Acol Version

1053 Mr Bridge Asia ad 1_Layout 1 02/11/2011 16:08 Page 1

CRUISE TO ANCIENT CIVILISATIONS INDIA & SOUTHEAST ASIA

NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT*

CRUISE FROM MUMBAI TO SINGAPORE ON A FASCINATING VOYAGE VISITING INDIA, THE MALDIVES, SRI LANKA, BURMA, THAILAND AND THE MALAY PENINSULA BOOK NOW FOR SPECIAL FARES

INDIA Join us on this exciting Mr Bridge cruise. Board Aegean Odyssey in Mumbai, Mumbai Burma and enjoy an overnight stay in this amazing city before setting sail along Yangon Marmagao Bay of the historic Malabar Coast to Goa and Cochin. Heading out into the Indian Bengal Ocean you call at the world’s true desert island paradise, the Maldives, on andaman Arabian islands the way to Colombo in Sri Lanka. This voyage then takes you into the heart Sea Cochin Thailand of the mysterious, beautiful and deeply spiritual country of Burma. Next Sri Lanka Malacca Phuket is Phuket in Thailand, from where you will sail to the stunning Phi Phi Kuda Bandos Colombo Strait Penang Islands. The Malayan island of Penang and fascinating port of Malacca Male Malaysia Malacca lead the way to Singapore, the city that combines the colonial elegance Maldives of the Raffle’s era with the dynamism of a modern hi-tech city-state Singapore Cruise in comfort, relax in style 23-DAY FLY-CRUISE DEPARTING NOVEMBER 17, 2012 Aegean Odyssey is a premium class ship that has been especially refitted for MR BRIDGE FARES cruising in the Mediterranean. Carrying just 350 passengers, the atmosphere Standard Inside £3,450pp Premium Outside from £4,550pp on board is relaxed with plenty of passenger space, a choice of restaurants Premium Inside from £3,795pp Deluxe Outside from £5,395pp (with open-seating dining) and generously-sized accommodations, plus the Standard Outside £4,295pp Deluxe Balcony from £6,350pp comfort and attentive service of boutique-style cruising. FARES INCLUDE: SCHEDULED RETURN AIR & TRANSFERS SHORE EXCURSIONS IN ALL PORTS EXPERT ANTIQUITY LECTURE PROGRAMME WINE WITH DINNER & GRATUITIES ON BOARD EXCLUSIVE MR BRIDGE COCKTAIL PARTIES ACCOMPANIED BY BERNARD MAGEE PRE- AND POST-CRUISE OPTIONS There is a supplement of £100 per person for those wishing 4-NIGHT GOLDEN TRIANGLE to participate in the duplicate bridge Begin your holiday on November 13 with a 4-night land excursion, featuring programme or learn to play bridge. Delhi, Jaipur, Fatehpur Sikhri and Agra. Fly London to Delhi on scheduled air. Stay in 5-star hotels throughout. Single £1,595. Double £1,098pp BOOK EARLY – THIS OFFER 2-NIGHT SINGAPORE STAY IS SUBJECT TO LIMITED End your holiday in style at the 5-star Fairmont or Swissotel The Stamford AVAILABILITY in Singapore. Single £378. Double £199pp

CALL ON 01483 489961

VOYAGES TO ANTIQUITY 10093

ABTA No.Y2206 www.voyagestoantiquity.com

Prices are per person, double occupancy, and include MR BRIDGE SPECIAL SAVINGS. *The number of cabins with no single supplement is strictly limited. Please book early to avoid disappointment.The bridge programme is completely optional and Mr Bridge passengers can participate as much, or as little as they wish. This offer is subject to availability, is capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time. FEATURES ADVERTISEMENTS Mr Bridge 5 Mr Bridge 2 Voyages to Antiquity Cruise to India AT THE 5* BRIDGE 10 The A to Z of and South East Asia Publisher and Bridge G, H KIROSEIZ by Julian Pottage 3 Egypt 2012 Managing Editor THREE Mr Bridge 17 David Stevenson 4 Voyages of Discovery CORNERS, Ryden Grange Answers Your Questions European Icons Knaphill, Surrey NA’AMA BAY 5 Tunisia 2012 GU21 2TH 21 Bidding Quiz by Bernard Magee EGYPT 2012 ( 01483 489961 6 Haslemere 2011 DVDs 22 Bidding Quiz Answers A 5* spacious resort hotel 7 Mail Order Form e-mail: by Bernard Magee complex with a friendly [email protected] 8 Voyages of Discovery atmosphere situated 3km 23 Defence Quiz 2012 Summer Cruises from the resort centre of website: by Julian Pottage Na’ama Bay and a 15 min- 13 Voyages to Antiquity ute courtesy bus ride from www.mrbridge.co.uk 24 Defence Quiz Answers Cruise to Croatia the hotel’s private beach. by Julian Pottage Associate Editor 16 Mr Bridge 2012 Diaries Julian Pottage 25 Declarer Play Quiz by Dave Huggett 19 Duplicate Bridge Rules Simplified Technical Consultant 26 Declarer Play Answers Tony Gordon by David Huggett 20 Bridge Weekends with Bernard Magee Bridge Consultant 27 Lead Quiz Bernard Magee by Andrew Kambites 22 Mr Bridge Playing Cards 28 Lead Quiz Answers Proof Readers by Andrew Kambites 22 Pens Tony Richards Danny Roth 29 Julian Pottage says 23 Mr Bridge Rubber/ Bid 1♥ with 4-4 Chicago Events Hugh Williams in the Majors Duplicate Bridge Richard Wheen 25 Bernard Magee’s 30 Jeremy Dhondy says Tips for Better Bridge Bernard Magee Office Manager Double is a Flexible 15-29 January 2012 Way to Compete 27 Mr Bridge Tutorial Catrina Shackleton Bridge Breaks from £1099* 31 Julian Pottage Events & Cruises 35 Bridge Event All inclusive board Answers Your Questions includes: buffet-style break- ( 01483 489961 Booking Form fast, lunch, dinner, snacks 34 Prize Crossword 2 Jessica Galt 36 Mr Bridge Christmas served at selected times Rachel Everett by Sputnik between meals, ice cream and New Year served in the afternoon and Megan Riccio 36 100 Winning Bridge 37 Table and afternoon tea. An unlim- Tips for the ited amount of hot, soft and Tablecloths Offer Clubs & Charities Improving Player alcoholic drinks (excluding Maggie Axtell reviewed 37 Cut-out Form international brands and cocktails) served 10am to [email protected] by Sandra Landy 38 Global Travel Insurance midnight. 37 Prize Crossword 2 *per person full-board sharing a Address Changes Solution 42 Charity Bridge Events twin-bedded room and is inclusive Elizabeth Bryan of bridge fees. Single supplement 40 Readers’ Letters 43 Stamps £220 per fortnight. These prices are ( 01483 485342 based on air travel from Gatwick. Flights from Manchester, Newcastle 41 Christmas Quiz 48 Bernard Magee’s and East Midlands are available at a All correspondence should Five-card Majors CD supplement. 45 Seven Days be addressed to Mr Bridge. This holiday is arranged in conjunction Please make sure that all by Sally Brock 48 QPlus 10 with Thomas Cook Holidays ATOL1179. letters, e-mails and faxes carry full postal addresses and telephone numbers. The views expressed in this publication are not DETAILS & BOOKINGS necessarily those of the publisher or its Managing Editor. ( 01483 489961

Page 3 No Single Supplements on selected I & G cabins**

European Icons Departing April 27th 2012 – 15 days Incredible cruise offers: Inside from only £999pp, Outside from only £1,499pp

Mesmerising Istanbul – a showcase of Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, enthralling Athens – ‘cradle of western civilisation’ and romantic Rome – heart of the mighty Roman Empire. Three of Europe’s most notable cities, whose glorious histories live on through some of the world’s most remarkable edifices. Nasrid princes left opulent footprints in the remarkable Alhambra. Legendary Santiago de Compostela marks the end of the ‘Way of St James’. Brooding Mount Etna watches over Messina, whilst Napoleonic echoes resonate around Ajaccio. Guarding the strait between the Mediterranean and Atlantic, the unmistakable profile of ‘The Rock’.

All passengers* will be eligible for seminars, drinks parties, quiz competitions, daily evening bridge after first and second dinner sitting and occasional afternoon bridge sessions. The bridge programme is fully optional and you may participate as much or as little as you wish. Mr Bridge actively YOUR encourages singles to join the party and they will always be found a partner for a game. VOYAGE INCLUDES: portsmouth • Evening bridge available for first and second diners • Afternoon duplicate bridge when at sea and in port • Bridge seminars when at sea and in port la coruÑa • Exclusive Mr Bridge drinks civitavecchia istanbul parties ajaccio • All meals, entertainment and onboard gratuities messina piraeus • Comprehensive lecture and guest speaker programme almeria gibraltar • Captain’s cocktail parties and gala dinners

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

Fares shown are per person based on two people sharing lowest inside twin-bedded cabin category and include all applicable discounts for new bookings only. All offers are subject to availability, cannot be combined with any other offer or loyalty offer, are capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time. Fares shown include current fuel supplements correct at time of printing, but subject to change. Fares shown are based on a guarantee fare, where a cabin number may not be allocated at time of booking. See brochure for full terms and conditions. *Only bookings made directly with Mr Bridge are eligible to be part of the Mr Bridge Group. **No single supplement applies to selected I and G cabins and is subject to availability. Voyages of Discovery is a trading name of All Leisure Holidays Ltd.

VOD_BR111 European Icons_A4.indd 1 06/10/2011 13:29:46 REHASH TABLE OFFER EGYPT / TUNISIA Mr Bridge My black vinyl covered Thankfully for the people metal tables are ideal of Egypt as well as would- AT THE for club use, as they can be bridge holiday-makers serve the needs of several looking for real winter ROYAL KENZ different groups at the sun, the political climate is TUNISIA same venue, especially as now more settled. Indeed, most clubs use table cloths there has been a surge these days. For those that of bookings earlier this Two-week feel the need for a green week, for the fortnight half-board playing surface, I draw in January with Bernard duplicate In last month’s issue of the special table and cloth Magee and his team, BRIDGE, I drew attention offer to the attention of phone ( 01483 489961 holiday to some events and new clubs and individuals alike. for an information pack. products. These, I repeat The cloths are made in Likewise, Tunisia. £769* for a much wider audience. the north of England of The elections were a great locally spun cotton velvet. success and the people, CELEBRATION having spoken, will go back ANTIQUITY to developing tourism, It is very nearly twenty- Tunisia’s main industry. five years since I first set Aegean Odyssey has been out on my journey as well received, especially Mr Bridge and to mark by those who want single CLUB INSURANCE occupancy. Tony and Jan this anniversary, I have Sorry to nag but insurance decided to promote several Richards will lead their fiftieth Mr Bridge cruise is all about being covered events in 2012. The first for those risks even the of these will be a Festival from Imperial Rome to magical Venice. As brightest committee Of Bridge on board m.v members haven’t yet Discovery, sailing from usual, a programme of excursions is included in thought of. The premium Istanbul on 27 April back of just over £60 for the year home to Portsmouth. I have the fare. Highlights this time include Pompeii and covers a club of up to 100 negotiated a really special members very nicely and lead-in fare of £999 per an exclusive evening visit to St Mark’s Cathedral. there are now over 500 person sharing, all bridge groups covered in this way. fees included. And it won’t It really is foolish not to 19 Feb – 4 March 2012 FIVE-CARD all be bridge... unless that’s be covered and even more Golf available what you want it to be. MAJORS foolish to pay other insurers Bernard Magee In addition to the usual more. Ring Moore Stephens and his team ( onboard entertainment on 020 7515 5270. and port lectures, there *per person half-board sharing a twin-bedded room and is will be bridge seminars DAIRIES inclusive of bridge fees. Single and supervised play every supplement £6 per night. These As usually happens, some prices are based on air travel morning, both when in from Gatwick to Enfidha. Flights port or at sea. Likewise, of the standard cover from other UK airports are colours are how sold out. available at a supplement. All afternoon duplicate prices are firm until the end of sessions. Best of all, a daily Go to the mail order January 2012. Prices for seven- form on page 7 for those night stays (November only) are duplicate for those on first available on application. colours still available, and second-sitting dinner. Pay £70 per fortnight per person There will also be cut-in £6.95 each. All three extra and have a pool-facing luxury versions are still room, tea & coffee making rubber/Chicago sessions At last Bernard Magee facilities, bath robe and a bowl of for those who prefer that has completed his latest in stock, £14.95 each. seasonal fruit. form of the game. And interactive tutorial CD. These holidays have been organised singles, I’ve remembered The advert on the back MAC FOR BRIDGE for Mr Bridge by Tunisia First Limited, ATOL 5933, working in association you. Indeed, how could I of the magazine gives the with Thomas Cook Tour If you’ve a Mac and want a forget as there are so many full list of contents, which Operations Limited, ATOL 1179. play program, then Bridge of you writing regularly to is supported by a user- Baron is for you. £63. remind me. Inside cabins friendly manual. Bernard DETAILS & BOOKINGS for single occupancy start Magee has completed yet Alternatively, trade in any from only £1234 each. another labour of love. old software. Send £36. ( 01483 489961

Page 5 SCOTLAND 2012 QPLUS 10 BETTER BRIDGE Bernard For those who already have QPlus, here are a Magee few more hands that I at think you might enjoy. 5290/05 5290/54 Haslemere 5290/100 5290/169 Hall 2011 By popular demand, Bernard Magee will be I should explain for those DVDs returning to the Brook without QPlus that every possible deal of 52 cards Six DVDs record the Queensferry Hotel for the seminars from Haslemere. weekend 9-11 March 2012. has a reference number. Each seminar is divided The subject matter of the Put that number into the into two halves: designed tutorials will cover the ever program and hey presto, to look at subjects from popular topics of doubles the hand comes up on two different perspectives. your screen at the touch and doubling. 1. Ruffing for of a button. Magic. £25 Scottish enthusiasts are extra tricks The Bernard Magee This seminar deals with declar- advised to book his only GOFF STAMPS bridge seminars, staged er’s use of ruffing to generate ex- visit to Scotland in 2012 in Haslemere Hall as tra tricks and then looks at how as soon as possible to the defenders might counteract part of 2011 Haslemere this. 74 mins. avoid disappointment. Festival, proved to be 2. COMPETITIVE even more successful AUCTIONS £25 COVER STORY than I had hoped. This seminar focuses on competitive auctions from the All the happenings have perspective of the overcalling been faithfully filmed and side to start with and then from

made into a series of six the perspective of the opening Conventional postage side in the second part. 86 mins. DVDs by an experienced will never get cheaper, so television film crew led 3. MAKING THE MOST buying valid British stamps £25 by Hugh Dehn, the well OF HIGH CARDS below face value must be This seminar helps declarer to know television director. a bargain. It also helps use his high cards more carefully and then looks at how defenders support this publication. Take a hall filled with should care for their precious enthusiasts, eager and high cards. 83 minutes. For Clive Goff’s unique willing to learn; mix in service, telephone him on: 4. Identifying the technical support of £25 ( 020 8422 4906. & BIDDING SLAMS the theatre and then add The first half of this seminar is [email protected] Bernard Magee on top about identifying when a slam The cover and advert on form and you have the might be on – one of the hardest page 2 give readers the topics to teach, because as soon TUTORIALS perfect ingredients for six as you announce the topic opportunity of spending If you are only able to highly entertaining DVDs. everybody is looking for slams. over three weeks in the Buy with confidence. The second half covers some of company of Bernard Magee afford one of these CDs, the techniques used to bid slams. 96 minutes. on board Aegean Odyssey. I strongly advise you buy Defence. The improvement HASLEMERE 2012 Phone Megan for details. 5. PLAY & DEFENCE £25 of your results will have Book early – book now. OF 1NT CONTRACTS This seminar looks at the most you singing Bernard For subject matter, see the MINERVA NEWS Magee’s praises. He is such common and yet most feared of advertisement on page contracts: 1NT. The first half an inspiring teacher. 20. All six seminars will looks at declaring the contract and the second part puts us in Until now, I have supported again be filmed in full. the defenders’ seats. 88 minutes. every title with each new version of Windows, but 6. DOUBLING & DEFENCE THANK YOU AGAINST DOUBLED£25 from now I am supporting CONTRACTS only Windows XP, Vista A great big thank you The first half of this seminar This well-loved ship and 7. Nor can I provide to our advertisers and explores penalty doubles and the comes out of dry dock second half discusses the defence replacements for discs that to you, the readers, for early next year after a against doubled contracts. been stolen, scratched, supporting them. 88 minutes. a three month refit. cracked or misused. In Happy Christmas to you all. All 6 for £100 Brochures are now available future the charge for a See Mail Order Form on page 7. for the 2012/2013 sailings. replacement pack is £35. Mr Bridge

Page 6 ✄ Mr Bridge MAIL ORDER PLAY SOFTWARE TUTORIAL DVDs QPlus 10 £86.00...... Ruffing for Extra Tricks £25.00...... QPlus 10 - Trade-in £35.00...... Competitive Auctions £25.00...... Bridge Baron – Mac compatible £63.00...... Making the Most of High Cards £25.00...... Bridge Baron – Trade-in £36.00...... Identifying & Bidding Slams £25.00...... Play & Defence of 1NT Contracts £25.00...... TUTORIAL SOFTWARE Doubling & Defence £66.00 Begin Bridge – Acol Version ...... to Doubled Contracts £25.00...... £66.00 Acol Bidding ...... All 6 DVDs as a boxed set £100.00...... More Acol Bidding £96.00...... Declarer Play £76.00...... 2012 Bridge Players’ Diaries Advanced Declarer Play £81.00...... Standard: Defence £76.00...... Navy Blue ...... Red ...... Tan ...... Five-Card Majors with Strong No-Trump £89.00...... Burgundy ...... Black ...... £6.95...... SOFTWARE BUNDLE OFFER 10 or more each £3.50...... Luxury cover with ball-point pen: Any two software pieces £120.00...... Ruby Red ...... Navy Blue...... Green ...... £14.95...... BOOKS LUXURY PLAYING CARDS Duplicate Bridge Rules Simplified £5.95...... One red back / one blue back Better Hand Evaluation – Bernard Magee £14.00...... in a gold-coloured drop-lid box £10.95...... Bernard Magee’s Bridge Quiz Book £14.00...... 2 boxed pairs of luxury cards £20.00...... Bernard Magee’s Quiz and Puzzle Book £14.00...... 10 refill packs (5 red / 5 blue) £20.00...... Bernard Magee’s Tips for Better Bridge £14.00...... PENS TABLES, CHAIRS and tablecloths Mr Bridge exclusive design black metal chairs, Multi-suited covered in black vinyl Set of four £199.00...... Ball-point Pens Mr Bridge exclusive black metal tables £63.50...... Boxed set of four Mr Bridge tablecloth £19.95...... green ...... dark blue ...... burgundy ...... £29.95...... Table and Tablecloth Offer both for £75.00...... Refills set of four £2.99......

Prices are inclusive of VAT and postage to UK mainland. I enclose a cheque for £......

Mr/Mrs/Miss ......

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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 ✄

Page 7 UP TO£200 ONBOARD CREDIT when booked by 15th October*

Discovery club members save an extra 5%

Summer 2012 No~fly cruises Bridge Hosts Fares From BALTIC ICONS May 11, 2012 ~ 16 days Gary Portsmouth ~ IJmuiden (Amsterdam) ~ Copenhagen ~ Stockholm ~ Tallinn ~ St Petersburg (2 nights) ~ Helsinki GTY £1,549pp Inspiring Summer Cruises Conrad Warnemünde (Berlin) ~ Kiel Canal transit ~ Portsmouth cabins Alison HERITAGE of the BRITISH ISLES May 26, 2012 ~ 11 days selling GTY £1,989pp Experience Voyages of Discovery’s Summer 2012 programme, Portsmouth ~ Isles of Scilly ~ Douglas ~ Belfast ~ Oban ~ Port of Tyne ~ Greenwich ~ Dover ~ Portsmouth fast Nicolson Stan encompassing 15 captivating cruises around Northern Europe, D-DAY, NORMANDY, DUNKIRK and BEYOND June 5, 2012 ~ 9 days GTY £899pp Portsmouth ~ Cherbourg ~ St Peter Port ~ Rouen (overnight) ~ Dunkirk ~ Heligoland ~ IJmuiden (Amsterdam) ~ Harwich Powell The Baltic, The Mediterranean & The Black Sea. Tony & Jan SPITSBERGEN and the NORTH CAPE June 13, 2012 ~ 16 days GTY £1,749pp Harwich ~ Trondheim ~ Leknes ~ Honningsvåg ~ Magdalenafjord ~ Ny-Ålesund ~ Longyearbyen ~ Barentsburg ~ Tromsø ~ Bergen ~ Harwich Richards Next Summer, Discovery’s exciting cruise itinerary includes a National Trust cruise BALTIC TREASURES June 28, 2012 ~ 15 days Crombie & Helen Harwich ~ Kristiansand ~ Copenhagen ~ Tallinn ~ St Petersburg (2 nights) ~ Gdynia ~ Szczecin (Berlin) GTY £1,649pp around the British Isles, a three day stay in glorious St Petersburg, with the unique Sassnitz ~ Kiel Canal transit ~ Harwich McNeil opportunity of spending a day in Moscow and, on the anniversary of D-Day, an Alex NORDIC NATURAL WONDERS July 12, 2012 ~ 14 days GTY £1,499pp inspirational journey of remembrance and discovery to the landing beaches of Harwich ~ Bergen ~ Flåm ~ Akureyri ~ Ísafjördjur ~ Grundarfjördur ~ Reykjavik ~ Tórshavn ~ Harwich Davoud Gary Normandy, little-visited Heligoland in Germany and beautiful Amsterdam. A NORDIC and WHITE SEA ADVENTURE July 25, 2012 ~ 20 days GTY £2,199pp Harwich ~ Bergen ~ Bodø ~ Murmansk ~ Solovetsky Islands (overnight) ~ Archangel ~ Kirkenes ~ Hammerfest ~ Trondheim ~ Ørsta ~ Florø ~ Harwich Conrad Alex All passengers are eligible to attend the exclusive drinks parties. When AROUND BRITAIN and EDINBURGH TATTOO August 13, 2012 ~ 13 days £1,399pp Harwich ~ St Peter Port ~ Fowey ~ Cobh ~ Galway ~ Killybegs ~ Oban ~ Portree ~ Scrabster ~ Kirkwall ~ Rosyth (Edinburgh) ~ Harwich Davoud cat n Discovery is at sea there are morning seminars and afternoon bridge sessions. Those Mr Alison OSLO and the MAGIC of NORWAY August 25, 2012 ~ 10 days GTY £1,049pp Bridge passengers choosing to pay the £30** per bridge player supplement will be eligible YOUR Harwich ~ Oslo ~ Kristiansand ~ Stavanger ~ Flåm and Gudvangen ~ Ålesund ~ Bergen ~ Harwich Nicolson for the evening duplicate after the first dinner sitting. The bridge programme is fully Tony & Jan TIMELESS BALTIC September 3, 2012 ~ 15 days GTY £1,599pp optional and you may participate as much or as little as you wish. Mr Bridge actively VOYAGE Harwich ~ Copenhagen ~ Saaremaa ~ Tallinn ~ St Petersburg (2 nights) ~ Gdynia ~ Szczecin (Berlin)~ Sassnitz ~ Kiel Canal transit ~ Harwich Richards encourages singles to join the party and they will always be found a partner for a game. INCLUDES: • Evening bridge Summer 2012 Fly cruises

^ Sandy • Afternoon bridge when at sea VOYAGE to the MEDITERRANEAN September 17, 2012 ~ 8 days £699pp Harwich ~ Leixoes (Porto) ~ Gibraltar ~ Cartagena ~ Barcelona Bell

• Bridge seminars when at sea ^ Tony & Jan A PORTRAIT of the MEDITERRANEAN September 24, 2012 ~ 12 days £1,449pp • Exclusive Mr Bridge drinks Barcelona ~ Sète ~ Rapallo ~ Livorno (Florence/Pisa) ~ Civitavecchia (Rome) ~ Castellammare di Stabia ~ Messina ~ Brindisi ~ Dubrovnik (overnight) Richards

^ Crombie & Helen parties ADRIATIC and AEGEAN ODYSSEY October 5, 2012 ~ 15 days £1,849pp Dubrovnik ~ Pula ~ Venice ~ Koper ~ Hvar ~ Kotor ~ Durres ~ Itea ~ Katakolon ~ Piraeus (Athens) ~ Canakkale ~ Istanbul (overnight) McNeil • All meals, entertainment and ^ Sandy BLACK SEA EXPLORER October 19, 2012 ~ 12 days £1,649pp onboard gratuities Istanbul ~ Trabzon ~ Sochi ~ Novorossiysk ~ Yalta ~ Sevastopol ~ Odessa ~ Nesebur ~ Istanbul Bell • Comprehensive lecture and EAST to the HOLY LAND and RED SEA October 30, 2012 ~ 16 days Istanbul ~ Canakkale ~ Antalya ~ Haifa ~ Ashdod (Jerusalem) ~ Port Said ~ Suez Canal transit ~ Safaga (overnight) ~ Aqaba (overnight) Alex £1,999pp guest speaker programme Sharm el-Sheikh (overnight) Davoud

• Captain’s cocktail parties and For passengers interested in a higher grade or Sole Occupancy, please contact our friendly team who will gladly assist with current availability and fares. gala dinners Further combinations and grand voyages available ~ please call for details 01483 489961 for brochures and bookings www.bridgecruises.co.uk

Fares shown are per person based on two people sharing lowest twin-bedded cabin category currently available, are subject to availability and include all applicable discounts, for new bookings only. Savings shown apply to guarantee fare, where a cabin number may not be allocated at time of booking. Fares shown include current fuel supplements correct at time of printing, but subject to change. *Onboard credit offer applies per outside cabin on Summer 2012 cruises departing 11th May 2012 to 30th October 2012, for new bookings made by 15th October 2011. £200 onboard credit applies when booking a category A to F cabin; or £100 onboard credit when booking a category G to K cabin. Onboard credit offer is non-transferable and non-refundable and not available on Heritage of the British Isles. All offers are subject to availability, cannot be combined with any other offer or loyalty offer, are capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time. See brochure for full terms and conditions. Only bookings made directly with Mr Bridge are eligible to be part of the Mr Bridge Group. **Those wishing to play evening bridge, please note that there is a bridge supplement of £30 per bridge player to be confirmed at the time of booking. Voyages of Discovery is a trading name of All Leisure Holidays Ltd.

VOD_BR111 Summer2012_DPS.indd 1 02/11/2011 10:02:09 UP TO£200 ONBOARD CREDIT when booked by 15th October*

Discovery club members save an extra 5%

^ Sandy • Afternoon bridge when at sea VOYAGE to the MEDITERRANEAN September 17, 2012 ~ 8 days £699pp Harwich ~ Leixoes (Porto) ~ Gibraltar ~ Cartagena ~ Barcelona Bell

VOD_BR111 Summer2012_DPS.indd 1 02/11/2011 10:02:09 A to Z of Bridge compiled by Julian Pottage

GAME GAME HOG The 100 points scored below the line in A player who habitually distorts his rubber bridge. 100 or more trick points own bidding to increase his chance of G scored on one deal in duplicate bridge. being declarer in game contracts. GAME ALL GAME IN In rubber bridge when both sides Another expression for ‘vulnerable’. GADGET have previously won a game and are A convention or part of a convention. thus both vulnerable. In duplicate or GAME INVITATION Chicago when the pre-determined A bid that does not force the GAMBIT vulnerability so indicates. partnership to game but invites The deliberate sacrifice of a trick in partner to bid it with extra values, in order to gain two or more other tricks. GAME BID the context of his previous bidding. A game bid is a bid at just high enough For example, if partner opens 1NT a level for game: 3NT, four of a major and you raise to 2NT, this is a game ♠ 9 6 3 or five of a minor. In rubber bridge, invitation: you expect partner to bid ♥ 8 6 3 if the partnership already has points 3NT if maximum. ♦ K Q 8 2 towards game, the bid may be at a level ♣ 9 6 2 sufficient to convert that partscore GAME TRY ♠ Q 5 4 2 ♠ K 8 7 into game. This is a game invitation, usually in a ♥ 9 4 2 N ♥ Void suit other than the one you intend to ♦ J 10 W E ♦ 9 7 6 5 4 3 GAME CONTRACT ♥ ♥ ♣ S play in eg 1 -2 -3 asks partner to ♣ Q J 8 5 ♣ 10 7 4 3 Any contract that, if successful, will bid 3♥ or 4♥. ♠ A J 10 yield enough points to make game. ♥ A K Q J 10 7 5 GAME TRY DOUBLE ♦ A GAME FORCING BID A double made in competitive ♣ A K A bid that demands that the auction, when both sides have bid partnership does not stop short of and supported a suit, as a means of game. In Acol, common examples distinguishing between a competitive South plays in a cautious 6♥. West are: a jump shift by responder (e.g. raise of partner’s suit and a game leads the ♣Q, which you win perforce. 1♥-pass-2♠) or opener (eg 1♥-pass- invitation. The double is the game You cash a top trump and find East 1♠-pass-3♣) or opener’s reverse after invitation and the immediate raise is with a void in trumps. You should a two-level response (eg 1♦-pass-2♣- thus purely competitive. continue by cashing the ♦A and pass-2♠). leading a low heart. You are giving up West North East South a trump trick but, by securing an entry GAME FORCING SITUATION 1♥ 2♦ 2♥ 3♦ to dummy with the ♥8, you get tricks A sequence of bidding that has Dbl with the king and queen of diamonds committed both members of a in return. partnership to reach a game contract. Double here is West’s only way to try The situation arises whenever either for game. GAMBLING 3NT member of the partnership has made An opening bid of 3NT to show a long, a game-forcing bid. GAME VALUES solid minor, at least A-K-Q-x-x-x-x, The big advantage of a game-forcing The high cards sufficient to provide with no more than a queen outside. situation is that the partners can an expectation of making game. Most Usually, responder passes (with take the bidding slowly to describe authorities regard the minimum stoppers in the other suits) or retreats their hands and explore for the best values as 25 HCP for 3NT, 26 points to 4♣, asking opener to pass (with contract, knowing that the bidding for 4♥ or 4♠ and about 28 points for clubs) or correct to 4♦. will not stop suddenly. 5♣ or 5♦.

Page 10 A to Z of Bridge continued defender has – whoever has more clubs after a minor suit opening to show the is favourite to hold the queen. extreme suits (spades and the other minor) and the jump cue bid (eg 1♣- 3♣) to show the majors. ♠ A Q 10 7 When both members of the GARBAGE ♥ A 8 6 2 partnership remember which suits the Slang term for a poor hand. ♦ A 10 Ghestem bid shows, the convention ♣ K 10 6 works well. GARDENER 1NT OVERCALL However, Ghestem seems to spark N A rare convention by which an W E more memory lapses than almost any S overcall of 1NT shows either a strong other convention. no-trump (15-17 or 16-18 points) or a ♠ K J 9 4 2 weak hand with a long suit. ♥ 4 GIN ♦ K 8 4 2 Slang term meaning that a contract is GENERAL PURPOSE CUE BID ♣ A J 8 certain to succeed. An uncommon treatment whereby a bid of 4NT serves as a general try for GIVE COUNT a slam when a cue bid is not available You cash the red suit tops, ending in To make a distributional signal. For or convenient. dummy, and ruff a heart. You then example, if as a defender you hold crossruff the red suits, noting what Q-9-6-3-2 in a suit, playing the two GERBER happens. would be a count signal, showing an A convention whereby a bid of 4♣ Suppose all follow to four rounds odd number in the suit. asks about the number of aces held by of hearts but East shows out on the partner. In response: fourth round of diamonds. In this GLADIATOR case, West’s shape is 2-4-4-3 and East’s A system of responses to a 1NT opener. 4♦ Shows zero or four aces is 2-4-3-4, so you play East for the 2♣ shows a weak takeout type of hand 4♥ Shows one ace ♣Q. with length in any suit. It demands 4♠ Shows two aces 2♦, which responder can pass or 4NT Shows three aces GET THE HAND convert to 2♥ or 2♠. 2♦ over 1NT is OFF YOUR CHEST the Stayman enquiry (2NT denying a Subsequently, 5♣ enquires about kings A colloquial expression which means four-card major), while 2♥ and 2♠ are with corresponding responses. to make a bid that fully expresses your forcing with a five-card suit. Due to the usefulness of a 4♣ bid hand early in the auction. A jump to three of a major is a slam for other meanings, such as a cue invitation. bid, a splinter or as a natural bid, it GHESTEM is common to play that 4♣ is only A system of usually strong two-suited GO DOWN Gerber in very limited situations, such overcalls devised by Pierre Ghestem of To make fewer tricks than contracted as a direct response to a 1NT or 2NT France: for, also to quantify the extent of doing opening. Gerber is one of the most so, eg if you are in 4♠ and make 9 abused conventions ever invented. Over 1♦ /1♥/1♠: tricks, you go one down. 2NT Shows the lowest GESTURE two unbid suits GO IN or GO UP A remark or mannerism that suggests 3♣ Shows the highest A defender in second position who satisfaction or dissatisfaction with a two unbid suits plays the ace when declarer leads low call, lead, or play. Cue bid Shows the other towards dummy ‘goes in’ or ‘goes up’ two suits with the ace. GET A COUNT OF THE HAND To discover the distribution of the Over 1♣: GO OFF unseen hands either as declarer or 2NT Shows the red suits To make fewer tricks than contracted defender. 2♦ Shows the majors for. For example, you and your partner 3♣ Shows the other suits bid all the way to 7♠ (or you may be (diamonds and spades) GO TO GAME playing matchpoint pairs and be keen To bid a game. to make an overtrick in 6♠). The modification after an opening♣ 1 West leads a trump and East follows. bid came about to allow an overcall of GOLD CUP You play a second round of trumps and 2♣ to be natural because, in France, The premier Knock-Out Team all follow. To maximise your chance a 1♣ opening is often on a three-card Championship of Great Britain, of working out who has the ♣Q, you suit. Another modification of the contested under the auspices of Bridge want to find out how many clubs each Ghestem convention uses the cue bid Great Britain.

Page 11 A to Z of Bridge continued hence often referred to as ‘Josephine’, actions provide no evidence of whereby a direct bid of 5NT (not pre- an unauthorised partnership ceded by 4NT) after a trump suit has understanding. been agreed asks partner how many 2 Shorthand for describing the GOOD of the three top trump honours (ace, vulnerability of both partnerships 1. In hand valuation, a way to describe king and queen) he holds. Originally, on a board and meaning that the that a particular feature or the hand responder bid seven of the trump suit ‘green’ partnership is not vulnerable as a whole is better than average. with two or three top honours and six but their opponents are vulnerable. For example, a hand with 13 HCP, a of the trump suit with none or one. 5-card suit and its share of tens, you Later methods give better definition: GREEN POINTS might say is a ‘good’ 13 points. National Master Points issued by the 2. In the play, used to describe a hand 6♣ No top honour home bridge union (for success in in which every card is a winner, 6♦ One top honour nationally run tournaments). Their eg ‘dummy is good’ or a card that 6♥ Two top honours accumulation is necessary to attain the is a winner. ‘High’ has the same 6♠ Three top honours higher grades in its ranking system. meaning in this sense. Here is a hand on which you might use GROSVENOR COUP GOREN, Charles H the Grand Slam Force: An intentional misplay that allows American bridge player, successful in an opponent to gain a trick but is so converting the bridge-playing world ‘stupid’ that the opponent will never from honour tricks to point valuation ♠ Q 7 5 believe the misplay has occurred. For and founder of much modern ♥ Void example: American bidding theory. ♦ A K Q J 9 7 ♣ A Q 6 4 GOULASH ♠ A J 4

A method of dealing when you do not N shuffle after the previous deal’s play. If partner opens 3♠ (or shows a long ♠ 3 W E ♠ Q 10 2 S The dealer starts by giving five cards at spade suit by some other sequence), once to each player. This is repeated for you want to reach 7♠ unless a top ♠ K 9 8 7 6 5 a second round, before a further three trump is missing. You find out by cards are dealt at once to each player. bidding 5NT. An alternative method is to deal four North cashes the ♠A and then leads the cards to each player on the first round GREEK GIFT ♠J. East plays a ‘Grosvenor Coup’ by and then three cards to each player A trick offered to the opposition that, underplaying the two then ten. South on three subsequent rounds. As one if accepted, leads to disaster. For will never believe that East has failed to might expect, hands dealt this way are example: play the queen on the jack and so will often wildly distributional. play his king hoping for a 2-2 break.

GRAND COUP 8 3 2 GUARD SQUEEZE

A trump coup in which winners must N A rare triple squeeze in which one be ruffed to shorten declarer’s trumps. Void W E 10 6 4 opponent holds stoppers in two suits S The name comes from the early days of with a holding shorter than a guard in whist when players thought that such a A K Q J 9 7 5 a third suit that protects his partner play deserved a high-sounding title. from a finesse, for example:

GRAND MASTER If North has several winners in some For a long time this was the highest other suit but no obvious means of ♠ K 4 Master Point rank of the Home Bridge entry, South might cash the ace and ♥ A J 6 Unions; Premier Grand Master is now then lead the nine. If East accepts the ♦ Void the highest rank. gift and wins with the ten, the eight ♣ Void becomes an entry to all those winners. ♠ J 7 ♠ Q 9 3 GRAND SLAM ♥ K Q N ♥ 4 GREEN ♦ A W E ♦ Void To bid a Grand Slam is to contract to S make all thirteen tricks. 1 This is one of the traffic-light ♣ Void ♣ 5 terms that the Laws and Ethics ♠ A 10 6 GRAND SLAM FORCE Committee of the English Bridge ♥ Void A convention invented by Ely and Jo- Union uses to categorise psychic ♦ K sephine Culbertson but first published bids. A ‘green’ psyche is one where ♣ A by Josephine in the Bridge World and the partnership’s subsequent

Page 12 0921 Mr Bridge Italy ads_Layout 1 16/08/2011 17:34 Page 1

A to Z of Bridge continued CRUISES TO CLASSICAL CIVILISATIONS

South leads the ♣A, HISTORIC ITALY squeezing West in three suits. He has stoppers in & THE BEAUTY OF CROATIA hearts and diamonds and a partial guard in spades. To avoid giving a certain trick, he discards a spade. This enables South to play spades and take the finesse against East on the second round.

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Page 13 A to Z of Bridge continued if there is a winning defence, the defenders may get off to the wrong ♠ Q lead. ♥ K Q J 7 4 2 ♦ A 9 2 ♣ 9 6 3 ♠ K

♥ 9 4 3 N ♦ A 7 4 W E ♥ H S Suppose you lead the K, losing to the ♣ A K Q J 8 3 ♥A. On the second round of spades, you can discard a high diamond, the nine, to encourage diamonds or HACKETT West North East South a low club, the three, to discourage A now rarely played defence to weak 3♠ Pass Pass clubs. Either discard should persuade two openings whereby 3♣ is a take- ? partner to look for an entry in your out request showing fewer than 16 hand in diamonds rather than clubs. points; 3♦ is a takeout request showing The options here are 3NT, 4♣ and 16+ points. 2NT is for the minors and double. Although you do not have a HELP SUIT GAME TRY double is for penalties. certain spade stopper, you need far This type of game try applies after less help from partner to make 3NT you open one of a major and partner HALF STOPPER than 5♣ or 4♥. In any case, North is makes a single raise. A bid of a new A holding that is not quite good most unlikely to lead the ♠A. Bid 3NT. suit asks partner to bid game with help enough to prevent the run of an in the suit bid. opposing suit, such as Q-x or J-x-x. If HAND both members of the partnership have 1 The thirteen cards held by a player; a half stopper in the same suit, they 2. The set of four hands (now more ♠ A Q 9 6 4 ♠ K 10 3 2 will have a stopper between them, commonly referred to as the deal); ♥ A K N ♥ 9 6 5 W E hence the name half stopper. 3. The position the player occupies at ♦ Q 8 6 3 S ♦ K 7 the table, as in ‘first in hand’ (the ♣ 8 4 ♣ 10 6 3 2 HALF TABLE dealer). A table at which only one pair is sitting. HAND PATTERN West East The way in which the cards, when 1♠ 2♠ HALF TRICK arranged into suits, are within one 3♦ 4♠ An honour holding that one can hand. For example: 5431 ‘pattern’. expect to win a trick half the time This is also the hand’s ‘distribution’ or West is not quite good enough to bid such as K-x, or the queen in a holding ‘shape’. 4♠ over 2♠ and so makes a help suit of A-Q (one and a half tricks). The hand for the Hamman’s rule game try. East has an ideal diamond example has a 6331 pattern. holding as well as good trumps, so HALMIC accepts the game invitation despite An escape mechanism after an HANDICAPPING having only 6 HCP. opponent doubles your partner’s 1NT To impose a penalty on the stronger opening. members of the field to allow the HERBERT NEGATIVE You redouble to show an unspecified weaker players a chance of victory. A bid of the next step up (e.g. 2♥- 5-card suit; opener must bid 2♣. You An alternative method of handicap Pass-2♠) as a negative response to then show your long suit, passing 2♣ is to restrict the number of players a strong two opening bid. Over 2♠, if it is clubs. Immediate bids after over a certain masterpoint rank some players use 2NT as the negative 1NT doubled show two-suited hands that can play in a team or as a response, others use 3♣. (possibly with only 4-4 in the suits) partnership. with the suit bid and a higher-ranking HESITATION suit. After the two suited-bids, opener HARD VALUES The proprieties of bridge dictate that passes with some fit for the suit bid Aces and kings. By comparison, players should bid and play in even and otherwise bids the next suit up to queens and jacks are ‘soft values’. tempo and rhythm. find out responder’s second suit. An unusually long pause by a HELD player before bidding or playing to HAMMAN’S RULE An abbreviation for a popular discard a trick would be undue hesitation. This says that if you have a choice of method, High Encouraging Low The player’s partner then has an bids and one of the options is 3NT, Discouraging. Similar terms are obligation under the Laws to ignore bid 3NT. The idea is that 3NT requires ‘natural discards’ and ‘rubber bridge any unauthorised information gained the fewest tricks for game and, even discards’. Here is an example: from such hesitation.

Page 14 A to Z of Bridge continued HIGH REVERSE technique and is available to declarer A rebid by opener in a lower ranking and the defenders. new suit at the three level after a two- over-one response, e.g. 1♠-pass-2♥- You should try not to hesitate and pass-3♦. It is normal to play this bid ♠ Q 4 then pass as this can put your partner as forcing to game. You need at least ♥ 8 6 5 3 in a difficult position. five cards in your first suit, at least four ♦ K Q 9 5 2 You should also avoid hesitating if cards in your second and better than a ♣ 9 2 you hold a singleton in the suit led or minimum opening. Your second suit ♠ J 10 9 6 3 ♠ A 7 5 have some other forced play because may be shorter than your first suit ♥ Q 9 4 N ♥ J 10 2 ♦ 8 6 W E ♦ A 7 4 it is against the rules to mislead your or the same length. For the sequence S opposition by doing so. quoted, either of these hands would be ♣ 10 6 3 ♣ J 7 5 4 fine: ♠ K 8 2 HIDDEN ENTRY ♥ A K 7 A low card, usually in the dummy, that ♦ J 10 3 can become an entry with careful play. ♠ A Q 10 7 4 ♠ A J 9 7 5 3 ♣ A K Q 8 Usually, declarer plays one or more of ♥ 3 N ♥ 3 W E his high cards of a suit under the high ♦ A K J 8 3 S ♦ A K Q 4 cards in dummy. For example, with ♣ J 2 ♣ K 6 South plays in 3NT and West leads the K-Q-J-4 facing A-5-3-2, the five could ♠J. Declarer calls for the queen, which be a hidden entry – when crossing East wins with the ace. Back comes a to the ace, declarer leads an honour HINDSIGHT spade. and overtakes, setting up the five as a Frequently expressed by players in If declarer wins the second spade, fourth-round entry on a 3-2 break. their post mortem of hands that they East will have a third spade to lead might have bid or played better. upon getting in with the ♦A. Correct HIGH or HIGH CARD is to hold up (duck) and win the third 1. An ace, king, queen or jack is a high HIT round of spades. card – the same as a court card. Colloquialism for double. Declarer plays on diamonds and it 2. In the context of defensive signals, is East’s turn to hold up. Winning the it usually means a high spot card. HLQT first or second diamond would allow 3. A card that has become a winner is A method for determining whether the diamond suit to produce four ‘high’. a hand is worth an opening bid. It tricks. Instead, East holds up the ♦A 4. Ruffing with a trump other than stands for High cards Length Quick twice, taking it on the third round. your lowest is ruffing ‘high’. Tricks. You add your high card points to the length of your two longest suits HOLDING HIGH CARD POINTS (HCPs) and your quick tricks. If the total Particular cards in a player’s hand, as Numerical measure of hand’s playing comes to 22 or more, you should open in ‘A good club holding’. and defensive strength. An ace counts even if vulnerable. as four points, a king as three points, a HONEYMOON BRIDGE queen as two points and a jack as one. A term to describe various forms of Distributional assets, such as a long ♠ A 10 6 4 2 two-handed bridge. suit or a void do not count. There are ♥ K J 7 4 40 HCP in a pack. ♦ K 2 HONOUR ♣ 5 3 One of the five highest cards in a suit, HIGH-LOW SIGNAL i.e. the ace, king, queen, jack or ten. The play by a defender of an unnecessarily high card on the first You have 11 HCP, 9 cards in the majors HONOUR LEAD round of a suit followed by a lower and 2 quick tricks (the ace is one and The lead of an honour card. Unless card on the second round to signal the kings are a half each). Open 1♠. it is from a short suit, the lead of an to partner. ‘Peter’ and, especially in honour in standard methods promises America, ‘Echo’ are synonymous HOG the honour immediately below it. terms for this signal. Usually the peter A person who attempts to become the For example, the lead of the jack shows that the signaller likes the suit declarer as often as possible. Thus the would be consistent with holdings or that he has an even number of cards phrase ‘to hog the bidding’. of J-10-9-x, J-10-8-x-x, K-J-10-x-x in the suit. For example, if in a suit or J-10-x. Against a suit contract, contract, your partner cashes an ace- HOLD UP you would also lead the jack from king, you could play high-low with Decline to win a trick, often with the J-10-x-x. Against a no-trump contract, a doubleton to signify that you are intention of disrupting opponents’ you would also lead the jack from happy to have a third round led to ruff. communications. This is common A-J-10-x-x.

Page 15 A to Z of Bridge continued HOST A volunteer at a duplicate club who is Mr Bridge available to play if someone turns up without a partner. 2012 HONOUR STRENGTH HOUSE PLAYER The value of a hand in honour cards. A player at a rubber bridge club ‘employed’ by the management to Bridge HONOUR TRICKS make up tables. As defined by Culbertson, an honour trick was the basic unit of offensive HOUSE RULES Players’ value. The overall value of a hand was Additions or amendments to the the total number of honour tricks in Laws that a club or group may require each suit: players to meet. Such rules would apply Diaries mainly to matters of dress, periods of A K Two honour tricks play, stake limits etc. A Q One and a half A club may also adopt different honour tricks rules from its National Bridge A K Q Three honour tricks Organisations on which conventions K J 10 One honour trick are permitted. K x, Q J x Half an honour trick HOWELL In addition ‘plus values’ were deemed Cyclic pairs movement, usually to be worth approximately one dictated by movement cards, allowing quarter of an honour trick. These competitive play with as few as three plus values were: any queen that was tables. not a singleton, any jack supported by Unlike Mitchell movements, pairs another honour (but not a doubleton change directions at some tables. In combination nor in a suit holding of A a full Howell movement, all the pairs K Q J), any singleton or void (but not will play all the other pairs. more than one). In terms of fairness and sociability, Contents include High Card Points are an older a Howell scores highly. However, the valuation method than Honour Tricks shortage of stationary pairs and the ♦ Acol Summary by Bernard Magee. and after Culbertson’s influence on lack of flexibility about the number ♦ Guide to the Laws. the bridge world waned, few players of boards played means that their ♦ Scoring Tables for duplicate and continued to use Honour Tricks as use is relatively infrequent. Howell rubber bridge. their main valuation method. movements for 5 tables (9 3-board ♦ Distributional odds. rounds) and 7 tables (13 2-board HONOURS rounds) are the most popular. ♦ Hand patterns and In rubber bridge or Chicago, any fascinating figures. player holding four or five honour HUDDLE ♦ Eight cover colours: cards in the trump suit or holding all A prolonged hesitation. red, navy blue, light blue, ivory, four aces in a no-trump contract may tan, green, burgundy and black. claim for ‘Honours’ and score a bonus. HUM ♦ All covers printed in With the advent of many weird and gold-coloured ink. HOOK wonderful systems and conventions, ♦ Individual diaries £6.95 Colloquial term for taking a finesse. the Laws have deemed some as: each including p&p. ‘Highly Unusual Methods’ or HUMs. HOLD The vast majority of competitions and ♦ Special concession to bridge clubs. 10 or more diaries 1. To hold a card means to possess it in clubs prohibit the use of HUMs. £3.50 each including p&p. your hand 2. If you lead a card and it wins the HYBRID SCORING ♦ Luxury version with super-soft trick then it ‘holds’. A form of scoring that combines the kidrell cover, gilded page edges best features of aggregate or IMP and a ball-point pen attached, in HOME BRIDGE UNION scoring and point-a-board scoring. ruby red, navy blue or green. In the UK, this is any of the English Used in top-level contests, where two £14.95 each including p&p. Bridge Union, the Scottish Bridge teams play only short matches, such See Mail Order Form on page 7. Union, the Welsh Bridge Union and as the EBU’s inter-county Pachabo the Northern Ireland Bridge Union. Cup. ■

Page 16 David Stevenson answers your questions on Laws and Ethics Must There be a Redeal if There is a Small Card Exposed?

In rubber bridge, off towards her. She then are 200 each, i.e. 400. Having cashed if a card, even completes the cut and deals. You get 50 for making six club winners Qa small card, is Having performed a doubled contract. Qin my hand, my exposed during the deal, the shuffle, dealer’s left At duplicate, you partner, in 6NT, exposed must there be a redeal? hand opponent should also get 50 for the part her hand to claim the Pamela Challenor by email. not touch them again. score, so the total is remaining winners. 80+400+50+50=580. Sadly, she had The rule is very ♣♦♥♠ Note that all such scores omitted to play her simple: there must are on the back of the own ♣7. As the card A be a redeal if any North was cards in bidding boxes. made no difference card is exposed during the declarer in 4♠. If this is rubber, there is to the result, were the deal. The size of the card QWhen West led, no bonus for the part score: opponents right to claim exposed is immaterial. North immediately you get 80 below the line two-trick penalty? tabled his hand as and 450 above the line. David Clenton, Worthing. ♣♦♥♠ dummy, whereupon the players called ♣♦♥♠ Of course, they In rubber bridge, the director. Does are right to claim a the dealer’s North’s action count May the A penalty, though from Qpartner shuffles as acceptance of the dummy player what you tell me it sounds the second pack and lead out of turn? Qrearrange his like a one-trick revoke not a places it on her right. Iain Oldcorn, Ascot. cards when he becomes two-trick revoke. Following After the play, which void in a suit? suit is the absolute basic rule player picks up the Yes, Law 54A is quite Catherine Walker, of bridge and it is important next pack for cutting clear: the moment Hornsea, E Yorks. to penalise anyone who and dealing? We find A declarer starts to face does not follow it. It makes that everyone moves his hand, the lead is accepted There is no rule no difference if the revoke the cards around the and he becomes the dummy. that stops dummy did not gain. You would table whilst chatting. A from arranging hardly escape a penalty Carol Otley, Horbury, ♣♦♥♠ the cards to make them for speeding if you told Wakefield (similar from look better organised. I the police officer that your Annie Gilbert). I played in imagine a director would speeding had not caused an 1NT doubled take an interest if it seemed accident. Many players treat Qvulnerable, that dummy was indicating rubber games making two overtricks. something to declarer, or very casually; What should be if dummy was continually David Stevenson answers all A queries based on the facts nevertheless there are rules. the score? fiddling with the cards and supplied by the letter writer. The dealer for the next Audrey Thrower by email. upsetting the players. Neither Mr Bridge nor hand will find the pack on In general, however, if David Stevenson has any way her left: she picks it up, 1NT scores 40; dummy wishes to make of knowing whether those passes it to her right, where doubled gives 80. the cards look better facts are correct or complete. her opponent cuts the top A Two overtricks organised, why not?

Page 17 Ask David continued what he thinks might have If it was not aggregate trick, i.e. by ruffing, you happened, usually adjusting pairs, no, there is no limit. transfer another trick. to a variety of scores, Your score would be 1,400 Furthermore, at rubber each with a percentage. (400 for the redoubled trick bridge only, you transfer a An opposing score, 500 for the vulnerable second trick if the revoker dummy insisted ♣♦♥♠ game, 400 for the redoubled wins a later trick with a Qon inspecting vulnerable overtrick and card he could have played all cards tabled before A director 100 for the insult). to the revoke trick. allowing the players to suggested I could You never transfer tricks turn them over. On one Qdeal the cards ♣♦♥♠ won before the revoke trick. trick, he even asked us one at a time into five to face turned cards. piles; after all 52 have I know that the ♣♦♥♠ Is this reasonable? been placed, pick up the part-score bonus John Avery, last pile and continue Qat the end of If you pick up Romford, Essex. dealing one at a time a session, for the side a Yarborough, on to the remaining with one game, is 300. Qno tens or Dummy has a right four, thus making 13 What happens when higher cards, can you to see the cards cards in each pile. both sides have a game? ask for a redeal? A – but that is all. If At a different venue, Our opponents said that April Stevens by email. he is showing an interest when I performed this we just totalled up the in the hand and affecting method of dealing, scores and they would No, you may not. play, call the director who one of my opponents claim the difference. It is, however, a will stop him doing so. became very irate Barbara Burton, A ‘rule’ that some and said it was South Petherton, Somerset. people do believe in ♣♦♥♠ against the laws. Is and has caused much the method legal? When a rubber is argument over the years. The following Roy Cross by email. unfinished, you add auction occurred: A a bonus of 300 for ♣♦♥♠ Q The method you any game. If both sides have employed is indeed a game, this means that As my partner West North East South A legal. I am afraid both sides get an extra 300: and I sat down, 1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass there are always some usually people do not bother Qour opponents 2♣ 2♦ players with a strong but to add this since it makes asked whether we played erroneous view of the laws. no difference to the net weak or strong no- The players called the The important thing is that score. trump and what system director at this point. consecutive cards should You then add up all we used. Can they ask They agreed that both not go onto the same pile, the scores, both above before we start bidding? passes had followed which they do not with the and below the line before Peter Godfrey, lengthy hesitations. What above form of dealing. working out the difference. West Mersea, Essex. should be the ruling? B L Hammond, Chelmsford. ♣♦♥♠ ♣♦♥♠ Certainly, they may ask. The general The director, after I made 5♣ What is the A rules of bridge in ascertaining there redoubled with penalty for most parts of the British Isles A had been hesitations, Qan overtrick, Qnot following are that you exchange system would require the bidding vulnerable. The director suit when you can, cards at the start of a round. and play to continue as said that the score ‘reneging’? In many places, it is normal normal. He would ask the should be 900, which Pauline Tarleton, (sometimes required) to tell players to call him back if he said was the limit for Hoylake, Wirral. your opponents your methods any of them felt there might the score in a doubled at the start of the round, have been a problem. contract. Is this correct? Revoking, as is system cards or not. If called back, he would Name and address supplied. the term these The whole idea of look to see whether South’s A days, results in bridge is to avoid secret hesitation had suggested Limits apply for plus a penalty of giving one messages between partners. 2♦ in preference to another scores at aggregate trick to the opponents, Opponents have not only a call (presumably a pass). If A pairs only. If you sometimes two tricks. right to know what you play so, and if he felt that pass were playing aggregate Normally, it is one but also a right to know in was a reasonable alternative pairs, which several Scottish trick. However, if the time for them to discuss any action, he will adjust to clubs do, it could be correct. revoker won the revoke counter-methods.

Page 18 Ask David continued have enough high-card Using a Bridge- Although East points. Were they right? mate, if a table was the dealer, Michael Canton by email. Qplays a board QSouth had placed with the polarity switched, the ‘stop’ card on the We bid 3♥ and To be legal, an what should you do? table. I ruled that South made it doubled. artificial strong What I have done is should return the ‘stop’ QOur opponents A opening must contain to change each pair’s card to the bidding box claimed that we should one or more of the following: polarity via the com- and East should call as not get the 500 bonus puter keyboard in the required. Was I right? for a vulnerable game. (i) 16 high card points; appropriate Scorebridge Richard Marlow, If they are right, how do (ii) 25 opening points; scorecard, so that the Sevenoaks, Kent. we have the expression (iii) subject to proper board score goes to the ‘doubling into game’? disclosure, eight clear-cut pair who played it. I do A bid does not count Teresa Barnard by email. tricks and opening values. not think you can change as made until the a pair’s polarity via the A bidder takes the Your opponents Opening points means Bridgemate, can you? bid itself out of the bidding are wrong. Trick the total lengths in your Rex Goad, London. box. South has thus not A points count towards two longest suits plus completed a bid and may put game. If you are in 3♥ your high-card points. You are right. If the ‘stop’ card back, which doubled and make it, this is Subject to proper a table plays a means your ruling was right. 3 x 30 x 2 trick points, disclosure means you have to A board the wrong In addition, the knowledge i.e. 180. Game is 100, so tell opponents you open light way round (NS and EW that South has a hand this is game. The answer artificial twos: it is not good transposed) you cannot suitable to open with a is the same whether you enough to say ‘Benjamin’: change via the Bridgemate. jump bid is authorised were playing duplicate ‘Benjamin, but the 2♣ might You have to allow for it by information to East and or rubber bridge. be light in top cards with changing the score yourself West, but unauthorised to good distribution’ is fine. in the scoring software. North, who must do his ♣♦♥♠ The normal interpretation best to take no advantage. of ‘opening values’ is 11 ♣♦♥♠ Playing in a non- high-card points. ‘Clear-cut ♣♦♥♠ affiliated club, I tricks’ means the number In duplicate, Qopened a Benja- of tricks your suits would when is it too Is it permissible min 2♣, showing 8 play- make opposite a void with Qlate to contest in duplicate ing tricks in an unspeci- the second-best suit break. a published result? Qbridge to fied suit with this hand: Your hand has 14 high Richmond Hamilton. leave a reminder on card points, 24 opening the table showing the points, 7 clear-cut tricks (think The right to do so contract during play ♠ A 6 of how many tricks your expires at the end of of the hand? If it is, is ♥ 3 diamonds take if ♦Q-10-x-x A the correction period. there a recommended ♦ A K J 9 8 7 6 4 sits over you). Thus, it does If the organisation does not way to do this? ♣ Q 10 not qualify. This is not a legal change the time, it is half an Gordon Tate by email. Benjamin 2♣ opening. hour after the release of the Of course, this assumes scores. We always advise The laws do not The opponents said your unaffiliated club clubs to make the end of permit reminders, that the bid was illegal follows EBU rules: they the correction period the A so generally as the hand did not do not have to. start of next week’s dupli- the answer is no. cate but, sadly, few clubs However, a club can bother, leading to arguments make its own regulations DUPLICATE BRIDGE once something happens. about bidding boxes. So The later you contest it, a club could allow, forbid RULES SIMPLIFIED the less likely the director is or mandate that the final (otherwise known as the Yellow Book) to believe there is sufficient bidding card stay on the evidence to make a change. table. ■ by John Rumbelow and only revised by David Stevenson £595 E-mail your questions on bridge laws to: Available from Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 [email protected]

Page 19 PROGRAMME This is the format for all Bernard Magee hosted events. 2011/12 BRIDGE EVENTS with Bernard Magee FRIDAY 1500 Mr Bridge DECember 2011 APRIL continued Welcome Desk open

Afternoon Tea 2 – 4 Brook FULL 27 – 29 Inn on the Prom 1745 to 1830 Welcome drinks Queensferry Hotel £245 Losing reception £245 Signals and Discards Trick Count 1830 to 2000 DINNER JANUARY 2012 MAY 2012 2015 BRIDGE 1 DUPLICATE PAIRS 6 – 8 Chatsworth Hotel 8 morning Haslemere Hall £245 Leads and Defence £10 Leads SATURDAY

0800 to 0930 8 afternoon Haslemere Hall BREAKFAST £10 Losing Trick Count 1000 to 1230 SEMINAR & SUPERVISED PLAY 9 morning Haslemere Hall of SET HANDS £10 Making a Plan (tea & coffee at 1100) as Declarer 1230 to 1330 COLD BUFFET LUNCH 9 afternoon Haslemere Hall Brook Queensferry Hotel 1400 to 1645 Fife KY11 1HP £10 Responding to 1NT BRIDGE 2 TEAMS of FOUR 10 morning Haslemere Hall or FURTHER MARCH 2012 SUPERVISED PLAY £10 Signals and Discards of SET HANDS 9 – 11 Brook 10 afternoon Haslemere Hall 1815 to 2000 Queensferry Hotel DINNER £10 Endplays £245 Doubles 2015 BRIDGE 3 DUPLICATE PAIRS 23 – 25 Chatsworth Hotel NEW SEMINAR SUNDAY £245 Squeezes 0800 to 0930 BREAKFAST 30 – 1/4 Blunsdon House NEW £245 Finding Slams SEMINAR 1000 to 1230 SEMINAR & SUPERVISED PLAY APRIL 2012 of SET HANDS (tea & coffee at 1100) 20 – 22 The Olde Barn Hotel The Olde Barn Hotel 1230 to 1400 NEW SEMINAR Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT CARVERY LUNCH £245 Squeezes 1400 to 1645 BRIDGE 4 FURTHER SUPERVISED PLAY Full Board – No Single Supplement – See booking form on page 35 of SET HANDS or DUPLICATE PAIRS

Page 20 Bernard Magee’s Bidding Quiz 2011/12 BRIDGE EVENTS with Bernard Magee You are West in the auctions below, playing ‘Standard Acol’ with a weak no-trump (12-14 October continued points) and four-card majors. 19 – 21 Chatsworth Hotel (Answers overleaf) £245 Signals and Discards 1. Dealer West. Game All. ♠ A 10 6 ♥ K Q 4 N ♦ J 6 3 W E S Denham Grove ♣ K Q 4 3 Near Uxbridge UB9 5DU

June 2012 West North East South 1♣ 1♠ Pass Pass 8 – 10 Blunsdon House ?

£245 Playing Suit NEW SEMINAR Combinations Inn on the Prom 2. Dealer North. Love All. St Annes-on-Sea FY8 1LU ♠ 7 6 15 – 17 Chatsworth Hotel ♥ K J 3 N W E £245 Doubles ♦ K 7 6 5 S November 2012 ♣ A 8 7 6

2 – 4 Blunsdon West North East South House NEW 3♠ Dbl 4♠ £245 Squeezes SEMINAR ?

9 – 11 Inn on the Prom £245 Declarer 3. Dealer West. Love All. ♠ Play 5 ♥ Q J 10 9 4 N Chatsworth Hotel ♦ K Q J 6 W E S Worthing BN11 3DU ♣ K 7 6

West North East South October 2012 1♥ 1NT Dbl Pass ? 5 – 7 Denham Grove £245 Splinters and Cue bids 4. Dealer North. Love All. ♠ 9 7 2 12 – 14 Blunsdon House Blunsdon House ♥ Void N £245 Landy Defence to 1NT Swindon SN26 7AS ♦ A 8 7 3 2 W E S ♣ A J 6 4 2

Full Board – No Single Supplement – See booking form on page 35 West North East South 1♠ 2♥ Pass ?

Page 21 Answers to Bernard Magee’s Bidding Quiz on page 21

Double. Partner’s takeout double in- majority. With a respectable opening 1. Dealer West. Game All. dicates a good opening hand and a hand, you should pass and hope to ♠ A 10 6 ♠ 8 4 3 shortage in spades. You have an open- collect a nice reward. Declarer is likely ♥ K Q 4 N ♥ 9 7 6 3 ing hand too, so you know that this is to make just five tricks: the ♠A-K, ♥A-K W E ♦ J 6 3 ♦ A 8 4 your deal and you should be aiming for and the ♦A; two down doubled is worth S ♣ K Q 4 3 ♣ 8 7 6 a game score. However, it is not obvious 300. Note that, undoubled, it would be where to play. With only three hearts, you just 100 which is not as good as 110 or cannot try 5♥; the minors are nothing to 140 in 2♥ – the double gives you the West North East South rave about. At the game-level and above, top score. Take care not to confuse this 1♣ 1♠ Pass Pass you do not need trump length to double auction with 1♠-Pass-1NT-Double, which ? your opponents – the weight of your high is the only double of a no-trump bid that cards should be enough to defeat them. is takeout. There, the opening side has Pass. When you open the bidding, make With no guarantee that you can make shown a minimum of 18/19 points, so a a plan: open 1♣ and rebid 1NT (15-17). any five-level contract, you should double penalty double would not be sensible. However, this supposes that your partner and take the plus. 4♠ is likely to go one or responds showing 6+ points. You must two down, depending on the distribution. be careful if partner passes because While 5♣ and 5♦ seem to have a he could be very weak. Generally, you chance, it would be no surprise after a 4. Dealer North. Love All. should downgrade your rebid by one pre-emptive opening if one of the minor ♠ 9 7 2 ♠ A 6 5 level. Instead of rebidding 1NT, you suits broke 4-1, in which case those con- ♥ Void N ♥ K Q 10 9 4 3 pass. 1NT here would show 17-19 points. tracts are likely to fail. If the opponents ♦ A 8 7 3 2 W E ♦ K 6 S With shorter spades and support for the have no singletons, you will obtain 500 ♣ A J 6 4 2 ♣ 8 3 two unbid suits, you might have tried from 4♠ doubled, which is better than a a reopening double – but not with this non-vulnerable game your way. shape. If you bid 1NT on a hand like this, West North East South things can go badly wrong: North might 1♠ 2♥ Pass double and, if he holds the missing aces, ? you might go three down. 3. Dealer West. Love All. ♠ 5 ♠ Q J 10 6 Pass. This is not nice. With two wafer ♥ Q J 10 9 4 N ♥ 8 3 thin suits, you may well make only two ♦ K Q J 6 W E ♦ 10 4 3 tricks, which means you do not want the S 2. Dealer North. Love All. ♣ K 7 6 ♣ A Q 4 2 bidding to go higher. Close your eyes and ♠ 7 6 ♠ 5 pass – if it goes a long way off, blame ♥ K J 3 N ♥ A 9 8 2 partner. 2♥ has chances – partner might W E ♦ K 7 6 5 S ♦ A Q 3 2 West North East South make four top tricks and four trumps. ♣ A 8 7 6 ♣ K 4 3 2 1♥ 1NT Dbl Pass Generally, if you have a void or singleton ? in your partner’s overcall suit, you should only take him out if you have a good long West North East South Pass. As the double is of a no-trump suit of your own (I suggest you need 6+ 3♠ Dbl 4♠ bid, it is for penalties. Your partner has more cards in your suit than in his if you ? shown 9+ points, giving your side the have to go to the three level). ■

Mr Bridge Premium Quality Cards Multi-suited Design Ball-point Pens Standard Faces, with or without Boxed Set of Four bar codes. Unboxed. £19.95 6 red / 6 blue £19.95 Four Refills 30 red / 30 blue only £60 £2.99 Available from The London Bridge Centre. ( 020 7486 8222 www.bridgeshop.com See Mail Order Form on page 7

Page 22 Mr Bridge DEFENCE RUBBER / CHICAGO QUIZ by Julian Pottage (Answers overleaf)

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. ♠ K 10 2 3. ♠ J 9 ♥ 10 5 ♥ Q 5 ♦ A J 10 6 4 ♦ A 6 2 Brook Waterloo, Crowthorne RG45 6DW ♣ 8 6 4 ♣ K Q J 10 8 4 hosted by Diana Holland ♠ J 9 6 ♠ A 8 6 4 ♥ A 9 6 3 2 N ♥ J 10 8 2 N W E W E ♦ 8 5 ♦ J 8 4 S S 17-19 February 2012 ♣ J 9 2 ♣ 9 2

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

You lead the ♥3. East You lead the ♠4. East wins wins with the king and with the king and returns returns the eight, which the seven, on which South South covers with the plays low again. What do queen. What do you do? you do?

Ardington Hotel, Worthing BN11 3DZ 2. ♠ Q 9 7 2 4. ♠ A K 5 hosted by Sheila Rogers ♥ 9 5 ♥ 9 7 5 ♦ A Q J 6 ♦ A K 10 4 ♣ K 8 4 ♣ K Q 4 20-22 April 2012 ♠ A 6 ♠ 10 4 ♥ A 10 8 3 2 N ♥ A 10 8 3 2 N 3-5 August 2012 ♦ K 8 W E ♦ J 8 6 W E S S ♣ J 9 6 2 ♣ A J 9 23-25 November 2012

West North East South West North East South Please note there are no seminars 1♥ Dbl Pass 3NT 1♦ Pass 1NT or set hands at these events. End Pass 3NT End

You lead the ♥3. East wins You lead the ♥3 to the with the king and returns queen and king. Declarer £199 Full-board the four, on which South plays a club to the king plays the queen. What do (eight from East), a dia- No Single Supplement you do? mond to the queen (two from East) and now another club. What do you do? Please see booking form on page 11.

Page 23 Answers to Julian Pottage’s Defence Quiz on page 23

West North East South You lead the ♠4. East wins with the king 1. ♠ K 10 2 1♥ Dbl Pass 3NT and returns the seven, on which South ♥ 10 5 End plays low again. What do you do? ♦ A J 10 6 4 Partner has returned a relatively high ♣ 8 6 4 You lead the ♥3. East wins with the king spade, the seven, which indicates a three- ♠ J 9 6 ♠ 7 5 4 3 and returns the four, on which South card holding. This means that declarer ♥ A 9 6 3 2 N ♥ K 8 4 plays the queen. What do you do? had four spades. Winning the spade and W E ♦ ♦ 8 5 S K 9 3 The heart position and play to the first playing a third round will lead nowhere. ♣ J 9 2 ♣ Q 7 3 tricks are quite similar to the previous Ducking the spade will fare no better. This ♠ A Q 8 deal. Can you see the subtle differences? time you need to give up on your first suit. ♥ Q J 7 For one thing, your partner has returned You take the ace of spades and switch ♦ Q 7 2 the lowest remaining heart. Since it is to the jack of hearts, the card you would ♣ A K 10 5 normal to return the higher card from have led had South not bid the suit. Your an original three-card holding, this sug- side thus scores two tricks in each major gests a doubleton (a four-card holding is and a club to beat the contract. West North East South impossible on the bidding). If you duck, 1♣ this will not maintain communications. In Pass 1♦ Pass 2NT any case, given the values you can see, 4. ♠ A K 5 Pass 3NT End how can partner possibly hold an entry ♥ 9 7 5 anywhere? ♦ A K 10 4 You lead the ♥3. East wins with the king Ducking would be a poor move, al- ♣ K Q 4 and returns the eight, which South covers lowing declarer an undeserved second ♠ 10 4 ♠ Q 8 7 6 2 with the queen. What do you do? stopper in the suit. You should win with ♥ A 10 8 3 2 N ♥ Q 6 4 W E ♦ ♦ You have led your long suit in the hope the ace, collecting the nine from dummy. J 8 6 S 7 5 2 of setting up some long cards. Since Your ten and eight then become equals. ♣ A J 9 ♣ 8 6 you have very little hope of gaining the You lead one of these to drive out the ♠ J 9 3 lead with other than the ace of hearts, jack. At some point, declarer will play a ♥ K J you must retain this card as an entry. spade, when you will gain the lead with ♦ Q 9 3 You duck the second heart. This way, your ace and cash the rest of the hearts – ♣ 10 7 5 3 2 unless declarer started with four hearts, you will throw a spade and a club on the partner will have a third heart to play diamonds if you have to. upon getting the lead. You know that the West North East South queen is not declarer’s only remaining 1♦ Pass 1NT heart: with K-J-8-4, your partner would 3. ♠ J 9 Pass 3NT End return the four (original fourth best), not ♥ Q 5 the eight. ♦ A 6 2 You lead the ♥3 to the queen and king. ♣ K Q J 10 8 4 Declarer plays a club to the king (eight ♠ A 8 6 4 ♠ K 7 5 from East), a diamond to the queen (two 2. ♠ Q 9 7 2 ♥ J 10 8 2 N ♥ K 6 4 from East) and now another club. What W E ♥ ♦ ♦ 9 5 J 8 4 S 10 7 5 3 do you do? ♦ A Q J 6 ♣ 9 2 ♣ A 6 3 You should start by taking the ♣A. ♣ K 8 4 ♠ Q 10 3 2 The play to the first trick is crucial. With ♠ A 6 ♠ 10 5 4 3 ♥ A 9 7 3 the queen and jack of hearts, partner ♥ A 10 8 3 2 N ♥ K 4 ♦ K Q 9 would have played the jack, the lower of W E ♦ ♦ ♣ K 8 S 7 5 4 3 7 5 touching cards. Does this mean you try ♣ J 9 6 2 ♣ 10 7 3 a spade, trying to put partner on lead? ♠ K J 8 No – look at dummy – you can be sure ♥ Q J 7 6 West North East South declarer has nine tricks: two spades, a ♦ 10 9 2 1♣ Pass 1♥ heart, four diamonds and at least two ♣ A Q 5 Pass 2♣ Pass 2NT clubs. The only hope is to lay down the Pass 3NT End ace of hearts and hope the jack falls. ■

Page 24 Bernard Magee’s Tips DECLARER for Better Bridge PLAY 65 invaluable tips in 160 pages Bidding Tips 33 A low lead usually promises 1 Always consider bidding length and an honour QUIZ spades if you can 34 When declaring 1NT, 2 Bid more aggressively try to be patient when non-vulnerable 35 Duck an early round when by David Huggett 3 Always double when the you are short of entries opponents steal your deal 36 Lead up to your two-honour holding (Answers overleaf) 4 A takeout double shows shortage in the suit doubled 37 Do not always assume 5 ‘Borrow’ a king a suit will break well ou are South as declarer playing teams or rubber bridge. to keep the auction open 38 Drop a high card In each case, what is your play strategy? 6 After a penalty double, to put off the defence Y don’t let the opponents escape 39 Play your highest card to tempt 7 Halve the value of a singleton a defender to cover honour when opening 40 Draw trumps first unless you 8 Only add length-points for a have a good reason not to 1. ♠ 5 3 2 3. ♠ Q suit that might be useful 41 Do not waste your trumps ♥ 7 6 ♥ J 8 2 9 Isolated honours are bad 42 Consider leaving a lone defen- except in partner’s suit sive trump winner out ♦ A Q 3 ♦ K 7 5 3 10 Use the jump shift sparingly ♣ K Q 10 6 4 ♣ Q 10 9 8 3 11 Consider passing and letting Defence Tips partner decide 43 Keep four-card suits intact whenever possible N N 12 You need two top honours 44 Give count on declarer’s leads W E W E for a second-seat pre-empt 45 Keep the right cards S S 13 Put the brakes on if you have a misfit rather than signal 46 Take your time ♠ A Q 6 4 ♠ A 6 3 2 14 Strong and long minors work well in no-trumps when dummy is put down ♥ K 5 3 ♥ A 7 5 3 15 One stop in the opponents’ suit 47 High cards are for killing ♦ K J 8 ♦ A Q 6 can be enough for no-trumps other high cards 48 Do not waste ♣ A 9 2 ♣ A 2 16 Keep your two-level responses up to strength intermediate cards 17 Use your normal methods in 49 Pick two key suits to concen- response to a 1NT overcall trate on during the play You are declarer in 3NT You are declarer in 3NT. 18 Don’t overcall just because 50 If in doubt, cover an honour with an honour and West leads the ♠7. West leads the ♠4 and East you have opening points 19 Overcalls can be quite weak, 51 If a lead is from two honours, it East plays the ♠J. How do plays the ♠K. How do you so be prudent when responding is best not to cover you plan the play? plan the play? 20 Weak overcalls must be based 52 Keep your honour to kill on strong suits dummy’s honour 21 6NT requires 33 points 53 Try to show partner not 4 aces and 4 kings your solid honour sequences 2. ♠ K 6 4 4. ♠ 7 2 22 Raise immediately, if weak 54 Lead the normal card when ♥ 6 4 ♥ 9 2 with four-card support leading partner’s suit 23 In a competitive auction, 55 Never underlead an ace at trick ♦ 8 6 5 2 ♦ A J 6 4 show support immediately one in a suit contract ♣ A K 5 3 ♣ A Q J 8 5 24 Bid to the level of your fit 56 Be wary of leading from quickly with weak hands four cards to only one honour 57 Lead a higher card from N N 25 With strength and support, a suit without an honour W E W E use the opponents’ bid suit 58 Lead through ‘beatable’ S S strength and up to weakness Declarer-play Tips ♠ A Q 10 9 5 3 ♠ Q 3 59 Cash your winners before try- 26 When your contract depends ing for a trump promotion ♥ J 9 7 ♥ K J 8 6 5 3 on a finesse, think ‘endplay’ 60 Be patient when defending ♦ A Q ♦ K 5 27 Consider what a defender 1NT might be thinking about ♣ 8 7 ♣ K 9 2 61 Trump leads can be safe 28 Always take your time throughout the play at trick one 29 Establish extra tricks before General Tips cashing your winners You are declarer in 4♠ and You are declarer in 4♥ af- 62 Do not put important cards 30 Use your opponents’ at either end of your hand West leads the ♣Q. How ter East has bid spades and bidding to your advantage 63 Avoid being declarer when do you plan the play? West has not raised. West 31 Avoid the ‘baddie’ you are dummy leads the ♠4; East plays gaining the lead 64 Before you lead ask for a 32 Use the Rule of Seven when review of the auction the ♠K followed by the ♠A; holding up in no-trumps 65 Enjoy the Game! West follows upwards. East then plays a third round. £14 including postage and packing from Mr Bridge, How do you plan the play? Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH. ( 01483 489961

Page 25 Answers to David Huggett’s Play Quiz on page 25

You are declarer in 4♠ and West leads 1. ♠ 5 3 2 the ♣Q. How do you plan the play? 4. ♠ 7 2 ♥ 7 6 Assuming no spade loser, you have ♥ 9 2 ♦ A Q 3 nine tricks on top. Although the tenth ♦ A J 6 4 ♣ K Q 10 6 4 could come from a successful diamond ♣ A Q J 8 5 ♠ K 10 8 7 ♠ J 9 finesse, a better plan is to try for a heart ♠ J 8 4 ♠ A K 10 9 6 5 ♥ A 10 4 2 N ♥ Q J 9 8 ruff in dummy. So, win the opening lead ♥ 7 4 N ♥ A Q 10 W E W E ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ 9 7 4 2 S 10 6 5 and play a low heart. They can win and Q 10 9 3 2 S 8 7 ♣ 5 ♣ J 8 7 3 play a trump; you can win that cheaply ♣ 7 6 4 ♣ 10 3 ♠ A Q 6 4 and play a second heart; even if they play ♠ Q 3 ♥ K 5 3 a further round of trumps, you will still ♥ K J 8 6 5 3 ♦ K J 8 have one in dummy to take care of your ♦ K 5 ♣ A 9 2 third heart loser. Note that you must not ♣ K 9 2 play even one round of trumps. If you do, you might find that you have no trumps You are declarer in 3NT and West leads left in dummy for the intended heart ruff. You are declarer in 4♥ after East has bid the ♠7. East plays the ♠J. How do you spades and West has not raised. West plan the play? leads the ♠4; East plays the ♠K followed The lead has done you no harm at all 3. ♠ Q by the ♠A; West follows upwards. East and a quick tally of the top tricks comes ♥ J 8 2 then plays a third round. How do you to eight. While, clearly, the club suit will ♦ K 7 5 3 plan the play? furnish extra tricks, you really do not ♣ Q 10 9 8 3 The contract is a poor one and you want to lose the lead to East. Why is that? ♠ J 9 7 4 ♠ K 10 8 5 will need some luck to succeed. Thinking Well, in a worst case scenario, he might ♥ Q 9 4 N ♥ K 10 6 about it, you can see how futile it would W E ♦ ♦ win the fourth round of clubs and lead a J 2 S 10 9 8 4 be to ruff the third spade in dummy for heart through your king; then, if the ace ♣ K 7 5 4 ♣ J 6 then you will have at least two guaran- of that suit sits over your king, you might ♠ A 6 3 2 teed trump losers. (Even if East started end up losing at least four heart tricks ♥ A 7 5 3 with just the ace and queen of trumps, and a club. ♦ A Q 6 he might be in a position to play a fourth As you need only four club tricks to ♣ A 2 round of spades to promote his partner’s guarantee your contract, you should take ten.) So take the ruff in hand and enter out insurance by playing a low club to dummy with a diamond to lead a trump. the king followed by a club to the nine, You are declarer in 3NT. West leads the If East were to play low, you would finessing against the jack. ♠4 and East plays the ♠K. How do you seem to be on a guess whether to play Whatever happens, you keep East out plan the play? the jack, hoping for the A-Q onside or of the picture. It looks as though the spades are divid- the eight, hoping for the Q-10 onside. It ing 4-4, a comfort because you have to would not really be a guess because, if play on clubs for your extra tricks, which East held A-Q-x, he might beat you by 2. ♠ K 6 4 means losing the lead. After you play the rising with the ace and playing a fourth ♥ 6 4 ace of clubs followed by a low one, you spade to promote West’s ten of hearts. ♦ 8 6 5 2 appear to be on a guess if West follows You would thus play the eight. ♣ A K 5 3 low: if West has the king, you want to play As the cards lie, that decision does ♠ J 8 7 ♠ 2 dummy’s queen; if West has the jack, you not arise. East goes up with the ace and ♥ A 10 3 N ♥ K Q 8 5 2 want to play the ten. However, you have plays another spade; you must ruff with W E ♦ ♦ K 9 3 S J 10 7 4 also to consider the times when clubs the eight and, when it wins, you re-enter ♣ Q J 10 2 ♣ 9 6 4 break 4-2. A doubleton king with East will dummy to play a further trump to finesse ♠ A Q 10 9 5 3 do you no good even if you guess right: against the queen. Assuming a 3-6 ♥ J 9 7 you will still have two club losers. By con- spade break and competent defence, ♦ A Q trast, a doubleton jack with East will be you will make the contract only if East ♣ 8 7 fine – but only if you play the queen from started with Q-10-x, Q-10 or A-Q-10 in dummy – so that is what you should do. trumps. ■

Page 26 Andrew Kambites’ Tutorial Bridge Breaks Lead Quiz You are West in the auctions below. It is your APRIL 2012 lead. (Answers overleaf.)

27-29 Blunsdon House Hotel £245 Game Tries ♠ Alison Nicolson 1 8 6 4 ♥ Q 4 3 2 N JUNE 2012 ♦ Q 6 2 W E S ♣ A J 7 8-10 The Ardington £245 Endplay West North East South and Avoidance Gary Conrad 1NT End Ardington Hotel SEPTEMBER 2012 Worthing BN11 3DZ

28-30 The Ardington £245 Leads and Defence DECEMBER 2011 March continued Crombie McNeil 2 ♠ 8 6 4

♥ Q 10 3 2 N 2-4 The Ardington 9-11 Blunsdon OCTOBER 2012 ♦ Q 6 2 W E £215 Game Tries House Hotel S ♣ A J 7 Alison Nicolson £245 Signals and Discards 12-14 The Ardington Alison Nicolson £245 Losing Trick Count January 2012 Sandy Bell West North East South 23-25 The Ardington 1NT 13-15 The Ardington £245 Sacrificing November 2012 End £245 Declarer Play Ned Paul Sandy Bell 9-11 Blunsdon 30-1/4 The Ardington House Hotel 20-22 The Ardington £245 Landy £245 Suit

£245 Further Defence to 1NT Establishment 3 ♠ 8 6 4 N into the Auction Ned Paul Ned Paul W E ♥ Q 9 3 2 Ned Paul S ♦ Q 6 2 FEBRUARY 2012 ♣ A J 7

10-12 The Ardington West North East South £245 Takeout Doubles 1NT Improvers End Ned Paul

24-26 The Ardington

£245 Suit 4 ♠ 8 6 Establishment ♥ Q 6 4 3 2 Gary Conrad N ♦ Q 6 2 W E S MARCH 2012 ♣ A J 7

9-11 The Ardington Blunsdon House Hotel West North East South £245 Hand Evaluation Swindon SN26 7AS 1NT Crombie McNeil End

See booking form on page 35.

Page 27 Answers to Andrew Kambites’ Lead Quiz on page 27

n each of these hands, you are on Fortunately, East soon gets the lead lead against 1NT: you have a choice 2. ♠ J 7 5 and plays another heart; the defenders Ibetween an attacking fourth-highest ♥ K 6 4 can then enjoy two heart winners. I think heart lead and a passive spade lead. It is ♦ A 8 3 the decision is close between leading a very difficult to analyse the result of 1NT ♣ 8 6 5 2 spade or a heart. I choose the ♥2. contracts when there are honours scat- ♠ 8 6 4 ♠ A Q 10 3 tered almost randomly between the four ♥ Q 10 3 2 N ♥ J 8 7 W E ♦ ♦ ♠ J 7 5 4 hands: there will certainly be a lot of play Q 6 2 S J 9 7 5 4. in these hands. In each one, declarer ♣ A J 7 ♣ K 9 ♥ K 10 seems to have six tricks: one spade, two ♠ K 9 2 ♦ A 8 3 hearts, two diamonds and a club. The ♥ A 9 5 ♣ 8 6 5 2 object is to analyse how a heart lead turns ♦ K 10 4 ♠ 8 6 ♠ A Q 10 3 out as we change the texture of opener’s ♣ Q 10 4 3 ♥ Q 6 4 3 2 N ♥ J 8 7 W E ♥ ♦ Q 6 2 ♦ J 9 7 5 suit. In each case East has J-8-7 so we S will see how the heart lead works giv- ♣ A J 7 ♣ K 9 ing East just one heart honour. This is a West North East South ♠ K 9 2 fair test. If you start with a fourth-highest 1NT ♥ A 9 5 lead, you should usually be content to End ♦ K 10 4 find partner with one honour. ♣ Q 10 4 3 This time, East’s ♥J fits the hole between West’s ♥Q and ♥10 snugly. A heart lead 1. ♠ J 7 5 gives away nothing and helps to set up West North East South ♥ K 9 6 two heart tricks. I advise a heart lead, 1NT ♦ A 8 3 the ♥2. End ♣ 8 6 5 2 ♠ 8 6 4 ♠ A Q 10 3 West’s heart suit is flimsy, with the sec- ♥ Q 4 3 2 N ♥ J 8 7 3. ♠ J 7 5 ond highest card a mere six. However, W E ♦ ♦ ♥ Q 6 2 S J 9 7 5 K 6 4 the five-card suit makes a reasonably ♣ A J 7 ♣ K 9 ♦ A 8 3 obvious lead. Declarer plays low from ♠ K 9 2 ♣ 8 6 5 2 dummy and East’s ♥J forces out declar- ♥ A 10 5 ♠ 8 6 4 ♠ A Q 10 3 er’s ♥A. This leaves dummy’s ♥K bare, ♦ K 10 4 ♥ Q 9 3 2 N ♥ J 8 7 which makes it easy for the defenders to W E ♣ ♦ ♦ Q 10 4 3 Q 6 2 S J 9 7 5 knock-out the last stopper and later en- ♣ A J 7 ♣ K 9 joy three heart winners. ♠ K 9 2 West North East South ♥ A 10 5 Conclusion: Leading from ♥Q-10-3-2 1NT ♦ K 10 4 needs less from partner than ♥Q-4-3-2. End ♣ Q 10 4 3 Leading from ♥Q-9-3-2 is somewhere in between. To summarise: the second card A heart lead opens up a frozen suit and in leader’s suit does matter because it re- gifts declarer his seventh trick. Declarer West North East South quires partner to have less in the suit to plays low from dummy and takes East’s 1NT make the opening lead work. There is a ♥J with his ♥A. Later, he can finesse dum- End reason why the saying stresses that you my’s ♥9 and make three heart tricks. Left should lead the fourth highest of your to his own devices, declarer makes only West leads the ♥2 to East’s ♥J and de- longest and strongest suit against no- two heart tricks. If you find it hard to see clarer’s ♥A. This has given away noth- trumps. It is usually better to lead from a this, I suggest you make up the heart suit ing as West still has ♥Q-9 poised over five-card suit rather than a four-card suit. from a pack of cards and experiment to declarer’s ♥10. The defence needs to be With only four, K-J-3-2 is more promising see what happens if each of the four play- careful. West cannot lead another heart than K-10-3-2, which in turn is more like- ers broaches the suit. You will find that the and should know it: East’s ♥J denies the ly to be successful than K-9-3-2. A lead player who opens up the suit concedes a ♥10 as it is correct for third hand to play from K-4-3-2 needs partner to have a lot trick. A spade lead is better, the ♠6. the lower of touching honours. in the suit to make it a success. ■

Page 28 Julian Pottage Says

Bid 1♥ with 4-4 in the Majors

hich major should you open when holding four cards in Hand A Hand B Hand E Hand F each major? Assuming you ♠ A K 6 5 ♠ A K 10 7 ♠ K 8 6 5 ♠ A K J 7 Wplay Acol with a weak no-trump, this ♥ K J 6 3 ♥ Q J 7 5 ♥ K 10 6 3 ♥ Q 9 7 5 question arises when you have a balanced ♦ A 8 5 ♦ K Q 4 ♦ 5 2 ♦ 5 4 hand and 15-19 points. Nearly always, ♣ K 7 ♣ A 4 ♣ 8 7 4 ♣ K J 5 you open 1♥. It also arises on 4-4-1-4 and 4-4-4-1 hands in the 12-19 range, which we will come to later. If you are in the 17-19 range, a 1♥ You Partner If you have a balanced hand, you want opening is still best. Indeed, since the 1♦ to tell partner about this by opening or stronger you are the less likely it is that ? rebidding in no-trumps. With a hand partner will have the values to respond too strong to open 1NT and too weak at the two level, the more important it The advice to bid 1♥ with 4-4 in the to open 2NT, you cannot open in no- is to keep the bidding low. You should majors applies equally to responder. If trumps and so plan to rebid in that open 1♥ on hands A and B. you respond 1♥, you will find a 4-4 heart denomination. If you open 1♥, you make On hand A (18 HCP and six losers), fit, if there is one, at once. If you have a it easy to find a 4-4 fit in either major if you plan to raise 1♠ to 3♠ or 1NT to 4-4 spade fit, you should also find that there is one. With four hearts, partner 2NT. You would also rebid 2NT if because your economical 1♥ response can raise you. With four spades, partner partner raises 1♥ to 2♥. On hand B (19 leaves partner room to rebid 1♠. A can bid 1♠, whereupon you can raise. It HCP and five losers), you plan to raise 1♠ response does not work so well. In is rather different if you open ♠1 (as you 1♠ to 4♠ or 1NT to 3NT. You would also general, partner cannot rebid 2♥ over 1♠ would with 5-5 in the majors). Partner rebid 3NT if partner raises 1♥ to 2♥. because that would be a reverse, showing cannot bid 2♥ on a four-card suit. A significant extra values (17+ points). On 2♥ response to 1♠ shows five hearts. hands E and F, you should respond 1♥. Even if partner has five hearts, you may Hand C Hand D On hand E, you do not intend to bid still miss a heart fit as a two-over-one ♠ A K 6 5 ♠ A K 10 7 again unless forced to do so. On hand F, response tends to require 9 HCP. Take ♥ K J 6 3 ♥ K J 7 5 of course, you do intend to bid a second these partnership hands: ♦ Q 8 5 2 ♦ 4 time. If, over your 1♥, partner rebids ♣ 7 ♣ Q 8 5 3 2♦ or 2♣, you will jump to 3NT. You know there is no spade fit once partner ♠ A K 6 5 ♠ J 7 bypasses 1♠ to bid one of the minors. ♥ ♥ K J 6 3 N Q 10 7 5 4 If you have three four-card suits with a You also know you have no heart fit ♦ A 6 5 W E ♦ K Q 4 S singleton and fewer than 15 points, you once partner fails to raise. ♣ J 5 ♣ 9 6 4 may have to rebid in one of your other You may have noticed that, on some suits (as a no-trump rebid would show of the hands, B and F, your spades were 15+). This determines the best opening. better than your hearts. This makes no If you (West) open 1♥, you will find the With hand C, you should open 1♥. difference to your choice of bid. You heart fit for sure and probably game. At least you can rebid 2♦ if partner want to find a 4-4 fit if there is one and With eight losers (partner’s hearts are unhelpfully responds 2♣. It is not ideal, avoid playing with a 4-3 fit or worse. just two losers when you have bid the but neither is anything else. This means you bid ♥1 and not 1♠. suit), a jump to 3♥ is in order. With 16 On hand D, with the singleton now points, you then go on to 4♥. more conveniently in diamonds, you Summary How will the bidding progress if you do not need to open either major. You open 1♠? With too little to respond at should open 1♣, planning to rebid 1♥ When you have 4-4 in the majors, the two level, East bids 1NT. This surely (bid 1♥ with 4-4 in the majors) over 1♦. you nearly always bid 1♥, never 1♠. By ends the auction. You cannot rebid 2♥ On hands C and D, you raise if partner keeping the bidding low, you make life as you will often get preference to ♠2 on responds in one of your four-card suits easy for your partner. This facilitates three spades or even two. or you pass a 1NT response. finding a fit in either suit. ■

Page 29 Jeremy Dhondy Says Double is a Flexible Way to Compete

hat do you do if you want Double. You will rarely want to double ♥ ♠ N to compete but do not have 3 for penalties after both sides have 8 7 6 W E a great suit of your own found a fit. In that example, you were ♥ K J 9 5 S Wor a good fit if partner has bid? If the crowded for room when the opponents ♦ K J 7 4 opponents have bid a suit, you may very bid 3♥ and it is quite common to use ♣ 8 5 well double. Almost the first competitive double as a flexible tool when that noise anyone learns at bridge is what to happens. Suppose you hold as West: do here: West North East South ♣ ♠ 1 1 ♠ 6 ?

♠ A Q 7 5 ♥ A Q 8 7 5 N W E ♥ 8 N ♦ A 10 9 4 3 S You have enough to compete but cannot ♦ W E K J 8 7 S ♣ Q 8 bid 2♣ without club support or 1NT ♣ A J 6 5 without a spade stopper; nor can you really bid a new suit at the two level West North East South without five of them and with just Your right-hand opponent opens 1♥ and 1♠ 2♣ 2♠ 8 points. The negative double is the you double to show an opening hand ? perfect solution. Partner will expect you with support for the other three suits. In to have about 6+ points and the other one call, you bring all the other suits into You are too good to pass 2♠: you will suits. Holding four hearts is the most play. Clearly, this is more efficient than have the majority of points. You could essential element of your hand. using a double of 1♥ for penalties, which guess to bid 3♥ – what, though, will would come up once in a blue moon. This your partner do if he is short in hearts? principle we can extend much further. You will struggle then to find the best ♠ 6 5 In this next example, you know you fit in a minor. What you can do here is ♥ K Q 5 4 N W E have a fit but are not sure how far you to double. Typically this shows at least ♦ 7 6 S wish to complete. You hold as West: four cards in each unbid suit and a ♣ A 10 7 6 5 little support in partner’s suit with the values to complete. This type of double Hand A Hand B is known as a Competitive Double. West North East South ♠ K J 9 7 5 4 ♠ A K 9 6 4 One of the most popular doubles 1♠ 2♦ ♥ 6 5 ♥ 6 5 you can use to compete is the Negative ? ♦ A J 7 ♦ A Q 9 7 Double. Sixty years ago, double would ♣ K 8 ♣ K 8 have been for penalties in this auction: You cannot bid 2♥ without a five-card suit; you cannot bid 3♣ as you need West North East South more values for a free bid at the three West North East South 1♣ 1♥ Dbl level; you can hardly support spades 1♠ 2♥ 2♠ 3♥ with only two. A negative double is thus ? It did not happen often and, just when a wonderful toy to have available. you thought you were in line for a big Double can be a very flexible tool On hand A, you want to compete to 3♠ penalty, the opponents would escape to and it can allow you to participate in but not invite game. With a six-card another suit. The idea was born to make many more auctions. A word of warn- suit, it is likely that playing 3♠ is better doubles of this sort ‘negative’. They ing: you need some agreements to avoid than defending 3♥. What can you do if were for takeout, showed a holding in the painful scores of -670 and the like. It the opponents have deprived you of all the other suit(s) and invited partner to is impractical to discuss every possible this room and you want to invite game, compete. They can apply as high as you double, so a rule of ‘when in doubt, dou- as with hand B? All you can do is double. wish them to do so. ble is for takeout at the one or two level The usual name for this is a Game Try On the next hand, you are still West: of a suit bid’ is a good place to start. ■

Page 30 Julian Pottage answers your bridge questions Which Suit Should You Open With a 4441 Shape?

What should you as 15-17 and that this The idea of lead- with just 6-8 points or open with a is the modern method. ing low is that you North may have a good Q4441 and Why has it changed? A retain your honour hand. Should South 12-14 points? Jake Henry by email. to capture an honour in bid 2♦, the opponent’s Philip Ottewell, Beeston, declarer’s hand. For example: suit, to ask partner Nottingham (similar from The main reason for to bid again to give Lena Morgan, Swansea). playing the 1NT rebid more information? A as 15-17 and the 7 5 Name and address supplied. The traditional Acol 2NT rebid as 18-19 is that N rule was to open the this gives responder more Q 8 2 W E A 10 9 6 3 You do not need A suit below the sin- space to explore alterna- S to be shy of admit- gleton, unless the singleton tive contracts when opener K J 4 A ting that you play is clubs. The more modern has 19. For example, if the weak jump overcalls. If you approach is as follows: auction goes 1♥-1♠-3NT, play in a tournament, you responder cannot explore for If you lead the queen, will find that the vast major- Singleton Opening/ a 5-3 fit in one of the majors declarer makes an ity of players play them. Planned Rebid without going past 3NT, undeserved second trick in One advantage of playing clubs 1♥/2♦ which is where you may want the suit because you have them is that, on an auction diamonds 1♣/1♥ to play if no such fit exists. wasted the chance to capture like this, you know partner hearts 1♣/1♠ Moreover, when opener has the jack with the queen. is unlikely to have as few spades 1♦/2♣ 19 points, responder will Leading low from three points as you suggest – most quite often have sufficient to an honour in partner’s hands with only a 5-card suit This way, there is only values to be thinking of a suit has been standard and about 7 points are not one sequence, 1♥-2♣-2♦, slam, in which case you do for a long time now. going to justify an overcall. where you might open in a not want to have wasted an Turning to your main major and rebid in a new unnecessary round of bidding ♣♦♥♠ question, yes, a 2♦ bid seems suit, despite holding only by double jumping to 3NT. to describe the South hand four cards in your major. My partner and well. Some people call this a ♣♦♥♠ I play Benji Acol, value raise. The older name is ♣♦♥♠ Qweak no-trump an ‘unassuming cue bid’. The What is the and (rightly or wrongly) name ‘unassuming’ comes I learnt that advantage of weak jump overcalls. from the fact that you are (after a 1-level Qleading low not promising a particular Qresponse) a 1NT from three to an hon- West North East South holding in the opposing suit. rebid shows 15-16 points, our in partner’s suit 1♦ 1♠ Pass ? With a minimum overcall a 2NT rebid shows 17-18 (rather than the tra- (typically a hand not worth an and a 3NT shows 19. ditional top card)? What does South bid opening bid), North retreats I notice that you and Mrs R Mcllwraith, Ingatestone, with three spades and 12 to 2♠. With a better hand, Bernard recommend Essex (similar from points? North’s overcall North finds some playing the 1NT rebid Fred & Sonia). may be lead directing other bid.

Page 31 Ask Julian continued if they break 3-2 – if not, through the play common Opener can then make a you might avoid a diamond sense overrides the need to return cue bid of 4♦ to show loser on a 3-3 break, or by signal. If you can see that the singleton diamond and finessing if East has J-x or leading the normal card you can continue with the This deal comes 10-x, or via a squeeze. is not going to beat the RKCB sequence you had. from a cruise: You mention that some contract, you should lead the Q pairs made only 10 tricks one you believe is right and ♣♦♥♠ playing in hearts. If all follow hope partner works out the low to the first heart, declarer position. West can envis- Playing a weak ♠ K Q 10 7 6 4 has no choice but to lead age a blockage if declarer no-trump and ♥ A low on the second round. has A-x or A-x-x and should Qtransfers, the ♦ A 8 5 2 East does better to drop indeed switch to the queen. bidding started as below: ♣ 6 4 the 10 or J. Declarer may ♠ 8 5 3 2 ♠ J 9 then try for J-10 doubleton. ♣♦♥♠ ♥ K 2 N ♥ J 10 3 Even so, if the 10 or J does ♠ 7 2 ♠ A K J 5 4 W E ♦ 10 6 4 S ♦ J 7 3 appear, it is still more likely On the hand ♥ K Q 8 6 3 ♥ 7 2 N ♣ 7 5 3 2 ♣ A J 10 9 8 to be from K-J or K-10 than below, I gam- ♦ A 10 7 W E ♦ K Q 9 S ♠ A J-10, so declarer should Qbled on finding ♣ K 8 4 ♣ A Q 3 ♥ Q 9 8 7 6 5 4 make 11 tricks anyway. North with a singleton ♦ K Q 9 3NT is a poor spot diamond. Was there West East ♣ K Q because, on an unlucky day, a better sequence? 1NT 2♥ all you make is three spades, 2♠ 4NT three diamonds, a club and 5♦ At most tables, 4♥ a heart to go one down. As ♠ K Q 10 9 7 5 2 made 10 or 11 tricks. the cards lie, with friendly ♥ 10 9 2 The final contract 3NT made 10 tricks breaks in both spades and ♦ 8 became 6NT, which at one table and 6♠ diamonds, declarer should ♣ K 5 went one off. made at the final table. make more than 10 tricks. East intended 4NT as N How should N/S bid? W E quantitative, looking for Patrick Dunham, ♣♦♥♠ S 6♠ or 6NT if opener was Coleorton, Leics. ♠ A 4 better than minimum. This was the ♥ A K Q 4 West took it as ace The auction should layout in the ♦ J 6 5 3 asking, despite the start 1♥-1♠-3♥-3♠. Qdiamond suit in ♣ A 9 4 lack of suit agreement. A South must then a no-trump contract. Who was right? decide whether to show the Michael Harris by email. hearts a third time (because there are seven of them) J 6 West North East South East was right. The or whether to bid 3NT Pass 3♠ Pass 4NT1 sequence shows N 2 3 (because the suit quality Q 10 4 W E K 8 7 5 3 2 Pass 5♣ Pass 5♦ a slam-invita- S A is poor and stoppers are Pass 6♣4 Pass 6♠ tional hand with a 5-card present in both minors). A 9 All Pass spade suit and probably North might bid 4♦ over 1RKCB 332 in the other suits. 3NT and then pass 4♥. To 21 or 4 key cards With a minimum and be honest, it is not clear-cut If West switches to the 3Do you have the trump queen? no spade support, opener how the auction proceeds. four, this will block 4Yes and the ♣K should pass. To prepare Looking at the North- the suit, restricting for asking for aces or key South hands, you would the defenders to two John Joseph by email. cards, East would start with expect to lose a trick to the tricks in the suit if they a forcing jump to 3♠. ace of clubs and at least one get in just once more. When partner pre- Unfortunately, many other trick (two if hearts are Should West lead the empts in a major, it is players assume that every trumps). If you are going queen, even though A most unlikely that the 4NT bid is asking for aces to be in a slam, 6♠ seems this will confuse East? best contract your way is in a without stopping to think the best spot. So long as Keith Rickson by e-mail. minor. You can therefore play whether it could be a natural, the trumps play for no that a response of 4♣ (or 4♦) quantitative bid and whether loser, there is a fair chance Yes, although at trick is a cue bid agreeing spades partner could have set the to avoid a fourth-round one it is generally rather than showing a suit. suit by some other means. As diamond loser – a ruff or A best to stick to the With this method, responder you say, opener’s forced 2♠ two will set up the hearts agreed method, partway bids 4♣ to show the ♣A. bid does not agree spades.

Page 32 Ask Julian continued opening strength went out Playing standard or game in your hand. of fashion a long time ago. Acol, I opened Was our auction correct? A hand with 7 points and Q2♣, partner A-10-x-x-x would normally responded 2♦ (showing If opener has be too weak for an overcall fewer than 6 points) and ♠ J 10 9 7 6 5 reversed or even at the one level. Maybe I rebid 2♥. Holding ♦J-x- ♥ A 6 Qjump-shifted if all the points are in the suit x-x-x and a bust, she ♦ A 10 6 5 (creating a force), is (eg A-Q-J-10-x) it would be passed. This left me in ♣ 6 a bid of the fourth acceptable, non-vulnerable 2♥ when 3NT would have N suit by responder still – but having a hand with 7 made. Should she have W E fourth-suit forcing? points is not usually enough. shown her diamonds? S Keith Rickson by email. Kathleen Bence, ♠ K 4 ♣♦♥♠ Bideford, Devon. ♥ K Q 8 2 Fourth-suit forcing is ♦ Void less common when My LHO opened The usual rule is ♣ A K Q J 10 9 8 A you are already in a 1NT, which my that a 2♣ opening forcing auction but there are Qpartner doubled. A creates a game force still hands where it is useful. Holding ♠J-x-x-x-x except in the one sequence North South and a bust, I removed 2♣-2♦-2NT. If you rebid in 2♣ the double to 2♠. My a suit (2♥ in your example), 2♠ 3♣ ♠ K 8 4 partner took this as partner has to find another 4NT 5♥ ♥ Q 4 encouraging, bidding bid, bidding 2NT as a 6NT ♦ A Q 8 7 3 2NT, which went two off. second negative if her hand ♣ 8 7 4 When should I take out is very weak. It sounds as if On a diamond lead, the double if holding a she should have done that 6NT went one down. weak hand? If holding a rather than bid 3♦ (or pass). 6♣ makes if East has You Partner good hand, do you ever the ♠A. How would you 1♥ recommend going for ♣♦♥♠ bid these hands? 2♦ 2♠ a game as opposed to Jonathan Bardun by email. ? leaving in the double? My right-hand John Martin, opponent opened The traditional rule You do not want to support Evanton, Inverness. Qthe bidding 1♥. is that a 2♣ opening hearts with two or spades with A shows either 23+ three. Nor do you want to bid The usual rule is HCPs or five quick tricks in a no-trumps with these clubs. that you remove the ♠ J 10 7 powerful game-going hand. I suppose you could rebid A double if you have ♥ A K Q J 8 4 3 The South hand here has 3♦, though that suggests an a weak hand and at least ♦ K Q 6 game-going potential but has 1 unbalanced hand. 3♣ is best. a five-card suit. Weak in ♣ Void only 3 /2 quick tricks, which this context means no more is somewhat short. There ♣♦♥♠ than 5 points. If you take is no ideal opening really. out the double to two of a Please, what One possible auction is: If you can overcall suit, this shows such a hand. should I bid? with 7 points The doubler can bid again Anne Hughes by email. North South Q and a 5 card with the right hand, do- 1♣ suit headed by the A-10, ing so in the expectation 1♠ 2♥ should you double first of facing 0-5 points. Dou- In this highly unusual 2♠ 4♣1 with stronger hands, say bling and then bidding 2NT situation, you simply 4♦ 4♠2 opening strength plus? suggests the same sort of A have to pass at 5♣ David Man by email. strength as a 2NT opener. your first turn. Neither 2♥ 1jump to show solid suit. If only your side is vulner- nor 3♥ from you would 2you can cue bid a king in My advice is that able, you might also remove be natural. You may get partner’s suit even if your only a hand too the double with a game-go- the chance to overcall in normal style is to cue bid first- A strong for a 1NT ing shapely hand, expecting hearts at your second turn. round controls. overcall is too strong for the value of game to exceed a suit overcall. Making a the value of any penalty you ♣♦♥♠ On best defence, 6♣ is simple overcall on a hand can collect. In that case, slightly against the odds as, of ordinary strength is fine. you would have to jump so To me, a 2♣ Acol even when the ♠A is onside, The idea of making a takeout that partner knows you do opening bid a 4-1 spade split could lead double on all hands of typical not have a weak hand. Qshows 23+ HCPs to a defensive ruff.

Page 33

Ask Julian continued partner opens 1NT PRIZE CROSSWORD 2 or 2NT or rebids 1NT or 2NT. You raise to set by Sputnik 4NT, asking whether We play Acol, partner is minimum, with splinter mid-range or maximum. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Qbids and key- The replies are: card Blackwood. 7 5♣ = minimum (12 in a

8 9 1NT opening or ♠ Void 15 after a 15-19 ♥ 9 8 7 6 4 3 2NT rebid etc)

10 11 ♦ A J 5 ♣ A 9 5 2 5♦ = mid-range (13 in a 1NT opening or N 16 after a 15-19 12 13 14 15 W E S 2NT rebid etc) 16 ♠ Q J 8 6 ♥ A K Q J 5 5♥ = maximum (14 in 17 18 ♦ Q 8 7 a 1NT opening or ♣ 7 17 after a 15-19 2NT rebid etc) 19 20 5♠ = 18 points (after a

21 With no opposition 15-19 2NT rebid) bidding, how can you 22 23 reach a slam after 5NT = 19 points (after a South opens 1♥? 15-19 2NT rebid) ACROSS 23 Ache I’ve suffered to attain Julian Tasker, Northallerton. 1 Hit the bottle to have a good green points (7) What is wrong with this? Playing standard Iraj Darvisah by email. relationship with partner (7) splinters, a 4 Open _____; perhaps you DOWN had 11 points (5) possible sequence Most players agree 1 Made safer one hopes, and A 7 Miserable start of West or sort of secured (7) is as follows: with the simple East (3) approach that you 2 A turn at teams (5) A 8 Severe loss of direction leads North South either pass or bid 6NT: the 3 The way every last valid to cut communication (5) ♥ estimate leads to tricks in a 1 situation occurs rarely. Some 9 An aristocratic system? (5) small slam (6) 3♠1 4♣2 players do allow bids in 3 4 10 A two-suited overcall in the 4 Out East Helen Sobel 4♦ 4NT between. As you surmise, country (3) changed to this convention 5NT5 6♥ we do not agree with your 11 To have more trumps than (9) 1Raise to 4♥ with a singleton or way of doing things. your opponents is 5 Description of a Yarborough? void in spades I believe that such bids generally an ______(9) (7) 2First or second round control should be natural because 12 At the end of a money game 6 One may feel thus in a rotten in clubs a suit fit counts for so much you may have to ask, ‘What’s series of hands (5) 3First or second round control in more than one extra point. A the ______?’ (6) 11 Scoring system in teams diamonds jump to six of a suit should 14 No tricks with these cards (6) before conversion to IMPs (9) 4Asking for key cards show a five-card (or longer) 17 Lacing one cocktail makes 13 The norm set then adjusted to 5An even number of key cards suit and be a suggestion that one’s bridge partner friendly display a very powerful hand plus a void you play there. Bids at the (9) (7) five level should be Baron 18 Organisation in Aylesbury 15 He is there with 20ac. in a ♥ (3) regular mix-up (7) Some would bid 6 style and show a non- over 4NT to show two minimum: you bid the 19 A trick in the Essex tradition 16 A capital coup to unblock a (5) menace (6) key cards plus a void. lower of two good four-card 20 Cast off a loser (5) 17 A deceiver, but first could he suits. Then, if you find a 21 An honour but only just (3) escape at table (5) ♣♦♥♠ fit, you bid a slam; if not, 22 _____ no-trumps is often 18 Escape from a muddled duel you can stop in 5NT. the game to aim for (5) with East (5) I have a Another snag with your idea suggestion about is that you can never play in Reprinted from BRIDGE 111. quantitative 4NT – you will often finish in Solution and winners on page 37. Q raises. It applies when 5NT, which is a bit scary.

Page 34 Ask Julian continued If, as appears to be the case, you are playing a non-jump bid in the fourth BRIDGE suit (2♥) as natural, you could play a jump in the Playing Benji fourth suit (3♥) as agreeing Acol, but with- opener’s second suit. Once BREAKS Qout fourth-suit you show a forcing diamond forcing, my part- raise, opener is never ♦ Full-board ♦ Two seminars* ner and I held: stopping out of a slam. ♦ All rooms with ♦ Two supervised Reaching a grand slam with en-suite facilities play sessions* confidence would be tricky ♦ No single supplement ♦ Four duplicate sessions** ♠ A K J 10 8 4 whatever your system. ♥ A Please book ..... places for me at £...... per person, ♦ J 10 9 8 6 4 ♣♦♥♠ ♣ Void Single .... Double .... Twin .... Playing standard N W E Acol I opened 1♠ Name of Hotel/Centre...... S Qwith this hand: ♠ Q 5 3 Date(s) ...... ♥ J 4 ♦ A K 3 2 ♠ A J 10 9 8 6 Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... ♣ A Q J 6 ♥ A K 8 Address...... ♦ 9 ♣ 7 5 4 ...... The bidding commenced 1♠-Pass-2♣-Pass-2♦. Postcode ...... How should I continue Partner responded given our system? 2♦. I rebid 3♠, which ( ...... I rebid 4♠ as I did not she raised to 4♠. think I had a forcing We went one off. Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, bid I could use and My partner said I but we will do our best to oblige). was anxious not to risk should have rebid stopping short of game. 2♠. Who was right? ...... My partner made 13 Davina Arkell, tricks and conceded he Godalming, Surrey. Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking. might have bid on...... Derek Hambidge by email. Your partner was right. Your jump to Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place by Trying to combine old A 3♠ shows better than cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice for the balance will be sent methods with new a minimum opening as well with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, A can cause problems. as a 6-card suit. You had 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be sent In days gone by, responder the 6-card suit, but little by together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. Should you would start with a 3♣ jump way of extra values. Your require insurance, you should contact your own insurance broker. shift or a Baron 2NT; either partner had responded in of these would create a your singleton, which did forcing situation. If you start not improve your hand. with 2♣, as has been the Usually you are looking for style for quite a few years 15+ HCP for the jump to now, your system needs to 3♠, though a nice 14 will do. have some strong continua- Change the jack of spades Expiry: ...... CVV...... Issue No...... tions. While it is true that you to the king, keeping the rest (CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip) could have guessed to rebid of the hand the same, and Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH. ♠ ♠ ♠ 5 rather than 4 , you do I would agree with the 3 ( not want to be doing that. rebid. ■ 01483 489961 e-mail: [email protected]

E-mail your questions for Julian to: website: www.holidaybridge.com [email protected] *on tutorial weekends. **6 sessions on rubber & Just Bridge events.

Page 35 100 Winning Bridge Tips for the Improving Player (New Edition 2010) Mr Bridge by Ron Klinger, reviewed by Sandra Landy

£9.99 from The London Bridge Centre Christmas & ( 020 7486 8222 www.bridgeshop.com

ou can learn much a suit after two rounds have New Year 2011 from experience at the g on e .’ bridge table – but the Yexperience need not necessarily be your own. This new edition Dummy contains some of Klinger’s ♠ J 7 5 3 original tips and some new ♥ 10 6 5 ones. They cover specific situ- ♦ K 7 ations in bidding, play and ♣ A K Q J defence and provide useful ♠ 6 4 information on dealing with N ♥ A K Q 3 2 W E common problems before S ♦ A Q you meet them at the bridge ♣ 5 4 3 2 table. I took the book to the club duplicate last night and asked West North East South all our opponents if they 1♥ 1♠ would buy this book. Surpris- Pass 3♠ End ingly, they all said yes. Denham Grove Each tip takes one page and West leads the ♥8 to the ♥Q Near Uxbridge, UB9 5DU practical examples illustrate and South plays the ♥9. On the reasoning. I liked Tip 42: the ♥K, South plays the ♥J ‘In a trump contract, do not and West the ♥7. How should 24-27 December £355 lead from an ace-high suit, East continue? Despite South’s unless the suit is headed by attempt to false card, East can Just Bridge & Any Questions the ace and king.’ count on three heart tricks Every week, I say something because by playing the ♥8 Jo Walch very similar to my practice then the ♥7 West has shown a class. ‘Never underlead an ace doubleton, so South has three against a suit contract.’ hearts. Instead of cashing 27-29 December £199 Klinger says, ‘If you never the ♥A, East must lead a low lead from an ace-high suit in heart for partner to ruff. West Suit Establishment a trump contract for the rest should be able to work out of your life, you will enjoy that East wants a diamond Crombie McNeil more success than regret.’ lead through dummy’s king – He then goes on to discuss one off. some exceptions when it may Now go back and read that 29 Dec – 1 Jan £355 be reasonable to lead the ace tip again. Stop after trick two from an ace-high suit: and think, before it is too late Develop at Duplicate Pairs Against a slam, when you and the ♥A is on the table. Crombie McNeil have a certain or very likely Tip 100 is something I second trick or when the learned as a teenager playing bidding suggests that your against Granny’s friends. partner may be able to ruff When discarding, throw a red ( 01483 489961 the next round; or against a card on a red suit and a black pre-emptor, who is unlikely card on a black suit. If you e-mail: [email protected] to have an outside king. show out in the same colour, I liked Tip 82 as I had never declarer may not notice. website: www.holidaybridge.com consciously thought of it Finally, if you want partner to before, even though I always notice you have not followed Please call if you would like a sample copy of the programme count the hand. suit, discard red on black and ‘Stop and count the cards in black on red.

Page 36 ✄

PRIZE CROSSWORD 2 – Solution If you have not contacted us recently, please enter your details in the box R A P P O R T L I G H T below to re-register: E I W O E A E S E V E R E B A R O N C O L E B S Name (Mr, Mrs, Miss)...... U N T A D V A N T A G E E G E S G Address ......

D A M A G E L O S E R S ...... O R V H H C O N G E N I A L E B U Postcode ...... H S G E L F Telephone ...... E X T R A N S L U F F E-mail ...... A E T E N D L T H R E E A C H I E V E Please send BRIDGE to the following enthusiasts: The winners, listed below, will receive a free place at a Brook Hotel Just Bridge Event: Mr Robert Warne, Billingshurst, West Sussex. Mr/Mrs/Miss...... Mr John Heath, Stowmarket, Suffolk. Mr Philip Hawley, Walsall. Address ...... Mrs D Shortridge, Marlborough. Miss M Sommerville, Fareham,Hampshire......

Postcode ...... (...... BRIDGE TABLE AND E-mail ...... TABLECLOTH OFFER Mr/Mrs/Miss......

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...... Table £63.50 SPECIAL Postcode ...... (...... 4 Chairs £199.00 OFFER Table+Cloth E-mail ...... Tablecloth £29.95 £75 prices include VAT and UK mainland delivery Please complete all or part of this form and return to See Mail Order Form on page 7. Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey, GU21 2TH. ✄

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The following represent the Significant and Key Features of the policy including Exclusions and Limitations that apply per person. A full copy of the policy document is available on request.

CANCELLATION OR CURTAILMENT up to £1,500 PERSONAL LUGGAGE, MONEY & VALUABLES up to £2,000 If you have to cancel or cut short your trip due to illness, injury, redundancy, jury service, the police Covers accidental loss, theft or damage to your personal luggage subject to a limit of £200 for any requiring you to remain at or return to your home due to serious damage to your home, you are one article, pair or set and an overall limit of £200 for valuables such as cameras, Jewellery, furs, covered against loss of travel and accommodation costs. etc. Luggage and valuables limited to £1500. Delayed luggage, up to £75. Policy Excess £75. Policy Excess £50. Money, travel tickets and travellers cheques are covered up to £500 against accidental loss or theft For persons aged 61 to 70 years the excess is increased to £100. (cash limit £250). Policy Excess £75. For persons aged 71 to 90 years the excess is increased to £150. No cover is provided for loss or theft of unattended property, valuables or money or for loss or theft See section headed Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions for increased not reported to the Police within 24 hours of discovery. excesses applicable to claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions. PASSPORT EXPENSES up to £200 PERSONAL ACCIDENT up to £15,000 If you lose your passport or it is stolen whilst abroad, you are covered for additional travel and A cash sum for accidental injury resulting in death, loss of sight, loss of limb or permanent total accommodation costs incurred in obtaining a replacement. No Policy Excess. disablement. No Policy Excess. DELAYED DEPARTURE up to £1,500 MEDICAL AND OTHER EXPENSES up to £10,000,000 If your outward or return trip is delayed for more than 12 hours at the final departure point to/from Including FIRSTASSIST 24 HOUR WORLDWIDE MEDICAL EMERGENCY SERVICE UK due to adverse weather conditions, mechanical breakdown or industrial action, you are entitled (a) The cost of hospital and other emergency medical expenses incurred abroad, including to either (a) £20 for the first 12 hours and £10 for each further 12 hours delay up to a maximum additional accommodation and repatriation expenses. of £60, or (b) the cost of the trip (up to £1,500) if you elect to cancel after 12 hours delay on the Limit £250 for emergency dental treatment and £5,000 burial/cremation/transfer of remains. outward trip from the UK. Policy Excess £75 (b) only. Limit £2,500 for transfer of remains to your home if you die in the UK. Policy Excess £75 unless travelling within North or Central America or the Caribbean or on MISSED DEPARTURE up to £500 a Cruise when increased to £150. Additional travel and accommodation expenses incurred to enable you to reach your overseas For persons aged 61 to 70 years the excess is increased to £150 unless travelling within destination if you arrive too late at your final UK outward departure point due to failure of the North or Central America or the Caribbean when increased to £500. vehicle in which you are travelling to deliver you to the departure point caused by adverse weather, For persons aged 71 to 90 years the excess is increased to £300 unless travelling within strike, industrial action, mechanical breakdown or accident to the vehicle. No Policy Excess. North or Central America or the Caribbean or on a Cruise when increased to £1,000. PERSONAL LIABILITY up to £2,000,000 See section headed Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions for increased Covers your legal liability for injury or damage to other people or their property, including legal excesses applicable to claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions. expenses (subject to the laws of England and Wales). Policy Excess £250. (b) HOSPITAL BENEFIT up to £300 An additional benefit of £15 per day for each day you spend in hospital abroad as an in-patient. LEGAL EXPENSES up to £25,000 No Policy Excess. To enable you to pursue your rights against a third party following injury. No Policy Excess.

MAIN EXCLUSIONS AND CONDITIONS Medical Screening The following represents only the main exclusions. The policy document sets out all of the Unless you are traveling to North or Central America or the Caribbean or on a Cruise, conditions and exclusions. A copy of the full policy wording is available on request in writing prior there is no need to advise us of your pre existing medical conditions. Please note that to application. we consider a Cruise to be any international sailing or sea voyage travelling international waters but not River Trips. MAIN HEALTH EXCLUSIONS: If You have a history of any medical condition and are traveling to North or Central Insurers will not pay for claims arising America or the Caribbean or on a Cruise, you must first contact the Medical Screening 1. Where You (or any person upon whose health the Trip depends) are undergoing tests for the Line to establish whether we can provide cover for your trip. If you are accepted, the presence of a medical condition receiving or on a waiting list for or have knowledge of the need following levels of excess will apply. You will receive written confirmation that you are for treatment at a hospital or nursing home. covered for the trip. The number to call is: 2. From any terminal illness suffered by You (or any person upon whose health the Trip depends). 0844 8921698 3. From any medical condition for which You (or any person upon whose health the Trip depends) If you are not accepted for cover having been screened, we may be able have within 12 months prior to the date of issue of this insurance been diagnosed with a medical to offer you cover under our Single Trip “PLUS” product. condition or have been admitted or undergone a procedure/ intervention in a hospital. Please ask us for further details or go to our website. 4. If You are travelling against the advice of a Medical Practitioner. OTHER GENERAL EXCLUSIONS Claims arising from Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions 1. Winter sports, any hazardous pursuits, any work of a non sedentary nature. Provision for the acceptance of pre existing medical conditions has been made by the 2. Self inflicted injury or illness, suicide, alcoholism or drug abuse, sexual disease. application of increased excesses in the event of claims arising. 3. War, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities or warlike operations, civil war, rebellion, For claims arising from any medical condition, other than those that are specifically excluded, Terrorism, revolution, insurrection, civil commotion, military or usurped power but this the excess is further increased as follows: exclusion shall not apply to losses under Section 3 – Medical Expenses unless such Under the Cancellation or Curtailment section – double the normal excess. losses are caused by nuclear, chemical or biological attack, or the disturbances were already Under the Medical & Other Expenses section – taking place at the beginning of any Trip. For persons aged 60 years or less the excess is increased to £500 unless travelling within 4. Failure or fear of failure or inability of any equipment or any computer program. North or Central America or the Caribbean or on a Cruise when increased to £1,000. 5. Consequential loss of any kind. For persons aged 61 to 70 years the excess is increased to £1,000 unless travelling within 6. Bankruptcy/liquidation of any tour operator, travel agent, airline, transportation company or North or Central America or the Caribbean or on a Cruise when increased to £2,000. accommodation supplier. For persons aged 71 to 90 years the excess is increased to £1,500 unless travelling within 7. Travelling to countries or regions where the FCO or WHO has advised against travel. North or Central America or the Caribbean or on a Cruise when increased to £3,000. 8. Your failure to contact the Medical Screening Line where required.

POLICY EXCESSES: The amount of each claim for which insurers will not pay and for which you are responsible. The excess as noted in the policy summary applies to each and every claim per insured person under each section where an excess applies. ✄

Single Trip travel insurance is arranged by Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Single Trip Travel Insurance Financial Services Authority and our status can be checked on the FSA Suitable for individual round trips up to 122 days duration Register by visiting www.fsa.gov.uk/register or by contacting the FSA that start and finish in the UK arranged by on 0845 606 1234. This insurance is underwritten by ETI International Travel Protection Global Travel Insurance (ETI) the UK branch of Europäische Reiseversicherung A.G. Munich, an A1 Yeoman Gate, Yeoman Way, Worthing, BN13 3QZ ERGO group Company, incorporated and regulated under the laws of ( 01903 267432 Fax 01903 268946 Germany, Companies House Registration FC 25660 and Branch Reg- istration BR 007939. ETI is licensed by the Bundesanstalt für Finanz- SINGLE TRIP APPLICATION FORM dienstleistungsaufsicht (BAFIN – www.bafin.de) and approved by the Financial Services Authority to undertake insurance business in the UK. Please FULLY complete the following in BLOCK CAPITALS. Once complete, return the application panel direct to Global Travel Insurance with a cheque If you have a complaint about the sale of this insurance you must first or with card details entered. Insurance is not effective until a Policy has been write to the Managing Director of Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd. issued. Please allow at least 5 days before you need to travel. Subsequently, complaints may be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service. If we are unable to meet our liabilities you may be entitled to Details of the Applicant compensation under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Title (Mr/Mrs/Miss) Initials If you would like more information or are unsure of any details contained herein, you should ask Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd for further Surname advice. Telephone No. Single Trip PREMIUM RATING SCHEDULE House Number/Name GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS 1. United Kingdom Street Name England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, including all islands comprising the British Isles (except the Channel Islands and the Town Name Republic of Ireland). (Any British Isles or UK Cruises are rated as Area 2). 2. Europe Postcode Area 1 and Continental Europe west of the Ural mountain range, all countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea (except, Egypt, Israel, Date of leaving Home Jordan, Lebanon, Libya & Syria), the Channel Islands and the Republic of Ireland, Iceland, Madeira, The Canaries and The Azores. (Persons Date of arrival Home residing in the Channel Islands need to pay Area 2 rates for UK trips). 3. Worldwide excluding North America Screening Ref Areas 1 & 2 and All countries outside of the above (except the continent of North America, countries comprising Central America and the Introducer Mr Bridge Caribbean Islands). 4. Worldwide including North America Geographical Area – See Premium Panel Areas 1,2 & 3 and The United States of America, Mexico and other (1,2,3 or 4) countries comprising Central America, Canada, Cuba and the Caribbean Islands. Names of all persons to be insured Age Premium

SCHEDULE OF PREMIUMS 1 £

Valid for policies issued up to 31/3/2012 2 £ and for travel completed by 31/12/2012. Areas 1 & 2 – Applicable per person up to age 90 years on the date 3 £ of return to the UK. Areas 3 & 4 – Applicable per person up to age 80 years on the date 4 £ of return to the UK. 5 £ Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 1 – 3 days £15.60 £23.80 £49.90 £71.90 6 £ 4 & 5 days £18.70 £30.00 £62.70 £90.40 6 -10 days £21.80 £40.40 £85.10 £121.80 Credit/Debit Card Details TOTAL PREMIUM £ 11-17 days £24.90 £44.20 £94.60 £136.30 18-24 days £28.00 £50.80 £106.50 £153.40 Card No 25-31 days £31.10 £57.80 £121.20 £174.50 Start Date End Date Issue No Each + 7 days £5.60 £11.40 call for a quotation or part thereof (maximum period of 122 days) Security Code All premiums include the Government Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) DECLARATION PREMIUM ADJUSTMENTS On behalf of all persons listed in this application, I agree that this application shall All age adjustments apply to the age on the date of return to the UK be the basis of the Contract of Insurance. I agree that Insurers may exchange The following adjustments apply ONLY to trips in excess of 31 days information with other Insurers or their agents. I have read and understood for all persons aged 65 years and over the terms and conditions of the insurance, with which all persons above are in Geographical Area Premium Increase agreement and for whom I am authorized to sign. The form MUST be signed by one Area 2 Europe Plus 50% (1.5 times) of the persons to be insured on behalf of all persons to be insured. Infants up to 2 years inclusive are FREE subject to being included with an Signed...... Date...... adult paying a full premium. The form MUST be signed by one of the persons to be insured on behalf of all persons to be insured. Children 3 to 16 years inclusive are HALF PRICE subject to being included Mr Bridge is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Global Travel Insurance with an adult paying a full premium. Unaccompanied children pay the adult rate. Group Discounts – Contact us for discounts available starting at 10 persons. Services Ltd, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

✄ 239STI11 would bid two no-trumps Now that membership has to show two suits of equal been extended to include READERS’ rank. A bid of two diamonds ordinary club members, would show two suits of the the EBU is going to have to same colour: spades and listen to their views as well clubs. By amending West’s as those members who play hand accordingly, the bid of more competitive bridge. LETTERS two diamonds would then be Jane Mayer, correct. I offer this suggestion Stoke-on-Trent. with some trepidation as I am It will be a first. really writing to make sure I GOOD REVIEW forward to the release still go on receiving BRIDGE. SUGGESTION Last term, you kindly sent of the Haslemere DVDs, Francis L Hunt by email. Thank you for the recent us a complimentary copy having spent £120 on ‘Guinea Pig’ issue of of Bernard Magee’s Begin tickets for all 6 seminars BRIDGE 109 REVIEWED BRIDGE. Perhaps it Bridge, to help our school for my husband and me. I have just received and would be better to have pupils at Malvern College. I was disappointed to read most of BRIDGE 109 an advertisement on the I promised to write a review. find that each seminar and I am delighted to be reverse of the crossword. I want to assure you that would cost £25, especially one of your ‘guinea pigs’. Mrs A Daly, this is on its way and the since Andrew Robson has The spread of the tutorial Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. feedback is very positive. a new DVD with 4 hours of articles is impressive (some We are now thinking of material for the same cost. In at my level and some ANY OFFERS? buying more of his software addition, although you have stretching a bit), and the I have a collection of for our library as a result of a reduction on the cost of all quizzes good as always. Bridge Plus magazines. our positive experience. six, that same reduction is I find David Stevenson’s They range from Number Andrew Law, available to everyone, even articles very good but Ask 34 (September 1992) to Malvern, Worcestershire. those who didn’t attend a Julian is the most interesting Number 226 (September This has now arrived and single seminar. I did hope and informative. I also enjoy 2008), the final edition. is to be found at the end that you would have given Seven Days and Catching Up Offers to Mike Twohill. of Readers’ Letters. some reduction to those by Sally Brock as they make ( 01664 859241. who paid to take part. my life seem more normal. OOPS Sue Roworth, Stockport. The adverts definitely make EMAG Have I missed an edict from me want to go on more I always enjoy your emailed the Minister of Education ULTERIOR MOTIVE bridge holidays but, with Bridge Weekly but you that one of the basic rules In BRIDGE 109, David daughters getting married, have made it even better of grammar which I was Huggett suggests using all thought of that will by having the solutions to taught in the 1930s has been ‘Michaels’ Cue Bid’ for have to wait for a while. the problems hidden in changed? As so many others an overcaller to show two Mr A Williams, the same issue. This is so would say nowadays, you tell five card suits: would it not Llanfairpwll, Anglesey. much better than leaving it us, ‘you can join Mrs Bridge be better to use ‘Modified until the following week. and I’. I presume you would Ghestem’ for this purpose? SIMPLES John Josephs, not say ‘you can join I’. This convention makes Playing rubber bridge, there Northampton. Arnold George by email. it possible to show any can sometimes be confusion combination of two five as to who deals. As a simple MEMBERS WANTED NOT A SOAP LOVER card suits as an overcall. reminder, just remember Horley Bridge Club, near Oh, please. Must we suffer By using the letters ‘CRO’ ‘if the cards are on your Gatwick Airport, offers any more of Briony’s efforts as a guide, the overcaller left, they are left for you’. sessions for Improvers on in the kitchen, cricket practice can indicate which two suits Marion Silverblatt Thursday afternoons from and last month at the dentist? have five cards. ‘C’ stands by email. September to March. These I await your magazine for ‘colour’ – two suits of the are aimed at people who but at screaming point same colour: this requires a EBU SUPPORT know the basics of the game when seeing Sally Brock’s bid of the opponent’s suit. It was nice to see some but wish to learn more, pages. What have they ‘R’ stands for ‘rank’ – two correspondence in favour particularly with a view to to do with bridge? suits of the same rank: this of the EBU in the October joining a bridge club. The Disgruntled of requires a bid of two no- issue. I am aware of their atmosphere is friendly and Kew by email. trumps. ‘O’ stands for ‘odd’ shortcomings but if the relaxed and there is tea. Ring – two odd suits: this requires organisation were to fold for me on ( 01293 560655. NOT THE SAME a bid of three clubs. In the lack of support who would Peter Cartwright, I was very much looking example shown, overcaller regulate bridge in England? Crawley, West Sussex.

Page 40 READERS’ LETTERS success of any bridge club, continued what is your venue like? Our bridge venue has: Mr Bridge l A warm, well ventilated, SUCCESS STORY room large enough for CHRISTMAS QUIZ Eugene Elijah and I started as many tables and ‘Bournheath Bridge’, chairs as we need. based on your gentle l The hall is available CARDS duplicate weekends, just to us exclusively on 1 Which card said ‘off with his head!’ over three years ago. the same day, week 2 Which playing card, not in the diamond suit, has a These sessions are for new in, week out, therefore diamond symbol on it (in most packs)? bridge players who may have no noise or distraction completed an introductory from other activities. 3 Which card was used for the first Mr Bridge Credit Card? course at the local college; l An affordable weekly 4 Which card has seven club symbols on? non-duplicate players; people rent that allows us to who have played bridge at keep our costs and SCORES home with friends or for those table money down. 5 What is the lowest score at duplicate that can result from who may not have played for l A safe, accessible a redoubled contract? some time; and for people storage place for the 6 How can you get the score 210 in duplicate bridge? who abhor the idea of playing tables and chairs. in an ‘established club’. l Lockable cupboards for 7 Playing rubber bridge, non-vulnerable you hold We have introduced the our bridge equipment, ♠A-K-Q-J-10 and play in 4♠ doubled going one off. What game of duplicate bridge personal crockery is your net score? in a friendly, stress-free and goodies. 8 How can you get the score 700 in duplicate bridge? environment. We teach how l A dishwasher. to use bidding boxes, fill l A large car park with DIRECTING in the travellers correctly easy access to the hall. 9 The auction starts 1♦ 1♣ 1♥ and then the director is and most importantly, Actually I could go on and on. called because the second bid was insufficient. What is the Etiquette of Bridge. To show our appreciation the ruling? There are no time restraints of our venue, we ran our 10 At the end of the play of the hand, it is discovered that (up to a point), and players first bridge drive in aid of North revoked on the fourth trick in a no-trump contract. can refer to their crib sheets the Village Hall Restoration What is the usual ruling? and ask for assistance during and Improvement Fund play. Individual players are on October 25, 2011. CARD GAMES welcome and will always be This was also my 70th 11 In which card game does an ace require the next player guaranteed a partner. Results birthday, which added to play four cards, a king require him to play three cards, are emailed out to members to the excitement/stress, a queen require him to play two cards and a jack require within a couple of days. particularly when someone him to play one card? We now have 70 players on suggested birthday bumps. 12 In which game are the queen of spades and jack of our database, and the aver- The day was an astounding diamonds ‘married’ together? age number of tables over success, chaotic at times, 13 Which card game is Lowball a form of? a year is eight and a half. calm and restful at others. We are not a club as we Lunch was a triumph and 14 Which card game might include Mr Bun the Baker? do not have a committee, so was the raffle, thanks to nor a constitution, but we a wonderful donation from ODD ONE OUT operate as closely as possible Mr Bridge and friends of (Which is the odd one out in each case?) to an established bridge Bournheath Bridge, we made 15 Suicide, Double, Rainbow, Automatic, Triple club to prepare for their an impressive £370 which we 16 In standard Acol the sequences: eventual transition to one know will be put to good use 2NT – 4NT, 1♥ – 3♥, 1♣ – 2♣, 2♥ – 3♥, 1NT – 2NT. of our local bridge clubs. by the Village Hall committee. Eugene and I offer We would all like to pass 17 Negative, Heavy, Competitive, Support, Lead directing occasional tutorials to cover on our thanks to everyone 18 In standard Acol, the opening bids: 1♣, 2♣, 3♣, 4♣, 5♣. certain topics, perhaps areas concerned with Mr Bridge, we have identified where for a great service and ANAGRAMS on a ‘BRIDGE’ theme clarification may be in order, the added bonus of the 19 A GENTLE DOG or a particular hand that has wonderful free magazine. caused some excitement. Anne Gledenning and 20 UNHORSE BY YARD As we all know, bridge Eugene Elijah, venues are crucial to the Bournheath Bridge.

Page 41 READERS’ LETTERS full of such programmes with NO WAY PC continued CHARITY the internet providing even I wonder if it would be more on the subject. My rea- financially feasible to serialise BRIDGE son for writing this paragraph Bridge in the Menagerie, EVENTS MISSING ADVICE is to ask Sally what she takes written by the late Victor In BRIDGE 108, a letter to keep up this schedule. I Mollo in the 1960s? I feel DECEMBER 2011 located at the bottom of can only assume that it is readers would enjoy it even page 34, asked your advice her enthusiasm for life. though not politically correct. 5 St Teresa’s HOSPICE, on computer dealt hands. Mr W Roberts, Mr J Munkley, DARLINGTON. Christmas party at St I followed the arrow and Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancs. Consett, Co Durham. George’s Bridge Centre, was disappointed to find They should buy the book Darlington. 1.15pm. Only £5 there was no advice. CELEBRATION as it is still in print. to include tea and prizes. I would still like to hear See you at Denham Grove ( 01325 469785 your reply as there has been on New Year’s Eve. RULES ARE RULES FEBRUARY 2012 a mixed response to the Mrs E Middlemiss, As a rubber bridge player of 15 ROTARY CLUB OF introduction of computer Woodstock, Oxon. 60 years, I find I have to play WIMBORNE DORSET dealt hands at our club. I’m looking forward to it. ‘Chicago’ with some younger Allendale Community Peter Edwards by email. players as they do not know Centre, Wimborne. 2pm. The big advantage is that JUNKIE how to play rubber. They Teams. £28 per table including high tea & prizes. a print-out of the hands Ten years ago, I would never insist that if the hands Don Phillips can easily be generated. have believed that I would are passed out, then the ( 01202 891801 now be a bridge addict. dealer re-deals. This seems MARCH 2012 WHAT I LIKE Bridge sounded far too illogical as other players I would like to comment on complicated and a bit stuffy. might have bid. Surely the 1 NSPCC Taunton Committee two recent features. Firstly, However, the opposite is dealer should continue to bridge drive at Oake Village as one new to the game of the case. It is great fun and rotate as in duplicate? Hall. 10 for 10.30am to bridge, the columns devoted I’ve met many interesting John Kendall, Bury St 3pm. Tickets £16.00 each to the rules on etiquette are people and it gets ever more Edmunds, Suffolk. to include coffee, biscuits, lunch and a glass of wine. of particular interest. The challenging the more I learn. They should stick to Fay Thomas major point seems to be I play at The Lawn Bridge the Laws of Bridge. ( 01823 336443 directors’ rulings and the Club in Swindon run by 30 Parkinson’s UK frequent number of times Derek Fenn who holds two FIVE-CARD MAJORS Huntingdonshire branch I read that the rulings at sessions on a Wednesday. Why do we read so little Hemingford Abbots Village club level are wrong. If this I do both, and play from about Five-card Major Hall. 10am coffee for 10.30 is pointed out to the club 1.15 – 4.45 and 6.00 – bidding systems in your start. Lunch included. £15. Paul Boothman director, sometime later, 9.30 (total cost of £2.50). magazine or anywhere ( 01480 466588 what redress, if any, can be These are friendly, informal in this country when the done at club level about the sessions for a range of systems are so popular in APRIL 2012 incident, especially in a club abilities and Derek gives America and elsewhere? 25 PRINCESS ALICE HOSPICE competition, or is it a question advice when requested. The Arnold George, Bridge lunch at Putney Leisure Centre. of ‘what will be, will be’? two groups are popular and Wokingham. 10am for 11am. At least the club director both have almost doubled Bernard Magee’s new CD £68 a table including lunch. will know for next time. in size. I have certainly is Five-Card Majors. Pam Turner Secondly, there is ‘Catch- made a lot of progress in ( 020 8995 2270 ing Up’. The question I ask the two years I have been ANYONE KNOW? MAY 2012 here is ‘are there enough playing at The Lawn. On I was playing bridge with 9 LADYWELL AFRICAN hours in the day?’ Rais- a Thursday I play online some friends and there was MISSIONS ing a family, bridge, travel with my three sisters, one of a perfectly normal deal. Bridge tea. Ladywell updates and romance in the whom is in New Zealand. Pearl went white and we Convent, Ashstead Lane, background. Is this a written Mrs S Woodwark, stressed she should bid the Godalming. 1.30 for 2pm to 5pm. £32 a table. form of Twitter? What I find Purton, Swindon. hand normally; she bid 7NT Sister June puzzling is that some of your and made it. She had 37 ( 01483 419393 readers’ letters decry the ar- SPACE FILLER points with four spades so [email protected] ticle. I thought ‘we’ in Britain I’ve suddenly realised that it was the strongest holding liked the idea of peeping into something was missing from possible. Phil had the other E-mail your other people’s lives. For those my life – copies of BRIDGE three jacks. What are the charity events: readers who are shaking had stopped arriving. odds of this happening? [email protected] their heads in disapproval, Mr D Hughes, Janet Miller, look about; the television is Worthing, Sussex. Shenfield, Essex.

Page 42 READERS’ LETTERS involved and really looked and more experienced our club is relevant as we continued forward to the various games bridge player than me, went voted to disaffiliate by a we played, only discovering through the conventions we large majority. Since leaving, bridge after getting married. agreed to play and ended our numbers have gone up DOs AND DON’Ts Is it possible that, as times with this warning, ‘never and we have successfully FOR PLAYING TEAMS have changed, not only double a grand slam’. started a second session. A few years ago I took part are fewer young people After only a few hands, Membership of the EBU is in a teams event. I have very discovering bridge, but they I was dealt yet another now really a non-issue. It is little memory as to how I got are also not playing card nondescript hand whose never discussed and we have on, but I do remember that games at all? Without a only saving grace was A-Q-x proved to ourselves that we one member of our team had grounding in the pleasure in hearts. I didn’t take too do not need the EBU to run noted down a few guidelines of cards as a pastime, I much notice of the bidding a successful duplicate club. as to how tactics in team suspect fewer people will until my right hand opponent What makes the average events vary from duplicate. be playing in the future. suddenly bid 7 hearts. I bridge club successful? Your I came across these notes a Graham Wood by email. immediately doubled. A recent survey indicated an few days ago and wonder furious glare from my partner average age of membership if they still apply and are GOFF STAMPS followed. This turned into a of about 72. At this time of there any more which could Guess where this congratulatory smile when, life, I think the vast majority of be added to this list? stamp came from? not only did I overtake right club members in most clubs 1 When vulnerable, hand opponent’s king with are playing for the social never stop bidding a my ace, but immediately experience. They really want major at the three level. plonked down my queen. to play among those whose Always bid game. Two down, doubled and bridge skills are roughly 2 When not vulnerable, bid vulnerable. Our team mates comparable to their own and as you would at pairs. (a couple of actuaries) in whom they regard as friends. 3 Ignore playing for the other room bid and They are not seeking to play overtricks unless they are made 4 hearts with an at a very high level, and 100% copper bottomed. overtrick. This proved to be certainly don’t want to play 4 Do not compete for Mr R Stittle, Sheffield. the winning margin and I in county leagues or travel a five level game The Clive Goff discount was invited to play again. considerable distances to unless in a minor. stamp service, I’m sure. I remained in the team for play in tournaments against 5 Always bid a game if ( 020 8422 4906 the next couple of years people they don’t know. there is a possibility. until I left the company. The In our area, most clubs 6 Always bid a slam if I SPY old adage, ‘circumstances have seceded, but two there is a possibility. Thank you for reinstating me alter cases’, needs to be have remained with the 7 Never double into game. onto your mailing list after borne in mind, even with EBU. There seems little 8 To summarise: I absent-mindedly failed to such emphatic advice. correlation between success ‘Bid Boldly, Play Safe’. re-register. I shall not do Mr R Mitchell, Edenbridge. and membership of the Mr B Berlanny, so again. The subterfuge EBU. Indeed, the closest Portsmouth, Hants. required to glimpse DONE DEAL comparison one can make missing copies in friends’ It is enjoyable to see the is at a local hall where PREFERRED houses was too stressful. debate about P2P receiving two separate clubs meet Unlike Mr Douce, I prefer the David O’Neill, Colkirk. another airing. The pros on different days. The EBU answers on the next page as and cons continue to make club averages some five they are easier to access. ANYBODY WANT THEM interesting reading. Your tables whereas the non- Mrs P Cormack, Coventry. BRIDGE numbers 5-104 correspondent asked for EBU club gets up to nine. are available should guidance on whether his Alan Mansell, Chairman, PRE TV anyone be interested. club should re-affiliate. Milford-on-Sea The list of average ages set Contact Mr P Wiseman. Perhaps the experience of Bridge Club. me wondering. When I was ( 01692 500391. young, all of my parents’ REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR POSTAGE families and friends were NOT ALWAYS SO Postage stamps for sale at 90% of face-value, card players (although not Reading Mrs J Gordon’s all mint with full gum. bridge players) and no letter under the heading Quotations for commercial quantities evening passed without a ‘Good Advice’ in BRIDGE available on request. pack of cards coming out 110 reminded me of my Values supplied in 100s, higher values available as well for entertainment. In fact debut in the Insurance Bridge as 1st and 2nd class (eg 1st class: 100x37p+100x9p) some came specifically for League teams of four, circa (/Fax 020 8422 4906 e-mail: [email protected] card evenings. I became 1975. My partner, a better

Page 43 READERS’ LETTERS the minutiae of Mrs Brock’s have also had a number of continued life – nearly three-and-a-half members of staff coming Sally’s Dramatis pages is really too much. to the club, either taking up Personae John Turner, the game for the first time, Sally Brock lives in High Wy- IT MUST BE LOVE Hucclecote, Glos. or returning as improvers. combe with her two teenag- One evening, many years Begin Bridge is an excel- ers. She works partly as a bridge professional, occa- ago, I was partnering Frank, lent aid to learning. We THAT’S BETTER sionally playing for pay, but my fiancé, in a game of I have many questions as I adopted a policy of not using more often writing (she is bridge with two friends. have only been playing for mini-bridge for our begin- the bridge columnist for The They were all expert play- fifty plus years, but I just ners: we have found that as Sunday Times) and teaching on-line; the rest of the time, ers whilst I was a beginner. want you to know how much they are at the older end of she works on the production A few games were played informative pleasure your the age range, they cope of travel guides – hence the and then the bidding left me magazine gives me. Please well with ‘full immersion’ occasional reference to rather obscure countries. She has as declarer. I went two off. keep going with a bit more into the game, playing with been a member of the British/ Feeling a bit guilty, I turned humour to lighten the mix. someone more experienced English women’s team on and to Frank and said ‘Tell me Mr M Ison, London N3. at their side, so we bypassed off since 1979. dear, how would you have Bernard’s chapter relating to Barry Myers is Sally’s new played that hand’? LUCK OF THE DEAL mini-bridge, and we did not partner, both at and away from the bridge table. He is a There was a slight pause I wonder if any of your find this to be a problem. criminal defence barrister and and then with a wicked readers have had an His style of tuition is very lives in Shepherd’s Bush. half-smile, he said, ‘Un- experience to match mine. effective: at first I wondered Jeremy Dhondy, a recently der an assumed name’. In some 200 recent hands about his interjections of ‘well retired geography teacher, I still married him. of rubber bridge, I have played’ or – more often – an married to Heather. Name & address supplied. had fewer than five hands encouragement to reconsider. Heather Dhondy, a profes- in which I have been in a But it makes the environment sional bridge player, teacher and writer. She lives in Lon- THINGS I LIKED position to make an open- more positive and supportive don and her bridge partner is I really enjoyed the October ing bid. My average holding to feel one is playing along- Nevena Senior. issue, especially the letter has been below 8 HCPs. side the tutor. The facility to Susan Stockdale, now aged from a Mr D, who can’t read I feel so discouraged, I am review and replay hands, and 28, first played for England your magazine in bed or in thinking of giving up bridge. to go step-by-step through when she was 14. Susan an easy chair. One wonders Alistair Lang, the analysis is really help- works as director of a company that markets and dis- in what position he would Sparsholt, Winchester. ful. One can play a hand tributes products to the vet- find it easier to read? Come on. This is just one of through and then review, or erinary and animal healthcare Minda Alexander, life’s little ups and downs. take time and proceed slowly. sectors. Her partner is … Weybridge, Surrey. The explanations are clear Fiona Brown, aged 26, comes REVIEW and detailed, enabling the from Australia, but now lives in Harrogate with her boy- ANY CHANCE? Last term, you kindly sent learner to quickly develop friend, Irish international Now that iphones and us a complimentary copy a more precise feel for the Hugh McGann. Last year, she ipads have become part of Bernard Magee’s Begin game. This encourages finished her IT degree and at the moment works part-time of (some) of our lives, is Bridge software. We have improvement and the desire in a pharmacy. there likely to be an app? a small bridge club here at to go on learning, because Nevena Senior, partner of Angela Bright, Sheffield. Malvern College and we are there is an immediate sense Heather, was born and raised I’m looking into it. keen to enable pupils to gain of progress and develop- in Bulgaria, but now lives in positive early experiences of ment. Both pupils and the Nottingham with husband CAN’T SUIT EVERYONE bridge that they can carry teaching staff who have tried Brian. She has two children. Although it grieves me to say with them into university and Begin Bridge have spoken Nicola Smith is Sally’s current bridge partner. They formed this, the magazine has dete- later life. Almost all of the with unqualified praise. a last-minute partnership riorated to become a cross pupils who join us have no Thank you for supply- in 2008 to play in the World between a sales catalogue bridge background: some ing this excellent aid. It has Mind Sports Games in Beijing. and a travel supplement. have some general card- helped to set a new gen- There, along with teammates Nevena & Heather (and Anne We could also do without playing experience. We eration of players on the first Rosen & Catherine Draper), steps of a lifelong journey they won the gold medal. with bridge. I have looked at Nicola has been playing inter- Write to Mr Bridge at: national bridge since she was the trial versions of Bernard’s Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH 17, which is a long time ago. other tuition software, and or e-mail [email protected] Jason and Justin Hackett are E-mail correspondents are asked to include I am sure that we will be twins living in Manchester their name, full postal address, telephone making further purchases. and long-time members of number and to send no attachments. Andrew Law, Malvern the British/English open team. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. College, Malvern. ■

Page 44 Seven Days by Sally Brock

Saturday / Sunday for a photo shoot of all the participants ones with plenty of room for at least and officials (of whom there are a great two people to stand side by side be- number). This is a slatted makeshift tween the seats. What is more, they are At the end of last month’s article, stepped platform – rather precarious air-conditioned and the standard fare I mentioned that we were going to to negotiate (why did I wear heels?) but, from anywhere to anywhere is 20p – Beijing for a week. This is it. We rather against the odds, we achieve all not quite like London after all. are going to the Beijing Hua Yuan this with no fatalities (and the photo We go to the Silk Market, which is Cup World Women’s Elite Bridge they took and presented us with – in a the place to shop: five floors offering Tournament (that is a bit of a beautiful fabric-covered presentation various types of merchandise. Shoes, mouthful): eight invited international box – is excellent). Then we find our bags and luggage in the basement; women’s teams compete, first for an tables and, after a few speeches, our general clothes at ground level; then all-play-all teams’ competition and hosts treat us to a Chinese banquet. toys and children’s clothes; up a bit for then a three-session pairs. A total of While we find the tiny amount of wine general Chinese clothes, accessories US$200,000 is on offer in prize money. in our glasses a little disconcerting, and souvenirs; finally, jewellery on The organisers are prepared to pay for this seems to be a Chinese custom. the top. It is a little unclear whether accommodation/food for eight people You make the various toasts with this the goods are fakes, or seconds, or so Jeremy and Barry are coming too. small amount of wine; subsequently simply surplus supplies from factories Saturday afternoon, we turn up at they fill the glasses in normal fashion in China that manufacture Western Heathrow in plenty of time and meet (actually more frequently than is usual goods. Personally, I do not care. It is up with Heather and Jeremy for a late at this type of affair). It is all completely great to haggle for designer-labelled lunch. The first leg of the flight is to delicious. goods, getting them for a fraction of Amsterdam, where we meet Susan, The Chinese do their eating early what you would have to pay here. Even Fiona and Nevena (Nicola has opted and efficiently; so, by eight o’clock, we Barry gets into the spirit of things and for a direct flight). Then it is the endless are done and dusted (and this is the buys a cashmere Burberry scarf for £2. tedium of a ten-hour or so night flight. case every evening). We go for a walk After a couple of (somewhat Around about Sunday lunchtime, and find that just around the corner exhausting) hours we go back to we land in Beijing where we are met from the hotel are some pavement the hotel, have a bite to eat (food by friendly smiling faces (I now bars/cafés where we can sit and nurse a is in plentiful supply at this event) remember this from my last visit to beer indefinitely in the balmy evening and then get to the table for our first Beijing – the people smile so much) air, surrounded by high-tech shops match. Nicola and I start against the and are transported to our hotel, the with lots of neon. Netherlands, which is a disaster. appropriately named Beijing Hotel, On Board 1, I hold: right in the centre, within easy walking distance of the Forbidden Monday City and Tiananmen Square. The hotel ♠ Q J 9 is excellent, well worth its five stars. Everyone seems to have slept well; ♥ A 8 We now have the problem of what to after breakfast, Barry and I brave the ♦ 2 do with ourselves for the afternoon Beijing subway (mockery from many ♣ A J 10 8 7 6 3 when all we want is to sleep. There are of the rest of the team who assumed various plans to go to the gym, have we would all go everywhere by taxi). a swim etc, which all seem like good Actually, it is easy – just like London It is Love All and my left-hand ideas until my head hits the pillow. really. All the signs and announce- opponent opens 2♠ (weak), raised to I do not care how bad an idea it is to ments are in English as well as Chi- 4♠ by RHO. I sigh and bid 5♣. Pass, sleep, I just have to. nese. Although the trains may look to Pass, Double: I go for 300 when they At 6ish we meet, in our dress be rather crowded as they pull into the can perhaps make 2♠ if they read uniform, for the opening ceremony. station, when you get inside, you real- everything right. We all have to climb onto scaffolding ise they are much wider than London On Board 2, I hold:

Page 45 Seven Days continued a text from them insisting that they flavoured with a little chilli. Oh well, are taking us all out to dinner and another box ticked. will pick us up at 6.30pm. After a The third match is against Beijing. quick change, we meet in the lobby While this may not be their national and they arrive to take us around the team, I recognise more of the names ♠ A K J 10 9 3 corner to a Chinese restaurant that and faces of their players than I do of ♥ A K Q 8 specialises in Peking duck. A couple China United; they are indeed leading ♦ K 6 2 of world champions accompany us – the event. We manage a respectable ♣ Void Fulvio Fantoni, who won the world draw in a flat, well-played match. pairs in Montreal in 2002, and Fu In the evening, more cultured souls Zhao, who won in Verona in 2006. We than us are going to the Chinese This time my RHO opens 1♣, I dou- have a fabulous meal, which includes opera, so there is an early dinner at the ble and Nicola bids 1♥. What now – it no fewer than three ducks. There hotel. We opt for this, which again is seems worth a slam try, but what? If I is a charming Chinese man sitting excellent, though perhaps a little less bid 4♣, it will show the void but it will next to me, who seems not to speak so than we have come to expect. be difficult for her to make a forward- or understand English. He is very Later we hook up with my great going move without anything in dia- obliging in helping me with my food friend Karen McCallum and her monds (I am happy to be in a slam that (I am not too bad with chopsticks, in partner Lynn Baker who are part depends on finding my RHO with the English company, but here I am a bit of the American team. Friendship ace of diamonds). I could bid 2♣, in- below par) and picks up the bill for the takes a rather unusual shape in the tending to follow up with 4♣, which lot of us. Thank you very much, sir. international bridge world – you would work OK provided she rebids in rarely meet in either of your home hearts; the snag is that if, say, she bids environments, yet you get very close 2♦ over 2♣, I might find it difficult to for a short period and then do not see agree hearts at all. In the end, I settle for Tuesday each other for a long while. Karen and 3♣. This (I think) does not show a void I shared a room for ten days or so in but does allow her to do something en- The jetlag hits. Nobody sleeps; we all Philadelphia last October but have not couraging, such as bidding 4♥, or even appear at breakfast bleary-eyed. There seen each other since. 3NT which in our style over a splinter is a 9.30am start and it is hard to drag bid, would be encouraging. Over 3♣, ourselves to the table. This match Nicola bids 3NT, so, according to plan, is against France. Generally, it goes I bid 6♥. My heart sinks when RHO pretty well; we are heading for a fair Wednesday leads the queen of diamonds. So slam win when we lose a large swing on the goes a couple down. Worst of all, the last board in a somewhat unusual way. Barry has booked a tour today: opponents at the other table have a I lose a bit of concentration and defend Forbidden City, Summer Palace and bidding misunderstanding (actually, I rather carelessly, settling for one down Temple of Heaven, so he is up at dawn do not think it was a misunderstand- with some misguided notion that, if (about five minutes after I finally ing – the player in Nicola’s seat chose I try for more I might end up losing manage to get to sleep). He slips out of to pass a forcing bid) and fail to reach one of my (fairly) sure trump tricks. In the room and I go back to sleep. Nicola game. It turns out that Nicola thought the other room, against better defence, and I are out for the first match against 3♣ was asking for a stopper (and hav- Fiona has a line to make her contract the Chinese National team. I wake up ing touted the sequence around a few and goes for it. When the dust clears, at about ten, to find I have missed other people, she may be right); so I she is six down: 11 IMPs out. breakfast, so I go to the gym, which should not have been encouraged by Nicola and I are out for the middle energises me a little. I have a bath her 3NT bid at all. match against Sweden. The girls do before I read my book and turn up for On Board 3, the slam we bid is us proud and win … While they are the scoring of the match. The girls do better, possibly better than 50% even, playing, Barry and I go for a little well and win comfortably. Sitting us but it fails to make. So, after three walk, to explore our immediate out seems to be the winning captaincy boards, we are minus 29 IMPs. It does neighbourhood. We discover a very decision. The deal everyone is talking not improve a great deal and we lose lively street market just behind our about is this one (see below). the first match 22-8. hotel with all sorts of interesting Our South, Fiona, opens the bidding The captain perseveres with us in produce for sale. We dare each other with a weak no-trump (yes, I know, it the second match, which is against to eat scorpions. The squeamish would not have been my choice either: Canada. We do better this time, but amongst you may prefer to skip this that probably means we are all getting hardly earth shattering and teammates next bit – you buy a wooden skewer old). After West overcalls, Susan closes have a tough time too: we lose again. with three live wriggling scorpions proceedings with a leap to 6NT. Fiona Jason and Justin Hackett are also on it, this is then plunged into hot fat, wins the club lead and plays three in Beijing, playing in an open event and they give it to you to eat. It does more rounds (East discarding a heart at a different venue. Fiona receives not actually taste of much, just crunch and a spade). She then finesses the

Page 46 Seven Days continued wine ever produced. in 3NT, more that I do not have one We have (intentionally) missed at all and just play the cards nearest dinner at the hotel by now and pick my thumb. I cannot remember ever somewhere from a guidebook. It is feeling quite so ‘out of it’. spade and plays a couple of diamonds, modern, excellent, quite expensive, Then it is over; we have retained our West discarding a spade. So she knows but a bit different – we eat ducks’ hold on second place. The winners, a West started with a 7-1-1-4 distribution tongues, pigeons’ hearts and other Chinese pair, were always a couple of (East surely has five hearts for that such delicacies. tops ahead of us, so we would have early heart discard). In the end, she been unlikely to catch them; the decides that West is more likely to chasing pack does not quite manage to hold the singleton ace than any other catch us either. singleton, so she plays a heart to the Thursday After a buffet lunch, we (Barry, nine to land her slam. I guess if you Heather, Jeremy, Nevena and I) play them like that, you can afford to Barry and Jeremy go off on a tour to decline the opportunity for further bid like that too. the Great Wall, while the rest of us shopping (we are returning here for knuckle down to the Yang Guang another tournament before Christmas Sheng Da Cup Pairs; it is three after all) and go on a little outing. We Dealer North. Love All. sessions of all-play-all with twenty- take the subway some distance away ♠ A Q 6 three rounds. Nicola and I get off to an and walk back through what we think ♥ 7 5 2 excellent start, which is very important is going to be ‘old Beijing’. However, ♦ A K Q 7 in this type of event. After a couple of we seem to miss this entirely, still ♣ A J 5 rounds, we are in the lead; we then having a nice time walking through a ♠ K J 10 9 8 7 3 ♠ 4 2 drop to second where we stay for the huge park with lots of lakes and water ♥ A N ♥ J 10 8 6 3 rest of the event. The longer the event features. All the bars/cafés here have ♦ 3 W E ♦ 9 8 6 2 goes on the less movement of position easy chairs and sofas outside: comfort S ♣ 10 6 4 3 ♣ 9 8 there is. It seems that whether we have and fresh air. Irresistible, so, of course, ♠ 5 a good round or a bad round we stay we stop for a beer. We watch people ♥ K Q 9 4 the same in relation to everyone else. fishing, swimming, boating etc, and ♦ J 10 5 4 After two sessions of the pairs, we walk for miles and miles and miles … ♣ K Q 7 2 all feel completely exhausted. None We meet up in dress uniform at six of us is sleeping properly yet. We have or so for the closing ceremony and the buffet dinner in the hotel, but final banquet. Our hosts present our Our final match is against the it is too early for bed. Barry, Susan, prize money and … just when we Americans. There is some good and Fiona and I decide we will go out for had managed to squeeze everything some bad bridge played by both sides a walk – undeterred by the fact that into our bulging suitcases … giant and it ends in a tiny loss for us. In it is raining. Remembering that the stuffed pandas each. (Actually, I lie: truth, the actual result does not matter hotel provides us with umbrellas in Barry and I have yet to start packing). much as it looks as if we will finish our rooms, we fetch them and walk Afterwards, we go out to our café with fourth, more or less whatever happens. to Tiananmen Square in the rain. The sundry Dutch, Swedish and American Fourth out of eight is hardly brilliant guidebook tells us about the cafés and women, all hoping to receive an but we did best against the better bars around the square but we fail invitation back next time. teams, which at least bodes well if we to find them. The square itself looks get to the knockout stages of the world firmly closed – it looks as if someone championships next month. might come and arrest us if we get Anyway, we now move to the more too close. We walk quite a long way in Saturday / Sunday serious matter of the day: shopping. I search of a bar, before giving up and escort Nicola, Fiona and Susan to the visiting our regular pavement café. We are on an earlier flight back. A Silk Market on the subway. We shop 9.30am flight seemed an OK idea until we drop, eventually getting back when I booked. At 6am, when we get to the hotel at about eight. One of the our alarm call, I am not so sure. The items we had agreed to get was the Friday homeward flight is much better than wine; we return to find that Barry, the outward one. I can entertain myself Heather and Jeremy have given up on The third session of the pairs continues indefinitely with reading, watching us and opened a quite expensive bottle roughly in the same manner as the movies, listening to music, doing of wine that we purchased near our other two. I for one am wilting badly Sudoku puzzles, etc, just as long as I do hotel. After the first sip, however, they and it is a miracle that we keep our not have to pretend to sleep. We return decided that they would wait for us position. At one point, it feels that I via Paris – a hold-up there because of a after all. They are insistent that we all have forgotten how to play the game bomb scare – and eventually get home try what they regard as the worst red at all: it is not that I have a bad plan early evening. ■

Page 47

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