Number One Hundred and Thirty-Four February 2014 Bernard Magee’s Acol Bidding Quiz BRIDGEYou are West in the auctions below, playing ‘Standard Acol’ with a weak no-trump (12-14 points) and 4-card majors.

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

West North East South West North East South West North East South West North East South ? 2NT Pass 1♥ Pass 2♠1 ? ? ? 1Weak 6-10pts

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

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

West North East South West North East South West North East South West North East South 1♠ Pass 1NT Dbl Pass 4NT Pass 2♣ Pass ? ? ? 2♦ Pass 2NT Pass ?

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

West North East South West North East South West North East South West North East South 3♣ Pass 1♥ 1♠ Pass Pass 1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass 1♥ Pass Pass Dbl ? ? 1NT1 Pass 2NT Pass Pass Pass 2♣ Dbl ? 115-17 ?

Answers on page 7 Answers on page 9 Answers on page 11 Answers on page 13 BERNARD MAGEE Boxed Sets of six DVDs

Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 1 Ruffing for Extra Tricks 7 Leads 13 Hand Evaluation This seminar deals with declarer’s Bernard takes you through all the Going beyond just the point-count use of ruffing to make extra tricks basic leads and the importance of is important if you want to improve. and then looks at how the defenders your choice of lead. If you start to Reaching & making 3NT on 24 HCP; might counteract this. (74 mins.) think not just about your hand, but and avoiding 3NT on 26 HCP when about your partner’s too, then you there are only 7 or 8 tricks. (110 mins.) 2 Competitive Auctions will get much better results. (95 mins.) This seminar focuses on competitive 14 Pre-Empting auctions from the perspective of the 8 Losing Trick Count The art of pre-empting is so important overcalling side and then from the A way of hand evaluation for when in the modern game. Understanding perspective of the opening side in you find a fit. Bernard deals with the the right types of hand to bid up the second part. (86 mins.) basics of the losing trick count then on and realising the importance of looks at advanced methods to hone position and vulnerability. (96 mins.) 3 Making the Most your bidding. (92 mins.) of High Cards 15 Splinter & Cue-Bids This seminar helps declarer to use 9 Making a Plan Take your slam bidding to another his high cards more carefully and as Declarer level. Splinter bids are a vital tool to then looks at how defenders should Bernard explains how to make a plan add to your armoury & try your hand care for their high cards. (83 mins.) then expands on how to make the at Italian style cue-bidding. (116 mins.) most of your long suits. The first half 4 Identifying deals with no-trumps, the second with 16 Avoidance & Bidding Slams suit contracts. (87 mins.) As declarer, an important tactic is The first half of this seminar is about to be in control of the defenders: identifying when a slam might be on 10 Responding to 1NT avoiding a particular defender getting – one of the hardest topics to teach. This seminar deals with Transfers the lead. As a defender, you can try to The second half covers some slam- and Stayman in detail. The 1NT make sure the right player gets the bidding techniques. (96 mins.) opening comes up frequently, so lead at the right time. (88 mins.) having a good, accurate system of 5 Play & Defence responses is paramount. (93 mins.) 17 Pairs Play & Defence of 1NT Contracts Duplicate Pairs is the game most of This seminar looks at the most 11 Signals & Discards us play and getting used to the tactics common and yet most feared This seminar deals with Count, will make a lot of difference to your of contracts: 1NT. The first half Attitude and Suit-preference signals: performance. Making more overtricks looks at declaring the contract and aiming to get you working as a and making sure you do not give the second part puts us in the partnership in defence. (92 mins.) away tricks as a defender. (90 mins.) defenders’ seats. (88 mins.) 12 Endplays 18 Thinking Defence 6 Doubling & Defence Bernard takes you through the basics By far the hardest aspect of bridge, against Doubled Contracts of the technique before showing some but if you can improve your defence The first half of this seminar magical hands where you take extra your results will quickly improve. explores penalty doubles and the tricks from defenders. In the second Learn how to think through the second half discusses the defence half, Bernard looks at how to avoid defence and get your mind in gear for against doubled contracts. (88 mins.) being endplayed. (80 mins.) the decisions that await you. (87 mins.)

Individual DVDs. £25 each. Individual DVDs. £25 each. Individual DVDs. £25 each. Boxed Set of 6. £100. Boxed Set of 6. £100. Boxed Set of 6. £100.

PICK AND MIX A BOX OF ANY 6 £105 Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 email: [email protected] FEATURES ADVERTISEMENTS 1 Bidding Quiz 2 Bernard Magee DVDs Denham by Bernard Magee 3 Bridge Events at BRIDGE 4 Mr Bridge Denham Grove Grove Ryden Grange, Knaphill, 7 Bidding Quiz Answers 3 Rubber / Chicago Denham, Surrey GU21 2TH (1-3) by Bernard Magee Bridge Events Bucks, UB9 5DG 9 Bidding Quiz Answers 5 Mail Order Form ( 01483 489961 (4-6) by Bernard Magee Cut-out Form [email protected] 11 Bidding Quiz Answers 6 Bridge Event www.mrbridge.co.uk (7-9) by Bernard Magee Booking Form shop: www.mrbridge.co.uk/ 12 February 2014 6 Bridge Events with mrbridge-shop by Jeremy Dhondy Bernard Magee Managing Editor 13 Bidding Quiz Answers 7 A Journey to 7-9 February – £199 (10-12) by Bernard Magee Jerusalem with Mr Bridge Just Duplicate Bridge 14 Alcatraz Coup Voyages to Antiquity Bridge Consultant and Other Stories 8 Genesis Choice 28-30 March – £199 Bernard Magee by David Stevenson Travel Insurance Just Duplicate Bridge [email protected] 16 The Diaries of 9 Sail Around Cartoons & Illustrations Wendy Wensum the Black Sea with 4-6 April – £169 Marguerite Lihou 17 A Pause for Thought Voyages to Antiquity Rubber / Chicago www.margueritelihou.co.uk by Richard Wheen 10 Bernard Magee’s Diana Holland Tutorial Software Commissioning Editor 18 Mary’s Second Lesson 4-6 July – £199 David Huggett by Liz Dale 11 Classical Greece Just Duplicate Bridge davidhuggett 19 Julian Pottage and Turkey with @mrbridge.co.uk Answers Your Questions Voyages to Antiquity Full Board Customer Services 22 Defence Quiz 13 Treasures of the No Single Supplement Aegean with Catrina Shackleton by Julian Pottage Booking Form on page 6. Voyages to Antiquity [email protected] 23 Bridge and Travel Tips 15 Mr Bridge 24 Maid Marian’s Excellent Technical Consultant Just Duplicate Bridge Tony Gordon Defence by David Bird 21 S R Designs Bridge Tables 26 David Stevenson Typesetting & Design Answers Your Questions 22 Bridge Events at: Ruth Edmondson Elstead Hotel RUBBER / 29 Opener’s Reverse [email protected] Blunsdon House Hotel by Andrew Kambites CHICAGO 23 Bridge Events at: Proof Readers 31 Opener’s Reverse Quiz Chatsworth Hotel EVENTS Tony & Jan Richards by Andrew Kambites Richard Wheen Ardington Hotel 32 Opener’s Reverse Answers Hugh Williams 27 Duplicate Bridge Chatsworth Hotel by Andrew Kambites Rules Simplified Worthing BN11 3DU Office Manager 35 Lords v Commons 28 Tips for Better Bridge 7-9 February Rachel Everett by Bernard Magee 31 Bridge Events at with Sheila Rogers [email protected] 37 Charity Bridge The Olde Barn Hotel Events & Cruises by Anne McLaren 31 Tunisia with Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 38 Readers’ Letters Denham Grove 33 QPlus 11 Bucks UB9 5DG Rosie Baker 41 Climb Every Mountain [email protected] by John Barr 34 Cruises with 4-6 April Jessica Galt Voyages to Antiquity with Diana Holland 42 Declarer Play Quiz [email protected] by David Huggett 37 Mr Bridge Playing Cards Megan Riccio 43 Defence Quiz Answers 38 Stamps [email protected] The Olde Barn by Julian Pottage 39 Charity Events Sophie Pierrepont Marston, [email protected] 44 Catching Up 40 Spring/Summer 2014 Lincs NG32 2HT by Sally Brock on board Voyager 29-31 August Clubs & Charities 45 Seven Days by Sally Brock 42 Better Hand Evaluation with Diana Holland Maggie Axtell [email protected] 47 Declarer Play Answers 48 Christmas 2014 with by David Huggett Voyages to Antiquity Address Changes £169 Full Board ( 01483 485342 No Single Supplement Elizabeth Bryan All correspondence should be addressed to Mr Bridge. Please make sure that all letters and e-mails carry full Booking Form on page 6. [email protected] postal addresses and telephone numbers.

BRIDGE February 2014 Page 3 AT LAST CROATIA VALENTINE’S DAY BLACK SEA 2014

Bernard Magee is going to If you have forgotten to buy this lovely country 7-21 a card this year or if , when May, £1399 half board, £10 reading this, it seems a per night single supplement. good idea to send one, here’s a useful tip. Take out TRUTH WILL OUT the ace of hearts from any Mrs Bridge and I are pack of cards, old or new, circumnavigating the Black Yes, I do know that Robin amend the card face to suit Sea in October. Aegean Hood was a folklore legend the recipient. It is, after all, Odyssey (pictured above) is and yes, I am aware that the thought that counts. almost fully booked, but both auction and contract there are still a few cabins bridge are twentieth TRAVEL COVER held for my party. Twin century creations, but these occupancy only. Good news. We have a new stories enable David Bird, As I am not competent to bridge room onboard using poetic license, to advise on these matters, I CHRISTMAS 2014 m.v. Voyager, pictured demonstrate the best line will be carrying adverts for below. I am now able to of declarer play. different providers. Make On the back cover of this sure you read all the small issue, I am promoting a recommend readers to Similarly, the recently print, however boring, to 2014 Christmas Cruise on book with real confidence. introduced series of court cover your risks while away board m.v. Aegean Odyssey, Have a look at the advert on reports are entirely out of from home, see page 8. pictured above. I am not page 40 and if a cruise takes Richard Wheen’s fertile able to offer ‘no single your fancy, give my office a imagination, enabling supplement’ as the costs of ring and we will send you difficult aspects of bridge CLUB INSURANCE the 2014/2015 brochure. overnighting in Nairobi law to be better understood. Just to explain again. Club ( 01483 489961. and on safari are outside Committee members need the cruise company’s STOCKTAKING to see the club is covered by control. Still, such a cruise SALE insurance for small is something to book now amounts of cash and their and look forward to. I am gathering up all the equipment as well as public surplus stock from our liability. Just over £63 for a WORTHING OFFER different venues and will twelve month period for a shortly be sending out club of up to 100 members. Weekend Events at the There are now no bridge emails to clear any shop- There are over five hundred Ardington Hotel. For supplements for those soiled and/or unwanted clubs in my scheme dates see page 23. Full booking any of our cruises products. Do make sure enjoying peace of mind. board £250 per couple or overseas holidays, so no we have your details. Ring the managing brokers, sharing. I’ll repeat that. excuses for not booking Moore Stephens on Full board, two lectures, with Mr Bridge. We will try PICK ‘N’ MIX ( 0207 515 5270. It is the two sessions of supervised to match all prices. As I say, play and four sessions of All three series of six DVDs unexpected that you need book with confidence. duplicate bridge for only are listed on page 2, with to have covered. £250 per couple at this thumbnail descriptions of £50 OFF freshly refurbished venue. their content. Playing time GOFFIE’S STAMPS is an average of 90 minutes. SUBSCRIPTIONS The wonderful thing about a tutorial DVD is that I have confined my viewers have a permanent scribblings to ensure those record which they can readers who have £50 subscribed will have more re-visit over and over again. The termination of my If you want to save on These filmed recordings are pages filled with bridge. If programme of subsidised postage try Clive Goff’s the very best available, but you are not yet a subscriber Just Duplicate Events was discounted stamp service. as the executive producer, and would like to receive announced in the last issue. Value supplied in two you would expect me to say your own printed copies However, the 2014 offer is stamps, combined to make that, would you not? through the post every still open, subject to up the 50p 2nd class rate, month, please use the form availability. Those taking Individual DVDs, £25 each. 2nd class to you at 41p. 1st on the facing page. the £50 off must pay by Boxed sets of six, £100. class 60p, only 50p to you. All good wishes, cheque or debit card when Pick and mix. Six for only Available in lots of 100. making their booking. £105 including postage. ( 0208 422 4906. Mr Bridge

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BRIDGE February 2014 Page 5 ✄ BRIDGE BRIDGE EVENTS BREAKS with Bernard Magee June ♦ Full-board ♦ Two seminars* 6-8 Olde Barn Hotel ♦ All rooms with ♦ Two supervised £245 Bidding NEW en-suite facilities play sessions* Distributional ♦ No single supplement ♦ Four bridge sessions** Hands

Please book ..... places for me at £...... per person, 20-22 Olde Barn Hotel £245 Finding Slams Single .... Double .... Twin .... Chatsworth Hotel OCTOBER Name of Hotel/Centre...... Worthing BN11 3DU 3-5 Chatsworth Hotel Date(s) ...... FEBRUARY 2014 £245 Game Tries Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... 7-9 Holiday Inn 10-12 Olde Barn Hotel Newport £245 Endplay & Address...... £245 Signals & Discards Avoidance ...... March

Postcode ...... 14-16 Queensferry Hotel ( ...... £245 Endplay & Avoidance Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, 21-23 Inn but we will do our best to oblige). on the Prom £245 Doubles ...... April Blunsdon House Hotel Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking. Blunsdon, Swindon SN26 7AS 4-6 Chatsworth ...... Hotel £245 Finding Slams Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place by NOVEMber cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice for the balance will be sent 11-13 Blunsdon House with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, £245 Leads & Defence 7-9 Chatsworth 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be sent Hotel together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. Should you £245 Hand require insurance, you should contact your own insurance broker. Evaluation 14-16 Blunsdon House £245 Further into the Auction 21-23 Elstead House £245 Doubles Expiry: ...... CVV...... Issue No...... (CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip) 28-30 Blunsdon House £245 Bidding NEW Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH. Queensferry Hotel Distributional ( 01483 489961 North Queensferry KY11 1HP Hands e-mail: [email protected] website: www.holidaybridge.com Full Board. No Single Supplement. *on tutorial weekends only. **6 sessions on rubber/Chicago events. See Adjacent Booking Form. Please note: Just Bridge events contain no seminars and do not award prizes. ✄

Page 6 BRIDGE February 2014 Answers to Bernard Magee’s Bidding Quizzes 1-3 on the Cover

gets rid of the opening dilemma, because 2♥. 1. Dealer West. Love All. you can open 1♠ and rebid in no-trumps When you respond in a new suit to a ♠ J 10 9 4 3 ♠ Q 2 to show your stronger balanced hand. one-level opening suit bid, you force your ♥ A 10 9 N ♥ J 6 4 2 Your partner will raise to 3NT and you partner to bid again. Although you have W E ♦ K 2 S ♦ A Q 4 will reach the right final contract. 16 HCP, you should not jump: you should ♣ A Q 2 ♣ J 8 7 3 It is very important to evaluate your reserve your jump responses for single- hand fully, rather than just sticking rigidly suited hands. When you have two suits to the point count system. Tens and nines to show, you need bidding space to show West North East South are important as well as long suits. them, hence you do not jump. ? Although clubs are lower-ranking than hearts, you want to bid your major first 1♠. to get across the length of the suit, other- At first glance, this hand looks as if it wise your partner will not place you with depends on your 1NT opening style: 2. Dealer East. Love All. five hearts. do you open a five-card major or 1NT ♠ 4 2 ♠ A K 7 6 5 You will bid clubs at your next turn. when your hand fits in the right range? ♥ A K 8 7 6 N ♥ 4 2 Compare these two starts to the auc- W E However, a closer look will lead your ♦ 2 ♦ A 3 tion: 1♠-3♥-3NT... and 1♠-2♥-2♠-3♣... S reasoning elsewhere. You have 14 HCP ♣ A K Q 4 3 ♣ J 10 5 2 By keeping the auction low, you give and a five-card suit with good inner yourself the chance to describe your strength. Add to this another ten-nine hand and then leave room to explore for combination in hearts and the hand is West North East South a slam in clubs. certainly worth at least 15 points and, in 1♠ Pass fact, is probably closer to 16 than 14. This ? 1687 Mr Bridge quarter page ads 121x113_Layout 1 02/01/2014 15:13 Page 1

ACCOMPANIED MR & MRS BRIDGE 3. Dealer East. N/S Game. BY VOYAGES TO ANTIQUITY ♠ A 2 ♠ 5 4 ♥ 8 5 4 N ♥ 9 7 6 W E ♦ K Q 7 6 5 4 3 ♦ 8 S A Journey to Jerusalem ♣ 2 ♣ A K 9 8 7 4 3

West North East South 3♣ Pass ?

Pass. Nice and straightforward: with no fit for See some of the world’s greatest sites and your partner’s pre-empt and a weak hand enjoy daily bridge on this magnificent voyage. you should pass. Do not be tempted to bid your suit: a change of suit over a pre- March 23, 2014 ~ 25 days from Athens to Istanbul Great value Mr Bridge fares emptive opening shows a strong hand. Fly to Athens (overnight hotel), board Aegean Odyssey – CAT M Standard Inside £3,295pp cruise to Syracuse • Palermo • Trapani • Valletta CAT J Standard Outside £4,295pp Even at the vulnerability, you should not Rethimnon • Haifa • Jerusalem • Limassol CAT D Deluxe Balcony £6,450pp think of sacrificing because you might Iskenderun • Tasucu • Antalya • Rhodes • Santorini Delos • Mykonos • Izmir • Istanbul (fly home) NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT have reasonable defence against their contract. In fact, 4♠ might go off: two club Call for great deals on 2 shorter voyages: Athens-Jerusalem & Jerusalem-Istanbul tricks, a diamond and the ace of trumps. For reservations call on 01483 489961 or visit www.mrbridge.co.uk Do not forget that you do actually have a club fit, if a little unbalanced, so you Full details of inclusions on page 34. All fares subject to availability. should not worry about passing 3♣. ■

BRIDGE February 2014 Page 7 Clarence Court Tel: 01702 343496 10 Clarence Street Email: [email protected] Southend on Sea, Essex SS1 1BD www.bridgetravelinsurance.co.uk Genesis Choice is a trading name of Acumen Insurance Services Limited

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opening bidder. Therefore, you should Your partner has passed and you have 4. Dealer East. Game All. assume that 1NT is going off and pass. a minimum opening hand. Furthermore, ♠ K Q 3 2 ♠ A J 5 4 With 5 HCP opposite the opening bid- you are happy to be playing in spades ♥ K 8 3 N ♥ A 2 der (12-14), you might have escaped with your length. As the last bidder in a W E ♦ J 4 S ♦ A 7 6 5 to 2♣, but with a stronger partner, you low-level auction, you should strive to ♣ Q 9 8 7 ♣ A K 5 should leave him where he wants to be. make a bid to keep the auction open. Here, he has a great lead and the de- However, this is more important when fence should find it easy to come by 8 you are short in your opponents’ suit and West North East South tricks and therefore a two trick defeat for can make a take-out double. When you 2NT Pass +300. are long in their suit, your partner is likely ? to be shorter and you should ask yourself why he has not already made a bid? The 3♣. answer is usually because he is too weak. Your partner has shown 20-22 points 6. Dealer West. Love All. It is no surprise to see that your partner and you have 11 HCP, which means ♠ K Q 6 2 ♠ 9 8 7 has length in both minors – with a slightly you possibly have the potential for ♥ A J 9 6 5 N ♥ 4 2 stronger hand, he would have made a W E slam. With no prospects of a major suit ♦ K 7 2 ♦ A 5 4 3 take-out double, but he passed correctly. S fit, you would simply raise to 4NT as a ♣ 9 ♣ J 7 6 5 Borrowing a king from your partner is quantitative bid, inviting slam. However, an important tactic for the last bidder to with a good four-card major you should try to keep the bidding open and com- investigate the chance of a fit there first, West North East South pete for the hand. However, remember by using Stayman. If you do find a fit, 1♥ 1♠ Pass Pass that, if you are long in your opponents’ then, of course, the chances of a slam ? suit, you do not need to strive so hard – are much higher. The potential for ruffs generally, you can be happy to play in in the two hands allow slams to be made Pass. their suit. ■ on 30 total points rather than the usual 1687 Mr Bridge quarter page ads 121x108_Layout 1 02/01/2014 14:57 Page 1 33 for a no-trump slam. ACCOMPANIED Once the spade fit is found, a slam can MR & MRS BRIDGE be bid and made with 31 points between VOYAGES TO ANTIQUITY BY the hands. Sail around the Black Sea 5. Dealer North. Love All. ♠ A 3 2 ♠ K Q 4 ♥ 8 7 3 N ♥ A 9 6 W E ♦ 4 3 S ♦ K Q J 10 5 ♣ J 8 5 4 3 ♣ 9 7

West North East South 1NT Dbl Pass From the birth of civilisation to the Crimean War, explore the Black Sea ? as you sail aboard the Aegean Odyssey on this intriguing bridge cruise.

October 7, 2014 ~ 12 days from Istanbul to Istanbul Great value Mr Bridge fares Pass. Fly to Istanbul to join Aegean Odyssey – cruise to CAT M Standard Inside £1,995pp Your partner has made a penalty double Trabzon (Sumela Monastery) • Batumi • Sochi CAT J Standard Outside £2,495pp of 1NT: he should have a good 15 HCP Feodosiya (Sudak) • Yalta • Sevastopol (Balaclava) CAT D Deluxe Balcony £3,650pp or better. Generally, you should place Odessa • Nessebur • Istanbul (fly home) NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT him with 16 HCP. You have 5 HCP, which For reservations call on 01483 489961 or visit www.mrbridge.co.uk means you have the majority of strength Full details of inclusions on page 34. All fares subject to availability. and your partner is sitting over the

BRIDGE February 2014 Page 9 BERNARD MAGEE’S INTERACTIVE TUTORIALS

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

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

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, 7 or 8, 8mb RAM, CD-ROM Answers to Bernard Magee’s Bidding Quizzes 7-9 on the Cover

and the response is from the book. 4NT 3♠. 7. Dealer East. Game All. asks for specific aces. You show which- You open in your four-card major and ♠ A 9 7 6 ♠ K 4 2 ever ace you have by bidding the suit of then rebid 1NT to show 15-17 points ♥ 7 6 5 N ♥ A J 10 8 the ace. Except with the ace of clubs. (the modern style of rebid in the Acol ♦ 3 W E ♦ A K 5 4 Because 5♣ is used to show 0 aces, system). Your partner then raises to 2NT, S ♣ J 9 8 7 3 ♣ K 2 with the ♣A you have to respond 6♣. which invites you to bid game if you are East can then bid 7♥ with confidence. maximum. You are maximum (17 HCP) so you should bid to game, but consider West North East South if there is any other possible game before 1♥ Pass you simply bid 3NT. Your partner might ? have five spades, so it could be worth 9. Dealer West. Love All. showing your delayed support to give Pass. ♠ J 9 7 ♠ Q 10 8 5 2 him the choice of games. You have a set of basic rules: one of ♥ K Q 6 2 N ♥ 7 5 Any bid beyond 2NT in this auction is which is that you need 6 HCP to respond ♦ A K 7 6 W E ♦ Q J 3 forcing, so by bidding 3♠, you give your S if you are not supporting your partner. Of ♣ A 2 ♣ K 5 3 partner the desired choice and here, he course, you will then tell me that all these would certainly choose 4♠. There are an rules do get broken some of the time: easy ten tricks in 4♠, whilst in 3NT you this is true, but only with good reason. West North East South might struggle to make on a club lead. You should respond with fewer than 6 1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass When accepting an invitation to game, HCP only if you have support for your 1NT* Pass 2NT Pass consider your choices carefully – keeping partner or when you have a reasonable ? your options open can pay big dividends expectation to improve the contract that *15-17 on the scoresheet. ■ your side is in. Generally, the latter option 1687 Mr Bridge quarter page ads 121x116_Layout 1 02/01/2014 15:21 Page 1 will occur when you are very short in your partner’s opened suit and you feel that BERNARDJOIN the chances are that, by bidding, you will MAGEE finish in a better contract. VOYAGES TO ANTIQUITY However, on this hand, you have 3-card support for hearts so no reason to think that 1♥ is not a reasonable con- tract. With no reason to raise to 2♥ and Classical Greece & Turkey no reason to bid 1♠, you should pass. 1♥ is a much better contract than 2NT.

8. Dealer East. Love All. ♠ 9 8 7 6 5 2 ♠ Void ♥ 6 N ♥ A K Q J 10 9 8 Enjoy a daily duplicate on this voyage through ♦ 3 2 W E ♦ A K Q J the Aegean and into the Black Sea. S ♣ A 8 7 5 ♣ K Q August 21, 2014 ~ 13 days from Athens to Istanbul Great value Mr Bridge fares Fly to Athens and board Aegean Odyssey – cruise to CAT M Standard Inside £1,795pp Nauplia (Mycenae) • Rethimnon (Knossos) • Santorini CAT J Standard Outside £2,250pp West North East South Delos • Mykonos • Izmir (Ephesus & Pergamon) • CAT D Deluxe Balcony £3,750pp 4NT Pass Canakkale (Troy) • Sevastopol • Odessa • Istanbul ? NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

For reservations call on 01483 489961 or visit www.mrbridge.co.uk 6♣. Full details of inclusions on page 34. All fares subject to availability. This opening bid does not come often

BRIDGE February 2014 Page 11 2014 with Jeremy Dhondy, Chairman of the EBU February 2014

ur game is developing and but I suspect that there are others who tion this was a pretty good and accu- you have only to look back won’t ever want to do that. It’s harder rate service, but it’s hard to think this a few years to see how it has to do the crossword for one thing. The could happen these days. Results now Ochanged at all levels. We nearly all use trick, therefore, is to make the process are uploaded at the end of the dupli- bidding boxes and use our blue cards smoother and easier for those who cate and, for those clubs who do this to alert, when appropriate and when want to follow the new technology, every week, it often happens within a we remember. When these practices making it attractive, not compulsory. few minutes of the end of the dupli- first came in during the 1970s, they One thing I’ll be looking for the EBU cate. You can then see your score on- were not welcomed, even at interna- to do in the coming twelve months is to line comparing, perhaps, with only a tional level. The magazines of the time develop the look and feel of the maga- few other clubs, but by the morning reverberated with dire warnings of zine online, so that there are some on- quite a lot more and, yes, some club or- how the game would end if these prac- line extra articles for those who follow ganisers really do upload their results tices were encouraged. When screens that route. Does that mean the end of at 3am. 2014 sees the EBU relaunch were introduced at top level this was the printed magazine? No, certainly their simultaneous pairs. There are thought to be the end of the world. not in the short term, but we need to modest cash prizes for those who win These days, whilst a screen would be be aware that by the time it is printed, an event, but both they and the club inappropriate for a club evening, they packaged and posted there isn’t much they played at go into a draw and the are now preferred by nearly all top change out of £20k per issue and winners at the end of year get £1,000 players in international events. What whilst having it online is not cost free, per pair and there is also a draw for that all tells us, perhaps, is that bridge it is very much cheaper. It also enables £1,000 for the first club drawn out of players are quite conservative and, ini- us to have an archive of magazines. On the hat. The more you play the more tially, not that happy with any change. the EBU website at www.ebu.co.uk, chance you have. There are more mi- One of the tasks of the English you can see some of the post-war nor prizes for the next 15 or so pairs Bridge Union is to manage the changes magazines as well as more recent ones and clubs. For the first time, clubs as that come to our game. We have a five (you have to be a member to see the well as players have a positive incen- year plan with some clearcut objec- six most recent issues). The old maga- tive to participate. tives and an idea of how we would like zines paint a very different picture One final and distinctly non tech- the game to develop in England. This of the game. In the late 1940s, there nological development for this year plan was arrived at after a lot of con- were those who thought, and wrote is going to be a revamp of our awards sultation. Some items affect only a few in the magazine, that having a system system. The EBU has a long history of players, often at the top of the game, whereby you could make an artificial volunteers assisting at national and but others affect every member. A case bid to ask partner how many aces he county level, this spirit also exists at in point is what we do with printed had was gaining an unfair advantage club level and many of our clubs either material. I’m sure you noticed when and should be banned forthwith. The wouldn’t exist or do as well were it not you bought stamps for posting Christ- archive means these magazines won’t for the volunteer committee, scorer, mas cards this year just how expensive be lost as people steadily lose or dam- director, teacher, refreshment buyer postal charges are. That applies to this age them or throw the paper copy out. and many more. Saying thank you and magazine and also the English Bridge When I started playing, there were offering recognition is one small thing Magazine. More and more magazines some simultaneous pairs competitions that can be done, particularly to those are now available electronically and it which were scored by hand. The queen who have done the job for many years. is not uncommon to sit on a train and of organising and scoring was a lady I’ll bring you more news of some new watch a set of people staring at their called Marjorie Cartwright. All the awards in a future article. tablets and reading a website, a news- travellers would be sent to Bridling- If you have constructive comment paper or a magazine. Some friends of ton and three or so weeks later some or feedback on these or other top- mine have given up buying the daily results would be posted back to the ics I’ll be pleased to hear from you at paper in favour of the electronic copy, clubs. Given there was no automa- [email protected]. ■

Page 12 BRIDGE February 2014 Answers to Bernard Magee’s Bidding Quizzes 10-12 on the Cover

2♣ and rebid 2NT: this shows 23-24. Pass. A strange auction: you open 1♥ 10. Dealer South. Love All. Although you only have one high card, because of your 4-4-4-1 shape and then ♠ A 3 2 ♠ 6 5 you should bid to game, but consider see two passes and a take-out double ♥ 9 6 N ♥ A K 3 2 your choice of game. With two four-card from South, which gets passed by North. W E ♦ K J 3 S ♦ Q 7 4 2 majors, you should check to see if you It is important to understand what this ♣ A K Q 7 6 ♣ 9 8 2 have a fit in one first. means: North will have very long hearts, Over any strong 2NT opening perhaps something like A-Q-x-x-x-x. He (including those bid via two artificial bids is making a positive call when he passes West North East South (2♣-2♦), you should play your normal the double; converting a take-out double 2♠1 system of conventions. This means you into a penalty double. ? can use Stayman here, to find any major Your partner then bids 2♣: he has 1Weak two: 6-10 HCP. suit fit if it is there. East would respond 3♠ passed so far, but comes alive to rescue to your Stayman enquiry and you can bid you from 1♥, doubled. You know he has 2NT. South opens a weak two, showing to the best game of 4♠. 0-5 points because of his pass of your 6-10 points and a six-card spade suit. The 1♥ bid, so you now place him with short normal system of defence against these hearts and long clubs. He thinks that 2♣ bids involves using take-out doubles and will be the best spot for your side. a natural 2NT overcall. 12. Dealer West. Game All. When South doubles, should you The 2NT overcall shows 16-19 points ♠ A K 4 2 ♠ 8 3 rescue? and a stop in spades: this is a great ♥ K 9 4 2 N ♥ 3 When a weak hand rescues, it should W E description of your hand. Hence, you bid ♦ A 8 5 3 S ♦ 9 7 6 have a very long suit, otherwise it should 2NT: your partner would use Stayman ♣ 3 ♣ J 9 8 7 6 5 2 leave things up to the stronger hand. and finish by bidding 3NT. What this means is that you should trust The contract is not perfect, but you your partner and leave 2♣ doubled. can hold up your ace of spades and then West North East South Your partner might even make 2♣, hope that it is North who holds the ♦A, 1♥ Pass Pass Dbl but one down doubled for -200 will be a which allows you to make ten tricks. Pass Pass 2♣ Dbl good score when your opponents have a Pre-emptive bids make your life difficult ? game on (3NT will probably make). ■ 1687 Mr Bridge quarter page ads 121x91_Layout 1 02/01/2014 14:51 Page 1 and you have to take risks to get to the right contract. BERNARDJOIN If things go wrong in 3NT, you could MAGEE go two or three off. VOYAGES TO ANTIQUITY Treasures of the Aegean 11. Dealer East. Love All. ♠ 8 7 3 2 ♠ A K 9 5 ♥ 8 7 3 2 N ♥ A K 5 W E ♦ 5 4 3 S ♦ A 6 2 ♣ A 2 ♣ K Q 3

Enjoy daily bridge on this cruise through the islands of Greece and Turkey. West North East South July 7, 2014 ~ 13 days from Athens to Istanbul Great value Mr Bridge fares 2♣ Pass Fly to Athens and join Aegean Odyssey – cruise to CAT M Standard Inside £1,795pp 2♦ Pass 2NT Pass Syros • Santorini (Akrotiri) • Kos • Rhodes & Lindos CAT J Standard Outside £2,250pp ? Antalya (Aspendos) • Fethiye (Patara) • Bodrum CAT D Deluxe Balcony £3,750pp Izmir (Ephesus & Pergamon) • Canakkale (Troy) Istanbul (fly home) NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT 3♣. Strong-hand bidding is all about For reservations call on 01483 489961 or visit www.mrbridge.co.uk describing your hand and understanding Full details of inclusions on page 34. All fares subject to availability. your partner’s description. East opened

BRIDGE February 2014 Page 13 David Stevenson answers your Frequently Asked Questions Alcatraz Coup and Other Stories

Two-Way Finesse spades. Perfect. had the queen of diamonds mixed up Whatever the legality of this ploy in his hearts when he claimed honours. hen bridge was younger, when I heard about it in the seventies, ‘Ah well,’ said RHO, ‘I had the queen of there were a number of it is clearly illegal now and the direc- hearts mixed up in my diamonds when doubtful ploys of dubious tor will adjust. He does not need to I wrote it on my scorepad.’ Wlegality. Nowadays, directors would decide if it was done intentionally, he adjust automatically, but in those is just allowed to adjust and will do French Defence days, players and directors were more so. Of course, if done intentionally it naïve. One of the most famous was the is cheating, but a director would have hen I was younger, certain Alcatraz Coup, though it is not clear to be very sure of himself before he ac- unethical players played the where the name came from. Alcatraz cuses anyone of cheating and normally French Defence to a 1NT is the name of the USA’s most noto- will just adjust. Nevertheless, I could Wopening. When a player opened 1NT, rious prison of yesterday, situated on imagine this ploy working against the the next player would ask the range an island off San Francisco: perhaps it sort of opponent who prides himself and pass with about 10 to 14 points

was felt that perpetrators of this coup on not calling the director, ‘because it and pass without asking if weaker. should be sent there. is a friendly game.’ Asking then doubling showed a mini- Suppose you want to take a two-way mum double, say 15 to 17 points: if finesse. You have♠ A-J-10 of spades 100 For Honours stronger, they would double without in the dummy, ♠K-3 in hand and you asking. If done deliberately, this is pure need three tricks. You could either run he ethics of the game are not so cheating, but while few players would the jack, or lead the three to the jack, clear at rubber bridge and a fa- do so, it was an unconscious habit for but suppose you get it wrong and lose mous story concerned another many players and it was very difficult to the queen? Ttwo way finesse. Declarer had ♥A-J- for their partners not to take advan- So what a certain type of player did 10-x of hearts (trumps) and dummy tage. Fortunately, it has been stamped was to lead the jack from dummy and had ♥K-9-8-x. How to know which out now with the advent of announce- discard, let us say a club. Of course, way to finesse? Declarer said craftily, ments, except for Scotland which does this is a revoke but it has not been ‘100 for honours,’ and RHO and part- not use announcements and a few established yet. LHO plays a card and ner duly wrote this on their scorepad, clubs which also do not use them. now our hero apologises and says he but LHO took no notice. Declarer now Why is it called the French Defence? has found a spade. If LHO has played ran the jack, confident that LHO had There was a view at one time that the the queen, then he replaces the club the queen. However, it lost to RHO’s French used to use it when playing with the king and finesses on the way queen and both sides accused the other English players. Of course, there back, but if LHO has played small, of cheating. When RHO said that de- are many perfectly ethical French he replaces the club with the three of clarer must be a cheat, declarer said he players and I would not suggest it is

Page 14 BRIDGE February 2014 Alcatraz Coup continued JUST DUPLICATE true, but certainly many players believed it. In North 31 Jan – 2 Feb £199 4-6 July £199 America, it was referred to as Clifton Park Hotel Denham Grove the Weasel Over No-trumps. Lytham St Annes 11-13 July £169 ♦ 7-9 February £199 The Olde Barn Two-Way 2 Denham Grove played in Iceland in a 18-20 July £199 very good tournament. 14-16 February £199 Blunsdon House Hotel However, one thing hap- Chatsworth Hotel Ipened a few times that an- Elstead Hotel 1-3 August £169 noyed me. My partner and 14-16 February £199 Bournemouth BH1 3QP The Olde Barn ♣ Elstead Hotel I played that 2 showed ei- ther a weak two in diamonds 9-11 May £199 12-14 September £169 or a very strong hand. On 21-23 February £199 Blunsdon House Hotel The Olde Barn about four occasions, one of Blundson House Hotel us opened 2♣ and the next 16-18 May £169 10-12 October £199 hand bid 2♦. On two occa- The Olde Barn Blunsdon sions, they did so after ask- House Hotel ing the meaning of 2♣ and 30 May – 1 June £199 it was intended, and under- Chatsworth Hotel 10-12 October £199 stood, as take-out. On the Elstead Hotel other occasions, they bid 2♦ without asking and it was intended, and understood, as natural. Very unfortunate and not easy to deal with. Ardington Hotel £50 Worthing BN11 3DZ Is it Natural? OFF* 28 Feb – 2 March £199 Just Duplicate Events inally, there is the Chatsworth Hotel in 2014. See page 4 unfortunate habit of for terms and some players to ask conditions. 28 Feb – 2 March £199 Chatsworth Hotel Fwhether an opening bid is Blundson House Hotel Worthing BN11 3DU natural, or how many cards it shows, even though it is 14-16 March £199 17-19 October £169 not alerted. Strangely, they 13-15 June £169 Blundson House Hotel The Olde Barn The Olde Barn always seem to have length in the suit and unscrupu- lous partners have been 14-16 March £169 27-29 June £169 24-26 October £199 The Olde Barn Chatsworth Hotel known to lead it after such The Olde Barn a question. An American friend of mine has been 21-23 March £199 known to answer the ques- Chatsworth Hotel Full Board tion, ‘How many cards does it show?’ with, ‘Not as many 28-30 March £199 No Single Denham Grove as you have, obviously.’ Supplement Please remember that none of the above tactics 28-30 March £199 Booking Form are legal, so do not try them Elstead Hotel on page 6. out. This is a wonderful Please note there are no game and there is no need 25-27 April £199 The Olde Barn Hotel seminars, set hands to stoop to unfortunate Blundson House Hotel Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT or prizes at these events. methods. Play fair and enjoy. ■

BRIDGE February 2014 Page 15 The Diaries of Wendy Wensum Episode 22: What a Pantomime

t was our first experience of a his reasonable question. Millie and holding my hand, she too would have teams-of-eight competition. Mil- I agreed the hesitation demurely and entered the bidding with an overcall lie and I, with six fellow members Monica looked disappointed at the and would have bid game on finding Iof the Riverside BC, turned up for the lack of an argument on the issue. The the club fit. I reflected that bridge county inter-club championship with full sequence was: is much easier after retrospective the daunting task of playing against analysis. At the other two tables, our all the other clubs in a large field. In West North East South North-South pairs had no interference the match against a neighbouring club, Jim Monica in their auctions. One pair had a rather one board in particular illustrated var- 1♥ optimistic sequence. ying attitudes to hand evaluation by Pass 1♠ Pass 2♦ producing four widely differing con- Pass 3♠ Pass 4♦ West North East South tracts. This was the deal in question: Pass 4♥ All Pass 1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass 2♦ With the ♠A, two top diamonds and Pass 3♠ Pass 4♠ Dealer South. Game All. a trump to lose, the contract drifted All Pass ♠ K Q 10 9 8 4 one off for plus 100 to us. ‘James, ♥ Q J 8 why do you close your eyes when you With five spades in the East hand, it ♦ J 5 are dummy?’ snapped the amateur was not a great contract and went four ♣ J 10 actress suddenly. ‘Is my declarer play off for minus 400, but at least it had not ♠ 6 ♠ A J 7 5 3 that bad?’ she demanded menacingly. been doubled. At the final table, there ♥ K 5 2 N ♥ 6 ‘No, no, I’m just thinking,’ responded was a more restrained approach and W E ♦ ♦ ♥ A K 6 4 S 8 3 Jim, her hen-pecked husband. ‘Then our fourth pair rested in 2 making ♣ K 9 8 4 2 ♣ Q 7 6 5 3 don’t think when you drive me nine tricks giving us plus 140. ♠ 2 home,’ she commanded in loud rich ♥ A 10 9 7 4 3 theatrical tones. Monica’s dramatic West North East South ♦ Q 10 9 7 2 antics were sustained throughout the 1♥ ♣ A set of boards. As we left the table for Pass 1♠ Pass 2♦ the next round, I unwisely continued Pass 2♥ All Pass the thespian theme by mentioning As we approached the table, Millie to Millie that Spouse and I had gone In spite of three positive scores on whispered in my ear, ‘South is Monica, to the theatre recently to see ‘One the board, the aggregate score was she’s a bit of a madam, a bit of an Man Two Governors’ and that it minus 10, converting to zero IMPs. actress. Behind her back she’s known as had been a sell out with no seats left. Fortunately, we still managed to win Mona. Last Christmas she played Dick ‘That sounds uncomfortable. What that match and, with a mixture of Whittington in the local pantomime. did you sit on?’ she retorted. I made losses and wins elsewhere, we finished I hear she is auditioning for the part no response; I simply noted that old comfortably in the middle of the field. of Cinderella next time. Personally, I jokes, particularly those based on It was a perfectly satisfactory result think one of the Ugly Sisters may be a tautology and puns are not necessarily in our first event of this type. In the better role.’ ‘Millie, behave,’ I said with the best jokes. Later, as we scored up, hostelry later, Millie, Jo, Kate and I got little hope of compliance. Monica was we discovered that, unlike me, Jo had back to the subject of pantomimes and dealer and opened 1♥. Sitting West, I made an overcall of 2♣ on the West Monica and wondered whether men considered making an overcall. After hand, so the auction went: liked amateur dramatics too. Needless some thought, I rejected bidding 2♣ to say, Millie tried to have the last on the grounds that the suit was rather West North East South word with, ‘Jim does; he likes dressing weak, and decided against an unusual Jo Kate up. I do have sympathy for Monica 2NT because Millie prefers at least 1♥ though. He is much the prettier.’ 5-5 in the minors. I did not want to 2♣ 2♠ 3♣ 3♦ In fact, it was Kate who ended the double as she was bound to lift the 4♣ All Pass discussion in pantomime style with, roof if she held spades and so I passed ‘Millie, you need to watch what you reluctantly. ‘Director, a hesitation’ Losing just the two aces, Jo and Kate say about Monica; she’s behind you!’ declared Monica accusingly with had made 4♣+1 for plus 150 and were Millie ignored the jape by changing belligerent intent. ‘Did I hear a please?’ rather annoyed with themselves for the subject to a more pressing concern, asked the director on his arrival at not bidding game. Needless to say, ‘Landlord, another round of the same, our table. Monica did not respond to at this point Millie announced that, if you please.’ ■

Page 16 BRIDGE February 2014 Misleading Cases Number Two A Pause for Thought

South v. Erehwon Duplicate Bridge Club before Lords Schwartz, Trèfle, Weiss, Rouge and Bridge, in the Supreme Court. Lord Bridge gave the following judgment of the Court:

his appeal relates to the On completion of the bidding, East South (supported by her partner, game of bridge. In my reserved his rights in relation to the North) stated immediately that she youth, a game called time taken by South to make her was unhappy with the decision and “TAuction Bridge was popular, but when rebid (agreed to have been about ten wished to appeal against it under Law Contract Bridge suddenly came on the minutes). When the director was 92. The appeal was heard the next scene, I took it up and have enjoyed called at the end of the hand, he asked day by three eminent bridge players many years of the game. Several of the South why it had taken her so long to of that county, who decided in her other learned lords who have heard bid. Her explanation went something favour. The director appealed against this appeal are in the same situation. like this: that decision under the arrangements At the start of the appeal, we declared ‘I had a real problem with my rebid. provided for in Law 93C. His appeal an interest in the game of bridge, I well remember my first bridge was heard a week later by a committee but both parties to the dispute were teacher telling me that a change of suit consisting of five even more eminent content that we should nevertheless response was forcing for one round, so bridge players, who allowed his appeal hear the appeal. a pass was out of the question. I later unanimously. The facts of the case may briefly be learned that I could only rebid 2NT South then turned to the law courts stated as follows. During the evening over a 2-level response with a balanced to remedy what she considered a of 29th February, 2013 at the Erehwon hand and 15-16 points. Later still, I miscarriage of justice. Mr Justice Noir Duplicate Bridge Club, the following learned that I could not reverse with in the Chancery Division of the High hand was played, with the appellant only 13 points. And I could not bear Court ruled in her favour and the (whom I shall hereafter call “South”) the thought of rebidding 2♦ with such director then appealed to the Court of being dealer: a miserable 5-card suit. There was no Appeal, which reversed that decision. good bid available, nor indeed was South has now appealed to this Court. there any bid which would not mislead (If my maths is correct, this case has Dealer South. N/S Vul. my partner. I think it is understandable so far involved one initial decision and ♠ K 4 why I took a while to make my rebid. five appeals, which may be a record.) ♥ Q 10 In the end, I bid 2NT as I felt that was The previous appeals were decided ♦ 8 7 the least of all possible evils. Perhaps on various grounds, including the ♣ A Q J 5 4 3 2 I should not have opened the bidding Laws of Bridge (considerably harder ♠ J 10 9 8 ♠ 7 6 5 with that hand in the first place, but to understand or apply than the ♥ J 9 8 N ♥ 7 6 5 4 I was taught very early on always common law), the rules of natural ♦ K J W E ♦ A Q 10 9 to open the bidding on a hand of 13 justice, the penalty imposed, the laws S ♣ K 10 9 8 ♣ 7 6 points. Oh dearie me.’ of defamation, assault and battery, ♠ A Q 3 2 The director said that, even so, bribery, licensing and the Equality Act ♥ A K 3 2 South’s delay in making her rebid 2010. (At this point, I should explain ♦ 6 5 4 3 2 was inordinate. South disagreed, very that South is a charming, elderly, ♣ Void politely. The director patted her on disabled, black, Welsh, teetotal, the shoulder patronisingly (thereby Muslim lady, who, commendably, did technically committing the tort of not wear a burka in Court). West North East South assault and battery) and penalised her, This Court is going to proceed on 1♦ the penalty to be the purchase of one an entirely different basis from the Pass 2♣ Pass 2NT1 pint of beer for the director (thereby Courts below. We consider that, be- Pass 3NT All Pass breaching the licensing laws and cause South has been refused admis- 1after a VVLP (very, very long pause) possibly the Bribery Act). sion to the Erehwon Duplicate

BRIDGE February 2014 Page 17 Misleading Cases continued Beginners’ Bridge Corner

Bridge Club since the Mary’s Second Lesson by Liz Dale original incident, her hu- man rights may have been infringed, and we there- ll week, Mary to make them feel stupid. why not work out what the fore direct that this case be had been looking Each week, a new contract should be. Doing referred to the European Aforward to going to principle was to be this a couple of times each Court of Human Rights.” the lesson. She hoped the introduced and this week evening would really get On your reporter’s copy others from her table last attention was paid to you to speed up with your of this case report, a hand- week would all be there. whether you should be point count and identify written note follows. It Funny really, but the in a suit contract or a no the makeable contract. is unclear who wrote it. full group was made up trump contract (see below). The second tip teacher “This avoids our having to of almost all ladies. Only Not too difficult then. said was to learn that the study the details of the case three men in a group of Except Mary didn’t quite A,K,Q and J honour cards (which would have taken up sixteen people. She hadn’t understand why it took together totalled 10 HCPs. far too much of our bridge- known anyone in the group her so long to count up So if you pick up a hand playing time).” before the session. Now, her honour card points. with this sequence of cards, as she was leaving home, Honestly, why couldn’t she not necessarily in the same ♣♦♥♠ the onset of nerves hit be more confident and just suit, then automatically her again. She thought shout the answer out when think 10 HCPs. This will be Postscript by Lord Bridge: of Peter and smiled. He it was her turn? No, before much quicker than adding The play of the hand by South would be so proud of her. committing herself, she four plus three plus two was, in the circumstances, Within minutes, everyone would count up the points plus one HCPs totalling highly commendable. West was sitting at tables again and, maybe, again, ten HCPs. Also, say you led the ♠J, won by the ♠K together with their host just to make doubly sure. are lucky enough to have in dummy, and declarer led ‘mentor’. Homework This really was slowing three aces. Automatically the ♣A followed by the ♣Q. questions answered, a down the play. The ‘mentor’ think twelve HCPs rather West won with the ♣K and quick revision of Table said Mary must learn to than four plus four plus returned the ♠10 to the ♠A. 1 and straight on to trust her first point count. four equals twelve. Declarer then finessed the Lesson Two. Surprisingly, Before giving out the Mary felt quite exhausted ♥10 successfully, cashed everyone seemed to have homework – my goodness but not daunted. She hadn’t the ♣J and led the ♣2 to done their homework. was it really that time had so much fun in ages. West’s ♣10. West returned Somehow Mary hadn’t already – the teacher Nobody made her feel, the ♠9, won by the ♠Q really thought they would. gave a couple of tips. well, silly and she really (declarer discarding the ♦7 More minibridge, On the table next to your liked her partner Joan. from dummy). Declarer more counting of points, TV chair, why not leave Mary had made quite a crossed to dummy with identifying suits and more a pack of playing cards lot of mistakes today but the ♥Q and finally played hands to play. The time which you could pick up Joan had said she probably her remaining clubs, easily seemed to go so quickly. several times during the would have made the making her contract (in all, None of the players on evening, maybe when the same mistakes too had she three spades, two hearts and Mary’s table had been commercials came on? Deal been playing the hand. five clubs). Of course, the card players before and so yourself and your imaginary Joan had even given defenders could have cashed they were slower than the partner thirteen cards each. Mary her telephone number some diamond tricks on the other tables, but somehow Count the honour cards and said that, if Mary way, but South’s bid of the that didn’t seem to matter. in your hand. Then do the couldn’t make the lessons suit apparently dissuaded The host ‘mentor’, whilst same with partner’s hand. anytime, Joan would collect them from ever leading it. trying to move them on Now, after adding the the homework and pass it And did you notice that more quickly, didn’t seem high card points together, on to her. ■ South made her no-trump contract without either of the top two heart honours If you have an eight card fit in a major, taking a trick? How often then hearts or spades should be the contract. does that sort of thing happen? Without this fit, then the contract may be better played in no-trumps. Reporter: Richard Wheen, after A.P. Herbert ■

Page 18 BRIDGE February 2014 Julian Pottage answers your bridge questions Is a Double-Jump Overcall Weak or Strong?

What should I you could have bought the make a two-suited bid on If you play a strong no- have done on this contract in a part-score; the next round. Since you are trump, there is a better case QEast hand with the number of times the willing to compete over 4♠ for opening all 5332 hands 13 HCP and 5 losers? opponents guess wrongly at this vulnerability, nothing with 1NT. In that situation should make up for that. is going to shut you out. If there is also a better case for Alternatively, you can start you have to compete with playing 5-card Stayman or ♠ A K Q 9 7 6 4 with 1♠ because the bidding a double or unusual no- trying to unearth 5-3 major ♥ 8 is very unlikely to end there. trump bid, you can always suit fits in some other way. ♦ K J 3 convert clubs to diamonds. ♣ 10 7 ♣♦♥♠ ♣♦♥♠ ♣♦♥♠ Third in hand We play a weak West North East South non-vulnerable Andrew Kambites no-trump (12-14). 1♥ 3♠ 4♥ Qagainst seems to QMy hand was: All Pass vulnerable, should you Qrecommend that open the bidding? If you open all balanced Everyone said my 3♠ so, which suit should hands in the 12-14 point ♠ A 9 7 overcall was weak. The you bid first? range with 1NT. If you go ♥ 9 6 4 opponents made 4♥. with this, what form of ♦ A 9 8 Other pairs our way Stayman would you use, ♣ A K 5 3 made 4♠, sometimes ♠ Void knowing that partner with overtricks. ♥ K Q J 8 6 will always open 1NT Vicky Fisher by email. ♦ K J 7 6 5 2 with a 5-card major and I opened 1NT and my ♣ 5 4 a 5332 distribution? partner announced A 3♠ overcall is John Willams, Montrose. 12 to 14. excessively cautious. Was this a correct bid? A For one thing, you For ease of rebid, I When playing a Charles Cane, Bournemouth. have an opening hand. wonder whether one weak NT, I rarely For another, assuming one should depart from A play 5-card Stayman. If you wish, you diamond honour is with the normal rule to bid Indeed, I have only ever can downgrade a the opening bidder, you the longest suit first? played 5-card Stayman in A 15-point hand and expect to make 8 tricks. John Martin, conjunction with a weak no- decide to treat it as 12-14. A 3♠ overcall suggests a Glendale, Inverness-shire. trump with one partner. That Whether you should do so on maximum of 10 HCP and said, when playing a weak this hand is a close decision. 6-7 tricks (depending upon To be honest, I no-trump I do not open all Although you have a 4333 vulnerability). 4♠ is a good would be tempted 5332 hands with 1NT. With shape and no tens, you do practical shot. Once in a A to pass. You know a good 5-card major and have three nines. Given that while you will miss a slam LHO is going to open 1♠: a suit wide open, I would clubs is your best suit, I would or go down in game when you might get the chance to always open the major. open 1♣.

BRIDGE February 2014 Page 19 Ask Julian continued wrong. My partner had trust your opponents, the with the plan to bid spades 19 points and eight 4NT bidder has either the ace later was fine. Partner clubs to the king. of diamonds or a singleton should have rebid 2♠, not Bert Foley, Norwich. diamond. In the latter case, a 3♥. The jump to 3♥ shows If declarer diamond lead will be no use. a single-suited hand. Yes, I leads a side A 4♣ opening is a However, as the opener has would rebid 3♠ over 3♥; for Qsuit singleton pre-emptive bid, shown only one ace, the 4NT me, it would be a cue bid from dummy, would A showing more shape bidder presumably has two, agreeing hearts rather than you go up with the ace and playing strength than which quite possibly includes showing a spade suit. As 3♥ in the second position, a 3♣ opening. A typical the ace of diamonds. A should show a single-suited or should you duck hand would be like this: further reason in favour hand, there is no need to with A-9-6-5-2? of the diamond is that you introduce a spade suit. Martin Epstein by email. might well make a trump ♠ 8 trick even without a ruff. ♣♦♥♠ Without knowing ♥ 7 Therefore, the king the full deal and ♦ 6 5 4 of diamonds it is. Playing Acol A the contract, it ♣ A Q J 9 7 5 3 2 with strong twos, is impossible to give a ♣♦♥♠ QSouth dealt definitive answer. and opened 2♦, which Possible reasons Partner’s hand was therefore Can you help North raised to 5♦. We for playing the ace far too strong to open 4♣. with the took all 13 tricks. are as follows: He should probably have Qbidding on the (i) it is the setting trick; opened 1♣, possibly 2♣ if following hand? (ii) your side needs to play he had very good controls ♠ A Q J 10 some other suit from (many aces and kings). ♥ 4 your side of the table; I suggest you give up ♠ A 8 6 4 ♦ 10 9 8 7 6 3 (iii) dummy has plenty of playing Gerber generally ♥ K 10 ♣ 7 4 trumps and no suit because there are too many ♦ 9 3 N with slow losers. other uses for a 4♣ bid. In ♣ A Q 7 5 2 W E S Possible reasons for any case, a 4♣ opening ducking are as follows: bid is never ace asking. ♠ 2 (i) you want to give declarer Me Partner ♥ K 6 (holding K-J) a guess; ♣♦♥♠ 1♥ ♦ A K Q J 4 (ii) you want to avoid setting 2♣ 3♥ ♣ A K 6 5 2 up a ruffing finesse Please can 4♥ All Pass against partner’s king you help with (if declarer has Q-J); Qthe following We were the only table How should we have (iii) you want partner opening lead problem? in the room to be in 4♥ bid the slam? to gain the lead; and got a bottom. All Beryl Williams, (iv) you want to avoid setting the other tables were Quainton, Buckinghamshire. up winners in declarer’s ♠ 6 in 4♠ or 6♠. My partner hand on which dummy’s ♥ Q 8 4 had 16 points with six As a positive slow losers can go. ♦ K Q 10 9 5 2 hearts and four spades. response to an Acol Although on average it is ♣ 9 8 5 I thought he was A Two creates a game more likely to be right to single suited and believe force, there is no need to duck (playing second hand he should have rebid jump. Indeed, traditionally a low), as you can see from West North East South 2♠ as a game forcing jump denies an ace, which the above, you really need 1♥ reverse. He said that I may explain why South to consider the context. 2♦ 4NT Pass 5♦1 should have responded did not bid the slam. Pass 6♥ All Pass 1♠ and not 2♣. Was I After a simple 3♦ raise, ♣♦♥♠ 1One ace right to raise to 4♥ or which traditionally promises should I have rebid an ace, there is plenty of Could you tell me Tom Boothby, 3♠? How should the time to discover that one what an opening Buxton, Derbyshire. bidding have gone? ace is missing, but not Qbid of 4♣ means? Bernard Coffey by email. two and so reach the We play Gerber and This is a close best contract of 6♦. I took the bid to be decision between The strength of your At some point South can asking me for aces. I A a spade and a hand was such that bid 4NT, perhaps directly think that was probably diamond (the king). If you A the 2♣ response over 3♦.

Page 20 BRIDGE February 2014 Ask Julian continued Would you bid Stayman with such a 3-4-3-3 hand? When I did, we got to 4♥ for a How should poor score. you bid this Martin Epstein by email. Qfreak deal after East opens 3♠? North With a 4333 shape, might pass a double. I recommend simply A raising no-trumps rather than using Stayman. ♠ K 10 6 5 Often, you cannot make an ♥ K 10 extra trick when you lack ♦ 9 8 7 a ruffing value, in which ♣ A Q 9 8 case you do not want to

N contract for ten tricks when W E you could contract for nine. S There is an article on the ♠ Void subject on page 9 of BRIDGE ♥ A Q 9 8 4 115, which you can access ♦ A K Q J 6 5 4 3 via the Mr Bridge library. ♣ Void http://www.mrbridge.co.uk/ library.php

Pat Dunham by email. ♣♦♥♠

You are always Playing going to reach at matchpoints A least 6♦ because Qand defending South is going to insist on it; a no-trump contract, a no way would doubling 3♠ defender held be sensible with such huge ♥9-8-6-2. In the middle playing strength and lack of of the play, the said defensive capability. South defender correctly might overcall 6♦ directly decided to switch to or perhaps bid 4♠ and then a heart. Which heart 6♦, trying to show a two- should it be? What suited hand and/or a spade factors would influence control. In the latter case, the decision? North might judge that the Simon Gottschalk, ♥K, the ♣A and diamond Pendoylan, Glamorgan. support warrant a raise to 7♦. If you want partner to ♣♦♥♠ play a heart back or A if you are keen to tell My partner partner that you have four, opened 1NT you switch to the two. If you Qand I held: are keen for partner not to return a heart, you switch to the nine. If you are unsure, ♠ A 5 3 you switch to the card you ♥ Q J 6 3 would have led at trick one ♦ A J 9 (presumably the eight) and ♣ J 10 3 leave partner to figure out the position. ■

E-mail your questions for Julian to: [email protected]

BRIDGE February 2014 Page 21 Elstead Blunsdon DEFENCE House Hotel QUIZ Hotel Bournemouth Swindon SN26 7AS BH1 3QP by Julian Pottage (Answers on page 43)

ou are West in the defensive positions below. It is your Yturn to play. Both sides are using Acol with a 12-14 1NT.

1. ♠ 10 2 3. ♠ K 4 ♥ J 9 6 5 2 ♥ A 9 7 3 ♦ Q J 7 ♦ Q 8 3 ♣ K 10 4 ♣ K Q 9 3 ♠ J 9 7 4 3 ♠ 10 7 ♥ Q 4 N ♥ K Q 4 N W E W E ♦ K 9 5 ♦ J 10 9 5 S S ♣ Q J 5 ♣ J 10 5 4

BRIDGE EVENTS West North East South West North East South BRIDGE 1♣ 1♠ 21-23 February £199 EVENTS Pass 1♥ Pass 2NT1 Pass 2♣ Pass 2♥ Just Duplicate Bridge Pass 3NT End (118-19) Pass 4♥ End

24-26 January £199 You lead the ♠4. Partner You lead the ♦J to the ♦Q, 28 Feb – 2 March £199 Just Duplicate Bridge covers the ♠10 with the ♦K and ♦A. Now declarer Just Duplicate Bridge ♠Q, which holds. Back leads the ♥2. How do you comes the ♠8 won by the defend? 14-16 March £199 31 Jan – 2 Feb £199 ♠A. Declarer now leads Just Duplicate Bridge Just Duplicate Bridge the ♣3. What is your plan?

11-13 April £245 14-16 February £199 2. ♠ 8 2 4. ♠ A K 9 4 2 Bernard Magee Just Duplicate Bridge ♥ K 8 6 ♥ J 7 3 Leads & Defence ♦ Q 10 8 3 ♦ 8 ♣ K 9 4 3 ♣ Q 7 4 3 28-30 March £199 ♠ Q 9 7 4 3 ♠ Q J 7 25-27 April £199 N ♥ Q 10 5 4 N ♥ 10 4 Just Duplicate Bridge Just Duplicate Bridge W E W E ♦ 5 S ♦ K 9 5 3 S ♣ J 10 5 ♣ J 10 9 5 14-16 November £245 11-13 April £215 Bernard Magee Stan Powell Further into Signals & Discards West North East South West North East South 1♦ 1♠ the Auction Pass 2♦ Pass 2NT Pass 4♦1 Pass 4NT 2 21-23 November £245 Pass 3NT End Pass 5♥ Pass 6♠ 28-30 November £245 End Bernard Magee Bernard Magee You lead the ♠4. Partner 1Spade raise with short diamonds Doubles Bidding NEW wins with the ♠A and 22 key cards TOPIC Distributional Hands returns the ♠J, which Full Board holds. Declarer wins the You lead the ♣J to the ♣Q, Full Board No Single Supplement third round with the ♠K, ♣K and ♣A. Now declarer No Single Supplement cashes the ♦A-K and leads leads the ♠3. How do you Booking Form on page 6. the ♣7. What do you do? defend? Booking Form on page 6.

Page 22 BRIDGE February 2014 Bridge and Travel Tips Chatsworth Hotel Worthing BN11 3DU

THE CARD YOU’RE 14-16 Feb £199 KNOWN TO HOLD Just Duplicate 28 Feb-2 Mar £199 Bridge tip from Sally Brock: Just Duplicate

When declarer knows you hold a particular 21-23 Mar £199 card, there is no point hanging on to it. Just Duplicate

4-6 April £245 his is a typical layout: plays the three to dummy’s Bernard Magee queen and cashes the ace Finding Slams T discarding a loser. You (West) should play the king. 3-5 October £245 K J 5 If you don’t, he will know he Bernard Magee can ruff low in hand; if you Game Tries N 31 Jan-2 Feb £199 Q 10 6 W E 8 7 2 drop the king, he may ruff Just Duplicate S higher than is necessary 7-9 November £245 A 9 4 3 and promote a trump trick 7-9 Feb £169 Bernard Magee for your side. Sheila Rogers Hand Rubber / Chicago Evaluation Declarer plays the three to dummy’s jack, and then 8 7 2 Full Board – No Single Supplement cashes the king. You (West) Booking Form on page 6. N should play the queen and, Q W E A 10 9 6 5 4 3 with any luck, he will now S play to the nine and you will K J make your ten. Ardington Hotel West leads the queen after Worthing BN11 3DZ A Q 6 5 4 East has opened with a pre- empt. East wins the ace. You N K 10 7 W E J 9 8 2 (South) must drop the card S you are known to hold (the 3 king). Maybe East will think his partner holds Q-J dou- bleton and switch instead of Declarer, in a suit contract, giving his partner a ruff. ■

Travel tip from Emma Thomson: f you fly regularly, it’s worth signing up with an BRIDGE EVENTS airline’s frequent-flyer programme, or getting a credit card that accrues air miles. (Points earned on I 21-23 February Overcalls £215 other loyalty cards, such as Nectar and Tesco, can also be converted to air miles.) Each time you fly, you earn 14-16 March Take-Out Doubles £215 free miles and, once the mileage reaches a certain (Improvers) amount you can redeem them for free future flights. Be aware that major airlines don’t operate a mileage 11-13 April Hand Evaluation £215 expiration policy, but you are required to have activity on your card once every three years. Up, up and away. Full Board – No Single Supplement Booking Form on page 6.

BRIDGE February 2014 Page 23 Robin Hood’s Bridge Adventures by David Bird Maid Marian’s Excellent Defence

he Thursday night duplicate lost no time in supporting the suit. His won with the ace. Now, what could he game was held at many differ- beloved Marian had many excellent do about the potential blockage in the ent locations, week by week, the qualities but knowing how to bid was diamond suit? Tintention being to keep one step ahead not among them. He rebid 3NT and Both defenders followed when a of the Sheriff of Nottingham and his that ended the auction. The ♠5 was led diamond was played to the ace. On men-at-arms. and down went the dummy. the king of diamonds West showed ‘Where are we off to tonight?’ asked out, discarding a heart. Not so good, Will Scarlet, pulling on a deerskin thought Hood. If he continued with jacket to ward off the cold. Dealer South. Game All. the queen of diamonds, the last ‘Back room of the Blind Monk ale- ♠ 7 3 2 diamond spot-card in his hand would house,’ Robin Hood replied. ‘One of ♥ J 8 block the suit. ‘Seven of spades, please, the best places. Beer’s good, too.’ ♦ A K Q 4 2 Marian,’ said Hood. ‘Just my luck to be on guard tonight,’ ♣ 9 6 5 The landlord, who had looked half said Will Scarlet. ‘Can’t be drinking ♠ Q J 8 5 4 ♠ K 9 asleep a moment ago, sat up in his chair. when I need to keep my wits about me.’ ♥ Q 6 4 3 N ♥ K 10 7 5 A spade? Robin Hood was reputed to ♦ 3 W E ♦ J 9 7 Hood laughed. ‘You can down a pint S be a strong player. Still, it was easy to or two before we leave,’ he said. ♣ J 3 2 ♣ Q 10 8 7 lose concentration when you had a The evening session was into its ♠ A 10 6 pretty girl sitting opposite you. He had third round when Hood and Maid ♥ A 9 2 discovered this himself, misplaying a Marian faced the rotund figure of ♦ 10 8 6 5 simple 4♠ on the first round. He had Tybalt, the Blind Monk’s landlord. His ♣ A K 4 no problems with his concentration wife, Geretrudis, was unable to play when partnering his wife. after fracturing her shoulder recently The landlord won with the ♠J and while ejecting an unruly drunkard. West North East South lost no time in cashing the ♠Q. This The landlord was partnered instead Landlord Maid Gunilda Robin is what Robin Hood had been hoping by the fair-haired barmaid, Gunilda. Tybalt Marian Hood for. He threw a club from dummy A comely wench, still on the right side 1NT and discarded the blocking ♦8 from of twenty, she attracted extra custom Pass 3♦ Pass 3NT his hand. The landlord cashed his last from many a mile away. All Pass spade and switched to a club. Robin To ensure that nothing untoward Hood was then able to claim the occurred, the landlord’s wife had ‘You read my mind,’ observed Maid contract, crossing to dummy’s ♦Q and drawn up a chair to witness proceed- Marian happily. ‘I was hoping you scoring a total of five diamonds to go ings. It was not that she didn’t trust would bid 3NT.’ with his four top cards in the other Tybalt, God bless’im, but why take any ‘Your 3♦ was a good call, my love,’ suits. risk on such matters? Robin Hood replied. ‘I married a complete lamb’s-brain!’ The players drew their cards for this East played the ♠K on the first trick exclaimed Geretrudis. ‘I’ve never seen deal (shown in the next column). and Hood allowed this card to win. such poor defence.’ Robin Hood had a splendid fit for A heart switch wouldn’t damage him The landlord’s mouth fell open. He diamonds. Had a strong partner such and, anyway, most folk around here had never before realised what a pow- as Nazir or Friar Tuck responded 3♦ tended to return partner’s suit. When erful voice his wife had. ‘Why on earth to his 15-17 point 1NT, he would have the fair Gunilda returned the ♠9, Hood d’you think he played a spade,

Page 24 BRIDGE February 2014 Robin Hood continued ‘They’ve never bothered me.’ ‘You’ve been lucky, then,’ continued ♠ 9 Father Gidley. ‘Bunch of cutthroats, ♥ 9 8 3 by all accounts. They’d sell their own ♦ A 7 6 5 Tybalt?’ she continued. ‘It was plain as grandmother for a couple of groats.’ ♣ — the nose on your face that he was hop- ‘You may be right,’ said Hood. ♠ 10 ♠ J N ♥ ♥ ing you’d let him discard a diamond.’ ‘Who’s the dealer on this one?’ Q J 10 7 5 2 W E — The Landlord struggled to recall ♦ 8 S ♦ Q J 10 how the play had gone. He’d discarded ♣ — ♣ K Q 10 6 a diamond, had he? ‘I defended the Dealer West. N/S Game. ♠ K 8 4 3 way it seemed best at the time,’ he ♠ 9 6 2 ♥ 6 informed his wife. ‘No-one can expect ♥ A 9 8 3 ♦ 4 more than that.’ ♦ A 7 6 5 3 ♣ 9 5 A few rounds later, Robin Hood ♣ 7 arrived at the table of two priests ♠ 10 5 ♠ Q J 7 unknown to him. ♥ K Q J 10 7 5 2 N ♥ Void When the ♣5 appeared from declarer’s W E ♦ 8 2 ♦ Q J 10 9 He caught Maid Marian’s eye, S hand, Hood considered his defence alerting her to the fact that they ♣ J 8 ♣ K Q 10 6 4 2 carefully. It seemed obvious to score should not call each other by name in ♠ A K 8 4 3 his ♠10 in front of dummy’s ♠9. He the presence of such strangers. Spies ♥ 6 4 could cash a heart for the defenders’ were everywhere in the vicinity of ♦ K 4 third trick, but what then? On any Nottingham and it was well-known ♣ A 9 5 3 continuation, declarer would reach that the Sheriff had a large number of his hand with a heart ruff and score such individuals in his employ. a second club ruff with dummy’s ♠9. ‘Good evening, Fathers,’ said Robin West North East South He would make the contract with five Hood, taking the West seat. ‘Where do Robin Father Maid Father trumps, three minor-suit winners and you hail from?’ Hood Gidley Marian Leinster two club ruffs. ‘Lincolnshire, the Alkborough 3♥ Pass Pass 3♠ Confident that he was doing the Priory,’ replied Father Leinster, the Pass 4♠ All Pass right thing, Robin Hood discarded his taller of the priests. ‘Lucky to find a last diamond. Declarer ruffed with the bridge game, I must say. We’ll spend When Robin Hood led the ♥K, de- ♠9 and called for a heart. the night here and head off again clarer covered with dummy’s ace and Time stood still as Maid Marian de- tomorrow.’ Maid Marian ruffed with the ♠7. Hop- cided what she should do on this trick. ‘To tell the truth, we were nervous ing to reduce declarer’s club ruffs to a Robin Hood gazed at her lovingly. Did Marian not have the finest blue eyes in the entire kingdom? If she held the ♠J, she needed to ruff this trick. It was a difficult defence to find when her partner was known to hold all the top hearts. He would think none the less of his sweetheart if she failed to find the play. As if by a miracle, Marian’s delicate fingers reached for the ♠J. She cashed the ♣K next, West throwing a heart, then gave Robin a diamond ruff. The spade game was one down. Robin Hood’s eyes were alight. ‘By Saint Barnabas!’ he exclaimed. ‘What a defence you found there, my love.’ It seemed to Robin Hood that de- clarer might have succeeded by the re- markable play of ducking the very first trick, opening a ruffing route to his hand. He would have to check it later, riding through these parts,’ declared minimum, she returned the queen of back at the camp. the pale-faced Father Gidley. ‘Rumour trumps. Father Leinster won with the ‘Barman!’ cried Robin Hood. ‘A has it that Sherwood is infested with trump ace, cashed the ♣A and ruffed a glass of your best Spanish wine for my outlaws.’ club. He returned to his hand with the wonderful partner here. Quick as you ‘Some people say so,’ Hood replied. ♦K, leaving these cards still out: can!’ ■

BRIDGE February 2014 Page 25 David Stevenson answers your questions on Laws and Ethics When Can You Ask for a Bidding Explanation?

Can you please which the opposition may East, the tournament there has been an explain in use but partner may not. director, criticised my error, I wanted to play Qfull, when For example, when a player bidding. I said that I in 6♠.’ I said that the playing duplicate asks about an unalerted had intended to bid 3♣ bidding had finished. club bridge, under opening bid, it often means over a major, but pass The director was called what circumstances he is long in that suit: if his over 2♦. My partner and he ruled that South a player may ask for partner were then to lead made eleven tricks. The was to play in 6♠. an explanation of a the bid suit the director tournament director We accepted the direc- bid. You have given a might very reasonably adjust claimed that they could tor’s ruling, as we always short answer in your against him. Since it was not have made game, but do. I realise that, if you article in the November alerted, why is he asking? for my 2♣ bid. She said pull out the wrong card issue, but some of my When the opposition have that the result should from the bidding box in- members think that no a sequence and you have be scored as 2♦+3, advertently and change questions should be no intention of bidding, undoubled. At another immediately to the asked during the bidding asking about each bid is table, North-South had desired bid, it is allowed, if a player asking is pointless, time-wasting, and bid and made 5♦. but can the final contract intending to pass. can lead to unauthorised Do you know if there be changed after the Dilip Mithani, Barnet BC. information. Best by far is to is a rule that allows bidding has finished? ask about all the calls before such a penalty? Goody Gill by email. A player may ask the the opening lead, or after Brian Dynes by email. meaning of a call or partner has led face down The director was in A play whenever it is if your partner is on lead. Your director seems error, I fear. When a his turn to call or play, except Nevertheless, people to be inventing laws A player pulls out the that dummy may not ask. cannot be stopped from A where none exist. wrong call, inadvertently, Furthermore, declarer and asking if they wish. Your bidding sequence he may change it if he the opening leader may ask is perfectly legal and she attempts to change it without before the opening lead, and ♣♦♥♠ has no right whatever pause for thought from the the opening leader’s partner to adjust the score. A realisation of his mistake, may ask after the opening Last week, my Stayman bid promises but only if his partner has lead but before it is faced. wife, playing nothing and you can bid not called subsequently. While people often quote QSouth, opened it on any hand you like. In this case, his partner imaginary rules about not 1NT. I forgot to announce had passed so the 6NT call being allowed to ask when 12-14. West passed. ♣♦♥♠ stands and the contract you do not bid, there is no Holding six clubs, five cannot be changed by the such rule and what does diamonds and two During the game director. It is important that a player do if his decision singletons, I bid 2♣. last night, after directors read rulings from whether to bid or pass is East passed and my Qan uninterrupted the law book: if he had based on the answer? partner bid 2♦. West sequence, North-South done so, then he would have However, there are doubled, I passed and bid to 6NT by South. realised that a change is not dangers in asking, since East also passed. Soon after the final permitted once partner has it often gives information, During the play, pass, South said, ‘Sorry called.

Page 26 BRIDGE February 2014 Ask David continued they had an agreement. a card must be played if bids. (He also told me I Of course, not everyone it is held stationary above had a ‘duty’ to inspect my has an agreement. Perhaps the table where everyone opponents’ convention East thought that since can see it, or if it is put on cards before play starts.) North opened most people play 2♦ for the the table. But a card that Presuming the multi 2♣ 1♦ and East majors, his partner might is dropped accidentally bid to be legal (is it?), is Qovercalled 2♦. take it as that and gambled: may be picked up and if it acceptable to use the This was neither alerted in that case, there is no declarer takes a card out term ‘strong Acol 2♣’ to by West nor queried infraction, no misinformation, but immediately brings it describe part of the bid? by South, who passed. and the result stands. back, he may change it. When multi-meaning West then made a legal I cannot be sure without It does not matter if bids are used, is it bid. North then asked the full facts, but since these are unintended acceptable to give the West the meaning of his South knew that 2♦ was cards or mechanical meaning of the relevant partner’s 2♦ overcall, unlikely to be natural, errors: once played, they part of the bid only and to which he replied but did not ask, it seems may not be withdrawn. ignore the other(s)? that he did not know. unlikely that there is any Mike Scarffe by email. Bidding continued reason to adjust the score. ♣♦♥♠ to a making contract Your opponents by East-West (not in ♣♦♥♠ My RHO opened and the director are diamonds). If a director 2♣, alerted and A completely wrong. had been called, how When is a card Qthe uncontested Private understandings are should he have ruled? played? When auction proceeded to illegal in bridge and, when What would his ruling Qthe others have 7♠. I then asked the asked the meaning of a have been if East’s 2♦ seen it, even though it is meaning of the opening call the answer must be bid had been alerted still being held, or when bid and was told it was complete. If they are playing by West, but with the it has touched the table? a strong Acol 2♣. 2♣ as either an Acol 2♣ or same reply made to Mary Melluish, Buckingham. On the next hand, with a weak two in diamonds, North’s query? the same opponents, then they must say so and John Hamilton by email. If you are defending, LHO opened 2♣, alerted. failure to do so is definitely then a card must My partner passed and misinformation. You do It depends what A be played once it is RHO bid 2♦. Having not have a duty to inspect their agreement in a position where partner hearts to the ace, I bid an opponent’s convention A was. If there was could see the face if he was 2♥, as I thought my card before play starts: an agreement that West looking. Note that it does partner would probably while it is sensible to do so, had forgotten, then the not matter if he is looking be on lead, but was it does not absolve your opponents had a right to the other way: that does surprised when my bid opponents in any way from know the system. If the not make it not played. If was passed out. I asked keeping you fully informed director had been called the director judges partner the meaning of the via alerts, announcements at the time of the 2♦ bid, could see it if he was looking, opening bid and was and explanations when he would have sent West then it must be played and told it was a weak two questions are asked. away from the table and may not be withdrawn. in diamonds. Further The Multi 2♣ opening is checked with East whether If you are declarer, then explanation revealed legal at Level 4, as played that the 2♣ opening in all events apart from bid in their system was Novice and Holiday events either an Acol 2♣ or a and as played in many clubs. DUPLICATE BRIDGE weak two in diamonds. The description ‘Acol 2♣’ Asked why this had not refers to an opening 2♣ that RULES SIMPLIFIED been made clear on the shows either 23+ points previous hand, I was and a balanced hand, or a (otherwise known as the Yellow Book) told it wasn’t relevant at game force with five quick that time, presumably tricks. The modern style by because I had asked which opening 2-bids are by John Rumbelow and only after the auction was considerably weakened 95 revised by David Stevenson complete rather than means that the strongest bid £5 when the bid was made. in the system, often 2♣ or I asked the director who 2♦, may not have the values ♣ Available from Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 ruled there was nothing of a traditional Acol 2 and amiss with the bidding should not be described as or the explanations of the such.

BRIDGE February 2014 Page 27 Ask David continued With West’s hand, double is not routine: after all, 3♠ Bernard Magee’s Tips might be made if declarer is a very good guesser. for Better Bridge On the board To adjust it to 3♠ undou- 65 invaluable tips in 160 pages below, the direc- bled seems obvious to me. I tor was called think West’s double is illegal Q Bidding Tips 33 A low lead usually promises and North-South re- or improper, since it does not 1 Always consider bidding length and an honour served their rights. Was avoid taking advantage of spades if you can 34 When declaring 1NT, West’s bid justifiable the unauthorised information. 2 Bid more aggressively try to be patient when non-vulnerable 35 Duck an early round when and/or ethical after his However, I would not call 3 Always double when the you are short of entries partner’s long hesitation it unethical which suggests opponents steal your deal 36 Lead up to your and pass? The director’s that West doubled know- 4 A takeout double shows two-honour holding shortage in the suit doubled 37 Do not always assume ruling was that East- ing it was improper: players 5 ‘Borrow’ a king a suit will break well West weren’t at fault. often misjudge what they to keep the auction open 38 Drop a high card should do when in receipt of 6 After a penalty double, to put off the defence don’t let the opponents escape 39 Play your highest card to tempt unauthorised information. 7 Halve the value of a singleton a defender to cover Dealer North. Love All. honour when opening 40 Draw trumps first unless you ♠ K J 10 8 6 2 ♣♦♥♠ 8 Only add length-points for a have a good reason not to suit that might be useful 41 Do not waste your trumps ♥ Void 9 Isolated honours are bad 42 Consider leaving a lone defen- ♦ A 9 7 When pairs except in partner’s suit sive trump winner out ♣ J 8 7 2 switch, is there 10 Use the jump shift sparingly 11 Consider passing and letting Defence Tips ♠ Q 9 4 3 ♠ A 7 any rule that says partner decide 43 Keep four-card suits intact N Q whenever possible ♥ J 10 8 5 W E ♥ K Q 9 2 whether North should 12 You need two top honours for a second-seat pre-empt 44 Give count on declarer’s leads ♦ K 10 8 3 S ♦ J 6 2 move to East or West? 13 Put the brakes on if you have a 45 Keep the right cards ♣ 4 ♣ Q 10 6 5 Peter Godfrey by email. misfit rather than signal ♠ 5 14 Strong and long minors work 46 Take your time well in no-trumps when dummy is put down ♥ A 7 6 4 3 There is no overall 15 One stop in the opponents’ suit 47 High cards are for killing ♦ Q 5 4 rule. Many pairs can be enough for no-trumps other high cards ♣ A K 9 3 quote some rule 16 Keep your two-level 48 Do not waste A responses up to strength intermediate cards that was based on a Law 17 Use your normal methods in 49 Pick two key suits to book that is 50 years old, response to a 1NT overcall concentrate on during the play West North East South but that is not correct now. 18 Don’t overcall just because 50 If in doubt, cover an honour you have opening points with an honour ♠1 2 Dbl Pass Having said that, the 19 Overcalls can be quite weak, 51 If a lead is from two honours, it 3♥ 3♠ Pass2 Pass authority could make a rule. so be prudent when responding is best not to cover 52 Keep your honour to kill Dbl3 All Pass For example, a club could 20 Weak overcalls must be based dummy’s honour 1 on strong suits Weak say that whenever there is a 21 6NT requires 33 points 53 Try to show partner your 2Long hesitation before passing switch, North becomes West. not 4 aces and 4 kings solid honour sequences 54 Lead the normal card when 3Double not alerted Alternatively, the director for 22 Raise immediately, if weak with four-card support leading partner’s suit the session could state a rule: 23 In a competitive auction, 55 Never underlead an ace at trick Deirdre Fell, Louth. he has the authority to make show support immediately one in a suit contract 56 Be wary of leading from one if he thinks it desirable. 24 Bid to the level of your fit quickly with weak hands four cards to only one honour Unalerted doubles of Jim Proctor, an EBU 25 With strength and support, 57 Lead a higher card from natural suit bids are national director, thinks use the opponents’ bid suit a suit without an honour 58 Lead through ‘beatable’ A always for take-out so moving pairs might get strength and up to weakness West’s double should be for confused if they play one way Declarer Play Tips 59 Cash your winners before try- 26 When your contract depends take-out.However, it seems one round but the other way ing for a trump promotion on a finesse, think ‘endplay’ 60 Be patient when defending likely that East forgot to alert. next round, so if there is only 27 Consider what a defender 1NT East has given West one arrow-switch round he might be thinking about 61 Trump leads can be safe 28 Always take your time throughout the play unauthorised information does not instruct them which at trick one by his long pause before way to switch, but if there are 29 Establish extra tricks before General Tips passing, clearly suggesting two rounds then he does tell cashing your winners 62 Do not put important cards 30 Use your opponents’ at either end of your hand that he nearly did not pass. them which way to switch. bidding to your advantage 63 Avoid being declarer when West is now required to This seems eminently sensible 31 Avoid the ‘baddie’ you are dummy avoid taking any advantage. to me. ■ gaining the lead 64 Before you lead, ask for a 32 Use the Rule of Seven when review of the auction holding up in no-trumps 65 Enjoy the Game!

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

Page 28 BRIDGE February 2014 Things You Should Know by Andrew Kambites About Opener’s Reverse

eversing is bidding suits he wants to give preference is the basic ny reverse promises 16 in unnatural order. definition of reversing. Reversing or more points and is R is not a convention which you can Aforcing. choose to play or not to play. People Frequently, West opens the bidding who say, ‘We don’t play reversing,’ are Quite simple: if you choose an with 12 points and East responds with really saying, ‘We play bad bridge.’ uneconomical sequence, you need the 6. West makes a rebid in a third suit. strength to justify it. At this stage there is no indication ♣♦♥♠ With either Hand E or hand F, you that East/West have a fit and it is still open your longest suit: 1♦. You would perfectly possible that they have a hen you open a suit at like to bid your hearts also. Whether minority of the points. Which of the the one level, you cre- or not you do this depends on how two auctions is more comfortable? Wate a barrier bid: the strong you are. same suit at the two level. If Auction A Auction B your rebid is a new suit above West East West East this barrier you are reversing. Hand E Hand F 1♥ 1NT 1♦ 1NT ♠ 9 8 ♠ 9 8 2♦ 2♥ This seems strange. I have just given ♥ A K 7 6 ♥ A K 7 6 you one definition of reversing, now ♦ A Q 8 7 6 ♦ A Q 8 7 6 Without considering whether it is here is another one. Actually, it isn’t ♣ A 2 ♣ 9 2 wise to play either of these sequences another definition: it is exactly the as forcing at this stage, look at the same. If you rebid a new suit above partnership options. your barrier, partner cannot give Suppose your partner responds 1♠. In Auction A, they can play in 2♦ or preference to your first suit below the With Hand E, you have the necessary 2♥. three level. The advantage of this new 16+ points to reverse into 2♥: (Auction In Auction B, they can play in 2♥ or definition is most people find it easier C). 3♦. to use. Hence from now on I will refer With Hand F, you lack the necessary Ironically, Auction B might start to reversing as rebidding a new suit values to reverse. You must rebid 2♦. with the cheaper bid but it ends up above your barrier. You should not worry about missing more expensive. Auction A is the more a heart fit. Partner was perfectly economical and certainly desirable if Auction C Auction D capable of bidding the hearts if he had they have a combined 18 points and West East West East four, and if (for example) he had four no great fit. Bidding hearts first and 1♦ 1♠ 1♦ 1♠ cards in each major, he would have then diamonds is the natural order of 2♥ 2♠ responded 1♥ rather than 1♠. bidding if the objective is to keep the bidding low. Bidding the suits in an In Auctions C and D, West opens 1♦, ♣♦♥♠ unnatural order (Auction B) means making 2♦ his barrier. that, if East wants to do no more than In Auction C, 2♥ is a reverse: a new reverse has shape give simple preference to West’s first suit above the barrier. requirements also. If suit, he is forced to the three level. It In Auction D, 2♠ is not a reverse A opener’s second suit is common sense that, if West chooses because 2♠ is not a new suit. Once you is bid at the two level, he the unnatural order (Auction B), he have found a fit there is not the same promises MORE cards in the needs to have additional strength to urgency to keep the bidding low. 2♠ first suit than the second suit. justify it. Creating an auction in which suggests a minimum opening. (5-4, 6-4 or 6-5 but not 5-5 you force partner to the three level if shape).

BRIDGE February 2014 Page 29 About Reverses continued With either Hand J or Hand K it is to ensure game is reached, hence the correct to open 1♠, the higher ranking jump to 3NT. of two 5-card suits. With Hand J, you can happily rebid ♣♦♥♠ 2♦ if partner responds 2♣, but what ♠ 2 ♠ 9 8 7 5 4 if partner’s response is 2♥? With f the response is a change ♥ K J 7 5 4 N ♥ Q 6 2 just 12 points you cannot rebid 3♦ of suit at the two level, a ♦ A Q 4 3 2 W E ♦ K 7 (above your 2♠ barrier) so you must reverse is game forcing. S I ♣ A Q ♣ K J 2 reluctantly rebid 2♠. Sadly, you might miss a diamond fit, but don’t imagine This is common sense: opener has 16+ you could have solved your problems points: responder has 9+ points. Auction G Auction H by opening 1♦. If you opened 1♦ and West East West East the response was 2♣ you could not 1♦ 1♠ 1♥ 1♠ have rebid 2♠ (above your 2♦ barrier) ♠ K Q 6 5 ♠ A 8 2♥ 3NT 2♦ 2♥ so you would have been forced to ♥ A K 6 5 4 3 N ♥ 9 2 Pass 3♦ 4♥ rebid 2♦, this time losing the spades. ♦ A 2 W E ♦ K J 7 5 4 S Faced with a choice of undesirable ♣ 3 ♣ Q 8 7 6 Auction G represents very bad possibilities: losing a major or losing a bidding. No doubt, West thought that minor, the superior status of the major he could get across his 16+ points by decides the outcome. West East reversing. Indeed, his 2♥ rebid did just Hand K is much more rewarding. 1♥ 2♦ that, but, by that time, he had told a Open 1♠. If the response is 2♣ rebid 2♠ 2NT fatal lie: that his diamonds were longer 2♦, aiming to show your extra strength 3♥ 4♥ than his hearts. next time. If the response is 2♥, now Imagining that West had four you are strong enough to reverse above 2♠ is a low reverse (made at the two hearts and five diamonds, East, who your 2♠ barrier. This promises at least level) but, after a two level response, had nine points and a club stopper, five spades and at least four diamonds, it is game forcing. East does not need jumped to 3NT to make sure game but doesn’t guarantee longer spades to jump around: he shows his club wasn’t missed. West was left guessing: than diamonds: 5-5 shape is fine. stopper with an economical 2NT. This if he had decided to continue with 4♥ Such a reverse at the three level gives West the opportunity to show he showed his fifth heart, but he also can occur only if responder changes his sixth heart, leading to the best guaranteed a sixth diamond that he suit at the two level and is called a game contract. didn’t have. high reverse. If your second suit in a Auction H is far more controlled. reversing sequence is at the two level, ♣♦♥♠ Admittedly, West had an ace to spare this is a low reverse. for his 2♦ rebid but East will rarely ou cannot be forced to pass. East gave preference to 2♥ and ♣♦♥♠ reverse by intervention. now West showed a hand in the 16- Y 18 point range by continuing with f the response is a change 3♦. This showed his fifth diamond of suit at the one level, a West North East South accurately, but didn’t guarantee a Ireverse is forcing for only 1♥ 2♣ 2♠ Pass sixth heart. one round. 3♦ You must not reverse with the wrong shape just to show your point count. In this auction, North’s intervention ♠ 7 ♠ A J 4 3 2 has pushed the bidding higher than ♣♦♥♠ ♥ A K 5 4 N ♥ 6 3 would have been anticipated. West ♦ 7 4 2 W E ♦ A J 9 had intended to rebid 2♦, below his S f opener’s second suit is bid ♣ A K Q 7 6 ♣ 4 3 2 barrier, but East’s 2♠ has made this at the three level, he might impossible. West should feel free to bid Ihave equal length in both 3♦ here, with no extra values. East will suits (at least 5-5 shape) West East have been aware of West’s problem 1♣ 1♠ when he bid 2♠. 2♥ 3NT One way of looking at it is that, Hand J Hand K without North’s 2♣ intervention, the ♠ A J 7 6 5 ♠ A J 7 6 5 2♥ is forcing for just one round. If bidding would have gone: 1♥-1♠-2♦. ♥ 9 ♥ 9 East continued with 2NT, West would 2♠ is, by necessity, one level higher. ♦ A Q 6 3 2 ♦ A Q J 3 2 argue that he had shown his strength Therefore, West’s barrier should ♣ J 7 ♣ A 2 and had nothing to spare. With ten also be one level higher, in this case points it is now East’s responsibility 3♥. ■

Page 30 BRIDGE February 2014 Mr Bridge Things You Should Know The Olde AT THE About Reverses Quiz Barn ROYAL KENZ by Andrew Kambites Hotel TUNISIA Marston, (Answers on page 32) Lincs NG32 2HT Half-board 21-23 February £179 Duplicate Bridge 1 What do you open with Hands A to D? In each case, Michael Haytack Holidays state your rebid if partner responds: (i) 1♠? (ii) 2♣? Stayman & Transfers

14-16 March £169 Just Duplicate Bridge Hand A Hand B Hand C Hand D ♠ 9 7 ♠ 9 7 ♠ 9 7 ♠ 9 7 25-27 April £179 ♥ A Q 8 6 5 ♥ A Q 8 6 5 ♥ K J 8 7 ♥ A K J 8 Will Parsons ♦ K J 8 7 ♦ A K J 8 ♦ A Q 8 6 5 ♦ A Q 8 6 5 Further into the Auction ♣ K 2 ♣ K 2 ♣ K 2 ♣ K 2 9-11 May £179 Gwen Beattie – Overcalls

2 What do you open with Hands E and F? In each case, 16-18 May £169 state your rebid if partner responds: (i) 1♠? (ii) 2♦? Just Duplicate Bridge

6-8 June £245

Bernard Magee NEW Hand E Hand F TOPIC Bidding ♠ K 8 ♠ K 8 Distributional Hands ♥ A J 8 7 6 ♥ A J 8 7 6 ♦ 7 ♦ 7 13-15 June £169 ♣ A J 10 3 2 ♣ A K J 3 2 Just Duplicate Bridge

20-22 June £245 23 Feb – 9 March 2014 Bernard Magee Bernard Magee 3 You are East. What is your next bid with Hands G to K? Finding Slams £799* West East 27-29 June £169 30 March – 13 April 1♦ 1♠ Just Duplicate Bridge Crombie & ♥ 2 ? 11-13 July £169 Helen McNeil Just Duplicate Bridge £899* Hand G Hand H Hand J Hand K 1-3 August £169 2-16 November ♠ K J 7 6 ♠ K J 7 6 ♠ K J 7 6 ♠ K J 7 6 Just Duplicate Bridge Tony & Jan Richards ♥ 6 2 ♥ 6 2 ♥ Q 2 ♥ Q 2 29-31 August £169 £789* ♦ J 7 ♦ A 7 ♦ J 7 6 ♦ A 7 6 Diana Holland ♣ Q 10 6 3 2 ♣ Q 10 6 3 2 ♣ 9 7 3 2 ♣ 7 6 3 2 Rubber / Chicago *per person half-board sharing a twin-bedded room and is inclusive of bridge fees. Single 12-14 September £169 supplement £6 per night. Just Duplicate Bridge These prices are based on air 4 You are East. What is your next bid with Hands L to P? travel from Heathrow to Tunis. Flights from other UK airports 26-28 September £179 are available at a supplement. West East Declarer Play Prices for seven-night stays are 1♦ 2♣ available on application. 2♥ ? 10-12 October £245 Pay £70 per fortnight per person Bernard Magee extra and have a garden-facing room, tea & coffee making Endplay & Avoidance facilities, bath robe and a bowl of seasonal fruit. Hand L Hand M Hand N Hand P 14-16 November £179 These holidays have been ♠ A Q 5 ♠ A K 5 ♠ K 3 ♠ K 3 Will Parsons – Doubles organised for Mr Bridge by Tunisia ♥ K 8 6 ♥ K Q 6 ♥ A Q 5 2 ♥ Q 10 3 First Limited, ATOL 5933. ♦ 7 2 ♦ Q 2 ♦ 9 3 ♦ A Q 4 Full Board No Single Supplement ♣ J 9 6 5 4 ♣ A J 6 5 2 ♣ A Q 5 3 2 ♣ A K 5 3 2 DETAILS & BOOKINGS Booking Form on page 6. ( 01483 489961

BRIDGE February 2014 Page 31 Answers to Reverses on page 31

1 What do you open with Hands A to D? 1♠ or 2♣. This shows at least 16 points (a In each case, state your rebid if partner reverse at the two level) and longer dia- responds: (i) 1♠? (ii) 2♣? monds than hearts. If the response is 1♠, Hand J Hand K then 2♥ is forcing for one round. If the ♠ K J 7 6 ♠ K J 7 6 response is 2♣, then 2♥ is game forcing. ♥ Q 2 ♥ Q 2 Hand A Hand B ♦ J 7 6 ♦ A 7 6 ♠ 9 7 ♠ 9 7 ♣ 9 7 3 2 ♣ 7 6 3 2 ♥ A Q 8 6 5 ♥ A Q 8 6 5 2 What do you open with Hands E and ♦ K J 8 7 ♦ A K J 8 F? In each case, state your rebid if ♣ K 2 ♣ K 2 partner responds: (i) 1♠? (ii) 2♦? Partner has reversed, showing longer diamonds than hearts and at least 16 points. The reverse is forcing but not Hand E Hand F game forcing because the response Hand C Hand D ♠ K 8 ♠ K 8 was 1♠, at the one level. Therefore, you ♠ 9 7 ♠ 9 7 ♥ A J 8 7 6 ♥ A J 8 7 6 should be aware that he can pass your ♥ K J 8 7 ♥ A K J 8 ♦ 7 ♦ 7 next bid and if your values justify game ♦ A Q 8 6 5 ♦ A Q 8 6 5 ♣ A J 10 3 2 ♣ A K J 3 2 opposite 16 points, it is your responsibility ♣ K 2 ♣ K 2 to ensure you get there.

With 5-5 shape, it is correct to open Hand G: 2NT. You responded 1♠ With 5-4 shape, it is natural to open your the higher suit. Obviously, it is highly because you were too weak for 2♣. 5-card suit. It is highly desirable to rebid desirable to rebid the second suit, but if Now, with just 7 points and a misfit, you your 4-card suit. However, your open- that would take you above your barrier it certainly don’t want to be in game unless ing bid created a barrier: your opening would be a reverse, requiring at least 16 partner is very strong. suit at the two level. If rebidding your points. In the absence of 16 points, you 4-card suit carries you above this barrier, might have to rebid your first suit. Hand H: 3NT. Your 10 points opposite it would be a reverse, requiring at least his 16+ are ample for game. 16 points. Hand E: Open 1♥. Your barrier is 2♥. Rebid 2♣ over 1♠ but, with only 13 points, Hand J: 3♦. Not forcing. 2NT would Hand A: Open 1♥, creating a barrier you are forced to rebid 2♥ over 2♦. show a club stopper. at 2♥. Rebid 2♦ over 1♠ or 2♣. Not a reverse. Hand F: Open 1♥. Rebid 2♣ over 1♠. Hand K: You are too strong for 3♦ (not You are strong enough to reverse, but forcing). You don’t want to jump to 4♦ Hand B: Open 1♥ and rebid 2♦ over this is not a reverse. You are not strong because it bypasses 3NT. You cannot bid 1♠. Of course you are 4 points stronger enough for a jump shift of 3♣. Reverse 3NT because you don’t have a stopper than Hand A, which you bid in exactly into 3♣ over 2♦, game forcing. 3♣ shows in the only unbid suit (clubs). Bid 3♣, the same way. However, you are not at least five hearts and at least four clubs, fourth suit forcing, an artificial bid which strong enough for a game forcing jump but a reverse at the three level doesn’t asks partner to describe his hand further to 3♦. 2♦ is not forcing but will rarely be guarantee that the first suit is longer: 5-5 – look out for my article on this in a passed, giving you a chance to show shape is OK. forthcoming issue. your extra values with your third bid. How about if partner responds 2♣? Now you know your partner has at least ten points 3 You are East. What is your next bid 4 You are East. What is your next bid so you have game values. You should with Hands G to K? with Hands L to P? play 2♦ as forcing for one round (after a 2-level response), to keep the bidding West East West East low, leaving room to explore all options. 1♦ 1♠ 1♦ 2♣ 2♥ ? 2♥ ? Hand C: Open 1♦. Rebid 2♦ over 1♠ or 2♣. Your barrier is 2♦ and, with only 13 points, you are not strong enough to Hand G Hand H Hand L Hand M reverse (bidding a new suit above your ♠ K J 7 6 ♠ K J 7 6 ♠ A Q 5 ♠ A K 5 barrier). ♥ 6 2 ♥ 6 2 ♥ K 8 6 ♥ K Q 6 ♦ J 7 ♦ A 7 ♦ 7 2 ♦ Q 2 Hand D: Open 1♦. Reverse into 2♥ over ♣ Q 10 6 3 2 ♣ Q 10 6 3 2 ♣ J 9 6 5 4 ♣ A J 6 5 2

Page 32 BRIDGE February 2014 About Reverses continued PLUS 11 Hand N Hand P ♠ K 3 ♠ K 3 Q ♥ A Q 5 2 ♥ Q 10 3 ♦ 9 3 ♦ A Q 4 Really user-friendly ♣ A Q 5 3 2 ♣ A K 5 3 2 bridge-playing software NEW

Partner has reversed, showing Hans Leber, QPlus designer and chief programmer longer diamonds than hearts writes, ‘These 16 FAQs* deal with most of the questions and at least 16 points. The re- I am asked for both QPlus10 and QPlus11.’ verse after your change of suit at the two level is game forc- ing, therefore you can take FAQ 1 – Players FAQ 9 – Remarks your time. At any time, you can change other players to You can enter remarks to the deal in the window which ‘human’ players and operate them yourself. is opened by the menu item: View/Edit remark. This You might wonder why you This can be done either by the menu item: make sense if you print (File/Print) or save (Own deals/ want to take your time when Configuration/Players or by clicking with the right Save to file) the deal. hand mouse button on one of the players. you think you know the final FAQ 10 – HTML contract. The point is that FAQ 2 – Record Besides printing (menu item: File/Print) you can partner might give you impor- During play, you can see the bidding and the cards also export a deal in HTML format (menu item: File/ played so far by opening the record window in the Export to HTML. The resulting .htm file can be loaded tant new information if you al- menu: View/View record of current deal or by the to an editor (eg MS-Word). This way you are able to get low him to do so at a cheap i-Button in the South-West corner. a deal with picture cards in the editor. level. FAQ 3 – Bidding Info FAQ 11 – Playing Strength For example, suppose you During the bidding, you can click with the right The playing strength is not a fixed property of this bid 2NT and his next bid is hand mouse button on a bid which is marked by program but depends on the PC. It has initially been 3♥. He has bid hearts twice, ‘~’ or ‘.’ and get a short explanation for this bid. set during the installation but you can change it in the Information for any bid is also available via the menu: Configuration/ Playing Strength. If the program so he has five hearts. How- ‘Evaluate’ and the ‘i’ buttons. plays rather slowly on the PC you should decrease the playing strength. ever, he bid diamonds first. FAQ 4 – Card Display With 5-5 in the red suits, he If you prefer the suits displayed in the sequence, FAQ 12 – Bidding Systems would start with 1♥, therefore spades, hearts, clubs, diamonds (rather than, QPlus Bridge has a wide choice of bidding systems and he must have six diamonds as spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs) then select this conventions – the program dialog: Configuration/ option in the program menu: Configuration/ Bidding Systems shows the list of systems and the well as five hearts. Preferences/ Hand display. button View or Modify in that window shows the agreements and conventions in detail. FAQ 5 – Mouse Handling Hand L: 2NT. Still game In the program menu: Configuration/ Preferences/ FAQ 13 – Checking User Actions forcing. You have the required Mouse Handling you can specify whether you The program is able to ‘complain’ about bids and cards spade stoppers. prefer to select bids and cards with one of two played by you when it considers them poor. You can mouse clicks. turn this feature on or off in the menu: Extras/Check user actions. Hand M: 2NT. As with Hand FAQ 6 – Cards Movement Cards can ‘jump’ or ‘move’ from the hand to the FAQ 14 – Signals L. If he just raises to 3NT, your table – this can be selected in the program menu: If, during defensive play, you are interested if cards next bid will be 6NT. However, Configuration/ Preferences/Hand Display. played by North have meanings as signals, select the button Evaluate and then ‘South about North’. if he continues with 3♦ or 3♥, FAQ 7 – Pair Tournament Deals Key Card Blackwood might When you select, in the Match Control Window FAQ 15 – Save Match help you to reach 7♦/7♥. (menu item: Deal/Match control), Pair tournament If you need to leave the program and the PC but have file as deal source you get a comparative match- not finished the match, you can exit the program by point score of your result against the results of the the menu item: File/ Save match + Exit. Then, at the Hand N: 3♥. Still game other tables. next start of the program, the match will be continued. forcing. If he starts cue FAQ 8 – Repetition FAQ 16 – Stop Sign bidding, you might well end After you have played a deal you can repeat it If you do not want jump bids marked by the stop sign up in 6♥. yourself or let it repeat by the computer by selecting you can turn this off in the menu item: Configuration/ the menu item: Deal/Repeat deal. Preference here sub item ‘Bidding Display’. Hand P: 3♦. Still game forc- ing. If you can agree dia- See mail order form on page 5 monds as trumps, you might or www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop be able to use Key Card System Requirements: Windows XP or later, CD-ROM. £92 Blackwood on the way to *Frequently asked questions including VAT & UK postage 7♦. ■

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was invited to the annual Lords their time playing bridge. I am not edge is a dangerous thing. vs Commons bridge match for the sure what can be done to change this, first time. I arrived at the House of but the only acting MP in the field ILords just before one, in the pouring was Bob Blackman, who captained Board 1. Dealer North. Love All. rain, suitably attired with coat, um- the House of Commons team. Just to ♠ A 7 2 brella and poppy. prove that they are kept busy, he could ♥ A 4 2 Allowed entry as the guest of Bar- only play the first half since he had an ♦ K J 9 7 6 2 oness Henig, equipment goes through appointment at Number Ten. ♣ 8 the metal detector and scanner and It also turns out that the changing ♠ K J ♠ Q 10 5 4 N ♥ K Q J 10 5 ♥ 9 8 6 then we are ready to be accompanied of MPs’ hours has had a lot to do with W E in to the main building. the demise of bridge in their ranks. ♦ 10 3 S ♦ 8 The peers are only allowed to Previously, when they had to hang ♣ K 6 5 2 ♣ A Q 9 7 3 accompany six guests through the around for votes in the middle of the ♠ 9 8 6 3 building, which caused a minor night, bridge was the perfect game to ♥ 7 3 problem since there were 15 at fill the long hours. Players would play ♦ A Q 5 4 the entrance and only two peers. rubbers until they were called to vote ♣ J 10 4 Special permission was granted and and would also happily admit to their we were led through a maze. The hobby. rooms, corridors and hallways are The event is played in Teams of all elaborately decorated and some of Eight, with aggregate scoring. 12 West North East South them take the breath away. There is boards were played before a break for 1♦ Pass 2♦ no doubt that, without guidance, you tea and then another 12 boards after 2♥ 3♦ 4♥ All Pass could spend a lot of time trying to the break. find your way back out West played 4♥ at two of the building. Finally, tables and at the other after spiral staircases tables the Wests made and more corridors we part-scores in hearts. reached Committee North led his singeton Room 3. club, which declarer Four bridge tables took in hand. At one were squeezed into the table, declarer led a dia- corners and the players mond, which South won gradually accumulated. and stopped for thought. A lot of scratch part- Focusing on declarer’s nerships – some quickly desire to ruff a diamond scribbling out a conven- in dummy he thought tion card, some with the best defence was to pre-printed cards and switch to trumps. This agreeing how much of does have some merit it to play. Others just sat and might work on some down with little or no occasions. However, discussion. when your partner leads It seems that getting declarer’s strongest suit active MPs to take part Sally Brock presents the Jack Perry Trophy (between the two hands) is difficult for two rea- to winning vice captain, Michael Mates. there is good reason to sons: first they are too believe that he might be busy to play and sec- short and that should ondly it might not look good to their Here was the first board, which take precedence. constituents if they were spending showed that a little too much knowl- The thinking South’s trump return

BRIDGE February 2014 Page 35 Lords v Commons continued Two auctions finished in 6NT with so bid 5NT. Finally, East tried 6♠. a lack of understanding. I am afraid Somehow the partnership alighted in after a club lead they both went four the right contract, although somewhat off. One auction (not shown) finished flustered. was won by North, but he could not get in a meek 4♠, but it was the only plus The play is a little awkward. The ob- a club ruff now and declarer prevailed: score for East-West: making 12 tricks vious line is to win the ♣K with your making ten tricks. for +480. ace. Draw three rounds of trumps and At the other table, declarer finesse a heart. Unfortunately, tried to draw trumps, but when a club return leaves the hearts North ducked, declarer then blocked with no entry back to played a diamond. South won dummy. the diamond and played a club Instead, you can draw trumps for a ruff and the setting trick. and play ♥A-K and follow with After 12 boards, the House of the jack. However, North can Commons had a healthy lead still scupper you, by ducking and it was time for a break. Once this trick – not an easy play to again, we were led through cor- find at the table. ridors and via staircases (or lifts) As it was, the declarer made to the Tea Rooms. Two tables of just eleven tricks, so recorded 20 were neatly laid out. Sand- -50: better than the two -200s wiches, cakes, scones with cream but not quite as good as it might and jam. have been. The atmosphere was wonder- The event was due to finish at ful, although I had been warned about 6.30pm and with about 40 about cross-party political dis- minutes to go, the scores had not cussion. So I was ready when the closed up at all – the Commons two peers nearest to me started were stretching further ahead. up about Free Schools. Suffice Tom Townsend presents the Tony Berry Trophy for It appeared that the Lords had a to say, they were left and right. the best-played hand to The Earl of Caithness. trick up their sleeve though, as a However, most of the conversa- bell went off and they all disap- tion was friendly and very in- peared. teresting. After refreshment, we made West East The Division Bell was calling them our way back to the bridge room pass- 2NT 3♣ to a vote on Amendment 92A. Their ing through debating politicians on 3NT 6NT opposition and the spectators were left the way: Ken Clark and Michael Gove to wait. A number of times, my eyes among them. West East had been drawn to the televisions in There was some aggressive bidding, 2NT 4NT the corners of the rooms that displayed with partnerships not always in 5♠ 5NT the subjects being debated and those to tune. Here is a slam hand from the 6NT be voted on. A quite extraordinary second half which had wildly varying variety of subjects, which is to be results. The difficulty with untried This last auction was between two expected as this is the basis of our partnerships is particularly highlighted players who had never played together democracy. when bidding strong hands. before, each of whom were on a differ- However, with their work done, the ent convention card. Lords returned to finish the last cou- ple of hands and accept their inevita- Board 24. Dealer West. Love All. West East ble defeat. The House of Commons ♠ 10 8 3 2♠ 4♣ won by the handsome margin of 8,100 ♥ Q 5 3 2 5♣ 5♠ points, giving them their first victory ♦ Q 4 5NT 6♠ since 2009. ♣ K Q J 4 Bob Blackman was the winning cap- ♠ J 9 7 4 ♠ A K Q 2 West started with a strong 2♠: this tain. The winner of the Tony Berry N ♥ A K J ♥ 10 9 8 6 4 W E should show a strong five-card suit as Trophy for the best played hand was ♦ A K 6 S ♦ J 10 5 its minimum. East was understandably the Earl of Caithness. ♣ A 8 5 ♣ 2 excited, so he made the excellent bid The whole event was played in a very ♠ 6 5 of 4♣: a splinter bid. Unfortunately, friendly atmosphere. For such an event ♥ 7 West was not proud of her spades to continue, it requires an organiser ♦ 9 8 7 3 2 so supported clubs. East bid spades and sponsors. Baroness Henig ♣ 10 9 7 6 3 now to rescue the situation, but West supports bridge in the House of Lords really did not want to play in spades, and organised the match this year.

Page 36 BRIDGE February 2014 Lords v Commons continued

The event was sponsored by London CHARITY Export with Tea and Drinks sponsored by Lord Kalms. You will notice that it was ‘Tea and Drinks’, which meant that the event BRIDGE was prolonged after the bridge had finished. Those who wished to stay A Tongue in Cheek Overview by Anne McLaren could have a drink in the Peers’ Bar. It takes getting used to bumping in to all sorts of names. Neil Kinnock left the t was all pretty bad, but then it got unpleasant on their stumpy shoes that bar as we all entered: perhaps he did suddenly worse. would be dealt with shortly. not approve of our card-talk. I It’s not just how people look No speech, just sure shuffle and deft It was pleasant to chat and allow the physically, or how they dress, that in- deal. They stink of confidence and, by competitors to relax a little. Playing timidates me, it’s more how they are, now, I am a quaking pulp mass. The bridge under the scrutiny of experts their style and attitude. In the world of cards fan out like a vulnerable shield and reporters is not an easy thing. birding, it’s called their ‘jizz’. This was in front of my face, trembling and They are certainly under the public’s not that world, the world of spotting, inadequate to the task of defence. I scrutiny when it comes to politics, but identifying and admiring feathery stare at the cards, like a small animal then they are supposed to know what creatures, but the world of competi- transfixed in headlamps, panicked they are talking about. Many of the tive bridge, card play sharp in spade, into confusion. Their quick bidding players play very little bridge and so blunt in club, rough in diamond and unnerves me. I am shot through by were understandably rusty. short in hearts. A women’s well-being mistakes I hardly realise I am making. It was a pleasure to be able to wander charity bridge lunch event: the words It all happens so fast and I feel like the corridors of The House of Lords winners and losers nestle cryptically a sieve bleeding errors through its and to meet the peers as well as the in the title, masked behind ‘charity’ holes. They have a toe in the door House of Commons team. Let us hope and ‘lunch’, so seemingly benevolent. and that’s all they need. It is now that they keep this traditional match We play in partnerships of two: shoved wide open. The card play going. ■ the North-South pair stay at the card ricochets down onto the table like table, whilst the East-West pair move volleys of bullets, now to the left of clockwise round the room when all me, now to the right of me and my The Teams tables have finished playing each set puncture wounds breach into large, Commons: Lords: of four hands and the scores have gory gashes. I cannot stem the loss Bob Blackman, Lady Henig, been marked on the points sheet. with my hand, certainly not the way Duncan Brack, Lord May, I was playing in a North-South I am wielding it. It is a blood bath, a Michael Mates, Earl Of Caithness, pairing and, on glancing up, I massacre of tricks. Robin Squire, Lady Blackstone, became aware of a new East-West I can feel them thinking, ‘we’ve got Evan Harris, Lord Skelmersdale, pair making their way over to our her!’ Before I register it, it is over and Tony McWalter, Lady Billingham, Bridget Prentice, Lord Hamilton, table for the next set of four games. I have been shed. John Marek. Lord Kalms. They were rolling inexorably towards One grunts to the other, ‘Yep.’ me, fleshy and flashy, with a bling-fest The sorry score sheet shows of gold-plated necklaces worn like hundreds of points above the line for Mr Bridge Premium Quality Cards multiple chains of honour from past them, like yet more battle plaudits. triumphs. Squat and toad-like, their One tells me that they play six nights necks funnelled up and out into their of the week around various clubs in faces, whose heavy-lidded appraisal the county. had seen it all before, certainly all ‘When your husband dies, you’ve that an opposing pair at a bridge got to do something,’ says the other. table could mete out anyway. Secure As they hefty off towards the next in their superiority, they swaggered annihilation opportunity, I wonder Standard Faces, closer, like two heavies at a night club vaguely what he died of. Could it with or without bar codes. Unboxed. aiming to duff me up. have been intimidation? 6 red/6 blue £19.95 ‘Now, what have we here?’ they ‘Yep.’ Well, I know what that feels 30 red/30 blue only £60 sneered silently as if I was something like, ‘Yep.’ Available from The London Bridge Centre. ( 020 7288 1305 www.bridgeshop.com

BRIDGE February 2014 Page 37 other than my son. Some so kind, you will never feel people knew, others did lonely. So, thank God for READERS’ not, so I was allowed to be bridge and for those clever ‘normal’. My thanks go out people who invented it. to members of my local Joan Holdom by email. clubs, Tunbridge Wells, Pembury and Weald of RELIEVED LETTERS Kent for being so kind. I am very grateful to In July, I went to Tavistock Mr Bridge for passing my to stay with my daughter letter about EBU membership MAC USERS READ ON programs are first-class for two weeks, but I was to Jeremy Dhondy, the EBU On several occasions aids to learning bridge. missing my bridge so much Chairman and to you have recommended However, with so many that I went to the local Mr Dhondy for replying. that readers using a Mac readers now choosing Information Centre. I found So I am still an EBU computer purchase the Mac computers, I am sure there was a club at the member, confirmed by American program Bridge readers will be pleased United Reformed Church the chairman, no less. Baron. However, there are to learn that one doesn’t called The Millennium Club. However, my impression is alternatives. Mac users can need a PC to run them. I telephoned the chairman, that there are more players convert their computer into a Graham Baskerville, Mrs Rosemary Rae and she like myself, believing they are PC by purchasing a program Kington Langley, Wiltshire. welcomed me saying she no longer EBU members. called Parallels and then Mac owners should be aware would find me a partner. At Can anyone tell me how running Windows. This has that they have to purchase the beginning of the session, many bridge players there the advantage that all the Windows as well as Parallels. Rosemary announced that are in the country and QPlus based programs can I was a visitor and at every what percentage are EBU be loaded, including the IN THERAPY table I moved to I was made members? Surely if less series by Bernard Magee. I would like to say a big thank welcome and asked where than half of the country’s I have QPlus Bridge and you, via your magazine, I normally played and bridge players are no longer all the Bernard Magee to two bridge clubs in how long I was staying. I members, then the EBU is a tutorials and have run them Tavistock, Devon, who made cannot tell you how much governing body no longer. successfully over many me so welcome whilst I that evening did for me. Following Mr Dhondy’s years on Mac computers. was visiting my daughter. No one there will know reply I have received my If there are any problems I sadly lost my son most what pain I was suffering EBU diary and magazine. Hans Leber, the QPlus tragically (Lt. Col. Grant and how much I needed Peter Mohan, Bedford. programmer, provides Holdom MBE) aged 52 that game of bridge. superb support for any years, this time last year. My I was also invited to the SIGHT HELP 1 program based on QPlus whole family were devastated bridge game at Tavistock Regarding the appeal from Bridge. Simply e-mail and I can honestly say that Golf Club, where Patrick Mrs Chaplin, Chelford, [email protected] for a it was bridge that kept me Stewart found me a Cheshire in BRIDGE 133 for fast and friendly response sane. I played at my local partner. I would like to coloured playing cards. on technical issues. clubs and it was only whilst thank both clubs for being By coincidence, I received QPlus Bridge 11 and all playing bridge that I could so kind and welcoming. a disability magazine the the Bernard Magee tutorial concentrate on something When I lost my husband same day. This carried an in 1982, I took up various advertisement for a company hobbies, among them keep selling a brand of these. REDUCE THE COST fit, flower arranging and http://www.millercare.co.uk/ indoor bowls. However, the Lovision-Playing-Cards.html OF YOUR POSTAGE best thing I did was to go to A quick Google search Postage stamps for sale at 90% of face-value, bridge lessons, with Angela came up with other all mint with full gum. Quotations for Thomson in Tunbridge Wells, versions e.g. https:// commercial quantities available on request. where I made many friends. secure.vvhosting.co.uk/ This enabled me to go cobolt/store/eric_viewItem. Values supplied in 100s, higher values available as well as 1st and 2nd class on cruises and weekends asp?id6Product=198 with Mr Bridge. Indeed, I I dare say you have (eg 2nd class: 100x37p+100x13p) have become something received other emails (/Fax 020 8422 4906 of a Bernard Magee fan. regarding this. I do hope To anyone on their Mrs Chaplin can find some e-mail: own, I would recommend that will help her to continue [email protected] these holidays because playing the game she loves. Bernard and his team are Patricia Guy by email.

Page 38 BRIDGE February 2014 READERS’ LETTERS STAR STRUCK continued I am pleased to say the CHARITY EVENTS 2013 DVDs arrived safely. Rosemary and I have MARCH 2014 JUNE SIGHT HELP 2 already revisited the 11 ST NEOTS’ BOWLING CLUB 13 ST MARY’S CHURCH Like Mrs Hilary Chaplin’s instructive seminars. St Neots, Cambs. Eaton Socon, St Neots. friend, Readers’ Letters We are at first taken 10.00 for 10.30am. £14.00. 10.00 for 10.30am. £13.50. John Shaw Malcolm Howarth BRIDGE 122, I have aback and then amused ( 01480 475454 ( 01480 212910 also developed macular when we suddenly degeneration and was appear on screen, 12 WIMBORNE ROTARY CLUB JULY Allendale Community Centre, experiencing difficulty fortunately wide awake Wimborne, Dorset. 2pm. 3 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE distinguishing the suits. and concentrating hard. £28 per table, including tea ROTARY CLUB RNIB have cards for Geoffrey Runnicles, and good prizes. Outlane Golf Club. players with poor sight Thame, Oxon. Don Phillips 12 for 12.30. £48.00 per table. ( 01202 972211 and these would probably be Rtn Sam Smith ( 01924 492540 12 RICHMOND SUPPORT GROUP helpful for social bridge, but OVER THERE samuelsmith396 FOR ST TERESA’S HOSPICE this is not much use if On page 30 in BRIDGE @btinternet.com ‘Bridge the Gap’, Hudswell you want to play at a club. 131, Julian Pottage says he Village Hall, Richmond, 11 GREAT BARFORD CHURCH I was also able to buy from has not come across the North Yorks. £10. 2-4pm Village Hall, Great Barford. them a powerful and easily overcall of 2NT over 1♦ followed by afternoon tea. 10.00 for 10.30am. £13.50. portable tall lamp with a showing 5/5 in the majors. Mary Lovell Derek Fordham ( 01748 850208 ( 01234 870324 detachable head that swings I live in Austria and out over the middle of the play my bridge there. My APRIL AUGUST table and floods a powerful mother passes me her 4 Conservative Association light on to the playing copies of your magazine. 15 ST IVES DAY CARE CENTRE Gt Stukeley Village Hall. Hemingford Abbots Village area. Cost – £75 Daylight We have a convention Tickets £13.50. Hall. 10 for 10.30am. £13.50. flexible light DH159. that is quite popular, called Sheila Stephenson Don Moorman The four clubs where I Schroeder, which includes the ( 01480 457338 ( 01480 463444 Kay Brownlow play have all been most above mentioned sequence: ( 01480 880663 SEPTEMBER co-operative and the Over 1♣/♦: general reaction is, ‘Why an overcall of 2♣/♦ = 25 CHILDREN’S CHARITIES 4 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE can’t we all have one?’ For the other minor + one Doddington Village Hall, ROTARY CLUB March. 10.00 for 10.30am. Outlane Golf Club. two members with poor unspecified major 5/5. Tickets £14.00. 12 for 12.30. £48.00 per table. sight who are unable to Over 1♥/♠: Val Topliss Rtn Sam Smith cope with the strong light, an overcall of 2♥/♠= ( 01354 653696 ( 01924 492540 I switch it off or swing the the other major + one samuelsmith396 MAY @btinternet.com light away from them. unspecified minor 5/5. I usually have another Over 1♣/♦: 2 Friends of Girlguiding 12 ST MARY’S CHURCH table corner to corner with an overcall of 2NT = Oxfordshire Eaton Socon, St Neots. 10.00 Eynsham Village Hall. for 10.30am. £13.50. mine, so that the sturdy both majors 5/5. 10 for 10.30 am. £15. Malcolm Howarth base does not take up Over 1♥/♠: Bridget Walton ( 01480 212910 too much room. Using an overcall of 2NT = ( 01993 702934 Bridgemates, I sit South, both minors 5/5. [email protected] OCTOBER as I still struggle with some This can be weak 15 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE 3 ST ANDREWS CHURCH of the smaller print. or strong and is for ROTARY CLUB Mandeville Hall, Mr B Benfield, partners to agree on. Outlane Golf Club. Kimbolton, Cambs. 12 for 12.30. £48.00 per table. 10.00 for 10.30am. £14.00. Wadebridge, Cornwall. Lecia Mettam by email. ■ Rtn Sam Smith Mavis Campion ( 01924 492540 ( 01480 860477 samuelsmith396 13 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE Write to Mr Bridge at: Ryden Grange, @btinternet.com ROTARY CLUB Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH 16 MS THERAPY CENTRE Outlane Golf Club. or e-mail [email protected] Huntingdon, Cambs. £14.00. 12 for 12.30. £48.00 per table. E-mail correspondents are asked Hemingford Abbots Village Rtn Sam Smith Hall. 10.00 for 10.30am. ( 01924 492540 to include their name, full postal Jenny Lea samuelsmith396 address, telephone number and to ( 01480 455810 @btinternet.com send no attachments. Letters may be edited for length E-mail your charity events: [email protected] and clarity.

BRIDGE February 2014 Page 39 CRUISE INTO SPRING WITH MR BRIDGE ABOARD VOYAGER

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VOD_13_0355_Mr Bridge mag ad.indd 1 03/01/2014 16:47:48 Letters from Overseas Climb Every Mountain by John Barr

arly in 2013, while looking at my marathon – but I had picked the most race had been cut short. As I passed the waistline that had bulged spec- mountainous marathon in the Austri- finish post and looked up at the Hohe tacularly during the ski season, an Alps. The Kaisermarathon starts in Salve peak just 2 kilometres (but 500 Emy wife suggested that I start train- the lovely village of Söll, and after an 8 vertical metres) away, I wasn’t sure if ing for a local race held in October. kilometre loop it heads off (uphill) to I should be disappointed that the race Initially, there was no serious thought Sheffau and then Ellmau, before go- didn’t go the full distance, or relieved of me entering the that I had avoided race, but the train- the final climb. All ing would help get of my friends had me back in shape. successful races, I then made the with Dave win- mistake of tell- ning a prize as the ing some running fastest in his age friends in the UK group. that my training The most im- was going well and portant part of they responded my Kaisermara- by saying that, if I thon run was not was doing the race, on the day itself, they would visit but was the many and enter as well. months of careful When I heard that preparation. Per- they had booked haps if I took the their flights, I same approach to didn’t feel that I could back out. ing straight up the side of the moun- bridge I’d have fewer disasters. This So that was how I found myself run- tain. After a 10 kilometre stretch that recent hand from the Kitzbühel club is ning my first ever marathon at the has more down than up, the final leg a good example of careful preparation. age of 57. Most people pick an easy, is another serious uphill trudge to the flat marathon as their first (or only) peak of Hohe Salve – more than one thousand metres higher than the start. Dealer West. E/W Vul. One of the most important things ♠ 3 in life is preparation, so I spent the ♥ Q J 8 5 2 summer climbing every mountain, ♦ J 9 4 3 2 fording every stream, following every ♣ 4 2 rainbow, until I found my running ♠ A 9 8 5 ♠ 4 N ♥ 9 ♥ K 10 6 3 legs. The morning of the race was cool W E and dry and I ran the first half of the ♦ K Q 10 S ♦ A 7 6 5 marathon faster than any of my train- ♣ A K J 7 6 ♣ Q 10 5 3 ing runs. ♠ K Q J 10 7 6 2 The second half was tough, very ♥ A 7 4 tough, as the wind got up and the rain ♦ 8 lashed down, but my training paid off ♣ 9 8 and I was approaching the start of the final climb about 15 minutes ahead of schedule. Then my wife appeared out As West, I opened 1♣ which partner of the mist and shouted to me that raised to 3♣. Over South’s 4♠, I was because of the weather conditions the torn between doubling and trying for

BRIDGE February 2014 Page 41 Overseas continued Better Hand DECLARER Evaluation the slam but, given the vul- Bernard Magee nerability, I decided to press PLAY on. Partner showed one Introduction ace in response to Black- Better Hand Evaluation is wood and North led a spade QUIZ aimed at helping readers to against my 6♣ contract. add greater accuracy to their I was about to draw by David Huggett bidding. It deals with auctions trumps, hoping that I could in which you and your partner, against silent opponents, can (Answers on page 47) ruff two spades and that ei- describe your hands fully to ther the heart ace was on- each other and, by evaluating side or the diamonds split ou are South as declarer playing teams or rubber bridge. them accurately, find the best 3-3, when I realised that I YIn each case, what is your play strategy? final contract. The emphasis of all good, accurate bidding is on actually had a mountain to hand evaluation. climb on this hand and that There are two general types of preparation was vital. 1. ♠ K J 7 5 4 3. ♠ K 4 ♠ auction: a) a fit is found and b) After South’s 4 bid, it ♥ K J 3 ♥ 7 6 no fit is found. was very likely that he held ♦ A Q 9 ♦ 8 6 5 When you do not have a fit, the heart ace and most un- ♣ K 2 ♣ A 10 9 7 5 4 you are aiming to describe the likely that the diamond strength of your hand as soon suit would split evenly, so I N N as possible, most often using would have to ruff all of my W E W E no-trump bids. This book be- S S gins by discussing balanced losing spades in dummy. hand bidding in Acol, as it My problem was com- ♠ A Q 10 8 2 ♠ A 6 2 is very important that both members of a partnership munication between the ♥ A ♥ A 9 3 2 two hands. I needed three have an accurate knowledge of ♦ 8 5 4 2 ♦ A J 7 2 how to show hands of different trumps in dummy for spade ♣ A 9 3 ♣ K Q strengths. ruffs so I could use trumps When a fit is found, there is only once as an entry to much re-evaluation of the hand. Playing two rounds You are declarer in 6♠ and You are declarer in 3NT hand to be done; point count, though still important, needs of diamonds before drawing West leads the ♣Q. How and West leads the ♠J. trumps would be danger- to be evaluated together with do you plan the play? How do you plan the play? distribution. The best way of ous, so I had to ruff at least reaching an accurate assess­ one heart for an entry back ment is to use the Losing Trick to hand. Count; this is an important So, at trick two, I ruffed method of hand evaluation and 2. ♠ A K 6 4. ♠ 7 5 4 2 takes up a number of chapters. a spade and then played a ♥ 7 4 ♥ A K 5 small heart away from the Finally, we move on to different ♦ J 10 4 3 ♦ Q 8 4 forms of evaluation including king, giving up the chance ♣ A Q 10 6 ♣ Q 7 5 game tries and splinter bids. of making a trick from the You can never know enough king if the ace was with N N methods of hand evaluation; North, but setting up the W E W E the more you learn, the better you get at judging your hand. communications required S S Although the Losing Trick for three spade ruffs. South ♠ 7 5 ♠ Q J 10 9 8 let this go, so North won Count is used more easily in ♥ A K 2 ♥ 6 4 2 tandem with your partner, a and returned a diamond. ♦ A Q 9 2 ♦ A K large proportion of the ideas in this book can be used by an Winning this in hand, I ♣ J 9 7 5 ♣ K J 9 could ruff a spade, ruff a individual. For example, eval- heart, ruff my last spade and uating your hand to be worth an extra point is going to help then (and only then) draw You are declarer in 3NT You are declarer in 4♠ and anyone you partner – as long trumps. after West has overcalled West leads the ♥3. How do as you get it right. This gave me 5 clubs, 3 your 1♦ opening with 1♥. you plan the play? £14 including postage diamonds, the ace of spades West leads the ♥Q. How and 3 spade ruffs for 12 do you plan the play? See Mail Order Form tricks and a top as no-one on page 5. else bid the slam. ■

Page 42 BRIDGE February 2014 Answers to Julian Pottage’s Defence Quiz on page 22

West North East South defend? 1. ♠ 10 2 1♦ Splitting honours is not right every ♥ J 9 6 5 2 Pass 2♦ Pass 2NT time. When partner is short in the suit, it ♦ Q J 7 Pass 3NT End can be right to play low. Here, if partner ♣ K 10 4 has no help in hearts, you are probably ♠ J 9 7 4 3 ♠ Q 8 5 You lead the ♠4. Partner wins with the ♠A going to make only one heart trick what- ♥ Q 4 N ♥ K 10 7 3 and returns the ♠J, which holds. Declarer ever you do. Playing high will be horribly W E ♦ ♦ ♠ K 9 5 S 6 4 3 wins the third round with the K, cashes wrong, however, if partner holds a sin- ♣ Q J 5 ♣ 8 6 2 the ♦A-K and leads the ♣7. What do you gleton ten or jack. In this case, you will ♠ A K 6 do? make only one trump trick instead of two. ♥ A 8 Again, you must decide whether to split Playing high will also cost if partner has ♦ A 10 8 2 your club honours. This time, you have a ♥10-x or even just low cards if declarer is ♣ A 9 7 3 different reason for wanting to play high. not planning to finesse. Can you see what it is? While your side is making only one West North East South club trick if partner holds Q-x-x whatever 4. ♠ A K 9 4 2 1♣ you do, your play will determine which of ♥ J 7 3 Pass 1♥ Pass 2NT1 you wins that trick. You are the one with ♦ 8 Pass 3NT End (118-19) long spades to cash and so want to win ♣ Q 7 4 3 the defensive club trick yourself. You thus ♠ Q J 7 ♠ Void You lead the ♠4. Partner covers the ♠10 play the ♣10. ♥ 10 4 N ♥ 9 6 5 2 with the ♠Q, which holds. Back comes Suppose dummy plays the ♣K to keep ♦ K 9 5 3 W E ♦ Q 10 7 6 4 2 S the ♠8 won by the ♠A. Declarer now you off lead. Partner may then need to ♣ J 10 9 5 ♣ K 8 2 leads the ♣3. What is your plan? play ball, working out that the ♣Q is ♠ 10 8 6 5 3 When you have touching honours and dead if declarer holds the ♣A-J and so ♥ A K Q 8 are in second seat, you do not automati- dump the ♣Q. In any case, playing the ♦ A J cally want to play low. Often, it is a good ♣10 stops declarer from having an easy ♣ A 6 idea to ‘split’ your honours to make sure ride. they pull their weight. Here you should play the ♣J (or the ♣Q). With your entries West North East South in each minor, you will get to set up and 3. ♠ K 4 1♠ run the spades. ♥ A 9 7 3 Pass 4♦1 Pass 4NT If you played low mistakenly, declarer ♦ Q 8 3 Pass 5♥2 Pass 6♠ might well decide to call for the ♣10 from ♣ K Q 9 3 End dummy, in which case you lose your club ♠ 10 7 ♠ J 6 3 2 1Spade raise with short diamonds trick. ♥ K Q 4 N ♥ J 22 key cards ♦ J 10 9 5 W E ♦ K 7 6 4 S ♣ J 10 5 4 ♣ A 7 6 2 You lead ♣J to the ♣Q, ♣K and ♣A. 2. ♠ 8 2 ♠ A Q 9 8 5 Now declarer leads the ♠3. How do you ♥ K 8 6 ♥ 10 8 6 5 2 defend? ♦ Q 10 8 3 ♦ A 2 Given the bidding, you are confident ♣ K 9 4 3 ♣ 8 that partner is void in spades. Declarer, ♠ Q 9 7 4 3 ♠ A J 5 of course, has no reason to know. It is ♥ Q 10 5 4 N ♥ J 7 3 most unlikely that your opponent intends W E ♦ 5 S ♦ J 9 7 4 West North East South to finesse. A 2-1 trump split is the norm. ♣ J 10 5 ♣ Q 6 2 1♠ You should just play low smoothly and ♠ K 10 6 Pass 2♣ Pass 2♥ expect to make a trump trick to go with ♥ A 9 2 Pass 4♥ End your presumed club winner. Splitting ♦ A K 6 2 honours would be very costly, exposing ♣ A 8 7 You lead the ♦J to the ♦Q, ♦K and ♦A. your remaining honour to a marked Now declarer leads the ♥2. How do you finesse. ■

BRIDGE February 2014 Page 43 Catching Up by Sally Brock

riony’s first few market stall Two or the worst team in Division days went fairly well, though Dealer East. N/S Vul. One. So, as we were in Division Two, she found it very cold in the ♠ Q 9 4 2 we had high hopes. Our hopes were Bearly mornings. The trouble is that ♥ A K 5 4 justified and we won the Division and when the weather is bad, there aren’t ♦ J 5 so get promoted next season – we will any customers either. She did three ♣ 8 6 4 endeavour not to get relegated. stalls at Beaconsfield and two at The following weekend was much Chesham, but then discovered she had N less successful. We played in the Senior W E not registered her business with the S Camrose Trials. The original plan was council and had to stop until that all for Nicola and me to play with Barry worked out. I doubt she will start up ♠ A K 6 5 3 and Robert Sheehan. However, Nicola again. Anyway, then it was a question ♥ J 7 has been having problems with her of what she was going to do. While she ♦ 8 6 3 eyes. She needs to have an operation was thinking about it I remembered ♣ A K 7 but in the meantime has to use eye that Bénédicte Cronier, a member of drops that mean she can’t really see the French women’s team, had said well enough to play bridge. So we she had a spare room in Paris that was West North East South had to find a substitute and, in the available to borrow. So I contacted her Pass 1♠ end, I played with Robert and Barry and it was all agreed and off Briony 2♦ 3♠ Pass 4♠ played with Frank To. It was a pretty went for a fabulous fortnight to see just All Pass mediocre performance all round about every museum there is in Paris, and we were never in any danger of and also visit the Christmas markets. West leads three top diamonds, East winning the event. Early in this period was the having played high-low on the first The third bridge weekend in annual match between the Houses two tricks. How would you play? succession was the Tollemache (inter- of Parliament. I always enjoy this The problem is that, if you ruff high, county team of eight) qualifying day out – rubbing shoulders with you will go down unless trumps are round. For some reason Barry and I the aristocracy. For the second year 2-2. The solution, found by the Earl always seem to do well in this event running this is at the House of Lords of Caithness, was to discard a club and this year was no exception. We – it is such a beautiful building. This instead. West switched to a heart, but qualified in comfort, but that was year, I had a lunch date with my old declarer was in control – he could just more to do with generous gifts from friend and bridge partner Steve Lodge draw trumps and ruff a club in the our opponents rather than anything who is back living in the UK after the dummy. Simple, but elegant. particularly good that we did. death of his American wife earlier in Then there was the third and final Nicola’s eye problems meant that the year. It was great to see him and weekend of the Premier League in she had to cancel our next engagement catch up. I got to the House of Lords Solihull. It is the first year I have too. We had been hired by Lynn just in time for tea and the second played in that event and Barry and I Baker, an American sponsor, to go to half of the bridge. This year, the Jack paired up with Heather Dhondy and Phoenix to play in the Women’s BAM Perry Trophy was won by the House Brian (Binkie) Callaghan (though teams. When Nicola pulled out, Lynn of Commons by a substantial margin. for the other two weekends we had said that she was happy for me to find This was the winner of the trophy needed at least one substitute in order a substitute, so I asked Fiona Brown to for the best played hand. Would you to field a team at all). In the past, they play with me instead. She jumped at have played it properly too? were either the best team in Division the chance so … ■

Page 44 BRIDGE February 2014 Seven Days by Sally Brock

walk to the Sheraton where the bridge the scale of it without going up in Wednesday is being played. We’re feeling faintly some sort of light aircraft/helicopter. I get up in a bit of a panic because smug about our hotel choice. There is just time for a quick look at in the night I realised that I had had Our first side game is nothing special the geological museum before heading a new passport since my ESTA visa – we play OK but have absolutely no back to Phoenix. The long trip comes clearance for the US was issued. I try luck at all. Then, at 4.30pm, we have to an end at about 9pm. We go back ringing all sorts of people and then Thanksgiving dinner with Lynn Baker to the Crescent Ballroom for a couple Barry points out that it said I could get and her friends and family. Apparently, of beers and a burger (though there is it pretty quickly and why don’t I just the custom is to have a large gathering. a slight hitch when Fiona – who is 28 stop panicking and apply. So I do and It is a buffet-style meal at the Sheraton, – isn’t allowed in because she doesn’t it takes 10 seconds. but rather good, I think. look old enough and has to go back to The journey to Heathrow passes off Not sure that such a large meal and the hotel to get proof of identity). peacefully. I meet up with Fee and we fair quantities of excellent red wine have a bite to eat before boarding the are conducive to playing good bridge plane. We had booked a window and in the evening, but it seems that our Saturday an aisle seat in the hope that no-one opponents are rather more affected The main activity of the day is would want the one in the middle and than we are and we have a decent 62% shopping. Fiona has googled how that indeed is what happens so we are game. Towards the end, we are feeling to get to the Arizona Mills Mall, the relatively comfortable. We talk system, the effects of our jet lag, though, so we largest in the state. We set out on foot bid some hands, watch some movies, go straight back to the hotel for sleep. to the light railway stop, then after a have a snooze and the ten hours pass 20-minute journey, alight and wait for easily enough. a bus that takes another half hour or It does take an age to get through US Friday so. It is not quite as huge as I expected immigration, though. We are over an Up at 6.15am to dress hurriedly and (not as big as Westfield, for example), hour queuing in the arrivals hall. I am snatch a quick bowl of cereal before but the bargains are breathtaking. For a bit nervous about our hotel because being collected for our trip to the example, I find a really nice handmade it is so cheap: $50 a night each in single Grand Canyon. The vehicle turns out leather handbag. It started out at $200, rooms. But when we arrive, we are to be a six-seater car with driver Mike was reduced to $90, but then as a greeted with a friendly face and shown – very knowledgeable and helpful but result of Black Friday sales, is reduced to our rooms, which are perfectly fine I’m not sure he stops talking for the by another 40%, so it ends up at $55, and include a microwave, fridge and whole trip. First, we drive half an hour or just over £30. Although I enjoy coffee maker – and a basic breakfast or so north to pick up the other three shopping, a couple of hours is usually is also part of the deal. After a quick ‘tourists’, a young Indian couple and enough for me. We are at this mall for wash and change, we go out to try to his mother. Then there is a problem – a six hours. Briony has been desperate find some food (it is about 9.15pm by serious accident on the main interstate for a Michael Kors handbag. We find now). Apart from McDonalds over road north means we have to take some in the Saks outlet store and take the road, there doesn’t seem to be a rather circuitous route. We pass at least an hour, texting backwards much, but we eventually find a great through some amazing scenery, before and forwards, with photos, before she bar, the Crescent Ballroom, where we stopping at Sedona to grab a sandwich decides which one she wants – reduced sit outside, drink their local beer and lunch. The whole day is running late from $400 to $200. have a burrito each. and it is important to get a move on Anyway, eventually, we run out of because we want as many daylight energy and retrace our journey back hours as possible at the Grand Canyon to our hotel. There is barely twenty Thursday itself. I’m glad we didn’t miss Sedona, minutes for a rest before setting off Not a great night’s sleep, but that’s though, because the rock formations for the Sheraton for the evening’s side nothing new for me. Fiona and I play there are really astounding. We game. against Richard and Gerry online for eventually reach the Grand Canyon At the beginning of the tournament, a couple of hours. After that, I skype at about 3pm and have a couple of the standard of the side game is Briony in Paris and then Barry in hours wandering around before the reasonable, but now everyone any London, and then off to explore the light starts to fade. It really is the most good is involved in a main event so the town. awesome spectacle – though I suspect standard has dropped. All our normal It turns out to be only a 15-minute you can’t really get a true picture of results seem to be worth at least 75%

BRIDGE February 2014 Page 45 Seven Days continued Sunday Then, it is back to the Sheraton for a repeat performance. We start I do some work in the morning. The flagging towards the end but still score project of the moment with Bradt is a respectable 14½ (only 24 boards this and we score nearly 70% without Africa Overland, a book for people time) to qualify comfortably. playing particularly well. We do who want to do just that. I think I’m After the session, we go up to achieve one curiosity, though. They probably a bit old for it now but what a Lynn’s suite (armed with our free say that the one contract you hardly fabulous thing to do. fruit turnovers – EBU note these little ever play in (and never should) is five I meet up with Fee for the walk to perks) for a glass of wine and to go no-trumps. Well, we achieve it and the the Sheraton and now it is heaving through the hands. post-session print-out says it is the par with people. When we played in the contract. side games on Thursday, the playing space was huge but mainly empty, Monday but now it is jam packed with people We are not playing the first session, but Dealer West. N/S Vul. standing around talking and waiting I wake up early anyway. I get on with ♠ K J 7 for something to happen. Eventually, Africa Overland until lunchtime when ♥ A J 10 our starting position is announced they want to clean my carpets. Fee ♦ Q 10 9 4 2 and we go in to play. We are a team of and I go over the road to McDonalds ♣ 8 7 six but there is no way to play part of for a snack, and then it’s more work ♠ Q 9 8 6 5 4 2 ♠ 3 a session – it’s either all or nothing. It until about 3.30pm when we walk to ♥ 6 2 N ♥ K Q 8 5 4 3 has been decided that we will play all the Sheraton. Karen and Lynn finish ♦ 6 W E ♦ A J 7 5 3 S of the qualifying session and half of before the others and claim a terrible ♣ 10 9 5 ♣ 3 the final (fingers crossed). set. When they score up with Kerri ♠ A 10 The scoring is what the Americans and Irina it’s not so bad, though, but ♥ 9 7 call ‘board-a-match’ (we call it ‘point- still a point below average. Lynn has ♦ K 8 a-board’, though our version is tame to dash off to catch a flight home ♣ A K Q J 6 4 2 by comparison). And it is literally that. to Austin, while the rest of us go for If you do better than your opponents, dinner. In the evening, we do pretty you win the board, otherwise you well, scoring 16½, but it is only enough West North East South lose or draw – and a difference of 10 for third. We go up to Karen’s room to 3♠ Pass Pass 3NT aggregate points counts. enjoy the bottle of champagne Lynn Pass Pass 4♥ Pass If there is ever a form of scoring has left for us, and sit around going Pass 4NT Pass 5♣ that encourages you to forget what has through the hands and drinking for Pass 5NT All Pass gone before and concentrate on the a while. I’m surprised to realise it is ‘here and now’, this is it. Often, what nearly 3 o’clock when I get back to Fee’s three no-trump overcall looks you are worrying about doesn’t matter my room – it’s a long while since I’ve normal and, over four hearts, her pass at all – you are struggling to score an stayed up so late. suggests that her bid was based on extra overtrick or undertrick, while tricks rather than a balanced hand. team-mates have a result that makes It seems to me that four no-trumps your score totally irrelevant. And, of Tuesday should be OK, but Fee is worried about course, for the Americans, where they I wake up at 6.30am feeling a bit having nothing in hearts and so pulls know more of their opponents, they dehydrated, but then it’s straight to her long suit. With hearts sewn up play differently depending on their back to sleep and the next thing and matchpoint scoring, I decide to opponents. I know it’s 10.30am. And we are insist on no-trumps and there we are. Anyway, it goes reasonably well supposed to check out by 11am. It is West leads a heart which Fee ducks. and we score 16½ for the first session a pleasant surprise to discover that The best East can do now is to cash (average is 13). I have to say that I need all my shopping, when stripped of the the ace of diamonds and surrender, someone to tell me that this is a fairly carrier bags and packaging, fits into but instead she returns a spade. Fee good score – it doesn’t sound that good my suitcase without expansion. We wins with the ace, finesses a spade to me but is equivalent to about 60% in catch a cab to the Sheraton, leave our and cashes the king (discarding a a pairs game. bags and set off to find some food. On diamond) and now runs her clubs. In Then, we are taken out to dinner by the way back, we find another good the two-card ending, she has a heart our captain. These tournaments are shop and now I do have to expand my and the king of diamonds in hand not good for a normal eating plan. suitcase. I have great plans to do lots and two hearts in the dummy. East is Dinner at 5.15pm when you have to of work this afternoon, but somehow squeezed and cannot make a trick. play a whole session afterwards is not it all comes to naught as I spend all my After the bridge, we have a drink ideal. We go in a taxi to a fabulous time sitting around talking to various with friends before retiring to our restaurant, where, however hard we old friends. Then it’s off to the airport hotel, completely exhausted. try, it is difficult not to overeat. and home. ■

Page 46 BRIDGE February 2014 Answers to David Huggett’s Play Quiz on page 42

leads the ♥Q. How do you plan the play? tained the king of spades in dummy as 1. ♠ K J 7 5 4 If the club finesse is right, you have an entry. It is true you might make a trick ♥ K J 3 at least eleven tricks but what if it isn’t? fewer than other less gifted players but ♦ A Q 9 Then you will need to make another dia- you will have succeeded in guaranteeing ♣ K 2 mond and the danger is that, by this time, your contract. ♠ 9 3 ♠ 6 West might have enough tricks in hearts ♥ 8 7 5 4 2 N ♥ Q 10 9 6 to defeat you. However, West’s only pos- ♦ 10 7 W E ♦ K J 6 3 sible entry is in diamonds and therefore S ♣ Q J 10 6 ♣ 8 7 5 4 it is this suit you must attack first. But you 4. ♠ 7 5 4 2 ♠ A Q 10 8 2 have to be careful. Win the opening lead ♥ A K 5 ♥ A by all means, but you cannot afford to ♦ Q 8 4 ♦ 8 5 4 2 cross to dummy with a spade in order ♣ Q 7 5 ♣ A 9 3 to take the diamond finesse in case it ♠ A 3 ♠ K 6 loses and the defenders play on spades. ♥ Q 10 8 3 N ♥ J 9 7 W E Instead, play the ace of diamonds from ♦ 10 7 3 2 S ♦ J 9 6 5 You are declarer in 6♠ and West leads hand and continue until the king wins. ♣ 10 8 2 ♣ A 6 4 3 the ♣Q. How do you plan the play? Now if West wins and continues hearts, ♠ Q J 10 9 8 On the surface, it looks as though you duck, win the next round and then ♥ 6 4 2 there might be two diamond losers, but take the club finesse in complete safety. ♦ A K the reality is that the contract is 100% ♣ K J 9 guaranteed once East follows to the first trick. So draw trumps, eliminate clubs by ruffing the low club in dummy and return 3. ♠ K 4 You are declarer in 4♠ and West leads to hand with the ace of hearts. Now lead ♥ 7 6 the ♥3. How do you plan the play? a diamond and just cover whatever card ♦ 8 6 5 It is easy to count ten winners via three West happens to play. Doubtless, East ♣ A 10 9 7 5 4 spades, two hearts, three diamonds and will win, but he will have no safe return. ♠ J 10 9 8 5 ♠ Q 7 3 two clubs but, equally, there are four los- A diamond back is into the remaining ♥ Q 5 N ♥ K J 10 8 4 ers if you are not careful – two spades, W E ♦ ♦ tenace in dummy and the same is true Q 4 S K 10 9 3 one heart and one club. The lead looks for a heart return. And, of course, if East ♣ J 8 6 2 ♣ 3 as though hearts are breaking 4-3, so returns a club, he will be giving you a ruff ♠ A 6 2 your first priority must be to rid yourself and discard. ♥ A 9 3 2 of that losing heart. If you play on trumps ♦ A J 7 2 immediately, you will be a tempo behind ♣ K Q so cash the top two diamonds first. Now you can lead a trump and if they win and 2. ♠ A K 6 lead another heart, you win and throw ♥ 7 4 You are declarer in 3NT and West leads your losing heart from hand on the queen ♦ J 10 4 3 the ♠J. How do you plan the play? of diamonds in dummy. Only after that ♣ A Q 10 6 It is easy to give scant attention to a can you play another trump, when you ♠ Q J 9 ♠ 10 8 4 3 2 contract that looks simple to play, but it will lose just two trumps and a club. ■ ♥ Q J 10 9 6 N ♥ 8 5 3 is at times like these that you have to be W E ♦ K 8 7 ♦ 6 5 most vigilant. With four tricks ‘on top’ S ♣ 8 2 ♣ K 4 3 outside of the club suit, you need to make BEGIN BRIDGE ♠ 7 5 only five club tricks to fulfil your contract, £66 ♥ A K 2 but the chance of a 4-1 break is a real ACOL VERSION ♦ A Q 9 2 one. So, instead of winning the spade ♣ J 9 7 5 in hand and cashing both clubs prior to An Interactive Tutorial entering dummy, cash the king and over- CD with Bernard Magee take the queen with the ace and continue You are declarer in 3NT after West has playing the suit until the jack has been See Mail Order form on page 5. overcalled your 1♦ opening with 1♥. West played. And, of course, you will have re-

BRIDGE February 2014 Page 47 1665 MR BRIDGE xmas cruise final_Layout 1 26/11/2013 13:22 Page 1

Sri Lanka Colombo Maldives Galle Nairobi Seychelles Kuda Bandos Tsavo/Amboseli Praslin/La Digue Mombasa Mahe Kenya Zanzibar 3-day Tanzania Indian Ocean Mayotte safari Comoros included 20-day cruise-tour departs December 19, 2014

DATE PORT ARRIVE DEPART DEC 19 Fly to NAIROBI Kenya Transfer to hotel overnight hotel DEC 20 NAIROBI Kenya overnight hotel DEC 21 NAIROBI/AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK Kenya Morning drive from Nairobi to Amboseli for afternoon game drive game lodge DEC 22 AMBOSELI/TSAVO NATIONAL PARK Kenya Morning game drive at Amboseli Afternoon game drive at Tsavo game lodge DEC 23 TSAVO/MOMBASA Kenya Morning game drive. Continue to Mombasa to embark Aegean Odyssey 6.00pm DEC 24 ZANZIBAR Tanzania 8.00am 1.00pm DEC 25 Christmas Day celebrations at sea DEC 26 MAYOTTE Comoros 7.00am 6.00pm DEC 27/28 At Sea DEC 29 MAHE Seychelles 2.00pm overnight CRUISE FROM DEC 30 MAHE Seychelles 6.00pm DEC 31 PRASLIN/LA DIGUE Seychelles 8.00am 6.00pm New Year’s Eve celebrations JAN 1-3 ‘15 At Sea JAN 4 KUDA BANDOS Maldives 1.00pm 10.00pm AFRICA JAN 5 At Sea JAN 6 GALLE Sri Lanka 8.00am 8.00pm JAN 7 COLOMBO Sri Lanka 7.00am TOASIA Disembark and transfer to airport NEXT WINTER fares from just £3,895pp include: •SCHEDULED FLIGHTS Enjoy a daily duplicate on board this unique •EXPERTLY PLANNED ITINERARIES Christmas voyage across the Indian Ocean •SHORE EXCURSIONS IN MOST PORTS OF CALL •EXPERT ANTIQUITY GUEST SPEAKERS Join our bridge team on this celebration voyage taking you •WINE WITH DINNER ON BOARD from the magnificent game parks of Kenya to the exotic shores •OPEN-SEATING DINING of Sri Lanka via the islands of the Indian Ocean. •GRATUITIES ON BOARD •EXCLUSIVE MR BRIDGE COCKTAIL PARTY •FESTIVE CELEBRATIONS ON BOARD •DAILY BRIDGE

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