February 2017 14-day cruise from £1,499pp

MADEIRA BOTANICAL GARDENS Funchal

TIMANFAYA MOUNTAINS CANARY ISLANDS La Palma Tenerife Lanzarote SANTA CRUZ La Gomera Fueteventura Highlight port (3 days) El Hierro Gran Canaria

Minerva’s journey begins at the volcanic island of Tenerife, with Gran Canaria, described as a continent in miniature, Mount Teide, Tenerife next to be explored. Step ashore in Fuerteventura followed by Lanzarote, home to the spectacular Timanfaya National CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS Park, and take in Madeira’s highlights during a two-night stay in Funchal. Discover the greenest of the Canary • Stroll through the lava fi elds of Mount Teide on the Islands, La Palma, and continue to fascinating La Gomera volcanic island of Tenerife before Minerva makes her maiden call to El Hierro, a • Explore the beautiful Botanical Gardens of Funchal UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve. • The UNESCO-listed Garajonay National Park o ers beautiful panoramic views of La Gomera FARES PER PERSON MIN16170130 • Join Minerva on an inaugural sailing to the smallest of Cabin Type Fares from the Canary Islands, El Hierro Balcony Savers from £2,999 • This will be the fi rst time Minerva visits all 7 canary Outside Cabins from £1,799 islands in one cruise Inside Cabins from £1,499

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SH_16_2065__Mr Bridge_Volcanic Islands_A5.indd 1 05/05/2016 16:00 Features this month include: ADVERTISERS’ 1 Bidding Quiz by Bernard Magee INDEX BRIDGE 2 Volcanic Islands 5 Mr Bridge Ryden Grange, Knaphill, onboard Minerva Surrey GU21 2TH 7 Bidding Quiz Answers (1-3) by Bernard Magee 3 Clive Goff’s Stamps 4 Aegean Classics ( 01483 489961 7 Defence Quiz by Julian Pottage onboard Minerva [email protected] 5 Cruises onboard Minerva 9 Defence Quiz Answers by Julian Pottage 6 Old Empires www.mrbridge.co.uk onboard Minerva 11 Bidding Quiz Answers (4-6) by Bernard Magee shop: www.mrbridge.co.uk/ 8 Italian Overture onboard Minerva mrbridge-shop 13 Bidding Quiz Answers (7-9) by Bernard Magee 10 Fiestas de Navidad onboard Minerva Publisher and 13 Declarer Play Quiz by David Huggett Managing Editor 11 QPlus 11 Mr Bridge 15 Declarer Play Answers by David Huggett 11 Travel Insurance 11 Designs for Bridge Associate Editor and 17 Bidding Quiz Answers (10-12) by Bernard Magee Tables Bridge Consultant 12 Atlantic Isles Bernard Magee 19 Sally’s Slam of the Month onboard Minerva bernardmagee 14 Archipelagos 21 Play and Defence at Duplicate Pairs onboard Minerva @mrbridge.co.uk by Bernard Magee 16 Maritime Iberia onboard Minerva Cartoons & Illustrations 22 Wise Wynfryth’s Invitation by David Bird Marguerite Lihou 17 Mr Bridge Playing Cards www.margueritelihou.co.uk 17 Kinds of Accountant 24 The Duke by Shireen Mohandes Tea Towel Technical Consultant 26 Catching Up with Sally Brock 17 Designs for Bridge Table Covers Tony Gordon 27 Wendy Wensum’s Diaries 18 Bernard Magee DVDs Typesetting & Design 19 Mr Bridge Just Ruth Edmondson 28 David Stevenson Answers Your Questions Duplicate Bridge Events [email protected] 20 Bernard Magee’s 32 More Tips by Bernard Magee Tutorial Software Proof Readers 26 Better Hand Evaluation 33 Suit Preference Signals by Jeremy Dhondy Julian Pottage 31 Bridge Events with Bernard Magee Mike Orriel 36 Teachers’ Corner by Ian Dalziel Catrina Shackleton 32 Madeira, Canaries with Voyages to Antiquity Richard Wheen 38 Julian Pottage Answers Your Questions 34 Pot Boiler Tea Towel Customer Services 40 Dear Absent Friends 34 Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research Catrina Shackleton reviewed by David Huggett [email protected] 34 QPlus Trade-In 41 Frozen Suits by Andrew Kambites 35 Club Insurance Events & Cruises 35 Duplicate Bridge ( 01483 489961 43 Readers’ Letters Rules Simplified Jessica Galt 35 Life’s a Game Tea Towel [email protected] 44 Names of Conventions by David Stevenson 36 Mr Bridge Megan Riccio Tutorial Weekends 46 Seven Days with Sally Brock [email protected] 37 BriAn Sophie Pierrepont 37 Bridge Traffic Signs [email protected] Tea Towel REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR POSTAGE 37 Mr Bridge Tie 42 Charity Events Clubs & Charities Postage stamps for sale at 85% of face-value, Maggie Axtell all mint with full gum. Quotations for 43 Denham Filming 2017 [email protected] commercial quantities available on request. 44 Canaries & Madeira with Fred.Olsen Values supplied in 100s, higher values Address Changes available as well as 1st and 2nd class 45 Croatia with Mr Bridge ( 01483 485342 (eg 2nd class: 100x38p+100x16p). 47 Mr Bridge Tea Towels Elizabeth Bryan 48 Adriatic to Venice [email protected] ( 020 8422 4906 e-mail: [email protected] onboard Minerva

BRIDGE June 2016 Page 3 on board Minerva

AEGEAN CLASSICS

CYPRUS • TURKEY • GREECE 2 – 15 November 2016 14-day cruise from £1,299pp

GREECE Dikili PERGAMON ACROPOLIS

Piraeus EPHESUS ANCIENT Nauplia Kusadasi OLYMPIA TURKEY TERMESSOS Kalamata Marmaris

Antalya

Larnaca CYPRUS KHIROKITIA Highlight port (2 full days)

Embark Minerva in Larnaca, your gateway to the divided city of Nicosia, and on to Antalya with its historic Ephesus, Turkey treasures. Next port of call is Marmaris, from where ancient Knidos can be visited, continuing to Kusadasi, CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS with plenty of time to explore the ruins at Ephesus and Miletus. Discover ancient Pergamon from Dikili before • Five overnight stays in port maximise your time ashore Minerva sets her sights on Greece. From Kalamata • Explore Turkey’s Lycian coast and uncover its discover Olympia and then sail to pretty Nauplia before ancient treasures arrival in Piraeus to experience the wonders of Athens. • Take in the ruins of Ephesus, including its magnifi cent library, theatre and Roman houses FARES PER PERSON MIN161102 • Discover the wealth of the Roman Empire on a range Cabin Type Fares from of tailor-made shore excursions Balcony Savers from £2,499 • An extended stay in Piraeus allows ample time to Outside Cabins from £1,599 explore ancient Athens Inside Cabins from £1,299

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SH_16_2065__Mr Bridge_Aegean Classics_A5.indd 1 05/05/2016 15:51 UPGRADE SURPRISE before the introduction of the limited-over game more Subscribers should find a than 30 years ago. Now Mr Bridge 2017 diary enclosed with cricket has the 20/20 game this issue of BRIDGE. If My upcoming 2016/17 to complete its you have no use for it, transformation. programme on board please pass it on. Extra copies for are available at Like cricket, bridge has MINERVA the special rate of £8 each been slowly dying and including postage. Choice is in need of a similar of cover colours; ruby red, revolution. The trouble is navy blue or bottle green. that most of the content Time flies by faster of this publication would as we grow older. At SEA CHANGE be thrown out of the least it does according window, so it won’t happen In mid November, at the to recent newspaper overnight… but we do AEGEAN CLASSICS end of her 2016 season, reports. It certainly need to watch out for 2-15 November 2016 Aegean Odyssey will be seems that way to me. mealy-mouthed holders going into dry-dock for 14 day cruise of vested interests that will There is nothing new under the winter. To keep our fight and resist any sort of the sun. Most innovation is growing band of cruisers OLD EMPIRES change. What needs to be just the latest tweak on an happy, we are to provide 15-27 November 2016 devised is a duplicate bridge old idea. Losing my (very) a full bridge service on version of 20/20 cricket. 13 day cruise old mobile phone recently Minerva during the winter has forced me into signing and spring, see adjacent list. To make it work, the bridge ADRIATIC to up for a new android with would need to be simple She has two suitable all the relearning that systems, so there are no VENICE public rooms for us to involves. And my iPad, alerts, just announcements. 27 Nov - 9 Dec 2016 use, both of which we may which I haven’t used for Only Acol with 12-14 13 day cruise use if numbers on board all of eight weeks, seems no-trump, Stayman, justify it. There will be to be from another world. transfers and Blackwood a large enough team to ITALIAN I am having to rediscover would be allowed. Those ensure no half-tables and OVERTURE the meaning of remember. wanting to play the county a non-playing director. I will have done so soon or test cricket equivalent, 9-21 December 2016 13 day cruise enough, but those few A BIT OF VISION standard American or days will be frustrating. precision will need to From time to time, I remind To help bridge grow, new go elsewhere with their FIESTAS de readers that card-players technology initiatives are skills. The new regime will NAVIDAD back in the 1890s took up needed. Weekend events have no place for them. 21 Dec - 3 Jan 2017 the new game of auction need fresh venues. The This needs to be played bridge principally because 14 day cruise growing cruise market at a proper pace, 24-26 whist, the universally needs suitable ships. boards in three hours, popular card game of the so that it isn’t boring. ATLANTIC ISLES Many larger bridge clubs time, had become far too 3-17 January 2017 Those wishing to take part, have already invested in complicated. 15 day cruise card-dealing machines should arrive for a three Auction bridge slowly and Bridgemates are now hour session and play a developed to be ARCHIPELAGOS relatively common. I can singles movement, each superceeded in the United 17-30 January 2017 see from all my weekend player drawing for a seating States, by contract bridge and holiday feedback position on arrival at the 14 day cruise (1926). It would be more forms that the majority venue. accurate to say swamped, so would welcome computer I do hope this column will VOLCANIC great and complete was the dealt hands. One reader be copied and passed takeover. The possibilities of ISLANDS has gone so far as to send around. We need a this new game were quickly 30 Jan - 12 Feb 2017 me a Round Tuit cut out revolution. Come on EBU, recognised by a Russian- 14 day cruise from the last issue. So a do something about the born entrepreneur, namely card-dealing machine will decline or it will be too Eli Culbertson. MARITIME IBERIA be used for our annual late… believe me. The rest is history. visit to the Trouville 12-25 February 2017 All good wishes, Hotel, Sandown, Isle of Bridge could be described 14 day cruise Wight in February 2017. ‘as being very like cricket’ Mr Bridge

BRIDGE June 2016 Page 5 on board Minerva

TAPESTRY of BYZANTINE & OTTOMAN EMPIRES

GREECE • TURKEY 15 – 27 November 2016 13-day cruise from £1,499pp

BLUE XANTHI Kavala MOSQUE Thessaloniki Istanbul

GREECE MOUNT PELION Volos

Piraeus EPHESUS TURKEY Kusadasi

Highlight port (3 days)

Departing Piraeus, Minerva sails towards Volos, from where you can discover the spectacular Meteora Blue Mosque, Istanbul Monasteries. On to Thessaloniki, Greece’s vibrant second city and your gateway to ancient Pella and the intriguing CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS archaeological site of Aigai. Step ashore in picturesque Kavala before sailing for Istanbul, whose highlights include • Visit the awe-inspiring monasteries of Meteora, the Topkapi Palace. Continue to Kusadasi, gateway to the perched high atop towering peaks ruins at Ephesus, and fi nally return to Piraeus, from where • Visit Pella, the birthplace of Alexander the Great you can follow St Paul’s journey to the Areopagus Hill. • A two-night stay in Istanbul, with plenty of time to discover its unique highlights including the ornate FARES PER PERSON MIN161115 Ottoman Blue Mosque Cabin Type Fares from • Overnight in Kusadasi to make the most of Ephesus Balcony Savers from £2,999 with its magnifi cent library, theatre and Roman houses Outside Cabins from £1,799 • During an extended stay in Piraeus, visit Ancient Inside Cabins from £1,499 Corinth where St Paul preached and lived for two years

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SH_16_2065__Mr Bridge_Tapestry of Byzantine_A5.indd 1 05/05/2016 15:58 Answers to Bernard Magee’s DEFENCE Bidding Quizzes 1-3 QUIZ on the Cover by Julian Pottage (Answers on page 9)

ou are East in the defensive positions below playing that will often require more Ymatchpoint pairs with neither side vulnerable. Both sides 1. Dealer West. Love All. conventions. are using Acol with a 12-14 1NT and 2♣ Stayman. ♠ A K 8 7 6 ♠ Q 4 2 Here, if you open 1♥, you ♥ A 9 4 N ♥ K Q 3 find your fit right away and W E ♦ Q 3 2 S ♦ A J 10 5 4 should reach 4♥ easily. 1. ♠ K 6 3. ♠ 10 8 5 4 ♣ 7 6 ♣ J 2 However, if you open 1♣, ♥ Q J 8 5 3 ♥ K 9 5 4 your partner will respond 1♠ ♦ Q 7 ♦ J 7 and you would rebid 1NT. ♣ K J 9 7 ♣ Q 10 7 West North East South Playing naturally, East wants ♠ Q 8 3 ♠ J 7 3 ♥ ♥ ? to invite game, so will proba- N 10 9 7 N 7 3 bly bid 2NT, which means you W E ♦ K 3 W E ♦ Q 9 6 3 1♠. With a strong five-card are likely to miss your fit (2♥ S ♣ Q 10 4 3 2 S ♣ K 9 4 3 major you should open 1♠. would be non-forcing). There Some teachers advocate is a convention you can play opening 1NT with hands that to rescue this situation (called West North East South West North East South 1 include five-card majors, but Checkback – using the 2♣ Pass 1♥ Pass 2♦ 2NT 2 3 with a spade suit this good you over the 1NT rebid artificial- Pass 2♥ Pass 3NT Pass 3♣ Pass 3♦ should see past this. Spades ly), but why complicate things All Pass Pass 3NT All Pass 120-22 2Stayman are the most important suit in – you will find it easier if you Partner leads the ♠5: ♠6, 3No 4-card major bridge and should be bid as open the major suit instead. ♠Q and ♠4. You return the much as possible. ♠8: ♠10, ♠J and ♠K. What Partner leads the ♦5: ♦J, Here the two hands can is your plan when declarer ♦Q and ♦4. What is your make a comfortable game calls for the ♦Q? plan (including in the suit in spades. However, a 1NT 3. Dealer West. Love All. you expect declarer to ♠ ♠ opening would result in 3NT K 8 7 6 3 A 4 2 attack) from here? going off. ♥ A K 9 8 2 ♥ Q 5 N ♦ 10 W E ♦ A 9 8 7 6 S ♣ J 6 ♣ A 8 4 2. ♠ A K 5 4 4. ♠ Q 5 4 ♥ K J 8 6 5 ♥ Q 8 5 3 2. Dealer West. Love All. ♦ Q 9 ♦ A 7 ♠ 7 6 ♠ A J 10 5 4 West North East South ♣ J 7 ♣ A K Q 7 ♥ A K 8 7 N ♥ Q J 4 2 ? ♠ 10 3 ♠ A K 3 W E ♦ Q 9 4 S ♦ 5 N ♥ Q 10 7 N ♥ K 7 ♣ A K 4 3 ♣ 8 6 2 1♠. With two five-card suits W E ♦ K 6 5 4 3 W E ♦ Q 10 9 3 you are planning to bid both, S ♣ K 10 3 S ♣ 10 9 4 3 so open the higher ranking West North East South suit, allowing you to rebid ? in the second suit later. The West North East South West North East South quality of the two suits is not Pass 1♥ Pass 2♦ 3♥ 1♥. With two four card suits, relevant – you want to show Pass 2♥ Pass 2NT Pass 4♥ All Pass what do you open when you both majors and would like Pass 3NT All Pass ♠ are too strong for 1NT? partner to select the one which Partner leads the J. What Partner leads the ♣5: ♣J, is your plan? You are planning to rebid he has the longer support for. ♣K and ♣2. You return in no-trumps, so generally You open 1♠ and rebid 2♥ the ♣10: ♣9, ♣4 and ♣7. you should bid the more im- over the 2♦ response. Your What is your plan (includ- portant suit: major before mi- partner can now jump to ing in diamonds) from nor. Some teachers advocate game, knowing of your spade here? opening the lower suit, but fit: 4♠. ■

BRIDGE June 2016 Page 7 on board Minerva

ITALIAN OVERTURE

ITALY • MONTENEGRO 9 – 21 December 2016 13-day cruise from £1,499pp

Venice DOGE'S PALACE

Ravenna PISA Livorno ITALY Kotor MONTENEGRO Civitavecchia Naples POMPEII Brindisi LECCE

Ponte Vecchio, Florence

Highlight port (2 full days) CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS Join Minerva in the amazing fl oating city of Venice and • Embark Minerva in Venice before spending the day then head to Ravenna, home to the important Basilica of exploring this remarkable city San Vitale. Sail to Montenegro and the charming walled city of Kotor before returning to Italian shores, stopping • Discover Ravenna, a glittering showcase of Byzantine at Brindisi. From here discover the iconic Trulli houses art and culture of Alberobello and then continue to Naples, a stone’s • Wander the ancient cobbled streets of Kotor, throw from Pompeii. Experience Tuscany’s treasures from dramatically situated at the head of Southern Europe’s Livorno, enjoy an extended stay in Florence and arrive in deepest fjord Civitavecchia to uncover Rome’s ancient treasures. • Uncover the fascinating treasures of Pompeii and Herculaneum from Naples FARES PER PERSON MIN161209 • Enjoy an overnight stay in Livorno, gateway to Cabin Type Fares from Florence and Pisa Balcony Savers from £2,999 • Extend your cruise with an optional 3-night pre-cruise Outside Cabins from £1,799 city stay in Venice and Verona or 3-night post-cruise Inside Cabins from £1,499 stay in Rome

NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT ON ALL SAVER CABINS LIMITED AVAILABILITY SO BOOK NOW

Reserve your cabin now Terms & conditions apply. See website for details or request Telephone number 01483 489961 a copy to be posted.

SH_16_2065__Mr Bridge_Italian Overture_A5.indd 1 05/05/2016 15:57 Answers to Julian Pottage’s Defence Quiz on page 7

West North East South Since the ♦2 is missing, it looks as if 1. ♠ K 6 Pass 1♥ Pass 2♦ the lead is from a five-card suit and you ♥ Q J 8 5 3 Pass 2♥ Pass 2NT should indeed return it: the ♦3 is the ♦ Q 7 Pass 3NT All Pass normal card. ♣ K J 9 7 With no four-card major and only two ♠ J 9 7 5 2 ♠ Q 8 3 Partner leads the ♣5: ♣J, ♣K and ♣2. diamonds, you expect declarer to hold N ♥ A K 2 ♥ 10 9 7 You return the ♣10: ♣9, ♣4 and ♣7. What a five-card club suit and (after crossing W E ♦ 9 8 6 2 S ♦ K 3 is your plan (including in diamonds) from to the ♥K) to attack it. If you cover the ♣ 6 ♣ Q 10 4 3 2 here? ♣Q on the first round, declarer can cross ♠ A 10 4 Your immediate question is what to back to the ♣10 and take a marked ♥ 6 4 do at trick three. It looks as if declarer is finesse against your ♣9 on the next ♦ A J 10 5 4 holding up the ♣A. Continuing the suit round. Ducking both the ♣Q and the ♣ A 8 5 looks, and is, right. Partner can easily ♣10 also fails because the lead stays in hold an entry via the ♥A. dummy. Instead you must duck the ♣Q The main issue is what to do after but cover the ♣10 on the second round. West North East South declarer crosses to dummy with a spade Pass 1♥ Pass 2♦ and calls for the ♦Q. Do you cover? Your Pass 2♥ Pass 3NT diamond length and poor spot cards All Pass should tell you what to do. You will make 4. ♠ Q 5 4 your ♦K if you save it; you have nothing ♥ Q 8 5 3 Partner leads the ♠5: ♠6, ♠Q and ♠4. You to gain by covering. Partner might even ♦ A 7 return the ♠8: ♠10, ♠J and ♠K. What is hold the singleton ♦A so you will duck. ♣ A K Q 7 your plan when declarer calls for the ♦Q? ♠ J 10 9 2 ♠ A K 3 Assuming declarer holds the ♦A, you ♥ Void N ♥ K 7 cannot make a trick with your ♦K what- ♦ K 8 6 5 2 W E ♦ Q 10 9 3 S ever you do. If you duck, the ♦Q holds 3. ♠ 10 8 5 4 ♣ J 6 5 2 ♣ 10 9 4 3 the trick and the ♦A swallows your ♦K on ♥ K 9 5 4 ♠ 8 7 6 the next round. If you cover, the ♦A takes ♦ J 7 ♥ A J 10 9 6 4 2 your ♦K at once. The difference between ♣ Q 10 7 ♦ J 4 covering and not is that covering obliges ♠ A 9 2 ♠ J 7 3 ♣ 8 declarer to use two honours on the same ♥ J 8 6 2 N ♥ 7 3 trick. If your partner holds ♦10-x-x or ♦ K 10 8 5 2 W E ♦ Q 9 6 3 S ♦9-x-x-x, covering will create a slow win- ♣ 6 ♣ K 9 4 3 West North East South ner for partner. In the former case, you ♠ K Q 6 3♥ will cut down on overtricks; in the latter ♥ A Q 10 Pass 4♥ All Pass case, you might well beat the contract. ♦ A 4 ♣ A J 8 5 2 Partner leads the ♠J. What is your plan? You begin by letting the ♠J hold; you do not need to worry about being unable 2. ♠ A K 5 4 West North East South to signal. Partner will work out your ♥ K J 8 6 5 2NT1 holding when the ♠J wins. ♦ Q 9 Pass 3♣2 Pass 3♦3 You will then cash or at least try to cash ♣ J 7 Pass 3NT All Pass two more spades. With dummy’s clubs ♠ J 9 7 2 ♠ 10 3 poised to deal with any side-suit losers, ♥ A 4 2 N ♥ Q 10 7 120-22 any further trick must come from trumps... W E ♦ ♦ 2 8 S K 6 5 4 3 Stayman Knowing that partner will be very short ♣ Q 8 6 5 4 ♣ K 10 3 3No 4-card major in hearts, quite possibly void, you cannot ♠ Q 8 6 gain by covering the ♥Q with the ♥K. If ♥ 9 3 Partner leads the ♦5: ♦J, ♦Q and ♦4. you are ready to duck smoothly, declarer ♦ A J 10 7 2 What is your plan (including in the suit will surely overtake the ♥Q with the ♥A ♣ A 9 2 that you expect declarer to attack) from – going for the drop is normal with 11 here? trumps missing the king. ■

BRIDGE June 2016 Page 9

Answers to Bernard Magee’s PLUS 11 Bidding Quizzes 4-6 Q l Help and Hint buttons l Displays on HD and large screens on the Cover l Comprehensive manual l Feed in your own deals count. Move the ♦4 into the club suit and £99 l Minibridge 4. Dealer West. Love All. the West hand would be worth a jump Receive QPlus 11 option now and QPlus 12 ♠ A K 2 ♠ 7 6 to game. Instead, with this hand you l 5,000 preplayed when ready at the ♥ K 8 7 6 5 4 3 N ♥ A J 9 2 should make a game try: bid a suit in end of October hands for teams ♦ Void W E ♦ 9 8 7 6 which you need help. Remember that you S and 4,000 preplayed hands for ♣ A K 2 ♣ J 8 5 have agreed hearts, so you can use any matchpoint pairs subsequent bid as a game try, allowing your partner to look at his hand and see Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 West North East South how it fits. www.mrbridge.co.uk 1♥ Pass 2♥ Pass Here, you would bid 2♠, but East with ? ugly spades would sign off in 3♥. Your hands do not fit well and nine tricks are 4♦. It is not often that after a simple the limit. raise to 2♥, the opener is excited enough TR AVEL to contemplate a slam, but with this hand that is exactly what you should show. You INSURANCE have just four losers and your trump fit 6. Dealer West. Love All. is at least 10 but quite likely 11 cards. ♠ 7 ♠ J 8 5 For your own quote from Imagine your partner with an average ♥ K Q 10 8 7 N ♥ A J 9 2 6 or 7 point raise and you could see 12 ♦ A J 3 2 W E ♦ 9 8 7 6 S tricks for the making. ♣ Q 8 4 ♣ 7 6 How can you possibly bid slam when it is right? All you can do is show your partner that you have a void in diamonds West North East South and let him decide. Jump to 4♦, which 1♥ Pass 2♥ Pass should be a splinter, and then over his ? 4♥, bid 5♦. Now you have shown your hand and your partner with the perfect 3♥. Where are all the spades? ( 01268 524344 fit (rubbish in diamonds and all his points You certainly have no ambitions for www.covercloud.co.uk outside) can bid on to 6♥. game, but the danger is that if you sell out too early your opponents might stumble across their spade fit. With the points rel- atively even, letting their spades in might 5. Dealer West. Love All. well allow them to steal the contract. ♠ A 9 8 3 ♠ 7 6 5 When you want to keep the opponents ♥ K Q 8 7 3 N ♥ A J 9 2 out, raise your suit. As you saw on the ♦ 5 4 W E ♦ Q 8 6 2 previous layout, you are able to make a S ♣ A K ♣ J 8 game try by bidding any new suit (as well as no-trumps) so that leaves the raise to 3♥ available as a pre-emptive raise: an West North East South attempt to keep the opponents quiet. 1♥ Pass 2♥ Pass 3♥ is likely to win the deal: you may ? well go down in 3♥ for -50 but that is much better than allowing the opponents 2♠. You have 16 HCP and five hearts, to make 3♠ (-140). Against meek oppo- so there is definitely a chance for game. nents passing 2♥ out might work, but The losing trick count tends to overvalue against wise opponents, they should try hands like this: 5-4-2-2 shapes are not hard to reopen the auction and if they as good as 5-4-3-1 shapes, but they are choose to, they are sure to finish in clubs both valued the same in the losing trick or spades. ■

BRIDGE June 2016 Page 11 on board Minerva

GATEWAY to ATLANTIC ISLES

FRANCE • SPAIN • GIBRALTAR • PORTUGAL • MADEIRA • CANARY ISLANDS 3 – 17 January 2017 15-day cruise from £1,499pp

FRANCE MONTPELLIER Sete Marseille

PORTUGAL SPAIN ALHAMBRA FERRAGUDO PALACE

Portimao Cadiz Cartagena

Gibraltar Motril

Funchal

CANARY ISLANDS Alhambra Palace, Spain Tenerife MOUNT TEIDE Highlight port (full day) CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS Minerva begins her journey in Marseille and then continues to Sète, known as the ‘Venice of Languedoc’. In • Discover the pristine harbour of the cosmopolitan Spain, step ashore in Cartagena followed by Motril, from town of Sète on the French Riviera where you can visit the magnifi cent Alhambra Palace. The • Spend a day marvelling at the Moorish Alhambra Rock of Gibraltar, whose imposing silhouette can be seen Palace in Granada for miles, is next to be discovered, then on to historic Cádiz. Explore cosmopolitan Portimao in the Algarve • Explore Cádiz, which was founded by the Phoenicians and enjoy an overnight stay in picturesque Funchal before in around 1100 BC and boasts a rich maritime history your cruise concludes in Tenerife. • Visit Portimao, a small, colourful city with a thriving fi shing port and an old centre dotted with manicured FARES PER PERSON MIN170103 parks and plazas Cabin Type Fares from • Overnight stay in Funchal, with plenty of time to Balcony Savers from £2,999 appreciate its gardens and vistas Outside Cabins from £1,799 • Extend your cruise with an optional 3-night pre-cruise Inside Cabins from £1,499 city stay in Aix-en-Provence

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SH_16_2065__Mr Bridge_Gateway to Atlantic Isles_A5.indd 1 05/05/2016 15:56 Answers to DECLARER Bernard Magee’s Bidding Quizzes 7-9 PLAY on the Cover QUIZ by David Huggett Pass. A 4♥ response to 1♥ (Answers on page 15) 7. Dealer West. Love All. is not a strong bid; it shows a ♠ 9 4 2 ♠ A 10 6 5 distributional raise to game. ou are South as declarer playing teams or rubber bridge. ♥ A K 7 6 5 ♥ Q J 9 8 You do have a lovely hand YIn each case, what is your play strategy? N ♦ A 6 W E ♦ K Q 8 4 with just four losers, but with ♣ K Q 3 S ♣ 7 no aces, you would need three aces from your partner to have a chance for slam. He 1. ♠ A 2 3. ♠ 5 3 ♥ ♥ West North East South should not have a hand as 8 6 4 7 4 ♦ ♦ 1♥ Pass 4♣1 Pass strong as that for his bid. With K Q J 10 7 3 A 7 5 3 ♣ ♣ ? stronger responding hands he 7 3 Q J 10 6 3 1Splinter: singleton or void club, would take his time or give a heart support, game values conventional response. N N W E ♥ W E Pass 4 and hope that you S S 4♥. Your partner has shown only lose the three missing the strength and shape to bid aces. ♠ Q 10 6 3 ♠ A K J 10 4♥, but has also shown short- ♥ A 5 3 ♥ A 8 age in clubs and is asking you ♦ 9 2 ♦ K J 9 2 ♣ ♣ how you fit with him. If you fit 9. Dealer West. Love All. A K 6 4 A K 7 well, a slam might be make- ♠ Void ♠ J 8 7 able on fewer than the usual ♥ A K Q 9 8 ♥ J 10 4 2 N You are declarer in 3NT You are declarer in 6NT values. An ace is the ideal ♦ 10 9 8 W E ♦ A J 3 2 S ♥ ♥ holding, any other high cards ♣ K Q J 4 3 ♣ A 6 and West leads the Q. and West leads the Q. ♥ are ‘wasted’. I tend to throw East plays the 9. How do How do you plan the play? out those high cards and see you plan the play? what is left. With just 11 HCP West North East South outside clubs and a relatively 1♥ Pass 3♥ Pass flat shape you should sign off: ? bid 4♥. A 4♦ bid would be wrong 3♠. Your partner has shown 2. ♠ K 7 4 4. ♠ A 10 9 6 5 because this would suggest 10-12 points (8 losers). You ♥ J 10 8 3 ♥ K 7 4 excitement at your good fit have a four loser hand with ♦ 7 5 3 ♦ K 5 3 with the club singleton. If you great potential and so should ♣ K J 2 ♣ 7 5 swap your clubs and spades try for a slam. What you around, then you would bid would like to do is show your N N W E W E 4♦ and the two hands could most important feature: your S S bid towards an excellent slam. void in spades. Cue bid 3♠ and then follow up by cue ♠ A 5 ♠ Q J 8 4 3 bidding 4♠ and your partner ♥ Q 9 7 6 4 2 ♥ A 6 ♦ ♦ 8. Dealer West. Love All. should get the message. A K 6 A J 10 ♣ ♣ ♠ K Q 4 ♠ 3 The auction may well pro- Q 7 A K 8

♥ K Q J 8 7 N ♥ A 9 6 5 2 gress: 1♥-3♥-3♠-4♣-4♠-5♦- W E ♦ K Q 4 S ♦ 5 2 6♥. ♥ ♠ ♣ K 3 ♣ Q J 7 6 5 Your partner shows his ♣A You are declarer in 4 and You are declarer in 6 and ♦ ♣ and then over 4♠ he can see West leads the Q. How West leads the 3. East ♣ that he has little wasted in do you plan the play? plays the J. How do you West North East South spades so he would go on to plan the play? 1♥ Pass 4♥ Pass show his ♦A, which allows you ? to go for the slam. ■

BRIDGE June 2016 Page 13 on board Minerva

ATLANTIC ARCHIPELAGOS

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Tenerife FUENCALIENTE Gran La Palma Canaria CAPE VERDE MASPALOMAS Sao Vicente CANARY ISLANDS

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This memorable cruise begins with an overnight stay in Tenerife before heading to La Palma, the greenest of Mindelo, Cape Verde the Canary Islands. Sail to Cape Verde and explore the lovely island of Sao Vicente during an overnight stay, CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS and continue to Santiago, where an array of architectural treasures await. Discover Boa Vista, whose name • Stroll through the lava fi elds of Mount Teide on the translates as ‘beautiful view’, before Minerva reaches volcanic island of Tenerife Gran Canaria, where a diverse landscape gives way to • Discover the ‘green island’ of the canaries, UNESCO- picturesque villages and modern cities. listed La Palma • Enjoy an extended stay on Sao Vicente to explore the FARES PER PERSON MIN16170117 remote Cape Verde archipelago Cabin Type Fares from • Admire the old colonial buildings that line the streets Balcony Savers from £2,999 of Praia on the island of Santiago Outside Cabins from £1,799 • Wander the UNESCO-listed district of Vegueta, the Inside Cabins from £1,499 city of Las Palmas’ Old Town

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SH_16_2065__Mr Bridge_Atlantic Archipelagos_A5.indd 1 05/05/2016 15:53 Answers to David Huggett’s Play Quiz on page 13

You are declarer in 4♥ and West leads the top two diamonds (the suit with 1. ♠ A 2 the ♦Q. How do you plan the play? the most cards and so best chance of ♥ 8 6 4 At first glance it looks as though you dropping a high card) to see if the queen ♦ K Q J 10 7 3 can only lose two trumps and a club, but appears and, if not, to take the spade ♣ 7 3 if you are not careful things can take a finesse. ♠ J 9 5 4 ♠ K 8 7 nasty turn. Of course, it is important for you to ♥ Q J 10 7 N ♥ K 9 2 Suppose you win the opening lead and play the king of diamonds before the ♦ 8 4 W E ♦ A 6 5 play a trump. The defence will probably ace, because if the queen of diamonds S ♣ Q 10 2 ♣ J 9 8 5 play another diamond knocking out your does not appear you need two entries to ♠ Q 10 6 3 last stopper in that suit, so that when dummy in order to take two finesses in ♥ A 5 3 you eventually lose a club the defenders spades. ♦ 9 2 might well be in a position to cash a ♣ A K 6 4 diamond, giving you four losers in all. The solution is simple enough though – play the queen of clubs at trick two to 4. ♠ A 10 9 6 5 You are declarer in 3NT and West leads knock out the ace and aim to park your ♥ K 7 4 the ♥Q. East plays the ♥9. How do you losing diamond on a club winner in ♦ K 5 3 plan the play? dummy before touching trumps. ♣ 7 5 It may be reflexive to duck the opening ♠ 2 ♠ K 7 lead, but that would be a grave mistake. ♥ Q 8 5 N ♥ J 10 9 3 2 Whether hearts are 4-3 (only three losers) ♦ Q 7 6 4 2 W E ♦ 9 8 S or if they are 5-2 (and are now probably 3. ♠ 5 3 ♣ Q 10 6 3 ♣ J 9 4 2 blocked since you can place East with ♥ 7 4 ♠ Q J 8 4 3 the king) you have more serious things ♦ A 7 5 3 ♥ A 6 to worry about. You have to make sure ♣ Q J 10 6 3 ♦ A J 10 your opponents do not have the chance ♠ Q 7 6 ♠ 9 8 4 2 ♣ A K 8 to switch to spades and take out that ♥ Q J 10 6 3 N ♥ K 9 5 2 precious entry to your diamonds. (East, ♦ Q 4 W E ♦ 10 8 6 S of course, will duck the first diamond ♣ 9 8 2 ♣ 5 4 You are declarer in 6♠ and West leads lead.) So win the opening lead and play ♠ A K J 10 the ♣3. East plays the ♣J. How do you diamonds until the ace appears and you ♥ A 8 plan the play? will find you have the nine tricks you need. ♦ K J 9 2 This is a huge contract and surely only ♣ A K 7 in danger if you lose both a trump and a diamond. While just taking two finesses would be a reasonable plan, it is not the 2. ♠ K 7 4 You are declarer in 6NT and West leads best. ♥ J 10 8 3 the ♥Q. How do you plan the play? So, win the opening lead and play ♦ 7 5 3 The contract is reasonable enough, the ace of trumps. If the king falls your ♣ K J 2 but you have only ten tricks immediately problems are over, but if not, eliminate ♠ J 9 8 3 ♠ Q 10 6 2 available to you and they have both hearts and clubs by ruffing the ♥ A N ♥ K 5 undoubtedly found the best lead from third in each suit and exit with a trump. ♦ Q J 10 8 W E ♦ 9 4 2 their perspective. Whoever wins will be forced to either S ♣ 10 9 6 3 ♣ A 8 5 4 If you can make four diamond tricks, open up the diamond suit or give you a ♠ A 5 you will have enough for your contract, ruff and discard. ♥ Q 9 7 6 4 2 but equally, if you can make four spade This plan is bound to work unless ♦ A K 6 tricks you will also have enough. trumps break 3-0 when you will have ♣ Q 7 So the problem is to combine your to sniff out the missing queen of chances. This can be achieved by playing diamonds. ■

BRIDGE June 2016 Page 15 on board Minerva

A MARITIME HISTORY of IBERIA

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Explore the volcanic island of Tenerife before sailing to Gibraltar, whose imposing silhouette looks out over Monument to the Discoveries, Lisbon Europe and Africa. Minerva continues to the maritime city of Cádiz, your gateway to Jerez, followed by an CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS extended stay in Seville, whose highlights include the world’s third largest church. Admire World Heritage • Spend a day exploring Gibraltar, which boasts a monuments in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, with a fascinating history dating back to the 11th century fi nal stop in La Coruña, from where you can follow the • Visit Jerez, renowned throughout the world for its pilgrims’ route to Santiago de Compostela. sherry and Moorish Alcazar • An overnight stay in Seville will help you to experience FARES PER PERSON MIN16170212 this vibrant city of fl amenco and fi esta Cabin Type Fares from • Admire the Jeronimos Monastery, Lisbon’s lavish Balcony Savers from £2,499 Manueline masterpiece Outside Cabins from £1,599 • Marvel at the UNESCO-listed Tower of Hercules Inside Cabins from £1,299 standing proud at the entrance of La Coruna harbour

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SH_16_2065__Maritime History_A5.indd 1 05/05/2016 15:44 Answers to Bernard Magee’s Mr Bridge Premium Quality Cards Bidding Quizzes 10-12 on the Cover

However, East has now bid 2NT. What 10. Dealer East. Love All. has he done that for? Standard Faces, ♠ K Q 5 4 2 ♠ A 9 8 3 He knows you have just 6-9 points but with or without bar codes. Unboxed. ♥ K 2 N ♥ A Q 5 4 3 he still thinks there is a chance for game. 6 red/6 blue £19.95 ♦ 9 6 W E ♦ A 8 He should have a flat hand with 17-18 30 red/30 blue only £65 S ♣ ♣ A 8 7 6 4 2 points and he is asking you to choose the Available from The London Bridge Centre. best final contract: it could be 2NT, 3♥, ( 020 7288 1305 www.bridgeshop.com 3NT or 4♥. West North East South You have a minimum hand and 1♥ Pass certainly prefer hearts to no-trumps, so 1♠ Pass 3♠ Pass you should sign off in 3♥. 2♥ would have ? been easier, but your partner had to try There are Three for game with 18 HCP. 4♣. Kinds of Remember that you are the responding hand, so could have as few as six points for Accountant . . . your response. You hold a good opening hand with a king in your partner’s first 12. Dealer East. Love All. suit and your partner has jumped to 3♠ ♠ K J 10 ♠ A Q 8 6 5 3 Those who to show a better than minimum opening: ♥ 4 N ♥ 8 7 6 you should have hopes for a slam. Using ♦ A 7 6 5 W E ♦ K 2 S can add up and the LTC, you have six losers and should ♣ K Q 9 8 7 ♣ A 2 expect six losers from partner as well. those who can’t. With a weak diamond suit, you should not use Blackwood, but should start West North East South ♣ ♣ ♠ by cue bidding: 4 , showing your A. 1 Pass Made in the UK When East bids 4♦, you can bid 4NT and 2♣ Pass 2♠ Pass from 100% pure cotton © Mr Bridge after a three-ace response you jump to ? 6♠. 4♥. You have a very nice hand, but started with a simple 2♣ response. However, after the 2♠ rebid, your hand has got even 11. Dealer East. Love All. nicer. With a fit in spades you can include ♠ 7 ♠ A 8 4 the value of your singleton: your hand is ♥ A 6 5 4 N ♥ K Q 9 2 worth 16 or 17 points (5-6 losers). Game ♦ 9 8 7 6 2 W E ♦ A J 3 should be the least of your ambitions. S ♣ J 5 4 ♣ A 6 2 You would like to try for slam as well. A splinter bid is the perfect way to combine your chances. An unnecessary jump to West North East South the four-level is used to show shortage as 1♥ Pass well as support for partner’s suit. Here, 2♥ Pass 2NT Pass 4♥ is the perfect bid. ? East is going to love you for it. His hand is the perfect fit for a singleton in hearts 3♥. – his weakness can be ruffed away. He You supported your partner’s hearts on will continue with 4NT and you will end the first round: showing a weak raise. up in 6♠. ■

BRIDGE June 2016 Page 17 BERNARD MAGEE TUTORIAL DVDS

SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 1 Ruffing for Extra Tricks 7 Leads 13 Hand Evaluation This seminar deals with declarer’s use of Bernard takes you through the basic leads Going beyond just the point-count is ruffing to make extra tricks and then looks and the importance of your lead choice. If important. Reaching & making 3NT on 24 at how the defenders might counteract this. you start to think about your partner’s hand, HCP; and avoiding 3NT on 26 HCP when there (74 mins.) you will get better results. (95 mins.) are only 7 or 8 tricks. (110 mins.) 2 Competitive Auctions 8 Losing Trick Count 14 Pre-Emptive Bidding This seminar focuses on competitive auctions A way of hand evaluation for when you find The art of pre-empting is so important in the from the perspective of the overcalling side a fit. Bernard deals with the basics of the LTC modern game. Understanding the right hands and then from the opening side in the second then looks at advanced methods to hone your to bid up on and realising the importance of part. (86 mins.) bidding. (92 mins.) position and vulnerability. (96 mins.) 3 Making the Most of High Cards 9 Making a Plan as Declarer 15 Splinter & Cue Bids This seminar helps declarer to use his high Bernard explains how to make a plan then Splinter bids are a vital tool to add to your cards more carefully and then looks at how expands on how to make the most of your slam bidding armoury & try your hand at defenders should care for their high cards. long suits, both in no-trumps and suit Italian style cue bidding. (116 mins.) (83 mins.) contracts. (87 mins.) 16 Avoidance Play 4 Identifying & Bidding Slams 10 Responding to 1NT As declarer, an important tactic is to be in The first half of this seminar identifies when This seminar deals with Transfers and control of the defenders: avoiding a particular a slam might be on. The second Stayman in detail. The 1NT opening comes defender getting the lead. As a defender, you half covers some slam-bidding techniques. up frequently, so having a good, accurate can try to make sure the right player gets the (96 mins.) system of responses is paramount. (93 mins.) lead. (88 mins.) 5 Play & Defence of 1NT Contracts 11 Signals & Discards 17 Play & Defence at Pairs This seminar looks at the most common This seminar deals with Count, Attitude Duplicate Pairs is the game most of us play and yet most feared of contracts: 1NT. and Suit-preference signals: aiming to get and getting used to the tactics will make The first half looks at declaring 1NT and you working as a partnership in defence. a lot of difference to your performance. the second part at defending. (88 mins.) (92 mins.) (90 mins.) 6 Doubling & Defence against 12 Endplay 18 Thinking Defence Doubled Contracts Bernard takes you through the basics of By far the hardest aspect of bridge, but if you The first half of this seminar explores penalty endplays before showing some hands where can improve your defence your results will doubles and the second half discusses the you can take extra tricks, then looks at how to quickly improve. Learn how to think through defence against doubled contracts. (88 mins.) avoid being endplayed. (80 mins.) the defence. (87 mins.)

SET 4 SET 5 19 Defensive Plan £25 25 Defence as Partner Looking at your own hand, then at dummy of the Leader and envisaging how partner’s hand will per DVD Defence is the hardest aspect of the game, allow you to make a plan for the defence. it is where most players can make great (112 mins.) progress. (104 mins.) 20 Further Into 26 Aggressive Bidding the Auction at Duplicate Pairs The first two bids of an auction are usually £105 Years ago, you needed 13 HCP to open the easy, but beyond that the complications bidding and rarely competed for a partscore. increase. Learn how to ‘talk’ to your partner Now its usual to open lighter and compete for during the bidding. (95 mins.) every hand. (114 mins.) 21 Weak Twos SET of 6 27 Strong Opening Bids It is important to bid more in the modern Managing your strong bids carefully can give game and weak twos are an important choice you joy, particularly when you have a neat for the competitive player. (104 mins.) bidding sequence to a lovely slam. (122 mins.) 22 Trump Control Buy a Set 28 Take-Out Doubles Handling the play of the hand when trumps Bernard deals with basic take-out doubles and break badly is an important attribute: playing Get 1 Free their responses, then progresses to talk about calmly and using a variety of tactics to pave competing for every partscore. (99 mins.) the way to success. (76 mins.) 29 Suit Establishment 23 Sacrificing in Suit Contracts An exciting aspect of the auction is Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 Long suits are powerful things: Bernard tries to outbidding your opponents and going down, get across his passion for them by showing you but gaining by doing so. Learn to bid more On-line shop: how to develop your extra tricks. (81 mins.) aggressively. (105 mins.) www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop 30 Landy / Defending 24 Improving Bridge Memory Against a 1NT Opening Remembering every card is a dream for most Competing against a 1NT opening allows you of us. However, learn ways in which All prices include postage – UK only. to challenge for the partscore. Bernard talks to remember the important things. about competing over 1NT in general and then (90 mins.) about Landy. (85 mins.) Sally’s Slam of the Month 2016 JUST DUPLICATE BRIDGE

Very Strong Chatsworth Hotel Worthing BN11 3DU Opening 3-5 June £199 15-17 July £199 Hands 5-7 August £199 7-9 October £199 11-13 November £199 25-27 November £199 oday’s two deals have tractive bid over 2♠, but a bid your suits. a lot in common in six-card suit should not be that each features a ignored. This would lead to Wyndham Garden Ttruly enormous opening the following sequence: ♠ K 4 3 ♥ A K 4 2 Grantham hand. The first was sent in Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT by John Upson. North South ♦ 7 5 4 3 2♦ ♣ 10 9 16-18 September £189 2♥ 2♠ ♠ A 10 9 6 5 2 ♠ Q J 8 7 ♠ Void 3♥ 4♦ ♥ 10 7 5 ♥ Q 9 8 6 14-16 October £189 N ♥ 9 8 7 6 4 3 5♣ 6♣ ♦ 9 W E ♦ 10 8 6 S ♦ K 8 5 4 7♦ ♣ 8 5 2 ♣ 6 4 4-6 November £189 ♣ A 8 7 ♠ Void 18-20 November £189 North’s 5♣ should agree ♥ J 3 N ♦ A K Q J 2 W E diamonds and South now S just needs ♦K-x-x-x for the ♣ A K Q J 7 3 Denham Grove grand slam. 6♣ is a grand Near Uxbridge, UB9 5DG ♠ A K Q J 9 4 slam try and North should 10-12 June £199 ♥ A know that his ♦K must be I would recommend: ♦ A J 9 7 3 2 what his partner is looking 21-23 October £199 ♣ Void for. West North East South Playing straight Acol, the 1♣ 4-6 November £199 auction would be the same, 2♠ Dbl Pass 3♦ At the table, South opened but starting with 2♣-2♦-2♠. Pass 3NT Pass 4♦ ♣ Pass 4♥ Pass 7♦ Inn on the Prom 2 (playing Benji) and over St Annes on Sea FY8 1LU the 2♦ response could no ♣♦♥♠ All Pass longer bid 2♠, as partner 1-3 July £189 might have passed. So he The other deal was different Since North’s double in no rebid 4♠ and that ended the in that opener had the mi- way promised diamonds, auction. nors (hand in next column). South’s 3♦ should be forc- Much better would have If you have the minors ing and natural. North then Full Board been to open 2♦. Then he and open 2♣ or 2♦, there is shows his stopper and South No Single could have rebid a simple a real risk of the opponents proceeds to show his 5-6 Supplement* 2♠ after the ♥2 response barraging you in the majors. shape. When North cue- (straight Acol, after a ♣2 It often works better to open bids his heart control, South ( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk start, would arrive here too). at the one level, as that way can bid the grand slam with North does not have an at- you have already started to confidence. ■ Please note there are no seminars, set hands or prizes at these events. *subject to availability Send your slam hands to [email protected]

BRIDGE June 2016 Page 19 BERNARD MAGEE’S INTERACTIVE TUTORIALS

BEGIN BRIDGE ACOL BIDDING ADVANCED DECLARER ACOL VERSION ACOL BIDDING PLAY l Card Play Technique MAC l Basics l Suit Establishment l Planning Card Play Compatible in No-trumps l Advanced l Bidding Balanced Basics l Suit Establishment Hands in Suits l Weak Twos l Bidding Suits l Opening Bids and Responses l Hold-ups l Responding to a Suit l Strong Hands l Slams and Strong l Ruffing for l Supporting Partner l Defence Openings Extra Tricks l Responding to 1NT l Support for Partner to Weak Twos l Entries in l Stayman l Pre-empting l Defence to 1NT No-trumps £76 l Strong Two Opening l Overcalls £66 l Doubles and Response l No-trump l Delaying l Overcalls Openings l Two-suited £96 Drawing Trumps and Responses Overcalls l Doubles £66 l Using the Lead l Opener’s and l Pre-empting l Defences to Responder’s Rebids l Trump Control Other Systems l Defence against No l Minors and Misfits l Endplays & Trump Contracts l Doubles l Misfits and Avoidance l Defence against Suit l Competitive Distributional Contracts Auctions Hands l Using the Bidding

ADVANCED DEFENCE FIVE-CARD BETTER DECLARER PLAY MAJORS & BRIDGE l Lead vs Strong No-Trump l Making Overtricks No-trump Contracts l Ruffing for in No-trumps l Opening Bids Extra Tricks l Lead vs & Responses l Making Overtricks Suit Contracts in Suit Contracts l No-Trump l Doubling and l Partner of Leader Openings Defence l Endplays vs No-trump Against Contracts l Support £89 £69 l Avoidance Doubled for Partner l Partner of Leader Contracts l Wrong £81 vs Suit Contracts l Slams Contract & Strong Openings l Play and Defence l Count l Simple of 1NT Contracts Signals l Rebids Squeezes l Attitude l Minors l Counting £76 l Finding and Signals & Misfits the Hand Bidding Slams l Discarding l Pre-empting l Trump Reductions l Making the & Coups l Defensive Plan l Doubles Most of High Cards l Playing Doubled l Stopping Declarer l Overcalls Contracts l Counting l Competitive l Competitive l Safety Plays the Hand Auctions Auctions

Mr Bridge , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH Any 6 ( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop for £299 System Requirements: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 or 10, 8mb RAM, CD-ROM Bernard Magee DVDs – Number Eighteen Play and Defence at Duplicate Pairs

uplicate Pairs is the game I show the travellers and explain develop the suit, but when one honour most of you play in your clubs, why scoring an extra 30 points can be from partner will not help sufficiently but considering a lot of players so important, let alone 10 points. you should look elsewhere. Dlearn in a rubber bridge style, there are In the second half of the DVD, I turn The key thing to remember is that a lot of tactics that you need to know to to the subject of defence. One example you are in a partnership and there is the make the most of your cards. The is similar to the one above, but from the chance that you might be able to DVD starts by dealing with declarer the defence’s perspective. When you find your partner’s suit. Avoiding a play and the importance of overtricks. see a strong dummy, then you should club or spade lead from this hand, I Here is a classic type of hand: tone down your objectives: rarely, would choose the major over the mi- You are West, declarer in 3NT after unless your lead hits gold dust, will nor because majors are more likely to the straightforward auction of 1NT- you defeat the contract if declarer has have been bid. Lead the ♥8. 3NT. North leads the ♠5 to South’s 28-30 points between his two hands. queen and you have to plan your play. By being aware of your aims, you can sometimes settle for two or three ♠ J 10 7 tricks and the saving of an overtrick ♥ A K 4 ♠ A 10 8 ♠ J 7 will get you a good score. ♦ Q 9 3 2 ♥ 8 7 N ♥ K Q 4 Perhaps the most important aspect ♣ A 10 2 W E ♦ K Q 9 ♦ A J 7 6 3 ♠ Q 8 5 4 ♠ K 6 S of pairs defence is playing safe – trying ♣ A J 9 3 2 ♣ K Q 4 not to give away tricks with careless ♥ 8 7 6 N ♥ J 10 9 5 W E leads or switches. ♦ 7 5 S ♦ A 10 8 6 What do you lead from this West ♣ K 7 6 5 ♣ J 4 3 You have eleven top tricks as long as hand after the auction 1NT-3NT? ♠ A 9 3 2 the minors break reasonably, so that ♥ Q 3 2 means you should aim for a twelfth. ♦ K J 4 Win your ♠A and play a heart at trick ♠ Q 8 5 4 ♣ Q 9 8 2. North is very likely to duck if he ♥ 8 7 6 N W E ♦ 7 5 holds the ace, but South might even S duck too. By playing it so early in the ♣ K 7 6 5 The lead is not dynamic, but it gives play the defenders will hopefully not nothing away and forces declarer to suspect that you have running tricks. do his own work. Declarer might win If they do duck the heart trick, you We are generally taught to lead the in dummy and lead the ♠J covered by run for home, making 12 tricks: 10 fourth highest from our longest and the king and ace. The defence continue in the minors, the ♠A and the ♥K. strongest, but these rules stem from hearts each time they get the lead and Your score will be the one that is rubber bridge, where attacking leads might even get declarer down if he is commented on when people look at are the name of the game – overtricks forced to open up all the suits himself. the traveller – how on earth did they don’t matter and the aim is to be A diamond lead works as well, but make 12 tricks, there are two obvious active trying to make extra tricks. In leading your weak four card suits losers? However, from the defenders’ duplicate bridge, that is rarely your works out very badly. A spade lead point of view they are not necessarily aim; a good lead is a lead that gives will give a trick away when dummy aiming for just two tricks, so it is not nothing away and leaves to declarer to follows with the ♠7 and a club lead unreasonable for them to duck once. establish his own extra tricks. might even give declarer three club Clearly if declarer took his 10 tricks A five card suit is a reasonable lead tricks. East may well play the jack at in the minors after the ♠A then the because you have the chance of making trick one allowing declarer to finesse defence will take their ♥A and their extra tricks, but weak four card suits for your king. spade trick. Making 3NT+2 will score are rarely good leads because they risk Duplicate pairs is a great game, but below average. 3NT+3 will be a very giving away a trick with very little to getting used to the scoring system good score indeed – there will be very gain. A strong four card suit (with two and the tactics that profit the most is few people in a minor suit slam even high cards) is reasonable because with so important and will result in much though 6♣ and 6♦ are good contracts. one honour from partner you may well improved scores. ■

BRIDGE June 2016 Page 21 Robin Hood’s Bridge Adventures by David Bird Wise Wynfryth’s Invitation

t was the soothsayer Wise ♥3 might well be a singleton and haps the bird was somehow telling her Wynfryth’s 70th birthday and no defence other than a heart what cards the opponents held. Robin Hood was partnering her continuation made any sense at all. Iin the Baron of Beef. The large magpie Still, it was Wynfryth’s birthday on her shoulder was claimed to be a and the prescribed Christian action Dealer East. N/S Vul. reincarnation of her dead husband, was clear. Little John would surely ♠ 8 5 Wainright. appreciate the situation. ♥ A Q 8 ‘It’s only fair to warn you that I’m When Friar Tuck switched to a ♦ 8 7 4 2 in very good form,’ announced Friar trump, Wise Wynfryth won and drew ♣ Q 10 7 4 Tuck as he took his seat. trumps, claiming the contract. ♠ K Q J 10 ♠ 9 7 6 4 3 2 ‘We must be on our guard, Little John thumped his huge fist on ♥ J 7 6 2 N ♥ K 10 5 4 3 W E ♦ K Q J 9 ♦ 10 Wynfryth,’ declared Robin Hood. the table. ‘You useless barrel of lard, S Tuck!’ he cried. ‘Give me a heart ruff ♣ 5 ♣ 9 and she’s one down.’ ♠ A Dealer North. Love All. ‘Hah! I played the king to fool him,’ ♥ 9 ♠ Q 10 5 2 declared Wise Wynfryth. ♦ A 6 5 3 ♥ 10 9 5 Friar Tuck assumed the air of a ♣ A K J 8 6 3 2 ♦ A K 5 2 martyr. ‘It was a clever play,’ he said. ♣ K 2 Soon afterwards a pig farmer and ♠ 7 ♠ 8 3 his wife moved to Wynfryth’s table. West North East South ♥ A J 8 7 6 2 N ♥ 3 ‘I hear it’s your birthday,’ said Ingram Robin Emelisse Wise W E ♦ 9 6 ♦ J 10 8 7 4 Wendel Hood Wendel Wynfryth S Ingram Wendel. Try as he might, he ♣ J 8 6 5 ♣ 10 9 7 4 3 could never quite remove the smell Pass 1♣ ♠ A K J 9 6 4 of pigs from his person. His wife, Dbl 3♣ 3♠ 5♣ ♥ K Q 4 Emelisse, had become accustomed to All Pass ♦ Q 3 it over the years. ‘Can we get you a ♣ A Q celebratory drink?’ he asked. Wynfryth won the spade lead, played ‘Kind of you,’ Wynfryth replied. a trump to the queen and ruffed ‘I ’ad two big ones before the game, dummy’s remaining spade in her West North East South actually. Best keep my ’ead clear for hand. If diamonds were 3-2, all would Friar Robin Little Wise the moment.’ be easy. The best chance against a 4-1 Tuck Hood John Wynfryth ‘Hey!’ exclaimed Emelisse Wendel, break was surely to lead the ♦3 now. If 1♦ Pass 1♠ who had been sorting her hand East held a singleton honour there was Pass 2♠ Pass 4NT somewhat painstakingly. ‘That bird is a good chance that she would win the Pass 5♦ Pass 6♠ lookin’ at me cards.’ trick and be endplayed. All Pass ‘Don’t worry about Wainright,’ said Wendel defended well by rising with Wise Wynfryth. ‘He likes to follow the ♦J. When the ♦10 appeared from Friar Tuck slapped the ♥A on the the game even though he can’t play no his wife, he congratulated himself. table, where it was joined by the ♥5, more.’ What a great play he had found! the ♥3 and the ♥K from Wynfryth. Emelisse Wendel had heard alarm- Maybe in some future time they The contract was cold unless East’s ♥3 ing stories about Wynfryth’s powers. would invent a good name for it. He was a singleton; by false-carding with Who was to say they weren’t true? continued with the ♦K to declarer’s the king, she hoped to deter a heart Wasn’t Wainright the name of her dead ace, East discarding. continuation. husband? Surely she hadn’t worked her Although her first plan had failed, Tuck sat back in his chair. John’s magic to turn him into a magpie? Per- Wise Wynfryth saw that another line

Page 22 BRIDGE June 2016 of play was now available. She led the went the dummy. Wynfryth had no ‘Impossible for you to find that ♥9, West playing low, and called for intention of playing too quickly. Surely defence, my love,’ said Robin Hood. the ♥8 from dummy. East won with she and Robin would win the event if ‘Wynfryth’s wonderful false card the ♥10 and had no good return. A she could make this contract. The only would have deceived the Devil heart would be into dummy’s tenace, risk seemed to be that the club finesse himself.’ allowing two diamond discards. A would lose and that Marian would be The scoring was soon performed spade would give a ruff-and-discard, able to cross to East’s ♦A for a spade and Wise Wynfryth and Robin Hood with a second diamond discard to return. What could be done if the were announced the winners by a come on the ♥A. She returned a cards lay that way? handsome margin. spade and a few moments later, Wise The magpie on Wynfryth’s shoulder ‘Best birthday I ever ‘ad,’ declared Wynfryth had made her contract. leaned towards her and whispered Wynfryth, as another tankard of ale The new partnership continued to something. Her hearing was not of the was passed her way. ‘Sorry about that fare well and the last round saw the best. What had Wainright said? It was last one, Marian. It was a bit naughty arrival of Maid Marian, accompanied something like ‘then’ or maybe ‘den’. of me playin’ that ♠10. I’d never have by a girlfriend of hers, Arabella du Ah, it must be ‘ten’! Her husband had thought of it myself.’ Bois. As was fitting for a ‘girls’ night been a strong player in his time. He The magpie was on the table, out’, they were arraigned in their must know what he was talking about. enjoying the remnants of someone’s finery. Wise Wynfryth won with dummy’s bread and cheese. He looked up at ‘I’ve come to check up on you, ♠Q and, following the magpie’s in- Wynfryth and gave her a wink. Wynfryth,’ announced Marian struction, dropped the ♠10 from her ‘You and Robin are always welcome mischievously. ‘Someone told me that Robin was spending the evening with another woman.’ ‘You were right to be worried.’ Wynfryth replied. ‘We’ve ‘ad a great time together.’ ‘Arabella and I will do our best to put a stop to that,’ declared Maid Marian. ‘Are you ready for battle, Arabella? Don’t let me down.’ After a board of no consequence, Wise Wynfryth ended as declarer on the final board of the evening.

Dealer South. Game All. ♠ Q ♥ A K Q 8 ♦ Q 10 9 5 2 ♣ 10 7 2 ♠ A J 9 7 3 ♠ 8 6 5 4 ♥ 9 7 4 N ♥ J 10 6 3 W E ♦ 7 6 3 ♦ A 8 4 S ♣ K 3 ♣ 8 5 ♠ K 10 2 ♥ 5 2 ♦ K J ♣ A Q J 9 6 4 hand. When the ♣10 was run, Maid for a meal with me and Wainright,’ Marian won with the ♣K and confi- the old woman continued. ‘I do a West North East South dently played the ♠A to drop declarer’s wonderful kidney and toadstool pie.’ Maid Robin Arabella Wise king. That was her intention, but a low- ‘I thought toadstools were poison- Marian Hood du Bois Wynfryth ly ♠2 fell from Wynfryth. Two spades, ous,’ queried Marian. 1♣ three hearts and five clubs then gave ‘Not if you cook them properly, Pass 1♦ Pass 3♣ her an overtrick for an excellent score. dear,’ Wynfryth replied. ‘Soak them in Pass 3♥ Pass 3NT ‘That’s a pity,’ exclaimed the elegant brine and cook them for at least two All Pass Arabella du Bois. ‘I had the diamond hours, that’s the secret. If they were ace, Marian. Come to a diamond and poisonous, I wouldn’t be sitting ‘ere, Maid Marian led the ♠7 and down I can play a spade back for two down!’ would I?’ ■

BRIDGE June 2016 Page 23 A Blast From the Past by Shireen Mohandes The Duke

merican Patricia Fox Shein- The original auction. Opening lead ♦3. wold wrote an amusing book, published in 1976, called West North East South AHusbands and Other Men I’ve Played PFS JW With. She recounts bridge games with 1♦1 Pass her former husband Alfred Sheinwold Pass Dbl2 Pass 4♠3 and Hollywood film star John Wayne, All Pass amongst others, some named, some not. 1It is not known whether East was playing Englishman Alfred Sheinwold a strong no-trump, but few would criticise (1912-1997) emigrated to the USA as anyone for downgrading this hand. No a nine-year old. He was, and probably aces and a queen-jack doubleton strongly still is, a player well known to almost suggest doing so. all American bridge players, since he, 2In the protective seat, bidding is slightly along with Edgar Kaplan, devised the different to normal overcalls. Starting with Kaplan-Sheinwold bidding system, a double states the strength of the hand. If which notably uses a weak no-trump. you had had this hand in second seat, after Patricia lived in New York for many 1♦, then you’d very likely overcall 1♥. years and worked as a freelance writer. 3John Wayne has overbid somewhat. Yes, Apart from her bridge book she also of course holding a 6-card spade suit is a wrote four light entertainment books. huge asset. But he has so little in his hand, The chapter in her book about John and it looks as if the cards lie badly so most Analysis Wayne is called ‘How a Duke Handles finesses will fail. Had he made a lower bid, Kings and Queens’. It contains a lovely for example 1♠, then most likely his partner At that time, a small diamond lead recollection of her visit to the Wayne would have invited game, and perhaps they did not promise an honour. So the family home, naturally with bridge would have reached it. The problem with Duke would not know the location of hands included. overbidding when the adversaries are silent the high cards, other than knowing is that, on another occasion, you may end that West had at most 5 HCP. With up too high. Look at the first John Wayne only five top tricks, and at least three Dealer East. Vul not known. quote. Perhaps he should have followed his immediate losers, there is plenty of Rubber Bridge. own advice. work to be done. ♠ Q 3 2 ♥ A K 6 5 2 ♦ A 4 John Wayne quotes: ♣ K J 9 Talk low, talk slow and don’t say too much. ♠ A ♠ K J 9 ♥ 10 8 7 4 N ♥ Q J I never have really become accustomed to the ‘John’. Nobody ever really calls me W E ♦ 9 6 5 3 2 ♦ K Q J 8 S John... I’ve always been Duke or Marion or John Wayne. It’s a name that goes ♣ 10 8 7 ♣ Q 6 5 2 well together, and it’s like one word – John Wayne.

♠ 10 8 7 6 5 4 I’ve always followed my father’s advice: he told me, first to always keep my word ♥ 9 3 and, second, to never insult anybody unintentionally. If I insult you, you can be ♦ 10 7 goddamn sure I intend to. And, third, he told me not to go around looking for ♣ A 4 3 trouble.

Page 24 BRIDGE June 2016 How the Duke Still, you can’t argue with success. the bad news that they don’t break. played the hand After the spectacular result in the Now he can play all but his last trump, trump suit, did declarer do the right reaching this ending: He won the opening lead in dummy, thing in clubs? This was the position and led the ♠Q. East covered (not right, after he’d crashed the trump honours, not ever right, but it must have felt nat- used one of dummy’s heart entries ♠ — ural to the player) and thereby crashed to lead towards his ♠10, and won the ♥ 6 partner’s ace. The defence cashed a di- heart exit: ♦ — amond and switched to a heart. From ♣ K J 9 here on, he chose to play on clubs for ♠ — ♠ — another trick (setting up hearts was an ♠ 3 ♥ 10 N ♥ — option he probably rejected because of ♥ 6 5 2 ♦ — W E ♦ — the entry situation). West was unlikely ♦ — ♣ 10 8 7 S ♣ Q 6 5 2 to hold the ♣Q (that would have mer- ♣ K J 9 ♠ 6 ited a response to her partner’s 1♦). ♠ — ♠ 9 ♥ — He ran the ♣J, which was covered and ♥ 10 8 N ♥ — ♦ — W E won in hand, then played West for the ♦ 9 6 S ♦ K Q ♣ A 4 3 ♣10 by finessing the nine in dummy ♣ 10 8 7 ♣ Q 6 5 2 (ie a backwards finesse). Patricia aptly ♠ 10 8 7 6 referred to this play as lassoing. The ♥ — When the last spade is played West, Duke made his game, but without the ♦ — who probably thought of their role in mis-defence he would have gone off. ♣ A 4 3 this deal as akin to ‘a non-talking extra in a low budget C movie’, is in sole How should he have control of the hearts, and therefore played the hand? It looks as though you have to guess needs to discard a club. Away goes the whether to play for hearts 3-3 or to ♥6 from dummy and East discards a Looking at the spade suit, and keeping play the backwards finesse in clubs. club. Now declarer plays a club to the in mind the auction, your main hope Wouldn’t it be nice to try both – hearts king, and runs the ♣J (pinning the is that the spades divide 2-2. If they do, first, then if they don’t break fall back ♣10). you just have to keep playing spades on the club play? Are the entries there? With this line of play, it is possible to and watch all the honours come It looks like they’re not, because the combine the chance of a friendly heart tumbling down. club play needs you to start with ♣J break with the club layout that Wayne What can be done about 3-1 breaks? from dummy, while you still have the had hoped for. If East has a singleton ace or singleton king there. Poor West, starting with a four- king, you can duck one, then cross to But look what happens if declarer count, then having two honours hand and lead a spade towards dum- does choose to ruff a heart, and learns crashed! ■ my’s remaining ♠Q-x. However, cross- ing in clubs commits you to a particu- lar play in the club suit, and crossing Marion Mitchell Morrison (1907 – 1979) with a heart ruff risks running into an overruff, or a ruff-in with the jack, John Ford’s ‘Stagecoach’ in 1939 made John Wayne a star. Born in Iowa, he when trumps were 2-2 all the time. weighed 13 pounds (5.9kg) at birth, and lived most of his life in California. The Duke’s play of leading ♠Q works He earned his nickname because he ‘…never went anywhere without his both when it tempts a cover from ♠K- huge Airedale Terrier, Duke…’, and was nicknamed ‘Little Duke’. He went to J-9, and legitimately when LHO has a university to study law on a sports scholarship, but an injury curtailed both singleton jack. So does that mean it’s his sporting and his academic plans. He started his acting career as an extra. the best play? Fast forwarding a bit, he had chalked up 142 films and was world famous Probably not. Rather than relying on for his leading roles, primarily as tough but warm-hearted cowboys. Married a favourable club layout, you’d prefer three times, he had 7 children; a few went into the entertainment business but to be able to set up a heart to allow none have threatened to overshadow his iconic status. What was threatened you to throw a club. If hearts are 4-2, was his life, by his wife (no 2), who in a drunken rage attempted to shoot that will need two entries to dummy him. His tombstone, at his request, reads ‘ugly, strong, and dignified’, in outside the heart suit. ♣K is one; but Spanish, a language he was fluent in. The John Wayne Cancer Foundation the other will have to be in trumps. (JWCF) continues to support research into the illness that took his life. If trumps are 2-2, you can use ♠Q as Some of his most famous films are: Rooster Cogburn (1975), Brannigan (1975), an entry, but not if you’ve played it at Chisum (1970), True Grit (1969), The Green Berets (1968), trick two. All in all, a low trump from The Sons of Katie Elder (1965), The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), dummy at trick two seems likely to Donovan’s Reef (1963) and How the West Was Won (1963). give you the best chance.

BRIDGE June 2016 Page 25 Better Hand Evaluation Catching Up with Sally Brock Bernard Magee

Introduction hen I left you last event, but finished badly. at the casino on the Friday Better Hand Evaluation is month, I was just When the scores were first night which partially made aimed at helping readers to about to start announced I was fourth, but up for the bridge). add greater accuracy to their Wplaying in the IMSA Elite luckily there was a recount. Toby, Briony and I man- bidding. It deals with auc- tions in which you and your Mind Games in Huai’an, This was my favourite aged a quick dash to France partner, against silent op- China. My original inten- deal: to restock our wine reserves. ponents, can describe your tion was to write about that We rather enjoy these ex- hands fully to each other and, by evaluating them ac- week in the Seven Days arti- cursions: leave home after curately, find the best final cle. However, it was quickly Dealer East. N/S Vul. the rush hour, cross via the contract. The emphasis of all apparent that it would be ♠ Q J Tunnel, arrive in the after- good, accurate bidding is on quite boring because all we ♥ J 8 2 noon and find somewhere hand evaluation. did was play bridge. The ho- ♦ A K Q 10 9 6 5 to drive around, back to the There are two general types of tel was rather good, but it ♣ J hotel in Calais, nice din- auction: a) a fit is found and b) suffered from piped music ♠ 9 4 3 2 ♠ 10 7 6 ner out, then a bit of food no fit is found. ♥ K 7 4 3 N ♥ A 10 6 all over the place, including W E and wine shopping before When you do not have a fit, in our bedrooms, for most ♦ 2 S ♦ 8 7 having lunch and heading you are aiming to describe the ♣ A 8 7 5 ♣ 10 6 4 3 2 strength of your hand as soon of the waking day (7am to home. Because of the time as possible, most often using 11pm). It was the sort of ♠ A K 8 5 difference, if you’re careful no-trump bids. This book be- music that is often sold as ♥ Q 9 5 you can avoid the worst of gins by discussing balanced- ‘dolphins singing’ or some ♦ J 4 3 the evening rush hour too. hand bidding in Acol, as it ♣ K Q 9 is very important that both such, so no doubt supposed My mother is not improv- members of a partnership to have a calming effect, but ing. We went and cooked a have an accurate knowledge of it rather got on our nerves meal there for all the family how to show hands of different after a time. The hotel was I opened a strong no-trump on Mothering Sunday. The strengths. built on a lake (or rather the as South and my part- following weekend they had When a fit is found, there is lake was built next to a ho- ner, Bénédicte Cronier of a lunchtime drinks party to much re-evaluation of the hand to be done; point count, tel) and we couldn’t even go France, went for an aggres- say goodbye to their friends though still important, needs for a walk around the lake sive raise to 6NT. West led in the village before moving to be evaluated together with without having the same a spade and it seemed ex- out to an apartment in a re- distribution. The best way of music piped at you every 20 tremely unlikely that the tirement village a few miles reaching an accurate assess­ ment is to use the Losing Trick yards or so. defenders would continue away. On both occasions, Count; this is an important In the teams we started spades if I played a club, my mother got up and clear- method of hand evaluation and well, but ended up third so I decided to run all my ly enjoyed seeing her friends takes up a number of chapters. after the qualifying round. winners. I started with the and family. However, in be- Finally, we move on to different There were four teams to spades, discarding a club tween she is generally in forms of evaluation including start with and all played and a heart from dummy. bed. Still, the new place is game tries and splinter bids. much more convenient for You can never know enough all twice. Then the top two In the two-card ending East methods of hand evaluation; played off, and the oth- came down to the singleton them and I hope that they the more you learn, the better er two played off for the ♥A and a club while West will both enjoy being there. you get at judging your hand. bronze. We won the bronze. threw the ♣A to keep ♥K- Workwise, it’s the usual Although the Losing Trick Nicola and I never really got x. So when I played a heart, combination of typesetting Count is used more easily in going in the pairs, but Eng- East had to win and the ♣K travel guides, online bridge tandem with your partner, a lish success went to Nevena was my twelfth trick. coaching and bridge writ- large proportion of the ideas in this book can be used by an Senior who played with an Other bridge events have ing. Of course, Briony and individual. For example, eval- unknown Chinese partner included the Portland Pairs I have both been very busy uating your hand to be worth (Fiona had flown back to (national mixed pairs) in with the two main projects an extra point is going to help Australia to continue her which I can only describe in aid of her charity – the anyone you partner – as long as you get it right. holiday) and finished up our performance as medio- Big Bridge Quiz (which, sharing the bronze medal cre, and the Easter Guard- with another month to go, £14 including UK postage podium. I played better in ian Pairs in which I played has already reached its tar- Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 the individual and won the with Allie and we finished get of £2,500) and Some En- www.mrbridge.co.uk bronze. I had been doing nearer the bottom than the chanted Evening, our bridge quite well for most of the top (though I did win £250 evening on May 6th. ■

Page 26 BRIDGE June 2016 The Diaries of Wendy Wensum Episode 50: The Revolving Discard

t was the monthly teams event at end decided to show my clubs. After Monica led the club ace on which the Riverside and, as usual, Millie Jason’s pass, Millie cue bid with three James inadvertently played the three. and I were playing with Kate and hearts asking for a stop in that suit and Monica now followed with the king IJo. ‘I’ve misplaced my bridge glasses Gertrude doubled to confirm a heart and James played the five. Now so I’m using my driving ones. I’m lead. I now bid game in no trumps. expecting James to ruff, she continued not seeing the cards too well; they’re with another club. Kate won the trick blurred,’ announced a hassled West West North East South on table with the two of trumps and as he arrived at our table. ‘It’s just as Jason Millie Gertrude Wendy led a diamond which she ruffed. well it’s that way round otherwise you Pass 1♦ 2♥ 3♣ At this point, Monica became visibly could be driving home using your Pass 3♥ Dbl 3NT irritated. Kate entered dummy via the bridge glasses, very dangerous,’ noted All Pass king of spades and ruffed another Millie, suddenly a safety expert. ‘I do diamond. Monica over-ruffed and all the driving, not Jason,’ announced Jason led his singleton heart. Gertrude exited with a club ruffed by declarer his wife firmly, ‘I wear the trousers won with the ace and returned the jack. who played the ace of spades and in our house’. ‘Yes you do,’ agreed I won with the king. Jason attempted followed it with a low one taken her husband, smoothing his tartan to place the nine of diamonds on the by James’ queen. James played a kilt carefully as he took his seat. His table to suggest a holding in spades. diamond which was ruffed and wife continued, ‘We’re new members. With his restricted vision, the card over-ruffed. Monica was endplayed. I’m Gertrude by the way, but just call spun out of his hand and completed Kate won the next two tricks before me Gert and leave out the rude bit.’ I a spectacular loop the loop to land in conceding the last trick for one off and was still wondering why Jason needed Millie’s handbag beside her chair. ‘Do minus 200, with the opposition taking driving glasses if he didn’t drive, but you play revolving discards?’ inquired in all two clubs, a spade and three that wasn’t really my concern. ‘Gert Millie unnecessarily and, as dummy, hearts. treats me more like a pet than a bridge certainly unethically. However the Monica then upbraided James for partner,’ grumbled Jason softly to no signal was construed, it was to no avail encouraging a club continuation on one in particular. ‘Don’t exaggerate. as with two hearts, five clubs and five the opening lead. James explained that Now have a sweetie,’ Gert responded diamonds the contact came home with he had simply pulled out the wrong kindly enough. This board brought us three overtricks for plus 690. card. Monica suggested he got his back to matters in hand. As we scored up later we discov- eyes tested, but added she suspected ered that Jo and Kate played the hand that he had simply forgotten their against James and his wife, Monica, switch to reverse attitude signals and Dealer West. Game All. referred to as the Drama Queen be- recommended a brain transplant ♠ Q 4 3 cause of her thespian antics. ‘She’s no rather than a visit to the optician. ♥ 4 friend of mine,’ explained Millie. ‘I’m James wisely remained silent. ♦ A K Q J 10 5 not surprised after all the things you In the pub later, Millie wondered ♣ 9 5 3 say about her behind her back,’ re- whether on the club lead and a ♠ K 10 8 5 ♠ A 7 6 2 torted Jo. The start of their auction was favourable continuation, two hearts N ♥ 2 ♥ A J 10 8 7 3 W E rather different. Over James’ opening might have been made by Kate. I ♦ 9 8 7 6 4 2 S ♦ Void diamond, Kate overcalled a conserva- rather doubted it, but fortunately my ♣ 6 4 ♣ J 10 8 tive one heart. Monica bid two clubs purchase of a round of drinks quelled ♠ J 9 over which James bid two diamonds. any further discussion on that issue. ♥ K Q 9 6 5 Dangerously, Kate now bid two hearts ‘Poor Jim,’ observed Jo, ‘he’s really ♦ 3 which Monica dramatically doubled under Monica’s thumb.’ ‘I think Jason ♣ A K Q 7 2 for penalties, venomously placing the is too,’ reflected Millie. ‘In Jason’s red double card on the table. case I think Gertrude’s thumb may be involved,’ interjected Kate. Jason passed and Millie (North) West North East South It had certainly been a match for opened one diamond. Gertrude found Jo James Kate Monica remarkably strange carding signals two hearts, described by Jason as in- Pass 1♦ 1♥ 2♣ as well as unexpected examples termediate. Hoping that Millie might Pass 2♦ 2♥ Dbl of defective vision and henpecked double I considered passing, but in the All Pass husbands. ■

BRIDGE June 2016 Page 27 David Stevenson answers your questions on Laws and Ethics

What Happens if Conventions are Forgotten

Playing recently, what has happened. She said she was they had no agreement, the opposition’s How about opener? taking it as West’s second how could West bid 4♣ Qbidding went Well, he does not have any suit. West interjected with a singleton club? 1NT-2♥-4♥-4♠. Their unauthorised information, so (uninvited) that, after We were never told the convention card clearly if he wants to guess what 4♠ an overcall, they had no meaning of the 4♣ bid. stated that they play means that is fair enough. agreement. East then After the hand had transfers over 1NT. When There is some suggestion repeated that she was been played, the matter the responder said 4♠ that these sequences are still taking it as West’s was referred for a ruling and the bidding had illegal because of fielding second suit. West, who to two other players finished, but before the a misbid or something. was also the director, who direct: they could lead had been made, However, not only has the therefore became not agree. We were the opener apologised EBU’s stance on fielded declarer in 4♥, holding: told that the matter and said he had misbids changed so that was being referred completely forgotten they are no longer subject to one of the county’s about transfers. to automatic adjustment, ♠ 6 4 3 leading experts and the Can this bid be allowed but also they are based on ♥ A K 10 7 5 N club would let us know W E to stand, or should private agreements. The ♦ A 8 7 4 S the ruling. We never it be taken that they trouble with this is that in a ♣ Q heard a word and no had agreed to play in club these agreements are adjustment was made. hearts, so the spade not private: everyone knows Name and address supplied. bid becomes a cue bid exactly what this sequence When the auction was looking for slam in means. So the result stands. complete, West neither East should not tell hearts and therefore called another director anyone how she is must not be passed? ♣♦♥♠ nor told us that East’s A taking it. Players Connie Pearce by email. explanations of his are meant to give details of Playing duplicate 4♣ bid was incorrect. agreements, not guesses. What infraction has pairs at an West made 10 tricks by West should certainly have occurred? There was QEBU-affiliated leading a low club from kept quiet until the end of the A no announcement club, West was dealer. dummy towards his ♣Q auction. Nevertheless, you or alert (presumably) for the The bidding went: which made. South, seem to have been told that 2♥ bid, so responder knows holding the ♣A over they have no agreement, and something is wrong, but he West North East South dummy’s ♣K, played there is a strong inference knows something is wrong 1♥ Pass 3♥ 3♠ low. Had there been a that West is not long in clubs when partner bids 4♥. In 4♣ Pass 4♥ All Pass proper explanation of otherwise he probably would fact, it is completely obvious the 4♣ bid, South would not have said anything. I what is wrong. So, should he Before passing 4♥, still have had a decision am afraid that you have be allowed to bid 4♠? While my partner, sitting to make (West might been told correctly the lack the lack of announcement is South, asked East have been void in clubs) of agreement, so the result unauthorised information, what she understood but we nevertheless felt should stand. It is very he knows perfectly well by West’s 4♣ bid. hard done by. If indeed wrong to make a decision

Page 28 BRIDGE June 2016 and not tell you, even if you would have to write a special short pause, without even though the lead did not like the decision. movement for the scoring selecting a card, South from dummy had been You ask how West program. The big advantage asks West what discard covered, or otherwise could bid 4♣ without an of this is that, while each system the partnership explain what the correct agreement, but in fact it is pair has to sit out for 35 is playing. West, a procedure should have common for players to make minutes or so, they do not do little nonplussed, gives been. Secondly, could a bid in the hope that partner so all at once, but sit an explanation but you give an opinion as will read it the same way as out three boards, and later then says, ‘My partner to whether an average they intend. Sometimes they sit out two boards. followed suit.’ To which for the second board are in agreement, sometimes It feels better. declarer suddenly of the round was fair not, but it does not matter, exclaims that dummy to the defenders, who sometimes it goes horribly ♣♦♥♠ has led the wrong card had no part in the wrong: that’s bridge. from table as he had original mistake? Declarer leads a called for a club. Dummy Your valued comments ♣♦♥♠ top diamond to apologises and says will enable the club Qwhich LHO and she hadn’t heard the directors to deal with We play Howell dummy follow. RHO ruffs club call and neither similar instances more movements and leads to the next of the defenders could speedily in future. Qin a small trick – a diamond! say they did (although Jim Wallis, club. Sometimes due At this point, I was West does have severe Bovey Tracy, Devon. to bad weather, dark called to the table. hearing difficulties). nights, holidays, The offender made no The declarer is a senior If dummy puts in illness, lambing and mention of this being a club director but the place a card that bringing in the sheep, correction of the revoke session director, armed A declarer did not attendance is poor. The when the card was with the Yellow Book, is name, it is corrected so worst case is playing played. Do I rule that the called and a discussion long as both sides have a 25-board Howell, revoke is automatically ensues between her not played to the next trick. with a five board, 35 corrected or that, as the and declarer. Nothing It is a judgement for the minute sit-out. Can you lead was intentional, the conclusive results and director whether that is what suggest a movement, revoke is established? another player, also a happened. Assuming the with a shorter sit-out? John Ruddock by email. club director, is called director decides that is what Alex Mathers by email. for her opinion and, happened, the decision at Leading to the next although uncertain, the the table was correct, The problem is, trick establishes the decision is taken that dummy’s card is corrected simply, that with A revoke, so one trick declarer can restart and the defender’s card A six pairs, one is transferred at the end of the trick by replacing is returned to his hand imaginary, and 25 boards, the hand (the revoker clearly the diamond lead and without penalty. you cannot really solve the won the trick), plus another playing a club. East’s Giving the E/W pair problem of pairs sitting if the defenders take any ♦8 is deemed not to average for the board they out for 35 minutes. of the remaining tricks. be a penalty card. The missed is unfair: they are I suggest that you play contract goes two off completely faultless, and the movement with three- ♣♦♥♠ (it doesn’t matter what the law requires any pair board rounds, then repeat lead is made from that lose a board and are it with two-board rounds. I would dummy, the contract is faultless to get average plus. The Howell cards work welcome your always going to fail). More interesting is what perfectly well because in the Qopinions on two Because of the inquest, N/S should get for the lost first half you put out the first points of a situation the table is now a board board. Were they at fault? three boards of each set, that arose during a behind and the director The main fault seems to for example if the cards say duplicate session. decided that the second have been the time taken by 6 to 10 you put out 6 to 8, The contract on the board should not be the director to make a simple then in the second half you first board of the round played and an average book ruling – just reading put out the remaining two is an awkward 1NT (50% each) should be law 45D out would have boards of each set, 9 to 10 played by South. After awarded to both pairs. solved it swiftly. in this example. It is easy several tricks have E/W are not asked their Perhaps they were ‘partly enough to score by hand been played, declarer opinion of this action. at fault’ since the declarer or by computer: if you use is in dummy and North Please can you give seems to have been involved Bridgemates (which seems (dummy) plays the ♦2. a judgment whether it in the discussion, which unnecessary with two and This is covered with the was correct for the trick means they should get an a half tables), then you ♦8 by East and after a to be started again, average.

BRIDGE June 2016 Page 29 Playing at our methods should have system that N/S did indeed play If you are misinformed local club, I cards, and that is sufficient. strong jump overcalls and you are damaged Qquestioned a pair The 1NT response with with South having a near then the director adjusts. about their leads against no stopper is a borderline Yarborough. Even so, I It appears that you were no-trump contracts, after case. I might bid 1NT on: was disappointed that my misinformed since North realising that twice they partner had not at least said the explanation was had led different cards bid to game, as a small wrong. He was correct as from anyone else. They ♠ x x slam seemed possible. a defender to say nothing stated that it was their ♥ J x x As the play continued, until the end of the hand. agreement always to ♦ A Q x x I lost tricks to South on It seems likely that you were make a non-standard ♣ Q 10 x x two finesses, as I was damaged, though I cannot be lead when defending expecting the majority certain of this without seeing against a no-trump of the points to be with the whole hand. Of course contract. Unfortunately for lack of anything else North. I made only 10 your partner has passed a bid very few people (at both and would not consider tricks and at the end of which appears to be forcing, clubs I play at) carry this particularly unusual, play North called the but it seems likely he would convention cards with since I have some partial director and explained have bid again if told that this them to the table. When stop in hearts. However, if that his partner had was a weak jump overcall. asked, they produced they take it to extremes and misinformed the strength There is also the possibility of a convention card in respond 1NT freely on: of his jump overcall. The your making more tricks by which the information is director made a note finessing the other way. So buried fairly deeply. Are of the hand and said a correct ruling would give they required to alert ♠ Q x that the score might you an adjustment to a game the opposition that their ♥ x x well be adjusted at the contract much of the time, or lead is non standard? ♦ A Q x x x end of the session, if he possibly all the time, and vari- Either after the bidding ♣ J x x x believed that we had ous numbers of tricks from is completed or when been damaged by the ten upwards. I agree with you the lead is made? misinformation. However, that there would be no point The same pair in then I do not think 1NT at the end of the evening in the law, if when there was a bidding sequence is now truly natural and I and after discussion misinformation and damage such as: feel an alert is in order. with another qualified no adjustment was made. director, he refused West North East South ♣♦♥♠ to rule in our favour, ♣♦♥♠ 1♥ 1♠ Pass 1NT1 saying that a similar 17-9 HCP, may not have a heart The following situation had happened The following stop happened at recently. The offence occurred during Qour local club had been referred to Qa regular Should this be alerted recently. My partner County Level and the duplicate evening. during the bidding? (West) opened with 1♣, ruling had been ‘tough Defending against a Rodney Light by email. North made a jump luck’, no adjustment 4♠ contract, I led my overcall (2♥). I held 15 of score. What then is singleton ♣A followed by Carding methods HCP and a long strong the point of a defender a heart that my partner are not subject to spade suit. I asked South explaining, at the end ruffed and returned a A alerts. However, I do what the strength of the of the hand, that there club for me to ruff. think that this pair should be jump overcall was and he had been misinformation On going to ruff my strongly encouraged to use said, ‘strong.’ As I held and what is the meaning second heart lead, he the modern EBU 20B card ♥A-x, I decided to jump of law 47E2b, if no inadvertantly pulled out which includes a space for to 3♠ (hoping to show adjustment can be made? the wrong card (a small items that opponents might my spade length and Granville Williamson, diamond) then without wish to know, and their leads overall strength) with Falmouth BC. actually placing it on the should be mentioned there. the possibility of slam table (it was nevertheless If they do that and make the prospects. South passed, I think your director exposed), he immediately system card readily available, as did my partner and just misunderstood realised his error and then they have done all that North. When dummy’s A the law. It is very saying something like, is required of them. The fact hand went down, my dangerous to compare a ‘Sorry that’s the wrong that system cards are not used partner had opened ruling from another event card,’ put it back into his much in your club is normal, fairly light with 11 HCP unless he is absolutely hand and ruffed again. but does not alter the fact and a 2-2-4-5 shape, sure that all the relevant Then he would have led that players who play strange so it seemed possible occurrences were the same. another club for me to

Page 30 BRIDGE June 2016 ruff and the contract but in the former case he would have been down would warn dummy not to two. Dummy objected attempt to interfere with BRIDGE EVENTS 2016 vehemently and insisted play in future, and if she that the diamond should did so she might be fined. with Bernard Magee be played. Declarer had While there are situations seen the error for what it where unintended PROGRAMME was and would, I’m sure, happenings may be have let it stand. Dummy corrected, a card played by a FRIDAY though would not accept defender is not one of them. this and the director 1500 Mr Bridge was called. She then ♣♦♥♠ Welcome Desk open Tea or coffee on arrival exaggerated the situation Wyndham Garden vociferously insisting Declarer is 1745 to 1830 that the diamond had playing in 3NT Grantham Welcome drinks Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT been placed on the Qand the diamond reception table (in fact it hadn’t). lead is won by declarer 12-14 August £245 1830 to 2000 The director however with the ace. There are Competitive Bidding Dinner ruled in her favour. This lots of clubs in dummy 9-11 September £245 2015 BRIDGE 1 resulted in the declarer headed by the K-Q-J. Supporting Majors DUPLICATE PAIRS being able to draw the Declarer leads the ♣A remaining two trumps from hand and then leads Chatsworth Hotel SATURDAY and make the contract. a low club to the king. Worthing BN11 3DU 0800 to 0930 Should my partner have He now tells dummy to 19-21 August £245 Breakfast been allowed to correct run the clubs. Whilst the Supporting Majors what was undoubtedly clubs are run, declarer 1000 to 1230 SEMINAR & an unintended and discards three diamonds 16-18 September £245 SUPERVISED PLAY Better Leads & Switches immediately corrected from hand. On the next of SET HANDS error or was the trick, declarer won the 28-30 October £245 (tea & coffee at 1100) director’s acceptance club in hand. Declarer Signals & Discards 1230 to 1330 of dummy’s version made ten tricks and the Cold Buffet Lunch the correct outcome? director made his ruling. Elstead Hotel 1400 to 1645 Ray Andrews by email. Did declarer revoke Bournemouth BH1 3QP three times? She said BRIDGE 2 4-6 November £245 TEAMS of FOUR If your partner, when that, as she only had Competitive Bidding defending, puts a one remaining club, 1815 to 2000 Dinner A card in the position this was not so. Does Blunsdon where you could see it if you the director instead 2015 BRIDGE 3 were looking (whether you restore equity? What House Hotel DUPLICATE PAIRS actually see it or not) then should the decision be? Swindon SN26 7AS it must be played. Whether Andrew Peel by email. 11-13 November £245 SUNDAY it is the card he intended or Partner of the Leader 0800 to 0930 not is irrelevant. Since you Further revokes in Breakfast say it was exposed it cannot the same suit are not 1000 to 1230 be changed. Whether it subject to penalty, A SEMINAR & touched the table or not is therefore there is only one SUPERVISED PLAY also irrelevant. However, penalty trick awarded, since of SET HANDS dummy is not allowed to call declarer did not win the (tea & coffee at 1100) attention to an infraction, trick with the revoke card. 1230 to 1400 and it is not clear from your Every established revoke Denham Grove Sunday Lunch description whether dummy is subject to equity being Near Uxbridge UB9 5DG 1400 to 1645 did this, or whether attention restored, so if the director BRIDGE 4 was called and then dummy decides the revokes cost the 18-20 November £245 DUPLICATE PAIRS called the director. In fact, the defence more than one trick Penalty Doubles director has to rule anyway, he will restore those tricks. ■ Full Board. No Single Supplement*. E-mail your questions (including your postal address) See www.mrbridge.co.uk for any new dates on bridge laws to: [email protected] *subject to availability

BRIDGE June 2016 Page 31 2101 Mr Bridge third page ad 161106BR _Layout 1 2

More Tips from Bernard Magee Think about the opening lead carefully: REVISED ITINERARY take full advantage when you can

As declarer, make sure you take could have shortage, but considering Madeira, note of the lead; it can give you it is dummy’s suit he should not great advantages in the play. In fact, generally lead a doubleton, so you you can take it a step further and might expect it to be a singleton. Canaries try to work out why they made the You play your ace and the lead – this might then allow you to queen falls from South. What & Morocco place some of the other cards. are your thoughts now? It looks as if North has led from hosted by ♣9-x-x-x which is a little odd: why did he not lead the unbid suit, diamonds? WILL and SYLVIA PARSONS N with Judy and Martin Holcombe ♣ A 8 2 W E ♣ Q 10 7 3 The most likely reason that North S did not lead a diamond is because he holds the ace and quite rightly did not want to lead away from it. North leads the ♣5 against 3NT, you This will have a big impact on your play small from the holding in dummy decision when diamonds are played. and South plays the king. You win the ace and must take advantage of the layout. It seems that North has led a ♠ A 2 fourth highest club, so he must have the ♥ 9 8 2 remaining cards higher than the ♣5: ♦ A 10 8 4 he led from ♣J-9-6-5. You can lead the ♣ 9 8 6 5 ♣8 and run it. By taking two finesses ♠ K J 10 8 7 ♠ Q 6 5 you finish with four tricks from the suit. ♥ A J 5 3 N ♥ K Q 6 W E Join us on a magnificent journey Note that you do not just finesse the ♦ K 3 S ♦ J 6 from Andalusian Spain to Atlantic ♣10 but take full advantage of the lead. ♣ 10 4 ♣ A J 7 3 2 islands and the unique landscapes The opening leader is often choosing ♠ 9 4 3 of the Western Sahara Desert blind so it is clear that sometimes ♥ 10 7 4 he will choose the ‘wrong’ lead. ♦ Q 9 7 5 2 November 6, 2016 - 15 days Furthermore, there will be times ♣ K Q from Malaga to Malaga when his lead might point you in the • Fly to Malaga (Granada) Cruise to • Cadiz (Jerez) • Funchal right direction if you consider why • La Palma • Arrecife • El Marsa he did not lead a different suit. After winning the ♣A, you play trumps (Western Sahara Desert) • Agadir After the auction given, North to North’s ace and he plays another • Marrakesh (overnight hotel*) • Casablanca (Rabat) overnight onboard • Tangier leads ♣9 against your 4♠ contract: club to South’s king. Finally when South • Malaga • Fly home switches to a diamond you are ready. Great value Mr Bridge fares You decided that North may well have Standard Inside from £1,850pp ♠ K J 10 8 7 ♠ Q 6 5 the ace, so you play low from hand and Standard Outside from £2,450pp ♥ A J 5 3 N ♥ K Q 6 although North wins his ace, you make Premium Outside from £2,650pp ♦ K 3 W E ♦ J 6 the rest of the tricks. By analysing the S Single supplement just 10% ♣ 10 4 ♣ A J 7 3 2 lead, you changed a basic 50/50 shot For reservations call in diamonds in to something slightly more in your favour. Change North’s ♦A West North East South into the ♦Q and he might have chosen on 01483 489961 1♠ Pass 2♣ Pass a diamond lead since it was the unbid 2♥ Pass 4♠ All Pass suit. It is only a slight inference, but anything is better than a blind guess. Ask yourself what does he have Careful analysis of the lead will often in clubs and why did he not make a difference to the number of www.mrbridge.co.uk lead any of the other suits? tricks you make in the suit led, but it can Terms and conditions apply – see brochure or website for details His high lead would suggest that he also make a difference throughout the * No bridge on overnight hotel stay doesn’t have the king or queen. He whole of the hand. ■

Page 32 BRIDGE June 2016 Conventions Part 18 with Jeremy Dhondy

Suit Preference Signals

ne of the trickiest things about about which cards are or are not suit signalling is to know what ♠ 6 5 preference. There are, of course, signal to give, and when. If you ♥ A 7 6 5 4 N positions where a different signal is Olisten to some post-mortems after a ♦ 4 3 2 W E critical. S contract has been let through, you find ♣ 4 3 2 The bidding by the opposition has that one member of the partnership gone 1NT-3NT. thought a signal to be attitude and You hold: another thought it to be count. You You decided to lead the ♥A and can’t defend to best advantage unless dummy comes down with: you resolve some of these situations. ♠ Q 9 7 6 Be cheered by the fact that many very ♥ J 7 4 2 N good players have accidents with their ♠ Q J 9 8 3 2 ♦ 8 3 W E S signals. ♥ 9 ♣ K 4 3 A very useful addition to the ♦ Q 10 7 armoury is to play suit preference ♣ K J 6 signals. It is your lead. You decide to lead your A suit preference signal is one where N fourth highest spade and the dummy W E you play a higher card to suggest S comes down with interest in the higher ranking suit and a lower ranking card to suggest interest in the lower ranking suit. ♠ 8 5 This article features some examples of If partner plays the ♥2, then he ♥ Q 6 where this might be useful. is suggesting he prefers clubs to ♦ K Q J 10 7 4 One big difference between below diamonds. If he plays the ♥8 he is ♣ Q J 7 average, average and good players is suggesting a diamond switch. A good that good players rarely play idle cards reason for this is you neither care N W E that mean nothing. much how many hearts he has got nor S whether he likes them, so mark this Trick One down as one agreed position where suit preference is best. Of course, it is important to agree Declarer wins the first spade and it when a card might be suit preference. Which signal is best? looks as if he has two stops in that It’s rare for a signal to be suit preference suit. Now he plays a diamond. It is at trick one, but one situation where it To start with, it may be best to just absolutely critical that you give count should be is when you lead a top card agree a few common positions where because if partner holds the ♦A, then and there is a singleton in dummy. suit preference is preferable. If you he needs to know when to win the The bidding, by the opposition has are in a regular partnership, you can trick. Dummy has no certain entry. gone 1♠-4♠. add to them but be aware that if you This is a clear example where a count You hold: don’t you will be open to disagreement signal is top priority.

BRIDGE June 2016 Page 33 Looking for ruffs ranking suit. Partner will be under pressure and T B OILE Here is an example where suit prefer- have to make two discards before you PO R ence is best. do, so you can give him some help. ♠ A Q 7 North-South finish in 4♠. Pay close attention. ♥ A K Q J ♦ Q J 10 9 8 7 ♣ Void ♠ K J 10 8 6 ♠ 9 5 4 3 2 N ♠ ♠ ♥ 5 4 3 2 ♥ VOID K 7 3 J 6 3 ♦ W E ♦ VOID S 6 5 4 3 2 ♥ K Q J 6 ♥ Q 9 6 ♣ ♣ K Q J 10 4 3 2 ♦ ♦ ♠ Void 4 3 2 9 6 ♥ 10 9 8 7 6 ♣ Q 9 5 ♣ K Q 10 8 5 ♦ A K ♠ ♠ ♠ ♣ A 9 8 7 6 5 2 8 6 5 4 10 8 5 ♥ A 5 2 N ♥ 10 4 3 ♥ K 7 N W E ♦ Q 8 6 W E ♦ J 10 9 7 5 ♦ A Q 8 4 2 Contract 7♥ by South. S S ♣ A 8 7 4 3 2 ♣ J ♣ A 7 3 West leads the ♣K. ♠ A Q J 10 9 ♥ 9 8 7 Made in the UK from 100% pure cotton © Mr Bridge ♦ A K North South ♣ K 10 6 1NT (15-17) 3NT

You decide as West to lead the ♣A and As West, you lead your fourth highest when you see partner’s jack, you can diamond and the ♦9 is covered by think of nothing much better than your partner’s ♦10 and declarer’s jack. leading another one, hoping to give Declarer now plays the ♣J which you him a ruff. Good news follows when duck and partner shows three by he does ruff and leads back . . . ? You playing the ♣2. Declarer now plays should have told him what to do. As another club and you win (trusting you have the ♥A you lead your highest partner) and play what? If you have club, the ♣8 to show something in turned the cards over, it is too late. hearts. If you had the ♦A you would After partner has played the ♣2, he have led the ♣2 at trick 2 to suggest a has a free choice of the nine or the four. diamond card. Leading your fourth Which did he play? One defence is to highest at this point is a waste of a give declarer his ♦K and wait patiently signal. Not having any agreement is to get in with the ♥K to cash the tantamount to waving a white flag. diamonds. An alternative is to watch Partner obediently plays back a heart closely. If your partner plays the ♣4 it and you give him another ruff thus suggests something in hearts and if he beating the contract. plays the ♣9 it suggests something in Suppose declarer (South) is playing spades. Partner has played the ♣4, so in 3NT. After your lead which he wins, play a heart. The whole hand is: QPLUS he sets about cashing his long suit. TRADE-IN ♠ J 6 3 ♦ A K Q 4 3 ♥ Q 9 6 OFFER ♦ 9 6 N ♦ 10 6 2 W E ♦ 7 ♣ K Q 10 8 5 Return any old bridge S ♠ 10 8 5 ♠ 9 7 4 software with a cheque for ♦ J 9 8 5 ♥ K 7 N ♥ A 8 4 2 £50 and receive QPLUS 11 ♦ A Q 8 4 2 W E ♦ 10 7 3 S now and QPLUS 12 when ♣ A 7 3 ♣ 9 4 2 ready at the end of October. On the first round, you play the ♦2 to ♠ A K Q 2 Order with confidence. show how many you have got. ♥ J 10 5 3 On the second round, you have a ♦ K J 5 Mr Bridge choice between the ♦6 and the ♦10. ♣ J 6 If you play the ♦6 then the ♦10, it ( 01483 489961 suggests interest in the lower ranking www.mrbridge.co.uk suit and if you play the ♦10 then the It turns out that declarer had a sneaky ♦6, it suggests interest in the higher entry to dummy in the ♠J, so if you

Page 34 BRIDGE June 2016 play another diamond he makes two worked, he would be boasting about diamonds, four spades and four clubs. it in the bar afterwards. To avoid this CLUB If you switch to a heart, you take two embarrassment, you should play back hearts, four diamonds and a club. your highest club. He will now know INSURANCE Four tricks difference makes it worth you haven’t got a big diamond and looking at partner’s cards. exit more safely. You have used a suit Every club should be If you are now in the new-found preference signal not to tell partner covered and my inclusive habit of studying partner’s cards with to lead a heart, but to warn him off a package, to suit clubs of up a magnifying glass, it also follows that diamond. to 300 members for less than you must take care when playing yours. Sometimes, your suit preference signal It works with £75 per year, is the right will stop partner doing something trumps as well package at the right price. courageous. (You will know if you were a fan of Yes Prime Minister that Plenty of hands feature declarer Contact FIDENTIA for a quote ‘courageous’ was one of Sir Humphrey’s winning the opening lead and setting most damning criticisms). about drawing trumps. You can use ( 020 3150 0080 ♣ ♠ Partner leads the 2 against 4 and suit preference signals here also. [email protected] you see: Sometimes your trump pips will be too precious to waste but if you have 7-5-3 it is unlikely that any of them will play ♠ A 9 4 a great part, so you can unleash them ♥ A K Q J to tell partner what to do. If declarer DUPLICATE ♦ J 8 2 plays the ♠A from his hand as his first ♣ Q 7 5 salvo in drawing trumps, then play BRIDGE ♠ K 8 the ♠7 to show a card in the higher N ♥ 10 7 5 3 ranking suit and the ♠3 to show a card W E RULES S ♦ Q 3 in the lower ranking suit. ♣ A 9 8 6 4 Next time you are bemoaning your SIMPLIFIED card holding and alleging that the (otherwise known as the Yellow Book) hand records will show you had very ♣ You win the A and give partner his bad hands for the evening, remember by John Rumbelow hoped for ruff and he does what? Of that even with only small cards, you only and revised by course, by now, you know he is looking can play a part in improving your 95 David Stevenson £5 closely at your card. One thing you do side’s defence. Don’t be one of the not want him to do is to underlead his defenders, who when asked what his ♦A in the hope of you getting in with partner’s card meant says, ‘No idea, I Available from Mr Bridge the ♦K to give him another ruff. If that didn’t see it.’ ■ ( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk Summary

l Agree some situations where suit preference is best. Use as many as you are comfortable with. Life’s a GAME l When you lead a top card and dummy has a singleton, it is a good time to play suit preference.

l When you are giving partner a ruff, suit preference is useful to but indicate where your entry is. l When partner has already given count and has a free choice of cards, BRIDGE this is a good time for suit preference.

l Be careful with the cards you play. There is a danger of giving partner the wrong message. is

l Remember suit preference signals are a suggestion not a command. If partner knows what to do, he can ignore you but he had better be right! SERIOUS

l At the end of the evening, you will be more tired because you will have looked at your partner’s cards much more closely than ever before. Made in the UK from 100% pure cotton © Mr Bridge

BRIDGE June 2016 Page 35 Mr Bridge Teachers’ Corner – Teaching Tips from Ian Dalziel 2016 Tutorial Weekends Planning and Playing in Twos

veryone agrees that, when you have more time and are under dummy goes down, you should less pressure, you are more likely to make a plan before playing to transfer the skills to the club. After Ethe first trick; the trouble is there isn’t my spoken lesson on ‘planning suit much time to do so. Indeed, every contracts’, my students work in pairs, Denham Grove lesson I ever give on planning hands as I demonstrated in my previous Near Uxbridge, UB9 5DG is followed by, ‘Great lesson, Ian, but column on Finessing – this time they 1-3 July £215 we don’t have time to do all this at use wallets, not flashcards, to plan the the bridge club.’ Hence, at the club, hand. This needs twice the number of Further Into the Auction they usually just ‘bash on’ with the tables, but they get a lot of practice. Will Parsons play, especially if their bidding has Believe it not, declarer can play the taken a long time and the director is hand out without defenders, if desired about to call the move. Even at a home (see later). However, if you get the plan game, you can’t take too long or your right, the hand plays itself. opponents will get bored and you Each wallet has a booklet with the won’t be invited back. contract and lead shown. The North I sympathise, but you can use your and South cards are taken out of the time more effectively. Don’t take too wallet and put face up on the table, as long to bid – if indecision is your shown. The East/West hands remain Inn on the Prom problem then dithering won’t improve in the wallet with the lead face up. St Annes on Sea FY8 1LU your choice. Indeed some of the worst South is always declarer and North is bids I have ever seen have been made dummy. The booklet has questions and 15-17 July £199 after interminable thought. If you bid answers about the play. North reads Signals and Discards fairly quickly, you have more time out the questions; South answers and Gwen Beattie to play and can use the extra time to North checks. If an answer is wrong, make a plan. they discuss till they understand it However, if you can practise fully. All four hands are shown inside planning hands at the class when the booklet. They then swap roles for the next wallet. This technique is ideal for counting losers in suit contracts as the losers are turned side on. It’s primarily a ‘teach each other’ method and the discussion is incredibly helpful; the students love it as no-one Wyndham Garden is inactive or bored. It’s so intense Grantham that 30-45 minutes is long enough Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT and they are keen to have a tea break. The supervised random hands which 21-23 October £199 follow are actually quite relaxing by Stayman and Transfers comparison. tba If desired, declarer can play out the hand using my ‘face up’ method of Full Board play. Declarer plays the cards left to No Single Supplement* right and dummy’s cards are played in the same direction. Winning cards ( 01483 489961 point to partner and losing cards are www.mrbridge.co.uk side on. The cards are left face up and *subject to availability the ‘parallel effect’ gives a record of play, as shown. The EW cards are not

Page 36 BRIDGE June 2016 Teachers’ Corner – Teaching Tips from Ian Dalziel

www.brianbridge.net Planning and Playing in Twos App-based scoring for duplicate bridge Individual – Pairs – Teams Café Bridge

played, but North checks the booklet is much quicker and more effective l Players enter scores on their iPad/iPhone/Android and informs declarer how suits break than replaying the whole hand. l No startup cost and, if defenders win a trick, North The hand shown was a suit contract l Play, direct or watch from says who wins and which card is which was planned by counting losers, anywhere in the world returned. The ‘play out’ option is very but the pairs method can also be used Step into the future quick as only 26 cards are used and for no-trump contracts by counting of bridge scoring not turned over. winners. This technique is ideal for [email protected]

inc£5 p&p

At my supervised play sessions, I hands where the defence have limited sometimes use this ‘face up’ method options, which is about 40% of my to show how a hand should have been lessons on declarer play. Using the played when all four hands are faced normal method of four at the table, Made in the UK from 100% pure cotton © Mr Bridge on the table. Declarer and dummy only declarer is really practising the play their cards under my instruction; topic, the rest are just ‘making up the numbers’ waiting for their turn ‘to play’. With the pairs method, everyone is fully involved and dummy Mr Bridge takes a very active part in the learning Celebration process. I have used this method at hundreds Party Tie of classes and have yet to find a student who didn’t like it. Try it yourself, it really works. If you would like a free PDF and / or Publisher copy of my set of booklets £15 on planning suit contracts, then email including postage & [email protected] packing If you have Publisher, you can delete my hands and use it as a template for your own hands. ( 01483 489961 If not, you can make your own I tell them how the defence will go but template in Word using my PDF copy www.mrbridge.co.uk the defenders’ cards aren’t played. This as a guide. ■

BRIDGE June 2016 Page 37 Julian Pottage answers your bridge questions

Responding to Stayman with Both Majors

You have said to invite game without must rebid 3♠ to force (showing the majors), that holding both promising a four-card a reply. Is this true? when East has 2-3 in Qmajors, opener major, then using Stayman If so, do the same the majors he should should bid 2♥ to the 2♣ followed by 2NT promises restrictions apply to give preference to Stayman enquiry. My a four-card major. This is jump rebids: can 1♠- his three-card suit. partner and I bid 2NT Promissory Stayman, which 1NT-3♣ be passed? Now I know that I pick to the 2♣ enquiry when most people play. If the Geoff Simpson by email. up 5-4 in the majors holding both majors. Is bidding starts 1NT-2♣-2♥- more often than 5-5. this not generally played 2NT/3NT, opener should You might have Given this scenario, here? (I know that the think, ‘why did partner go been looking at is it better not to give French, for example, through Stayman rather A an old book. preference when 2-3 use this system). Is than just raising? – I know These days it is normal and let partner play, at there a disadvantage to – partner has a four-card to play a reverse after a worst, in his 5-2 fit rather using this bid (possibly major.’ Opener thus bids the one-level response as a than the likely 4-3? that the stronger spades knowing of a 4-4 fit. one-round force. 1♥-1NT-2♠ The play is likely to hand goes down)? If responder has no other is thus forcing for one round end up with declarer Christine Forbes, Brecon. way to invite 3NT (as tends to but not to game. Having being forced, so will be the case for people using to jump to 3♠ to create a 5-2 not play better? If you are playing a four-suit transfers), you need force would be wasteful. Name and address supplied. weak 1NT opening, a different approach because Opener might want room A responder might wish you need to combine this with to bid spades twice to show There is a big to use Stayman on a weak Non-Promissory Stayman. a 5-6 shape or repeat the difference between hand to escape from 1NT 1NT-2♣-2♥-2NT in that case hearts to show a 4-6 shape. A an uncontested before someone doubles. just shows a raise to 2NT. A jump in a new suit is auction: 1♠-1NT-2♥ and a The 2NT reply would then cut The way for responder to forcing to game. Responder Landy 2♣ overcall. In the across partner’s intentions. show a raise to at least 2NT cannot pass after the first sequence, you have an In France, a strong 1NT with a four-card spade suit 1♠-1NT-3♣ start (unless of idea that the hand with the opening is the norm, which is to rebid 2♠ rather than course you are playing rubber majors has more spades might explain the difference 2NT after 1NT-2♣-2♥. bridge and have a part score than hearts. In the second in treatment. With the carried forward that means sequence, the hand with the standard replies to Stayman, ♣♦♥♠ 60 suffices for game). majors might have longer you can still find a 4-4 hearts or longer spades. If spade fit after opener I read ♣♦♥♠ you bid your shorter major rebids 2♥. somewhere after partner bids Landy, If your methods give Qrecently that Most experts you might find yourself responder another bid (a the uncontested auction recommend that playing with two trumps natural 2NT raise or a 2♠ 1♥-1NT-2♠ is non- Qafter 1NT by facing four rather than range enquiry for example) forcing, and opener South and 2♣ by West three trumps facing five.

Page 38 BRIDGE June 2016 My chosen I made 12 tricks on a East passes, do I have at a slam contract. bidding system cross-ruff. Partner said, to reply? Some say I Qwith all partners ‘I passed as you passed must; others say I can is Standard English. I as opener originally.’ pass. The other day, I ♠ 6 4 have a valued partner He thinks I should have got caught out having to ♥ A 9 with whom I have had responded 1♠ rather respond 3♦ over West’s ♦ K Q 10 mixed results over two than 2♣. I disagree 2♠ opening when I had ♣ A K 9 8 5 3 years. At last, it has and think you should only four very poor N become clear that his describe your hand as diamonds and a total of W E S system is Advanced best you can. On my five points. The bidding Acol and the conflict is sequence he knows I stopped there and we ♠ A K Q 9 5 destructive. He ‘knows’ have 10 or 11 points, went down badly. My ♥ K Q 10 8 4 that his system is Acol five clubs and four partner blamed me for ♦ J 8 7 and is unable to identify spades. Responding bidding, the opposition ♣ Void the difference with 1♠ straight away gives said I had to bid and I Standard English. There less information, just thought it was foolish is a drip-feed of costly 6-11 points and at of my partner to ask for North South bidding differences, least four spades. my best suit over the 1♣ 1♠ which is driving both If I respond 1♠ and opposition’s 2♠ bid. Did 1NT 2♥ of us scatty. How can I partner re-bids 2♥, I I have to bid or not? 3NT 5♥1 learn what is required can re-bid 2NT, but Mrs V Kelly, Aberdeen. Pass to adjust to his system? not sure this is best. 1Intended as inviting a slam in K Davies, Do you agree with 2♣ If your partner either hearts, spades or no- Northfield, Birmingham. first or should I respond makes a take-out trumps. 1♠ immediately? A double and the next The book, A Guide to Jim Stone, player passes, you take I have decided that Better Acol Bridge by Woodmansterne, Surrey. out the double regardless we should play in a A Ron Klinger could be of your strength. The only slam, the question is in just what you are looking for. Although I do not exception is if you have a what denomination? The alternative, when feel strongly about very good holding in the 4♥ was passed at you have a difference of A it, I would have suit opened and decide the other table. treatment on a particular gone with your partner’s to convert the double to a We had a friendly hand, is to discuss it suggestion of starting with penalty double by passing. heart split and made afterwards (at the end of 1♠ – that is if I passed in the If you have a five point 12 tricks. Perhaps I the session). Playing in a first place. 1♠ is the most hand with diamonds being should have jump bid on club that provides hand economical response and your only four-card or my second bid, before records helps, although so maximises your chance longer suit, then yes you do agreeing a suit? you can just jot down any of finding a fit in any suit. If have to bid the suit at the Andrew Scott be email. hand that you would want partner rebids in a minor, you minimum level, whether to come back to later. can raise. If partner rebids partner doubles 1♠, 2♠ or The way many 2♥, you are going to try 2NT. 3♠. Your partner should people play, your 2♥ ♣♦♥♠ The hands fitted particularly not ask you to bid and then A rebid was not forcing well – the weak hearts facing complain when you do so. and thus highly risky with What do you the void – something you If your partner makes a the hand you held. A jump think of our could not have foreseen take-out double and the to 3♥ would be forcing and Qbidding below? easily. Your responder’s next hand bids, you do not so a better way to continue reverse would have been have to bid. With a very the auction. With no fit for forcing had you not passed weak hand or with length either major, partner will Me Partner initially. I would not have only in the suit opened, you bid 3NT over 3♥. You must ♠ Q J 8 5 ♠ A 10 7 4 passed as dealer, however, pass. So with the same hand then decide whether to ♥ Void N ♥ J 9 8 7 3 with 11 HCP and a void. if the bidding went (2♠)- continue with a quantitative W E ♦ A J 9 3 S ♦ K 2 DBL-(3♠) you would pass. 4NT or, as you did, try 5♥. ♣ K 9 8 6 3 ♣ A 7 ♣♦♥♠ The best slam is 6NT ♣♦♥♠ because you are likely to West is dealer make 6NT if either major West North East South and opens; I wonder whether suit breaks kindly. In a suit Pass Pass 1♥ Pass QNorth, my you can provide slam, you are relying on 2♣ Pass 2♥ Pass partner, doubles (asking Qa suggestion a favourable break in the 2♠ All Pass me for my best suit). If as to how to arrive trump suit.

BRIDGE June 2016 Page 39 Playing natural I held: openings in Dear Absent Friends Qthe minors, by Anthea Ingham the bidding proceeds ♠ A J 4 as follows: ♥ J Reviewed by David Huggett ♦ 9 7 5 2 New Generation Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78507-528-5 West North East South ♣ Q 9 6 3 2 1♣ 1♠ 1NT have often wondered why all in favour, but in the mi- All Pass few people have seen fit nus column… I responded 2♣. Ito write a murder/mys- There had been no re- South has 14 points with Partner supported tery novel based around search done, as far as I ace to four spades, but with 3♣, but my 3♦ a group of bridge-playing could see, about any actual only two small clubs. completed the auction. fanatics, but now that gap bridge related matter. These His partner says this Partner had the has been filled by Anthea days, you cannot sustain a bid signifies 6-9 points. hearts stopped and Ingham. Not that bridge per penalty of -1,500, nor can South believes that as 3NT was made at other se features a lot and if you you hold a bridge hand of an overcall it signifies tables. Where did we expect to find bridge prob- 36 points and be missing good points and a go wrong, please? lems to mull over you will be the ♥K. (You can, but only if stopper in spades. Rupert Timpson by email. disappointed, for the action you have 14 cards.) I found Who is correct takes place in and around a that sort of thing strange and how should the Your hand is an bridge holiday. I have to say because the stuff about the bidding have gone? awkward strength, that all the protagonists are holiday and how it was run South made 11 tricks. A a bit good for an pretty ghastly people and seemed to be pretty well Fred Sleight by email. immediate raise to 2♦ and none more so than Lady spot on. a bit weak for a jump raise Prettyman who meets her Also, I didn’t much care A 1NT response to to 3♦. I guess this is why you maker via a glass of poi- for the racist and homo- partner’s opening did neither, starting with soned whisky. It is left to gay phobic remarks that more A bid is a 2♣ instead. With 8 HCP, couple Mark and John to get than one of the characters minimum action. including a singleton jack, to the bottom of the matter. seemed to delight in and, in Without intervention, 6-9 you bid the full value of The suspects include a pair these enlightened days, I am points is correct. After your hand – one normally of Welsh ladies with a murky surprised that they weren’t the overcall, one would pass reckons on 9+ HCP for a past, a husband and wife edited out. Or perhaps not, with 6, so 7-9 or 7 to a poor two-over-response. If you and their strange daughter, for in general the proof 10 is the range for 1NT. missed game, either it is another couple who earn reading was pretty bad. Not So, in answer to your because the layout was their money by stuffing de- so awful at first, but later on question, neither the player lucky or because partner ceased pets and a predatory there were misspelt or in- who bid 1NT nor the one underbid – I cannot tell female with a truly vicious terchanged words on every who passed it is quite which just from your hand. streak. Nor must we forget a second or third page and, right, though the player Playing with myself, your much abused schoolmaster, quite frankly, it became te- who passed it almost is. 3♦ rebid would be forcing, a retired headmaster and, of dious. (I do not know who With 14 points, responder showing a hand too strong course, the departed’s long New Generation Publishing should either bid game for an immediate 3♦ raise. suffering husband. Throw are and my friendly man (3NT) or make a negative The fact that you bid it with in the tournament director from Waterstones, who double (usually showing such a weak hand and that and some staff from the Ital- knows everything, seemed four cards in the other partner passed indicate that ian hotel where the murder uncertain too.) major) or perhaps bid you were not playing it that takes place and you have an If all this makes it seem two of a new suit (typically way. ■ awful lot of suspects! that I did not enjoy this book showing five cards in the Although the story line is that is far from the truth, suit if it is a major). fairly ridiculous, it is no more for I wanted to catch up on so than many of the current it whenever a few minutes ♣♦♥♠ E-mail your questions paperbacks of like genre presented themselves and (including your with ‘International Best that to me is the yardstick This is a tale postal address) Seller’ emblazoned across of whether or not I am be- of partners for Julian to: their front cover and, in fact, ing entertained. With just Qwith length I liked the story and didn’t a little more trouble taken in both minor suits julianpottage guess whodunnit, although I about the bridge facts and a failing to achieve a @mrbridge.co.uk most definitely should have. lot more with the editing, it no-trump contract. So as far as that goes, I was would have been spot on.■ My partner opened 1♦.

Page 40 BRIDGE June 2016 Improve Your Defence with Andrew Kambites Frozen Suits

n an earlier article, I introduced expert game, such suits can often be Can you see the difference between Layout A. identified by both sides at an early Layouts B and C? In Layout B, the stage and each side strives to leave the defenders (East-West) must ensure I suit alone and force opponents to open that their honours capture a lesser Layout A it up, sometimes leading to endplays. honour in the hand before them. ♠ Q 9 3 Because each side avoids it like the In Layout C, there is nothing in the ♦ N plague the suit is called a ‘frozen suit’. North hand for East’s Q to capture. ♠ K 6 5 W E ♠ A 10 8 2 S There are huge numbers of suit combinations where the suit is frozen. ♠ J 7 4 Layout B You will never be able to memorise ♥ 10 5 4 them all so how do you recognise a

N frozen suit, particularly when you can ♥ K 8 3 2 W E ♥ Q 9 6 I used this layout to demonstrate the S only see two hands, your own and ‘Second hand plays low’ principle, dummy? showing that if South leads the ♠4 ♥ A J 7 towards dummy, declarer cannot make a trick provided West plays low. Layout D Now I invite you to work out how Layout B demonstrates another frozen ♣ J 9 5 many tricks in the suit each side can suit. If North or South play a heart, N ♥ ♣ Q 10 6 W E ♣ K 8 3 2 make, considering the four cases when they are restricted to one trick, the A. S North, East, South and West leads However if East or West lead a heart the first card. In each case, assume they concede a second trick. Suppose ♣ A 7 4 ‘Second hand plays low’. You might East switches to the ♥6. Declarer plays find it helpful to do this with a pack low and West has to rise with his ♥K to of cards. prevent dummy’s ♥10 from winning In Layout D, it looks as if the clubs were If North or South start the suit, East- the trick. Now declarer can finesse scattered between the four hands at West make all three tricks, provided his ♥J for a second heart winner. By random. Not surprisingly, it turns out West’s ♠K neutralises South’s ♠J and leading hearts, East has released his to be a frozen suit. Messy suits with no East’s ♠A similarly captures North’s ♥Q from its purpose of guarding structure and with the honours and ♠Q. dummy’s ♥10. intermediates scattered around the If East or West open up the suit, Interestingly, a tiny change hands are often frozen. For example, North-South cannot be prevented transforms Layout B into Layout C, if West looks at his own ♣Q-10 and from taking a trick. Suppose West but now the diamond suit is not frozen. then at dummy’s ♣J-9, he ought to leads the ♠5. North plays low and Declarer can always finesse twice in recognise the dangers of switching to East must rise with the ♠A to prevent diamonds (entries permitting). a club without necessarily working out South making the ♠J, but then North’s the precise details. ♠Q will subsequently make a trick. At club level, defenders constantly Layout A demonstrates perfectly the Layout C open up frozen suits and throw tricks concept that the role of your honour ♦ 7 5 4 away. In Example E, West led the ♦Q. ♦ card is to capture an honour card in N Dummy won the A, East followed ♦ K 8 3 2 W E ♦ Q 9 6 ♦ the hand sitting before you, but there S suit with the 4 and South played the is something even more significant ♦2, giving West little clue as to the here. Whichever side breaks open ♦ A J 10 layout of the missing diamonds. A the suit concedes a trick. In the spade was now led to South’s ♠K,

BRIDGE June 2016 Page 41 CHARITY EVENTS won by West’s ♠A. club defenders have a mis- Please note that if the hearts What should West do placed form of a Victorian in dummy were ♥7-5-4 JULY 2016 next? work ethic. They feel they rather than ♥10-5-4, then a have to do something posi- heart switch would be safe 8 GREAT BARFORD CHURCH tive for their side. Particu- because there is no honour Village Hall, Great Barford, Example E ♥ Beds. £14. larly against suit contracts, I in dummy for East’s Q to Derek Fordham ♠ Q 6 3 2 defend with a far more pas- guard. ( 01234 870324 ♥ A 10 6 sive approach: I aim to avoid The saying ‘Lead up to Gill Wilkes ( 01234 870428 ♦ A 8 5 giving things away cheaply. dummy’s weakness’ is a [email protected] ♣ J 9 5 In Example F, West leads good guideline, but it means 17 CHIGWELL RIDING TRUST for ♠ A 7 4 the ♣4 against 4♠. Dum- real weakness: ♥10-5-4 is ♥ Q 5 2 N ♣ ♣ people with special needs. W E my’s 10 loses to East’s J, not weakness when you Abridge Village Hall, Essex. ♦ Q J 9 3 S declarer following with the hold the ♥Q sitting over it. 1.30 for 2pm start. £12 pp. ♣ Q 10 6 ♣ Duplicate/Chicago available. 2. Finally consider Example Mrs M Walker What should East do G. ( 02035 390387 next? The bidding is the same as South North in Example F and the ♣4 is AUGUST 2016 1♠ 3♠ led again to East’s ♣A and All Pass Example F declarer’s ♣2. 19 ST IVES DAY CENTRE. £15 pp. ♠ K J 2 Village Hall, ♥ Hemingford Abbots. West shouldn’t want to do 10 5 4 Don Moorman anything! ♦ K 5 3 Example G ( 01480 463444 A diamond continuation ♣ A Q 10 6 ♠ K J 2 could easily go round to ♠ 7 6 ♥ 10 5 4 SEPTEMBER 2016 ♦ N ♥ Q 9 6 ♦ K 5 3 declarer’s K-10 and both W E clubs and hearts could be S ♦ A J 6 2 ♣ K Q J 10 8 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE ♣4 led ♣ K J 9 8 ♠ 7 6 ROTARY CLUB. frozen suits, indeed the club N ♥ Q 9 6 Outlane Golf Club, suit is exactly as shown in W E Huddersfield. 12 for 12.30pm. Layout D. S ♦ A J 6 2 £50 per table (may rise to £52) There is no urgency for South North ♣4 led ♣ A 9 8 7 including lunch, afternoon 1♠ 3NT tea & biscuits. Raffle prizes. West to do anything: dum- Rtn Sam Smith my is balanced and there 4♠ All Pass ( 01924 402540 is no indication that any of A passive trump return is ( 07968 868828 dummy’s winners can be There is no case for return- not good enough now be- samuelsmith396 @btinternet.com used to discard any losers ing a club ‘just in case part- cause the club lead has set in declarer’s hand. Equally, ner can ruff’. If partner can up three club winners in 18 CHIGWELL RIDING TRUST for there is no indication that ruff he is only ruffing a loser. dummy which declarer can people with special needs. South has a side suit that If East is tempted into use to discard losers in his Abridge Village Hall, Essex. 1.30 for 2pm start. £12 pp. will allow discards from switching to a ‘safe’ heart he hand. East needs quick de- Duplicate/Chicago available. dummy. West’s best hope is should think again. A heart fensive winners and has two Mrs M Walker to let declarer do his own switch is far from being safe, choices. ( 02035 390387 work and hope he struggles see Layout B. East can return a club, to make nine tricks. The clue for East is that hoping for a club ruff. He OCTOBER 2016 West should exit passively he has the ♥Q sitting over needs West to have a single- with a trump. South has: dummy’s ♥10. There is ton club, or maybe a double- 7 ST NEOTS MUSEUM. St Neots Outdoor nothing in dummy to sug- ton club with the ♠A. Bowling Club. £14 pp. gest that dummy’s high Alternatively, East can Jean Searle ( 01480 212298 ♠ K J 10 9 8 cards will provide losers return a heart, despite the ♥ J 3 in declarer’s hand, so East danger of opening up a fro- 14 WESSEX CANCER TRUST ♦ K 10 2 Rubber Bridge at Dovetail should aim to give nothing zen suit. Centre, Winchester Road, ♣ A 7 4 away and return a passive East would then be hop- Chandler’s Ford SO53 2GJ. trump. South has: ing South has: 7pm start. Mrs Christine Pennell ( 02380 791046 The subsequent play might be complex, but if left to his ♠ A Q 10 9 8 3 ♠ A Q 10 9 8 4 ♥ ♥ To advertise your charity own devices declarer may A J 7 K 2 events, please email well lose a heart, a diamond ♦ Q 7 ♦ Q 10 9 [email protected] and two clubs as well as the ♣ 5 2 ♣ 5 2 ■ ♠A. I almost feel that many

Page 42 BRIDGE June 2016 READERS’ BERNARD MAGEE at Denham Grove LETTERS near Uxbridge, Bucks, UB9 5DG.

WHY SALLY BROCK? a vibrant social group added 13-16 January 2017 Let me start by saying what much pleasure to my cruise a great magazine BRIDGE experience. It is like having £399pp Friday – Monday is. Plenty of interesting and ready-made friends already £369pp Friday – Sunday instructive articles, but I don’t on board. I hope to join Mr think we need to know the Bridge again in the future. Full Board – No Single Supplement1 minutiae of Sally Brock’s life. Mrs Penny Crowe, Limited places for Thursday night available. Also, the bidding sequences Cheltenham, Glos. £65pp single, £45pp double/twin. in her column in BRIDGE 158 leave me, an average bridge TRAVEL TIPS player, totally baffled. Many people possess mobile I am sure a lot of other telephones and tablets which Topics people must think the same can only be activated by the on both of these matters. input of a code; therefore MORE SIGNALLING I will be looking at different times when you signal and the John Shingler by email. it might be impossible messages you might want to give. Using signals in new ways can I originally invited Sally Brock to access your contacts’ greatly improve your enjoyment of defence as well as pushing up to write a monthly column, details in case of accident your scores. as I thought some readers or emergency. Write the 4-4-4-1 HANDS would welcome an insight names, telephone numbers Everybody’s least favourite type of opening hand. I will be going into the world of professional and email addresses of your through the methods for choosing the right suit to open as well bridge. In addition to her next of kin onto a piece of as coping with responses. As responder you need to be aware of ‘day’ job, there is a need paper, photograph it using the options and work out your partner’s type of hand. Strong 4-4-4-1 hands can be just as difficult and will be dealt with too. to be physically, as well as your telephone or tablet mentally, fit. Bridge at the and then set the photograph DRAWING TRUMPS top is a man’s world. That as your ‘wallpaper’. As This seminar sounds straightforward, but we will not be simply she, a woman, is able to soon as your telephone is drawing trumps, we will be considering the reasons for delaying. Keeping control of trumps is an important part of declarer play. hold her own is remarkable. ‘opened’ this information Knowing when to risk leaving trumps out and when not. So yes, I believe her life is will always appear on your interesting to some of us and screen without your device FIVE-CARD MAJORS I am confident a number having to be unlocked. Popular around the world, this method is becoming more popular here. It is not a method I would advocate for club players, of readers agree with me. Ruth Major, however it is important to understand the method as you will Anyway, BRIDGE is a Oldham, Lancs. need to defend against it. magazine and by definition not everything will appeal CAN YOU HELP FUNDAMENTALS OF DEFENCE to everyone. Likewise, the About 20 years ago, I read Defence is by far the hardest aspect of bridge: this seminar seeks to show the building blocks that can start you off on a bridge that she plays with a bridge book in which there wonderful journey. If you can get the basics right then the more some of her partners is was a story of a system complicated aspects of defence can follow. almost unrecognisable from where you bid one up SUPPORTING MINORS basic Acol and it takes the from the suit you had. For Minors as the name suggests are not as important as majors, but use of these bidding systems example, opening 1♥ meant we have to bid them and it is important to know your system. appearing in her column you had diamonds. I had Bidding more 3NT contracts will get you better scores, but being to make just that point. thought it was a section in able to spot a minor suit slam will put you a cut above. one of the Victor Mollo series, HAPPY BUNNY but I cannot seem to find it. 2 Thank you for the ‘Better Could anyone help me with 6 seminar sessions with Bernard Bridge with Bernard’ CD. the name of the book? 6 sessions of supervised play3 While on board Aegean Richard Martin by email. Odyssey, being part of such Email address supplied. ■ Contact Mr Bridge to book your place or for further details: ( 01483 489961

Write to Mr Bridge at: Ryden Grange, Knaphill, 1Subject to availability 2Filmed 3Not with Bernard Magee Surrey GU21 2TH or e-mail: [email protected]

BRIDGE June 2016 Page 43 David Stevenson answers your Frequently Asked Questions

Canaries & Madeira Winter Warmth Names of Conventions

ne of the problems often seen on hands where an Acol player would in queries sent to me and open 1NT, or 1♣ or 1♦ if not playing a run into by directors is that weak no-trump. They should describe Oplayers use a name of an agreement, their system as natural, or four-card convention or system and assume majors, but not Acol. everyone else plays it the same way. How about Benjamin? This was a Sails from Southampton When this is not the case, it causes convention designed to play weak th 7 January 2017 • 13 nights a lot of trouble. Players also misuse twos whilst retaining a method of Balmoral • L1701 names which also causes difficulties. showing Acol twos. Thus the most Consider the system name Acol, important part of Benjamin are the • Southampton • Funchal, Madeira whether Benjaminised or not. What 2♣ and 2♦ openings. There are plenty • Santa Cruz, La Palma • Santa Cruz, is Acol? It is a system that opens four- of other ways to play weak twos, but Tenerife • Las Palmas, Gran Canaria • Arrecife, Lanzarote • Lisbon, card majors and three-card minors unfortunately some people think Portugal • Southampton to avoid rebid problems. These days a that Benjamin means weak twos, so majority of Acol players play a weak they call it Benjamin when they play ♣ ♦ Daily bridge on board, bridge fees no-trump, which avoids the rebid other 2 and 2 openings. Again, this included. Mr Bridge welcome & problem so minors are also four-card. merely confuses opponents, and is farewell drinks parties. Partners for Another basic part of the system is that unnecessary. For instance, if you play single players. No single supplements a 2 over 1 response, eg 2♣ in response Acol with three weak twos, it is not on selected twin grades of cabin. to 1♠, shows at least 8 or 9 points. Benjamin. Furthermore, it is perfectly Within this framework there are possible to play Benjamin with other Great value Mr Bridge fares: many possibilities and it is not possible systems, eg Benjaminised five-card to assume what else a pair plays. For majors. Inside twin rooms from £949pp example, a 2♦ opening might be an Do you know what a Lucas opening Outside twin rooms from £1,139pp Acol 2♦, a strong hand with 8 playing is? It is a bid of 2♥ or 2♠ which shows Balcony rooms from £1,809pp tricks and forcing for one round; or it a weak hand with five cards in the Suites from £1,949pp might be a weak two; or a Benjamin suit bid, and another suit of at least Twin inside room for £1,336 2♦ showing 23+ balanced or a strong four cards. Can the second suit be sole occupancy game force; or a Multi 2♦ showing a the other major? The answer is that weak two in a major or various strong it depends on the pair’s agreements: Balmoral hands. some pairs allow the second suit to be However, there seem to be a growing the other major, some do not. In fact number of players who describe their some pairs insist that the second suit system as Acol when it has a different should also be at least five cards long. basis. For example, some people play But whichever of these agreements five-card majors, a perfectly viable you have, it is still Lucas, and people system, but they call it Acol, which it should not assume opponents play is not and this confuses opponents. It Lucas their way. should just be called five-card majors, Recently, there was a pair who or Standard American. Five-card opened 3♥ with 11 points and seven For reservations call Mr Bridge spades is another system (also known hearts, which was described as a pre- as Flint-Pender) that should be called emptive opening. Their opponents on 01483 489961 by its own name so as not to confuse. accused them of breaking the rules www.mrbridge.co.uk There are also people who play four- and were quite nasty about it. Why?

Terms and conditions apply – see Fred. Olsen card majors, but their 2 over 1 response Because the opponents play that a pre- 2016/17 worldwide brochure is much stronger, leading to a totally emptive opening shows a maximum different approach: they open ♥1 or 1♠ of ten points. This sort of nastiness is

Page 44 BRIDGE June 2016 David Stevenson answers your Frequently Asked Questions CROATIA 2-16 May 2017 Names of Conventions Bernard Magee HOTEL From EDEN £1,425 sharing quite wrong, apart from being rude. suit (for example with five spades and ROVINJ So long as this pair is playing it as a four hearts bidding 2♣) ‘Short Asptro’. weak hand with a long suit, their How about Stayman? Surely opponents have no right to assume everyone knows what that means? It that they are playing it exactly as they means that 2♣ after 1NT, or ♣3 after would, and should not object because 2NT, asks for majors, with responses their opponents play it differently. being a major with four cards, and 2♦ One of the conventions that causes or 3♦ with no four-card major. It does directors a lot of trouble is Ghestem. not show anything, except the ability Over an opening 1 of a suit, a 3♣ to handle any response, and what sort overcall, a cue-bid in the opponent’s of hand the Stayman bidder has is suit, and 2NT all show different two- shown by the next bid. However, a lot suiters. But which two suits? Again, of people are taught you have to have Rovinj is situated on the western coast different people play it different ways, game try values to use Stayman. Other of Istria in Croatia, the largest peninsula but it is all Ghestem. Some make other people have learnt that it guarantees on the Adriatic coastline, a one hour slight adjustments, for example, over a four-card major (often called drive from Trieste, 2.5 hours from Zagreb. ♣ ♦ Boasting a rich, natural and cultural 1 replacing the cue bid with 2 . But ‘promissory’ Stayman). Many of these heritage, with beautiful landmarks such as all of them are Ghestem. If someone players assume that other people play the old town, the Golden Cape Park Forest, describes a bid as Ghestem you can- the same way. Similarly what do you protected islands and coastal area. not assume you know which two suits respond with both majors? Different The climate is warm and semi-dry, with are shown. In fact, every pair who play people have different ideas: you cannot more than four months a year without wind. Ghestem are required to put the de- assume opponents will play your way. Hotel Eden is wedged right between a tails of which two suits are shown by To summarise, each name has some peninsula covered by a one hundred year old park forest and a quiet cove. The old which bid on their system card. sort of basic approach, but different city centre of Rovinj is just a 20 minute What is the difference between people apply the details in different walk away. Aspro, Astro and Asptro? All are ways. Names are fine for system cards, Rooms: All rooms are equipped with a defences to a 1NT opening showing which are often not detailed and quick direct phone line, LCD SAT TV, mini-bar, two suits, one of them a major. Does explanations where a full explanation safe, bathtub or shower, toilet, hair dryer, balcony, air conditioning/heating. Suites it matter? Probably it does not matter, has not been sought, but players are available, details on application. but Astro was the original one, where should never assume their opponents ♣ ♦ Singles: There is a sole occupancy 2 showed hearts and a minor, 2 play everything their way and if they supplement of £11 per room per night. If spades and another. Aspro followed need to know, they should ask for a you are a single bridge player, please do not soon after, where ♣2 showed hearts full explanation. It is also somewhat worry about being on your own. We will and another, 2♦ spades and a minor. embarrassing when a player uses a always be able to find you a partner and you can always have a game. A lot later Asptro was developed, name of an unusual agreement and where 2♣ showed hearts and another, the opponent has not heard of it and Beaches & Pools: The playful curves of ♦ the pool offer refreshment in the summer 2 spades and another. Some people may not like to say so. with a salty breeze coming from the natural bid 2♦ if the hearts were longer, some The worst of all is a player who stone and pebble beach only a few steps bid 2♣ if the hearts were longer. harangues his opponent for not playing away. The vast outdoor pool will cool you down after a day of lounging in the freely Nowadays, a lot of people just mix the something the way he does: not only is available deck chairs. three names up, but the development it unnecessary, but haranguing is rude Terms and conditions apply. of the auction is different in the four and illegal. Furthermore, some people These holidays have been organised for cases and it might help somewhat to use unsuitable names, like calling Mr Bridge by Great Little Escapes LLP, ATOL 5933 use the correct name. I should like their system Benjaminised Acol when Details of the bridge programme to propose that we call Asptro where it is actually Benjaminised five-card the bid shows the longer suit ‘Long majors; people should be careful to ( 01483 489961 Asptro’, and where it shows the shorter use the correct name. ■

BRIDGE June 2016 Page 45 Seven Days by Sally Brock

full of things that need attention and it Easter Monday can easily take a couple of hours to do ♠ A K Q 8 Briony and I had planned a day out, nothing much at all. I have my regular ♥ K with a lot of retail therapy. However, session with Richard and Gerry at two ♦ K 7 6 3 when I wake up, the weather outside o’clock, but it is fraught with problems. ♣ J 9 8 3 sounds foul. It is really windy and Richard is feeling dreadful with man- ♠ 7 6 3 2 ♠ 5 4 rainy – the sort of weather that makes flu (his words, not mine) and although ♥ 10 3 N ♥ A J 9 7 4 2 ♦ A Q J 4 2 W E ♦ 10 9 8 5 you want to stay inside in the warm, I eventually do manage to get online, S eating hot-buttered crumpets. So after 45 minutes or so the connection ♣ 6 5 ♣ 4 we make an instant decision to swap drops and we decided to abandon it. ♠ J 10 9 today for tomorrow. That means I must In the evening, I have another online ♥ Q 8 6 5 have a session on my exercise bike. I’ve session – this one is with a group ♦ Void been very remiss with this and need to of four so I just have to watch and ♣ A K Q 10 7 2 get back in the habit. The rest of the give my opinion from time to time. day we work – mostly trying to drum Unfortunately, this is the most boring up numbers for ‘Some Enchanted set of boards I can ever remember, Afterwards, we go back to Evening’ on May 6th. We take a break and it is all about how they should Hammersmith and have dinner in the middle of the afternoon to do defend partscores. The same defensive with Heather. Our first-choice Thai some cooking: we usually cook on a lesson recurs: lead whatever you lead, restaurant doesn’t have room for us, Monday to last us most of the week. and continue with it – every time you but there are plenty of others to choose broach a new suit you help declarer. from and we are soon settled into an Tuesday excellent Indian establishment. I have an online teaching session with Thursday one of my Irish pairs at 8.30am, so More exercise bike, though there is a Friday there’s no lying in bed this morning. slight glow from knowing that I have After some work at Barry’s in the After a couple of hours, Briony is up actually done my three sessions this morning I go out to meet my two too and we go to to Bicester Village week. After lunch, I drive to London sons, Ben and Toby, for lunch. I can’t (a designer retail outlet). We have a and leave my car at Westfield. Then remember getting together with just nice, though expensive, lunch out at Barry and I drive to the Wimbledon the two of them before and I’m quite The Farm Shop and both buy a couple Club to meet up with Heather and excited about it. We meet in a modern of things. Then it’s home for a bit of Buster for a few hours of relaxed Indian restaurant in Wardour Street, relaxation (shopping is such hard informal bridge. We bid three good and have a really lovely lunch. Ben’s work!) before I have another teaching slams. This is my favourite (deal in new baby is due next week so we talk session with my other Irish pair. I’m next column). a lot about that, and try to help Toby done by 8pm and it’s a bit more TV I open 1♦ as North, Heather overcalls with some suggestions about how he before Barry and I practise online for 2♥ and Barry bids 3♣. I have a difficult might find a job. I leave them about an hour or so before saying goodnight choice now. I could bid a clear 4♥ 3.30pm and head back to Shepherds in our respective homes. splinter, but my hand isn’t that good Bush. Barry has had a pretty hectic and the ♥K might not be much use. I week and so we opt for an evening in decide instead to bid 3♠, emphasising rather than bridge at the YC. Wednesday my chunky four-card suit. Barry An exercise session gets me started. rebids 3NT (not unexpected) and I bid Then I sit down in front of my computer. 4♣. This is just what he wants to hear. Saturday It seems to take me forever to deal If I have a singleton heart, then he is After a lazy morning, we head west with emails these days. My inbox is prepared to go for a slam. So 6♣ it is. along the M4 to see my parents. It’s the

Page 46 BRIDGE June 2016 first time I’ve visited them in their new Jourdain, shows that you don’t need place. Somehow, because I had seen it anything complicated: Mr Bridge empty, I am expecting to see it more or less empty, with a few bits of essential TEA TOWELS furniture – but of course it is cluttered Dealer South Game All. and full of the stuff they had in the old ♠ K 5 house. It will be a while before they get ♥ 9 themselves organised. ♦ A 9 7 6 5 3 We go back to the old place and ♣ Q 9 4 2 poke around. In principle, now there ♠ 8 4 3 2 N ♠ Q J 9 7 ♥ 8 7 4 2 W E ♥ Q J 6 is nothing there that they want, it S is a free-for-all. We help ourselves ♦ 8 4 ♦ J to some bits and pieces and then go ♣ 10 8 7 ♣ A K J 6 3 back to Wadswick Green, where my ♠ A 10 6 siblings and their spouses join us for ♥ A K 10 5 3 a takeaway. We go back to my brother ♦ K Q 10 2 John’s house for the night. I do love his ♣ 5 There are Three house which is a barn conversion he Kinds of designed himself. Accountant . . . Our opponents struggle: Sunday Those who West North East South can add up and After breakfast, we drive to the other 1♥ those who can’t. side of Bath where we have been Pass 2♦ Dbl Rdbl invited to a private bridge tournament 2♠ Pass Pass 3♠ in Chris Dixon’s home, a lovely old Pass 3NT Pass 5♦ farmhouse on the Radstock side of All Pass Life’s a GAME Bath. He keeps sheep and alpacas, and is proud of a couple of two-day-old South doesn’t have the confidence to but baby lambs. bid just 4♦ as he is afraid it might not BRIDGE This is an individual tournament be forcing. However, even if he does with quite a decent field. We play four bid 4♦ North doesn’t really have any is rounds and then stop for an excellent extras, so it is not clear the slam would SERIOUS lunch: a whole salmon, cold roast beef, be bid. lots of salad, followed by berries and When Barry is South, this is how it cream. Then it’s another five rounds goes: and we stop again, for tea this time: Be cheese with celery and biscuits, and West North East South hot-cross buns. Then the final four 1♥ rounds. Pass 1NT 2♣ 2♦ reasonable Generally, I’m not doing well – I Pass 5♦ Pass 6♦ seem to get on the wrong end of quite All Pass ... do it a few boards. For example, someone opens a perfectly normal weak 2♥ and Here North-South are playing strong my way! their partner has a balanced 18-count no-trump with five-card majors and with four-card support. At my table two-over-one, so North has to start they bid 4♥ and lose the obvious three with 1NT. When he raises the 2♦ THE PRESENT tricks, but at the other two tables to 5♦, Barry knows he has to have a they get too high. So I lose 27 IMPs. pretty exceptional hand and is happy v v v However, things do start to improve to press on to slam. Note that it would Yesterday is History towards the end. Taf Anthias wins, but be a pretty good contract even if North Tomorrow is a Mystery Barry and I are joint second … until had not held the king of spades. Today is a Gift That is why we call it they split the tie in his favour! For a lot of the day the weather is . . . The Present It’s always a bit difficult playing in brilliant and we sit outside enjoying an individual, especially when you the view for all our meals. However, don’t know a lot of the people. No- the drive back is miserable with one really quite knows what anyone pouring rain the whole way. I drop £5.00 each. thinks would be forcing. However, this Barry off at Heathrow (to catch a tube, All printed on 100% cotton. good slam bid by Barry and Patrick not a flight) and then head home. ■

BRIDGE June 2016 Page 47 Mr Bridge MAIL ORDER BRIDGE If undelivered or unwanted kindly return to PLAY SOFTWARE TUTORIAL DVDs – £25 each Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey, GU21 2TH QPlus 11 now & 1. Ruffing for Extra Tricks...... 16. Avoidance ...... QPlus 12 when ready at 2. Competitive Auctions ...... 17. Pairs Play & Defence ...... the end of October £99.00 ...... 3. Making the 18. Thinking Defence ...... Stock Remainder Offer. Most of High Cards ...... New and wrapped £29.00 ...... 19. Defensive Plan ...... 4. Identifying & 20. Further Into the Auction...... TUTORIAL SOFTWARE Bidding Slams ...... 21. Weak Twos ...... Begin Bridge/Acol £66.00 ...... 5. Play & Acol Bidding £66.00 ...... Defence of 1NT ...... 22. Trump Control ...... inc Mac version 6. Doubling & Defence 23. Sacrificing ...... Advanced Acol £96.00 ...... to Doubled Contracts ...... 24. Improving Declarer Play £76.00 ...... 7. Leads ...... Bridge Memory ...... inc Mac version 8. Losing Trick Count ...... 25. Defence as Partner of the Leader ...... Advanced 9. Making a Declarer Play £81.00 ...... Plan as Declarer ...... 26. Aggressive Bidding at Duplicate Pairs ...... Defence £76.00 ...... 10. Responding to 1NT ...... BERNARD MAGEE 27. Strong Opening Bids ...... Better Bridge £69.00 ...... 11. Signals & Discards ...... 28. Take-Out Doubles ...... TEA TOWELS 12. Endplays ...... 29. Suit Establishment A Round Tuit £5.00 ...... 13. Hand Evaluation ...... in Suit Contracts ...... TUTORIAL DVDS Life’s a Game £5.00 ...... 14. Pre-Empting ...... 30. Landy/Defending Ode to a Pill £5.00 ...... 15. Splinter & Cue Bids ...... against a 1NT Opening ...... The Present £5.00 ...... PICK ‘N’ MIX FROM THE ENTIRE RANGE ANY Be Reasonable £5.00 ...... Any 6 DVDs in a display box £105.00 ...... Kinds of Accountant £5.00 ...... 2017 DIARIES – Kidrell Cover with Ballpoint Pen Back in Our Day £5.00 ...... FOR Ruby Red ..... Navy Blue ..... Bottle Green ..... £14.95 ...... The Pot Boiler £5.00 ...... The Horse £5.00 ...... UK SUBSCRIPTIONS UK SUBS OFFER THE Road Traffic Signs £5.00 ...... 1 year (12 issues) £45.00 ...... 3 years (36 issues) £50.00 ...... European Directive £5.00 ...... 2 years (24 issues) £75.00 ...... Sponsored by Minerva. PRICE We Are Survivors £5.00 ...... 3 years (36 issues) £100.00 ...... Offer ends 30 June 2016. Happy Marriage £5.00 ...... OUTSIDE UK SUBSCRIPTIONS 10 Commandments £5.00 ...... Europe (1 year) £50.00 ...... Overseas (1 year) £75.00 ...... OF

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