Newsletter 17 Newsletter 18 top
The Newsletter – No 16 March 1997
His Life Respected; His Loss Regretted
Such was the theme of John Day’s moving tribute, as many bridge club members joined family and other mourners in saying farewell to Freddie Dumbleton. A founder member of Newcastle Bridge Club. Freddie combined the attributes of sportsman and gentleman. He loved and had been active in cricket, rugby and golf (the latter until 1993) but his ruling passion (outside his family) was bridge. Not even the longest-serving member can remember Freddie being other than courteous and considerate both to partners and to opponents. His above-and-beyond devotion to bridge was recognised by the E.B.U. and he became one of the rare breed who have received the Dimmie Fleming award. As well as a fund of memories, we have the Handicap Teams (for so long known popularly as “Freddie’s Teams”) which is arguably the best teams of four competition in Staffordshire to remind us of a fine human being. Goodbye Freddie and thanks. We also lost another gentlemanly club member when Jim Bagnall passed away recently. Always civil and polite at the bridge table, Jim, for many years, was partnered by his son-in-law, Tom Croydon during our period at the High Street premises. Newer members will not have met Jim, since he gave up the game when his wife became ill. . Tony Togneri’s TOPS AND BOTTOMS OF THE MONTH
Just as soccer runs a goal of the month competition why not have a top or bottom of the month competition? May I suggest this bottom for an initial entry. I was partnering a distinguished visitor (whose ACOL was undistinguished) at Crewe and Nantwich B.C. when I found myself with 11 hcp opposite distinguished visitor’s penalty double of 1NT:
North AJ875 KQ9 Q3 . Q105 West East 32 Dealer South Q10 AJ1042 7653 KJ8 E/W Vul 7652 . KJ6 . 843
South K96 8 A1094 . A972
West North East South Arthur D.V. Ginny Tony 1NT Dble Pass Pass1 2 Pass Pass 32 All Pass 1. Difficult! I don’t know how to force and we may not take it enough off good against a vulnerable game 2. No agreement but surely partner can bid 3NT or a suit which I’ll raise to game After my 3 cue bid, all passed (including Distinguished Visitor) leaving me wishing that I had punted 3NT. No, I did not make my contract in the 3-1 fit. I managed two tricks in each suit for one down. Distinguished Visitor said nothing. but his disapproval was evident as he wrote – 100 against our pair number, whilst all others had +600,+620.+630 or +650. . Dates for the Diary
Frank Charles Cup for Teams Friday March 14th 19.15 Pro-Am Pairs Event Wednesday March 26th 19.15 Young Cup Club Pairs Championship Sunday April 6th 13.30
. PRIDE AND PRECISION by Jane Doe
Episode 4. Meryton Bridge Club was ablaze with the lights of a thousand chandeliers for the event of the year - the Meryton Mixed Pairs. Gorgeously begowned ladies escorted by husbands, fiancées and lovers joined the fashionable passagiata which led to the Pavilion room. The strains of Die Giuckliche lid/hi played by a concealed band accompanied their progress. Elizabeth and Jane Bennet were standing uncertainly in the foyer, awaiting, respectively, Captain Wickham and Charles Bingley. ‘Something awful has happened to dear Mr. Bingley, Lizzie,’ sobbed Jane, ‘I must go to him.’ ‘We could have missed them, said Elizabeth, ‘There are other entrance doors.’ But Jane was already striding out into the raw evening air and from inside the Club came the strident voice of her mother. Elizabeth turned to find Mrs. Bennet in company with a tall, elegant man, greying becomingly at the temples. ‘Elizabeth, here is your Uncle Gardiner fresh from Buxton,’ announced Mrs. Bennet, ‘but he has no partner since Aunt Gardiner has taken a fit of the vapours. Do you know of anyone who might take her place?’ Elizabeth, who was fond of Uncle Gardiner, came to a decision, ‘It appears that my partner has been detained by military duties. So I am free to partner you, Uncle.’ ‘Excellent,’ said Gardiner, ‘then we have a few minutes to discuss our system. I will draw’ a place for us.’ Elizabeth soon warmed to the Super Precision that was Gardiner’s preferred system. A bell was rung for play to commence and there came an immediate cry of “Director”. Many eyes followed the official and, to Elizabeth’s astonishment, she saw that the complaint was against the man she had expected to partner, Captain Wickham! The loud voice of the complainant could be heard throughout the room and Elizabeth blanched as she listened to the dreadful accusation. ‘Observe, sir, the convention cards that our opponents have passed to us Acol with a Multi.., it defies belief that here, at the Meryton....’ The Director’s ruling was swift and decisive as he addressed himself to Wickham, Such a working-class system is not licensed at the Meryton as you ought to know, sir. I can issue you with basic Precision convention cards or you must retire from the competition. What do you say, sir? You cannot play a strong club system? Then go, sir, go!’ To hisses and boos, Wickham dragged himself to his feet and, accompanied by his partner, shuffled crimson-faced and sneering from the room. Elizabeth was aghast with sheer disbelief. Wickham’s partner was none other than Lydia, her own fifteen year-old, sister. Supposedly a go-between, Lydia must have become Wickham’s lover. Or had Wickham planned this treachery on the day he had entered himself with an unspecified “Miss Bennet”? To offset her misery, Elizabeth immersed herself in Super Precision to such an extent, that, with two rounds to play’ the summary scoreboard read: 1.Darcy & Lady de Bourgh 108 VP’s 2. Uncle Gardener & Elizabeth 105VP’s 3. Sir William & Lady Lucas 91 VP’s. Her uncle laid Board 24 upon the table. It was to be of momentous importance in the winning of the Meryton. Every South, so far, had bid 6 . or 6NT on the board and every South had failed to find the correct play. The most-recent failure had been Lady Lucas in 6NT. The hand was cruel and deceptive: North QJ1082 Q9 K976 . 84 West East 96543 Dealer West K Jl0652 K874 104 Game All J532 . 2 . Q953
South A7 A3 AQ8 . AKJ1076
South opened 1 . or 2NT and, after North’s positive response could not be prevented from slamming. Almost inevitably, West led the J to the queen, king and ace and South was under immediate pressure, not to let either hand in to cash heart winners. Of course, double dummy, one may lay down the A, felling the King and setting up a progressive squeeze on East to see tile comitract home. But that line of play did not comnmnend itself to any declarer. A typical strategy was to test the diamonds (which fails) - try the risky club finesse (but the queen still does not fall ) and finally lose the last two tricks to a spade and a heart. When the board reached Elizabeth and Uncle Gardiner, their super Precision system was firing on all cylinders:
West North East South Collins Gardiner Charlotte Elizabeth Pass Pass Pass 1 .1 Pass 1 2 Pass 2 .3 Pass 2 4 Pass 2 5 Pass 3 .6 Pass 3 7 Pass 3 8 Pass 4 9 Pass 4 10 Pass 5 . All Pass Pass
1l6+HCP 2 8+HCP and at least five spades 3Shows clubs and asks about controls 4Minimum hand with <4 controls 5Shows spade support and asks about spade suit 6Two steps -shows a five card spade suit headed by one of the top three honours 7Asking bid about the quality of the diamond suit 8Two steps shows a second round control 9Askingbid about the quality of the heart suit 10One step no first or second round control This elegant sequence allowed Elizabeth and her Uncle to keep out of a slam and 5 . made easily for a top so far. The board had to be played last by Darcy and Lady Catherine using Modified Romex. Lady Catherine opened 2 . showing an unbalanced hand of 21-24 HCP and Darcy’s conventional response of 2 showed a major-minor two suiter with 8+HCP. Lady Catherine’s single step response of 2 showed her long suit to be clubs. Darcy pondered, considering what the field would be in and, influenced by the fact that he would be playing the hand, made a limit bid of 6NT. Faced with a difficult lead, East chose a small club, won by dummy’s ten. Darcy came to hand with the K and played the Q to the King, Ace and three. A spade back to hand produced three spade tricks. Darcy now took the marked club finesse and excited kibitzers spilled out upon the playing area. ‘They think it’s all over,’ pronounced Darcy and cashing the A, the AQ and the .AK7, concluded, ‘It is now!’ Darcy’s 6NT+1 had demoted Elizabeth’s 5 .to a second-top, and meant that Fitzwilliam Darcy and Lady Catherine de Bourgh had triumphed, with Elizabeth and Uncle Gardiner, a creditable second. During the prizegiving ceremony Darcy spoke kindly to Elizabeth, ‘Congratulations, Miss Bennet. I had speculated as to who might finish second to me and it pleases me that it should be you and your …..’ He broke off, looking uncertainly at Uncle Gardiner. Elizabeth effected introductions and Darcy appeared pleased. ‘It may be no more than a coincidence but, as you have partnered your uncle, I have partnered my aunt. It seems ……’ They were not to know more because, at that moment, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet appeared in a highly disturbed state. ‘Oh, Lizzie,’ she groaned, ‘were you witness to that dreadful affair at the start? Lydia and that awful soldier. The Director dismissed them and we have no idea where she has gone.’ ‘Whatever shall we do?’ wailed Mr. Bennet, who was a broken reed in any crisis. ‘I should not be too concerned,’ said Darcy, ‘I know that the Hertfordshire Lancers have been ordered North. Young Miss Bennet should soon be restored to the bosom of her family.’ ‘Ordered North?’ whimpered Mr. Bennet, ‘what if Lydia has gone too. Our baby in the arms of a soldier.’ At that instant, Colonel Forrester and Kitty Bennet strolled past and all fell silent. ‘It is so unfair, mother,’ said Elizabeth, ‘to find Kitty and Lydia in unfortunate liaisons whilst the romance of Mr. Bingley and Jane has, perhaps, foundered. He made no appearance tonight.’ ‘Mr. Bingley and his sisters have gone to Bath on my suggestion,’ announced Darcy, ‘I could hardly recommend Charles to marry into such a family as the Bennets. Tonight’s happenings have surely justified my decision, would you not agree, Miss Elizabeth?’ Without waiting for a reply, Darcy picked up his trophy and strolled away to speak to a heavily-bejewelled young woman, with flame-red hair and surprisingly— green eyes. ‘Oh, husband, whatever shall we do?’ groaned Mrs. Bennet, ‘Lydia off with a soldier, who can’t even play precision, Kitty ruining her reputation with a married man and poor Jane, deserted.’ ‘I’m for a drink,’ said Mr. Bennet, at last reaching a decision, ‘will you join me, Gardiner?’ ‘Of course, ‘said his brother, ‘but, first I have a proposition to put to Elizabeth. I’d like her to join Aunt Gardiner and myself on a trip to the Matlock Congress, where we have entered a team of four. Our Derbyshire cousins, the Rowsley-Gilmans are team-mates and, with Aunt Gardiner’s uncertain health, a fifth player of Elizabeth’s quality would be a godsend. What do you say, Lizzie?’
.
Pre-emptive Measures by Muggins
North J93 AKQ752 4 . K65 West East KQ1076 Dealer South A542 6 1084 KJ103 Love All AQ972 . 1097 . A
South 8 J93 865 . QJ8432
West North East South ~ ~ ~ 3 . Pass 3 Pass 4 All Pass
On the other table the auction was as follows ~ ~ ~ Pass Pass 3 Dble 4 4 Pass 5 Pass 6 All Pass
Love-All the score and up to me as South, Three Clubs comes, all unwelcome, from my mouth. Is this pre-empt really in order? Perhaps I shouldn’t didn’t oughter. Three hearts replies partner, rather gleefully; And I raise to four hearts, somewhat fearfully. The contract is there to be beaten by two; though not easy to see, nor easy to do. Only double dummy defence is required; Underleading aces is all that’s desired. East did not win any brilliancy prizes - his case should appear at the next assizes West muttered something about being witless; And is to appear as Chief prosecution witness. At our teammates table and I swear this is true; North put up a barrage he was later to rue. A take-out double set the ball rolling; And South’s raise started the auction growing. “Four spades may be an underbid,” considered West; And North figured that a pass was best. East fancied something and raised with a sigh; Partner bid six! Was this pie in the sky? 420 in one room - 980 in t’other - gave 16 imps without any bother. They do not surprise a bard- these handsome swings - for ‘tis oft bad bidding its own reward brings. . A Guide to Bridge Jargon In response to the question at the end of the Monday duplicate “Have you had a good night?” Not sure, probably about middle Nearer bottom than middle - we had a bad night We didn’t get the cards We played badly - we had a bad night We sat on the wrong axis We had a bad night They weren’t very interesting hands We had a bad night We didn’t get any gifts We had a bad night Two or three bad boards spoiled it We had a bad night We did better than last week We were bottom last week - We had a bad night People kept out of hopeless games We had a lot of poor boards -We had a bad night We had some good boards We had a bad night We did well until the last two tables Finished with six bottoms - another bad night We had a few misunderstandings Why doesn’t partner learn the system? - a bad night I got no points once again Partner butchered the contracts- We had a bad night
The Newsletter – No 17 April 1997
League Form reversed in the Frank Charles! The Stubbs team, with only Bradley below them in the league, stunned a small field by winning the Frank Charles Cup, whilst Savage, joint league leaders, took the wooden spoon. . Down to the wire in the Handicap Teams! A handicapper’s dream of at least six teams in with excellent chances of winning on April 4th is the only way to describe the present situation in the Handicap teams. Heywood, who may defeat Bradley, then need to beat joint table-toppers, Berrisford, to be certain of at least sharing the title. Savage may find Feltbower a difficult proposition and Berrisford have strong opposition in Dash. Should these leaders slip, either Brandon or Martin, who have less demanding ties, may slip through to take the title. . Big Winning Margin in Charity Challenge Cup Marion Jordan and Shirley Stubbs were far from charitable to their opponents as they romped home, almost 7% clear of the field in an evening in support of research into Alzheimer’s disease. Leese and Martin along with Talathi and Togneri played well to take the minor placings.
. Jean and Harold join Teaching Elite Only about 30 people in the entire United Kingdom have obtained the EBUTA Professional Teachers Certificate, which requires a good deal of teaching experience, the holding for a significant period of the EBUTA teaching certificate, assessment by professional staff of the EBU, support by recognised referees and attendance at an EBU-organised Directors Course. Jean Armstrong and Harold Goodwin are to be congratulated on obtaining this certificate during March 1997. Harold has taught evening classes at the Club for many years and Jean daytime classes for over four years. . Tony Togneri’s TOPS AND BOTTOMS This hand was told to me as coming from the thriving bridge club at Eccleshall (where everyone uses bidding boxes). The hand was as follows:
North Q109 AQ5 J762 . K64 West East 853 Dealer North 4 K4 J9632 AK8543 Game All Q107 . 92 . Q1083
South AKJ762 1087 - . AJ75
West North East South Farmer Arnold Mrs.B. Desmond B ~ 1NT1 Pass 32 Pass 4 Pass 5.3 Pass 53 Pass 7! All Pass
1. 13-15 hcp, no five card suit 2. Decent six card suit with slam interest 3. Cue bid of first round control. With spades agreed, Desmond decided on a slightly ambitious 6. West faced the A and dummy was exposed. At this point, Desmond found he had inadvertently pulled out the 7 bid from the bidding box. Was there any solution to this quandary? Clearly dummy’s four diamonds had to be ruffed and thus a dummy reversal would be necessary. The heart finesse would have to work and maybe a squeeze on East could generate four tricks in clubs. So, Desmond ruffed with the A, entered dummy with a small spade to the nine and ruffed a second diamond high, entered dummy with another spade to time ten and ruffed a third diamond. Now a heart to the Queen was followed by a fourth diamond ruff. Desmond now entered dummy with the A and played the Q. East could not pitch his J without setting up Declarer’s 10, so he had to throw a club, allowing declarer to discard his 10. Desmond now cashed dummy’s .K and finessed the .J in hand. The .A dropped East’s queen and the .7 was the thirteenth trick. A mistake, by declarer, with the bidding box, which cost the defence dearly! .
Game for a Laugh contributed by Jim Hillan (Deva Bridge Club) An EBU Director -friend told me how he was called to a table, where the lady playing West had opened 1NT whilst holding sixteen cards. ‘Did you not count your cards?’ he asked her. ‘Yes, I always do,’ she replied, ‘It came to sixteen cards.’ ‘Then, why did you open 1NT?’ She looked rather wistful. ‘Well, she said, slowly,’ it was the first time I had ever had such a perfectly balanced hand: 4-4-4-4.’
.
Pride and Precision by Jane Doe
Episode 5.
The mail-coach began to pick up speed again on the flatter ground at the base of the Roaches, jolting the passengers into wakefulness. Elizabeth Bennet, who was occupying a window-seat, gave a cry of surprise. The rocks over there look like a huge witch’s head, ‘she said, ‘and the eyes appear to wink.’ Aunt Gardiner smiled and explained, ‘That particular location is known locally as the Winking Witch and is reputed to mean good fortune to those who see the Witch wink.’ ‘A double dose of Dame Fortune for me, then,’ laughed Elizabeth, ‘for I saw her wink twice,’ ‘Perhaps you will win the Pairs and the Teams,’ suggested the pragmatic Uncle Gardner. ‘We could certainly do with a change of luck,’ said Jane Bennet, who had accompanied them on this trip to Derbyshire after Darcy’s destruction of her dreams of happiness with Charles Bingley. The coach started the descent into Buxton and a vast panorama of rugged limestone hills opened before them. Into this landscape, to their left, flowed a huge sea of parkland in which was set an enormous mansion of palatial proportions. ‘That, nieces,’ explained Aunt Gardner, ‘is Pemberley, the Darcy Estate.’ Shortly afterwards the coach polled up beside one of Pemberley’s many gates to transfer sacks of mail and parcels to a small cart which would take it up to the house. A large packet from the house required the assistance of a footman to load upon the mail-coach. Aylesbury,’ said the driver, reading the address, this’ll be more of Mr. Fitzwilliam’s masterpoints, then.’ The footman then handed up a tiny envelope which the coachman examined. ‘Aylesbury, again,’ he commented. Yes,’ said the footman, ‘these are masterpoints of a guest, Mr.Charles Bingley.’ Jane, who had been listening, let out a shriek, ‘Charles is here -in Buxton- oh, how wonderful just to be near him.’ They were under way again with Jane in a euphoric mood, which lasted long after they had reached the Gardner’s town house that stood in the shadows of the great Queen Anne’s Hotel, the congress venue. A massive hoarding displayed the programme which was: Friday 7.00.p.m. -11.00 p.m. NEW PARTNER DUPLICATE PAIRS Saturday 2.00.p.m.-6.00.p.m. and 8.00.p.m. - 12.00 p.m. SPA WATERS SWISS TEAMS Sunday l.00.p.m. - 7.00.p.m. WHITE PEAK MIXED PAIRS There had been no plans to play in the Friday night session but Jane decided that she wished to do so on the grounds that Charles Bingley might attend and, accordingly, at 6.30 she was drawing for partners in the Great Hall. Of Charles, himself there was no sign but Darcy was much in evidence, accompanied by a voluptuous, titian-haired, girl in a low-cut dress and also by Charlotte Bingley in an even-lower cut dress. Elizabeth Bennet, who had no intention of playing, concentrated on the progress of Darcy and his satellites, The draw for places saw the red-haired girl become partner to Uncle Gardner and Charlotte Bingley, partner to a Major in the Sherwood Foresters. Elizabeth almost laughed out loud to find that Darcy had drawn her own sister, Jane. The New Partner Pairs, though an insignificant competition was one that Darcy had never won. A preponderance of flat boards meant that a clear top in the large field might win the competition and a chance came for Darcy with two rounds to go when Jane opened a precision club. Like every pair before them they bid a small slam in hearts but, with Jane as declarer, it seemed certain that, like every pair before them they would go off. North 42 K974 A764 . K64 West East J1085 Dealer South 9763 2 Q63 Q98 E/W Vul 1032 . QJ953 . 1082
South AKQ AJ1085 KJ5 . A7
West North East South Letitia Darcy Uncle Jane Bennet Scarsbrook Gardiner Pass Pass Pass 1.1 Pass 1NT2 Pass 2 Pass 3 Pass 4.3 Pass 43 Pass 43 Pass 6 All Pass
1. Precision Club 16+HCP (not 22-23 balanced) 2. 8-10 balanced- no five card suit 3. Cue-bids of first round controls
Every West so far had led the .Q and the flame-haired Letitia did just that. She badly wanted Jane to fail, for she wanted to impress Darcy, whom she saw as her husband-to-be. Like every South so far, Jane won with the .A. All the previous declarers had taken the same line of playing off two top trumps and, when the Queen did not drop, trying the diamond finesse, which also failed defeating the contract. Jane cashed the K and then three top spades, pitching a club from dummy. She then crossed to dummy with a club to the King and ran the 9, East playing the six. The finesse held but, even if it had failed, the contract would have been safe. West had no more trumps, a club or a spade would give her a ruff and sluff and a diamond would be into her tenace. This “world top” saw Darcy and Jane win the New Partner Pairs, though only by a narrow margin. ‘Miss Bennet,’ said Darcy, ‘I owe you an apology. I had thought you to be too frivolous a companion for my friend Mr. Bingley and advised him of such. I now find I was mistaken - your play of the 6 contract showed promise - pity about the other hands. The standard you have achieved, though, is quite adequate for Bingley. Would you dine with us, tomorrow, and be reconciled with Charles?’ ‘Delighted, Mr. Darcy. Thank you for your comments. If, as I believe, you are looking for an expert precision player, you might consider my sister, Elizabeth. Her systemic knowledge is accurate and her declarer play is clinical. My other sister, Mary, is a tremendous theorist but has no table presence.’ Darcy at once looked serious then spoke sharply, ‘Is that the truth or just more Bennet inanity?’ When Jane protested it to be no more than the truth, Darcy drew in a breath and seemed to come to a decision. He set off, followed by a shoal of female admirers, headed by Letitia and Charlotte, toward the kibitzer’s gallery. Once there he turned and gestured the women to be silent. ‘I propose to now make public my decision on a partner for the White Peak Mixed Pairs,’ he began. Letitia simpered and hope flared in the eyes of Charlotte, for “propose” was an apt word in these circumstances. ‘I had narrowed my choice,’ continued Darcy, ‘to Miss Scarsbrook and Miss Bingley. Both are beautiful women - the former a wealthy and voluptuous local girl; the latter a slim, raven- haired society beauty from the capital. I find, however, that I have no desire for beauty, a fine figure, good dress-sense and other such mere trappings of womanhood. No I push these aside and choose Miss Elizabeth Bennet.’ A sound akin to a groan rose from the room as many dreams were undone. Elizabeth, herself, sat stunned at this amazing announcement and, despite her loathing of Darcy’s previous conduct, could only nod her acquiescence to this impossibly-handsome man. . The ‘Grand Coup’ by Knowitall
North 72 AQ3 KQ7 . AKJ107 West East 5 Dealer South J843 J942 K86 J9864 E/W Vul l052 . 862 . 943
South AKQ1096 1075 A3 . Q5
West North East South Knowitqll Pass 1. Pass 1 Pass 3NT Pass 4NT Pass 5 Pass 7 All Pass
A stirring tale I’ll tell to you; Of a Grand Slam made by a Grand Coup. To make such a coup is really tough; for always winners you must ruff. Our handicap is such a bind; That massive swings we have to find So when partner showed aces two; I jumped to seven - well wouldn’t you? Got a diamond lead and won in hand; Played two boss spades hoping for the grand. I looked again - there was no doubt; on the second one, West had shown out! To tamely go down I always refuse; So I knew my trumps I must reduce. Lets start with diamonds that’s the thing; Cash the queen and ruff the king Then Queen of clubs, small one seemed best - getting into dummy to cash the rest. East refused a trump to play; So I, like East, threw two hearts away On the fifth club boss, though might seem insane; I reduced my trumps by ruffing again To dummy’s Ace with the final heart; And in our victory I’d played my part. For with Dummy on lead it was like checkmate; With my Queen -ten of trumps over East’s Jack-eight.
. Readers Questions “John-Boy” re-opens the postbag with a query on the meaning of a Lightner double of a slam. The Lightner Double is based on the fact that some slams may be defeated by an unusual lead. Typically this might be towards a void, permitting a defender to ruff the first trick. Some modern players interpret the double as asking for a lead of dummy’s first bid suit but basically the lead should not be a trump; a suit bid by either defender or an unbid suit. “Tony” asks about the meaning of the convention called “Masher” Masher is named after the American player, Robert Masher and means that all overcalls over 1NT are natural. Thus 2. or 2 mean clubs and diamonds arid are not Astro, Asptro, Landy, Sharples or any other special convention A trick question, I think, from “Anon” who asks what Verdi has to do with bridge. Verdi was devised by the Danes, Novrup and Lautsen, and is a convention of Texas three-level pre-empts. Thus 3., 3, and 3 are transfers to the next higher suit, which is of normal pre-empt strength. 3 is a solid minor akin to the gambling 3NT of Acol but allows it to be played by the better hand. 3NT is a semi-solid minor. The name Verdi was adopted because the designers felt they made beautiful music with it. The Newsletter No. 18 May 1997
Ann, Geoff, John, Dave and Margaret too! Berrisford win the Handicap Teams! In one of the tightest-ever finishes to the Handicap Teams Tournament, the Berrisford team kept their nerve and maintained the quality of their bridge to take the trophy. Their only worry - what the handicapper may produce for next season. Congratulations to all involved.
.
Roy Martin has tight grip on Vernon Cup.
The Vernon Cup for Monday and Thursday performances over the season went, not unexpectedly to Club Secretary, Roy Martin, whose skill and consistency are undeniable. he was chased home by Ray Stubbs - a fine effort, considering the number of opportunities denied to him by evening racing. Paul Leese, as ever knocking on the door, took third. The separate Monday and Thursday Champions were, respectively, Shirley Stubbs and Marion Jordan. Marion’s ability is well- known, but this was an excellent effort by Shirley, who has risen quickly through the ranks to become one of the leading players in the club. With Ray Stubbs again losing a number of evenings, perhaps only Marion or Shirley can prevent Roy collecting the Vernon Cup next season.
.
End-of-Season Blues for County League Teams.
Excepting DAVID OWEN’s team, there is little cheer for our representatives in the County leagues. OWEN will take the runners-up spot in the first division if MILLS, already relegated, can do better than a 16-4 defeat in their last match against Geoff Davis. MARTIN narrowly secured their place in the first division with 18-2 and 20-0 wins (but against OWEN and MILLS respectively). In the second division, PERR1NS, who had looked possible promotion candidates, unfortunately lost their form in the last three games and face next season in the third division. The same applies to BRADLEY who slip from the third to the fourth. Our commiserations with these teams, who all appear to have excellent prospects of return to a higher division next season. The DES BIRD squad just retained their Division 3 place after a very good start to the campaign.
.
TOPS AND BOTTOMS by Tony Togneri Jean Armstrong passed me this deal from a recent “cruise job” with P & 0. It falls into the “give the opponents a chance to go wrong “category. The standard was variable and not everyone bid 3NT. Only one declarer, the best player around, Malcolm, actually made game. North 6 954 J543 . J10742 West East Q9854 Dealer South J1032 1086 J732 A97 E/W Vul 96 . Q3 . A95
South AK7 AKQ KQ102 . K86
West North East South Terry Ethel Margaret Malcolm ~ ~ ~ 2.1 Pass 2 Pass 2NT2 Pass 3NT All pass
1 Acol 23+hcp 2 23..24 hcp, balanced Ethel, who played “a plucky game” had no hesitation (unlike most other responders) in raising her partner to 3NT and West made the opening lead of 5 to East’s ten. Malcolm reflected - eight tricks were there for the taking once the A had been eliminated, but eight would be his lot. What would you have done? Malcolm won with the K and played the .K! West contributed the three and East now had to decide whether or not play his Ace. Looking at dummy’s clubs, East decided to hold up and Malcolm had got his ninth trick. So he now switched to diamonds to see the contract home. . PRIDE AND PRECISION by Jane. Dee Episode 6. ¶Now, Miss Bennet,’ said Darcy, ‘the sequence 1.-1-2 -3NT-4-5-5.5NT. What do you know about responder’s holding in the majorsr ‘The 1 response shows a minimum of 5 spades and 8+hcp,’ began Elizabeth, ‘and after the 2 CAB bid, she responded 6 steps with 3NT to show a suit headed by the AKQ. Opener then asked about controls in hearts and responder made a 4 step response with 5, showing a first round control, either Ace or void. Opener now rebid the heart side suit to ask her which. Had she bid 5, a single step she would have shown the A. Her two step response however declared her to be void in hearts.’ ‘Precisely, my dear Miss Bennet. You will make an exceptional Mistress of Pemberley. Elizabeth answered coldly, ‘I have merely agreed to partner you in the White Peak Mixed Pairs.’ Darcy groaned, ‘But to do so is tantamount to pledging our love and announcing our engagement.’ ‘There is much,’ said Elizabeth, ‘regarding which you must satisfy me before you may expect any deeper intimacy. You caused my sister, Jane, much heartache by setting Mr.Bingley against her.’ ‘Charles,’ said Darcy, looking surprised, ‘was my deputy, when I was School Captain of Eton and has ever since been my Monday partner. I did not want him to make a foolish mistake. I wanted to protect him against falling for a pretty face.’ ‘And why does he not reciprocate? Why should not Charles protect you against me.’ ‘But,’ protested Darcy, ‘I am not ensnared by beauty - it is you holding me captive, Miss Bennet. And Charles will be reunited with Miss Jane, when they dine at Pemberley tonight between sessions.’ ‘There is also the question of your scandalous treatment of Captain Wickbam - of denying him his right to a preferment in the Church, of dismissing him, penniless, from Pemberley.’ Darcy snorted, ‘Wickham - a Churchman? Preposterous! But don’t take my word.’ He gestured towards a tall man, wearing the insignia of the EBU Laws and Ethics Section. ‘Sergeant Pinchbeck,’ said Darcy, ‘tell my friend here what you know of Captain Wickham. A glazed expression appeared on Pinchbeck’s face and then data came forth in a torrent, ‘ Wickham (Captain), Acting County Master: Horseman - warning ‘68 ; UAG’s in various MPs - formal warnings and reprimands ‘69-73 ; Romany Adjustment 70-’73 - shilling-taker so only got swinging deuce. Outsider B.C. ‘74.’ At last Pinchbeck coughed and fell silent, leaving Elizabeth no wiser. There was, however no time for explanation, as the call to table was made. She sat down hoping for a flat ten count, with which she could hardly appear foolish. But fate did not order it so:
North 863 94 KQ864 . 653 West East KJ5 Dealer West 10972 1085 72 J1092 Game All 874 . 1075 . J932
South AQ4 AKQJ63 A . AKQ
West North East South Major Darcy Lady Peele Elizabeth Galley Pass Pass Pass 1.1 Pass 12 Pass 2 Pass 3 Pass 33 Pass 4 Pass 6 All Pass
1Precision Club l6+HCP (not 22-23 balanced) 2Less than 8 points-no six card major 3Forcing for one round The subsequent plays of this board were to cause disaster for all but those timorous declarers, who stayed out of the slam. The opening lead was, universally, the J which Declarer won. Now trumps were removed and Declarer had to hope that one defender held K doubleton. When the king did not fall, the contract went one down. Elizabeth looked closely at dummy’s limited assets before rolling the slam home with an expert play, which you, dear reader, will easily see for yourself ‘Well played, partner,’ started Darcy, but Elizabeth cut him short, saying brusquely, ‘I require an explanation of exactly what Mr. Pinchbeck said regarding Captain Wickham.’ Darcy shrugged, ‘Pinchbeck’s argot puzzles you, I suppose. Wickham’s County Master ranking is only Acting and not yet substantiated because of his infractions of laws and ethics. Horseman means he has used heroin to enhance his play. “U.A.G.’s in MP.’s” refers to his entering Mixed Pairs competitions with underage girls as partners.’ Elizabeth blushed, but Darcy continued relentlessly. ‘He has also been found out in the heinous crime of Romany Adjusting, which is altering travellers in his own favour over a two year period. He escaped with a swinging deuce - two years suspension from the Bridge Union because he agreed to take the Kings Shilling and enlist. Finally, I was the outsider, who bought him a captain’s commission in ‘74. After all my little sister was one of his underage partners. What sort of Churchman would Wickham make, indeed!’ ‘You were exceedingly generous,’ said Elizabeth, seeing Darcy in a new light. ‘And so has Fitzwilliam been again!’ interrupted Lady Peele, sitting West, ‘for he has recently settled on Wickham, a sum sufficient to permit the wretch to marry his current little trollop and live in some comfort.’ She looked at Darcy, ‘Pray do not scowl at me, Fitzwilliam. I speak only the truth.’ Elizabeth gasped, ‘You have made it possible for Lydia and Wickham to be wed.’ Darcy grinned, Yes, and on the same day as us.’ ‘Move,’ called the Director, and an overcome Elizabeth moved towards victory in the Mixed Pairs. The huge coach trundled along one of those leafy Sussex lanes that follow the South Downs. The three newlywed couples : Charles and Jane Bingley; Captain Wickham and Lydia: Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy were all listening to the newly-promoted Brigadier Forrester, whose arm encircled the slender waist of his secretary, Kitty Bennet. ‘...and damme,’ ranted the Brigadier, ‘when I said you can’t open 1NT with a void, old man, the dashed mountebank has the gall to say to me, he didn’t have a void - he had two voids.’ Charles Bingley laughed politely and turned to Darcy, let’s hear it then, Fitzwilliam - however did your little wife make that slam at Buxton?’ Lizzie used a hook, line and sinker play’ said Darcy, promptly. ‘And whatever is that?’ exclaimed Bingley. ‘Something you have to swallow,’ teased Darcy, then relented, ‘O.K. you remember she won trick one with the singleton A. Well, at trick two, she started trumps.’ ‘So did all the other declarers, old chap,’ said Brigadier Forrester. ‘Ah! But they led high trumps,’ explained Darcy, ‘Lizzie led the 3 towards dummy’s nine. If West doesn’t go up with the ten, she is in dummy with the nine and away go two spade losers on the boss diamonds.’ ‘And if West takes her 10 ?‘ asked Jane. ‘Which is what she did,’ said Darcy ‘then whatever West leads, Declarer gets in, enters dummy with the 9 and discards the spades on the top diamonds. She may not be beautiful, but she is clever. Now to other matters, who has guessed where I am taking you and why?’ ‘My guess is to Brighton for a naughty weekend,’ suggested Kitty, hopefully. ‘No bridge player, sister-in-law,’ said Darcy, ‘would ever go to Brighton, or elsewhere, for a naughty weekend. Indeed not’ I have paid everyone’s table money for the Summer Bridge Congress and I will add 1000 gns. to anyone who finishes higher than my wife and I.’ Wickham said nothing but smiled as his thoughts focused on the stack of blank Official Travellers, which were concealed in the secret pocket of his galligaskins (The End)
The ‘Forty-Ninth Board Blues’ by Muggins
A7 KJ1095 1 1 AQJ1092 4 3 3 QJ6 AK10983 4 6 . K9 . 7 P
The Manchester rain made traveling a pain; 7 seven-board matches and greens come in patches 2 Wins and 4 Losses, we play like galoshes; so the forty-ninth board, I’ll treat like a lord Partner opens one heart, my response a bad start; his rebid is clear-what I don’t want to hear Three spades is forcing, is the raise just horsing; if honour to three I’ll go on a spree If honour to two then what can I do? 6• would’ve been good and really I should... But, tired and dejected, the diamonds got rejected, 6 is bad - 6, iron-clad A 4-2 break in spades will expose partner’s blades- I’ll be skinned alive if them spades don’t ‘jive’ Queen to three onside is right - saving me from a sorry plight. Opponents just bid a game - and discuss who’s to blame- But we are blue And you would be too - For they showed us who’s boss By inflicting an eighteen-two loss. Readers Letters From John-Boy: My partner and I have recently adopted Exit Transfers, since many players at the club use them. Basically when partner’s 1NT is doubled - a redouble is a transfer to 2., clubs to diamonds, and so on. The first evening we tried it, I picked up Q864 9732 J10 .653. Partner opened 1NT and was doubled. I bid 2 and we went four down doubled, since partner had only a small doubleton in spades. A four-four fit in hearts would have seen us no more than one down and probably not doubled. How could we have found it?
Like many club players, John-Boy, you are playing an incomplete version of Exit transfers, which fails to deal with the problem of responder holding both majors. Just extend your system so that, after a redouble has produced a bid of 2., a rebid by responder of 2• asks opener to bid his better major. Your sequence would then have been: 1NT (double) Redouble 2. 2 2