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Number: 210 June 2020 BRIDGEJulian Pottage’s Double Dummy Problem

GEN ERAT E O TH R ♠ K J 9 7 ♥ 10 8 7 ♦ K 3 2 ♣ K Q J ♠ 4 3 2 ♠ A Q 10 8 6 5 ♥ N ♥ 6 5 4 W E 3 2 ♦ Q 8 7 6 S ♦ J 9 ♣ 7 6 5 ♣ 4 3 2 ♠ ♥ A K Q J 9 ♦ A 10 5 4 ♣ A 10 9 8

Contract 7♥ by South Lead: ♥4

This Double Dummy problem can also be found on page 5 of this issue. The answer will be published on page 4 next month. Bernard Magee Says In The Short Hand

irstly, let me define ‘short hand’. You count ten tricks on top and have a When you are playing in a ♠ 9 8 7 chance of an eleventh from your club contract, we call the hand (declarer ♥ 3 suit. However, a 3-3 break is against the For dummy) with longer trumps the long ♦ 9 5 4 3 2 odds, so you would like a surer way of hand and the hand with the shorter ♣ A 10 5 2 making an overtrick. Whenever you are trumps the short hand. ♠ Void ♠ 6 5 4 3 2 looking for extra tricks, always consider Some ruffs you aim for and some you ♥ K 9 7 6 N ♥ Q 10 8 4 2 ruffing in the short hand. Here is the full W E have forced upon you. The ones you ♦ K Q J 8 6 S ♦ 10 7 hand: aim for either create extra tricks, or are ♣ 8 6 4 3 ♣ 7 worth extra tricks in their own right. ♠ A K Q J 10 Ruffs in the short hand are very often ♥ A J 5 ♠ K Q 7 worth extra tricks in their own right: ♦ A ♥ 3 2 ♣ K Q J 9 ♦ A 8 5 3 ♣ Q 7 6 5 ♠ 9 8 7 ♠ 9 8 6 ♠ 3 2 ♥ 3 The play is simple if you focus on ruffing ♥ A 10 8 7 N ♥ K Q 6 4 W E ♦ 9 5 4 3 2 ♦ Q J 10 6 ♦ 9 7 4 in the short hand. You have eleven top S ♣ A 10 5 2 tricks and so need just two ruffs. Take the ♣ 10 4 ♣ J 9 8 3 red , ruff a heart and come to hand ♠ A J 10 5 4 N with a trump, on which West shows out. ♥ J 9 5 W E ♦ K 2 S Then ruff another heart, come to hand with a club and finish drawing trumps. ♣ A K 2 ♠ A K Q J 10 Your good win the last three tricks. ♥ A J 5 Eleven tricks have become thirteen by ♦ A ruffing twice in the short hand. Just one If you can ruff a heart in dummy, you ♣ K Q J 9 diamond ruff in the long hand and you make your eleventh trick. Win the first Contract: 7♠ by South. Lead: ♦K. would have lost control as East would diamond in hand and give up a heart. have more trumps than you. Sel­dom will Win the trump return in dummy and trumps break so badly, but you should play another heart. Win the next trump are trumps and your target is avoid needless ruffs in the long hand. in hand, ruff a heart in dummy and cross thirteen tricks. You have a singleton in Here is an example of ruffing in the to hand with a club to draw trumps. each hand, but you do not try to ruff in short hand from a duplicate pairs event: The defenders could have stopped you both hands – generally you go for ruffs from making eleven tricks by leading in the short hand. You start with five a trump at trick one. Of course, as the trump tricks but need more. Ruffing ♠ K Q 7 clubs broke 4-2, there was no extra trick in the short hand is the way to ♥ 3 2 there. Once again, note that ruffing do this. Each time you ruff a heart you ♦ A 8 5 3 in the long hand would not make an extra trick as you still have five ♣ Q 7 6 5 gain tricks. trump tricks in your hand. How different the case is if you try to N Conclusion W E ruff diamonds in the South hand. Now S instead of gaining a trick you are just Ruffing in the short hand nearly always making the same five trumps: only as ♠ A J 10 5 4 gains a trick, so you should always four top trump tricks and a ruff. Indeed, ♥ J 9 5 look for ways to do so in your plan. It not only do you not gain a trick, but you ♦ K 2 is an especially useful tactic in Pairs, also shorten your trumps. This could ♣ A K 2 where making overtricks can be very prove disastrous as you can see from the Contract: 4♠ by South. Lead: ♦Q. important. There are so many deals on full diagram. which making that extra ruff will move you up the scoreboard. ■

Page 2 BRIDGE June 2020 Features this month include: ADVERTISERS’ BRIDGE 1 June Double Dummy Bridge Problem INDEX TheMr Bridge Monthly Magazine by 3 Clive Goff’s Stamps Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH 2 Bernard Magee says Ruff In The Short Hand 4 Red Balloons Tea Towel 5 Live YouTube Seminars ( 01483 489961 4 May Double Dummy Bridge Problem Answer with Bernard Magee [email protected] 5 The Generator by Julian Pottage Tea Towel www.mrbridge.co.uk 4 Mr Bridge 8 Begin Bridge with shop: mrbridge.co.uk/shop Bernard Magee 5 June Double Dummy Bridge Problem 9 Defence with Publisher/Managing Editor Bernard Magee by Julian Pottage Mr Bridge 9 Clive Goff’s Stamps Associate Editor 6 Julian Pottage says Lead Partner's Suit 14 Rules Simplified Julian Pottage 7 Bidding Quiz by Bernard Magee 15 Mr Bridge Luxury Playing [email protected] Cards 8 Catching Up by Bridge Consultant 17 Bidding with Bernard Magee Bernard Magee 10 Liz McGowan says 24 Advanced Acol Bidding bernardmagee Cover An Honour To Promote Something with Bernard Magee @mrbridge.co.uk 25 Advanced Declarer Play 11 Defence Quiz by Julian Pottage with Bernard Magee Cartoons & Illustrations 30 Declarer Play with Marguerite Lihou 11 Declarer Play Quiz by David Huggett Bernard Magee www.margueritelihou.co.uk 12 Splinter Bids and Trial Bids by Andrew Kambites 31 5-Card Majors with Bernard Magee Technical Consultant 16 Justin Corfield says 33 Bridge with Angela Tony Gordon Knock Out The To The Danger Hand First 38 BRIDGE Subscription Typesetting 45 Books on Bridge Jessica Galt 17 Splinter Bids and Trial Bids Quiz 47 Q Plus 15 [email protected] by Andrew Kambites 51 Live YouTube Seminars with Bernard Magee Proof Reading Team 18 David Stevenson Answers Your Bridge Questions 52 Tutorial Software with Mike Orriel Bernard Magee 21 Bridge Glossary - A by Julian Pottage Julian Pottage Catrina Shackleton 24 Should You Lead A Trump? by Julian Pottage REDUCE THE Richard Wheen 26 Gisborne's Wayward Bidding by COST OF YOUR Clubs & Charities POSTAGE 28 Sally's Slam Clinic Maggie Axtell British postage stamps for [email protected] 30 The Diaries Of Wendy Wensum sale at 90% of face-value, Events, Holidays & Cruises 33 Declarer Play Quiz Answers by David Huggett all mint and with full gum. ( 01483 489961 Quotations for 34 Bridge Glossary - B by Julian Pottage Jessica Galt commercial quantities are [email protected] 35 Defence Quiz Answers by Julian Pottage available on request. Values supplied in 100s, Megan Riccio 37 Splinter Bids and Trial Bids Quiz Answers [email protected] higher values available, as by Andrew Kambites well as 1st and 2nd class. Emily Hawkins [email protected] 38 Letter from Overseas by John Barr ( 020 8422 4906 8 clive.goff@ Customer Services 39 Julian Pottage Answers Your Bridge Questions londonrugby.com Catrina Shackleton [email protected] 43 Bidding Quiz Answers (1-3) by Bernard Magee 45 Bidding Quiz Answers (4-6) by Bernard Magee

Printed in the UK by 47 Bidding Quiz Answers (7-9) by Bernard Magee The Magazine Printing Company 48 Seven Days by Sally Brock www.magprint.co.uk 49 Bidding Quiz Answers (10-12) by Bernard Magee

BRIDGE June 2020 Page 3 BACK HOME personal cancer let alone a pandemic out of the blue affecting the demographic essence of corporate LL Mr Bridge Limited. D BA OON RE S CoCo having risen to their remit, have given me all the ♠ 4 3 facts, even if some are ♥ 3 2 unpalatable . . . but enough ♦ K Q 9 5 4 3 is enough. If I go any ♣ A K Q further in print at this ♠ J 9 7 6 2 ♠ 10 8 5

stage, I could well ♥ K 10 8 7 6 N ♥ Q J W E compromise difficult ♦ A J 8 S ♦ 10 7 6 ♣ Void ♣ J 10 9 8 7 I make no apology decisions. Suffice to say that ♠ A K Q continuing with last I am sharing lockdown at ♥ A 9 5 4 month’s editorial from Ryden Grange with my ♦ 2 where I left off. daughter Philippa. She has ♣ 6 5 4 3 2 taken her horse-clippers to The very next day, I rose at my beard and head, leaving the crack of dawn as I was me shorn but comfortable. Contract 3NT by South. due to check in to the West leads the ♥7 hospital at 7am, all the EASTER JOY while fasting ahead of surgery later that morning. The last three days before I barely had time to think, my operation were devoted but think I did and formed to signing, stamping and 8. RED BALLOONS © Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961. Printed in the UK on 100% cotton. a cunning plan. I would put addressing Easter Day Available as a tea towel from Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 Mr Bridge Limited in the cards. If you normally have hands of a committee. So, I a Christmas card from me appointed a chairman and then you should have RED BALLOONS he in turn invited others to received one but such was join him to sit in isolation my state of mind that many sifting through the must have been omitted. The Solution to May’s minutiae of the last twelve years trading. As I had not produced an The committee called Easter Day card before I Double Dummy Bridge Problem themselves CoCo; consulted my gifted Coronavirus Committee. illustrator, Marguerite Simples. Their report(s) to Lihou. She turned the 2019 1. the first and second rounds of hearts. be delivered at the end of Christmas card from 2. West cannot gain by overtaking and East does April. As I had a longer portrait to landscape and best to switch to a club. than expected stay in there you have it, see below. hospital, the delivery of its 3. Having won the club in dummy, you cross to various parts just over-ran hand with a spade and lead your diamond. into May but I now have all 4. If West plays the ♦8, cover with the ♦9, losing the information I need. As to the ♦10. 100% shareholder, decisions now have to be made. 5. You win the spade switch and, abandoning your remaining major-suit winners, cross to I was kept busy in hospital dummy with a club to drive out the ♦A. following surgery that first Inside it simply says, Love, 6. If West prefers to insert the ♦J on the first morning and I felt safe and Peace and Joy this coming secure for myself and my Easter. As we are still round, win and continue with a high diamond. company. My cunning plan within the Easter season, was intended to give myself the message is still current. If you do not twice in hearts or if you the best chance of a full So, do take these positive do not manoeuvre East into winning one of the recovery. It is difficult sentiments at face value diamonds, West will get to run the hearts. n enough to deal with a and in spades. These are

Page 4 BRIDGE June 2020 2021 DIARIES difficult times for everyone and we all need to share Bernard Magee's our love, peace and joy. Live broadcasts NO LEANORA on YouTube Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays 11am Next year's diaries will be ready at the end of June. If you have not got a 2020 ♣ Live seminar diary, I still have some overs one of which I can ♣ Quizzes send you for no charge on Having established her receipt of your order. ♣ Chat centre-fold feature over the last few months, it is hard As usual, they are £14.95, for Leanora Adds to drop it. come in three cover ♣ Bridge information She and Jessica Galt have colours; ruby red, navy blue poured so much creative and bottle green. They each Don't miss out, follow Bernard Magee on effort into it. However, have a useful ballpoint pen his YouTube channel; there are no cruises, no in their spine. land-based holidays, no Bernard Magee Bridge weekends, no nothing . . . YOUTUBE Or see the Mr Bridge website; so I have reprinted more of the maxims and filled gaps Adjacent to this column is www.mrbridge.co.uk with a good bit of glossary. an advertisement for Bernard Magee's live BACK COPIES broadcasts on YouTube. FOR CLUBS These are currently free to view and some readers have Rather than throw away asked could they make a any surplus copies of donation to charity and if GENERAT BRIDGE, I prefer to post so, which one. Bernard HE OR them out in small mixed sought my opinion and I T ♠ boxes of 20 or so. If your plumped for Cancer K J 9 7 ♥ club would like a box, do Research UK. So far over 10 8 7 ♦ drop [email protected] £16,000 has been collected K 3 2 ♣ an email to that effect. They via Bernard Magee's Just K Q J ♠ ♠ will be sent by return, Giving page, not including 4 3 2 A Q 10 8 6 5 ♥ ♥ 6 5 4 3 2 subject to availability. If the some donations sent N ♦ Q 8 7 6 W E ♦ J 9 offer is oversubscribed, I directly to the charity. S ♣ ♣ will fulfill the over-orders Very many thanks indeed. 7 6 5 4 3 2 ♠ the following month. Void ♥ It is also possible to tune in A K Q J 9 ♦ to all the earlier broadcasts. A 10 5 4 DVD SETS 6 or 7 ♣ Indeed, many thousands of A 10 9 8 Bernard Magee has been bridge payers already do so. promoting these sets of six ♥ for £59 each including LEAVE A MESSAGE Contract 7 by South postage and packing. They Lead: 4♥ may be ordered from our Do leave a message if you website shop or by ring and if an answerphone telephoning Emily or answers you. Jessica in my office. Do note 9. THE GENERATOR © Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961. Printed in the UK on 100% cotton. reduced hours; 10am-4pm All good wishes Available as a tea towel from Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 Monday to Friday. Mr Bridge

BRIDGE June 2020 Page 5 Julian Pottage Says Lead Partner’s Suit

hen you need to make the If you lead some other suit, it tends , you very ♠ Q 6 4 to be because you have a very attractive often want to start with ♥ Q 10 8 5 2 N lead of your own. An - holding Wthe question, ‘Did partner bid?’ If the ♦ 10 6 5 W E or a strong three-card sequence (e.g. S answer is yes, you follow up with ‘Can ♣ 9 5 K-Q-J) may well be enough. I see a very good reason not to lead the If you lead a suit bid by an opponent suit?’ Normally there is none. rather than partner, you are almost These are some of the advantages of West North East South certain (against a suit contract) to leading partner’s suit: 1♠ 2♣ be leading a singleton. Being void in Pass 2♦ Pass 3♣ partner’s suit also excuses you from 1 You are likely to be leading towards All Pass leading it! strength and away from weakness. The time when you treat partner’s 2 To have bid, partner is likely to have Lead the four of spades. In an unbid bid as merely a suggestion occurs if you strength, which means that there will suit, the lead from three to an honour is forced the situation – for instance if you be an entry to any winners you set up. quite rare – it is far from safe and risks made a take-out double or a two-suited 3 On some deals, partner will have causing confusion. In partner’s suit, it . Then partner’s bid implies bid mainly to direct the lead – this is quite a common occurrence – lead length but not necessarily strength. applies to in particular. the lowest card, not the top one. If, for I said earlier that an opposing bid in 4 The state of mind implied in such a example, declarer has K-J-x or A-J-x of no-trumps should not deter you from selfless lead keeps partner happy. spades, this allows you to save the leading partner’s suit. In one situation, 5 On the rare occasions when you lead to capture the later. it provides half an excuse – if partner something else, partner can draw a bid the suit only once and it was not an strong inference about your holding. overcall and you have a singleton in the ♠ 6 4 suit, you may look at your hand and see ♥ Q 10 N if you have a decent lead of your own. W E ♠ ♦ 10 6 4 K J 9 6 5 S ♥ Q 10 8 5 2 N ♣ A Q 9 5 ♦ K 10 5 W E ♠ A 6 4 S ♣ 9 5 ♥ J 8 5 3 N W E West North East South ♦ J 10 9 5 2 S 1♦ Pass 1♠ 2♥ ♣ 5 West North East South Pass 3♥ All Pass 1♠ 2♣ 2NT Pass 3NT All Pass Lead the six of spades. While you, no West North East South doubt, have a better hand than partner 1♣ 1NT Lead the nine of clubs. Partner has a bet- does and you may well have a better All Pass ter suit than you do and more entries. suit as well, this is no reason to lead a Even Mollo’s Hideous Hog would lead a diamond. By leading a spade to start Lead the jack of diamonds. For all you club here. Do not allow the opposing no- with and waiting for a diamond to come know, the opponents have a 4-4 fit in trump bids to deter you from leading a back, both of you are leading up to clubs. South might even have a five-card club. strength – normally a good idea. club suit. What is more, you have a fair What card do you lead in partner’s What would cause you to reject a lead five-card suit of your own and a sure suit? Someone once said ‘the top card’. of partner’s suit? entry. This is not the right answer. It is normal If the opponents are in a suit contract Remember, however, that I have for most partnerships to lead the same and you hold the ace of partner’s suit, included this last example by way of an as you would in an unbid suit. Lead top you might try your luck elsewhere exception. If you want to defeat as many of a sequence, second from a long bad rather than risk setting up the king in opposing contracts as you can and – just suit, fourth best from other long suits declarer’s hand. There is no hard and as importantly – maintain partnership and the higher card from a doubleton. fast rule on this. harmony – lead partner’s suit. ■

Page 6 BRIDGE June 2020 Bernard Magee’s Acol Bidding Quiz

This month we are dealing with the responses to 1NT. You are West in the auctions below, playing ‘Standard Acol’ with a weak no-trump (12-14 points) and four-card majors. Your system of responses to 1NT includes Stayman and transfers in the red suits (to hearts and spades).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BRIDGE June 2020 Page 7 BERNARD MAGEE’S Catching Up INTERACTIVE TUTORIAL CD with Sally Brock BEGIN BRIDGE

he first half of this month was our Airbnb. Again, we had got it right a lot more interesting than the as we had a balcony looking out over second. As I said last month, the ocean. After one night here, we Twe started by flying to Cape Town went off to see some other friends in (saving £250 each by stopping off at Gordon’s Bay for a couple of nights Addis Ababa midway). We landed in before returning for the bridge – the the early afternoon and after picking South African National Pairs. up our hire car we drove to Robertson There were four eleven-table sections for our first night. The Robertson to start with and we had to finish in Small Hotel was splendid – we could the top twenty or so to qualify for the step directly from our verandah into next round (some pairs were dropping the pool. I’m not much of a swimmer, in from the final of the teams). but it was just too tempting. After This was a nice slam we bid in the breakfast we set off for Plettenberg Bay first session: where we stayed with friends for four Learn to play bridge with nights in a lovely rented house with a Bernard Magee, Britain’s fantastic ocean view. We were royally Dealer East. N/S Game. best bridge teacher in 20 entertained with dinner and lunch ♠ A Q 9 6 5 interactive chapters: parties here, there and everywhere. ♥ Q 9 On the last night, we took our hosts ♦ A 7 l Basics of Bridge out to dinner to an excellent hotel ♣ K Q 7 2 l Basics of Card Play Technique with a view. We had ordered and were ♠ K 7 3 ♠ J 10 4 2 l Practice of Card Play Technique waiting (slightly impatiently) for our ♥ 7 3 N ♥ 10 8 6 l Planning the Card Play W E starters when they came and told us ♦ Q 9 6 4 ♦ K 10 3 2 l Basics of Bidding S there had been a fire in the kitchen and ♣ 10 8 6 4 ♣ J 9 l Bidding Balanced Hands everything had been contaminated by ♠ 8 l Bidding Suits the fire extinguisher so we couldn’t ♥ A K J 5 4 2 l Responding to a Suit have any dinner. They had rather ♦ J 8 5 l Supporting Partner £66 thoughtfully already contacted ♣ A 5 3 l Responding to 1NT alternative restaurants nearby so we l The knew where to go instead. l 2NT Opening and Response Next stop was the Amakhala Safari West North East South l Strong Two Opening and Response Lodge: three nights with six safari Pass 1♥ Overcalls l drives. It was brilliant. We were very Pass 1♠ Pass 2♥ Doubles l near the Addo Elephant Park and Pass 2NT Pass 3NT Pre-empting l one of our safaris was there. The best Pass 4♣ Pass 4♥ l Basics of Defence 1 moment was when we watched a Pass 4NT Pass 5♣ l Basics of Defence 2 couple of lions canoodling with each Pass 6♥ All Pass l Defence against Notrump Contracts other – after a while they got up and l Defence against Suit Contracts we thought they were leaving, but they We play two-level opening Operating system requirements: stopped about six feet from our jeep bids as up to the strength of a Windows only and mated in front of us. minimum one-level opener, so when We had one night back in the Barry showed a six-card heart suit by Mr Bridge Limited Plettenberg Bay area, a couple of rebidding the suit over the 1♠ response, nights in Hermanus (unfortunately I knew he had a reasonable hand. My ( 01483 489961 the wrong season for whales), and two 2NT was forcing, and he raised to the www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop nights in the wine area in Franschhoek, no-trump game. I cue-bid, he signed before heading off to Cape Town for off as he had no diamond control, I

Page 8 BRIDGE June 2020 BERNARD Catching Up MAGEE’S INTERACTIVE with Sally Brock TUTORIAL CD DEFENCE

asked for key cards and he showed West North East South three, which I hoped would be enough Pass for slam. He got a club lead and had to 2♣ Dbl 2♠ 3♥ decide on the best line of play. He could Pass 4NT Pass 5♣ have given up a diamond and ruffed Pass 6♥ All Pass MAC or Windows one in the dummy but that would give him no chance of an overtrick. My 2♣ showed either a weak 2♦, or Accordingly, he won the club in hand, an Acol 2♣. The rest of the auction played a spade to the ace and ruffed a was fairly natural until South showed spade, then the ♥A and a heart to the an ace. The slam was cold. Maybe queen before ruffing another spade. they wouldn’t have bid it if I had not When the ♠K came down he could opened. In the event we scored 5 MPs

claim 13 tricks and a top score. when they bid and made it, and our We qualified mid-field for the rivals bid it too so scored 15, leaving A final (the field was divided into us 2 MPs behind when the music four sections, with three sessions of stopped. barometer pairs). The top section had Still, it was an excellent event. Bernard develops your screens and was quite a serious affair. Covid 19 was nipping at our heels. defence in the course of ten We started well; after one session we Overnight before the last session the introductory exercises and were in the lead (having made up for a South African government banned 120 complete deals. low carry-forward), after two sessions gatherings of more than 100 people, so we were two tops ahead of the field. when we went to play the final session, l Lead vs The third set didn’t go so well: we the B, C and D finals had all been No-trump Contracts played four good pairs and scored abandoned. l Lead vs poorly, then we had a bye; this came We had one more day, which we Suit Contracts at a good time to stop the downward spent driving to Cape Point. We took a l Partner of Leader momentum, as the sixth set us saw us boat ride out to see thousands of seals vs No-trump Contracts scoring nearly all the matchpoints the – they are so nimble in the sea that at four boards had to offer. After three of first we thought they were dolphins! l Partner of Leader the last four boards, we had a lead of We also went to Boulder Bay to see vs Suit Contracts some 8 matchpoints. Then there was penguins. A lovely day out before l Count Signals this: getting fish and chips and collapsing l Attitude Signals on our balcony. The following day we packed, returned the hire car and had l Discarding £76 Dealer South. E/W Game. an uneventful journey home. n l Defensive Plan ♠ 5 l Stopping Declarer ♥ A K J 7 2 REDUCE THE COST l Counting the Hand ♦ K J OF YOUR POSTAGE ♣ A K 7 3 2 British postage stamps for sale at 90% ♠ J 7 ♠ K Q 10 6 4 3 of face-value, all mint and with full N ♥ 9 ♥ 8 6 gum. Operating system requirements: W E ♦ A Q 6 5 4 2 ♦ 10 9 7 Windows or Mac OS 10.08 -10.14 S Quotations for commercial quantities ♣ 10 9 8 6 ♣ Q J are available on request. ♠ A 9 8 2 Values supplied in 100s, higher values Mr Bridge Limited ♥ Q 10 5 4 3 available, as well as 1st and 2nd class. ♦ 8 3 ( 020 8422 4906 ( 01483 489961 ♣ 5 4 8 [email protected] www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop

BRIDGE June 2020 Page 9 Liz McGowan Says Cover An Honour To Promote Something

over an honour is one of the The decision whether to cover may be oldest . When ♣ J 5 easier when declarer leads from hand. an opponent leads an honour N Cand the next player covers with a higher ♣ 10 8 4 W E ♣ K 6 2 S honour, this is covering an honour with ♣ A Q 10 2 an honour. ♣ A Q 9 7 3 N The idea of covering is to set up a lower ♣ K 6 3 W E ♣ 9 7 5 4 honour or high-spot card in your hand S or partner’s. It does not matter that you If East does not cover the jack, declarer ♣ J 8 might lose the trick on which you do the makes five tricks. If he uses the king to covering – indeed you often do lose the force out the ace, West’s ten will make. trick. You are making an investment for On the jack lead, West covers to set up the future. East’s nine for the fourth round. This example of what happens if you ♣ Q 5 ignore the maxim comes from the final N of the 1988 Ladies World Olympiad. ♣ 6 4 W E ♣ K 10 9 7 ♣ A K 10 9 S

N ♣ A J 8 3 2 ♣ Q 6 3 2 W E ♣ 7 5 4 S ♠ K J 4 ♥ A 10 6 5 2 ♣ J 8 ♦ K Q 6 With good intermediates, East covers ♣ 10 5 the queen; if he fails to, declarer makes ♠ 3 2 ♠ Q 10 9 5 four club tricks instead of three. Here covering can only lose. If West ♥ K Q 8 N ♥ J 9 7 3 plays low, declarer may overtake and try W E ♦ J 9 8 4 3 S ♦ 10 7 for a ruffing against East. ♣ A K 8 ♣ J 6 4 ♣ Q 5 Covering when there is something to ♠ A 8 7 6 N promote is crucial on our final deal: ♥ 4 ♣ 8 6 W E ♣ K 4 3 2 S ♦ A 5 2 ♣ Q 9 7 3 2 ♣ A J 10 9 7 ♠ J 4 ♥ J 10 6 5 ♦ K 7 6 The British South opened rather light With nothing to promote, East saves ♣ A Q 9 2 and ended in 3NT. his king to make later. If he covers the ♠ K Q 7 3 2 ♠ A 6 5 West led a diamond and declarer won queen, declarer makes five club tricks. ♥ 8 7 N ♥ A 9 ♦ Q J 8 W E ♦ A 10 9 3 2 in dummy to advance the ten of clubs. Covering is unlikely to help your side S The contract found a new lease of life when dummy has four or more cards: ♣ K 8 7 ♣ 10 6 4 when East did not cover with the jack. ♠ 10 9 8 The ten forced the king and a second ♥ K Q 4 3 2 finesse of declarer’s nine established ♣ Q 9 7 2 ♦ 5 4 three club tricks, just enough for the ♣ J 5 3 N game. If East covers the ten, West makes ♣ 8 6 W E ♣ K 5 4 3 three club tricks and declarer’s task is S hopeless. ♣ A J 10 North-South in 5♥ doubled. When dummy leads an unsupported Two spades, two diamonds and the ace doubleton honour (e.g. J-x or Q-x), you of hearts mean three down for +500. usually cover if you have three or fewer Declarer leads dummy’s queen to keep Covering the club jack with the king cards in the suit. the lead there – East should not cover. produces a club trick and a great +800.■

Page 10 BRIDGE June 2020

DEFENCE QUIZ DECLARER

by Julian Pottage (Answers on page 35) PLAY

ou are East in the defensive positions below, playing matchpoints with neither side vulnerable. While you QUIZ Yusually aim to beat the contract, you may also need to consider the risk of conceding overtricks. by David Huggett (Answers on page 33)

1. ♠ A 3. ♠ A ou are South as declarer playing or teams, ♥ A 6 3 ♥ A 10 3 so aiming to make your contract without worrying about ♦ Q 10 9 7 5 4 3 ♦ Q J 9 4 3 Yovertricks. In each case what is your play strategy? ♣ A 6 ♣ Q 6 4 2 ♠ J 5 ♠ Q J 8 N ♥ Q 10 8 5 2 N ♥ 8 6 5 2 W E W E S ♦ K S ♦ 7 5 2 1. ♠ A 9 2 3. ♠ A 9 6 5 ♣ Q J 9 4 2 ♣ 10 9 5 ♥ 9 6 5 ♥ A Q J ♦ J 7 5 2 ♦ Q 7 6 ♣ Q 10 9 ♣ Q 6 4 West North East South West North East South 2♠1 3♦ Pass 3NT 1NT1 N N W E W E All Pass 2♣2 3NT All Pass S S 1 Weak 1 12-14 2 Majors ♠ Q J 10 8 6 4 3 ♠ 2 ♥ A 7 ♥ K 10 9 8 7 Partner leads the ♠7. What is Partner leads the ♠5. What is ♦ A 6 ♦ A K 5 4 your plan? your plan? ♣ K J ♣ A K 2

You are declarer in 4♠ and You are declarer in 7♥. West West leads the ♥K. How do leads the ♥2. How do you you plan the play? plan the play?

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

♠ K Q 10 6 5 ♠ A Q 6 West North East South West North East South ♥ A Q 9 7 3 ♥ K 5 1♥ Pass 1NT 1NT1 ♦ A K ♦ A 7 2 Pass 3NT All Pass Pass 2♦2 Pass 2♥ ♣ 2 ♣ J 10 9 3 2 Pass 3NT All Pass 1 12-14 You are declarer in 6♥. West You are declarer in 3NT. 2 5+ hearts leads the ♦J. How do you West leads the ♠J. How do plan the play? you plan the play? Partner leads the ♠5. What is Partner leads the ♠6. What your plan? is your plan?

BRIDGE June 2020 Page 11 About Bidding Judgement by Andrew Kambites Splinter Bids And Trial Bids

n my previous article, I looked at in a new suit. It shows a good fit with 4♠. This shows the value of being able features that mean in some hands partner, enough high card points to to make a slam suggestion below game there is a perfect fit, leading to bid game (a by responder level because even 5♠ could be too Imaking game or slam on fewer than agreeing opener’s suit shows 11-15 high on a diamond lead. normal points, whereas in other points), and a singleton in the bid In Layout B, South has an excellent hands there are wasted values. In this suit. Thus ♥1 -(P)-2♠ is a single jump, club holding opposite a singleton. article I examine some conventional showing a strong hand with spades but If North has two aces, slam should ideas that help you diagnose your 1♥-(P)-3♠ is a double jump, showing be excellent so South checks with combined potential. The most valuable at least four-card heart support and Blackwood. 5♥ shows two aces so conventions aid your judgement. a singleton spade. Of course most South bids the excellent 6♠ which splinter bids are at the four level. This makes easily despite only 25 points Splinters is a rare example of a splinter bid at between the two hands. Ingredients that allow you to make a the three level. Traditionally this was The risk in going past 4♠ and suit slam with far fewer than normal played as a pre-empt and occasionally finding North with no aces was very points are summed up as follows: a sleepy player might forget. Nowadays slight because the ♠Q and the ♥K-Q-J 1) The two partners have excellent it is widely recognised that once your would be only 8 HCP – not enough trumps. Although normally you are partner has opened the bidding there high cards for a splinter response satisfied with an 8-card fit, a 9-card are very few hands where you would under normal circumstances. fit, or even better a 10-card fit can want or need to pre-empt in a new suit A double jump in a new suit by improve the playing strength of a and that a double jump is far better opener on his rebid is also a splinter. hand immensely. used as a splinter bid. 2) Both players have shape. If one of them can show a side suit singleton Layout C Layout D there are several holdings partner Layout A Layout B ♠ 5 ♠ 5 may have that should suggest that a ♠ Q 7 4 2 ♠ Q 7 4 2 ♥ A Q 4 2 ♥ A Q 4 2 slam might be available on fewer than ♥ A J 3 2 ♥ A J 3 2 ♦ K Q J 5 2 ♦ K Q J 5 2 normal values. For example: ♦ A 7 3 2 ♦ A 7 3 2 ♣ A J 4 ♣ A J 4 (i) If partner has three or four small ♣ 4 ♣ 4 N N clubs opposite a singleton then the W E W E N N missing ten points are likely to result S S W E W E in only one loser. S S (ii) If partner has the ♣A and several ♠ 7 4 3 2 ♠ K Q 6 small clubs opposite a singleton then ♠ A K J 6 5 3 ♠ A K J 6 5 3 ♥ K J 9 8 7 3 ♥ K J 9 8 7 3 the missing six points will result in no ♥ 9 ♥ 9 ♦ A 7 ♦ 9 4 loser. ♦ 8 6 5 ♦ K Q J ♣ 3 ♣ 6 2 Of course (i) and (ii) only apply if ♣ K Q J ♣ 8 6 5 you have enough trumps to be able to deal with partner’s losers, hence North South North South criterion 1. North South North South 1♦ 1♥ 1♦ 1♥ The other side of this is that minor 1♠ 1♠ 3♠ 4NT 3♠ 4♥ honours (kings, queens and jacks) 4♣ 4♠ 4♣ 4NT 5♥ 6♥ Pass opposite partner’s singleton may well Pass 5♥ 6♠ be wasted. Pass In Layout C, North’s 3♠ shows the A splinter bid by your partner allows values to raise to 4♥ including a you to judge whether you have the In Layout A, North’s 4♣ shows at least singleton spade. South knows of a 10- right sort of holding opposite his side- enough points for 4♠ (11-15) and a card heart fit, which should allow him suit singleton to judge whether a slam singleton club. South can diagnose to ruff spade losers in dummy. The on minimal values may be there. duplication of values with his ♣K-Q-J ingredients for a thin slam are present: A splinter bid involves a double jump opposite a singleton so he signs off in an excellent trump fit and no wasted

Page 12 BRIDGE June 2020 values in spades so South checks on singleton. Of course with ♣A-K-Q you A singleton ace is a winner. All aces before bidding the easy 6♥. This don’t need a ruff in dummy. other singletons are losers. is a perfect slam with only 25 points. Layouts E and F demonstrate how A void in a suit counts as no losers. The South hand in Layout D is a trial bids can be helpful. With no loser or one loser in the point stronger than in Layout C but trial bid suit, bid game whether you South can diagnose the duplication of are minimum or maximum. values in spades (♠K-Q-6 opposite a Layout E Layout F With two losers in the trial bid singleton) so South has no temptation ♠ Q 10 4 2 ♠ Q 10 4 2 suit, bid game with a maximum to venture beyond 4♥. Note that ♥ 9 4 3 ♥ Q 4 3 response but sign off at the three even 5♥ has not much chance if the ♦ K Q 6 ♦ 8 3 2 level if minimum. defenders lead clubs. ♣ 8 3 2 ♣ K Q 6 With three losers in the trial bid Players have different opinions on suit, sign off at the three level. whether it is wise to splinter with a N N W E W E singleton honour. The point is that S S I shall be using this advice in this while partner might have only small article but I am conscious that it is an cards in the suit and hearing about the ♠ A K J 6 5 ♠ A K J 6 5 oversimplification. If opener has ♣A- singleton may be just what he needs to ♥ A K ♥ A K 7-6 or ♣9-7-6 responder would rather hear, it can cause him to misjudge if he ♦ J 10 5 4 ♦ J 10 5 4 have ♣K-J-10 opposite than ♣Q-3-2, has some strength in the splinter suit. ♣ 7 4 ♣ 7 4 yet both seem to count as one winner. Holding ♦K-Q-J-2 opposite a small I like to feel free to adjust this if I singleton will cause partner to think feel that the hand has other positive there is duplication of values. However North South North South features, for example intermediates ♦K-Q-J-2 opposite a singleton ace 1♠ 1♠ can improve a hand and it is better might be worth four tricks and could 2♠ 3♦ 2♠ 3♦ to have 4-card trump support than allow declarer valuable discards of 4♠ 3♠ 3-card support. The concept of losers losers in another side suit. If you play will be examined more closely next splinter bids, this is certainly worth In Layouts E and F, North has shown month when I look at the losing trick discussing with your partner. at least 3-card spade support. If your count. methods are that North can raise with In Layout E North is nearer Trial bids just 3-card support then 3♦ should minimum than maximum for his 2♠ A trial bid usually happens when show a 5-card spade suit and enough raise, but with only one diamond loser opener’s opening suit bid (usually 1♥ values to invite game, typically 16-18 North bids game. or 1♠) is raised to the two level and points or perhaps fewer points but In Layout F North is nearer opener wants to make a . It is good shape. 3♦ is called a help or long maximum than minimum for his a way of investigating game by asking suit trial bid. South is promising at 2♠ raise, but three small cards in whether responder is minimum or least three diamonds and drawing diamonds offer South no help at all so maximum within the limits of what attention to the fact that if North has North signs off in 3♠. he has shown and also whether or not honour cards in diamonds they are Honour cards are not the only way his honours fit well. likely to fill gaps in the South hand. that North can help cover South’s Minor honours (queens and jacks) The implication is that South has losers in his trial bid suit. Look at in partner’s suit are likely to be losers in the suit of the trial bid (in this Layout G. valuable. If you are going to play in case diamonds) and is asking if North a suit contract, minor honours in can help cover them. partner’s shortage are likely to be If you want a more precise way of Layout G Layout H useless. Only aces, and to a lesser deciding whether or not to bid game ♠ Q 10 4 2 ♠ J 7 5 extent kings, are likely to be useful after your partner makes a help suit ♥ Q 6 3 2 ♥ Q 6 3 2 in partner’s short suits. trial bid, Ron Klinger gives helpful ♦ 2 ♦ K 9 Ideally, the side suit used for a trial advice that I will apply in this article: ♣ J 5 3 2 ♣ K 10 9 3 bid has at least two losers because you are asking whether partner can cover If you have three or more cards in N N ♣ ♣ W E W E your losers. A suit like A-7-6 or 9- a suit the ace, king and queen are S S 7-6 because anything that partner has winners. If you have none of these that can cover the losers, whether it cards, count three losers; if you have ♠ A K J 6 5 ♠ A Q 8 6 is honour cards or shortage, will be one of them, count two losers; if you ♥ A K ♥ A K useful. It is pointless using a suit like have two of them, count one loser; if ♦ J 10 5 4 ♦ Q 10 5 4 ♣A-K-Q because partner will either you have all three, count no losers.. ♣ 7 4 ♣ Q 4 2 decide he cannot cover your losers If you have a doubleton in a suit the (because obviously he cannot have ace and king are winners. All other any honour cards) or wrongly value a cards are losers. u

BRIDGE June 2020 Page 13 tNorth South North South There are two possible ways of treating enough to raise 1♠ to 2♠ but now 3♠ 1♠ 1♠ 3♠. would have five top losers. However 2♠ 3♦ 2♠ 2NT playing against good opposition it is 4♠ 3NT an illusion to imagine that you would Layout J Layout K have been allowed to play in 2♠. The In Layout G North has a singleton in ♠ 9 7 4 3 ♠ 9 7 4 3 sequence 1♠-2♠-Pass tells opponents South’s trial bid suit. North also has ♥ Q 10 5 ♥ Q 10 5 that you have a fit but not enough to four trumps, which will help declarer ♦ A 8 ♦ A 8 look for game. They will be aware that ruff diamond losers in dummy. North ♣ Q 4 3 2 ♣ Q 4 3 2 they probably have half the points in is minimum in terms of point count the pack and a fit of their own and will but with only one diamond loser N N therefore look for a reason to protect. W E W E ♥ North jumps to game. S S Can you be confident of beating 4 if In Layout H South has only four they bid it? It is much harder for them spades. If your partnership style ♠ A K J 6 5 ♠ K Q J 8 6 5 to protect after the sequence ♠1 -2♠-3♠ allows you to raise 1♠ to 2♠ with just ♥ K 6 2 ♥ 8 4 than after ♠1 -2♠. 3-card support then although spades ♦ K 6 5 ♦ K J 10 3 You should discuss the meaning of have been bid and supported it is not ♣ K 10 ♣ 9 3♠ with partner. Perhaps it is true to clear to South that North/South have say that the higher the standard you an 8-card spade fit. Indeed no-trumps play in the more your opponents are might be the correct denomination. North South North South likely to protect and the greater the A trial bid in a suit would confirm 1♠ 1♠ need for you to have 3♠ available as a that spades will be trumps so South’s 2♠ 3♠ 2♠ 3♠ pre-emptive raise. game try is 2NT showing 17-18 points 4♠ Pass Note also that while 1♠-2♠-3♦ is and a with only four a game try in spades, the sequence spades. Note that this no-trump rebid You could play a further raise to 3♠ 1♠-3♠-4♦ cannot sensibly be a game is not 15-16 or 15-17. This common as a general game try, not wishing to try because having bid beyond 3♠ it misapprehension comes about draw attention to any particular side is impossible to stop below game. 4♦ because you might play a sequence like suit. Layout J demonstrates this. North here is a looking for a slam, not 1♠-2♣-2NT as 15-16. However the 2♣ advances to game because he is nearer a game try. response in that sequence shows at maximum than minimum for 2♠. Responder can also use trial bids if least nine points and could be many North has no particular reason to think opener gives a single raise. more. The ♠2 raise in Layout H shows any particular honours are wasted. at most 9 points. Although opener Alternatively, you could play a might investigate game with an further raise to 3♠ as pre-emptive Layout L Layout M unbalanced hand with 15 or 16 points as shown in Layout K. North is not ♠ K Q 7 ♠ K Q 7 (as in Layout E) there is no reason to invited to continue to game even ♥ 7 ♥ J 7 5 2 proceed beyond 2♠ with a balanced 15 if he is maximum. You might note ♦ A Q J 8 7 ♦ A Q J 8 7 or 16 points. that if North had the ♦Q rather than ♣ J 7 5 2 ♣ 7 How about the sequence: 1♠-2♠-3♠? the ♦A North would still have had N N W E W E S S

DUPLICATE BRIDGE ♠ A J 9 4 3 ♠ A J 9 4 3 ♥ 8 4 3 ♥ 8 4 3 RULES SIMPLIFIED ♦ K 2 ♦ K 2 ♣ ♣ (otherwise known as the Yellow Book) K 6 4 K 6 4

by David Stevenson North South North South only 1♦ 1♠ 1♦ 1♠ FULLY REVISED IN 2017 95 £5 2♠ 3♥ 2♠ 3♥ 4♠ 3♠ Pass Available from Mr Bridge In Layouts L and M North is wise ( 01483 489961 to prefer raising spades rather than rebidding 2 of a minor because North www.mrbridge.co.uk is not worth a third bid. If North rebids 2♣ in Layout L and gets preference to 2♦ (perhaps false preference) North

Page 14 BRIDGE June 2020 must pass 2♦ and a spade fit may be North is very maximum for 2♣ so lost. North jumps to 5♣. 3♣ would show a Mr Bridge Luxury In Layouts L and M South chooses minimum and would be non forcing. to make a trial bid in hearts (rather The term ‘long suit trial bid’ denotes Playing Cards than clubs) because he has three losers length in the suit but some players in hearts and needs help from partner prefer ‘short suit trial bids’. With the to cover his losers. latter, the trial bid shows a singleton In Layout L a singleton heart helps and suggests that apart from the ace, cover these losers (just one loser in the honours in the suit in partner’s hand trial bid suit) so North bids game. are likely to be wasted. Short suit trial In Layout M North has three heart bids are similar in purpose to splinter losers and suspects his singleton bids. In Layouts Q and R North/South club might be opposite South’s club have agreed to play short suit trial bids. honours so he signs off in 3♠.

Trial bids after a Layout Q Layout R opening ♠ K 7 4 3 ♠ K 7 4 3 You can also make a trial bid if your ♥ K J 6 ♥ 7 5 4 minor suit is raised to the two level, ♦ J 6 3 ♦ J 6 3 but such a bid is often looking for 3NT. ♣ 9 5 4 ♣ K J 6

N N W E W E Layout N Layout P S S ♠ 8 2 ♠ K 8 6 ♥ K Q 6 ♥ 8 ♠ A Q 8 6 5 ♠ A Q 8 6 5 ♦ K 10 7 2 ♦ A 8 4 2 ♥ A 9 8 ♥ A 9 8 ♣ 10 6 5 3 ♣ 10 6 5 3 2 ♦ A Q 5 2 ♦ A Q 5 2 ♣ 2 ♣ 2 N N W E W E S S North South North South ♠ A Q 10 ♠ A Q 10 1♠ 1♠ ♥ J 3 2 ♥ J 3 2 2♠ 3♣ 2♠ 3♣ ♦ 9 3 ♦ 9 3 4♠ 3♠ ♣ A K Q J 7 ♣ A K Q J 7 In Layouts Q and R South is showing at least five spades and a singleton club. North South North South In Layout Q North knows there 1♣ 1♣ are no wasted points in clubs. North 2♣ 2♠ 2♣ 2♠ cannot know the exact nature of 3NT 5♣ South’s hand but if South has a singleton club he must have some In Layouts N and P South’s 2♠ bid is length in the red suits, so all of North’s not looking for a spade fit; he knows points seem to be working. Despite the Box of 72 - £72 that if North had four spades he would dreaded 4-3-3-3 shape North shows (36 red-backed, 36 blue-backed) prefer a 1♠ response to a raise to 2♣. good judgement by jumping to game. 2♠ might or might not show a 4-card In Layout R North is not encouraged Strip of 12 - £19.95 spade suit but it does show honour by a holding of ♣K-J-6 opposite a (6 red-backed, 6 blue-backed) cards in spades and by implication singleton. These club values are likely denies them in the red suits. to be wasted. North cannot help with Includes postage to In Layout N North sees that South the likely holes in South’s red suits so covers his spade weakness. He has North signs off in 3♠. UK addresses. stoppers in both red suits and is You can discuss with your partner maximum for 2♣ so North tries 3NT. whether you play long suit or short Cards are not bar coded. 2NT would show a minimum and suit trial bids; although short suit trial would be non forcing. bids are simpler, and fit in well with In Layout P North can diagnose the splinter bids, help suit trial bids offer ( 01483 489961 heart weakness for 3NT. The♠ K fits more flexibility because sometimes well with South’s spade values and you do not have a short suit to bid. n www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop

BRIDGE June 2020 Page 15 Justin Corfield Says Knock Out The Entry To The Danger Hand First

he concept of a ‘danger hand’ West leads the nine of spades against refers to when you can lose the 3NT. You play low from dummy and win ♠ 5 4 2 lead safely to one opponent, but with the king, while East encourages ♥ 10 9 6 4 Tnot the other: with the eight. From the play to the first ♦ A Q 8 3 2 trick, you conclude that West has tried – ♣ K

successfully – to find East’s suit. N ♠ 5 3 You will need to set up extra tricks W E ♥ K 6 3 in the minor suits. Would you finesse S ♦ A J 7 6 in diamonds first, or would you rather ♠ A K ♣ A 5 3 2 knock out the ace of clubs first? Does it ♥ K Q 2 ♦ N make any difference? Let us see. J 10 9 6 W E Suppose you decide that you will have ♣ A 4 3 2 S to lose to the ace of clubs at some point ♠ K Q 2 and therefore that you might as well ♥ A 4 2 knock it out straight away. Most players would run the jack of ♦ K 10 9 8 5 The writing is on the wall when West diamonds at trick two. Would you? ♣ K 4 goes in with the ace of clubs and plays The diamond finesse, appealing as it another spade. You try the jack from may look, would be a mistake. If you dummy, but East wins with the queen take it now and it loses, East will return Suppose you are in 3NT and West leads and clears the spades. As a last resort, a spade, setting up West’s suit. At this a low spade to East’s jack. you cross to your hand in hearts to try point, you will have eight tricks and still You ensure the contract if you win, the diamond finesse. Unfortunately, need to knock out the heart ace. If West cross to the ace of diamonds and then it loses to East, who cashes two more holds it, you will be in trouble. run the jack. You play the diamonds this spade tricks to defeat your contract. Resisting the allure of that diamond way around because you do not mind Compare this rather sad scenario with finesse, you should reason that West is losing a trick to West, who can do you the more cheerful one where you try the the danger hand, with the no harm. It would be dangerous to lose diamond finesse at trick two. his only possible entry. So attack that a trick to East (who can play a spade If the diamond finesse wins, you take suit first and play the king of hearts at through your remaining spade honour). a few more diamond then knock trick two. What is the worst that could East is the danger hand and you have out the ace of clubs, making overtricks. happen? If someone takes the heart kept him off lead in the play. If the finesse loses, though, no harm can ace and knocks out your remaining When you have two high cards to come. East cannot profitably attack the spade stopper, you then take a diamond knock out, life is more complicated and spade suit from his side of the table. finesse into the now safe East hand (you this is where the maxim proves useful. By taking the diamond finesse into know the spades are 6-2 on the bidding). East at trick two, you attack the danger If the defenders allow your heart king to hand’s entry before the defenders have hold, you simply switch to diamonds – ♠ A J 3 set up their suit. This play guarantees the difference is that you already have a ♥ A 3 2 ten tricks against any layout. heart trick in the bag. ♦ A 6 4 2 Note that, assuming you place East One way to think about this is to ♣ Q 10 3 with long spades, you play the same way consider which layouts threaten your

N if dummy’s spades are weaker, A-x-x. contract. Here, the danger is that the W E You still want to knock out East’s king of diamond finesse is wrong (East has the S diamonds before the ace of clubs, which king) and West holds the heart ace. You ♠ K 2 may be with West. then consider how to make the contract, ♥ K 5 4 Another day, another 3NT and even against the dangerous layout. ♦ Q J 10 9 another danger hand for you to keep off Sometimes the obvious play – on the ♣ K J 9 2 lead – West, having opened with a weak long suit – is wrong. Knock out the entry two in spades, leads a low spade. to the danger hand first. ■

Page 16 BRIDGE June 2020 BERNARD Splinter Bids And Trial Bids Quiz MAGEE’S by Andrew Kambites INTERACTIVE (Answers on page 37) TUTORIAL CD 1 Your partner opens 1♠. What do you bid with Hands 1A to 1C? Hand 4D Hand 4E Hand 4F ♠ K 8 6 5 ♠ A Q J 8 6 5 ♠ A Q J 8 6 5 ACOL BIDDING ♥ A Q 6 ♥ K 6 ♥ 8 6 Hand 1A Hand 1B Hand 1C ♦ Q 9 6 5 ♦ 8 5 4 ♦ A K 2 ♠ K Q 6 5 ♠ K J 6 5 ♠ K Q 6 ♣ A J ♣ 5 2 ♣ Q 3 ♥ 2 ♥ 2 ♥ 2 ♦ K Q 6 5 ♦ K Q 6 5 ♦ K Q 6 5 ♣ Q 5 4 3 ♣ 8 5 4 3 ♣ Q 8 5 3 2 5 You are North. You are playing long suit trial bids. What is your second bid with Hands 5A to 5F after the auction MAC or Windows 2 You open 1♠ and your partner jumps starts as shown below? to 4♥, a splinter bid. How do you continue with Hands 2A to 2C? Hand 5A Hand 5B Hand 5C ♠ K 9 3 2 ♠ K 9 3 2 ♠ K 9 3 2 Hand 2A Hand 2B Hand 2C ♥ 10 5 4 ♥ 10 5 4 ♥ 10 5 4 3 ♠ A Q 9 8 3 2 ♠ A Q 9 8 3 2 ♠ A Q 9 8 3 2 ♦ K Q 4 ♦ 8 5 4 ♦ Q 8 6 5 ♥ A 7 6 ♥ K J 4 ♥ 9 7 6 ♣ 8 5 4 ♣ K Q 4 ♣ 4 ♦ K J 4 ♦ A 7 6 ♦ A K J ♣ 2 ♣ 2 ♣ 2 Throughout 200 deals split Hand 5D Hand 5E Hand 5F into ten chapters, Bernard ♠ K 9 4 2 ♠ K 9 4 2 ♠ K 9 4 2 evaluates your bids, praising 3 You are North. What is your second ♥ 7 5 4 3 ♥ Q 10 4 3 ♥ Q 10 4 3 the correct ones and bid with Hands 3A to 3C after the ♦ 9 3 ♦ 9 3 ♦ K 3 2 discussing the wrong ones. auction starts as shown below? ♣ K 8 7 ♣ K 8 7 ♣ 8 4

l Opening Bids and Responses Hand 3A Hand 3B Hand 3C South North l Slams and ♠ K Q 6 4 3 ♠ K Q 6 4 3 ♠ K Q 6 4 3 1♠ 2♠ Strong Openings £66 ♥ 8 4 3 2 ♥ K 10 2 ♥ A 8 3 2 3♣ ? l Support for Partner ♦ 7 ♦ 3 2 ♦ 7 ♣ K 10 2 ♣ 8 4 3 ♣ 10 6 2 6 You are South. You are playing long l Pre-empting suit trial bids. What is your third bid l Overcalls with Hands 6A to 6C after the auction l No-trump Openings North South starts as shown below? and Responses 1♣ l Opener’s and 1♠ 4♥ Responder’s Rebids ? Hand 6A Hand 6B Hand 6C ♠ K Q 3 2 ♠ K Q 3 2 ♠ K Q 3 2 l Minors and Misfits 4 You open 1♠ and your partner raises ♥ 4 ♥ 7 4 3 ♥ Q 8 l Doubles to 2♠. You are playing long suit ♦ 7 4 3 ♦ 4 ♦ 8 7 l Competitive Auctions trial bids. How do you proceed with ♣ A Q J 7 6 ♣ A Q 8 5 4 ♣ A Q 8 5 4 Hands 4A to 4F?

Operating system requirements: North South Windows or Mac OS 10.08 -10.14 Hand 4A Hand 4B Hand 4C 1♣ ♠ K 8 6 5 ♠ A Q 8 6 5 ♠ A J 8 6 5 2 1♠ 2♠ Mr Bridge Limited ♥ A Q 6 ♥ A 6 ♥ A 6 3♦ ? ♦ Q 9 6 5 ♦ Q 9 6 2 ♦ Q 9 6 ( 01483 489961 ♣ A K ♣ A 3 ♣ A 3 www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop

BRIDGE June 2020 Page 17 David Stevenson Answers Your Bridge Questions What Counts As A Played Card For Declarer?

My friend and I in a position to indicate decisions. In this case, I think and with the correct boards decided to take the it has been played’ the judgement is clear. by checking the cards. Q directors’ training The Laws of Duplicate However, while this is the course on how to run a Bridge 2017: ♣♦♥♠ normal approach many club duplicate. And very Law 45 C2(b) may be the players do not bother. challenging it was, too. most telling: ‘maintained Can you tell me When a is played We are perplexed by in such a position as to what should the wrong way in most the official answer about indicate that it has been Q happen if a movements it is perfectly declarer’s change of play played’ (has been, I think, board is played the possible to adjust the and I quote the question. being the operative words) wrong way round? positions on the scoring ‘Half way through the An experienced director We followed the players program and I expect the play declarer takes the as well as an experienced in front of us and sat in director did that. It is not ♠A out of her hand, holds player both insist that the their seats but what we normal to penalise in clubs it in front of her, face up, answer to the question is true didn’t know was that they’d for playing boards in the 10cm off the table for a – of course, I think it is false switched the boards round wrong direction and the second then returns it to (both thinking about intent). at the table and played them board is perfectly playable, hand and plays the ♥3. Rosemary Hodder by email. N/S from the E/W position. so I would not give you Question 1. Everyone When we got to the average. I would certainly at the table has seen The answer is false. table and sat E/W, N/S not give you average plus the ♠A so it must be Intent is not relevant didn’t say anything. when there were table cards played: true or false?’ A because declarer is Should I have asked to since you are partly at fault. The following three allowed to change her mind see the movement card questions depended on if the card has not been on the table to check we ♣♦♥♠ getting question 1 right. played. Was it touching the were in the right position? Assuming that both of table? No. Was it nearly Whose responsibility is it? Please could you us knew on the day what touching the table? No. Was The director reckoned advise how to measurement 10cm is, in it maintained in a position she had altered the score Q announce our David Stevenson’s opinion to indicate it had been to fairly reflect the way it minor suit as it is NOT the is the answer true or false? played? This covers the rare had been played. Is this better minor (we play 5-card Page 21 of how to cases where declarer does possible? Or should N/S majors). We thought that run a club duplicate – something strange which have been penalised for ‘preferred minor’ allowed Law 45 and I quote: quite obviously indicates letting us play it wrongly? declarer to prefer or choose ‘Declarer’s card does it has been played, for And should we have been the minor, but apparently not have to be played example holding it under given average plus? that may not be the case? even if all players have an opponent’s nose! I know Michael Fairclough, Would ‘not necessarily seen it unless it has been that is impolite but I have Wirral. the better minor’ or placed on the table.’ seen it (it was meant as a just ‘may be only three Mr Stevenson’s joke and everyone took it as Whenever I direct and cards’ be appropriate? book page 29: a joke) but it was played. there are movement We are told that four cards ‘Declarer’s card must One thing that is not A cards I tell the players are always better than three, be played if it is held face always obvious to players is at the start that both sides but do not really want to get up touching or nearly that much of the director’s are responsible for making into an argument about it. touching the table or held job is making judgement sure they are sitting correctly Also, as the opening minor

Page 18 BRIDGE June 2020 bid is ‘false’ and partner The 1♣ opening with have 10 points or under end of play. The director may have less than 6 points a strong 1NT is not and that if a director had makes an announcement we have a ‘negative’? or A alertable. Long suit been present you would “No more boards” and ‘weak take-out’? of 1♦ to game tries showing at least have been disciplined.” no board may be started the 1♣. Is there a correct three cards are not alertable. May I have your opinion? without her permission. way to alert this? Perhaps However, the take-out of Whilst writing may ‘showing less than 6 points’? partner’s double is played I say how much I ♣♦♥♠ Rodney by email. by most people as showing enjoy the magazine, length so if you have agreed especially the quizzes. Could you please In general, an it might be only three cards Yoskell Redman by email. give advice on opening in a minor then you must alert it. I play Q the renege at A that may be only three this way and I alert it. Your opponent was cards. In our club there cards long is neither alertable completely wrong are many answers to this or announceable, so the ♣♦♥♠ A and her criticism dilemma. The answers only problem comes if the was unwarranted. seem to alienate players opposition ask how you play At a recent If there had been a from other clubs. Who is it. I suggest ‘Shows at least meeting of one director there he would penalised? Is declarer never three cards and we choose Q of the local clubs have had words with her penalised? We await your whichever minor we prefer’. where I play regularly, I about her attitude. reply with some trepidation. As to your 1♦ response, was strongly criticised by It is a fact that a lot of Roseanna O’Regan by email. the first question is whether my opponents for bidding people assume everyone you are allowed to pass a incorrectly or misleadingly. else would bid their way and I assume you are 1♣ opening. If so, fine. But I have been playing for seem to think that gives them talking about if you are not allowed to more than forty years and a right to criticise someone A reneging at bridge, pass the 1♣ opening then for 30 years was a member who bids differently. I might though the modern term is that is different: now you of the Surrey County Bridge have opened the hand 1♣ revoking. When a player must alert it. When asked during which I earned myself but I would never has cards of the suit led and say ‘Shows at least three a ‘County Master’. With say you have done anything fails to follow suit, that is cards, forcing and we choose my regular partner for wrong by pre-empting called a . Once the whichever minor we prefer’. all that period we learnt just because you have bid side that has revoked has Whether 1♣ is forcing or our craft, attending many differently from me. played to the next trick the not the 1♦ response requires bridge weekends under the Pre-emptive openings are revoke is established and an alert. If asked you say tutorage of John Beard. really a matter of judgment there is (usually) a penalty. ‘Negative, shows fewer As far as I understood the and different people have The penalty is as follows: than six points and says teaching, you could call different judgments as to 1. If the player who nothing about diamonds’. anything provided that your which hands are suitable. revoked did so by trumping partner did not know the and won that trick, and if ♣♦♥♠ actual cards in your hand. ♣♦♥♠ their side won a subsequent My hand contained: trick, two tricks are Which of these Firstly what is transferred to the other side club situations is the situation at the end of the hand. Q alertable (in each ♠ x Q about allowing 2. If the player who case you are showing a ♥ K Q boards to be played after revoked did so by trumping minimum of 3 cards)?: ♦ J the move is called? and won that trick, but their 1. Opening ‘better minor’ ♣ A Q x x x x x x x If the club want to allow side won no subsequent when playing a strong the board to be played when trick, one trick is transferred NT system: eg 12-14 HCP it is the tea break or the end to the other side at the and 4-4-2-3 shape. I was sitting South and of the evening, is it different? end of the hand. 2. As a game try; my opening bid was 3♣ Name and address supplied. 3. If the partner of the eg 1♥ – 2♥ – 3♣. because I had calculated my player who revoked won 3. As a rescue after (1NT)- hand totalled ‘11 points’, No one may start that trick, one trick is Dbl-(Pass*)-2♣ (you might as I had discounted a board after the transferred to the other side have a weak 4-3-3-3 the bare ♦J. A move is called at the end of the hand. hand). * = to play. In each On completion of the without the director’s 4. If the trick on which case you are showing a hand, one of our opponents permission. The director the player revoked was won suit, just that there might was very upset as she may allow it if she wishes by the other side but the only be three cards in it. calculated I had 12 points but I do not recommend it. player or his partner won a Lyn Fry, and said, “You could not The same thing applies subsequent trick, one trick is London. pre-empt when you didn’t at the tea break and transferred to the other u

BRIDGE June 2020 Page 19 t side at the end of the leader’s partner may ask a or a mechanical error? would not bid 2♠ as a weak hand. question when his partner Is the transient 2♦ take-out. East felt aggrieved 5. If neither the player has led face down. Note an insufficient bid? and called the TD after who revoked nor her partner that leading face down is Is 2NT a comparable call? North pointed out that his 2♠ won that trick nor any not a tradition but a law. The director ruled it was should have been alerted. subsequent trick, no tricks are However, to review the a mechanical error and West, being super ethical, transferred to the other side. bidding is a right for each allowed the change. had noted his partner’s It is not as complicated player before they play for The bidding went on to hesitation and felt he as it looks and generally the first time. This means 4NT, which was passed out. couldn’t lead a spade it is written much shorter. declarer could ask for the I led the eight of spades. from A-x. Result was a But the above definition bidding to be repeated Declarer made thirteen tricks, load of overtricks. If you might be easier to refer before playing from dummy we scored 25% on the board. had been TD what would to. The rules are the same and opening leader’s partner Alex Mathers, have been your ruling? at Rubber, Chicago, Four could ask for the bidding Northallerton. Margaret Lane by email. Deal or Duplicate bridge. to be repeated before There is no penalty for playing as third hand. The best person to While there are some a revoke by dummy. Some jurisdictions do not make a judgment positions where The side who revoked can require the bidding cards A decision is the A players do not know never gain so if after any to stay on the table (and director who was called to the alerting rules and I have penalty they have still gained some players pick their the table so I am not going sympathy for missed alerts, a trick or tricks that is also bidding cards up before to say he was wrong to rule a response of 2♠ to 1NT not transferred: this is very rare. the opening lead is faced, 2♦ an unintended bid. A showing spades is obviously even in the British Isles; a look at East's hand certainly alertable and I would be ♣♦♥♠ rude and annoying habit) suggests it was unintended very unhappy with South. and on such occasions the though directors do not I have been opening leader could ask look at players’ hands. reading page for a review of the bidding Assuming it was unintended ♠ 8 5 3 Q 12 of the Yellow before leading face down. then it is changed to 2NT and ♥ K 5 4 Book and see that leader’s it is as though there never was ♦ 9 partner may ask for a full ♣♦♥♠ a 2♦ bid by East. ♣ A J 9 7 4 2

bidding review ‘before ♠ A 4 N ♠ K Q 10 9 2 ♣♦♥♠ ♥ J 7 W E ♥ 9 8 6 2 playing to the first trick’. S Is that any time ‘before’, Q ♦ K 7 6 5 3 ♦ J 10 2 or is that when it is his turn We had a problem ♣ 10 8 6 3 ♣ Q to play to the first trick Dealer East. N/S Game. recently at the ♠ J 7 6 but before he does so? ♠ 7 5 4 Q club which caused ♥ A Q 10 3 What is the difference ♥ K J 9 5 4 a few ruffled feathers. If ♦ A Q 8 4 between a full review ♦ 10 4 you can access the SBC ♣ K 5 of the bidding and ♣ Q J 6 website it concerns Hand 1, asking a question? ♠ A K Q J 9 3 ♠ 10 2 played on Wednesday

Does the ‘asking questions’ ♥ 6 N ♥ A Q 8 7 3 5 February. The bidding There is no question that E/W W E part reflect the tradition of ♦ K Q 6 3 S ♦ A 8 proceeded Pass-Pass-1NT were damaged so I would leader placing the opening ♣ 9 3 ♣ A 10 8 5 (15-17)-Pass-2♠-Pass (after adjust the score. It is less card face down and saying ♠ 8 6 a short hesitation) after obvious what I adjust it to ‘Any questions partner’? ♥ 10 2 which N/S arrived in 3NT. since if East doubles 2♠ they I have no doubt that the ♦ J 9 7 5 2 The problem arose when may avoid 3NT. Dependent book is a good summary, but ♣ K 7 4 2 the 2♠ bid was not alerted on what 2♠ means and much is still not clear to me... and as you can see East what further bids mean I Steve Bailey by email. held a chunky spade suit. should probably adjust to West North East South Wednesday nights attract something like 35% of 4♣P Reviewing the bidding 1♥ Pass experienced players who + 65% of 3NT-1. n and asking questions 1♠ Pass 1NT Pass A have different rules. 2♦ Pass 2♦/2NT Pass Any player, except dummy, 4NT All Pass Email your questions for David to: may ask a question whenever it is his turn to call or play. East repeated the [email protected] Furthermore, declarer may West bid and quickly Please include your postal address ask a question before the changed it to 2NT. opening lead. The opening Is this a change of mind,

Page 20 BRIDGE June 2020 A to Z of Bridge A to Z of Bridge compiled by Julian Pottage

ace from ace-king (except from A-K ACOL A doubleton). A developed in the mid 1930s by and S J ACE LEAD Simon. It takes its name from a venue ABOVE THE LINE If a partnership’s standard lead from in Acol Road in Hampstead where the A phrase used in rubber bridge to A-K against a no-trump contract is two played and began to develop their identify scores entered above the the king, the lead of the ace can serve theories. They were joined by Maurice horizontal line on the scoresheet as a request for partner to play his Harrison-Gray and Iain Macleod arising from penalties, overtricks, highest card in the suit. You could and the then relatively unknown premiums for slams, honours etc. lead the ace from A-K-J-10-x and find team enjoyed immediate tournament Scores above the line do not count out straight away whether partner has success, thereby popularising the towards game. the queen. This is no longer a common system. It has remained the most method because, with such a holding widespread system used in Britain. ACBL you would want partner (if unable to The American League unblock) to give a count . ACOL TWO CLUB OPENING BID – this is the body responsible for bridge Acol and modern in North America and the publication ACE SHOWING RESPONSES use 2♣ as an artificial opening of The Official Encyclopaedia of Bridge. An old system of responses to , showing a very strong hand, opening bids based on the assumption sufficient to force to game if the hand ACE FOR ATTITUDE, that opener has more interest in is unbalanced. In traditional Acol, KING FOR COUNT partner’s first-round controls than you need either 23 HCP or five quick Some people play that you vary your in general strength. It was most tricks in a powerful game-going lead from ace-king depending upon common to play it in conjunction with hand. Usually responder bids 2♦ as a whether you want partner to give an a conventional 2♣ opening bid. The negative (or, by agreement, as a waiting attitude or a count signal. With this responses are: bid). method, you lead the king if you hold significant length in the suit or the 2♦ Negative (no ace) queen, as well as the ace-king (when and 5 or fewer points Hand 1 you simply want to know how many 2♥, 2♠, 3♣ or 3♦ ♠ A Q 10 4 rounds will stand up) but the ace if Showing the ace ♥ K Q 5 you have a relatively short ace-king of the bid suit ♦ A K 6 holding (when the queen in partner’s 2NT Positive but aceless ♣ K Q 9 hand could be a third-round winner). 3NT Showing two aces 4NT Showing three aces ACE FROM ACE KING Hand 2 Partnerships need to agree which card ACES, THE ♠ K Q J 10 5 to lead from suits headed by A-K. At The name given to the American ♥ A K Q 5 one time, it was popular to lead the team of bridge professionals formed ♦ A K 5 king so that if you led the ace it would by Ira Corn Jr. which won the World ♣ 10 not indicate possession of the king. Championship in 1970, bringing the The problem was that if you could back to North America lead the king from either A-K or for the first time in sixteen years. With the first hand, you open ♣2 K-Q, partner would not know what The team of Billy Eisenberg, Bobby intending to rebid 2NT over the signal to give. This issue and a general Goldman, Bob Hamman, Jim Jacoby, expected 2♦ response (this is the one acceptance of the fact that leading an Mike Lawrence and Bobby Wolff sequence that allows you to stop short unsupported ace is rarely best, mean successfully defended the title in the of game). With the second hand, you that it is now standard to lead the following year. open 2♣ intending to rebid 2♠. u

BRIDGE June 2020 Page 21 A to Z of Bridge continued t establish an equitable result, called an ACOL 4NT OPENING BID Hand 2 assigned score. If that is not possible, A specialised bid asking for specific ♠ 8 he will allocate an artificial score. aces (not Blackwood). The responses ♥ A K J 10 7 In a pairs’ event this will normally are as follows: ♦ A K Q J 4 be 60% of the available matchpoints to ♣ Q 3 the non-offending side and 40% to the 5♣ no ace offending side, or 50% to a side partly 5♦ ♦A at fault. 5♥ ♥A With the first hand, you open ♠2 5♠ ♠A expecting to rebid 3♠ over a 2NT ADVANCE 5NT 2 aces negative response. With the second 1 To make a bid that raises the level. 6♣ ♣A hand, you open 2♥ and plan to rebid 3♦. 2 To bid, especially a new suit, after Many authorities regard it as partner has overcalled or made a ♠ A K Q J 10 8 6 inefficient to allocate three opening take-out double. ♥ A K Q bids to these near game hands and ♦ Void Acol Two bids are going out of fashion. ADVANCE CUE BID ♣ K Q J A cue bid made when there has been ACTIVE DEFENCE no direct suit agreement. For example A positive attempt by the defenders in the auction 1NT-Pass-3♠-Pass-4♦, You can see the merit of the Acol 4NT to defeat a contract by taking or the 4♦ bid is an advance cue bid. You bid from this example hand, which establishing tricks, usually involving would normally rebid either 3NT can play in 6♠ in its own right. the risk of losing tricks. This is the (with a doubleton spade) or 4♠, but The Grand Slam depends only on opposite to a passive defence where you can make this cue bid to imply discovering whether partner holds the the emphasis is on not giving tricks that you have a good spade fit, ♣A. If the response to 4NT is 5♣ or away but waiting for the declarer to maximum values for the 1NT opening 5♦, bid 6♠; if it is 6♣, bid 7♠ and over lose tricks. and that you hold the ♦A. The ♦4 bid 5NT, bid 7NT. cannot be a natural bid, showing a long string of diamonds, since the ACOL LIGHT OPENER ♠ Q 10 6 1NT opening showed a balanced An opening bid based on about 9 or 10 ♥ Q J 8 hand. Here is a possible hand for the high-card points with a good six-card ♦ K Q 10 6 2 sequence: suit or two good five-card suits. ♣ K Q Most people now regard a typical ♠ K J 9 3 9-point hand with a six-card suit as N ♥ 6 3 ♠ K 7 5 2 W E ♦ J 9 4 ♥ K J 6 2 too weak for a one-level opening and S would open a weak two (or Multi) if ♣ A 6 5 3 ♦ A K 10 available. ♣ 7 4

ACOL TWO BID South plays in 4♥ and West leads the The use of an opening two-level bid in ♣J. Winning with the ace, East sees ADVANCE SACRIFICE diamonds, hearts or spades as a one- the danger that declarer intends to A sacrifice bid made before the round force to show a strong hand, throw losers on dummy’s diamonds opponents have reached their normally with at least eight playing and so makes the active defence of presumed contract. tricks, which is not strong enough or switching to the ♠3. If West holds the unsuitable for an Acol 2♣ opening. ♠A, the defenders will be able to cash N/S Game The bid promises either a six-card suit some spade tricks. West North East South or two good five-carders. 1♣ ADJUSTED SCORE Pass 2♥ 2♠ Pass A score awarded by the director. 4♠ Hand 1 If the director judges that a pair ♠ A Q J 10 8 5 3 or a team has suffered because of a In view of North’s strong jump shift, ♥ A K 5 transgression of the laws or ethics by West is certain that North-South ♦ 7 4 opponents (even if the transgression will reach game and so sacrifices ♣ Q is inadvertent), he has the power to immediately to apply maximum adjust the actual score recorded to pressure. West might hold:

Page 22 BRIDGE June 2020 alerting are in use but a common one standing but insufficient on its own to ♠ 9 6 4 3 2 is for the partner of the player making warrant an adjusted score. ♥ 6 the artificial call to tap on the table. If 2. Shorthand for describing the ♦ Q J 4 you are using bidding boxes, you alert vulnerability of both partnerships on a ♣ 9 6 4 2 by showing the alert card. Here is an board; it means that both partnerships example: are vulnerable. At matchpoint pairs, the players ADVANCER West North East South need to exercise caution at amber on The partner of a player who has 2NT Pass 3♥ part-score deals, striving to avoid the overcalled or made a take-out double. kiss of death score of -200 (one down If East’s 3♥ is a transfer, showing doubled or two down undoubled). West North East South spades (or has any meaning other than At rubber bridge and teams, on 1♦ 1♠ Pass a natural heart suit), West should alert competitive game and slam deals, the 2♥ immediately after the bid (ie before converse applies since it can be very Here West is the advancer. South has had the chance to call). West expensive to let the opponents make should explain the meaning of the 3♥ a vulnerable game or slam when you AGGREGATE SCORE bid only in reply to an enquiry by one could have made one yourself. Sum of all the scores obtained with- of the opponents. out conversion to IMPs. For example, ANALYSIS if you score +420 on board 1, -110 on ALTERNATIVE SQUEEZE The study of a hand to find the best board 2 and -500 on board 3, your A position set up when possible line of play by declarer or aggregate score for the three boards the double squeeze may, or may not be defence. Studying the hand records at is -190. At duplicate, it is unusual to ‘on’, but which will operate as a simple the end of a session and working out use aggregate scoring because a large squeeze. For example: how you might have done better is a score on one board can have a dispro- good way of improving your game. portionate effect on your overall score. ♠ Void ANCHOR SUIT ALCATRAZ ♥ A K Q 4 When a conventional bid shows some This is an illegal play, as its name ♦ K form of two-suited hand, with only suggests. It should attract a severe ♣ Void one suit specified, the specified suit is penalty. The following is an example: the anchor suit. N W E West North East South S ♠ A J 9 1♠ 2♠ N ♠ A W E S ♥ 6 3 If North-South play Michaels cue bids, ♠ K 10 2 ♦ 4 South’s 2♠ shows hearts and a minor, ♣ K making hearts the anchor suit. The term also commonly applies to the South, the declarer, has to make three Asptro family of defences to 1NT. tricks in spades. Calling for the ♠J You are South playing in no-trumps. from dummy and receiving a small You lead the ♠A, planning to discard ANNOUNCEMENT card from his right-hand opponent, the ♦K from dummy unless West In England and Wales, certain specified he fails to follow suit. Fourth hand discards the ♦A. Only one opponent bids are the subject of an announcement. will follow with either the ♠Q or a low can hold four hearts. If this is East and When partner makes one of the specified card. If low, declarer quickly corrects he holds the ♣A too, he will be subject bids, you announce the partnership his revoke by substituting the ♠10. to a squeeze. If West guards the hearts, agreement about the bid, eg if you are If instead the ♠Q appears, declarer together with either the ♦A or the ♣A, playing a weak no-trump and partner corrects his revoke by producing the you will squeeze him. opens 1NT, you say ‘12-14’. ♠K. His left-hand opponent can now change his card but South takes the AMBER APPEAL marked finesse on the next round. 1. This is one of the traffic-light terms A request for a review of a tournament This is one technique not to use. that the Laws and Ethics Committee director’s ruling. Clubs and of the uses tournaments should have a procedure ALERT to categorise psychic bids (or for requesting such a review by an Sponsoring organisations often deviations). An ‘amber’ psyche is one Appeals Committee. To deter frivolous require that you ‘alert’ an artificial call where the partnership’s subsequent appeals, players who wish to appeal so that your opponents become aware action provides some evidence of an often have to pay a deposit. that it is not natural. Various ways of unauthorised partnership under­ Continued on page 29 ... u

BRIDGE June 2020 Page 23 BERNARD Julian Pottage Answers Your Frequently Asked Questions MAGEE’S INTERACTIVE TUTORIAL CD Should You Lead A Trump? ADVANCED ACOL BIDDING

henever the opponents are ♠10) or by leading the ♠Q and then in a trump contract and the ♠10 to your ♠9 – in real life, you are not void in trumps, your side makes two tricks if you do Wyou have the option to lead a trump. not broach the suit. You always have the option to lead one In Layout B, if you lead a trump, of the plain suits. There may be a good knowing you would not do so from reason why the typical leader’s hand Q-x-x, declarer plays off dummy’s high has three plain suits and only one honours and drops your partner’s ♠Q. trump suit – most of the time you are In Layout C, declarer can

better off leading a plain suit. theoretically pick up the suit by In the play declarer often starts by finessing twice but, unless partner drawing some or all of the opposing splits honours, this will rarely happen trumps. It cannot be right for both at the table. It is different if you lead Throughout 200 deals, sides to follow the same plan. When a trump because partner will have to Bernard not only evaluates dummy has shown a good suit, it is play an honour at trick one and, after your bids, praising the almost always right to attack one of you show out on the second round, correct ones and discussing the other two suits rather than lead a declarer will have a marked finesse. the wrong ones, he also trump. As well as the risk of losing a In Layout D, your side has a sure plays the hands with you. , a trump lead can save declarer second trick if you wait for declarer to a guess or blow a trump trick outright. lead the suit. The trick is very likely to l The Basics In Layouts A to D, spades are trumps. evaporate if you attack the suit (only if l Advanced Use of £96 you led the ♠10 and declarer thought it the Basics was a deceptive lead from J-10-x would Layout A Layout B you be in with a chance). l Weak Two Openings ♠ Q 10 6 3 ♠ A K 10 6 A singleton trump lead, as in Layout l Strong Two Openings ♠ 9 2 ♠ A J 4 ♠ 9 5 2 ♠ Q 4 C, is particularly risky because the l Defense to Weak Twos ♠ K 8 7 5 ♠ J 8 7 3 chance of catching partner with what would otherwise be a useful holding l Defense Against 1NT increases when you are short. A lead l Doubles Layout C Layout D from three low is less likely to cost, l Two Suited Overcalls ♠ K 8 4 ♠ Q 9 6 though even that can do so as Layout ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ l Defending against Other 2 J 10 7 3 10 5 A J 3 B demonstrates. A lead from four low ♠ ♠ Systems A Q 9 6 5 K 8 7 4 2 (when the opponents have a fit) is safer than a lead from three low, except l Misfits and Big of course that when you have four Distributions In Layout A, declarer could in theory trumps you may be better off trying a Operating system requirements: play the spades for one loser by a forcing game. Windows only backward finesse (starting with the Let us look now at a full deal:

Mr Bridge Limited Email your questions for Julian to: ( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop [email protected]

Page 24 BRIDGE June 2020 Julian Pottage Answers Your Frequently Asked Questions BERNARD MAGEE’S INTERACTIVE Should You Lead A Trump? TUTORIAL CD ADVANCED DECLARER PLAY

regarded as the best player in England, Layout E is famous for not leading trumps – ♠ Q J 10 6 5 and he has done very well over the ♥ A Q 4 3 years. A trump lead is more likely to ♦ A 3 be successful than an unsupported ace MAC ♣ J 6 lead, a topic we examined in BRIDGE or Windows ♠ A 9 4 ♠ 8 3 2 208. Here are some situations in which ♥ J 5 N ♥ K W E a trump lead might work: ♦ K 8 5 2 S ♦ Q 9 6 4 ♣ 10 7 5 2 ♣ A 9 8 4 3 1. You have a strong holding in ♠ K 7 declarer’s side suit, for example the ♥ 10 9 8 7 6 2 opponents bid 1♠-1NT-2♥ and you ♦ J 10 7 have ♠A-Q-10-x. ♣ K Q 2. The bidding indicates dummy has exactly three trumps and a ruffing value, for example if the opponents bid Bernard develops your West North East South 1♠-2♣-2NT-3♠-4♠. advanced declarer play 1♠ Pass 2♥ 3. You have tenace holdings in technique in the course of Pass 4♥ All Pass all three side suits and the bidding ten exercises and 120 new indicates dummy will be fairly complete deals. A trump lead here would cost two balanced, for example if dummy gives tricks. Knowing that you would delayed support for spades after they l Overtricks in No-trump not lead a trump from K-x or K-J-x, start bidding 1♥-1♠-1NT. Contracts declarer puts up dummy’s ♥A, felling 4. The opponents have shown a nine- l Overtricks in Suit partner’s ♥K. It is then a simple matter card fit, you have three low trumps Contracts to draw the last trump and knock out and all side suit leads are unattractive the ♠A for eleven tricks. By contrast, if – the lead is then safe unless partner’s l you lead the ♣7 and partner switches singleton trump is the king and l Avoidance £81 to a diamond or you lead a diamond dummy has the ace. l Wrong Contract initially, your side is likely to make a 5. One or both opponents have trick in each suit. shown a side suit void during the l Squeezes It does not happen very often but a bidding – this could happen if one of l Counting the Hand trump lead can be terrible if dummy them makes a splinter bid and repeats l Trump Trouble is void in trumps because your lead the suit or if one of them jumps in enables declarer to finesse against reply to a 4NT enquiry. l Doubled Contracts your partner’s holding. Less rare is 6. The opponents are in a grand slam l Safety Plays a situation when dummy has a few and have shown the queen of trumps Operating system requirements: trumps but very few entries – again with their bidding. Windows or Mac OS 10.08 -10.14 a trump lead can enable declarer to 7. Your side has the balance of power, finesse against your partner’s holding. you have two good suits and partner Mr Bridge Limited It is certainly the case that if you has shown the other side suit. In this never lead a trump you will score case the opponents can make few ( 01483 489961 better than if you always lead one. tricks except by ruffing and you want www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop , for many years widely to reduce their ruffing potential. n

BRIDGE June 2020 Page 25 Robin Hood's Bridge Adventures by David Bird Gisborne’s Wayward Bidding

isborne inspected his ‘Somewhat light for a double raise, old woman in the East seat held the scorecard. ‘I make us more my Lord,’ declared Gisborne, as he king and queen of clubs, she would than two tops above average, laid out the dummy. ‘Still, you play the have to win with one honour and lead Gmy Lord,’ he declared. cards so well.’ away from the other one. The Sheriff made no reply, The Sheriff had rarely seen such an This was a small chance and the continuing to sort his cards. The absurd rebid. A seven-loser hand? It Sheriff looked for something better. reason why Gisborne fared well in the was lucky there was any play at all for Suppose he played ace and another weekly duplicate was quite obvious. It the slam. ‘Play low,’ he said. club. If West had started with ♣K-x was because his partner was head and The Sheriff won with the spade or ♣Q-x, he would have to win the shoulders above any other player in ace, drew trumps in two rounds and second round and then give a ruff- the shire. eliminated the spades and diamonds. and-discard. He could not unblock The Sheriff surveyed the medley He had to calculate the best play in his honour on the first round, since of players around him ‒ members of clubs, with these cards still in play: declarer would then make a trick with the court, a few wealthy traders. The the club jack. rest were unwashed riffraff. It was ‘Play the ace of clubs,’ said the surprising that he had never caught ♠ — Sheriff. Even if it was East who held some disease off them. ♥ J a doubleton club honour, she would 'I opened 1♣, my Lord,' said ♦ — probably be too dozy to unblock it. Gisborne. 'It's you to speak.' ♣ A 7 5 3 The ♣10 appeared from East and This was the deal before them: ♠ — ♠ Q 9 the ♣2 from West. Aline Begg had to ♥ — N ♥ — win the next round of clubs with her W E ♦ J S ♦ Q queen. The resultant ruff-and-discard Dealer North. Love All. ♣ K 9 8 2 ♣ Q 10 on the next trick allowed the slam to ♠ K 8 6 ♠ — be made. ♥ A J 8 4 ♥ Q 9 ‘Few will have found the 3♥ rebid, ♦ K 9 ♦ — my Lord,’ exclaimed Gisborne, as he ♣ A 7 5 3 ♣ J 6 4 unwrapped the scoresheet. ‘Yes, 980 is ♠ J 10 3 ♠ Q 9 7 4 2 a well-deserved top for us.’ ♥ 10 5 N ♥ 6 3 ‘Your bidding was totally foolish,’ W E ♦ J 7 6 4 ♦ Q 10 5 2 S The lead was in the dummy. One retorted the Sheriff. ‘Plus 480 would ♣ K 9 8 2 ♣ Q 10 possibility was to lead the ♣3. If the also have been an excellent score. ♠ A 5 ♥ K Q 9 7 2 ♦ A 8 3 ♣ J 6 4

West North East South Harold Guy of Aline The Begg Gisborne Begg Sheriff 1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass 3♥ Pass 4NT Pass 5♥ Pass 6♥ All Pass

Harold Begg, a retired wine seller, led the ♠J.

Page 26 BRIDGE June 2020 There was no reason to risk a bottom the first round and won the club our way.’ continuation. He then played the three Dealer South. E/W Game. A couple of rounds later, the Sheriff top hearts, throwing his last club. ♠ 8 5 and Gisborne faced two maids Still unwilling to embark on the ♥ 10 7 3 from the castle kitchen. The Sheriff trump suit, the Sheriff cashed dummy’s ♦ 8 7 5 winced as he viewed their aprons. king of diamonds. He reached his ♣ K 10 6 4 2 Was it appropriate to wear blood- hand with a club ruff and played the ♠ 6 ♠ K 4 3 stained working apparel in the castle ♦J, throwing dummy’s last heart. He ♥ Q 8 5 4 N ♥ J 9 6 W E ♠ ♦ Q J 10 4 ♦ 9 6 3 2 duplicate? On closer inspection, he then led the 5, to the 7, 8 and East’s S noted further stains in an assortment queen. These cards remained: ♣ Q 8 7 3 ♣ J 9 5 of colours. To think that he risked his ♠ A Q J 10 9 7 2 health by eating three meals a day ♥ A K 2 prepared by such unhygienic people! ♠ J 4 3 ♦ A K The Sheriff drew his cards for the ♥ — ♣ A following deal: ♦ — ♣ — ♠ 10 ♠ K 6 West North East South Dealer North. N/S Game. ♥ — N ♥ 10 Archer Guy of Archer The W E ♠ J 8 4 3 ♦ 9 ♦ — Symon Gisborne Fogge Sheriff S ♥ K Q 7 3 ♣ K ♣ — 2♣ ♦ K Q ♠ A 9 Pass 2♦ Pass 2♠ ♣ 9 6 2 ♥ — Pass 2NT Pass 3♠ ♠ 10 7 ♠ K Q 6 ♦ 7 Pass 4♠ All Pass ♥ J 9 6 N ♥ 10 8 4 2 ♣ — W E ♦ 10 9 8 3 S ♦ A 4 2 Archer Symon, whose black locks ♣ K J 8 4 ♣ Q 10 7 were in need of a cut, led the queen of ♠ A 9 5 2 The Sheriff threw the ♦7 on the ♥10 diamonds. ♥ A 5 return and ruffed in dummy. The jack ‘Nothing much for you, my Lord,’ ♦ J 7 6 5 of trumps pinned West’s ♠10, and the declared Gisborne, as he laid out the ♣ A 5 3 contract was made. dummy. Gisborne was exultant. ‘Plus 620 is Seeing a chance of twelve tricks, the a complete top for us, my Lord!’ he Sheriff delayed any comment on his West North East South exclaimed. partner’s bidding. If the ill-kempt West Lucy Guy of Meg The ‘I’ll waste my breath one more time, held the king of trumps, dummy’s ♠8 Darke Gisborne Casey Sheriff pointing out that 170 would also would provide an entry to the blocked Pass Pass 1♦ have been a complete top,’ replied the king of clubs. This would give him a Pass 1♥ Pass 1♠ Sheriff. ‘A club lead would have given discard for the losing heart. Pass 4♠ All Pass me no chance.’ The Sheriff won with the diamond The last round of the duplicate saw ace and cashed the ace of clubs. He Lucy Darke led the ♦10 and Gisborne the arrival of two young soldiers from was about to lead the ♠2 towards laid out his dummy. the castle’s armoury. Gisborne was the dummy when an extra chance The Sheriff could not believe his determined not to raise the Sheriff’s occurred to him. He pushed the lowest eyes. Had Gisborne not listened to a ire in front of these underlings. spade back into his hand and led the u word of his previous admonishment? An 8-loser hand, 9-loser if you added one for no aces. Was that worth a raise to 4♠? ‘Are you determined to overbid by a trick every time? demanded the Sheriff. ‘Your hand is a minimum raise to the three-level.’ Gisborne looked back uncomprehendingly. ‘I could hardly be better than this, my Lord. I’m a passed hand.’ The Sheriff raised his eyes to the ceiling. ‘Play the queen,’ he said. East won with the diamond ace and switched to the ♣7. The Sheriff ducked

BRIDGE June 2020 Page 27 A Gisborne’s Sally Brock Looks At Your Slam Bidding Wayward Bidding Sally’s Slam Clinic Continued... Where did we go wrong? enough for North to bid the slam. Alex Mathers sent in today’s deal: Slam of the month

♠ J 7 4 3 This month’s star award was sent in by t ♠7 instead. ♥ 9 5 2 Lyn Fry: The Sheriff could not conceal his ♦ A K Q 8 4 delight when the ♠6 appeared on his ♣ 7 left. ‘Play the eight,’ he said. ♠ A Q 10 9 2 Archer Fogge won with the king N ♥ K Q 7 4 W E ♥ ♦ and switched to the 6. The Sheriff S K rose with the ace and led the ♠2 to ♣ K Q 4 dummy’s ♠5. He discarded his heart ♠ A K Q 9 6 N ♣ ♥ J loser on the K, and returned to his W E hand with a diamond. He then drew ♦ 10 6 2 S the outstanding trump, claiming ♣ A 5 4 2 twelve tricks. ♠ K 5 4 ‘Nothing much for you, my Lord,’ ♥ A 6 3 mimicked the Sheriff. ‘It didn’t occur This is not an easy hand at the best ♦ A 10 5 3 to you that the king of clubs and a of times, but even harder when West ♣ A 7 6 trump entry might be enough for a overcalls 3♥. This was their sequence: slam?’ ‘My trumps were the 8 and 5,’ West North East South This was their sequence: Gisborne protested. ‘How could I Pass Pass 1♠ expect them to provide an entry? 3♥ 4♠ All Pass West North East South You expressed displeasure when I 1NT bid forwardly on some of the earlier I think that North should have done Pass 2♥ Pass 2♠ boards.’ more. When West overcalls 3♥, North Pass 3♥ Pass 3♠ Gisborne opened the scoresheet. should be able to bid 4♥ to show a Pass 4NT Pass 5♣ ‘Bidding the slam would hardly have hand with a spade fit and a maximum Pass 7NT All Pass benefitted us, my Lord’ he said. ‘It’s a pass with or without a heart control. mixture of 450s and minus 50s in the However, what I prefer is a bid of 4♦. It After South opened a 15-17 1NT, slam.’ is inconceivable that, as a passed hand, North transferred into spades and ‘Perhaps I can prevent twelve North would be able to introduce a new then showed her second suit. When tricks if I lead my singleton trump,’ suit at the four level without a spade partner showed 3-card spade support, suggested Archer Symon. ‘That would fit. So, this would be my suggested she asked for ‘aces’ and discovered give you an entry to dummy before the sequence: four (she could hardly have only one). clubs are unblocked.’ She could now tell that 7♠ had to be Gisborne perked up at this reprieve. West North East South a decent contract as her fourth heart ‘Exactly what I was just about to say, Pass Pass 1♠ could be discarded on partner’s ♦A. my Lord. I feared a trump lead.’ 3♥ 4♦ Pass 4♥ Thinking that partner might have, for ‘I’m surrounded by military Pass 4NT Pass 5♣* example, A-x-x-x-x in clubs and thus buffoons!’ the Sheriff exclaimed, Pass 5♦ Pass 6♠ that potential spade losers (if East causing heads to turn at the adjacent All Pass had four spades to the jack) might tables. * 0 or 3 key cards be discarded, she opted for what she ‘What can East do when I cover the thought might be a safer grand slam. ♠6 with dummy’s ♠8?’ he continued. South’s 4♥ shows a heart control Maybe you think this is too easy ‘If he ducks, I will stay in dummy and and enough strength for a slam to be for ‘Slam of the Month’. Well, she pick up the trumps with a finesse. If possible facing a passed hand. This was playing in a team-of-eight instead he plays the king, I will win, encourages North sufficiently to ask match and of the other three N/S unblock the club ace and return to the for key cards and, on hearing about pairs in the match, two bid 6NT ♠5. I'd make all thirteen tricks!’ n three plus the trump queen, that is while one wallowed in 4NT. n

Page 28 BRIDGE June 2020 A to Z of Bridge continued t ... Continued from page 23. ARTIFICIAL CALL ASPTRO CONVENTION A call that carries an unnatural This is a defence to a 1NT opening that, APPENDIX TABLE(S) meaning, for example Stayman, when as the name implies, takes an element A useful adaptation of a Howell a 2♣ response to 1NT says nothing from both ASPRO and ASTRO. 2♣ Movement (occasionally a Mitchell about the bidder’s club holding. shows hearts and another suit while Movement) in order to accommodate 2♦ shows spades and another suit. The extra tables without adding to the ASCENDING ORDER method has the advantage that two number of boards in play. The practice of making the cheapest bids are available to show both major bid, when responding or rebidding suits instead of one, thus improving APPROACH FORCING with two or three 4-card suits. This definition. When holding both majors, The basic principle behind most principle features in many bidding some partnerships prefer to treat their modern bidding systems, whereby a styles, with exceptions in some cases longer suit as the anchor suit, others partnership treats a change of suit by about the quality of biddable suits or use the shorter. Anchoring into the an unpassed hand as forcing for one the need to show a major suit. shorter major is the more popular round. method. Examples: ♠ A 10 6 4 West North East South ♥ Q 8 4 2 Hand 1 1♣ Pass 1♠ ♦ 6 ♠ 9 6 ♣ Q 8 4 3 ♥ K Q 9 4 ♦ A K 10 8 2 West North East South ♣ 4 2 1♣ 1♠ 2♦ If partner opens 1♦, you should respond 1♥, the cheapest bid. This ARRANGEMENT OF TRICKS facilitates finding a 4-4 fit, if one Hand 2 At rubber bridge, one member of each should exist, in any one of your four- ♠ A J 7 5 2 partnership collects the cards played card suits. ♥ K 5 to each trick and arranges the tricks in ♦ 7 3 front of him. ♣ K Q 7 4 At duplicate bridge, each player An ‘asking bid’ is a bid made by the retains his cards and arranges them member of a partnership wishing to face down in front of him, vertically if take control of the auction. It requests Hand 3 his side won the trick and horizontally partner to give information about ♠ A J 7 5 otherwise. his hand, but does not itself directly ♥ K Q 9 5 4 convey any. Blackwood is the most ♦ Q 7 6 ARRANGING commonly used asking bid. ♣ 5 A one-word statement that you can Before making any sort of asking make either while you are still sorting bid, you should check that your your cards when it is your turn to bid, partner’s reply is likely to enable you On Hand 1 you bid 2♣, showing or when you are declarer and want to place the contract. If not, you may hearts and another. You intend to pass to touch a card in dummy without do better to find a bid that describes if partner makes the relay reply of 2♦ playing it. your hand. (denying heart support). On Hand 2 you bid 2♦, showing ARROWSWITCH ASPRO CONVENTION spades and another. You intend to The switching of North-South and A variation of ASTRO devised by rebid 2♠, promising a fifth spade, if East-West hands, usually on the (the name comes from partner makes the relay reply of 2♥. last round or rounds of a Mitchell a popular British brand of aspirin). With Hand 3 you bid 2♣ or 2♦ Movement, to provide a fairer After an opponent opens 1NT, ♣2 depending upon whether you anchor comparison of scores across the field shows hearts and another suit while to the longer or the shorter major. and produce a single winner. When an 2♦ shows spades and a minor suit. Despite the theoretical possibility arrowswitch is in use, the movement is Advancer, if not holding support for of showing all the two-suited hands a Scrambled Mitchell. the overcaller’s anchor suit, bids the via Asptro, in practice you rarely The use of an arrowswitch tends to next suit up as a relay. The overcaller get to play in the overcaller’s minor. be popular in club competitions where can then show a fifth card in the Even if you do, it is often at the it is necessary to produce a single anchor suit or the second suit. three level, which can be too high. winner. Continued on page 32 ... u

BRIDGE June 2020 Page 29 BERNARD MAGEE’S The Diaries of Wendy Wensum INTERACTIVE Episode 98: TUTORIAL CD Experimental Methods DECLARER PLAY

nspired by Len and Neil’s Strong emergency; Millie never normally Diamond methods, I was eager cancels at short notice, although to have a go at the system myself. briefly I wondered, unkindly, whether IWhen I mentioned it to Millie, Titan was drunk again. On the bridge she was absolutely horrified at any front, drastic action was required and MAC experimentation of that kind and told Spouse was promoted to our team. or Windows me in no uncertain terms what I could He agreed on the condition that we do with such a mutinous proposal. On implemented our newly formulated the off chance of success I suggested system. I had no choice but to concur. the possibility to Spouse. He was In the bridge room later that evening delighted with the plan. An email to Spouse with a pint of real ale in hand

Len and Neil brought an enthusiastic sat at our home table with Jo, Kate and response and they needed no further me. The TD called the initial move encouragement to produce a bespoke and our new venture was underway. simplified version of their system Our very first boards were against Bernard develops your for us to try. As yet we hadn’t had Dancing Daisy and Mystical Maggie. declarer play technique in the opportunity to put our plan into Fortunately, Daisy was already sitting at the table thus avoiding the sight of the course of ten action. Now events moved quickly. A phone message from Millie explained her practising her dance steps as she introductory exercises and that she wasn’t able to play in our team pranced from table to table. However, 120 complete deals. at the Riverside that evening as Titan, Maggie was performing circles around l Suit Establishment her cat, needed to be taken to the vet. her home table to ensure good vibes in No-trumps There was no doubt it was a genuine for the session. This board was our l Suit Establishment in Suits l Hold-ups £76 l Ruffing for Extra Tricks l Entries in No-trumps l Delaying Drawing Trumps l Using the Lead l Trump Control l Endplays & Avoidance l Using the Bidding Operating system requirements: Windows or Mac OS 10.08 -10.14

Mr Bridge Limited ( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop

Page 30 BRIDGE June 2020 BERNARD The Diaries of Wendy Wensum MAGEE’S Episode 98: INTERACTIVE TUTORIAL CD Experimental Methods FIVE-CARD MAJORS

first attempt using Strong Diamond a blur, but the final result was that the methods. The auction did not follow bizarre contract was defeated by four the anticipated path. tricks for minus 800. There was no discussion of the board at the table. No mention was made that North- Dealer West. Love All. South had a four-four heart fit or that ♠ 10 9 7 5 Daisy had overcalled and rebid a four- ♥ 8 7 6 3 card diamond suit. Clearly Mystical ♦ 7 Maggie had not worked her magic on ♣ 9 8 6 3 this occasion. It was an extraordinary ♠ K 8 4 3 2 ♠ A 6 start to our Strong Diamond career. ♥ Q J N ♥ K 10 9 Once the bridge was finished, we W E ♦ 10 3 2 ♦ Q J 8 6 5 S retired to our favourite hostelry where ♣ A 7 5 ♣ K 4 2 Spouse perched himself on a stool at ♠ Q J the bar to chat with some of his mates, Bernard Magee, Britain’s ♥ A 5 4 2 while Kate, Jo and I discussed some of most popular bridge teacher, ♦ A K 9 4 the events of the evening. The auction develops your five-card ♣ Q J 10 on the first board was unsurprisingly majors in the course of 200 different when played by Jo and Kate. deals. After two passes, East opened a weak l Opening Bids no-trump (12-14 HCP). Kate doubled & Responses £89 After passes from Spouse and Maggie, showing a reasonably strong hand, I opened 1♣ showing 12-15 HCP. Daisy 15+ points. West showed she held at l Support for Partner overcalled an economical 1♦. Spouse least five spades by bidding ♥2 , duly l Opener’s & Responder’s now bid 1♠ showing at least five cards alerted by East who converted this to Rebids in the suit in our new method. Maggie 2♠ the final contract. l No-trump Openings passed again and, with a partial fit in spades, I decided to pass rather than West North East South l Minors and Misfits bid 1NT as Spouse was likely to be Jo Kate l Pre-empting short in diamonds. Then Daisy bid an Pass Pass 1NT Dbl ‘out of the blue’ 2♦ over which Spouse 2♥2 Pass 2♠ All Pass l Slams & Strong Openings doubled to show useful values. Maggie 2 Transfer to spades l Overcalls again passed. Holding five diamonds I l Doubles converted Spouse’s double to a penalty Kate’s opening lead was the ♣Q and double by passing. Daisy was playing the contract slipped off by one trick as l Competitive Bidding in 2♦ doubled. as declarer did not have enough time and trumps to do everything. (With West North East South optimistic bidding and inspired play Spouse Maggie Wendy Daisy an unlikely 3NT was available to East- Operating system requirements: Pass Pass 1♣1 1♦! West). Spouse and I certainly enjoyed Windows only 1♠ Pass Pass 2♦!? the experience of playing a completely Dbl Pass Pass Pass new system. Will we try Strong Mr Bridge Limited 1 No five-card major Diamond again? Well yes, I think we will; Len and Neil will encourage us to ( 01483 489961 Spouse led a small spade and to be do so. What is certain is that Millie will www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop honest the play of the hand has become not approve. n

BRIDGE June 2020 Page 31 A to Z of Bridge continued t ... Continued from page 29. The specified major suit is the help in that suit. anchor suit. ASSUMPTION AUCTION When a contract depends on the ATTACKING LEAD The complete bidding sequence is ‘the position of two or three key cards, it A lead that positively attempts to auction’. helps to make a definite ‘assumption’ establish tricks for the defence as about one of them. Declarer then plans opposed to a passive lead that simply the play, ‘assuming’ the key card is intends to give no advantage to declarer. The predecessor of modern Contract badly or well placed, as the case may be. Bridge, Auction Bridge, dates from 1903 with the first code to govern its ♠ K J 6 play set up in 1908 by a joint committee ♠ A 9 6 ♥ 9 4 of The Bath Club and The Portland ♥ Q J 9 5 2 ♦ 10 7 5 4 3 2 Club. It gained rapid support and ♦ 8 6 5 2 ♣ J 4 became more popular than similar ♣ 6 games of the time ( for ♠ Q 10 4 ♠ J 5 3 example) but Contract Bridge quickly ♥ 8 N ♥ K 3 West North East South superseded it in 1926. W E ♦ A 10 7 3 ♦ Q 9 4 1♣ Pass 1♥ S ♣ K 10 9 4 2 ♣ A J 7 5 3 Pass 3♣ Pass 3♥ AUTOBRIDGE ♠ K 8 7 2 Pass 4♥ End An old commercial device, developed ♥ A 10 7 6 4 in America, allowing a player to use ♦ K J Since both opponents have shown long pre-dealt hands for self-teaching ♣ Q 8 suits, you expect declarer to have the bidding and play. Nowadays one would wherewithal to make ten tricks given use a bridge computer program such as time. You therefore make an attacking Q-Plus to practise on one’s own. As South, you open 1♥ in second seat lead from your short strong spade suit and North raises you to 4♥. West leads with the ♠6. If partner has the ♠A, you AUTOMATIC SQUEEZE the ♣10. East wins with the ace and may be able to cash two or three tricks A squeeze that works against either switches to the ♦4. straight away. Even the ♠Q would be opponent. For example: With three certain losers (a spade, a good card to find, as then your lead the ♦A and the ♣A), you will need to sets up the king and jack. guess right in diamonds and pick up ♠ A K Q 3 the trumps without loss. You intend ATTITUDE SIGNALS ♥ 4 to finesse in hearts and so assume that Signals made by a defender to ♦ Void East holds the ♥K. This assumption encourage a continuation of the ♣ Void tells you to place West with the ♦A suit led, or to suggest a switch. By because East, if holding the ♦A, the tradition, you do this by playing a N ♣ ♥ W E A-J, the K and possibly a spade high card to encourage and a low card S honour, would not have passed as to discourage. dealer. ♠ 4 2 ♥ K 2 AS THE CARDS LIE ♠ 8 5 4 ♦ A An expression to refer to the position ♥ 8 5 4 ♣ Void of one or more significant cards, e.g. ♦ K Q 10 3 ‘Declarer can make ten tricks as the ♣ A J 4 cards lie.’ ♠ 7 6 2 When South (in a no-trump contract) N ♥ J 7 6 2 leads the ♦A, discarding ♥4 from W E ♦ ASTRO CONVENTION S A 8 4 dummy, this will squeeze anyone This is a conventional defence to a 1NT ♣ 10 7 5 (West or East) who holds four spades opening whereby minor suit overcalls as well as the ♥A. The presence in show two suits with at least nine cards dummy of an idle card, the ♥4, is a key between them. It derives its name You are East and South is in 3NT. If feature in making this an automatic from its inventors, Messrs. Allinger, the lead is the ♥K, you play the ♥7 to squeeze. STern and ROsler. say you like hearts. If, however, the 2♣ shows hearts and a minor while lead were a spade honour, you would 2♦ shows spades and another suit. follow with the ♠2 to say you have no Continued on page 34 ... u

Page 32 BRIDGE June 2020 Answers to David Huggett’s Play Quiz on page 11

You are declarer in 6♥. West leads the ♦J. with the other minor suit queen in order 1. ♠ A 9 2 How do you plan the play? to draw the last trump. ♥ 9 6 5 You have done well to bid the slam Miraculously you will make all thirteen ♦ J 7 5 2 and it certainly looks as though you tricks if trumps are 3-2. If they are not, ♣ Q 10 9 have enough tricks with five spades, five you need to change tack and hope for ♠ 5 ♠ K 7 hearts and the top two diamonds. But of something favourable in diamonds. A ♥ K Q J 8 2 N ♥ 10 4 3 course it is at times like these that you 3-3 break would do it. By playing on W E ♦ Q 10 9 S ♦ K 8 4 3 have to make sure that emotions don’t diamonds while you still have a trump ♣ 8 7 6 5 ♣ A 4 3 2 run away with you and you have to be in dummy for ruffing with, you can also ♠ Q J 10 8 6 4 3 extra vigilant. Can anything go wrong? succeed if the defender with four trumps ♥ A 7 It’s unlikely of course but trumps could has four or more diamonds. ♦ A 6 break 4-0 and if that is the case is there ♣ K J anything to be done? Certainly if West has all four trumps you just have to accept 4. ♠ K 8 5 your fate but if East has them you can still ♥ 7 3 You are declarer in 4♠ and West leads prevail by playing low to the king first. If ♦ K 6 5 4 3 the ♥K. How do you plan the play? West shows out you can finesse against ♣ A Q 5 This isn’t difficult but it is amazing how East twice using the as a ♠ J 10 9 7 ♠ 4 3 2 many people would go wrong. It might second entry to dummy. ♥ A 9 6 N ♥ Q J 10 8 4 2 W E ♦ ♦ look tempting to rush ahead and try to J 8 S Q 10 9 get trumps out of the way, but if you took ♣ 8 7 6 4 ♣ K a trump finesse you would regret it if it 3. ♠ A 9 6 5 ♠ A Q 6 lost and the defenders cashed a heart ♥ A Q J ♥ K 5 and then switched to diamonds. Before ♦ Q 7 6 ♦ A 7 2 you can knock out the ace of clubs you ♣ Q 6 4 ♣ J 10 9 3 2 would find there was a loser in each ♠ Q 10 4 3 ♠ K J 8 7 suit. Of course your first priority should ♥ 6 3 2 N ♥ 5 4 W E ♦ J 10 ♦ 9 8 3 2 be to get rid of a red suit loser and with S You are declarer in 3NT. West leads the this in mind you should win the opening ♣ J 8 5 3 ♣ 10 9 7 ♠J. How do you plan the play? lead and lead the king of clubs, aiming ♠ 2 As always you should count the tricks to discard the losing diamond on the ♥ K 10 9 8 7 that you have readily available and here third round. Note that you cannot even ♦ A K 5 4 that count comes to six. If you attacked afford to cash the spade ace in case the ♣ A K 2 the diamond suit you would probably defenders hold up the ace of clubs until come to four tricks there but that would the second round when there would be still leave you a trick short. By contrast, no quick way back to dummy. You are declarer in 7♥. West leads the if you attack clubs you could afford to ♥2. How do you plan the play? lose one because even then you would The grand slam is an excellent one but still have nine tricks in total. So it must 2. ♠ A J 4 it is easy to fall into a trap. If you count be better to play on clubs and you can ♥ K 6 5 4 your winners you will find you have one take out a small safety measure by ♦ 8 5 2 spade, five hearts, three diamonds and playing the ace first in case East has the ♣ K Q 6 three clubs – giving a total of only twelve singleton king and might inconveniently ♠ 9 8 3 2 ♠ 7 tricks. So at a superficial glance, it looks play a heart through your rather fragile ♥ Void N ♥ J 10 8 2 as though you need diamonds to break holding. n ♦ J 10 9 7 W E ♦ Q 6 4 3 evenly. But it is much, much better than S ♣ A J 9 8 3 ♣ 10 7 5 4 that. Win the trump lead and play the ♠ K Q 10 6 5 spade ace and ruff a spade. Re-enter Bridge with Angela. ♥ A Q 9 7 3 dummy with a trump and if they break A beginners guide to Acol ♦ A K 3-2 ruff another spade. Now enter ♣ 2 dummy with a minor suit queen and ruff £7.95 ( 01483 489961 the last spade. Finally return to dummy

BRIDGE June 2020 Page 33 A to Z of Bridge continued t ... Continued from page 32. As South, you play in 3NT and receive BALANCE OF POWER OR AVERAGE a spade lead won in dummy. You wish BALANCE OF STRENGTH Half the maximum number of to avoid a spade through your king- A partnership possesses the balance matchpoints that you can score on jack, which affects how you play the of power or balance of strength when a deal at duplicate pairs. This score diamonds. You lead low from dummy it has a higher number of high-card occurs commonly either because the and finesse the nine. This way, you will points (usually a significantly higher number of higher scores equals the usually keep East off lead unless he number) than its opponents. number of lower ones or because the holds the queen and ten of diamonds. director has awarded a 50% average West North East South score. If the scores on a board are +630 1NT 2♥ 3NT (once), +600 (any number of times) and -100 (once), then all the pairs who As soon as West opens the bidding, are +600 will have an average score East knows that the partnership holds on it. the balance of power. However, this B becomes apparent to the other three AVERAGE PLUS, AVERAGE MINUS players only after East makes the When, through their own fault, a strength-showing 3NT bid. pair is unable to play a board, the BACKWARD FINESSE When you hold the balance of tournament director will usually A normal finesse is the lead of a card power, you usually expect to buy the award it an average minus (40% of the towards a tenace position, with the contract or to double the opponents if total matchpoints available). For an intention of playing the lower of the they outbid you. innocent pair unable to play a board, top two cards if the missing card is not the award would be average plus (60% forthcoming. BALANCED DISTRIBUTION of the total or its overall percentage Now, suppose you know that the Hand distributions of 4-3-3-3, 4-4-3- score for the session, if better). missing card is over the tenace, you 2 and 5-3-3-2 (the first of these being The words ‘average plus’ and ‘average may take the finesse ‘backwards’. For described as ‘completely balanced’) minus’ are also general terms to example: ie hands with no singleton or void denote scores slightly above and below and at most one doubleton. Hands of average. If the scores on a board are 5-4-2-2 or 6-3-2-2 distribution count +420 (several times) and +170 (once), A 7 2 as ‘semi-balanced’. An opening bid of then all the pairs with 420 could say 1NT usually shows a balanced hand, N they have an average plus score on the W E often with the further constraint that board, while all those sitting the other S the hand contains no decent five-card way with -420 could say they have an K J 9 major. average minus score. Needing three tricks in the suit, as When a player is in the position such A play designed to prevent a particular South you would normally play a small that to pass would end the bidding, opponent from gaining the lead. This card from dummy towards the K-J, he is in the balancing (protective) usually involves playing a suit slightly playing East for the queen. However, position. differently to normal. For example: if you judge that West holds the queen (perhaps he has opened the bidding West North East South and shown up with only 10 points in 1♠ Pass Pass ♠ 10 9 the other suits), you may lead the jack ♥ 9 6 3 2 from hand. If West covers with the West North East South ♦ A J 7 5 2 queen, North’s ace wins and you play 1♦ Pass ♣ 6 3 back towards the K-9 finessing East for 2♦ Pass Pass ♠ A Q 5 4 3 ♠ 8 7 2 the ten. ♥ Q 8 4 N ♥ K 10 7 In both examples, South is the player W E ♦ ♦ 10 6 S Q 8 4 BAD CARDS in the balancing position. Since ♣ J 4 2 ♣ 10 8 7 5 1 Cards that you expect to prove partner may have a fair hand, but the ♠ K J 6 valueless in the play of a hand. wrong shape for an overcall or take- ♥ A J 5 2 A player who picks up weak hands out double, it is often advisable for ♦ K 9 3 consistently during a session of the player in that position to bid or to ♣ A K Q 9 rubber bridge can claim to have had double for take-out, even on slender ‘bad cards’. values. Continued on page 36 ... u

Page 34 BRIDGE June 2020 Answers to Julian Pottage’s Defence Quiz on page 11

Partner leads the ♠5. What is your plan? king-queen-jack of hearts and would 1. ♠ A On the bidding, you place declarer with surely have led a heart. One entry, ♥ A 6 3 three (or fewer) spades – no 1♠ response however, might not be enough if you ♦ Q 10 9 7 5 4 3 to the 1♥ opening. Because there are five block the spades. You should drop the ♣ A 6 spades missing higher than the ♠5, you ♠Q, promising the ♠J (unless you are ♠ Q 10 8 7 3 2 ♠ J 5 are confident that the lead is fourth best short). This way, after partner gets in and ♥ 9 N ♥ Q 10 8 5 2 from a suit with an honour rather than continues with a low spade, you can take W E ♦ ♦ ♠ A 6 2 S K second best from a suit without one. This the J on the second round and partner ♣ 8 7 5 ♣ Q J 9 4 2 means that partner holds the ♠J. can finesse the ♠9 on the third round. ♠ K 9 6 4 Putting partner with ♠J-x-x-x-x, you can With any luck, declarer will not have ♥ K J 7 4 be sure of four spade tricks for your side called instantly for the ♠A and you will be ♦ J 8 if you avoid blocking the suit. If declarer able to play the ♠Q in tempo. ♣ K 10 3 calls for dummy’s ♠A, drop the ♠K underneath it. If not, capture the ♠10 with the ♠Q and return the ♠K. It is crucial 4. ♠ A 7 West North East South that you retain the ♠4 as a way to get to ♥ K Q J 10 3 2♠1 3♦ Pass 3NT your partner’s hand. ♦ J 4 All Pass ♣ J 8 6 2 1 Weak ♠ 8 6 2 ♠ K Q J 5 3. ♠ A ♥ 9 7 5 4 2 N ♥ A W E Partner leads the ♠7. What is your plan? ♥ A 10 3 ♦ 9 6 5 ♦ 10 8 7 2 S Before you make a plan you begin ♦ Q J 9 4 3 ♣ A 9 ♣ 10 5 4 3 with a hope that partner has the ♦A. If ♣ Q 6 4 2 ♠ 10 9 4 3 not, the whole diamond suit is likely to ♠ K 9 7 5 2 ♠ Q J 8 ♥ 8 6 N run. If partner does have the ♦A (and it ♥ K J 9 4 ♥ 8 6 5 2 ♦ A K Q 3 W E is not singleton), you will get in with ♦K ♦ A 6 S ♦ 7 5 2 ♣ K Q 7 and partner with the ♦A. This means it ♣ 8 3 ♣ 10 9 5 may well be possible to set up and run ♠ 10 6 4 3 the spades so long as you do not block ♥ Q 7 West North East South the suit. Dump the ♠J at trick one. Partner ♦ K 10 8 1NT1 can win the next spade cheaply and ♣ A K J 7 Pass 2♦2 Pass 2♥ declarer will have just two stoppers. Pass 3NT All Pass 1 12-14 West North East South 2 5+ hearts 2. ♠ A 10 1NT1 ♥ A K Q 3 2♣2 3NT All Pass Partner leads the ♠6. What is your plan? ♦ Q J 4 1 12-14 Begin by reading the lead. The spades ♣ K 8 6 2 2 Majors above the six are the ten, nine and eight ♠ J 8 7 5 2 ♠ K Q 4 – partner would have led the ten or nine ♥ 9 6 4 N ♥ J 10 5 2 Partner leads the ♠5. What is your plan? from 10-9-8-x-(x). While partner could W E ♦ ♦ 9 6 5 S K 10 2 This time declarer will have no choice, have five low spades (when you need ♣ 10 4 ♣ A 9 5 after pausing as usual to plan the play, to unblock), that would mean South has ♠ 9 6 3 but to call for dummy’s ♠A. Do you want opened 1NT with two low doubletons – ♥ 8 7 to play the ♠8, which because it is quite unlikely. As your play makes no difference ♦ A 8 7 3 high will probably encourage a spade if the lead is from four, you should cater ♣ Q J 7 3 continuation, or do you need to part with for a lead from three spades. an honour, either as a more emphatic If declarer calls for dummy’s ♠A, you signal or as an unblocking play? play the ♠5. If not, you win with the ♠J West North East South On the bidding, partner must have and return the ♠5. If partner makes a 1♥ Pass 1NT an entry – if declarer had the ace-king trick in the minors, that and your winners Pass 3NT All Pass in both minors, partner would have the are enough. n

BRIDGE June 2020 Page 35 A to Z of Bridge continued t ... Contined from page 34. 1940s with the help of . ♠ 7 6 3 In the second example, it is Several of their ideas have become part ♥ A 9 7 3 particularly attractive for South to of other systems, especially modern Acol. ♦ A Q 9 7 take some action. This is because ♣ K 3 East-West’s known fit in diamonds BARON TWO NO- ♠ K Q 10 9 ♠ 8 4 2 increases the chance of a North-South TRUMP RESPONSE ♥ J 4 N ♥ Q 10 5 W E ♦ 6 5 4 ♦ K 8 2 fit somewhere whilst minimising the Stemming directly from the work of S risk that action by South will push , the 2NT response to an ♣ J 8 5 2 ♣ Q 10 9 4 East-West into a better contract. opening suit bid at the one-level is ♠ A J 5 game forcing, showing 16-18 points ♥ K 8 6 2 BANZAI and a balanced hand, although ♦ J 10 3 An alternative method of counting modern practice is for simply 16+ ♣ A 7 6 points for hand valuation purposes. points and a balanced hand. Normally, With Banzai, you count 5 points for both opener and responder continue an ace, 4 for a king, 3 for a queen, by bidding four-card (or longer) suits BATTLE OF THE CENTURY 2 for a jack and 1 for a ten. For an upwards until they locate a fit or they In the winter of 1931, Ely Culbertson opening bid, you need about 18 points; reach 3NT. challenged Sidney Lenz to a match for game, you need about 38 points. For example: over 150 rubbers, Lenz playing the Banzai tends to be more accurate then ‘official’ system, and Culbertson than the usual 4-3-2-1 count when his own. The winner of this match both members of the partnership are ♠ K 9 5 (dubbed ‘The Battle of the Century’) balanced but less accurate when the ♥ K Q 7 5 was Culbertson, by 8,980 points, and hands are unbalanced. ♦ K 8 it resulted in the wide acceptance of ♣ A J 7 4 Culbertson’s ideas on bidding. BAROMETER SCORING The calculation of results, round by BED round, rather than at the end of each West North East South A player has ‘gone to bed with an ace’ session. This method requires all the 1♦ Pass if, having had the opportunity to cash tables to play the same boards on each 2NT Pass 3♦ Pass it earlier, he fails to take it at all. round. A leader-board in or near the 3♥ Pass 3♠ Pass playing area displays the progress of 3NT the competitors. The ♦7 – if you win the last trick with It is still quite common to play this card, it is usual to buy the other BARON OVER 2NT 2NT over 1♣ or 1♦ as Baron but, players a beer. In response to an opening bid of 2NT, increasingly, players are using 2NT a bid of 3♣ asks opener to show his over 1♥ or 1♠ as a game-forcing raise BELONG lowest-ranking four-card or longer of opener’s major. Some people play A deal will ‘belong’ to a side if it can suit (bidding 3NT if his only four- that 2NT promises at least three-card make the optimum contract. For card suit is clubs). The partners may support for opener’s minor. example, if the best N/S can make is continue to show four-card suits in 3♠ and the best E/W can make is 4♦, ascending order up to the level of 3NT. BARRAGE then the deal belongs to E/W. For many years, Baron over 2NT was Another term for pre-emptive bidding, a standard part of Acol but now most especially a series of such bids. BELOW THE LINE players use either simple Stayman or A phrase used in rubber bridge to five-card Stayman. identify scores entered below the A hold-up after a king (from K-Q) horizontal line on the scoresheet. BARON SLAM TRY lead towards an A-J combination that These are the trick scores for contracts A rarely used convention whereby a forces the leader to switch or concede bid and made. Only the scores below bid in the suit below the agreed trump a trick to both the ace and jack. For the line count towards making game. suit at the five- or six-level asks partner example: you are South in 4♥ and For example, if you bid 2♠ and make 9 to bid a slam (small or grand) if his West leads the ♠K. You should use the tricks, while holding the ♠K-Q-J-10 in trump holding is better than could be Bath Coup and duck the first trick. one hand, the only score to go below expected from his previous bidding. West cannot continue spades safely. the line is 60. The 30 for the overtrick Now, when East gets in with the ♦K, and the 100 for honours go above the BARON SYSTEM you will be able to win the second line and do not count towards game. Leo Baron invented this system in the spade and throw the ♠J on a diamond. Continued on page 44 ... u

Page 36 BRIDGE June 2020 Answers to Splinter Bids And Trial Bids Quiz on page 17

1 Your partner opens 1♠. What do you Hand 3A Hand 3B Hand 3C Hand 4D Hand 4E Hand 4F bid with Hands 1A to 1C? ♠ K Q 6 4 3 ♠ K Q 6 4 3 ♠ K Q 6 4 3 ♠ K 8 6 5 ♠ A Q J 8 6 5 ♠ A Q J 8 6 5 ♥ 8 4 3 2 ♥ K 10 2 ♥ A 8 3 2 ♥ A Q 6 ♥ K 6 ♥ 8 6 ♦ 7 ♦ 3 2 ♦ 7 ♦ Q 9 6 5 ♦ 8 5 4 ♦ A K 2 Hand 1A Hand 1B Hand 1C ♣ K 10 2 ♣ 8 4 3 ♣ 10 6 2 ♣ A J ♣ 5 2 ♣ Q 3 ♠ K Q 6 5 ♠ K J 6 5 ♠ K Q 6 ♥ 2 ♥ 2 ♥ 2 ♦ K Q 6 5 ♦ K Q 6 5 ♦ K Q 6 5 North South Hand 4A 2NT. 17-18 points and only ♣ Q 5 4 3 ♣ 8 5 4 3 ♣ Q 8 5 3 2 1♣ four spades. You need five 1♠ 4♥ spades for a trial bid if partner ? might have only three spades. Hand 1A 4♥. 4-card spade Hand 4B & Hand 4C support, 11-15 points South has shown a hand worth game 3♦. At least 5 spades, at least and a singleton heart. opposite a minimum response with 4-card 3 diamonds with losers that Hand 1B 3♠. A limit raise. Not strong spade support, and a singleton heart. you hope partner can cover. enough for a splinter of 4♥. Hand 3A 4NT. The hands seem to Hand 4D Pass. A poor, balanced 16 Hand 1C 2♣. 1♠ only promises four fit excellently. You have no points. Not worth a game try. spades and splinter bids wasted heart values and a Hand 4E 3♠. If you play this as pre- in response guarantee 9-card spade fit will help emptive. Pass otherwise. 4-card support, so make a you ruff hearts in dummy. Hand 4F Your values make the hand waiting bid to find out more Hand 3B 4♠. Sign off. You have a suitable for a trial bid but about partner’s hand. wasted ♥K and three small none of your suits stand out as clubs are hardly what suitable for a trial bid. Possibly 2 You open 1♠ and your partner jumps your partner wants. 3♦ is the least bad option, to 4♥, a splinter bid. How do you Hand 3C 4NT. Again an excellent but perhaps this hand makes continue with Hands 2A to 2C? fit. Technically it is frowned you regret you are not playing upon to bid Blackwood with 3♠ as a non-specific game two losers in a side suit (let try (not drawing attention to Hand 2A Hand 2B Hand 2C alone three) but it is very any particular side suit). ♠ A Q 9 8 3 2 ♠ A Q 9 8 3 2 ♠ A Q 9 8 3 2 unlikely that you have two Note that none of these hands is ♥ A 7 6 ♥ K J 4 ♥ 9 7 6 club losers and even if you suitable for a short suit trial bid because ♦ K J 4 ♦ A 7 6 ♦ A K J do after the 1♣ opening bid none of them has a singleton. This ♣ 2 ♣ 2 ♣ 2 opponents are not likely to demonstrates why most players prefer lead clubs which may allow long suit trial bids. Short suit trial bids you to discard your club leave more hands without a suitable bid. Hand 2A 4NT. Key Card Blackwood. losers on diamonds. Partner You have an excellent has a strong hand: his points 5 You are North. You are playing long 10-card spade fit and no must be somewhere. suit trial bids. What is your second bid wasted hearts. A slam is with Hands 5A to 5F after the auction likely to be good if partner 4 You open 1♠ and your partner raises starts as shown below? has two key cards and 5♠ to 2♠. You are playing long suit is likely to be good if he trial bids. How do you proceed with has just one key card. Hands 4A to 4F? Hand 5A Hand 5B Hand 5C Hand 2B 4♠. Sign off. You have too ♠ K 9 3 2 ♠ K 9 3 2 ♠ K 9 3 2 many wasted values in hearts. ♥ 10 5 4 ♥ 10 5 4 ♥ 10 5 4 3 Hand 2C 4NT. As in Hand A. Hand 4A Hand 4B Hand 4C ♦ K Q 4 ♦ 8 5 4 ♦ Q 8 6 5 ♠ K 8 6 5 ♠ A Q 8 6 5 ♠ A J 8 6 5 2 ♣ 8 5 4 ♣ K Q 4 ♣ 4 3 You are North. What is your second ♥ A Q 6 ♥ A 6 ♥ A 6 bid with Hands 3A to 3C after the ♦ Q 9 6 5 ♦ Q 9 6 2 ♦ Q 9 6 auction starts as shown? ♣ A K ♣ A 3 ♣ A 3 Continued on page 38... u

BRIDGE June 2020 Page 37 Answers to Splinter Letter From Overseas by John Barr Bids And Trial Bids Quiz on page 17

Continued... Disappearing t ... Continued from page 37. Losers Hand 5D Hand 5E Hand 5F ♠ K 9 4 2 ♠ K 9 4 2 ♠ K 9 4 2 ♥ 7 5 4 3 ♥ Q 10 4 3 ♥ Q 10 4 3 ♦ 9 3 ♦ 9 3 ♦ K 3 2 as South dealt this hand with only was almost certain to hold the heart ♣ K 8 7 ♣ K 8 7 ♣ 8 4 the opponents vulnerable and and diamond honours to justify her opened 1♣. intermediate bid. I The good news was that I could South North score a trick with the ♥Q as the king 1♠ 2♠ ♠ A 9 3 was certainly on my left. The bad 3♣ ? ♥ Q 3 2 news was that still left me with three ♦ 4 potential losers, the ♥K, the ♦A and Hand 5A 3♠. You have three club ♣ K 9 6 5 4 2 a spade. I cashed the ♠A to remove losers. ♠ 6 4 ♠ Q J 10 8 West’s remaining black card (if indeed N Hand 5B 4♠. You have only one club ♥ K J 10 ♥ 7 5 4 W E she held another spade) and exited by loser ♦ A Q J 10 9 5 2 S ♦ 8 7 6 3 leading up to the ♦K. Hand 5C 4♠. You have only one club ♣ 3 ♣ Q 8 As the cards lie, whatever West loser. ♠ K 7 5 2 decides to do, she must give up one of Hand 5D 3♠. You have two club losers ♥ A 9 8 6 the defender’s tricks. Even though I and you are minimum for 2♠. ♦ K still have a losing spade in both hands, Hand 5E 4♠. You have two club losers ♣ A J 10 7 West has run out of spades and so the but you are maximum for 2♠. defence cannot cash their winner. If Hand 5F 4♠. You have two club losers she exits with the ♥J, I win with the but you are maximum for 2♠. Unlike most of the bridge players in ♥Q and finesse the ♥9. West is then Austria, my partner and I play that forced to lead a heart back or give me 6 You are South. You are playing long an opening 1NT is weak so my bid is a ruff and discard – so away will go suit trial bids. What is your third bid either natural or a strong no-trump dummy’s losing spade. If she chooses with Hands 6A to 6C after the auction hand. My left-hand opponent jumped instead to exit with a diamond after starts as shown below? to 3♦, intermediate in their methods, taking the ♦A, the losing spade and my partner ended the auction disappears immediately – I discard with a leap to 5♣. Not very scientific, dummy’s spade and ruff in hand, Hand 6A Hand 6B Hand 6C but it’s difficult to think of a better bid. before leading a small heart towards ♠ K Q 3 2 ♠ K Q 3 2 ♠ K Q 3 2 The ♠6 was led, probably a short the queen. In either case, the only ♥ 4 ♥ 7 4 3 ♥ Q 8 suit lead, and I paused to assess my defensive tricks are the ♦A and ♥K. ♦ 7 4 3 ♦ 4 ♦ 8 7 chances. On the face of it, there are If West makes the alternative ♣ A Q J 7 6 ♣ A Q 8 5 4 ♣ A Q 8 5 4 four possible losers (a spade, two opening lead of the ♦A, I can draw hearts and a diamond) – five if the trumps, cash two top spades and play club suit breaks 3-0. I could see no on hearts, West can safely exit with a North South benefit in delaying drawing trumps, heart when she gets in with the ♥K, 1♣ so – after winning the ♠10 with the ♠K avoiding giving me a ruff and discard, 1♠ 2♠ – I drew trumps and was relieved that but because the hearts break 3-3 I can 3♦ ? they broke 2-1. As East presumably then discard my losing spade from had five points in the black suits, West dummy on my long heart. n Hand 6A 3♠. You have three diamond losers. Subscriptions to BRIDGE Hand 6B 4♠. You have only one diamond loser. An ideal gift Hand 6C 4♠. You have two diamond 1 year £52 | 2 years £79 | 3 years for £109 losers but you are maximum for 2♠. n ( 01483 489961

Page 38 BRIDGE June 2020 Julian Pottage Answers Your Bridge Questions Should You Open 1NT With A Five-Card Major?

Bernard in a on all 5-3-3-2 types. I found it extremely difficult lead wasn’t difficult to find. quiz with this The hands, although to stop short of slam with Would you recommend a Q hand advocates similar, do in fact have such a good side suit. splinter approach with such a 1♥ opening: an important difference. We have two ways a hand? The benefit of the The first hand has a losing of progressing quality 2NT route is it allows partner doubleton whereas the responding hands in to show shortage with his ♠ K Q 4 second hand has an honour majors; 2NT or a splinter. rebid if better than minimum. ♥ A K 7 6 5 doubleton. Q-x is actually I decided not to adopt Geoff Simpson, ♦ 6 5 quite a no-trump orientated a splinter as I already Torphins, Aberdeenshire. ♣ Q 3 2 holding, because if partner held the red suit aces and has J-x-x you have a stopper was anticipating a 4♠ We have all been in a no-trump contract but response regardless. in worse slams than the same two losers in a Our bidding was: A this. Without a heart demonstrates a 1NT opening suit contract as you would lead, you simply need to on this very similar hand: with two low facing J-x-x. North South avoid two trump losers, 1♠ 2NT which will be possible unless ♣♦♥♠ 4♠ 5♦ all three missing trumps are ♠ K 8 4 5♠ 6♠ sitting over the opener. On ♥ A K 5 4 3 My partner opened a heart lead you need to ♦ Q 3 1♠ holding a Over my 2NT Jacoby raise, take the club finesse at trick ♣ 8 7 4 Q minimum hand: partner jumped to game two, planning to discard showing a minimum hand. dummy’s remaining heart on I made another try with the ♣A – you need trumps Andrew mentioned it ♠ K Q 9 6 3 a 5♦ cue-bid, denying the to play for one loser as well was an intermediate ♥ J 8 4 ♣A, and looking to see of course. I assume from demonstration but I wonder ♦ 8 4 if partner had ♥K, as we your ‘doomed’ comment that whether Bernard’s 1♥ ♣ A Q 8 show 1st available 1st the opening leader had the opening is a club level or 2nd round controls. ♣K as well as the ♥K-Q. opening and Andrew’s is He denied this with 5♠… Your bidding was a bit an expert opening bid. The lead was the ♥K and we had the tools to stop optimistic. You showed strong Bryan Stephens by email. 6♠ was doomed facing this … but I didn’t: partner slam interest by progressing responding hand of mine: might have A-K-Q trumps, beyond game and should Different people making 6♠ laydown. then have respected your have different styles. Was I wrong to chance partner’s sign off. Your A Andrew Robson is ♠ 10 8 7 5 4 my arm, expecting miracles partner should not be looking probably famous for two ♥ A 2 from partner, as any other at the ace-king-queen of things – taking his time ♦ A K Q J 3 lead would still reap a trumps and sign off – you when confronted with a ♣ 3 reward? As it happens, ought to have everything difficult problem – and the opening leader had else if you are bidding so advocating a 1NT opening ♥K-Q-x, so the opening strongly with terrible trumps.u

BRIDGE June 2020 Page 39 t A splinter should show should I have signed off in you have 12 on top with bid 4♥. A possible complete a limited hand (same sort 3NT instead of Blackwood? various chances for 13 tricks. auction is thus as follows: of strength as a minimum With 19 points should my opening bid) and I agree you partner have bid differently? ♣♦♥♠ West North East South were too strong for that. Was it worth a try to 1♣ 1♥ Dbl Pass play in 6NT and were I would very 3♠ Pass 4♦1 Pass ♣♦♥♠ we just unlucky? much like your 4♥1 Pass 4NT2 Pass Name and address supplied. Q advice on this 5♥3 Pass 5NT Pass I wonder if you hand. In a ‘semi-instruction’ 6♥4 Pass 7NT5 All Pass could give me With 19 points your session, West was the 1 Control cue bids Q and my bridge partner should not dealer (Vulnerable). 2 Key Card Blackwood partner some guidance A be rebidding 2♦ How do East-West 3 Two key cards (the ♠K and the on slam bidding – or – that shows a minimum reach a slam? The bidding ♥A) when not to try it. opening – not a hand that started as follows: 4 Two kings We don’t do any cue nearly opened 2NT. 5 Knowing that West would bidding but we do use fourth Your partner should West North East South have opened 1♠ with a 4-3-2-4 suit forcing and Blackwood. rebid 2NT, showing 18- 1♣ 1♥ ? shape, East knows that West My partner dealt and 19 balanced. With 15 almost certainly has five clubs had the following hand: facing that you know you and thus there is unlikely to be are heading for a slam. ♠ K 9 8 6 ♠ A Q J 7 any advantage to playing in a

As the best chance of ♥ A K N ♥ J 7 suit. ♠ ♦ W E ♦ A J making a grand slam might 8 7 S A K J ♥ K 10 5 appear to be if you have ♣ K Q J 7 4 ♣ A 6 5 3 ♣♦♥♠ ♦ A K Q 9 4 a 4-4 spade fit, you might ♣ Q 7 3 bid 3♠ over 2NT, though if partner has ♣K-Q-x-x, 7♣ They made all 13 tricks. N might be on, so 3♣ would Charles Leveson by email. W E Q be reasonable too. Indeed, S if you open 1♦ on hands In Acol it is usual Dealer North. Love All. ♠ K Q 10 9 with 4-4 in the minors and to play that if an ♠ J 7 2 ♥ A J 8 6 1♠ on hands with 4-4 in the A opponent overcalls ♥ Q 10 9 4 2 ♦ 8 pointed suits, the chance 1♥, double shows exactly ♦ A 10 6 ♣ A J 8 4 of a club fit is much higher four spades and a bid of 1♠ ♣ 6 3 than that of a spade fit. shows five or more spades. In ♠ A Q 4 3 ♠ 10 9 6 5

Facing partner’s actual view of the slam possibilities, ♥ K J 6 3 N ♥ 7 W E Our bidding: 2♦ rebid, your bidding it would also be possible to ♦ J 8 3 S ♦ K 7 2 was very optimistic. With ignore the spades and simply ♣ A J ♣ K 10 9 8 4 North South what should have been bid the opposing suit, 2♥, to ♠ K 8 1♦ 1♥ an absolute maximum of show a raise to at least 3♣. ♥ A 8 5 2♦ 2♠ 30 points between the two Since the spades are good, I ♦ Q 9 5 4 3♣1 4NT hands and no fit, you should prefer the former, especially if ♣ Q 7 5 2 5♥2 5NT have settled for 3NT. you are playing matchpoints. 6♥3 6NT You say that you could West has four spades and 1 Fourth-suit forcing make only three diamond far better than a minimum West North East South 2 Two aces tricks but have not said what opening bid – 16 HCP Pass Pass Pass 3 Two kings your LHO did. If your LHO plus a couple of points for 1♦ Pass 1♠ Pass failed to cover with ♦10-x, distribution. A jump to 3♠ 2♠ All Pass I played it and LHO led a you could have made four seems reasonable. East small club so although I won diamond tricks by letting could simply check on key Partner’s 1♦ was prepared. with the queen in dummy the ♦8 run. In any case, you cards after that – normally Clubs was my best suit, I knew she probably had should not have played on you would need a control but poor for the two level, the king. I went one off diamonds. Suppose you in the opposing suit but the so I bid my poor spade suit. as my RHO had ♦J-x-x- play on hearts and guess strength shown by West Partner made a gentle x-x so I could only make wrongly who has the ♥Q. makes it close to impossible raise to 2♠, all passed. three diamond tricks. You make four spade tricks, for there to be two fast heart South led the two of With a combined 34 points three heart tricks, three losers. Just to be on the safe clubs, taken by the jack. (I actually had no idea my diamond tricks and two clubs side, I guess you should I cashed the ace of clubs partner had so many points for a total of twelve. If you cue bid 4♦ over 3♠ just to and led a heart, taken – I put her at maybe 15), guess the hearts correctly, confirm that West can cue by North with the ten.

Page 40 BRIDGE June 2020 North exited with a trump 4 card spade suit, I held a to bid 4♠ but those were not I suggest show that the and I drew a second round. fairly minimum 7 loser hand the conditions. In any case, major is only four cards. I ruffed a heart and with dubious heart values you and your partner need to 3 could still be useful in led the king of clubs, on the auction, so I passed. agree whether in future 3♠ is Acol. With a 5-3-3-2 type, discarding a diamond. I was also of the view that invitational or pre-emptive. many people open the I came to ten tricks. the 3♠ bid in this situation five-card major if the suit The all-seeing eye of the is probably pre-emptive in ♣♦♥♠ is good or if the doubleton computer indicated nine nature as 2♠ would show an is two low cards. Even if tricks were possible. 8-loser hand. Partner held: Can you give you always open 1NT with Was the computer wrong? some advice on a 5-3-3-2 hand, minimum Could you lose one spade, Q the Jacoby 2NT 5-4-2-2 hands can sign one heart and two diamonds ♠ A J 8 4 2 when used in conjunction off in four of the major. with a more robust defence? ♥ A 2 with the weak NT. I was The other results were:- ♦ Q 9 2 looking at today’s article ♣♦♥♠ 4♠-1, 3♠ making twice, ♣ 10 7 5 on www.bridgeclues2. 2♠ making, 3♣ making. com which covered this How would you The Lodger by email. conversation but, being an recommend My view was that despite American site, it was slanted Q bidding and The computer was 8(+) losers partner maybe to the strong NT. It gives playing this deal? not wrong: on an should bid 4♠ as with no the following meanings A opening diamond wasted values in clubs, his of opener’s responses: lead the defenders can make values are all likely to be 1. Regardless of his Dealer East. E/W Game. two diamonds, a spade and helping. As it happened strength, opener is obliged ♠ 10 7 ♠ A 8 a heart, thereby holding LHO held the ♦K so 10 to name his singleton ♥ K 10 5 N ♥ A J 8 6 W E declarer to nine tricks. tricks were made. or void by bidding that ♦ 10 6 S ♦ A K 5 Most people will not be Mike Allen, suit at the three level. ♣ K Q J 9 7 4 ♣ A 10 8 6 opening 1♦ on the West Bromley, Kent. 2. If opener has a good cards. Those playing a strong second five-card (or D J Ridge, no-trump and five-card You both had close longer) suit, he jumps to New Malden, Surrey. majors will open 1NT and decisions and game the four-level in his second play there. Those playing a A was not a certainty suit rather than show his With a good 6-card weak no-trump and four-card despite the good fit. While singleton if he has one. suit, West needs to majors will open 1♥. After a you can play partner’s 3♠ 3. If opener has a A realise that a slam is 1♥-1♠-2♠ auction, South’s as pre-emptive, I do not minimum balanced hand, possible facing a 20 point better diamond intermediates think you should assume it 11-13 HCP, opener jumps hand. East in turn needs make a diamond lead is without discussion. Even if to four of his major. to appreciate that holding more likely than a club. you take 3♠ as invitational, it 4. Opener rebids three four-card club support and is unclear whether you should of his major with 16 or all that the hand ♣♦♥♠ advance to game. You have more points. This does not is anything but minimum four good spades, which promise a six-card suit. for a club slam. A possible I would be you had not promised. The 5. Opener bids 3NT auction is as follows: interested in ♥K might be under the ♥A, with fewer than 16 points Q your views on though with an opening bid and a balanced hand. West East a hand at the club this on your right it did not have No problem with 1, 2 2NT1 week; playing teams at to be. I think your partner and 4, but numbers 3 and 4♣2 4♦3 favourable vulnerability, was trying to say that he 5 don’t seem to work with 4♥3 4♠3 RHO opens 1♣ and I held: wanted to be in game unless the weak NT as, with such 6♣ Pass you were minimum and had a hand, you would have 1 20-22 only three spades. Often the opened 1NT in the first 2 Natural slam try ♠ K Q 10 6 meaning of a bid is much place. Hope you can help. 3 Control-showing cue bids ♥ K 10 8 5 clearer to the player who David Barker, ♦ A 8 5 makes it than to anyone else! Aylesbury, Bucks. Please do not tell me that ♣ J 4 You do mention the West cannot bid a natural favourable vulnerability and Playing a weak NT, 4♣ in your methods. Gerber partner was perhaps not you would indeed is arguably the worst So double from me, 1♥ from wishing to punish you if you A want to modify 5. convention ever invented – if LHO, 3♠ from partner, pass had come in slightly light. It would be logical for 3NT you watch a high-standard from RHO. My view was Vulnerable at teams it would to show at least 15 points match, nobody will be that although I held a good indeed be clear for partner rather than at most 15 and playing it. u

BRIDGE June 2020 Page 41 t 6♣ is very close to a the third club, hoping to West North East South is an equally obvious 2♦ 100% contract. Assuming avoid a heart loser? As the Pass Pass Pass 1♥ overcall. Bidding is so much North leads a spade, you chance East has the queen of Pass 3♣1 Pass 4♣2 easier when the opponents win, draw trumps and play hearts is much higher than Pass 4♦2 Pass 4♥ meekly pass throughout! on diamonds to eliminate that clubs are 6-2, you will All Pass3 You cannot consider the the suit – ace, king and ruff get a top rather more often 1 Agreeing hearts and showing trump suit in isolation. Here a third round. You then exit than a bottom this way. control in clubs. the desire to take ruffs makes with your remaining spade. Dr Ramez Ghazoul, 2 Cue bids. it attractive to hope for a Whoever wins will either need Prestbury, Cheshire. 3 Having bid aggressively, with 2-2 break. Cashing two top to lead a heart, resolving thin values I passed. trumps before knocking out your guess in the suit, or You are quite right the ♠A was not such a good lead one of the pointed suits, that the correct line West led the king of idea, though. East, if holding giving a ruff and discard. A of play would be diamonds, taken in dummy. three trumps, would have Even at matchpoint pairs different playing matchpoint A small heart to been able to draw a trump you do not want to be in 6NT pairs. You should play the ace, and the eight from both declarer and on the East-West cards. With on clubs as you suggest, appeared from East, and dummy after getting in with only 29 HCP between the then ruff a spade, cross the queen from West. the ♠A. Declarer should have two hands, many pairs will to the king of hearts and Does partner play for knocked out the ♠A first. not be in a slam at all; you ruff another spade. restricted choice or go with will need to guess the hearts When you now play a “Eight ever, nine never?” ♣♦♥♠ yourself to make 6NT if the trump you will make an He played for the drop opponents find a spade lead. overtrick most of the time that and made eleven tricks: I was sitting West East has the queen of hearts two spades, five hearts, with this hand: ♣♦♥♠ or West has the singleton ace one diamond, one club Q of diamonds – in the latter and two ruffs in dummy. I was intrigued case West will either have to Alex Mathers, ♠ K 8 4 with the Declarer lead into the heart tenace Northallerton. ♥ Q 9 5 N Play Quiz in or lead a black card, giving ♦ 6 3 W E Q S BRIDGE 201. The contract you a ruff and discard. The term (control) ♣ A J 9 8 2 is 5♦ with a spade lead. A factor you would need cue bid refers to to take into account is that A a slam try. You 3NT (which presumably some might call North’s 3♣ a West North East South ♠ 6 5 2 pairs will be in) is going down fit-showing jump. South’s 1♣ ♥ K 6 5 on a spade lead if spades 4♣ on a singleton does not Pass 1♠ Pass 1NT ♦ Q 8 6 4 are 5-3, so there would then make sense because All Pass ♣ K Q 2 be some case for playing you do not usually cue bid safe for 11 tricks even in a shortage in partner’s I was reluctant to lead clubs N a matchpoint duplicate. suit. Regardless of what 4♣ as South had bid them W E S meant, it is hard to envisage and decided to risk the ♣♦♥♠ a slam facing a passed six of diamonds lead. The ♠ A 9 hand with the South cards. lead did not work well. ♥ A J 2 North would normally need Dummy had a singleton ♦ K J 10 7 3 2 two aces, five hearts and a 3 of clubs, declarer K-Q- ♣ A 6 Q singleton diamond (possibly 7-5 and partner 10-6-4. if North’s aces are in the Would you have led clubs? Dealer West. Love All. pointed suits, a diamond ruff Martin Epstein by email. The quiz says that you ♠ 9 7 would be available if North should assume rubber ♥ 10 9 6 5 did not have a singleton For me the choice bridge or teams scoring ♦ A 8 2 diamond – having only five would be between and I can certainly make ♣ A 7 6 5 cards in the pointed suits A a club and a heart 11 tricks (and the contract ♠ 8 6 ♠ A 10 5 3 2 would be good enough). – you have more help for of 5♦) by following your ♥ Q J ♥ 8 7 partner in hearts than in advice (attacking trumps ♦ K Q 10 9 5 4 ♦ 7 West’s bidding or lack diamonds and it is a major. and later discarding a heart ♣ K Q 4 ♣ J 9 8 3 2 thereof is bizarre: even The club lead will work well if on the third club). If you ♠ K Q J 4 downgrading the queen- partner has anything useful were playing in an ordinary ♥ A K 4 3 2 jack doubleton to two in clubs. Even if partner duplicate, would it be better ♦ J 6 3 points, West has a clear-cut has a couple of low clubs, to play clubs promptly and ♣ 10 1♦ opening bid. Having it might not be a disaster. discard the 9 of spades on viewed to pass, the hand Declarer might score a

Page 42 BRIDGE June 2020 cheap trick with the ten at I was East. Answers to trick one but then, if dummy Partner and I had little started with a doubleton discussion re defence honour, you might well get to Multi, except that Bernard Magee’s to set up and run the suit. doubles of natural bids A club lead would be more up to and including 2♠ Bidding Quizzes 1-3 attractive if, with balanced were for take-out. hands out of range for a My initial double 1NT opening, the opponents was intended to be left on page 7 open the minor rather than in as it was a double the major with a major- of a cypher bid. minor hand - in that case As it was there was declarer will quite often no game on for us. hold four clubs and four Your opinion would hearts on this bidding. be much appreciated. With the Mr Bridge and Margaret Bleakley, – here, you would rebid Standard English styles of Belfast. 1. Dealer East. Love All. 2♠, which being below 2NT opening a major with 4-4, ♠ Q 8 7 6 4 3 ♠ 9 5 shows a weak hand and asks the heart lead has more Since the Multi 2♦ ♥ 8 4 2 N ♥ A Q 7 3 partner to pass. W E appeal. You know that opening generally ♦ 7 6 5 S ♦ A J 10 3 On the actual layout your South would have opened A shows a weak ♣ 8 ♣ K 9 2 partner replies 2♥ and you 1♥ with 4-4 in the rounded hand with a long major, can pass, having found a suits and that North would it is unlikely that the comfortable contract. have responded 1♥ with opponents will choose West North East South 4-4 in the majors, making to play in 2♦ doubled. 1NT Pass it quite likely that neither This means you do not ? 3. Dealer East. Love All. opponent has four hearts. need a diamond suit to ♠ A K 7 6 ♠ Q J 9 5 double 2♦. It is common to 2♥. This is a simple one to ♥ 4 N ♥ Q J 7 3 W E ♣♦♥♠ play that the double shows start with. You are playing ♦ 3 2 S ♦ A J 10 opening values with no transfers so you respond 2♥, ♣ A K 8 7 6 3 ♣ J 2 An interesting good alternative action (so showing five or more spades. bidding problem usually no five-card major Your partner bids 2♠ and you Q arose: or six-card minor). Whether pass. Having the stronger West North East South West’s double of 2♠ is take- hand play the contract means 1NT Pass West North East South out or penalties is a matter that the lead goes up to his ? 2♦1 Dbl2 Pass of agreement – these days strength, which will be quite Pass 2♠ Pass Pass most people play low-level an advantage on this layout. 2♣. You have a strong hand, Dbl3 All Pass doubles as take-out. going for game at least, but 1 Multi – weak hand with a The Multi is a difficult you need to decide on which 6-card major or various strong convention against which to 2. Dealer East. Love All. game. Start by checking to hands defend. Many people think ♠ Q 8 7 6 4 ♠ 9 5 see if your partner has four 2 See next column that the authorities should ♥ K 9 8 2 N ♥ A Q 7 3 spades, then plan to bid W E 3 Intended for penalties thinking never have allowed it in club ♦ 4 3 2 S ♦ A J 10 6 your clubs naturally. You partner’s double of 2♦ had play. n ♣ 2 ♣ K 9 3 bid Stayman 2♣ and, after implied some spades partner’s 2♠ response, you go for game. (You might West North East South even try for a slam, but that 1NT Pass requires more complicated Email your questions for ? agreements). Assuming you have another Julian to: 2♣. Another weak hand way for dealing with weak and there is a temptation to hands and a long minor [email protected] settle for a 2♠ contract by (perhaps using a 2♠ response transferring (bidding 2♥). to 1NT), then if partner bids Please include your postal While that would not be a bad anything else over your 2♣ choice, you can use Stayman Stayman bid, you could follow address to give you an extra chance. with a strong and natural 3♣ You must have a plan to deal to give partner the perfect with a possible 2♦ response picture of your hand. n

BRIDGE June 2020 Page 43 A to Z of Bridge continued t ... Contined from page 36. country to compete in the Bermuda making his bid vocally, takes a card BENJAMINISED ACOL Bowl, a team has first to do well in from a complete set of indexed cards (BENJAMIN CONVENTION) its zonal competition, such as the held in a small holder and places it Benjaminised Acol (Benji-Acol), European Championships. The USA in front of him on the table. Bidding devised by from and Italy have won the Bermuda Bowl boxes have become very popular in Scotland, is Acol with a revised system the most times. Great Britain won duplicate bridge and are universal in of two-level openings to allow an Acol once in 1955. tournament play. As well as helping player the opportunity to use two- to keep down the general level of bids in the majors as weak. 2♦ (with BETTER MINOR noise, they avoid a number of ethical a negative 2♥ response) shows a hand In some systems, such as five-card problems since bids are generally that you would open 2♣ in traditional major systems, it is necessary to open made in a uniform manner. Acol and 2♣ (negative 2♦) shows in a minor suit with fewer than four either a balanced hand or an eight- cards. Playing the ‘better minor’ BIDDING CHALLENGE playing trick hand in an unspecified method, a minor-suit opening always Feature of some bridge magazines suit. Note that many players use an guarantees at least three cards. Players whereby readers are given a number of opening 2NT to show a balanced 19- who open 1♣ when they have 3-3 in the pairs of hands to bid, comparing their 20 points and the sequence 2♣-Pass- minors are not actually playing ‘better bidding with that of selected experts. 2♦-Pass-2NT to show a balanced minor’, though they often use the term The hands are often quite challenging, hand with 21-22 points. Some players incorrectly for such a method. making it difficult to reach the right interchange the 2♣ and 2♦ openings contract. However, for developing ( Benjaminised Acol). partnership bidding understanding, ♠ A J 7 4 they can be a very useful exercise. ♥ K Q 8 3 Hand 1 ♦ K 7 4 BIDDING SPACE ♠ A Q J 10 8 5 3 ♣ 10 2 The space available for making bids. ♥ A K 5 The cheaper the bid, the less bidding ♦ 7 4 space it uses. ♣ Q If you are playing five-card majors and a strong no-trump, you cannot open West North East South 1♥ (or 1♠) as that would show five. Nor 1♣ 1♦ 1♥ can you open 1NT as that would show Hand 2 15-17. The solution is to open ♦1 , better West North East South ♠ K Q 9 8 5 2 minor. 1♥ 3♦ 4♣ ♥ 10 7 ♦ 4 2 BID The first example shows highly ♣ Q 8 3 Any call that includes the naming of a economical use of bidding space. denomination and thereby undertakes The second example, with the jump to win a certain number of tricks overcall and less convenient suit ranks, in that denomination. There are 35 is far less economical. In constructive Hand 3 possible bids, the lowest being 1♣ and bidding, it is usually preferable to ♠ A K J 6 4 the highest being 7NT. conserve bidding space (at least until ♥ A K 5 a fit is found) in order to exchange the ♦ A K 6 4 BIDDABLE SUIT maximum amount of information. ♣ 5 A suit that complies with minimum Conversely, it is often in the interest requirements in terms of length and of the players with weaker hands to strength for bidding it. A holding such restrict the amount of space available With Hand 1, you open 2♣ intending as Q-J-x-x used to be the minimum for to their opponents, for instance by to rebid 2♠ to show the same as an a four-card suit, whilst all five-card making pre-emptive bids. Acol two in spades. With Hand 2, you suits were biddable. open 2♠, weak. With Hand 3, where In the modern style, most authorities BIDDING SYSTEM you would have opened an Acol 2♣, consider any suit of four cards as All of the partnership understandings you open 2♦, the big bid in Benjamin. biddable. and conventions that form the language of the bidding. Acol, BERMUDA BOWL BIDDING BOXES Precision and Standard American are This is the competition to determine Swedish invention permitting silent all examples of bidding systems. the best team in the world. For a bidding. Each player, instead of Continued on page 46 ... u

Page 44 BRIDGE June 2020 Books on Bridge Answers to Bernard Magee’s Who Has The Queen? Bidding Quizzes 4-6 Frank Stewart £20 on page 7 Full of deals in which finding a missing queen, or one of her relatives, is the key to making a contract.

Big Deal 4. Dealer West. Love All. then bid above 2NT – he is Augie Boehm ♠ K J 7 6 ♠ Q 2 showing a strong hand with ♥ 4 2 N ♥ A K 8 5 3 long diamonds and since he £20 W E ♦ ♦ Augie Boehm shares tales K 6 5 S A Q 9 8 2 doesn’t like hearts, he should ♣ K Q 5 3 ♣ 2 have four spades. With good and insights from his unique diamonds and poor clubs, you perspective as an expert should support his diamonds bridge player and a world- West North East South – worried about clubs in a no- class musician. 1NT Pass 2♦ Pass trump contract. Getting to 6♦ 2♥ Pass 3♦ Pass is not easy, but at least 5♦ is a ? making game, whilst 3NT will go down on a club lead. 3NT. Your partner has given Playing Suit you a good description of his Combinations hand and you can choose the 6. Dealer West. Love All. Gitelman and Rubens final contract. He has shown ♠ 7 6 ♠ 9 2 five hearts, four or more ♥ K 4 2 N ♥ A Q 8 5 3 W E £15 diamonds and a strong hand. ♦ K J 6 S ♦ A 9 8 2 Designed to serve two main You have no heart fit and ♣ A Q 9 3 2 ♣ J 7 purposes; It enables readers you have good stoppers in to improve their card-play the black suits, so you should technique. Secondly, it shows choose 3NT. The key to this West North East South how even small changes can hand is in understanding your 1NT Pass 2♦ Pass have quite large impacts. partner’s second bid – trust 2♥ Pass 2NT Pass your partner – he does have ? hearts as well as diamonds. 4♥. Your partner has shown Tricks of the Trade five hearts and then invited Larry Cohen 5. Dealer West. Love All. game by rebidding 2NT. You ♠ ♠ £20 J 7 A K 9 2 have three-card heart support ♥ A K 4 2 N ♥ 8 5 and a side suit doubleton, so W E Strategic thinking for ♦ K Q 6 5 S ♦ A J 9 8 3 2 you should certainly choose to advanced bridge. ♣ 7 5 3 ♣ 2 play in hearts, but should you bid 3♥ or 4♥? You have 13 HCP so sit West North East South in the middle of your range, 1NT Pass 2♣ Pass but your hand is shapely To order, please call Mr Bridge 2♥ Pass 3♦ Pass for a 1NT opening with the ? potential for a spade ruff and ( 01483 489961 extra tricks from your club 4♦. Your partner has asked suit: you should certainly go www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop about your majors and for game. n

BRIDGE June 2020 Page 45 A to Z of Bridge continued t ... Contined from page 44. Keycard Blackwood (also known and monster are similar terms. BID OUT OF TURN as Five Ace Blackwood) or Roman A bid made when it is someone else’s Keycard Blackwood. BLOCKING PLAY turn to call. Penalties apply, the You use Blackwood when you think A play made in an attempt to cause a severity of which depends upon whose the values for a slam are present but blockage in the opponents’ suit. For turn it was to call – summon the you are worried that the opponents example: director if one is available. might have too many aces.

BIT ♠ A 2 Slang term for a small card as in ‘ace- ♠ K 10 8 5 3 2 ♥ A 9 7 bit’ (A-x). ♥ K 5 ♦ K 10 9 7 ♦ A K J 2 ♣ Q 9 4 3 BLACK POINTS ♣ 4 ♠ K J 7 6 3 ♠ Q 8 These are a type of master point, ♥ J 4 N ♥ Q 10 6 5 3 ♦ A 6 4 W E ♦ 8 5 2 typically of less value than the green S (or in Scotland red) national points. West North East South ♣ J 8 2 ♣ 10 7 5 1♥ Pass ♠ 10 9 5 4 BLACKOUT 1♠ Pass 3♠ Pass ♥ K 8 2 A convention played after an opener’s 4NT ♦ Q J 3 reverse following a one-over-one ♣ A K 6 response. The lower of the fourth You plan to bid 7♠ if partner shows suit and 2NT is an artificial weak three aces (5♠); settle for 6♠ if partner bid, saying responder is happy to shows two aces (5♥); or to sign off in West leads the ♠6 against South’s 3NT. stop short of game if opener has a 5♠ if, disappointingly, partner shows The contract is in danger if spades minimum reverse; other responder’s only one ace (5♦). split 5-2, because the defenders might rebids create a game force. make four spade tricks and the ♦A. BLOCK OR BLOCKAGE Since you would expect West to lead West North East South A suit has a blockage if it is impossible, the king from K-Q-J-x-x, you can place 1♣ Pass 1♠ Pass without the use of an outside entry, East with at least one of the missing 2♥ Pass 2NT to play out the suit by cashing top honours. In this case, if spades are cards. If you block a suit, it means you 5-2, the play of the ace from dummy Using Blackout, 2NT here is the weak play a suit in such a way as to create will block the suit. East cannot play action. Opener usually bids 3♣ over a blockage (not normally a good idea). the queen without giving declarer a 2NT, allowing responder to pass (if For example: second stopper. Similarly, when one wishing to play in 3♣) or sign off in of them gains the lead, they cannot another suit. afford to play the king and queen on Layout 1 Layout 2 the same trick without promoting A A 5 South’s holding into a fourth-round In its most basic form, a bid of 4NT, winner. N N when you have agreed a trump suit, W E W E asks partner to show how many aces S S SYSTEM he holds. In response: K Q J 3 K Q J 3 A system used by the Italian during their long string of World 5♣ Shows zero or four aces Championship victories. Developed 5♦ Shows one ace Layout 1 starts as blocked. To cash mainly by Benito Garozzo and Leon 5♥ Shows two aces four tricks, South must possess an Yallouze, the system uses an artificial 5♠ Shows three aces outside entry since the ace will win 1♣ opening (17+ points), four-card the first round in the North hand. On majors, a wide-range 1NT opening After the response to Blackwood, Layout 2, you can avoid a blockage by and canapé (bidding your second suit 5NT asks for kings on a similar scale cashing the ace first; if, instead, you before your main suit). The responses but with 6NT, not 6♣, showing four cashed one of the honours from the to 1♣ include a 1♦ negative with kings. Since the 5NT bid commits longer holding, then that would block control-showing positive responses. the side to at least a small slam, it the suit. announces that the partnership has all four aces. Most players now use a BLOCKBUSTER more sophisticated Blackwood, either A very powerful hand – powerhouse Continued on page 50 ... u

Page 46 BRIDGE June 2020 Answers to Bernard Magee’s Q PLUS Bidding Quizzes 7-9 Still Only 15 on page 7 £99 including p&p The very best Acol- playing software 7. Dealer West. Love All. will often assume that your partner has available. ♠ 4 3 ♠ A 9 5 11 or more points. While that generally ♥ K Q 4 N ♥ A J 3 is the case, using it on some weaker Features include: W E ♦ A 7 6 5 ♦ 3 hands is very useful. If your partner bids S • a friendly interface ♣ K 9 8 3 ♣ A Q J 10 6 2 Stayman and rebids below 2NT over a • a hint button - always at 2♦ reply, he is showing a weak hand hand & a help button - and you should pass. Your partner was explains the features for West North East South hoping to find a 4-4 spade fit by using bidding and card play advice 1NT Pass 3♣ Pass Stayman, but settles for 2♥ when you bid ♦ • Easy Windows installation ? 2 .

• Rubber bridge, duplicate and 3♦. Three-level suit responses to 1NT teams scoring show strong hands and are genuinely 9. Dealer East. Love All. • Feed in your own deals suggesting some chance of slam. With ♠ K Q 5 4 3 ♠ A 9 8 6 11-14 points and six clubs your partner ♥ 4 N ♥ A 8 3 • Create your own system W E would generally just go for 3NT, not ♦ 9 8 7 6 5 S ♦ 3 2 • Pre-programmed systems particularly interested in 5♣ or slam. ♣ K 9 ♣ A Q 6 2 include Acol, Standard This means that when responder is American and many more stronger he can jump to 3♣ and wait • Instant results for teams for opener’s response. If opener rebids West North East South 3NT, this shows no inclination for clubs 1NT Pass • 5,000 hands to play at teams or slam. Any other rebid shows interest 2♥ Pass 3♣ Pass of four – here, you certainly have interest in ? • 4,500 hands to play at clubs and holding an ace and king- matchpointed pairs. queen combination along with the king 4♠. You made a transfer bid and your of trumps, the hand has potential – the partner should usually have bid 2♠. For Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 or 10. right bid for you here is 3♦ – as a kind of As long as you trust your partner, if he cuebid, but most importantly expressing does anything other than bid your suit, NEW - Q Plus 15 interest. 4♣ is a reasonable option. he should be showing a hand that has includes Android 6♣ is a great contract, with a spade four-card spade support. ruff as the twelfth trick. Breaking (super accepting) transfers is compatibility (5-9) unusual, but the idea is that if you have a nine-card fit in spades then it is safe to TRADE IN 8. Dealer West. Love All. go to 3♠. ♠ J 9 3 ♠ 10 8 6 4 A common method is for opener to Send in ANY bridge ♥ K 5 4 N ♥ A 8 7 3 2 break to three of responder’s suit (3♠) W E software, together with a ♦ A K Q 3 ♦ 8 7 5 with a minimum and four-card support, S cheque for £50 and receive ♣ 10 9 8 ♣ 6 but bid a useful side suit with a maximum Q Plus 15 and four-card support. While this is not easy bridge, if you are on the same West North East South wavelength, you can now jump to 4♠ – Mr Bridge Limited Ryden Grange, 1NT Pass 2♣ Pass your hands seem to be fitting perfectly – Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH 2♦ Pass 2♥ Pass you have a big spade fit and your ♣K will ( 01483 489961 ? be helpful in partner’s side suit. You have www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop a combined 22 HCP but a comfortable Pass. When you first learn Stayman, you game. n

BRIDGE June 2020 Page 47 Seven Days by Sally Brock

dinner before watching a movie and THURSDAY Dealer West. E/W Game. having an early night. ♠ Q 9 7 6 5 We land at Heathrow at 6.30 in ♥ J 10 5 the morning. There are no special ♦ A K 9 6 3 MONDAY immigration procedures, so we ♣ Void I walk home in the morning and I are soon on the tube and back in ♠ J 4 ♠ K 10 3 have an online coaching session with Hammersmith. ♥ 6 4 3 N ♥ Q 8 my Irish women. Emer is a solicitor W E ♦ J 10 4 2 ♦ Q 8 7 I catch a bus up the road and Briony S and she is still working. She says there and Toby meet me at the bus stop to ♣ J 10 9 2 ♣ A K 8 6 4 has been a great rise in the demand for help me with my bags. I collapse for ♠ A 8 2 people wanting to make wills. They a while, sleep for a while, unpack, ♥ A K 9 7 2 have been instructed to go to people’s put several loads of washing on, and ♦ 5 houses to deliver the will, put it generally recover. ♣ Q 7 5 3 through the letter box and then watch Briony has an online meeting in through the window while they sign it the evening (she is on the NHS Ethics and post it back through the letter box Committee) so I retire to my room, West North East South so they can witness it. order fish and chips and catch up on Pass 1♠ Pass 2♥ Afterwards I have another session lots of episodes of Casualty and Holby Pass 4♣ Dbl Pass with Debbie and Kath. We have been City. Pass Rdbl Pass 4NT working on sorting out their system Pass 5♦ Pass 5NT and start by finishing that off, before FRIDAY Pass 6♥ All Pass playing some hands online. We are not in complete lockdown yet. This inelegant contract goes a not-so- After finishing off my washing, Toby surprising two down. Perhaps I should TUESDAY and I walk up Kensington High Street, have put this into my slam article My morning online coaching session partly for the exercise and partly to see elsewhere in this issue! I think it is a is cancelled, so I knuckle down to what is open. serious mistake to make a splinter- doing some work: writing up a few We get some lunch to bring home bid without four-card support for hands from South Africa and also this and then I was going to settle down partner’s suit. I would just have raised article. to a lot of ironing when I discover to 3♥, which would have let partner In the evening we have a Super that the ironing board is broken. We bid 3♠. I guess it’s a bit tricky now but League match online. I am playing order another one online but it means whatever happens partner is unlikely with David Burn. Although online I had to put it off (shame!). More TV to go past game. After the 4♣ shortage bridge is all we have just now, I think in the evening: past episodes of Silent showing bid, it just got out of hand. everyone prefers the at-the-table Witness that we have either forgotten version. or never seen. This is the last day for SUNDAY I go down in a vulnerable game restaurants etc – all will be closed by finessing into a doubleton queen. from now on. Mother’s Day. After lunch, Toby and I apologise and David says he is Briony come in the car and pick us surprised I got diamonds wrong after up and drive us to Windsor where my RHO discarded one. Did he? I SATURDAY we go for a walk along the river. It is never saw that! We lose, not by as I hang around doing not a lot until a beautiful day but it feels strange not much as we might have done, because lunchtime and then walk to Barry’s. to be able to go for a cup of tea in a on the last board our opponents bid a We play some bridge online against café. We buy drinks and ice creams poor slam that goes down. Somehow friends; the boards are fairly flat. Our in a corner store and sit on a bench it’s hard to care too much about the opponents get a bit overexcited on this watching the river. They drop us off at loss. This is a deal that causes problems deal: Barry’s and we have a salmon bake for for both North-South pairs:

Page 48 BRIDGE June 2020 ♠ A Q 10 5 Answers to Bernard Magee’s ♥ 5 ♦ A 7 3 2 Bidding Quizzes 10-12 ♣ 6 4 3 2 ♠ 9 8 7 6 2 ♠ K J ♥ K 4 3 N ♥ J 9 8 7 6 2 on page 7 ♦ 6 4 W E ♦ 10 8 S ♣ A 10 9 ♣ J 7 5 ♠ 4 3 ♥ A Q 10 ♦ K Q J 9 5 ♣ K Q 8 10. Dealer East. Game All. your transfer (often showing strength ♠ J 9 3 ♠ A 10 4 in diamonds). Now your partner can At our table South opens a strong no- ♥ K 8 7 6 5 N ♥ A 2 choose to pass – he should choose to W E ♦ ♦ trump, North tries Stayman and then A 2 S K J 7 4 pass when he has just two hearts – when has a problem after the ♦2 response. ♣ A 7 3 ♣ 9 8 6 2 he bids 2♥, you should assume he has a Not wanting to risk playing in no- three-card fit. trumps with the heart suit running Suddenly your hand is looking rosier against him, he tries a natural 3♦. West North East South – you have a heart fit and your singleton South bids 3♥ to show stoppers there 1NT Pass may well take care of North’s strong suit. and North bids 3NT. However, with a 2♦ 2♠ Pass Pass Inviting game looks the right thing to do: maximum and such a suitable hand for ? 3♥. slam, South goes on and they end up Your partner, with a maximum, can in 5♦. David chooses the unfortunate 2NT. You have shown your five hearts proceed to 4♥ and your diamond lead of the ♠8. Dummy’s ♠10 loses to and now have a decision to make. shortage does work in your favour – my ♠J and I exit with a club. However, Although you do not have a full spade partner’s strength is in the other suits so in the ending it is not hard for declarer stopper, bidding no-trumps looks right, with a reasonable trump break you can to drop my ♠K, given David’s choice since it describes your shape. With a make 4♥ comfortably. of lead. partial spade stopper, all your honours In the other room our team-mates isolated and a poor heart suit, I think run into similar problems and also bidding 2NT is your best shot – inviting 12. Dealer East. Love All. reach 5♦, but this time North is declarer game and leaving things up to your ♠ 6 ♠ A 9 8 5 partner. ♥ 9 8 7 6 5 3 N ♥ J 10 and East leads a trump. With no reason W E to do otherwise, our declarer fails to With no heart fit and just 12 points ♦ 5 4 S ♦ A 7 6 2 divine the spade position and goes himself he will leave 2NT in. ♣ 9 8 7 6 ♣ A 4 3 one down. It can be a difficult game! Interference can make things awkward for you, so all you can do is try your best to cope. West North East South WEDNESDAY 1NT Dbl High spot of the day is a couple of hours ? practice against Roy and Sabine – one 11. Dealer East. Game All. of the best mixed pairs in the world – ♠ 9 8 3 ♠ A K 6 4 2♥. When your opponents interfere N ♥ K Q 8 6 5 ♥ A 9 2 over 1NT your normal conventions are who are at home in Copenhagen. We W E connect via Skype too and it is good ♦ 2 S ♦ J 8 7 4 switched off. Many of you may have a fun to talk in between hands. In the ♣ K J 10 9 ♣ Q 6 type of wriggle that you play when you evening I have an online session with get doubled in 1NT. However, unless you Fiona under the watchful eye of our have agreed this with your partner, you coach David Burn. We have changed West North East South should assume you are playing natural the way we continue the auction after a 1NT Pass bids. You are keen to save your partner 2♣ response to one of a major. He tries 2♦ Dbl 2♥ Pass from 1NT doubled, so you bid 2♥, which to set up some practice hands for us, ? partner passes. but it doesn’t quite seem to work – lots If 2♥ gets doubled then you should of good hands but none featuring that 3♥. With just nine HCP, you would manage six tricks and -300 will be a part of the system. Heaven knows when probably have planned to simply transfer victory, since your opponents have a Fiona and I will get the chance to play and pass. comfortable game on. in an over-the-table event, but when As it happens, the auction takes 1NT doubled would not have been fun that day comes we will be ready. n an interesting turn. North doubles – just 3 tricks. n

BRIDGE June 2020 Page 49 A to Z of Bridge continued t ... Contined from page 46. honour cards. The quality of the body side. The term originates from the BLUE CLUB RESPONSES can influence significantly the value practice by declarer of placing the first A method of responding to a 2NT of the hand, particularly in judging six tricks won in a single pile, a ‘book’. enquiry following a weak-two opener whether to bid marginal games. in a major. The ‘Blue Club Responses’ BOTTOM (also known as ‘Ogust’ responses) are: BONUS A score of zero Matchpoints on a 3♣ Minimum opener; Different bonuses are available in all board in a duplicate event. poor quality suit types of bridge. 3♦ Minimum opener; BOXED good quality suit In Rubber Bridge the bonuses are: A hand or deck of cards counts as 3♥ Maximum opener; Vulnerable Grand Slam 1500 ‘boxed’ if at least one card is face up. poor quality suit Non-vulnerable Grand Slam 1000 It is usual to turn one card face up in 3♠ Maximum opener; Vulnerable Small Slam 750 undealt boards to signify those that good quality suit Non-vulnerable Small Slam 500 need shuffling. 3NT Solid suit headed by A-K-Q Rubber completed in two games 700 Rubber completed in three games 500 BREAK For a suit to count as good it normally One game 1. The distribution of the outstanding needs two of the top three honours in an incomplete rubber 300 cards in a suit between the unseen or perhaps K-J-10-9-x-x. Minimum Partscore in an incomplete rubber 100 hands, for example ‘trumps might and maximum will depend upon the Successful doubled contract 50 break 4-1’. Also used colloquially to range of the weak two. If that is 5-9, Successful redoubled contract 100 describe a favourable break (e.g. 3-3), minimum will be 5-7 and maximum Five trump honours in one hand 150 or a nearly even break when an odd a good 7-9. Four trump honours in one hand 100 number of cards is missing (e.g. 3-2). Four aces For example: ‘If the clubs break...’ BLUE TEAM in one hand at no trumps 150 2. To defeat (set) a contract. The name given to the enormously 3 . To break a new suit is to open it successful international Italian team, In normal Chicago the bonuses are: up, i.e. make the first lead of the suit. so-called after their triumph over the Vulnerable Grand Slam 1500 Red team in the 1956 Italian trials. Non-vulnerable Grand Slam 1000 BREAKING A TRANSFER From 1957 until 1975 the Blue Team Vulnerable Small Slam 750 If partner makes a transfer bid (e.g. 2♦ won every Bermuda Bowl World Non-vulnerable Small Slam 500 in response to 1NT, showing hearts) Championship it contested (it did not Vulnerable game 500 and you do not make the anticipated participate in 1970/71) and the 1964, Non-vulnerable game 300 bid of partner’s suit at the minimum 1968 and 1972 Olympiads. Partscore bid and made level (e.g. you bid 3♥ rather than the The three best-known players in on last hand 100 expected 2♥), you are breaking the this period were Giorgio Belladonna, Successful doubled contract 50 transfer. To justify such an action, you Pietro Forquet and Benito Garozzo. Successful redoubled contract 100 usually need a very good hand in the The team divided into two schools of Five trump honours in one hand 150 context of your previous bidding, for thought over bidding, which led to the Four trump honours in one hand 100 example, maximum HCP for your development of the Neapolitan Club Four aces opening, four-card support for partner (forerunner of the Blue Club) and the in one hand at no trumps 150 and a ruffing value. If 1NT was 12-14, . you might hold: In Duplicate or in Chicago with BOARD duplicate scoring the bonuses are: 1 A plastic or wooden device used in Vulnerable Grand Slam 1500 ♠ K 4 duplicate bridge (showing the hand Non-vulnerable Grand Slam 1000 ♥ A 10 8 3 number, dealer, vulnerability and Vulnerable Small Slam 750 ♦ A Q J 4 compass points) with four slots to Non-vulnerable Small Slam 500 ♣ 8 6 3 house the hands and another for Vulnerable game 500 the travelling scoresheet. Leather Non-vulnerable game 300 or plastic wallets serve the same Partscore 50 BRIDGE purpose. Successful doubled contract 50 A partnership game derived from 2 The dummy (when it is on the table). Successful redoubled contract 100 Whist. The term used to refer to three games; Bridge Whist, Auction BODY BOOK Bridge and Contract Bridge. The That part of the hand excluding the The first six tricks won by the declaring first recorded mention of a game like

Page 50 BRIDGE June 2020 Bridge was in a pamphlet published BROKEN SEQUENCE deal East’s hon­ours are busy cards in 1886 about the game Biritch or A sequence of honour cards (but while the three low hearts are idle on Russian Whist. There is little evidence including the 9) with one of the middle this trick. to suggest that the game did originate cards missing, for example K-J-10-9 or in Russia, although it does bear a close A-Q-J. The standard lead from such a resemblance to Vint, which is a game holding is the highest touching card, ♠ A J of Russian origin. The name Bridge is the jack and queen respectively. ♥ A K Q 9 simply a corruption of ‘Biritch’. Due to ♦ 6 the dominance of Contract Bridge, the BUENOS AIRES AFFAIR ♣ Void term is nowadays synonymous with This refers to the 1965 Bermuda Bowl ♠ K Q N ♥ J 10 7 4 2 Contract Bridge. There are several World Championship when there was W E variations of Contract Bridge including an accusation that the British pair, S ♦ Void Rubber Bridge, Chicago Bridge (four- Terence Reese and , ♣ Void deal bridge) and Duplicate Bridge cheated by transmitting information (Pairs, Teams or Individuals). regarding the length of their heart suits by finger signals. BUTCHER BRIDGERAMA Although at the time the World Slang term meaning to misplay, Old method of displaying bridge to Bridge Federation executive especially to misplay very badly. an audience. First used in the 1958 committee found Reese and Schapiro ‘Carve’ and ‘Misere’ are similar terms. World Championship but, due to the guilty, a subsequent thorough requirement for a great number of independent enquiry headed by Sir BUTLER METHOD operators, has replaced it John Foster QC and General Lord A way to score pairs’ events in IMPs. since the 1970s. Bourne found that the charges were You start by averaging the scores unfounded. Arguments for both sides for each board to produce a datum, BRING IN can be read in the books The Story of ignoring the top and bottom scores. To ‘bring in’ a suit for three tricks an Accusation by Terence Reese and You then compare each pair’s score means to make three tricks in that The Great Bridge Scandal by Alan with the datum and convert it to IMPs. suit. Truscott. For example, if the remaining North- South scores are +600, +600, +600 and BURN’S FIRST LAW -200, the datum is +400. The three Body responsible until 2000 for It pays to have more trumps than your pairs with +600 have done 200 better representing Britain in international opponents when declaring a contract. than the datum and score 5 IMPs each. bridge matters including the Reference to this usually occurs when The pair with -200 has fared 600 worse selection of British teams. Formed by discussing a disastrous auction. than the datum and scores -12 IMPs. Alfred Manning-Foster in 1931, its constituents were the English Bridge BUSINESS DOUBLE BUY Union, the Scottish Bridge Union, the A double indicating that you think the In a competitive auction, a player or Welsh Bridge Union and the Northern opponents will fail in their contract, partnership buys the contract if the Ireland Bridge Union. synonymous with the term penalty opponents do not compete further. double. BYE-LAWS Body responsible since 2000 for BUST Rules determined by the national helping to fund international bridge A seemingly useless hand. organisations governing their representation for England, Northern membership. Ireland, Scotland and Wales. It BUSY CARD organises simultaneous pairs’ events A card that has some definite purpose BYZANTINE as well as the and the home in the play of a hand, as opposed to an A very complicated and nowadays international series. idle card that has no clear purpose. very rare form of Blackwood. Nearly Discarding a busy card can be costly. all expert partnerships now use BRIDGEMATE The term refers to an important card Roman Keycard Blackwood rather A device to facilitate rapid computer in a squeeze position. In the following than Byzantine. n scoring of a duplicate session. Players enter scores not on a travelling Bernard Magee Bridge scoresheet but into the Bridgemate device. This transmits the score to Live Seminars on YouTube the scorer’s computer. Results become Mondays, Wednesdays available instantaneously once all scores are complete. & Fridays at 11am

BRIDGE June 2020 Page 51 BERNARD MAGEE’S TUTORIAL CD-ROMs

ACOL BIDDING ADVANCED DEFENCE l Opening Bids and ACOL BIDDING l Lead vs No-trump Responses l Basics Contracts l Slams and Strong l Advanced Basics l Lead vs Suit Contracts Openings l Weak Twos l Partner of Leader vs l £96 Support for Partner l Strong Hands No-trump Contracts l Pre-empting l Defence to Weak Twos l Partner of Leader vs l £66 Suit Contracts Overcalls l Defence to 1NT l l Count Signals No-trump Openings l Doubles £76 and Responses l Attitude Signals l Two-suited Overcalls l Opener’s and l Discarding Responder’s Rebids l Defences to Other Systems l Defensive Plan l Minors and Misfits l Misfits and l Stopping Declarer l Doubles Distributional Hands l Counting the Hand l Competitive Auctions

Operating system requirements: Operating system requirements: Operating system requirements: Windows or Mac OS 10.08 -10.14 Windows only Windows or Mac OS 10.08 -10.14

DECLARER PLAY ADVANCED FIVE-CARD MAJORS l Suit Establishment in DECLARER PLAY & Strong No-Trump No-trumps l Overtricks in l Opening Bids & l Suit Establishment No-trumps £81 Responses in Suits l Overtricks in l No-Trump Openings l Hold-ups Suit Contracts l Support for Partner l Ruffing for Extra Tricks l Endplays l Slams & Strong l Entries in No-trumps l Avoidance Openings l Delaying Drawing l Wrong Contract l Rebids £89 Trumps l Simple Squeezes l Minors & Misfits l Using the Lead l Counting the Hand l Pre-empting l Trump Control l Trump Trouble l Doubles l Endplays £76 l Doubled Contracts l Overcalls & Avoidance l Safety Plays l Competitive Auctions l Using the Bidding Operating system requirements: Operating system requirements: Operating system requirements: Windows or Mac OS 10.08 -10.14 Windows or Mac OS 10.08 -10.14 Windows only ( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop