2013 BRIDGE EVENTS with Bernard Magee

Number One Hundred and Twenty-Two February 2013 BRIDGE2013 BRIDGE EVENTS with Bernard Magee APRIL continued October 2013 12-14 Chatsworth 25-27 Queensferry Hotel Hotel £245 Declarer Play £245 Finding 19-21 Inn Slams on the Prom NOVEMber 2013 £245 Thinking 18-20 Olde Barn Chatsworth Hotel Defence Cheltenham Regency Hotel Worthing BN11 3DU Cheltenham GL51 0ST Hotel £245 Better Leads MARCH 2013 October 2013 & Switches 22-24 Queensferry 11-13 Blunsdon Hotel House Hotel £245 Leads and £245 Splinters and Defence Cue Bids APRIL 2013 18-20 Chatsworth 5-7 Blunsdon Hotel The Olde Barn Hotel £245 Playing & House Hotel Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT £245 Losing Trick Defending 1NT Blunsdon House Hotel Count JULY 2013 Swindon SN26 7AS 5-7 Blunsdon House Hotel Full Board. £245 Signals No Single and Supplement. Discards 12-14 Cheltenham See booking Regency form on Inn on the Prom £245 Thinking Queensferry Hotel St Annes-on-Sea FY8 1LU Defence North Queensferry KY11 1HP page 9. BERNARD MAGEE’S QPLUS 10 Really INTERACTIVE TUTORIALS user-friendly bridge-playing ACOL MORE DECLARER software BIDDING (ADVANCED) PLAY ACOL BIDDING l QPLUS 11 sent l Opening Bids and l Suit Establishment when ready Responses l Basics in No-trumps l QPLUS can be l Slams and Strong l Advanced Basics l Suit Establishment passed on to a friend Openings in Suits l Weak Twos l Updated l Support for Partner l Hold-ups comprehensive l Strong Hands l Pre-empting l Ruffing for manual l Defence Extra Tricks l Displays on £92 l Overcalls to Weak Twos HD screen l Entries in l No-trump £66 l Defence to 1NT No-trumps £76 l Supports large Openings l Doubles screens and Responses l Delaying l Minibridge option l Two-suited Drawing Trumps l Opener’s and £96 Overcalls l Extra 500 preplayed Responder’s Rebids l Using the Lead hands for teams l Defences to making 5,000 in all l Minors and Misfits l Trump Control Other Systems l Extra 500 preplayed l Doubles l Endplays & hands for match- l Misfits and Avoidance point pairs making l Competitive Distributional 4,000 in all Auctions Hands l Using the Bidding l Improvement over two years from version 9 ADVANCED DEFENCE FIVE-CARD l New save match DECLARER PLAY MAJORS & function l Lead vs Strong No-Trump l Making Overtricks l Save deals with No-trump Contracts automatic file in No-trumps l Opening Bids l Lead vs & Responses labelling l Making Overtricks Suit Contracts l Closed room – new in Suit Contracts l No-Trump l Partner of Leader button to view Openings l Endplays vs No-trump other table Contracts l Support £89 l Avoidance for Partner QPLUS l Partner of Leader l Wrong £81 vs Suit Contracts l Slams TRADE-IN Contract & Strong Openings l Count OFFER l Simple Signals l Rebids Return any QPLUS Squeezes CD and booklet with l Attitude l Minors l Counting £76 a cheque for £43 and Signals & Misfits the Hand receive QPLUS 10 l Discarding l Pre-empting with the promise l Trump Reductions of QPLUS 11 when & Coups l Defensive Plan l Doubles ready later this year l Playing Doubled l Overcalls for no extra charge. l Stopping Declarer Contracts Order with absolute l Counting l Competitive confidence. l Safety Plays the Hand Auctions

Make your cheque payable to Mr Bridge and send to: Mr Bridge , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH ( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop Fax 01483 797302

System Requirements: Windows XP, Vista or 7, 8mb RAM, CD-ROM FEATURES 4 Denham Grove May Event 2013 5 Mr Bridge Better Hand 5 Bridge Events at: BRIDGE 11 Dave Huggett Says The Inn on the Prom Evaluation Ryden Grange, Knaphill, If the Contract Looks Surrey GU21 2TH Safe, Look for a Snag 6 Cruise from India Bernard Magee to Luxor with Introduction ( 01483 489961 13 Andrew Kambites Says Voyages to Antiquity e-mail: Raise to Two Better Hand Evaluation is with Three Trumps 7 Charity Events aimed at helping readers to [email protected] add greater accuracy to their website: 15 Bernard Magee Says 8 Bernard Magee at bidding. It deals with auctions Throw a Loser on a Loser Haslemere 2011/2012 in which you and your partner, www.mrbridge.co.uk against silent opponents, can describe your hands fully to 18 Freddie North Says KISS 9 Mail Order Form Publisher and each other and, by evaluating them accurately, find the best Managing Editor 19 Mike Wenble Says 9 Bridge Event final contract. The emphasis of Mr Bridge Lead Towards Strength Booking Form all good, accurate bidding is on hand evaluation. Bridge Consultant 22 David Gold Says 10 Bridge Events at: Blunsdon House Hotel There are two general types of Bernard Magee Seven-Card Suits auction: a) a fit is found and b) Should be Trumps The Olde Barn Hotel no fit is found. Queensferry Hotel Technical Consultant When you do not have a fit, 23 Readers’ Letters Chatsworth House Tony Gordon you are aiming to describe the strength of your hand as soon 25 Prize Quiz Winners Typesetting & Design 12 Bridge Events at: as possible, most often using Ardington Hotel no-trump bids. This book be- Ruth Edmondson 25 Our Party Night Elstead Hotel gins by discussing balanced by Colin Payne Staverton Park hand bidding in Acol, as it Proof Readers Denham Grove is very important that both Tony & Jan Richards 26 Riviera Regicide members of a partnership by Dick Atkinson have an accurate knowledge of Catrina Shackleton 14 Mr Bridge how to show hands of different Just Duplicate Events Richard Wheen 30 Julian Pottage Says strengths. Hugh Williams If in Doubt, Get Them 14 Rubber / Chicago When a fit is found, there is much re-evaluation of the Out – Draw Trumps Bridge Events Office Manager hand to be done; point count, 31 Heather Dhondy Says though still important, needs Rachel Everett 16 Voyages of Discovery to be evaluated together with Third Hand Plays High Voyager 2013 Cruises distribution. The best way of Events & Cruises reaching an accurate assess ( 01483 489961 20 Voyages to Antiquity ment is to use the Losing Trick ADVERTISEMENTS Spring 2013 Cruises Count; this is an important Rosie Baker method of hand evaluation and Jessica Galt 1 Bridge Events with 24 Stamps takes up a number of chapters. Megan Riccio Bernard Magee Finally, we move on to different 27 Bridge Events at: forms of evaluation including Sophie Pierrepont 2 Tutorial Software Cheltenham game tries and splinter bids. and QPlus Regency Hotel You can never know enough Clubs & Charities methods of hand evaluation; Maggie Axtell 3 Tunisia 2013 28 Global Travel Insurance the more you learn, the better you get at judging your hand. [email protected] 3 Bernard Magee’s 32 Asia to Egypt with Although the Losing Trick Address Changes Hand Evaluation Voyages to Antiquity Count is used more easily in tandem with your partner, a Elizabeth Bryan large proportion of the ideas in this book can be used by an ( 01483 485342 individual. For example, eval- Mr Bridge AT THE ROYAL KENZ TUNISIA [email protected] uating your hand to be worth Two-week half-board duplicate bridge holidays an extra point is going to help anyone you partner – as long All correspondence should 3-17 November 2013 as you get it right. be addressed to Mr Bridge. Golf available Please make sure that all Tony and Jan Richards £14 including postage letters, e-mails and faxes from £769 See Mail Order Form carry full postal addresses on page 9. and telephone numbers. For Information Pack ( 01483 489961

Page 3 BERNARD MAGEE at Denham Grove near Uxbridge, Bucks, UB9 5DG.

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 14 May 15 May 16 May From 9.30 am From 9.30 am From 9.30 am Check in Check in Check in Tea, Coffee & Biscuits Tea, Coffee & Biscuits Tea, Coffee & Biscuits 10.30 am – 12 noon 10.30 am – 12 noon 10.30 am – 12 noon Thinking Defence Splinters & Cue Bids Hand Evaluation (without a fit) 12 noon – 2.30 pm 12 noon – 2.30 pm Supervised Play1 Supervised Play1 12 noon – 2.30 pm 3-Course Buffet Lunch 3-Course Buffet Lunch Supervised Play1 3-Course Buffet Lunch 3 pm – 4.30 pm 3 pm – 4.30 pm Pre-emptive Play & Defence 3 pm – 4.30 pm Bidding at Duplicate Pairs Avoidance Play 4.30 pm – 7 pm 4.30 pm – 7 pm 4.30 pm – 7 pm Supervised Play1 Supervised Play1 Supervised Play1 Tea, Coffee & Biscuits Tea, Coffee & Biscuits Tea, Coffee & Biscuits Day guests may stay until 7pm. Day guests may stay until 7pm. Day guests may stay until 7pm.

£100 per day2. £270 for all three days3. A limited number of bedrooms are available: Dinner, bed and breakfast: £90 per person, per night. Contact Mr Bridge to book your place or for further details: ( 01483 489961 These seminars are to be filmed. When ready, a full boxed set of DVDs will be sent.

1 2 3 Not with Bernard Magee. IncludesPage 4 buffet lunch. Day guests only. DREAMS suitability as a presenter. advertising and promotion filming or developing the The rest is history. these last three years has North American market or stimulated changes in the the bridge on board service, For this year, I have quality of adverts over there there is a limit to the relocated to Denham but bridge is dying out amount that I can Grove, an altogether more faster than in the UK. And reasonably afford as a skier, audience convenient yes, it is dying and the (someone who spends the location but kept to the market shrinking. Down kids inheritance). I am past dates that were advertised from 1,850,000 players in that, so if this doesn’t work, for Haslemere. I profusely 1987 when I started to I shall have to assume that apologise for any below 300,000 last year. it is just not wanted. inconvenience that these changes may have caused. I Three years ago I decided have also taken on board MORE DREAMS QPLUS NEWS that the way forward was to several of the suggestions as Hopefully, Voyager with QPlus 11 is in the course of commission a series you will see from the some modifications will be preparation and will tutorial films covering adjacent advertisement. a ship with a bridge party incorporate all the every aspect of the game. Come along and meet on board on every cruise, improvements of the past These were to be scripted by Bernard and be filmed. but this can only happen if three years. It should be Bernard Magee and Everyone booking will be bridge players tell the ship ready in the early Autumn. delivered by a suitable sent a boxed set of this that is what they would Buy version 10 now for £92 presenter. I found the only year’s six DVDs when like. I think this dream, and I will send you version way I could make this ready later in the year. which more or less worked 11 when it is ready (you happen was to re-invent on mv Discovery for eight may keep version 10 to give myself, this time as an years, is fading as the to a friend). For regular executive producer. This is FADED DREAMS number of players in the followers of this column, film industry jargon for the ‘pool’ dwindles. here are a few hands, for man who finds the money. In addition to my DVD you to look at: Several personalities were project, I also hoped to develop North America as ANOTHER DREAM considered but this would 2941/02 – 1978/13 cost and as readers must an extra market. After all, they soughta speak the A national chain of bridge 4616/06 – 6529/11 know, Bernard Magee lives centres is an obvious 6656/01 – 302/09 and breathes his scripts, so same language. However, after three years, I have constituent of any when by chance the promoters’ wish list. It’s a organisers of Haslemere closed it down, cancelled BETTER BRIDGE the adverts and given up. matter of getting the Festival suggested to me prototype right and then The first CD with six that they would like to have Part of the problem is that rolling it out. This is more chapters, each with twenty some bridge content as part they kept things to difficult in a shrinking hands and matching the six of their happenings, we themselves and are not at market place. subjects covered by the thought we would try some all outward looking. DVDs at the 2011 scripts out in 2011. Over there, if repeat buyers AND ANOTHER Haslemere Festival is now I contacted TV director, are quizzed about Bernard on sale. Bernard Magee at Hugh Dehn, who had It is obvious that my Magee software, they wax his very best. An ideal gift recently completed a bridge enthusiasm for promoting poetic about it, but don’t at any time. series for Sky Arts Two, Just Duplicate Bridge want to tell their friends. It Celebrity Bridge, so I knew Events is yet another of my is their secret weapon and RECORDED his work would be up to my dreams. I am giving it one fountain of knowledge. required standard. It was more try at making these Please note that all calls to just a matter of Bernard’s At least my back cover work but like the cost of my office are recorded.

The Inn on the Prom Bridge Events 2013

19-21 April Bernard Magee Thinking Defence £245

12-14 July Gwen Beattie Just Duplicate Bridge £169

16-18 August Gwen Beattie Just Duplicate Bridge £169

Full Board – No Single Supplement. Booking Form on page 9. St Annes-on-Sea FY8 1LU

Page 5 1394 MR BRIDGE November cover_Layout 1 08/10/2012 19:26 Page 3

CRUISE ACROSS CONTINENTS INDIA, OMAN & THE TREASURES OF EGYPT

SPECIAL MR BRIDGE FARES Combine the mysteries of India and the ancient lands of the Pharaohs in one spectacular voyage! Luxor Safaga Mumbai was made the headquarters of the British East India Company in EGYPT Muscat Porbandar 1687 but it was the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 that transformed Red Oman INDIA the city – then known as Bombay – into one of the world’s great trading Sea Salalah Mumbai centres. Your journey begins here with an overnight hotel stay and a tour of all the main sights including Mani Bhavan, a museum that was once the Arabian residence of Mahatma Gandhi, the Victorian architectural monuments of Sea the British Empire, the Prince of Wales Museum and the Gateway of India. MARCH 20, 2013 – 16 days from £1,695 Cruise in comfort, relax in style DATE PORT ARRIVE DEPART Board the elegant Aegean Odyssey and sail for MAR 20 Depart UK Porbandar, birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, and the MAR 21 port of Muscat in Oman to visit the Sultan's Palace Arrive MUMBAI India overnight hotel MAR 22 MUMBAI India and the famous twin forts. Continue to Salalah, Embark Aegean Odyssey 5.00pm famous for the production of frankincense before MAR 23 PORBANDAR India 7.00pm relaxing at sea as the ship makes its way to Egypt. MAR 24 At Sea After arriving at Safaga you travel to Luxor and visit two truly breathtaking MAR 25-26 MUSCAT Oman 2.00pm 2.00pm sites: the vast temple complex of Karnak and the subterranean marvels MAR 27 At Sea of the necropolis in the Valley of the Kings, a spectacular finale to this MAR 28 SALALAH Oman 2.00pm 8.00pm memorable journey. MAR 29 - APR 2 Cruising the Gulf of Arabia & Red Sea FARES INCLUDE: APR 3 SAFAGA/LUXOR Egypt overnight hotel SIGHTSEEING EXCURSIONS AT ALL PORTS Disembark and drive to Luxor APR 4 LUXOR Egypt EXPERT LECTURE PROGRAMME Transfer to Luxor Airport for flight home WINE WITH DINNER & GRATUITIES ON BOARD ACCOMPANIED BY MR BRIDGE HOST EXCLUSIVE MR BRIDGE COCKTAIL PARTY SCHEDULED AIR & TRANSFERS MR BRIDGE FARES* PLUS MR BRIDGE SPECIAL FARES Standard Inside £1,695pp Superior Outside from £2,150pp Superior Inside from £1,795pp Deluxe Outside from £2,450pp CALL ON 01483 489 961 Standard Outside £1,995pp Deluxe Balcony from £2,795pp SINGLE SUPPLEMENT ONLY £100

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY * Prices shown are per person, double occupancy and include MR BRIDGE SPECIAL SAVINGS. This offer is subject to availability, is capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time. ADD INDIA’S GOLDEN TRIANGLE BRIDGE PLAYERS: The bridge programme is completely optional and Mr Bridge passengers can Enhance your voyage with the classical sights of participate as much, or as little as they wish. There is a supplement of £100 for those wishing Delhi, Agra and Jaipur at the begining of your to participate in the duplicate bridge programme. voyage. Known as India’s “Golden Triangle”, Singles are made especially welcome and a playing partner will always be found. this 4-night land tour is an opportunity not to be missed! Please ask for details.

10093 VOYAGES TOANTIQUITY www.voyagestoantiquity.com ABTA No.Y2206 METAMORPHOSIS Indeed, she included a LITTLE VOICE photo of herself, playing CHARITY As you can gather this bridge at her home in The offer of second hand publication is in a state of Dalkey, near Dublin and copies of QPlus has raised BRIDGE flux. Lurching and she scribbled on the back £4,517 for Little Voice since searching, looking for that the bottle of red wine it was announced. This is in EVENTS advertisers and sponsors. had contributed to the bad addition to the £2,000 or so MARCH 2013 Anything that will keep it bridge, but it was great fun. regularly coming in from free of charge. the sale of used stamps. 8 Garden House Hospice Thank you. Letchworth Howard Rotary Support at the moment is CLUB INSURANCE Club. The Settlement, thin on the ground. It is all Charity organisers who Letchworth G. C. the more disheartening Moore Stephens offer a club would like some of the 1.30 for 2.00. £7.50pp inc that, on my travels insurance package to cover remaining stock of second- afternoon tea and prizes. Alan Fraser celebrating my 25 years as clubs and more particularly hand software to sell at their committee members ( 01462 685448 Mr Bridge, so few had their event in support of alanf booked or registered to be for all the obvious risks. their charity should write @letchworthrotary.org.uk £60 for a club of 100 part of the bridge party, just in. This is an excellent way 12 ST NEOTS BOWLING CLUB taking the on board Mr members... and most of increasing the sum total (ARC). St Neots, Cambs. Bridge service for granted. importantly, it covers the raised, without too much 10.00 for 10.30am. £14.00. unforeseen. extra work. Another job for John Shaw If my advertisers or ( 01480 475454 I receive at least one letter a committee member. sponsors aren’t told, they 13 ROTARY CLUB OF won’t know and if they a month telling me that I Amazing what can be WIMBORNE, Allendale don’t know, they won’t am scare-mongering, raised from unwanted Community Centre, want to know. Minerva has trying to drum up business, paper and software. Wimborne. £28 per table, but it is the risks that aren’t inc. high tea & prizes. no organised bridge on Don Phillips board now, but thirty-five obvious that are the CHARITY ( 01202 891801 problem and need to be passengers presented 14 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE covered by insurance. Ring It always surprises me that themselves to play on this charity promoters of bridge ROTARY CLUB week’s cruise only to be Moore Stephens on Outlane Golf Club. ( sessions, to raise funds for 12 for 12.30. £44 per table. given cards, bidding boxes 0207 515 5270. their good causes, do not Brian Noble and score pads and told to use these pages more to ( 01484 427356 organise it for themselves. GOFFIES STAMPS advertise their events, along APRIL 2013 the lines of the adjacent MAEVE BINCHY 10 RNLI column. After all, the space Charity bridge match. I was saddened to learn of is given for no charge. All I The Institute, Leatherhead. the death of Maeve Binchy ask is that the relevant Tickets £30 a table. Ann Chapman last year and did promise to dates and information is ( 01372 720020 tell readers about how she provided well in advance. It peter.chapman has helped to quietly These days, I occasionally is also surprising that so @btinternet.com promote the game. get to see the post before it few ask for prizes. When 19 MS THERAPY CENTRE is sorted and opened. bothering to raise funds, Village Hall, Hemingford I wrote to her in 1989, when When I do, I have noticed perhaps the organisers Abbots. 10.00 for 10.30am. I launched my first Tickets £14.00. an increasing number of should have one of the magazine, Bridge Plus. She Jenny Lea letters that have multiple committee put in charge of offered to contribute, ‘a ( 01480 455810 stamps on their covers. This collecting prizes. We never diary of a bad bridge MAY 2013 I put down to my refuse to provide support player,’ but bad bridge is promotion of Clive Goff for any good cause. So 9 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE even more technically ROTARY CLUB and his discounted stamps. charity organisers and difficult to write about than Outlane Golf Club. His support for this promoters, let’s be hearing 12 for 12.30. £44 per table. more usual headings and publication has been long, from you. Brian Noble nothing came of it. She also lasting and constant. ( 01484 427356 promised to write kindly CHALLENGE CUP 15 CHILDRENS CHARITIES about bridge in all her Value supplied in two Doddington Village Hall, forthcoming novels and stamps combined to make This year’s heat is to be held March. £14. 10 for 10.30am. this she faithfully did. She up the 50p 2nd class rate, on Thursday March 7 in Val Topliss also boosted my spirits, 2nd class to you, 41p. 1st support of The Prostate ( 01354 653696 sending me hand-written class 60p, only 50p to you. Cancer Charity. To hold a postcards with helpful Available in lots of 100. heat, ring Anna Gudge on E-mail your charity events: [email protected] suggestions whenever I sent ( 0208 422 4906 ( 01787 881920 or email her a copy of BRIDGE. [email protected] her on [email protected]

Page 7 SPRING CLEAN great help. Far better than any book, believe me. Once more I am re- Bernard Magee stocking my bridge venues MAC CONVERTER Filmed Live at with new equipment. I will be selling the old boards I am looking into putting Haslemere Festival and bidding boxes at together an offer for the knock-down prices. This is Bernard Magee tutorial ideal for those wanting to software to include a 1. Ruffing for extra tricks (2011) start a new club. However, I This seminar deals with declarer’s use of ruffing to generate extra Windows converter as part tricks and then looks at how the defenders might counteract this. am not packing it up. It will of the deal. Those interested be sold to visitors who please call. 2. COMPETITIVE AUCTIONS (2011) come by appointment. This seminar focuses on competitive auctions from the perspective ( 01483 489961. of the overcalling side to start with and then from the perspective of NEW WRITERS the opening side in the second part. HELP WANTED Just as I need new hosts, 3. MAKING THE MOST OF HIGH CARDS (2011) lecturers and helpers, I also This seminar helps declarer use his high cards more carefully and I am seeking to enlarge my need new ideas and then looks at how defenders should care for their precious high cards. team of hosts, helpers and columnists for BRIDGE. 4. Identifying & BIDDING SLAMS (2011) lecturers. In the first Let me have a sample in The first half of this seminar is about identifying when a slam might instance please write in complete confidence and be on – one of the hardest topics to teach, because as soon as you with your bridge CV plus a announce the topic everybody is looking for slams. The second half don’t be shy or backward in covers some of the techniques used to bid slams. little detail of any earlier coming forward. career. I warn applicants 5. PLAY & DEFENCE OF 1NT CONTRACTS (2011) that they will initially be This seminar looks at the most common and yet most feared of BERNARD’S interviewed over the contracts: 1NT. The first half looks at declaring the contract and the CRUISES second part puts us in the defenders’ seats.. telephone and having a working knowledge of what Bernard Magee is hosting 6. DOUBLING & DEFENCE I am trying to achieve will AGAINST DOUBLED CONTRACTS (2011) three cruises on board mv The first half of this seminar explores penalty doubles and the put you in a good light. I Voyager in the coming year. second half discusses the defence against doubled contracts. might suggest you look at Details on page 16. recent issues of BRIDGE 7. Leads (2012) and read my pages at the Bernard takes you through all the basic leads and the importance DISAPPOINTMENT of your choice of lead. If you start to think not just about your hand, front of every issue. Just but about your partner’s too, then you will get much better results. being helpful. My widely advertised cruise of the year has to go 8. Losing Trick Count (2012) A method of hand evaluation for when you find a fit. Bernard deals VALENTINE without us as my wife’s with the basics of the losing trick count then looks at advanced knee has suddenly become methods to hone your bidding. more of a problem. Indeed, a hospital slot has been 9. Making a Plan as Declarer (2012) Bernard explains how to make a plan then expands on how to make found for an operation in the most of your long suits. The first half deals with no-trumps, the early March and we must second with suit contracts. put first things first. 10. Responding to 1NT (2012) Now, shock horror, she has This seminar deals with Transfers and Stayman in detail. The 1NT been admitted to hospital opening comes up frequently, so having a good, accurate system of Just a quick tip I have been with severe pneumonia and responses is paramount. meaning to pass onto pleurisy, where she has 11. Signals AND Discards (2012) readers. If you are in need been for just over a week. This seminar deals with Count, Attitude and Suit-preference signals: of a St Valentine’s Day card, aiming to get you working as a partnership in defence.. take the Ace of Hearts from FINALLY 12. Endplays (2012) an old pack and adapt it. Bernard takes you through the basics of the technique before Useful for birthdays too. If you hear from your showing some magical hands where you take extra tricks from friends that they aren’t defenders. In the second half, Bernard looks at how to avoid being receiving BRIDGE. Please endplayed as a defender. FILM BENEFITS tell them they have been Watching and re-watching presumed dead and deleted DVDs Each £25. Bernard Magee’s films has from the database. got me interested in trying Boxed Sets of 6 (2011 or 2012) £100. to learn to play bridge All good wishes. See Mail Order Form on page 9. properly. It’s the over and over again bit that is such a Mr Bridge

Page 8 ✄ ✄ Mr Bridge MAIL ORDER PLAY SOFTWARE TUTORIAL DVDs BRIDGE QPlus 10 / QPlus 11 Haslemere 2011 – £25 each when ready £92.00 ...... Ruffing for QPlus 10 Extra Tricks ...... BREAKS Trade-in £43.00 ...... Competitive Auctions ...... QPlus 9, clean, Making the ♦ Full-board ♦ Two seminars* second-hand £49.00 ...... Most of High Cards ...... ♦ All rooms with ♦ Two supervised Identifying & TUTORIAL SOFTWARE Bidding Slams ...... en-suite facilities play sessions* Begin Bridge Play & Defence of ♦ No single supplement ♦ Four bridge sessions** Acol Version £66.00 ...... 1NT Contracts ...... Acol Bidding £66.00 ...... Doubling & Defence Please book ..... places for me at £...... per person, Advanced to Doubled Contracts ...... Acol Bidding £96.00 ...... All 6 DVDs Single .... Double .... Twin .... Declarer Play £76.00 as a boxed set £100.00 ...... Advanced Haslemere 2012 – £25 each Name of Hotel/Centre...... Declarer Play £81.00 Leads ...... Date(s) ...... Defence £76.00 ...... Losing Trick Count ...... Five-Card Majors with Strong Making a Plan Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... No-Trump £89.00 ...... as Declarer ...... Better Bridge with Responding to 1NT ...... Address...... Bernard Magee Haslemere 2011 £69.00 ...... Signals & Discards ...... Better Bridge with Bernard Endplays ...... Magee Haslemere 2012 All 6 DVDs Postcode ...... in course of preparation as a boxed set £100.00 ...... ( ...... BOOKS MR BRIDGE TIE £15.00 ...... Duplicate Bridge Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, Rules Simplified £5.95 ...... but we will do our best to oblige). Books – £14.00 each BRIDGE PLAYERS’ DIARIES 2013 Better Hand Evaluation ...... Bernard Magee’s Bridge Standard – £6.95 Quiz Book ...... Red ..... Navy ..... Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking. Bernard Magee’s Quiz and Luxury Kidrell Covers Puzzle Book ...... & ball-point pen – £14.95 ...... Tips for Better Bridge ...... Green ..... Navy Blue ..... Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice for the balance will be sent with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, Prices are inclusive of VAT and postage to UK mainland. 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. Should you I enclose a cheque for £...... require insurance, you should contact your own insurance broker. Mr/Mrs/Miss ......

Address......

......

Postcode...... ( ......

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

Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH.

Expiry: ...... CVV ...... Issue No...... ( 01483 489961 (CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip) e-mail: [email protected] Make your cheque payable to Mr Bridge and send to: Mr Bridge, website: www.holidaybridge.com Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH *on tutorial weekends only. **6 sessions on rubber/Chicago events. ( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop Please note: Just Bridge events contain no seminars and do not award prizes. ✄ ✄

Page 9 Queensferry Hotel Blunsdon House Hotel North Queensferry KY11 1HP Swindon SN26 7AS

BRIDGE EVENTS 2013 1-3 Mar Just Bridge £199 5-7 Apr Bernard Magee Losing £245 BRIDGE EVENTS 2013 Trick Count with Bernard Magee 12-14 Apr Diana Holland Rubber/Chicago £199 5-7 July Bernard Magee Signals & Discards £245 22-24 March Leads & Defence £245 11-13 Oct Bernard Magee Splinters £245 & Cue Bids 25-27 October Finding Slams £245 8-10 Nov Stan Powell Doubles £215 22-24 Nov Bernard Magee Better Defence £245 Full Board – No Single Supplement Full Board – No Single Supplement Booking Form on page 9. Booking Form on page 9.

Chatsworth Hotel The Olde Barn Hotel Worthing BN11 3DU Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT

BRIDGE EVENTS 2013 22-24 February Just Bridge £169 15-17 March Just Bridge £169 26-28 April Splinters & Cue Bids £179 17-19 May Just Bridge £169 31 May – 2 June Just Bridge £169 7-9 June End Play & Avoidance £179 21-23 June Just Bridge £169 19-21 July Just Bridge £169 BRIDGE EVENTS 2013 16-18 August Declarer Play £179 12-14 Apr Bernard Magee Declarer Play £245 6-8 September Just Bridge £169 14-16 Jun Just Bridge £199 18-20 October Just Bridge £169

NEW 1-3 November Just Bridge £169 18-20 Oct Bernard Magee Play and TOPIC £245 NEW Defending 1NT 8-10 November Bernard Magee TOPIC Better Leads & Switches £245 15-17 Nov Bernard Magee Bidding NEW £245 TOPIC Distributional Hands 22-24 November Just Bridge £169

Full Board – No Single Supplement Full Board – No Single Supplement Booking Form on page 9. Booking Form on page 9.

Page 10 Dave Huggett Says

If the Contract Looks Safe, Look for a Snag

ridge is a hard game but, now and Again, you reach 3NT. This time you Just take the ace of clubs, draw trumps then, a hand comes along that receive the lead of the queen of spades. and throw a club on a good heart. You looks simple. In these cases, it is A quick tally of your tricks shows lose just one club and two diamonds – Beasy to take your eye off the ball. Don’t! that, with four tricks in the other your last diamond you ruff in dummy. Danger is often just round the corner. Be suits, you need only five in diamonds A 6-1 club break was unfortunate but vigilant at all times. Take this deal: for the contract – your target at teams should not have mattered. or rubber. It looks so simple to play a Sometimes it is hard to think as low diamond to the ten, a safety play clearly as one should when an opponent ♠ 7 6 3 in case the suit breaks 4-1. I am afraid has doubled the contract or you are in ♥ 8 5 that’s wrong. If West plays the five, you a slam. The excitement of the moment ♦ A Q 6 5 3 should cover with the six in case the suit takes over and the adrenalin rush can ♣ 9 7 4 splits 5-0, while if West follows with any get in the way…. ♠ Q 4 ♠ J 10 8 5 2 other card you should duck altogether. ♥ J 10 7 3 2 N ♥ K Q 9 How clever it would be for West to play ♦ J 9 4 W E ♦ 8 ♠ Q 8 4 3 S the jack of diamonds and how much ♣ K 8 3 ♣ J 10 6 2 cleverer it would be for you to duck! ♥ K 7 ♠ A K 9 Sometimes built-in instinct takes over ♦ A Q 8 6 5 ♥ A 6 4 when a nice dummy appears, though ♣ K 3 ♦ K 10 7 2 this can at times lead you astray…. ♠ Void ♠ J 10 6 2 ♣ A Q 5 ♥ J 9 6 5 2 N ♥ 8 4 3 ♦ J 10 9 3 W E ♦ 4 2 S ♠ 9 7 3 2 ♣ 9 7 5 2 ♣ J 10 8 4 You arrive in 3NT and win the heart ♥ A K 8 6 ♠ A K 9 7 5 lead. The contract looks easy with two ♦ 6 4 ♥ A Q 10 spades, one heart, five diamonds and a ♣ A 9 6 ♦ K 7 club. You also see that you can pick up ♠ J 4 ♠ 8 ♣ A Q 6 four diamonds with East by playing to ♥ Q 10 7 5 2 N ♥ J 9 3 W E the ace and finessing the ten if need be. ♦ A 9 8 3 2 S ♦ K J 10 Quite right, but did you see the need ♣ 2 ♣ K J 8 5 4 3 After a well-judged auction, you arrive to play the seven of diamonds towards ♠ A K Q 10 6 5 in a contract of 7♠ and receive the lead dummy? If you mistakenly played the ♥ 4 of the jack of diamonds. It is easy to be two, the suit becomes blocked and you ♦ Q 7 5 complacent in this sort of situation and will make only four tricks in the suit! ♣ Q 10 7 rather take things for granted. Here, for example, it would be all too easy to assume that you had more than enough ♠ 7 6 You arrive in 4♠ and receive the lead tricks. Don’t! You have to be aware that ♥ 8 4 3 of the two of clubs. If you are playing trumps might break badly. If West has ♦ A K Q 10 6 4 on autopilot, you might be tempted to all four missing trumps, the contract ♣ 7 4 play low from dummy. That would be is doomed. Luckily, you can cater for ♠ Q J 5 ♠ 10 9 8 4 2 a fatal mistake. East takes the king and them all with East. What you must not ♥ K 7 N ♥ Q J 10 6 returns a club. West ruffs, plays the ace do is play a top spade from your hand W E ♦ ♦ J 9 8 7 5 S Void of diamonds and then a low diamond first! Instead, play low to the queen, ♣ K 8 2 ♣ Q J 10 3 to his partner’s king. Another club ruff whereupon you find out about the bad ♠ A K 3 puts the contract two down! If declarer break. You now have nothing to worry ♥ A 9 5 2 stops to count his tricks, however, he about because, with plenty of entries to ♦ 3 2 will work out that he doesn’t need two dummy, you can take repeated finesses ♣ A 9 6 5 club tricks. Six spades, two hearts, a against the jack and the ten to ensure a diamond ruff and a club come to ten. happy outcome. ■

Page 11 Ardington Hotel Staverton Park Worthing BN11 3DZ Staverton, Daventry NN11 6JT

BRIDGE EVENTS 2013 BRIDGE EVENTS 2013 8-10 March Just Bridge £169 5-7 April Just Bridge £169 22-24 February Signals & Discards £ 215 7-9 June Just Bridge £169 14-16 June Just Bridge £169 15-17 March Doubles £ 215 12-14 July Just Bridge £169 22-24 March Just Bridge £ 199 19-21 July Just Bridge £169 2-4 August Just Bridge £169 12-14 April Just Bridge £ 199 9-11 August Just Bridge £169 17-19 May Stayman & Transfers £ 215 13-15 September Rubber/Chicago £199 4-6 October Just Bridge £169 7-9 June Suit Establishment £ 215 15-17 November Just Bridge £169 Full Board – No Single Supplement Full Board – No Single Supplement Booking Form on page 9. Booking Form on page 9.

Elstead Hotel Denham Grove Bournemouth BH1 3QP Denham, Buckinghamshire, UB9 5DG

BRIDGE EVENTS 2013

22-24 February Just Bridge £ 199 BRIDGE EVENTS 2013 15-17 March Game Tries £215 17-19 May Rubber/Chicago £ 199 22-24 March Leads & Defence £215 14-16 June Just Bridge £ 199 4-6 October Doubles £215 25-27 October Finding Slams £215 22-24 November Just Bridge £ 199 8-10 November Hand Evaluation £215 Full Board – No Single Supplement Booking Form on page 9. Full Board – No Single Supplement Booking Form on page 9.

Page 12 Andrew Kambites Says

Raise to Two with Three Trumps

ou are playing Acol with four- or more spades. If you respond 1NT card majors. Your partner opens to 1♠ with hand A, you are going to ♠ K 7 6 ♠ A Q 8 2 1♠. What should you respond miss an awful lot of 5-3 spade fits! ♥ 3 2 N ♥ A 8 4 Ywith hand A? ♦ A 6 3 2 W E ♦ K 7 5 4 S 3 Suppose opener has a balanced hand ♣ 9 5 4 3 ♣ A 7 with four spades. What can he rebid Hand A Hand B if you raise 1♠ to 2♠? ♠ K 7 6 ♠ Void West North East South ♥ 3 2 ♥ 9 6 i With 15-16 points, opener passes. 1♠ Pass ♦ A 5 3 2 ♦ Q J 7 6 5 4 Game is unlikely opposite your 6-9. 2♠ Pass 2NT End ♣ 9 6 4 3 ♣ K 8 4 3 2 Note that he doesn’t say 16 points facing a possible 9 make game and 2NT shows 17-18 and four spades. West bid on. You don’t look for perfect must decide between spades or no- With seven points and a four-card suit, cards. You cannot allow yourself to trumps and between game and part- hand A falls well short on the Rule of keep getting too high just to avoid score. With three spades, North prefers Fourteen. Seven plus four is eleven, missing the odd game. How well no-trumps. Being minimum, he passes and you want a score of fourteen for a will 2♠ play? It will be a 4-3 fit. 2NT rather than raise to 3NT. two-over-one response. This leaves two While this is sub-optimal, you will choices: 1NT and 2♠. If you go for 1NT, have extra points to help and part- because you like four spades to raise 1♠ ner might well ruff a heart in your ♠ K J 6 4 ♠ A Q 8 2 ♠ ♥ 3 2 N ♥ A 8 4 to 2 , think again. Several factors make short trump hand. You can usually W E 2♠ the most practical bid. come to eight tricks playing in a 4-3 ♦ A 6 3 2 S ♦ K 7 5 4 fit with fair values at the two level. ♣ 9 5 4 ♣ A 7 1 As you may know, I like to describe the 1NT response as a ‘dustbin bid’. It ii With 17-18 points, he bids 2NT has to include hand B because B isn’t over your 2♠. There is sometimes West North East South good enough for a two-level change confusion about what 2NT shows. 1♠ Pass of suit. If opener has five spades (and In rubber-style Acol, 1♠-2♣-2NT 2♠ Pass 2NT Pass he very often will), he cannot rebid shows 15-16 points. That is logical 4♠ End 2♠ in case you have hand B. A 1NT because 1♠-2♣ shows at least nine response on A means that you will points. 1♠-2♠ shows at most nine This time West has four spades and a regularly miss a 5-3 spade fit. points, so 2NT here shows 17-18. maximum, so jumps to the spade game. You raise to two with three trumps at 2 What can partner have for 1♠ if he iii With 19 points, he rebids 3NT. other times. If partner overcalls – surely has only four spades? You never open showing a five-card suit – it is clear to a 4-4-4-1 with 1♠, so that leaves 4-4- My advice is this: If partner opens raise. Opener may also raise: 3-2 and 4-3-3-3 shapes. With these 1♠, you should prefer a raise to 2♠ to shapes, assuming you play a weak a response of 1NT if you have three- no-trump, he opens 1NT if he has 12- card spade support and some side suit ♠ K J 6 14 points. Thus, he can only open ♠1 shortage. A few players even raise on a ♥ K J 7 2 without five spades if he is balanced flat 3-3-3-4 shape; that is not my advice. ♦ A 9 6 3 2 but too strong for 1NT. Even then, he It is equally valid to raise 1♥ to 2♥ with ♣ 9 will open 1♥ with 4-4 in the majors three-card support, though if you have or he may well open a strong 4-card three hearts and four spades a response minor rather than a weak 4-card of 1♠ is best. Don’t raise 1♠ to 3♠ on If you open 1♦ and partner responds 1♠, major. In practice, depending on three-card support even if you have the a rebid of 2♠ is much better than 2♦. You your style, between 75% and 90% of values for jumping. can ruff in the short hand and be sure of Acol 1♠ openings will contain five I finish with some examples. at least a seven-card fit. ■

Page 13 JUST DUPLICATE 2013 RUBBER / CHICAGO 22-24 February 14-16 June 9-11 August Elstead Hotel £199 Elstead Hotel £199 Staverton Park £169 2013

22-24 February 14-16 June 16-18 August The Olde Barn £169 Staverton Park £169 Inn on the Prom £169

1-3 March 6-8 September Blunsdon House £199 Cheltenham Regency £199

8-10 March 6-8 September Staverton Park £169 The Olde Barn £169

15-17 March 13-15 September Blunsdon The Olde Barn £169 Cheltenham Regency £199 House Hotel 22-24 March Cheltenham Regency Hotel 4-6 October Swindon SN26 7AS Ardington Hotel £199 Cheltenham GL51 0ST Staverton Park £169 12-14 April 21-23 June 11-13 October The Olde Barn £169 Cheltenham Regency £199

12-14 July 18-20 October Inn on the Prom £169 The Olde Barn £169

12-14 July Staverton Park £169

Chatsworth Hotel 19-21 July Worthing BN11 3DU The Olde Barn £169 Elstead Hotel Bournemouth BH1 3QP 5-7 April 19-21 July Cheltenham Regency £199 Staverton Park £169 17-19 May

5-7 April 26-28 July Ardington Hotel Staverton Park £169 Cheltenham Regency £199 Worthing BN11 3DZ

12-14 April 2-4 August 25-27 October Ardington Hotel £199 Staverton Park £169 Cheltenham Regency £199

17-19 May 9-11 August 1-3 November Cheltenham Regency £199 Cheltenham Regency £199 The Olde Barn £169

17-19 May 15-17 November The Olde Barn £169 Staverton Park £169 Staverton Park Daventry NN11 6JT 31 May – 2 June 22-24 November 13-15 September The Olde Barn £169 Elstead Hotel £199

7-9 June 22-24 November All hosted by Staverton Park £169 The Olde Barn £169 Diana Holland 14-16 June The Olde Barn Hotel 6-8 December £199 Full Board Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT Chatsworth Hotel £199 Cheltenham Regency £199 No Single Supplement Full Board – No Single Supplement Please note there are no seminars or set hands at these events. Booking Form on page 9. Booking Form on page 9.

Page 14 Bernard Magee Says Throw a Loser on a Loser

hen you have a sure loser, You have eleven top tricks and the club a neat way to keep trump ♠ 8 7 5 3 finesse appears to be your only chance control can be to throw that ♥ Q 5 for a twelfth. Rather than taking it, you Wloser on another loser. Rather than ♦ A 7 6 4 should consider giving up the lead. The ruffing and using up a valuable trump, ♣ A 4 2 opponents might make the wrong lead, you throw the certain loser and keep ♠ 2 ♠ 10 9 4 or you might be able to endplay them. your trumps for later. ♥ A K J 8 6 3 N ♥ 9 4 To set up an endplay you first empty ♦ Q 9 3 2 W E ♦ J 10 5 all the suits. You might take the heart S ♣ J 7 ♣ Q 10 8 6 3 ace, draw trumps, cash the heart king, ♠ K 4 ♠ A K Q J 6 ruff a heart and take three diamonds ♥ 3 2 ♥ 10 7 2 ending in dummy. Then you play a club, ♦ A 8 6 5 4 3 ♦ K 8 hoping that West wins. Alas, East plays ♣ Q 7 6 ♣ K 9 5 the jack on the first round. If you let him ♠ 9 8 7 6 ♠ 3 2 win the trick, he plays another club; you

♥ A K 10 8 N ♥ Q J 9 7 6 5 Contract: 4♠. Lead: ♥A. have to finesse – and it loses. ♦ Q 9 W E ♦ K J 10 Instead of ruffing the third heart, go ♣ A 4 3 S ♣ 8 5 for a loser-on-loser play. Having taken ♠ A Q J 10 5 West, who has bid hearts, leads the ace, out the trumps and the top diamonds, ♥ 4 king and jack of hearts. East plays high- cash the king of hearts and lead the nine: ♦ 7 2 low with the nine and the four. ♣ K J 10 9 2 If you ruff the third round of hearts in dummy, East will surely overruff. With ♠ K 8 Contract: 4♠. Lead: ♥A. a club still to lose, you will be one down. ♥ 9 A better idea is to throw a club from ♦ Void dummy. After you gain the lead on the ♣ 5 4 2 West leads out two top hearts. If you next trick, you draw trumps and ruff a ♠ Void ♠ Void ♥ J 8 N ♥ 7 3 ruff the second, you will be down to club in peace. By losing a heart instead W E four trumps. Then, with the club ace to of a club, you take a safe ruff instead of a ♦ 9 S ♦ Void knock out, you are in danger of losing risky one – a great swap. ♣ K 7 6 ♣ J 10 9 8 trump control. With a sure diamond Another type of loser-on-loser play ♠ J 10 5 loser – there is no way to avoid it – you you can use is to endplay a defender. ♥ Void should throw a diamond on the second ♦ Void trick. Instead of ruffing the heart, you ♣ A Q 3 throw a loser away: a loser-on-loser play. ♠ K 8 7 4 West has no answer: you can ruff a ♥ K 9 5 third heart in dummy or win any switch ♦ A 7 3 When East follows with a small heart, and draw trumps. With a trump left, ♣ 5 4 2 throw your low club. West has to win you can safely knock out the club ace. ♠ 9 6 ♠ 3 2 the trick and is endplayed. If he leads Ruffing at trick two puts you at the ♥ Q J 10 8 N ♥ 7 4 3 2 any red card, you ruff in dummy and W E ♦ 9 8 5 4 ♦ J 10 6 mercy of the trump break. You stop S discard the queen of clubs; if he leads a drawing after three rounds but, when ♣ K 7 6 ♣ J 10 9 8 club, both your ace and queen make. you lose to the ace of clubs, they carry ♠ A Q J 10 5 on leading hearts. You have to use up ♥ A 6 Conclusion your last trump and, as West still has a ♦ K Q 2 trump but you do not, you go down. ♣ A Q 3 Loser on loser plays can be tricky but the You can use a loser-on-loser play rather idea is simple. With a sure loser, consider than ruffing even in the short trump Contract: 6♠. Lead: ♥Q. throwing it on another loser if you think hand if someone threatens to overruff. you might gain an advantage. ■

Page 15 I C E

E P s UMMer 2013 R I S Travel on board VOYAGER O M

ll Voyager cruises will have an exclusive a group on board. All clients will be invited to the drinks parties. For passengers that opt to pay the £30 bridge supplement; there is duplicate bridge every evening, seminars every morning and afternoon bridge each day the ship is at sea and one of Bernard Magee’s bidding quizzes. The bridge is a fully optional programme and you may participate as much or as little as you wish. Singles are most welcome and will always be accommodated. If space allows any bridge playing passengers will be able to participate in the afternoon bridge session however, priority will always be given to passengers.

dinner on board Voyager is open sitting which allows for greater flexibility. However, we have arranged for clients to meet up with those in similar circumstances and sit at tables together. Being part of a group means passengers should never feel they are alone.

BRITISH ISLeS and the HeRITAge of the THe LAND of the balTIC voYaGer CelTIC TreasUres CHeLSeA FLOWeR SHOW B RITISH ISLe S MIDNIgHT SUN br br br br br I I bernard MageeI Tony richardsI bernard MageeI HughHOST Fidod Will ParsonsHOSTd HOSTd HOSTd HOSTd 29th aPrIl – 14th MaY 2013 G 14th – 25th MaY 2013 G 25th MaY – 2nd JUne 2013 G 2nd – 11th JUne 2013 G 11th – 25th JUne 2013 G e e e e e 16 days from £1,799pp 12 days from £1,459pp 9 days; Saver Fares from £849pp 10 days; Saver Fares from £949pp 15 days from £1,869pp Portsmouth Portsmouth • Ostend Portsmouth • St Peter Port Portsmouth • Foynes Portsmouth • Bergen St Peter Port • Holyhead Warnemünde • Helsinki Fowey • Waterford • Dublin Killybegs •Portrush Brønnøysund • Tromsø Liverpool • Belfast • Oban St Petersburg • Tallinn Kirkwall • Invergordon Dublin • Cobh Honningsvåg • Hammerfest Port of Tyne • Portsmouth Stockholm • Copenhagen greenwich • Dover St Peter Port • Portsmouth Leknes • Molde Portsmouth Portsmouth Castles, cathedrals, palaces Stavanger • Portsmouth The emerald Isle promises and historic landscapes – all Follow in the footsteps of The RHS’s Chelsea Flower a cluster of charming towns, part of the rich heritage of as summer solstice vikings, knights, crusaders Show takes centre stage historic cities and a wealth of an island nation.This cruise approaches explore the and merchants around the on this cruise around the breathtaking landscapes and is in partnership with the North Cape and Norway’s fascinating Baltic Sea. British Isles in springtime. spectacular coastlines. National Trust. beautiful coastline.

MedITerranean MedleY adrIaTIC, aeGean and THe LegeNDARY IN THe FOOTSTePS A SUPeRB SHIP WITH CORINTH CANAL BLACK SeA of sT PaUl br br br br To be confirmed bernard MageeI FACILITIeS TO MATCH 12th – 26th sePTeMber 2013 HOSTd 26th seP – 8th oCT 2013 Stan PowellHOSTId HOSTId 21st oCT – 2nd nov 2013 Gary ConradHOSTId G G 8th – 21st oCTober 2013 G G e e e e 15 days; Saver Fares from £1,749pp 13 days; Saver Fares from £1,649pp 14 days from £2,399pp 13 days; Saver Fares from £1,449pp • Three restaurants providing a range of options including alfresco dining Marseille • Nice • Livorno Dubrovnik • Kotor Istanbul • Nesebur Istanbul • Canakkale Civitavecchia • Castellammare Katakolon • Itea • Corinth Odessa • Sevastopol • Yalta • 30 balcony cabins • Two lounges Dikili • Kusadasi di Stabia • Messina • Brindisi Canal • Piraeus • Mykonos Feodosiya • Novorossiysk Antalya • Patmos • Kavala • Four bars • Lecture Theatre Ancona • Venice • Sibenik Volos • Dikili • Canakkale Sochi • Batumi • Trabzon • Thessaloniki • Piraeus Hvar • Dubrovnik Istanbul Istanbul • Library • Pool with two hot tubs visit sacred destinations and as Voyager traces the black • Health and Fitness Centre This voyage opens up This fascinating voyage the marvellous ruins of cities fascinating chapters of history, takes in medieval walled Sea’s legendary coastline lined with the early history of • Beauty Salon • The Bridge Club visits cities reborn after conflict cities, monuments of ancient the enthralling history of Christianity. There is an and others frozen in time. Greece and transits the the region unfolds. explore option to visit the Holy Land • Medical Centre • Internet Centre Explorer Grill remarkable Corinth Canal. legacies of the Russian Tsars. after your cruise.

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

All fares shown are per person, based on two people sharing the lowest twin bedded cabin category currently available, are for new bookings only, include all applicable discounts and cannot be combined with any other discount, excluding Discovery Club Discount for past passengers. Saver Fares do not include UK coach transfers, car parking at port or gratuities (gratuities will be added to your on board account), full payment is required at time of booking, 100% cancellation or amendment fees apply and cabin number is not allocated at time of booking. All fares are correct at time of going to print, are subject to availability and may be changed or withdrawn at any time. Terms and conditions apply. See brochure for full terms and conditions. Discovery club members save an aDDitional 5% To be part of the Mr Bridge group, a supplement of £30pp will be taken at time of booking. Only bookings made through the Mr Bridge office are eligible to be part of the Mr Bridge Group. Price Promise applies to Standard Fares only where the fare you have booked is reduced on the same cruise and cabin grade and does not apply to Saver Fares, group bookings, Grand Voyages or any Winter 2012-13 cruises. Full terms and conditions apply, see brochure for details. Voyages of Discovery is the trading name of All Leisure Holidays Ltd.

DPS S13_updated for New Year.indd All Pages 12/12/2012 09:30:51 I C E

E P s UMMer 2013 R I S Travel on board VOYAGER O M

is pleased to say he is receiving bookings from an increasing number of non-bridge playing passengers, they enjoy the opportunity to be part of a group and the social benefits this gives to those travelling alone. dinner on board Voyager is open sitting which allows for greater flexibility. However, we have arranged for clients to meet up with those in similar circumstances and sit at tables together. Being part of a group means passengers should never feel they are alone.

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

DPS S13_updated for New Year.indd All Pages 12/12/2012 09:30:51 Freddie North Says

KISS

ome years ago, while aboard P & The bidding was over quickly even O’s famous cruise liner Canberra, I Dealer East Love All. Pairs. though it might appear bizarre. South was due to partner a passenger with ♠ Q J 6 2 opened 4♦ and all passed! North had Swhom I had never played before. On ♥ K J 8 3 forgotten that the partnership were asking what conventions she would like ♦ Q 7 6 playing ‘Namyats’, whereby 4♣ and 4♦ to play, I received the surprise response, ♣ 5 2 show ‘good’ pre-empts in hearts and ‘KISS’. Not having come across this term ♠ K 10 8 ♠ 9 5 spades respectively (4♥ and 4♠ openings ♥ Q 10 6 5 N ♥ 4 2 before – in a bridge sense – I felt a bit W E are weaker). The concept is sound – pity apprehensive. Anyway, waiting for no ♦ K J 5 2 S ♦ A 9 3 about the result! longer than needed for dramatic effect, ♣ 7 3 ♣ K Q 10 9 8 6 It never ceases to amaze me how my partner explained ‘Keep it simple, ♠ A 7 4 3 players get themselves mixed up with stupid’. Now all was clear and, in fact, I ♥ A 9 7 their signals. What usually happens was in total agreement, even if the flam- ♦ 10 8 4 is that one member of the partnership boyant label seemed a shade out of place. ♣ A J 4 foists their ideas (or a newly learnt toy) I am sure you must have noticed how on a reluctant partner. What is wrong unfamiliar partnerships often trip up with a simple form of high encourages, when one member or the other fails to West North East South low discourages and suit preference react correctly to a conventional bid Pass 1NT when – and only when – applicable? or signal. Perhaps one of them didn’t Pass Pass 2♣ Pass really want to play the convention in 2♥ Dble End the first place but agreed to do so out of ♠ Q J 10 8 politeness – or they simply took the line As you can imagine, 2♥ doubled was ♥ A Q of least resistance, hoping it wouldn’t a disaster for East-West. A relentless ♦ J crop up. defence saw the contract go four down. ♣ A K J 9 7 5 Over fifty years ago, before the advent So, what went wrong? East-West were ♠ 9 7 5 2 ♠ 6 4 3 of transfers as we know them today, playing that 2♣ normally showed both ♥ 4 N ♥ J 7 2 W E ♦ A K Q 10 8 4 ♦ 9 6 5 3 Texas transfers started to become majors. There was a proviso in place; a S popular. The idea was that over a 1NT passed hand could use double for the ♣ 10 4 ♣ 8 6 2 opening, responder could bid 4♦ or majors, leaving 2♣ free as a natural ♠ A K 4♥ to ask opener to convert to the suit overcall. West simply forgot! ♥ K 10 9 8 6 5 3 above. It was easy enough to remember You can guess what went wrong on ♦ 7 2 to bid 4♥ over 4♦ but equally easy to the next deal, again a case of no KISS… ♣ Q 3 forget to convert 4♥ to 4♠. After some lapses Terence Reese and Boris Schapiro, the number one British Dealer South. Love All. A simple sequence put South in 6♥. pair, agreed a fining system in the hope ♠ Q 5 3 West led the ace of diamonds. East, that this would jog the memory. Maybe ♥ A K 9 8 desperate for a continuation to defeat it did – but, of course, it requires many ♦ 6 3 the contract (dummy’s forced high advantageous hands to compensate for ♣ 7 6 3 2 ruff would promote the jack of hearts), one calamity, fine or no fine. ♠ 10 ♠ 7 2 played the nine. Alas, West took this as KISS applies just the same today. It ♥ J 10 6 N ♥ Q 5 4 2 a suit-preference signal and shifted to a is better to play something imperfect ♦ Q 9 8 7 2 W E ♦ K J 10 5 spade. KISS, where are you? that you can remember than something ♣ A K 9 4 S ♣ Q J 10 Finally, I must tell you of the time a theoretically superior that you – sorry, ♠ A K J 9 8 6 4 famous international pair bid to a grand your partner – is prone to forget. ♥ 7 3 slam missing the ace of trumps. Boris I recall a very recent deal that ♦ A 4 Schapiro, ever the jester, announced, illustrates only too clearly how KISS ♣ 8 5 ‘The ace of trumps was on the wrong would have saved the day. side. It could happen to anyone!’ ■

Page 18 Mike Wenble Says Lead Towards Strength

f you need one trick from Layout A The theme should be clear: to make Declarer played low from dummy and below, what is your best line? the most tricks in a suit, you usually ruffed in hand! He drew two rounds of lead from small cards towards honours, trumps and then led a club towards the I rather than playing off top cards. With queen. West ducked, so the queen won. Layout A Layout B this in mind, here are a couple of layouts Declarer then threw the two clubs he Q J 6 A J 10 for you as a test. The answers are at the had left in his hand on the diamonds,

N N foot of the article. losing just a spade trick. Had West gone W E W E S S in with the ace of clubs, the slam would still make. The K-Q of clubs would be 5 3 2 5 3 2 Layout D Layout E high and declarer throws two spades on K J 7 5 A Q 6 4 the A-K of diamonds.

N The point here is that declarer can W E Correct with Layout A is to lead low N place West with the ace of clubs from S W E from South, and if West follows low, play S the bidding. Hence, the king of clubs the queen (or jack). If this loses to the Q 4 2 J 7 5 3 is not real ‘strength’ – its main value is ace or king, you later lead towards the in promoting dummy’s queen. To lead remaining honour. You succeed if the ace towards the club king (or indeed, to and king are split or West has both. 1 How do you play D for three tricks? lead towards the spade queen for a futile If you start (wrongly) with the lead of 2 How do you play E for four tricks? finesse) will lead to defeat. the queen, the defenders can thwart you Now the answers to my questions: any time the missing honours are split. Sometimes your high cards are split Layout B is similar, except your target between the two hands, and it may not is two tricks. Correct is small to the ten, appear to matter how you play the suit. Layout D Layout E and if that loses, small to the jack. This With K-5-4 facing Q-6-2, you expect K J 7 5 A Q 6 4 also succeeds about 75% of the time, to make only one trick unless someone N failing only when East holds the king happens to hold a doubleton ace. Still, W E S N and queen. If you start by cashing the appearances can be deceptive. Let us see W E S ace, you are very likely to fail. this in the context of a full deal. Q 4 2 J 7 5 3 Playing towards strength might mean you play a high-spot card from the other hand. Consider the following: ♠ 7 4 1 Lead low towards the king-jack and, ♥ A K 9 3 if West plays low, put up an honour ♦ A K 9 5 (say the king). If this holds, playing Layout C A J 9 ♣ Q 6 2 back towards the queen will give you ♠ K J 10 3 2 ♠ 9 8 5 N three tricks only if the suit breaks W E ♥ Void N ♥ 8 7 3-3, and not otherwise. If the king S W E ♦ Q J 10 6 2 ♦ 8 7 4 3 S wins, correct is to return to the South 5 3 2 ♣ A 9 7 ♣ J 10 8 3 hand and play small towards the jack. ♠ A Q 6 This wins if the suit splits 3-3 or West ♥ Q J 10 6 5 4 2 holds the doubleton ace. This is the first suit Victor Mollo and ♦ Void 2 You can only win four tricks if West Nico Gardener discuss in their classic ♣ K 5 4 has king doubleton, so this is what Card Play Technique. Correct is small you play for. Once again, correct is to from hand, inserting the nine if West play a small card towards the stronger plays low. You succeed if West holds the West opened 1♠, North doubled, and hand – in this case, the ace-queen. K-10 or Q-10. If you play small to the South finished up in 6♥. West led the Note that, if you start by leading the jack, you succeed only when West holds queen of diamonds. jack, West will cover and you must the K-Q – half as likely. How do you think the play went? lose a trick. ■

Page 19 1449 MR BRIDGE dps ad_Layout 1 07/01/2013 14:00 Page 1

cruises to classical civilisations – spring 2013

Save on four inspirational voyages aboard the award-winning Aegean Odyssey Join a Voyage to Antiquity and explore the history of the ancient world while enjoying the benefits vailable cabins a of small-ship cruising, personal Last few ! OOK NOW service and intimate surroundings B of Aegean Odyssey. APRIL 15, 2013 APRIL 25, 2013 MAY 7, 2013 MAY 19, 2013 ISTANBUL TO ATHENS ATHENS TO VENICE VENICE TO ROME ROME TO CANNES Hosted by Plus with Mr Bridge special fares Istanbul Venice Bernard Venice Italy Croatia FRANCE BRIDGE CRUISES FOR SPRING 2013 Magee Italy and shore excursions, wine with Mount Athos Zadar Split Split Marseilles Livorno Lemnos Croatia Korcula Sete Florence Dubrovnik Italy Dubrovnik Cannes Skiathos Turkey Montenegro Elba dinner, on-board bridge programme, Greece Izmir Kotor Bay Civitavecchia Rome Spain Civitavecchia SPECIAL FARES & Athens Adriatic Corsica Mykonos Sea Sorrento Barcelona an antiquity lecture programme SarandeAlbania Bonifacio Rome NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT Nauplia Delos Corfu and gratuities ALL INCLUDED – Santorini Ithaca Greece Rethimnon Katakolon Athens Palermo Palma you’ll also discover remarkable crete Monemvasía Nauplia Sicily Syracuse Mallorca Voyages to Antiquity feature: value for money. This journey reveals the history Explore the classical sites of Greece Cruise to the gems of Italy: from the Explore the magnificent scenery and • SCHEDULED FLIGHTS & TRANSFERS and legacy of the Greeks, from and enjoy the dramatic beauty of the dazzling splendour of Venice and the fascinating history of the Mediterranean: • EXPERTLY PLANNED ITINERARIES the emergence of the great Minoan inspiring Adriatic coast, one of the remarkable architectural treasures of from the picturesque island of Corsica and Mycenaean civilisations to the natural wonders of the world, and Sicily to the evocative ruins of Pompeii to the beauty of the French Riviera and • INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS magnificent artistic and architectural discover Croatia’s historic cities. and the well-preserved monuments the magnificent treasures of Renaissance •EXPERT ANTIQUITY GUEST SPEAKERS achievements of the Byzantines. of Herculaneum. Florence. DATE PORT • OPEN-SEATING DINING DATE PORT APR 25 Fly to ATHENS Greece DATE PORT DATE PORT • WINE INCLUDED WITH DINNER ON BOARD APR 15 Fly to ISTANBUL Turkey Transfer to Aegean Odyssey MAY 7 Fly to VENICE Italy MAY 19 Fly to ROME Italy Transfer to Aegean Odyssey APR 26 PIRAEUS (Athens) Greece Transfer to Aegean Odyssey Transfer to Aegean Odyssey • GRATUITIES INCLUDED ON BOARD in Civitavecchia APR 16 Cruising the Dardanelles APR 27 NAUPLIA (Mycenae) Greece MAY 8/9 VENICE Italy COCKTAIL PARTY ON BOARD MAY 20 ELBA Italy • LEMNOS Greek Islands APR 28 MONEMVASIA Greece MAY 10 SPLIT Croatia MAY 21 LIVORNO (Florence) Italy APR 17 Cruise past Mount Athos APR 29 KATAKOLON (Olympia) Greece MAY 11 KORCULA Croatia SKIATHOS Greek Islands ITHACA Greek Islands MAY 22 Cruise the Maddalena Archipelago MAY 12 DUBROVNIK Croatia EACH VOYAGE IS ACCOMPANIED APR 18 IZMIR (Ephesus) Turkey BONIFACIO Corsica APR 30 CORFU Greek Islands MAY 13 At Sea BY A TEAM APR 19 IZMIR (Pergamon) Turkey SARANDE (Butrint) Albania MAY 23 At Sea MAY 14 SYRACUSE Sicily APR 20 DELOS Greek Islands MAY 1 KOTOR BAY Montenegro MAY 24 PALMA Mallorca, Spain MAY 15 PALERMO (Monreale) Sicily MYKONOS Greek Islands DUBROVNIK Croatia MAY 25 BARCELONA Spain BOOK NOW & ENJOY THE VOYAGE OF MAY 16 PALERMO Sicily APR 21 SANTORINI Greek Islands MAY 2 DUBROVNIK Croatia A LIFETIME WITH THESE REMARKABLE Cruising past Stromboli MAY 26 SETE (Carcassonne) France APR 22 RETHIMNON (Knossos) Crete MAY 3 SPLIT Croatia VALUE, SPRING CRUISES. MAY 17 Cruising the Amalfi Coast MAY 27 MARSEILLES (Avignon) France APR 23 NAUPLIA (Mycenae) Greece MAY 4 ZADAR Croatia SORRENTO (Pompeii) Italy MAY 28 CANNES France APR 24 PIRAEUS (Athens) Greece MAY 5/6 VENICE Italy MAY 18 SORRENTO Italy MAY 29 CANNES France TO APR 25 PIRAEUS Greece MAY 7 VENICE Italy MAY 19 CIVITAVECCHIA Italy Disembark and transfer to VOYAGES ANTIQUITY Disembark and transfer Disembark and transfer Disembark and transfer to Nice Airport for flight home to Athens Airport for flight home to Venice Airport for flight home Rome Airport for flight home 11 days from £1,895 pp 11 days from £1,550 pp 13 days from £1,995 pp 13 days from £2,150 pp Including a tour of renaissance Florence; visits Including visits to Ephesus and Pergamon; the Including tours of Athens, Mycenae and Including 2 days in Venice with a private to the islands of Elba and Corsica; highlights islands of Lemnos, Skiathos, Delos, Mykonos Olympia; Corfu and Butrint; Roman Forum visit to St Mark’s Cathedral; excursions in of Palma and Barcelona in Spain and France’s CALL ON and Santorini; Minoan Crete; classical in Zadar and Palace of Diocletian in Split; Split, Korcula and Dubrovnik; Monreale medieval walled city of Carcassonne, the Mycenae and Athens. Venice including a private evening visit to Cathedral in Sicily and the mysteries of Palais du Papes in Avignon, and the 01483 489961 beautiful Riviera. St Mark’s Cathedral. Pompeii from Sorrento. www.mrbridge.co.uk 1449 MR BRIDGE dps ad_Layout 1 07/01/2013 14:00 Page 1 cruises to classical civilisations – spring 2013

Seven-Card Suits Should be Trumps

firmly believe in ‘seven-card suits In the other room, North knew about should be trumps.’ You will almost the power of the seven-card suit and ♠ Q 3 never lose control when you have simply responded 4♥ to 1♦. As you can ♥ Q 10 9 6 5 3 2 Iseven or more trumps in one hand. In see, playing in hearts, ten tricks are ♦ 7 6 5 addition, the ability to ruff gives you trivial – and eleven tricks are possible if ♣ 2 built-in entries to the long suit. the defenders do not attack spades. In a teams match, you, North, pick up: Next time, you are South and pick up: LHO opens 1♣, partner overcalls 2♠ (strong) and RHO puts the pressure on ♠ J 5 4 3 ♠ K 3 2 with 4♣. While you don’t have much, ♥ K Q J 10 7 6 4 ♥ Q J 10 9 8 7 5 you know the power of the seven-card ♦ 3 ♦ 6 suit and venture a very aggressive 4♥. ♣ 2 ♣ K 2 This is the full deal:

Your partner opens 1♦ and you decide Partner opens 1♠, promising a five-card ♠ A K 10 7 6 5 not to respond 4♥ in case you miss a suit in your methods. Just as you are ♥ 7 4 spade fit. You are very pleased with wondering how many spades this hand ♦ K Q 10 yourself when partner rebids 1♠ over is worth, you remember my maxim: ♣ A 3 your simple response of 1♥. Unsure of ’seven-card suits should be trumps’. ♠ J 9 8 4 ♠ 2 the value of your hand, you try a gentle So you respond 4♥ – a bid that means ♥ K J N ♥ A 8 W E ♠ ♠ ♦ A 9 2 ♦ J 8 4 3 2 . Partner now raises himself to 4 . exactly what it says at the rubber bridge S This is the full deal: table. ♣ K Q J 4 ♣ 10 9 8 7 6 5 This is the full deal: ♠ Q 3 ♥ Q 10 9 6 5 3 2 ♠ J 5 4 3 ♦ 7 6 5 ♥ K Q J 10 7 6 4 ♠ A 8 7 6 5 ♣ 2 ♦ 3 ♥ Void ♣ 2 ♦ A K 9 7 3 ♠ Q 9 8 ♠ 7 6 ♣ Q 6 4 On the normal lead of the club king, N ♥ ♥ ♠ ♠ ♥ 5 W E A 9 8 3 Q J 4 10 9 you will easily make 4 , just losing ♦ Q 9 8 4 S ♦ J 7 5 ♥ A 4 3 2 N ♥ K 6 two hearts and one diamond. 4♠, by ♣ K J 9 8 4 ♣ A 10 7 5 ♦ 5 4 W E ♦ Q J 10 8 2 S contrast, is hopeless on any lead. ♠ A K 10 2 ♣ A J 9 7 ♣ 10 8 5 3 The maxim applies on other auctions, ♥ 2 ♠ K 3 2 including after partner opens at the ♦ A K 10 6 2 ♥ Q J 10 9 8 7 5 three level and when you are the opener. ♣ Q 6 3 ♦ 6 ♣ K 2 You Partner 1♥ 1♠ West leads the eight of clubs and East 2♥ 3NT wins with the ace. Despite partner’s void, 4♥ makes easily ? East returns a club, forcing dummy for the loss of one club and two hearts to ruff. Declarer tries the king of hearts – the third spade goes away on a top If you have seven hearts, you do not from dummy but East wins with the ace diamond. need to know anything more about your and cleverly plays another club, forcing 4♠, despite the favourable trump hand: bid 4♥. So next time you have a dummy to ruff again. Try as hard as you break, is very awkward and should not long suit and do not know what to bid, like but, on this defence, ten tricks in 4♠ make unless the defenders slip badly. remember: ‘seven-card suits should be are impossible. Now that you are getting the idea: trumps.’ ■

Page 22 Kennedy’s – with every bid been under stamped. This made, one card from dummy detracts from the amount READERS’ is faced up. There is a further of benefit that the charity twist to the game in that there derives from your efforts. is a fifth suit, called ‘nanoos’, Jill Russell, which lies between hearts On Behalf of L.U.C.I.A. and spades. Moreover, LETTERS this is a misere suit, so if a OLD MEMORIES player contracts to make four I was sorry to read of Mr nanoos, he intends to lose Bamberger’s death. I always GONE MISSING an ‘investment’ into the ten tricks. A nanoo grand sent him my used stamps I enjoy your magazine, but weekly email which should slam, therefore, undertakes after Christmas. So I do was really disappointed that be steadily enhanced, to make no tricks at all and hope someone will continue my two favourite sections, not abandoned. this is even rarer than a handling them in the support the letters pages and the Forgive my bluntness, conventional grand slam. of such a good cause. quizzes, were missing from but I am a retired sales and It is a game of the greatest I remember that at the the December issue. marketing professional; at the subtlety. Like Hi-Lo in Poker, end of the war in 1945, I I seem to remember that moment demographics are the decision whether to go was stationed on a gun last Christmas, there was a more important to the bridge for nanoos or no-trumps site at Trimley so I must bumper quiz which I saved marketplace than at any or one of the suits dictates have visited the store at for one of the quiet days other time. There is now a not only which four cards Felixstowe. However, the early in the New Year. generation of people retiring, players originally discard but shop I remembered most This year, the whole and taking up bridge, who also how they subsequently was the chippie quite near magazine just seemed to expect a sophisticated bid. The bidding is further the village. We celebrated be one big advertisement internet provision and use influenced by the cards that VE day in Felixstowe but for bridge holidays, cruises, paper only as a follow up. are turned up in dummy all the pubs were dry by events, products etc, which In terms of change, I as the auction proceeds. the time we got there. I’m sure are wonderful but believe this would be the Peter Stocken, Ursula Ings, are repeated every month. equivalent of reverting to a Stubbs Walden, Doncaster. Beckenham, Kent. Please reassure me black and white magazine. that these sections will Your faithful readers would EXTRA EFFORT ALL GOOD return in the New Year. stay with you, but you I have pleasure in enclosing My husband and I recently Jane Troughton by email. would lose them through a cheque for £300 payable went on a splendid bridge Please feel reassured. Also, natural attrition, with no to L.U.C.I.A. ‘Little Voice’. weekend at the Elstead see my editorial, page 5. new readers subscribing. This money was raised by Hotel in Bournemouth and Mrs B Brown, my son, Robert Bamberger, we thoroughly enjoyed it. BRIDGE WEEKLY Longfield, Kent. who organised a raffle The hotel was very good, Very sorry to hear that you This is not how I see it but I of a sewing machine in as was the bridge team led are discontinuing Bridge respect your right to say it. his Colchester shop. by Jo Walch. The meals and Weekly. Personally, I would Mrs Zena Bamberger, accommodation were also prefer you to continue with MORE FOR THREE Trimley St Mary, Suffolk. excellent – so was the bus the magazine bimonthly. I was intrigued by Mr See following letter. service into Bournemouth. Why not sell advertising Kennedy’s description of his Jo suggested that we stop with the weekly email. variation of three-handed NEW COLLECTOR bridge at 10.50am on the At the moment, the bridge in BRIDGE 119. Thank you to all of you Sunday, so that we could demographics of your We have an interesting who are now sending your enjoy a cup of coffee or readership probably means extension of this, which used postage stamps to Mr tea and watch the Service that any polls you conduct is very popular with my Malcolm Finebaum at 8 of Remembrance at the are skewed with a higher 12-year old grandson. It is Mountford House, Crescent Cenotaph. All 48 bridge than usual proportion of called ‘Booby’. As with Mr Road, Enfield, EN2 7BL, who players stood for the duration non-computer users, as Kennedy’s game, seventeen has kindly taken on the role of the two minute silence evidenced by the average cards are dealt to each that the Colin Bamberger – it was quite moving. age of (non EBU) duplicate player, the fifty-second being performed so well. Mrs W Harper, Reading. clubs. However, over the placed face up as the start of Could we respectfully ask next five years, there will dummy. Each player discards supporters to ensure that the MISSING MARMITE be a significant change four cards face down into correct amount of postage What has happened to Sally as your older readers fall the dummy, then the bidding has been paid as Royal Mail Brock’s Seven Days column prey to nature’s reality. begins, but – and here the impose a large surcharge in your excellent BRIDGE You have already put game departs from Mr on any envelope that has magazine? I was so

Page 23 READERS’ LETTERS The fact that you may have with 1NT, it denied holding However, this year, having continued to slim the publication to a 5-card major suit. read Colin Payne’s article, meet postal weight criteria A modern view is that you my husband decided to make could present you with an should open 1NT (within it a fun bridge afternoon disappointed not to see editorial ‘headache’ though. range) even with a 5-card and chose option number it in the latest issues. I so The Readers’ Letters section major and 5-3-3-2 shape. 6. This caused a bit of look forward to reading could, of course, become This is to apply to both a confusion with the scoring at Sally’s column as it offers an occasional supplement, weak 12-14, four-card first but the members soon a little something different rather than a feature – hope majors (Robson) or even a cottoned on and we all had from the purely bridge you can still spare some strong 15-17, five-card a enjoyable afternoon. quizzes and articles. space for the Charity Bridge majors (Brock). M G Poole, Chippenham. Please say it is only stuff. I like the new layout Would a ‘straw poll’ of your I reprint the article for a temporary omission and style – a magazine experts show full consensus reader’s convenience. and that she will return that has great content and – or is it controversial? If readers have some in the near future. positive collectors appeal. Mr M Gurney, further ideas for party Noel Gubbins. It looks good and I wish Hempstead, Holt. time, do let me have them Nuthall, Nottingham. the new initiative well. Never mind the experts. as soon as possible. As requested, I can say Now a progress report What do readers think? it is only a temporary regarding your generous BIDDING QUIZ omission and she will provision of second hand HISTORY WANTED Holding the hand below return in the near future. software, to be sold in I have played bridge and playing Acol 12-14 NT, support of our various for more years than I with neither side vulnerable, EMAIL FROM VOYAGER Charities. John Shaw and care to remember, and what would you bid? Cecil and I are now back I are pleased to tell you we have been asked on from the Voyager cruise. raised a further £565. numerous occasions, the ♠ A K Q 5 The weather did eventually Malcolm Howarth, following question: ♥ Q J 6 5 4 get better after Madeira. St Neotts. How did the name Bridge ♦ Q 10 9 The bridge was very well originate? From where ♣ 5 run, despite the location INFO WANTED did it get its name? and hopefully something In one of your recent I expect there is more The answer: 1♥. will be done about that. We articles it was mentioned than one answer. Can you did mention it in detail on that the Sputnik double was answer this question? ALTERNATIVE VIEW our ‘comments’ form and first introduced in 1957. Mrs June Ross, 1NT. It is a fallacy to say also how much we enjoyed This was the year when I Talke, Stoke-on-Trent. you can’t open 1NT with having the full bridge migrated from solo whist I will ask Ned Paul to a singleton. On this hand programme. Despite one to bridge using the Eli put something together you can almost see seven or two teething troubles, we Culbertson system which I for a forthcoming issue tricks even if partner has did like the ship and look soon abandoned for Acol. when space permits. nothing and you are giving forward to another trip. This prompted me to think them count. They might even Marie Leighton by email. about other conventions. PARTY GAMES respond with Stayman and Could we have a series I refer to the article Our then you are laughing. The CHARITY BRIDGE of these in BRIDGE. Party Night by Colin Payne only possible alternative is to First, many thanks for the Charles Leveson, BRIDGE 117. My husband open 1♠ with a 2♥ rebid. If advanced copy of your Poynton, Cheshire. and I play Chicago bridge you open 1♥ you will have to magazine, BRIDGE. The Sure can. one afternoon a week at reverse to show hearts and higher quality paper certainly the Calne Bridge Club. This you are not strong enough. gives the document a better STRAW POLL has now been running for Andrew Mountain, feel and appearance – less In the past, many club almost twenty years and we Wrexham. like the ‘free newspaper’ players were taught that have never diverted from Caution. Adopting this may look it previously carried. when opening the bidding straight bridge until now. damage your game. ■

REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR POSTAGE Write to Mr Bridge at: Postage stamps for sale at 90% of face-value, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH or e-mail [email protected] all mint with full gum. Quotations for commercial quantities available on request. E-mail correspondents are asked to include their name, full postal address, telephone Values supplied in 100s, higher values available as well number and to send no attachments. as 1st and 2nd class (eg 2nd class: 100x37p+100x13p) Letters may be edited for length and clarity. (/Fax 020 8422 4906 e-mail: [email protected]

Page 24 Party Bridge Quiz Winners The following people provided the right answer to the quiz (1♥) and Our Party Night have received their prizes. Mr Woodburn, Falkirk. Mr P and Mrs A Aelberry, Downham Market. Mrs J Kent, Reading. Mrs by Colin Payne Whelan, SE11. Mr G McNeilly, Harpenden. Ms M Ahsman-Marr, Warleigh. MrsBarnard, Southsea. Mrs Jones, Horsham. Mr P Allison, rom the start, everyone is banned from playing with their regular partner. We have a Oldham. Mrs P A Turner, Altrincham. Mrs series of half-hour sessions, playing a variety of games based on bridge. We choose Macleod, Isle of Lewis. Mr Peeler, Aylesbury. from some of the games below. We have a break halfway through for drinks and a Mr E St Clair Sepion, New Malden. Mrs R F Lenney, Reading. Mrs Mullett, High Wycombe. buffet. Prizes are slightly arbitrary; probably top lady and gentleman; others maybe ‘closest to Mrs E Suddards, Bindley. Mr & Mrs I Shaw, zero’ or closest to a score determined at the end of the evening by drawing a card (card value Flested. Mr Oliver, Wombleton. Mrs M Taylor, x 100; black is plus; red minus). We try to avoid members playing for a predetermined prize. Heaton Mersey. Mrs C Levick, Nairn. Mr Quayle, Hertford. Mrs Wood, Lewes. Mrs Mardle, Bledington. Ms Drever, Alton. Mr D 1 Rubber Bridge at 200 per trick. Reward for Williams, Llangollen. Mrs Cooper, SW7. Mrs Self explanatory. making the contract; 300. Lovett, Poole. Mrs L Orchard, Beaconsfield. Mr Set timer for 25 minutes, Bennett, Richmond. Mrs V Parkes, Sheffield. Mr with no dealing after the bell. 7 A small prize for last person Roberts, Thornton Cleveleys. Mrs Le Couteur Rowell, St Clement. Mrs Morgan, Bognor Regis. making a trick with a two Mrs J Britton, Sutton Coldfield. Miss Cleaver, 2 Chicago when the bell goes. Llowes. Mrs S Meakins, Burgess Hill. Dr Play 4 hands, normal vulnerability, Hunter, Belfast. Mrs Thompson, Bracknell.. Mr each hand scored as duplicate. 8 All or Nothing J Turnbull, Wimborne. Mrs P Hill, Wallington. Shuffle and deal as normal. Mrs S Wallbank, Sutton Coldfield. Mrs Fagan, Hertford. Mr G Foster, Cheltenham. Mr Howell, 3 Goulash Play 4 hands. Trump suit is Winchester. Mrs Poole, Chippenham. Mrs B Deal 2 sets of 5 cards and 1 set of 3 predetermined; First hand clubs; Grassick, Bramhall. Mr Owen, E11. Mr P Gann, cards to each player. then diamonds, hearts and spades. Ipswich. Mrs M Bawden, Amersham. Mr D Bid. Dealer is declarer and may opt Cherry, Diseworth. Mr C Chambers, by Perth. Mrs Wren, Solihull. Mr T Mitchell, Shipston on Play all contracts worth game or which to make all 13 tricks or no tricks. Stour. Mrs M Ferguson, Henley on Thames. Mrs would convert an existing partscore to Scoring is from the following table: E McNeilly, Harpenden. Mr Wabe, Bookham. Mr game, also any doubled or redoubled Perry, High Wycombe. Mr A Clarke, Loughton. contracts. ‘All’ Tricks ‘Zero’ Dr Ehsanullah, Chalfont St Giles. Mrs J Clark, Sawbridgeworth. MrsBashford, Croydon. Mrs P Otherwise, score 1 trick less than bid attempted made attempted Kinzella, Worthing. Mrs Hocking, Littlehampton. (1 level bids = 0). -1050 0 +1400 Mrs D Larwood, Great Yarmouth. Mrs Vale, Then stack and cut the cards -750 1 +1050 Wells. Mrs J Ahmad, SE3. Mrs P Law, Shipston without shuffling before redealing. -500 2 +750 on Stour. Mr J Positive, Churchdown. Mrs Frisby, Oakham. Mrs J Forrest, Lancashire. Mrs Note: After a played hand, -300 3 +500 C Osman, Ascot. Mrs Goodliffe, Boston. Mrs shuffling is at the dealer’s discretion. -150 4 +300 Lawson, Haslington. Mr Brown, Falkirk. Mr & Set time to 25 minutes. -50 5 +150 Mrs Kirkman, Bovey Tracey. Mr K Cameron, No dealing after the bell. 0 6 +50 Grimsby. Mr Harris, Todmorden. Mrs P Wilson, Grantown on Spey. Mrs P M Pickup, Chester. +50 7 0 Mr Leonard, Northampton. Mrs P Browne, 4 Irish Roulette, +150 8 -50 County Down. Mrs M Bennett, Innellan. Mrs M Chicago Scoring +300 9 -150 A Slayter, Bristol. Mr W B Coffey, Alrtincham. Shuffle and deal as normal. +500 10 -300 Dr Litton, Harrogate. Mrs P Davies, Cheshire. Play 4 hands. +750 11 -500 Mr A Mann, Nuneaton. Mrs E Hardaker, Market Harborough. Mrs Jones, Clevedon. Mrs Jones, Each player in turn is declarer. +1050 12 -750 Colwyn Bay. Mrs J Lesser, Westcliff on Sea. Mrs Contracts are predetermined by the +1400 13 -1050 N McCrossan, County Derry. Mr Watson, SE12. organiser (game contracts work best). Mrs Harper, Reading. Mrs Clinker, Brentwood. Suggested scoring system: Note: Defenders score the reciprocal Mr Watkiss, Nr Saxmundham. Mr J Bax, Bristol. Mrs P Bayliffe, Blackpool. Mr A Peel, successful contract, of declarer’s score (e.g. Declarer Horsforth. Mr S Davis, Yeadon. Mr C Brown, 500 + contract value +300; defenders -300). High Wycombe. Mr D Green, Cambridge. Mrs + 100 per overtrick. S Evers, Wellington. Mrs A Best, Northallerton. Unsuccessful contract, 9 Gamblers’ Delight Mrs Kaye, Watford. Mrs P Clarke, Polegate. Mr McCurdy, Port Stewart. Mrs I Rees, Fife. Mrs C 100 per undertrick. Deal as normal. Merrett, Wimborne. Mrs H David, Piddington. Play 4 hands. Mr Riddleston, Witham. Mrs M Robinson, 5 Pass the Parcel, Each hand dealer decides contract with Sidmouth. Mrs D Gellatly, Edinburgh. Mr Rubber Bridge Scoring no bidding (level and denomination). Lewis, Bath. Dr Navaratnam, Cambridge. Mr Barrett, Northampton. Mrs Hutchings, Tisbury. Shuffle and deal as normal. Scoring: Mrs Raven, Nether Heyford. Mr Styles, Bristol. Each player passes 4 cards of the same For contracts bid and made. Mrs Templeman, Torquay. Mr Law, Shipston suit to the player on their left. on Stour. Mrs E Kendall, Addington. Mrs Shah, Bid and play the hand. 1 level 100 Moseley. Mrs Chrisp, Fife. Mrs Binns, Norwich. Mrs Beech, Crewkerne. Mr Ferriss, Alford. Mrs 2 level 300 Set time to 25 minutes. Playle, Bristol. Mr Ellis, Christchurch. Mrs No dealing after the bell. 3 level 600 Nathanail, Sidcup. Mr Owen, Conwy. Mr Stoyle, 4 level 1000 Chalfont St Giles. Mrs Hanscombe, Madeley. 6 Bid as normal, but overtricks are Overtricks 50 each Mrs L Spooner, Steyning. Mr & Mrs Childs penalised as well as undertricks Undertricks 100 each. Hopkins, Aldsworth. Mrs Paine, Barnstaple.

Page 25 From the Baron Archives by Dick Atkinson Riviera Regicide

was leafing through my copy of ruff or overruff a club, and he could ‘Yes, they were vulnerable. Buffy bid the Official Encyclopedia of Bridge, still defeat the contract if he returned 4♠ and all passed.’ looking for the Benjamin System, a trump, but at least Mr Bennett would ‘You see what I mean about Iwhen I noticed the adjacent entry: have had the satisfaction [well – briefly, duplication. If South’s lowest heart Bennett Murder. anyway] of knowing that he had played had been a diamond, making it a much This was the deal: the cards dealt him by fate to the very weaker hand in isolation, 4♠ would be best of his ability. a far better contract. However, lead I copied the deal down on a page on.’ ♠ A 10 6 3 from the telephone pad, intending to ‘West led the ace of diamonds—’ ♥ 10 8 5 cross off the cards to check the play in ‘Ace from ace-king?’ ♦ 4 full. Just then my Uncle Leopold, the ‘Erm, no. . . and switched to the jack ♣ A 9 8 4 2 ancient Baron, walked into the hall of clubs.’ ♠ Q 7 2 ♠ 4 from the kitchen. A tangible halo of He thought for a microsecond or ♥ A J 3 N ♥ Q 9 4 garlic hung about him, and I mentally two. ‘Was West by any chance the W E ♦ ♦ A Q 10 9 2 S K J 7 6 3 wrote off the nice paté I had bought Village Idiot or some kindred spirit?’ ♣ J 6 ♣ Q 7 5 3 that morning for my supper. ‘To whom ‘No. A National Master. Four Star.’ ♠ K J 9 8 5 have you been talking?’ he probed, his ‘He might well still be the Village ♥ K 7 6 2 eagle eye noting the recorded deal. Idiot! However, assuming West has ♦ 8 5 Time for a little sport, thought I. some halfway intelligent reason ♣ K 10 ‘Just Vera from the club – wanting for developing dummy’s long suit my opinion on a hand that cost them gratis, then we must assume your rather a lot in a match at the weekend.’ Four Star National Master had a lead East-West were a couple by the name ‘Why?’ problem. He therefore has the ace of of Hoffman. South was a Mr John ‘She wanted to know how to play it hearts, which is bad news, but also Bennett, who opened 1♠. After a ♦2 properly.’ the queen of trumps, which is ample overcall, Mrs Myrtle Bennett raised ‘Well of course she did. But I mean compensation.’ to 4♠. The ace of diamonds was led, why did she want your opinion?’ ‘He could be void in trumps.’ followed by the jack of clubs. Mr Ignoring the wounding remark, I ‘Rubbish! With the Chicane he Bennett failed in his contract, was folded the sheet twice to conceal the would surely be doubling for take-out. verbally abused by his wife, slapped East-West cards, and followed him Unless that was a sneaky club switch her face, and was then shot dead! Mrs into the sitting room where he lowered from queen-jack, the contract should Bennett was acquitted of his murder, himself into my favourite armchair. I be made. Run the knave to the king. after expert evidence regarding the handed it to him. ‘Dealer South,’ I said. Draw trumps finessing against West – provocation . . . ‘Strong intermediates in the I am assuming they are not 4-0, which The printed analysis (paraphrased principal suit, both majors, easy rebid. would make East’s lack of interest in here, with my comments in italics) was . . 1♠.’ the auction hard to account for. Ace by the bridge patriarch, Ely Culbertson: So far so good! of clubs, ruffing finesse against the Mr Bennett had overbid his hand. Of ‘West overcalls with 2♦.’ queen, with the diamond ruff for re- that there can be no doubt. He still ‘Hm. It’s only a 3♠ bid really, but entry. I make that four spade tricks, could have made his contract and maximum . . . You may well get away plus one diamond ruff, one club ruff saved his life. The proper play before with 4♠ – unless there’s duplication and four club winners.’ drawing the trumps would have been in diamonds, of course. But unless ‘Culbertson doesn’t agree.’ to establish the club suit [via the ruffing you have a more informative indirect ‘Meaning either that you have com- finesse], after ruffing the last diamond. route, I’d bid it vulnerable. Better municated with the late Ely via the Eventually Hoffman – West – would odds, of course.’ Ouija Board or that this is in reality

Page 26 Riviera Regicide continued vention of 4♥. North calls belief in the value of inter- 6♥, and your partner calls ference bidding on weak Cheltenham 6♠. You pass this, North hands over artificial forcing Regency doubles, and your partner openings, and so I approve the famous Bennett runs to 7♦; 7♥ from South, of his weak 2♥ overcall. In Hotel Murder Hand, as I realised to you.’ this case it prevented East- immediately . . . Not that ‘Hm. North’s double is West from showing their Cheltenham GL51 0ST it can compare for interest Lightner, a club void—’ aces. East led the king of with the rather less well ‘Good, good. South has a spades, using the old ambig- known Stuart Deal.’ club void also.’ uous method of king from ‘The Stuart Deal?’ ‘Ah. I should give prefer- ace-king or king-queen. His He turned the sheet over ence to 7♠, then.’ partner ruffed and returned and plucked his favourite ‘That is what happened in the two of clubs, North’s gold propelling pencil from another match. One down second spade being discard- a pocket – my pocket, my – and lucky at that. Baron ed. That comes to five down, pencil. de Nexon doubled, know- which should cost the board ‘The descendants of your ing that his partner has and the match. However, British Royal house, the Stu- solid tops in two suits, clubs the players were not to know arts, lived on until recently are, shall we say, adequately that. East, who would have BRIDGE in exile. By recently, I mean protected, and a trump lead taken the first six tricks, EVENTS 2013 1963. This was from the fi- will limit North-South to threw a heavy glass ashtray 15-17 February nal of the Almanach de Go- eleven heart tricks at best. at his partner. The Prince, Chris Williams tha Multiple Teams of Four, This was the full deal. De leaning gallantly between Hand Evaluation – £215 played in Cannes that year. Nexon led the trump.’ them to try to separate the Two-board matches, thir- two, was struck on the tem- 5-7 April teen teams, point-a-board. ple and died. Ironic, really, Just Bridge – £199 ♠ 4 3 2 At the first table the Baron since he was a non-smoker. 17-19 May ♥ de Nexon was playing with 9 8 7 6 5 3 And that was the end of the Just Bridge – £199 the current Stuart Pretender, ♦ 7 5 3 2 Stuart line.’ Prince Alexander, a vigor- ♣ Void ‘Did the Pretender not feel 12-14 July ous forty-year-old widower ♠ Void ♠ A K Q 9 7 5 he had a duty to remarry?’ Bernard Magee ♥ N ♥ Thinking Defence – £245 and womaniser. The first 4 W E Void ‘Oh, did I not explain? hand was an unbeatable ♦ Void S ♦ A K Q 8 6 4 At the first table, de Nexon 26-28 July 7NT – an obvious tie – so ♣ A K Q J 10 9 ♣ 3 would have exited with his Just Bridge – £199 the match rested on the oth- 8 7 6 5 4 2 club deuce, putting the con- 9-11 August er deal. Playing the Albar- ♠ J 10 8 6 tract six down after all. . . but Just Bridge – £199 ran Convention, de Nexon ♥ A K Q J 10 2 Prince Alexander ‘helpfully’ opened with 2♣ as West and ♦ J 10 9 discarded the three of clubs 6-8 September his partner responded 3♥.’ ♣ Void on the trump lead. It wasn’t Just Bridge – £199 ‘Albarran?’ just the missed undertricks, 13-15 September ‘In the mid-twentieth or even the match, so much Just Bridge – £199 century, de Nexon and Al- I looked and thought, as as the stolen opportunity to barran were France’s top usual, not quite enough. make the most extreme un- 11-13 October international pair. Albarran ‘Wow. Six top losers.’ derlead of all time. De Nex- Just Bridge – £199 invented canapé bidding, ‘Not a bit of it, Declarer on challenged the Prince to 25-27 October and also the ace-showing can play low from dummy, a duel. It was all hushed up, Just Bridge – £199 responses to 2♣, which and when East shows out, the French being very un- 1-3 November your CAB players adopted he follows with the deuce, derstanding about crimes Further into in England. Remember?’ leaving West on lead. On passionnels.’ the Auction – £215 ‘Of course – do you take the next three cards – clubs ‘And the result in your me for a fool?’ I lied. – declarer can ditch spades own match?’ 29 Nov – 1 Dec ‘Indeed. Spade void, sin- from dummy and diamonds ‘You know my meth- Declarer Play – £215 ♣ gleton four of hearts, dia- from hand. That’s just four ods. 6 opened and made. 6-8 December mond void, and twelve clubs down.’ Shame about the missed Just Bridge – £199 missing the three, opposite ‘And at the other table?’ Grand . . .’ ■ two aces of mixed colour ‘The same contract was Full Board No Single Supplement and rank still only adds up reached by the Heir Ap- Previously published ♣ to 6 , which you call di- parent, Prince Malcolm, as in BRIDGE 61. Booking Form on page 9. rectly over South’s inter- North. I have a deeply held

Page 27 GLOBAL TRAVEL INSURANCE A1 Yeoman Gate, Yeoman Way, Worthing, BN13 3QZ GLOBAL TRAVEL GLOBAL TRAVEL INSURANCE ( INSURANCE Services Limited 01903 267432 Fax 01903 268946 Email [email protected] Services Limited

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Single Trip travel insurance is arranged by Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Single Trip Travel Insurance Financial Services Authority and our status can be checked on the FSA Suitable for for a single round trip starting and finishing in the UK Register by visiting www.fsa.gov.uk/register or by contacting the FSA and Channel Islands, is of no more than 94 days duration, on 0845 606 1234. for persons whose age is 90 years or less. This insurance is underwritten by ETI International Travel Protection (ETI) the UK branch of Europäische Reiseversicherung A.G. Munich, an Global Travel Insurance ERGO group Company, incorporated and regulated under the laws of A1 Yeoman Gate, Yeoman Way, Worthing, BN13 3QZ Germany, Companies House Registration FC 25660 and Branch Reg- ( 01903 267432 Fax 01903 268946 istration BR 007939. ETI is licensed by the Bundesanstalt für Finanz- dienstleistungsaufsicht (BAFIN – www.bafin.de) and approved by the SINGLE TRIP APPLICATION FORM Financial Services Authority to undertake insurance business in the UK. Please FULLY complete the following in BLOCK CAPITALS. Once complete, SINGLE TRIP INSURANCE PRODUCT SUITABILITY return the application panel direct to Global Travel Insurance at the address above, with a cheque or with card details entered. Insurance is not effective until a Policy has been issued. As this description contains the Key Features of the cover provided it constitutes provision of a statement of demands and needs. Title (Mr/Mrs/Miss) Initials This insurance is suitable for a single round trip starting and finishing in the UK and Channel Islands, is of no more than 94 days duration, for Surname persons whose age is 90 years or less. This insurance is only available to persons who are permanently Telephone No. resident and domiciled in the UK and Channel Islands. House Number/Name Single Trip PREMIUM RATING SCHEDULE Street Name GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS 1. United Kingdom Town Name England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, including all islands comprising the British Isles (except the Channel Islands and the Postcode Republic of Ireland). (Any British Isles or UK Cruises are rated as Area 2). 2. Europe Date of leaving Home Continental Europe west of the Ural mountain range, all countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea (except, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Date of arrival Home Lebanon, Libya & Syria), the Channel Islands and the Republic of Ireland, Iceland, Madeira, The Canaries and The Azores. (Persons Screening Ref residing in the Channel Islands need to pay Area 2 rates for UK trips). 3. Worldwide Introducer Mr Bridge All countries outside of the above (except those within Area 4). 4. North America, Central America & The Caribbean Geographical Area – See Premium Panel Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, (1,2,3 or 4) Greenland, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, The Names of all persons to be insured Age Premium Caribbean Islands, United States of America. 1 SCHEDULE OF PREMIUMS £

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✄ 328STI12 Julian Pottage Says

If in Doubt, Get Them Out – Draw Trumps

opular folklore has it that those You have only one entry to dummy – who forget to draw trumps end ♠ 9 6 3 in clubs – and so must pull the missing up sleeping on the Embankment ♥ A K 6 trumps before you try to run the suit. P(or, in America, under the Brooklyn ♦ J 9 8 If not, you will have no way back to the Bridge). Why is it vital to draw trumps? ♣ A J 7 3 clubs if someone ruffs the third round. Well, why do you choose a trump suit ♠ 8 7 ♠ K Q 4 2 You win the club in hand and, after N ♥ 10 4 ♥ 8 3 2 in the first place? You think you can W E cashing the A-K of trumps to confirm make extra tricks by ruffing opposing ♦ A Q 3 2 S ♦ 5 4 the 3-2 split, give up a trump. You lose at winners. At the start of the play, the ♣ K 9 8 5 4 ♣ Q 10 6 2 most two spades and a trump. defenders have trumps as well – so they ♠ A J 10 5 Is it ever right not to draw trumps? might ruff your winners. However, if ♥ Q J 9 7 5 Yes, here are common reasons not to: you have chosen the trump suit wisely, ♦ K 10 7 6 1 If you want to ruff in dummy but you will have more trumps than they do. ♣ Void dummy is quite short in trumps. After a few rounds have gone, your side 2 If you need some trumps as entries. will have the only trumps left. Ruffing 3 You need short trumps as stoppers. then becomes the exclusive privilege of You play in 4♥. West leads the eight of yours, the declaring side. spades and East plays the queen. ‘If in doubt, get them out.’ To make this contract you must win ♠ K 6 3 at once and play three rounds of hearts. ♥ Void After that, you can knock out the king ♦ K Q 9 8 ♠ K Q 7 6 of spades and West’s diamond winners. ♣ K Q 9 7 3 2 ♥ 7 6 2 ♠ 8 7 2 ♠ 9 4 This way the trump suit works for you – N ♦ 6 5 4 your two long trumps will help to stop ♥ A 10 6 4 W E ♥ Q 8 3 2 ♣ Q 7 5 the defenders from making any club ♦ J 4 3 2 S ♦ 10 6 5 ♣ J 5 ♣ A 10 8 6 N tricks once they switch to that suit. W E If you delay drawing trumps, you will ♠ A Q J 10 5 S find that West ruffs a spade or East a ♥ K J 9 7 5 ♠ A J 4 3 2 diamond – or both. ♦ A 7 ♥ A K Q 4 ♣ 4 ♦ 8 3 2 ♣ A ♠ Q 7 ♥ 8 3 You are in 6♠ and get a trump lead. ♦ J 9 8 3 All the above three exceptions apply. You, South, play in 4♠. West leads the ♣ K Q J 10 9 If you draw trumps, you will lose a heart jack of clubs to your ace. ♠ A 9 8 3 ♠ K 10 4 2 or two as well as the club ace (trump You have three diamond losers and, ♥ J 6 N ♥ Q 10 4 needed as a stopper). You will also W E ♦ ♦ unless hearts split 3-3, a heart loser as K 6 5 S 10 7 4 2 be short of entries to set up the clubs well. This is no problem as you intend to ♣ 8 5 4 3 ♣ 6 2 (trump needed as an entry) and a trick ruff the fourth round of hearts in dummy. ♠ J 6 5 short (ruff in short trump hand needed). What must you do before that? You must ♥ A K 9 7 5 2 Get out a pack of cards and try it. draw trumps. If you fail to do so, some- ♦ A Q Correct play is to win in hand and play one short in hearts will ruff one of your ♣ A 7 a club to the king. Win the trump return top hearts. So long as trumps break 2-2 in dummy, ruff a club, ruff a heart and or 3-1 (a 90% chance), you will be able to ruff another club. Now you draw the last draw the opposing trumps without draw- You are in 4♥ and West leads the five of trump and enjoy dummy’s winners. ing all of dummy’s in the process. clubs. The rule about whether to draw trumps Drawing trumps appeals even more if This deal, too, calls for drawing is that you draw them unless you find a dummy cannot ruff anything. trumps with gusto. Do you see why? reason not to. If in doubt, get them out. ■

Page 30 Heather Dhondy Says Third Hand Plays High

artner leads the two of spades and West North East South dummy plays low. Which card do 2 ♠ Q 8 1NT (12-14) you play as East below? ♥ J 9 8 7 Pass 3NT End P ♦ J 9 7 ♣ A K 4 2 Your partner leads the seven of spades 1 ♠ 6 5 ♠ 9 7 5 2 ♠ K 10 6 3 against three no-trumps. Which card N ♥ Q J 8 7 ♥ 10 6 2 ♥ 5 3 W E do you play as East? ♦ J 9 7 ♦ Q 8 6 S ♦ A K 4 3 You see the same spade suit as last ♣ A K 4 2 ♣ Q 6 5 ♣ 10 9 8 time, but there are two important ♠ Q 8 7 2 ♠ K 10 9 3 ♠ A J 4 differences. Can you see what they are? ♥ 10 6 2 N ♥ 5 3 ♥ A K Q 4 Firstly, when you are defending W E ♦ 10 8 6 ♦ A K 4 3 ♦ S 10 5 2 against a no-trump contract, partner ♣ Q 6 5 ♣ 10 9 8 ♣ J 7 3 may well have led from an ace whereas ♠ A J 4 this is unlikely in a trump contract. ♥ A K 9 4 Secondly, the lead is slightly different. ♦ Q 5 2 South plays in 4♥ on the same auction The seven will tell you that if partner ♣ J 7 3 as 1. This time partner leads the seven has led fourth highest, declarer will of spades and declarer plays low from have one higher card in the suit. If it is dummy. What card do you play now? anything but the ace, there is no cost to West North East South Again, you must think what the lead playing the king. Indeed, when declarer 1♥ may be from. It looks most likely to be holds the jack doubleton, as here, it is Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥ second highest from 9-7-x-x or be from essential to play the king. End J-9-7. In either case, you should play the Just consider the position where ten. If partner has led from low cards, declarer has the ace – is he really going You know that partner will not have you will hold declarer to two tricks by to play low from dummy to trick one? underled an ace in a trump contract, so doing so. If instead he has led from No, of course he is going to try putting is there any point in putting up the king, the jack, playing the ten will prevent up the queen. Therefore it appears just to have it topped by declarer’s ace? declarer from having a second trick in correct to put up the king… but is it? Let us think about partner’s lead. Hold the suit. Suppose partner has led second ing only small cards in the suit, partner So what happened to third hand high? highest from four small cards? This would have led a middle or high card. Actually, you did play high – but you would give declarer the ace-jack and, Therefore, we know that the two must be took a finesse with the ten – saving your if declarer has only A-J-8 rather than from an honour. If it is the jack, it does king to cover the queen later. A-J-9, it may be important to play the not matter whether we play the nine or ten, to hold declarer to two tricks in the king, since the nine would lose to the the suit. Now on the expected play of queen giving declarer two tricks in the 3 ♠ Q 5 the diamond finesse, you can win and suit. However, if partner has led from the ♥ K Q 3 continue with the king of spades. So queen, it is imperative to put up the king ♦ A Q J 2 how do we know what to do? in order to establish partner’s queen. ♣ Q 8 5 4 If 3NT is to go down on this second What does the rule of ‘third hand ♠ A 9 8 7 2 ♠ K 10 6 3 highest lead, partner will need to have high’ tell you? It tells you that, if partner ♥ 10 6 N ♥ J 9 8 5 4 four diamonds to the ten at least. Do leads a low card and the next hand also ♦ 10 9 7 6 W E ♦ K 8 not play for partner to have led from S plays low, the player in third seat should ♣ J 7 ♣ 10 9 his second best suit. When partner has play their highest card in the suit (but ♠ J 4 led a card that could be fourth highest, lowest from equal cards). The objective ♥ A 7 2 you should normally play him for it and is to win the trick or drive out a top card ♦ 5 4 3 play high to the first trick. We all want from declarer and, you hope, establish a ♣ A K 6 3 2 to lead our longest and strongest suit if winner for partner. we possibly can, even partner! ■

Page 31 1450 MR BRIDGE G Sing to Saf final_Layout 1 08/01/2013 16:32 Page 1 CRUI SE FROMASIATO EGYPT BRIDGE If undelivered or unwanted kindly return to Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey, GU21 2TH

SINGAPORE TO LUXOR - MARCH 7, 2013 Cairo Giza Luxor Safaga EGYPT Muscat Porbandar Red Oman INDIA GRAND VOYAGE – GREAT VALUE WITH Sea Salalah Mumbai SINGLE Marmagao Spanning two continents and exploring some of the world's greatest treasures, this epic 29-day voyage Mangalore Bay of takes you from the dynamic city-state of Singapore to the monuments of Pharaonic Egypt via theSUPPLEMENT Arabian Cochin Bengal * Sea Malaysia wonders of the Indian subcontinent. You’ll visit the birthplace of Gandhi, the magical island of SriONLY Colombo Penang £100 Sri Lanka Lanka, the desert beauty of Oman, and finally Luxor in Egypt before returning home. Malacca Singapore Cruise in comfort, relax in style Aegean Odysseyis a premium-class ship, carrying around MAR 7 Depart UK MAR 21/22 MUMBAI India 350 passengers. The atmosphere on board is relaxed with MAR 8 Arrive SINGAPORE MAR 23 PORBANDAR India plenty of passenger space, a choice of restaurants (with open- MAR 9 SINGAPORE Embark MAR 24 At Sea seating dining) and generously-sized accommodation, plus MAR 10 MALACCA Malaysia MAR 25/26 MUSCAT Oman the comfort and attentive service of boutique-style cruising. MAR 11 PENANG Malaysia MAR 27 At Sea MAR 12-14 At Sea MAR 28 SALALAH Oman MAR 15/16 COLOMBO Sri Lanka MAR 29 - Cruising Arabian Sea APR 2 MAR 17 At Sea & Red Sea † APR 3 Mr Bridge fares from just £2,950 include: MAR 18 COCHIN India SAFAGA/LUXOR Egypt Visit Temple of Luxor MAR 19 MANGALORE India • FULL BRIDGE PROGRAMME • SCHEDULED FLIGHTS & TRANSFERS APR 4 LUXOR Egypt • EXPERTLY PLANNED ITINERARIES • SHORE EXCURSIONS MAR 20 MARMAGAO India Fly home via Cairo • EXPERT ANTIQUITY GUEST SPEAKERS • OPEN-SEATING DINING • WINE WITH DINNER ON BOARD • GRATUITIES ON BOARD EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY WITH 3 EXTRA • EXCLUSIVE COCKTAIL PARTY NIGHTS IN EGYPT Enjoy an extra nghti in Luxor and then fly to Cairo to stay at the the 5-star Mena uHose Obero ihotel ni Giza, for 2 nghtsi to explore the ancenti wonders of the pyramids and the treasures of the Pharaohs BRIDGE PLAYERS: The bridge programme is exclusive to Mr Bridge bookings but completely optional and Mr Bridge passengers can participate as muc h, or as little as they wish. in Cairo. Flyngi home on Aprl i7. Double £369 per person, single £459. There will be a duplicate session every evening and bridge every afternoon the ship is at sea. Singles are made especially welc ome and a playing partner will always be found.

† Price is per person, for double occupancy in double cabins and includes Mr Bridge special savings. *The number of cabinsictly is strlimited, so book early to avoid disappointment. This offer is subject to availability, is capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time.

10093 TO Call on 01483 489961www.mrbridge.co.uk VOYAGES ANTIQUITY ABTA No.Y2206