HE ULLETIN TPublished by the QueenslandQBA Bridge Association BJuly-September 2014 Volume 40 No www.qldbridge.com Email: [email protected] 3

fence. Annette can assist you in From the obtaining a copy of the book ANC President (0423 121 643). Please support the authors by buying one. Joan Butts has published two volumes; Play Bridge: A Workbook for the Absolute Beginner and Play Bridge 2: A Workbook for Help with Play. Richard Wallis Keith Both books are clearly set out and McDonald cover the essentials for playing a basic game of bridge. You can Open Teams HE sign of a vibrant organisation read more by going to www. HE ANC is usually a good Tis the publication of books related joanbuttsbridge.com or email Joan Tevent, and this year, held at the to the goals of that organisation. I at [email protected] or Canterbury Racetrack in Sydney, am pleased to promote several new phone 0413 772 650. was no exception. Queensland publications. I could not let the opportunity pass fielded a team in each of the Open, Annette Corkhill and Bill Hunt have without reminding players about Womens, Seniors and Youth, and all published Mabel and Mary's Light Better Bidding for Improving Players played to the best of their ability and Bulb Bridge: Constructive Bridge by Ross Dick. Published by the QBA in good spirits, and were a credit to for the Advancing Player. This light- this is an excellent book to assist the QLD colours. hearted satire is a fun read, though improving and intermediate players The Youth, with a largely in- its intent is serious. It teaches who are keen to advance their experienced line-up, struggled early, constructive bidding, play and de- bidding skills. ■ losing all of the opening 7 matches, but then they hit their straps, and won 5 in a row, including 2 blitzes, to at one stage rise to 3rd, before 2015 losing 2 of the final 3 matches to drop back to 4th. Jessica Brake, Gold Coast Andrew Gosney, Chris Larter, Michael Gearing, Josh Davis and Angus Gray can hold their heads Congress up after that great come-back, and they would have all benefitted February 21 - 28 greatly from the experience. The Seniors and Womens teams were always in the hunt, each just falling out of the race for the finals in Contents the last or second last match. Before From the President...... 1 ANC by Richard Wallis...... 1 the final match, any of the top 4 in The Youth by Andy Hung...... 4 the Womens event could have made ANC Antics with the Amigos by Jim Evans...... 6 the final, but both WA and QLD lost, What Annoys Bridge Players by Peter Busch...... 7 keeping the top 2 in the final, but Killarney Congress by Richard Wallis...... 8 with positions reversed. Novices by Michael Fawcett...... 10 This year Therese Tully and I played Barrier Reef Congress by Richard Wallis...... 12 in the Open Team, along with Charlie Teachers' Corner by Joan Butts...... 13 Howard/Kerry Wood and Neville Manager's Travels by Kim Ellaway...... 15 25 Years Ago by Paul Lavings...... 15 Francis/Kevin Steffenson, with Jim Coffs Harbour Super Congress by Malcolm Carter...... 17 Evans as non-playing captain. We Directors' Corner by Jan Peach...... 20 started out with a shocker on BBOL against South Australia, where our

The QBA Bulletin July - September 2014 2

inexperience against the wild system The first disappointment was when At the other table, a different line played by our opponents made it East showed out on the second enabled North to escape for 1 off very difficult for me to get anything round of spades, which meant I was and 2 Imps away. If I had taken the right, and this was followed by a now down to only 12 tricks, and I had diamond by leading the ♦Q good win (by the other 4) against to get rid of my losing clubs quickly, and East had covered, I could have Tasmania, before another loss to so the marked (sic) heart finesse was drawn trumps and exited with the ♣J, ACT dropped us back to near the now taken! 3 off and 12 IMPs out. end-playing West for at least 7 tricks. bottom of the field again. While things were partially bad for M 1 ♠ 1083 We started to improve, but the horse me in a diamond contract, 2CX would Bd 3 ♥ 2 had bolted, and we were never in have gone badly for West, with him Dlr S ♦ QJ43 the hunt after that, holding our own losing 4 clubs and 3 diamonds, for 2 Vul EW ♣ J10876 off and +500 to us. against the top teams (except ACT ♠ AQ ♠ J742 belted us again), but never getting ♥ A9 N ♥ QJ543 W E M 1 ♠ Q4 into the top 4. Our only claim to fame ♦ 432 ♦ K96 S Bd 4 ♥ A10 was beating WA both times, and ♣ 2Q9543 ♣ K Dlr W ♦ AKQ752 a small win against VIC in the last ♠ K965 Vul Both ♣ A84 match gave us an overall positive ♥ K10876 result against them, and kept them ♠ 52 ♠ AKJ876 ♦ A108 ♥ 87 N ♥ QJ2 out of the finals, allowing ACT to ♣ A W E sneak in. In a see-sawing Final, ACT ♦ 643 S ♦ J109 was too good in the end and beat ♣ Q109632 ♣ 7 NSW by a small margin to claim the ♠ 1093 W N E S ♥ K96543 Open Teams Championship. 1H C 2 P P X ♦ 8 M 1 ♠ AJ1032 P 2D All pass ♣ KJ5 Bd 1 ♥ K3 Dlr N ♦ AK8 I missed my chance to extract some Vul None ♣ A106 revenge for an earlier , when W N E S ♠ Q986 ♠ 7 I wimped out of passing Therese’s 1D 1S P ♥ Q8 N ♥ 976542 take-out double of 2C, preferring to P 2S X 3H W E P 3S X P ♦ J754 S ♦ 32 bid my 4-card suit. P 4D! All pass ♣ K53 ♣ QJ98 I won the ♣A and pulled the ♥6 from ♠ K54 the table, but West won and led a On this board I should have made an ♥ AJ10 , East wisely refusing to play easy trial bid that would have saved ♦ Q1096 his ♦K. the board, instead of losing 10 IMPs. ♣ 742 Now I could clubs and hearts, but Anxious to have Therese bid 3NT East was able to discard his hearts with a spade stop, and expecting to while I ruffed clubs on the table, and have 8 tricks in my hand, I forced W N E S then over-ruff my ♦Q at the end with with 2S when the 1S came 1S 2H! 3H P 4NT P 5H his carefully preserved ♦K for 2 off. back to me. P 6S All pass The Open Team

On the first board of the competition, on Viewgraph against SA, East overcalled 2H, which was not alerted, so I did not realize it could be made on such a weak hand (who would?). Therese bid 3H, which showed at least at least a limit raise with 3-card support, so with what seemed like the knowledge of where everything was likely to be, I bid the slam when we had the 5 Key cards, thinking I could finesse East for the missing ♠Q. East led the ♣Q, and I should have been suspicious, as this placed the ♣K with West, and meant that East only had 8 points at most for his 2-level overcall, but the still Jim Evans (npc), Neville Francis, Kevin Steffenson, Kerry Wood, meant I could make 12 or 13 tricks! Therese Tully, Richard Wallis and Charlie Howard

The QBA Bulletin July - September 2014 3

Now Therese made a free-bid of 3H I won the ♣K and led back a diamond, over the double, so I went looking and after a lot of thought, North rose for Jxx in her hand with a second with the ♦A, ruffed a club, and pitched cue-bid, but her pass of the double 2 diamonds on top hearts, before indicated she did not have it, so I ruffing a diamond back to hand to lazily signed off in 4D. ruff another club. The fall of the ♣A She would have known that my 2S allowed North to claim 12 tricks. and 3S bids were based on a solid At the other table, the contract was diamond suit, and after her 3H bid, 1 down when the diamond finesse certainly a 5-card suit, I could have failed, which was a straight-forward Bev Stacey and Connie Schoutrop shown her my useful heart doubleton 50% chance. ■ who came third in the Women's by bidding 4H, not the wishy-washy The full article is available on Butler Pairs - the highest placed 4D bid which allowed her to pass. the website. Queenslanders Since she did have a 6-card suit, pass- ing 4H would have been automatic, but The Seniors even with a 5-2 fit, 4H has a play, and 5D was cold anyway, so either way we would have reached a makeable game. At the other table better bidding got them to 4H and we lost 10 IMPs.

M 3 ♠ AK1083 Bd 16 ♥ 3 Dlr W ♦ 6AQ Vul EW ♣ QJ84 ♠ 2 ♠ J54 ♥ 86542 N ♥ 1097 W E ♦ 10875 S ♦ K2 ♣ AK9 ♣ 107632 ♠ Q976 ♥ AKQJ ♦ J943 ♣ 5 Larry Moses, Paul Collins, Alan Gibson (npc), Robert Milward, Agnes Kempthorne, Ian Afflick and Barry Kempthorne W N E S P 1S P 2NT The Women P 3H P 3S P 4C P 4S P 5D P 6S All pass

On board 16 in match 3 against ACT, North got lucky in the play of the hand, and we lost 14 IMPs. In the bidding sequence shown, South forced to game in spades with 2NT, and then North showed firstly a heart shortage, then something like AK of trumps and an outside ace, or 3 aces without the ♠K, but South was unsure whether he had gotten it right, so signed off in 4S. North went again with a 5D cue, so South was away, and Therese led the ♣6. If I had been awake, I would have played the ♣A at trick 1, which can hardly cause Therese any problems, but would have given North the ruffing finesse as a losing option, but Sue O’Brien (npc) Janeen Solomon, Pele Rankin, Meta Goodman, Eileen Li, Greer Tucker and Maureen Jakes alas I was in auto mode.

The QBA Bulletin July - September 2014 4

matches each. QLD faced off SA in out on top 204-151 IMPs. Going the very first match, and as the SA into the last set of 10 boards, WA team was considered the least expe- were down by 69 IMPs. With a lot of rienced team, I was hoping we would swingy boards needed badly, here Andy get off to a good start. Unfortunately, is a hand where Rhys Cooper from Hung this was not to be. We had lost the WA chose to adopt the “never give match 82-38 IMPs and from there up” strategy. The Youth onwards, I suspected the tournament He was sitting West. HE Australian National Cham- was going to be an uphill battle. KJ973 pionships for 2014 was held at My suspicions were confirmed when Dlr N ♠ T A96 the Canterbury Racecourse in Syd- our team was lying on the bottom of Vul None ♥ 765 ney. The interstate youth field this the ladder after 7 of the 15 rounds. ♦ 65 year was a bit of a surprise - albeit With our players growing restless ♣ — AQ102 a good one - in that over 50% of the and full of despair, I encouraged ♠ ♠ ♥ J2 N ♥ 84 players were on debut in the youth them to try their best and treat the W E KJ108 2AQ bridge scene. From our team, our tournament as a learning experi- ♦ S ♦ K1098432 AQJ7 old veterans consisted of Jessica ence. After all, haven’t we all been ♣ ♣ 8654 Brake (played ANCs in 2012, 2013), through this type of scenario before? ♠ ♥ KQ10753 Andrew Gosney (played ANCs in To my delighted surprise, it didn’t ♦ 943 2013), Chris Larter (played ANCs take long for our team to recover ♣ — in 2011-2013), and Angus Gray from their fall to fight back. On the (played ANC in 2013), with Michael very next round, we faced against Gearing and Josh Davis experienc- SA once again and QLD defeated W N E S ing their very first ANC (plus myself them 101-14 IMPs!! We had another P 1C P as the npc). win on the following round, and then 2C1 P 2D2 P Practice was heavily emphasised the next, and then once more. 4H3 P 4NT P for our team. With the ANC Teams By the end of the final round, we had 7C! All pass

Training Day, along with practice secured our fourth placing (out of six 1 teams matches under our belts, the Inverted raise (10+ pts; club teams), certainly an achievement support) QLD Youth Team had a good shot like no other. The QLD Youth team 2 16+ hcp in qualifying for the Finals (top two made a tremendous effort in pick- 3 teams). This was due to the fact that Supposedly showing a in ing themselves up from last place at hearts and asking for keycards most other teams, like us, had new halfway to place fourth in the end. It outside of hearts. members. The ANC Trophy was cer- just goes to show that it pays not to 4 Showing 0 or 3 keycards outside tainly up for grabs. give up! of hearts (which must be the ♠A, The format of the Youth ANC con- The eventual finalists were WA and ♦A, and the ♣A). sisted of three round robins of five VIC (once again), with VIC coming Rhys’s actions may seem silly, but remember, he is down 69 IMPs with only 10 boards left to play. If you were on lead with ♠ 8654 ♥ K107653 ♦ 943 ♣ — and “knowing” that your LHO has a void in hearts, what would you lead? Be honest. Alas, the opener leader actually had the hand as shown, so she had the safe lead of the ♥K. On a spade lead, declarer would have collected 13 tricks. Anyway, congrats to the VIC team who played splendidly. The most notable achievement to mention was Finn Rennie who played on the Victorian Youth Team, as he achieved the status of the youngest ever national champion at the age of 11 - not a bad feat for a little guy Andrew Gosney, Josh Davis, Angus Gray, Christopher Larter, Jessica with 9 going into the Brake, Michael Gearing and Andy Hung (npc) tournament! ■

The QBA Bulletin July - September 2014 5 As this issue of the QBA Bulletin 2015 Bridge Holidays goes to press, Therese Tully is Bridge Travel cruising with a group of Queensland bridge players (and South Pacific Cruise others) on the Norwegian Star to 31 January – 7 February 2015 Alaska via the Inside Passage. More about their adventures in the 7 nights Pacific Dawn next issue.

The Norwegian Pearl (sister ship of Norwegian Star) will be the Trevor Strickland focus of another great Bridge

Adventure next year as we

celebrate the 90th Birthday of Cruising is the fastest growing Bridge. sector of the travel industry.

Cruise holidays are convenient, cost-effective, safe and fun. Norfolk Island Once you enter your stateroom you only have to unpack once. 21 – 28 March 2015 You can sail from one port to the 7 nights Heritage Hill next with no personal effort at all.

All you have to do is relax and enjoy the ship's food, fun and was devised in “floating resort” accommodation. October 1925 by four card players You can even play Bridge along sailing through the Panama Canal the way! on the SS Finland.

It's no wonder that more than 80% We follow their route (as closely as of cruisers return for a second possible), however in a much

voyage. larger and more luxurious vessel.

Each year more cruise ships sail After a few days of San Francisco from Queensland ports. sightseeing our Bridge Cruise Murray River starts by sailing under one of the Adelaide & Barossa Valley Next year the Brisbane cruise fleet world’s most iconic bridges. will be augmented by Royal 8 – 17 July 2015 Caribbean International's Legend 9 nights Murray Princess of the Seas and P&O's Pacific Aria. And in 2016 Pacific Eden will sail from Cairns.

Bridge sessions will be available on a number of these cruises, courtesy of either the cruise company or qbatravel.

17 nights at sea with 8 ports of call For more information see the new later we disembark at Miami. webpage of th The finale of this epic Bridge 90 Birthday of Bridge Adventure is an optional detour to San Francisco & Panama Canal the Everglades and the Florida (+ optional Everglades & Florida Keys)

Keys. 28 September – 23 October 2015 24 nights Norwegian Pearl

www.qbatravel.com

Email: [email protected] Phone: 0439 743823

The QBA Bulletin July - September 2014 6

liquid sustenance after instructions 9 left by the fifth Amigo, Alan Gibson, Dlr W ♠ J8632 who wasn't arriving until late Sunday Vul ♥ A9742 night due to directing duties). ♦ ♣ 65 Jim We knew there were other AJ2 Q753 Evans ♠ ♠ occupants at the mansion, but we ♥ AK54 N ♥ 107 did not realise how many were there W E ANC Antics with the Amigos ♦ Q85 S ♦ K63 until Monday morning, when we got ♣ K83 ♣ AJ102 HE Amigos looked forward to up early to watch the last 30 minutes ♠ K10864 Tattending the great event in of the World Cup final. There were ♥ Q9 Sydney. about eight others in the TV room ♦ J10 I booked accommodation at the also. It turned out we were sharing ♣ Q974 wonderful 'Scruffy Old Campsie with two Italians, four Nepalese and Guesthouse' in a very prestigious one person from India. suburb. We got our lodging at We caught taxis to and from the W N E S a great bargain, a measly $200 Canterbury Race track, as between 1NT P 2C P apiece for the week. We had great $11 and $13 this was cheaper than 2H P 3NT All pass expectations after expending this catching the train. Robert was un- amount of money. lucky with the taxis as whenever it This is the 3-card ending with declarer having 7 tricks. Robert Milward was the first Amigo was his turn to pay the taxi-driver in- to arrive at our luxurious lodgings, variably got lost and so he was usu- – he had a private room which was ally paying $15 or so. – even more expensive at $300. He We managed a nice dinner one night A97 had arranged for a friend to collect after bin-diving at the race track. – him when he arrived in Sydney. Alan called me and said, “Hey Jim, – Q7 However ,he got lost at the airport look at this, they were just throwing – – and could not call his friend due to these unsold sandwiches in the bin, Q85 K being unable to work out how to use so I grabbed them.” Larry toasted – – his new phone. He had had only one the sandwiches that night for our K 10 day’s instruction after all, nor could dinner at the mansion. We shared – he find a 10-year old child to show them with some of the other tenants J him how to use his phone. So after who thought they were delicious. – 40 minutes he gave up and caught a John, the manager, was a very I now underled my ♦A. Declarer won taxi to our lodgings, consequently he helpful fellow and after a few days the ♦K in dummy and had to lead to was first to view our opulent rooms. of the other three Amigos sharing Alan’s ♠K 10 and going off one. I had specific instructions on how to their beer with him he wanted to This was one of our very few top get to the house. We could catch the be friendly and gave us unsolicited boards. Burwood 400 bus and get dropped off directions to the local brothel. When the ANC was over, Robert at the house for a few dollars each. This hand was about Alan's and was the first to leave and John ac- We decided instead to spend $45 on my best effort on the Friday at the companied him to the airport to en- a taxi. When we three Amigos (Ian Champagne pairs. sure he did not get lost. Afflick, Larry Moses and myself) ar- I was on lead and it looked like a All in all a good time was had by all rived ten minutes after Robert, he was good time to lead my singleton ♠9. the Amigos. ■ waiting on the veranda to greet us. He said to Ian, “You won’t like it here!” Ian (who also had a private room) saw the manager of our house, (who matched QCBC the name of the house) took one look in the front door and said, “I’m outta 67 Ipswich Rd Woolloongabba here!” He then backed away with fear Ph: 3391 3241 Email: [email protected] of some sort of contamination and www.qcbc.org.au headed for the taxi rank as fast as he could, leaving the taxi bill to be split Sessions: Mon 10.30 am 7.30 pm two ways instead of three. Tue 10.00 am 7.30 pm Wed 10.30 am 7.30 pm We left our baggage in our Thur 10.30 am rooms and headed out to find a Fri 10.00 am 7.30 pm supermarket. The shops were about Sat 1.00 pm one hundred metres away and Supervised: Mon 7.30 pm the supermarket was located, and Fri 9.30 am provisions were acquired, (including

The QBA Bulletin July - September 2014 7 What Annoys That way, all four players can see Matters of impropriety. the following showing the Things like hesitating before playing Bridge Players other results. Some EW players hold a singleton; hesitating when playing the Bridgemate up in such a ways in second seat to make declarer think that no-one else can see the screen you’ve got a missing honour; asking as they press 'Accept', and leave it questions or making comments to there as they look at the other results mislead the opponents; making before placing it back on the table. comments or doing other things People have also mentioned to to suggest something to partner; Peter Busch me that they don’t like it when that prolonging play unnecessarily (e.g. player reads all the results out. As failing to claim when the outcome is well as creating problems when it’s obvious); asking questions for your This is a continuation from last issue overheard at the next table, there partner’s benefit - these all fall under of an article that first appeared in two are times when the opponents know Laws 73 and 74, and infractions can parts in the Sunshine Coast Tri-Club they got a bad result and don’t want be subject to procedural penalties. Newsletter “Bridge Matters” in March to know the gory details. My advice - These laws also deal with etiquette, and June 2014. It has been modified look at the result if you want, but say so the director has the power to for the QBA Bulletin. nothing - if the others want to know, penalise general rudeness and Part 2 they can look too. impoliteness by a score adjustment General rudeness and impoliteness. if they feel it is appropriate. In the last QBA Bulletin, I presented General handling of cards. a list of things that annoy me at the This is something close to the hearts bridge table. I was prepared to face of many players. People complain At least one opponent must be some flak from members telling me how rude it is when pairs continue present before cards are removed to stop being a grumpy old man, but their post mortem of the previous from the board. Touching another I have been overwhelmed by the hand and completely disregard the player’s cards is also a no-no (except number of people agreeing with me. incoming players as they take their that declarer can touch the cards in Many players have also shared their seats. People have also complained dummy). Both these requirements own pet hates and I’m going to de- about general impoliteness they’ve are regularly flaunted. vote this column to listing some of encountered at the table – general Detaching a card before it’s your these. Some of these are actually discourtesies, not helping to pass turn to play. infractions under the laws. boards, not clearing rubbish from the This is a specific item mentioned table at the end of the session etc. Dummy perfection. in Law 74 and seems to irk a lot of Opponents arguing with their people. It’s poor form because you Some dummies are overly fussy partner is something else people are telling your partner that whatever about neatness. When laying out hate and this can be unpleasant for they or the next hand does, this dummy, they first place the four others at the table. However I look is the card they are playing. It is suits in four neat piles, so you can at this philosophically - partnership specifically listed as an infraction only see the top one of each, then disharmony can only worsen their in Law 74B3, and also constitutes they neatly move each card down, results and improve your score, Unauthorised Information under Law repositioning any cards on the way so my advice is to disregard it and 16. It also falls under the category of that are more than a micron out look forward to some good boards Deception if your aim is to suggest to of line. Once done, they will fuss coming your way. the opponent that you only have one and move any column that is not card that can be played at that turn completely square or equidistant Congratulating partner. and in fact you don’t. from the others. During all this, the The bridge etiquette books tell us it’s opponents are unable to make their polite to say, “Well played, partner,” Dummy playing without instruc- assessment of dummy and have to after your partner makes a contract tions from declarer. wait for the show to finish. as declarer. I don’t agree - silence is a Dummy is just that - dummy. They wonderful thing. There’s been times On the other hand, I guess I’m at cannot take any part in the play of the when I know my partner or I have the other extreme when it comes to hand and can only do what declarer mis-defended and it’s only because laying out dummy. I’m sure my part- tells them to do. This means they of this that the contract makes. It’s ners despair when my 13 cards hit shouldn’t pick up a card and play twisting the knife somewhat when an the deck in a very “casual” layout. it until declarer calls for it, and this opponent congratulates their partner Maybe this infuriates opponents who even applies if there’s a singleton for their brilliant declarer play when fall into the “fussy dummy” category. on the table, or if dummy thinks it was not their good play but our declarer’s play is obvious e.g. ruffing Hogging the Bridgemate. bad play that let the contract make. or playing low under the ace. If the In my opinion, the correct way for I admit it can be difficult for newer director finds that dummy suggested the EW player to accept a result is players to notice when mis-defence a play that wasn’t what declarer to leave the Bridgemate on the table has occurred - that’s why I maintain was going to do, they can award an as they press the 'Accept' button. that the best thing is to stay silent. adjusted score. I’ve seen occasions

The QBA Bulletin July - September 2014 8

where dummy reaches for a trump manner, with very few systems Having pushed us to the 5-level, expecting this to be declarer’s plan cards in evidence, and certainly no and with possible defensive values, when declarer may have thought the requirement to produce a system North would have been well advised card they led was a winner, or worse, card at the table. to be content and pass, but he dummy hovers over a discard when Were we the only Australians at pushed on to 6D and we took the they know that declarer has led a the event? Not by a long shot, as money in 6DX. winner but declarer may not have the attached photograph will show After my ♥A held at trick one, and realised their lead was a winner and there were 11 more Queenslanders! looking at the spade honours poised was planning to trump. Our attendance at the event made over my ♠K, I switched to the ♣8 at Quitting a trick then re-facing it in for possibly record numbers, and trick 2 and when declarer guessed order to ask others to re-face their certainly filled the playing area at the right, that was +300, to go with cards played. Lakeside Hotel. +200 from the other table when our The laws allow a player to ask to see Our standard of bridge over the 8 teammates had passed over 5H; all cards played to the last trick until days was not high, and I include +11 IMPs. only a few hands of interest from they have turned their card over. M 9 ♠ K1043 the teams competition on the final However once they’ve turned their Bd 8 ♥ K7 weekend. card over, they can’t turn it back and Dlr W ♦ 8653 ask others to show their cards. If this The congress concluded with a Vul None ♣ A103 happens to you, you are within your very nice dinner and prize-giving ♠ — ♠ A7 rights to politely refuse. on Sunday night, at which it was ♥ 2QJ104 N ♥ A98653 normal to tell a joke, and by way of W E Semi-forcing natural 1C opening. ♦ AKJ4 S ♦ Q92 Some players play a short club as something different, we ‘sang’ our ♣ QJ98 ♣ 62 own bridge version of “The 12 Days part of an otherwise natural system, ♠ QJ98652 of Christmas”, and “The Pub with no but partner may respond to 1C ♥ — Beer”. The singing was bad, as was no matter what their point count ♦ 107 our ability to keep the same time, but is, admitting when challenged, “I ♣ K754 it was viewed as the bit of fun it was couldn’t leave opener in 1C - they meant to be, and was well received. might only have 2 clubs”. If this is your agreement then partner needs W N E S M 6 ♠ JAQ to alert the response explaining, if 1H P 3D! 4S Bd 22 ♥ 4 5H 5S 6H P asked, that it may be as weak as Dlr E ♦ 843 P X All pass zero points. Vul EW ♣ KJ10542 There are probably many more pet ♠ K42 ♠ 98653 This board would be better served up hates that I’ve missed. Now that ♥ AQJ9532 N ♥ K106 as a lead problem given the bidding this article has reached a wider W E shown! ♦ A S ♦ J10 audience, I’m expecting to receive a ♣ Q8 ♣ A63 Therese’s 3D showed a number barrage of suggestions! ■ ♠ 107 of possible hands, with at least ♥ 87 3-card support for hearts but Killarney ♦ KQ97652 below a game-force, and I took out ♣ 97 insurance over South’s aggressive Congress 4S bid by bidding 5H. North could hardly do less than bid W N E S 5S, it may make, but 5H was also P 3D likely to make, so it is likely to be at 4H 5D 5H P least a cheap save. P 6D X All pass Therese had very few defensive Richard North succumbed to the classic values, as the ♥A is likely to be Wallis dilemma of pre-empters - how high worthless, and I had bid 5H when she should we go? could have been much worse, so she HAD a new adventure this year, After the 3D opening bid, my 4H bid on over 5S, and North doubled. Ivisiting Killarney in Ireland with was a reasonable shot, and 5D Now obviously North should have Therese Tully, for their annual 8-day from North seems automatic, and led the ♣A to look at dummy before congress. I say it was an 8-day then it was Therese’s turn under the deciding what to do next, and then congress, but it was a very low- spotlight! 6H would have been defeated, but play event, and there were only 10 From East’s point of view, 5H may be he led the ♠3, and I was in with a sessions played over Sunday to too high, or not high enough! Rather chance. Sunday inclusive, with no day-time than guess, I think that 5H would be I ruffed in hand and nervously led the play during the week. The congress chosen by most people, and then the ♥Q and ran it through the doubler, itself was played in a very relaxed pressure turns back to North. allowing me to draw trumps and

The QBA Bulletin July - September 2014 9 discard a club on the 4th diamond North played for hearts to be 2-2, I had hit home, but there was some for +1210, for a lucky 13 IMPs. and duly went 1 off, for +50. confusion, and it turned out that At the other table the bidding was Therese thought I had shown a M 13 ♠ J87 the same, except West doubled, and 4-card heart suit by my double. Bd 22 ♥ K72 when the ♥J was led off the table, South led the ♦K, and Therese won Dlr E ♦ 9642 West made a silly play by covering, on the table to lead the ♣2,won by Vul EW ♣ 432 so we scored up another +650 for North who led the ♦2. South could ♠ KQ63 ♠ A10942 5HNX, and 12 IMPs. have put paid to the contract by ♥ Q63 N ♥ 8 W E leading a club and giving North a ruff, K73 AQJ105 ♦ S ♦ M 21 ♠ 10872 but he gave a Therese a ruff-sluff 1087 J9 ♣ ♣ Bd 28 ♥ 9842 instead. Therese ruffed on the table 5 ♠ Dlr W ♦ 10862 and gave South another chance by AJ10954 ♥ Vul NS ♣ A taking the spade finesse, but he led ♦ 8 ♠ J63 ♠ AQ95 another diamond for a second ruff- ♣ AKQ65 ♥ AQ6 N ♥ KJ105 W E sluff. ♦ A5 S ♦ 94 Ruffing with the♥ Q, cashing the ♥A, ♣ 98532 ♣ KQ7 and then the ♠A to hand to draw all W N E S ♠ K4 1S 2S the trumps allowed for 10 tricks and 4S 5H All pass ♥ 73 +420 and 10 IMPs. ■ ♦ KQJ73 ♣ J1064 Here is one of those rare hands where it is profitable to when vulnerable against non-vulnerable W N E S opponents, as 5S is only 1 off, while 1C P 1H 2D 5H is cold if declarer takes the right X 3D 4H All pass view in trumps. AGM South’s 2S was a Michael’s cue- This was the final board of the last bid, and my 4S was a slight overbid. match, and a lucky result gave Saturday October 25 North almost certainly bid 5H as a us a narrow win, and the small at 11 am sacrifice, which would have been consolation of a session prize with 6 true if South was not so strong. wins out of 7. QCBC NOVICE Since Therese had minimal defence, I opened 1C with a minimum hand, she left the final decision to me. 5S but 2 aces made up for the slight TEAMS paucity of high cards, and my was not considered as I had already November 16 overbid. I expected 5H to go off, but double of the 2D overcall showed only if I could make my ♥Q, so I did precisely 3 hearts. When Therese jumped to game in hearts, I thought CANCELLED not double. due to the G20 NEW YEARS EVE TEAMS Wednesday December 31 All enquires and entries to QCBC: 3391 3241 - qcbc1@optusnet. com.au Details on the website: www.qcbc.org.au

QBA Mailing List If you wish to be put on the mailing list for news which is sent out about once a month, please email the manager. Tony Berger, Eva Berger, John Stacey, Bev Stacey, Margaret Williamson, Connie Schoutrop, Therese Tully, Jane Swanson, Richard Wallis, Krystana [email protected] Homik and John Fear

The QBA Bulletin July - September 2014 10

Best wishes and hoping to see with us) to gather and process Novices you at the table at the next novice and plan before he made a single congress.' move. There is a certain practised Teams of Three, Northern ease with which experts set about Suburbs Bridge Club July 5 interpreting data and something to aspire to. Witnessing all the This event was always going to be experts so seamlessly processing popular and sure enough, 42 teams so much in so little time is always Michael entered. The teams were graded awe inspiring. John did, however, Fawcett into three sections of 14 teams. mention in passing that it was ok to All the results are available on the make a mistake, but “not to make RECEIVED an email recently from NSBC website via the QBA website. that mistake again!” We nodded Danny Byrne who played in his first I The QBA Novice Committee would studiously hoping that we wouldn’t, novice congress at Redlands Bridge like to give a big thank you to the yet knowing that we would! Club, here is what he has to say… President of Northern Suburbs Around the room there was much 'It was with some trepidation that I Bridge Club, Elizabeth Gibson, and discussion, sharing of ideas and arrived at Redlands Bridge Club on her team including director Alan validation of what we, as novices, 13th July for my first Novice Pairs Gibson, who ensured the afternoon did in fact know. We have to remind Congress. went smoothly, and the hard working ourselves occasionally of the baby kitchen staff made sure there was I played with Margaret Franklin, a steps that suddenly become the always plenty of food after each very seasoned, astute and crafty giant strides we have made since round. Congratulations, Elizabeth, bridge player who had encouraged our days in the beginner’s corner. on running a fabulous event! me to enter the event. I wish to pay Learning bridge is an incremental tribute to Margaret for a wonderful I asked Leanne Nugent to describe process like anything else - the feel day’s bridge with players of my own her experience of the day. in the room was that there were level. It inspired me to lift my game 'It wasn’t the first Teams of Three lots of connections and information against other very good opponents. experience for my partner Jenny exchanging as we all tried to make After the first few games, my fears Iliescu and myself. It was in fact our sense of the challenging game that gradually dissipated and I could third - not quite so daunting this time is bridge. concentrate on playing my best and that’s exactly the reason for To those on the Northern Suburbs bridge. engineering such a special event; organising team a big Thank You Prior to the congress, I was not so the uninitiated and inexperienced and to our captains who gave up a even aware that such congresses can rub shoulders with the initiated day at the beach or a walk with the were available for novices so I wish and experienced. dog; your time and patience was to encourage players at that level to Our captain was John Gough who much appreciated and admired. consult the QBA website and check was calm and took the time (although I also asked Captain Jim Evans for under 'Novice Events' for further setting a cracking pace compared his thoughts too. congresses and novice events. I felt that playing against other players at my own level was very beneficial for my own game and experience. Margaret and I played really well and managed to come second in the congress. I would like to thank the Redlands Bridge Club and their president, Anne Ormerod, for a delightful and welcoming experience at their wonderful club. Last but not least, I want to acknowledge the help we got from the Director, Chris Snook, who organised the event so that Margaret and I were stationary for the whole day in recognition of Margaret’s lack of mobility. I can thoroughly recommend attending a Novice Pairs Congress and meeting up with fellow bridge players and experiencing a challenge at novice level with the NSBC T of T A Grade winners - William Webster, John Gough (capt), chance of gaining master points. Leanne Nugent and Jenny Iliescu.

The QBA Bulletin July - September 2014 11

'On July 5th Northern Suburbs, in conjunction with the QBA Novice Committee, held a Novice Teams of Three event. On behalf of the QBA I want to thank all of the Captains for donating their time and experience. Some were called upon at short notice, mainly due to the popularity of the event. At these events, each captain gives three rookies or novices a chance to improve their game either as a partner or defending against the opposition! As a captain, I enjoyed helping the players. It is good when you tell them something and then see them try it. Some things you work out yourself through trial and error as you are learning. However if you The NSBC T of T C Grade winners: Margaret Marshall, Linda Douglas, get the chance to play with more Gwen Walker and Claire Hyne (capt) experienced players and different players you can get different ideas and sometimes think in different directions. My team-mates were all keen to try different ideas as were most of the opponents. I have seen that most experts are quite willing to help anyone who wants to improve their game and are prepared to listen to good advice. The players were very appreciative of the efforts of the captains and a number of things have been identified to try and improve the next Novice Teams of Three event, which will be held in December.' Laws and Ethics The QBA website has recently made a feature: Laws and Ethics - Tips for all Players 3rd Grade C: Robyn Seet, Sheena Simmonds, I recommend all rookies and novice Graham Rusher (capt) and Ivy Monteiro players take a moment to read through the feature, where you will pick up some invaluable information Our Major Sponsor to help your game. Stores: Australia Fair, Browns Plains, Cairns Coming Events Central, Caloundra, Capalaba, Carindale, Chermside, Garden City, Helensvale, Hervey Check the QBA website or 'Coming Bay, Indooroopilly, Ipswich, Keperra, Events' on page 20 of this Bulletin. Logan Hyperdome, Mackay (Canelands), Please note that the QCBC Novice Morayfield, North Lakes, Pacific Fair, Redbank Plaza, Robina, Rockhampton, Teams event (was to be held on Springfield, Strathpine, Sunshine Plaza, November 16) has been cancelled Toowoomba (Clifford Gardens & Grand due to the G20. Central), Townsville (Stocklands & Willows), Victoria Point, TweedCity & Wynnum Plaza. Questions Now in W.A.: Carousel, Galleria, Innaloo, If any novices have questions or Midland, Perth City & Whitfords (Gloss concerns, please feel free to contact Stores) Mick Fawcett at novicecoordinator@ Head office: 41 Bulcock St, Caloundra 4551 Ph: 07 5437 0666 Fax: 07 5437 0966 qldbridge.com or via the Novice tab Email: [email protected] on the QBA website. ■

The QBA Bulletin July - September 2014 12

Barrier Reef M 1 ♠ AJ104 M 1 ♠ 1083 Bd 3 ♥ K7532 Bd 7 ♥ A92 Congress Dlr S ♦ AJ2 Dlr S ♦ J632 Vul EW ♣ 5 Vul Both ♣ J63 ♠ KQ965 ♠ 73 ♠ QJ94 ♠ AK7652 ♥ AQJ104 N ♥ 86 ♥ 7 N ♥ QJ W E W E ♦ K S ♦ Q1095 ♦ Q105 S ♦ 9 ♣ J9 ♣ KQ1076 ♣ 2AK104 ♣ 9875 Richard ♠ 82 ♠ — Wallis ♥ 9 ♥ K1086543 ♦ 87643 ♦ AK874 The Open Pairs ♣ A8432 ♣ Q T was the turn of Townsville to host Ithe GBR on the long weekend in 2014, and a fine job they did of it W N E S W N E S 1H too. The venue was the Townsville P 1S 2H X All pass X 2H 4S 5H Convention Centre alongside X All pass Jupiters Casino, and while not a Besides the poor suit held by North, large complex like its big brother the other negative is the spade Here, it wasn't clear to me who at Broadbeach, it was plenty big holding, which will probably make was bidding to make and who was enough to accommodate the 29 it difficult for EW to make a game sacrificing! tables for the Open Pairs and 12 unless they are very strong. On both My take-out double hit home when tables for the Restricted Pairs, counts, I am for passing with the Therese jumped to 4S over the held on Friday night and Saturday North cards over 1S by West. simple raise by North, but then South morning. Even though it was went again and I was on the horns of almost a week for me and over a North did overcall 2H, and Therese a dilemma. week for Therese since returning made a normal take-out double, from Ireland, we were both still jet- which generally indicates poor I did not think we were making 5S lagged, and occasionally it would support for my suit. My spade suit is (right), and while a spade trick show through our bidding and play. not great, and I do not have support, looked unlikely given South’s Still, after a loss at the beginning, we so in spite of the vulnerability being bidding, it looked like I had 3 tricks got it together for third place, albeit in favour of bidding game, I elected in the minors, so I doubled, which well behind the runaway leaders, to pass and take my chances in prompted Therese to pass. Nathan Van Jole and Paul Wyer. The 2HX, After all, I have a great chance The lead of the ♣K showed poor event was played as a Swiss Butler, of 4 heart tricks. prospects in that suit, and as over 8 rounds of 7 boards, with Imp I was West and Therese led the ♠7. expected, South ruffed the first results converted to Victory Points Declarer won the ace over my queen spade and drew trumps. Therefore, using the new WBF scale, so every and played the ♠J at trick 2 which I we had to get 2 diamond tricks, or trick mattered. A win in the last round won and cashed the ♥A, before the ♣Q had to be a false-card, to gave us a chance for second, but giving Therese a ruff with her trump defeat 5HX. the leaders lost their only match to so we took the contract 3 off for South suckered me in by cashing the Barry and Agnes Kempthorne, which +500 and 11 IMPs against the board ♦A, and instead of next cashing the rewarded them with second place. average of +20. ♦K in case the ♦Q dropped, she led At one stage Townsville had decided a small diamond to the table and I not to have the Pairs, but luckily for ducked! most of us they changed their mind, –1050 was the first board of the match and conformed to the programme and we were lucky to lose only 7 IMPs, used at Cairns and Mackay, so we since others were also doubled. had a full weekend after all. To me it seems a long way to come just to play the teams event, even if 2 extra The Open Teams matches are played, so I am glad A slight drop in numbers occurred in others thought the same way. Townsville for this year’s BRC Open The following board was a prime Teams, but the 32 teams made for a example as to how the quality of the tough 8 matches, with very few easy suit for making has gone out wins available. Nathan van Jole and the window! People overcall on very Paul Wyer teamed with Malcolm poor suits at the 1-level, but generally Carter and Tony Hutton to win the have a better suit for overcalling at Caddies Denise Humphris and teams by almost 15 VPs, after earlier the 2-level, but not this time. Emily Harper taking out the Pairs title.

The QBA Bulletin July - September 2014 13

Their worst results were a –2 and a +3, and no team really threatened them for the title. Therese Tully and I played with Richard Ward and Lindy Vincent, and we were always close by, even a small loss to the leaders in the seventh round kept us in second place. But a loss in the final round dropped us from second to fourth, but still just in the prize money zone. The Townsville Convention Centre was cosy, but comfortable for the 32 teams, and the Restricted took place in an adjoining room. The event was played over 8 rounds, each of 14 boards, with the latest WBF VP scale used to convert IMPs to VPs. As such, every overtrick counts, but still it was more important to make the contract rather than take a Diane McAlister (Townsville BC vice-pres.) with the Open Teams winners: serious risk to make an overtrick. Tony Hutton, Nathan van Jole, Paul Wyer and Malcolm Carter It is thought that the chances of a not wanting to lead one of our suits, draw under the new VP scale, with On board 11 in the first match we West chose to lead the 4th suit as a 2 decimal places will be very low, were completely fooled by East’s sort of ‘safe’ lead, but it was anything but when we initially scored up after bidding style, and allowed a no-play but safe, as shown when the ♣10 the last match it looked like we had 3NT to get home. won the . been pipped for third by just 0.03 of Therese’s 2S jump response was a VP. A scoring error on our part and The heart game is cold now, losing the modern style of a 6-card suit a subsequent correction increased just 2 hearts and a spade, but when and 4-7 hcps, and we both assumed the margin to a more respectable East led away from the ♠K after that East’s double was take-out, 2.12 VPs. winning a trump, I emerged with 11 but we should have adjusted our tricks, for what seemed like just a 1 assumption after East bid 3NT over M 1 ♠ A1043 IMP gain. his partner’s 3H response. Bd 1 ♥ A102 However, nothing is certain, and at Put off by the double and 3H Dlr N ♦ A954 the other table South went 1 off in response, I did not lead the ♥K, Vul None ♣ 105 the same contract, so we gained 11 instead leading the ♠Q, though not ♠ 965 ♠ KJ72 IMPs out of nowhere. with much conviction as Therese will ♥ 73 N ♥ KQ8 W E 4H is a fine contract, basically just have very little outside the spade ♦ K632 S ♦ J1087 requiring split heart honours, or the suit. ♣ Q743 ♣ 82 club suit to come home for no loser, When the 4 spades turn up in the ♠ Q8 so South was unlucky to fail. dummy, Therese should know that ♥ J9654 firstly I have a singleton spade, and ♦ Q M 1 ♠ AJ8762 secondly, her spade suit is dead, ♣ AKJ96 1 Bd 1 ♥ J98 so she does best to rise with the ♠A Dlr S ♦ 93 and lead?? Vul None ♣ 32 If she leads the suit I opened W N E S ♠ 10543 ♠ K9 1D P 1H (diamonds), which is what occurred ♥ 7432 N ♥ A5 P 1S P 2C! W E at the table, the diamonds are set P 3H P 4H ♦ J S ♦ AK10842 and the contract makes, but if she All pass ♣ K1065 ♣ A97 leads a heart, 3NT goes one off, as ♠ Q happened at the other table. So –400 4th suit forcing worked for us in a ♥ KQ106 and –50 equated to 10 IMPs out. ■ strange way. I mainly bid 2C to find ♦ Q765 Both of the full articles are available out whether Therese had 3 hearts, ♣ QJ84 on the QBA website. and if not, I would have bid 3NT myself, but on finding heart support, The real test of a bridge player and therefore a doubleton club at W N E S isn't in keeping out of trouble, most, I bid the heart game. 1D P 2S! X P but in escaping once he's in it. Since Therese had not appeared to 3H P 3NT All pass Alfred Sheinwold have shown any club values, and

The QBA Bulletin July - September 2014 14

often as possible, and they count hand. Responder can assume opener Teacher's length points too, because after all, has about 16 points and never be Corner holding five cards in a suit is better wrong by more than 1 point. The than four. partnership should rarely get to the Five reasons to prefer opening wrong level: partscore, game, or 1NT rather than one-of-a-suit: slam. Also, the partnership has a number of familiar conventions, such 1. The preemptive effect. as Stayman and Jacoby transfers, to Although the 1NT bid announces a help reach the best contract. Joan reasonably strong hand, it also has 3. The stronger hand is hidden. Butts a preemptive effect. The opponents can’t come into the bidding at the The 1NT opening also keeps NE of the questions I’m often one level. If an opening bid is 1♣, the the stronger hand hidden when Oasked is whether to open opponents can overcall 1♦, 1♥, or responder has a weak hand. That 1NT with a five-card major in an 1♠, making the auction competitive. can be an advantage in the play. The otherwise with 15-17 But if the opening is 1NT, it may not opening lead comes up to the strong points (5332), be so easy for them to enter the hand, and the defenders don’t know which high cards declarer holds. eg ♠ AK1052 ♥ A75 ♦ K108 ♣ Q10 auction at the two level. 4. Opener’s rebid is more straight- Really, bidding is about judgement, 2. The partnership rarely gets to forward. not so much about hard, fast and the wrong contract. unbendable rules, and I say, try it After a 1NT opening, the partnership Opening one-of-a-suit can some- out and see what happens. Most is on firm ground. Responder knows times lead to an awkward rebid prob- players these days open 1NT as almost the exact strength of opener’s lem. Consider this hand: ♠ 94 – Joan Butts’ play bridge Series ♥ KJ875 ♦ AK8 ♣ KQJ Joan Butts, the Australian Bridge Federation’s National Teaching Coordinator, has just released an exciting and innovative series of books, materials and An opening bid of 1♥ would lead to online options for both players and teachers. an awkward rebid problem after a response of 1♠. Even though this $20 hand has a five-card major and a worthless doubleton, the modern Play Bridge: A Workbook for the Absolute Beginner choice would be to open 1NT. . The Mechanics . Responding Here’s an example of another hand, . The Bidding . Opener’s 2nd Bid . No Trumps . Responder’s 2nd Bid though slightly unbalanced, that is a good candidate for opening 1NT: 24 hands from the book may be practiced online, Deal records, bri files, hand records, and individual travellers also available. ♠ A5 ♥ Q1074 ♦ KJ853 Play Bridge 2 : A Workbook for Help with Play ♣ AJ

This new 6 chapter book is unique and fills a gap in the market – for that important time If the opening bid is 1♦ and res- after beginner lessons, supervised sessions and lessons on play. ponder bids 1♠, opener doesn’t have

. Making a Plan . Finesse a satisfactory rebid. It’s not quite . Promotion . Trumping strong enough for a into . Length . Discarding & Combining Techniques 2♥, and a rebid of 1NT would be

The 24 hands from the book may be practised online. Deal records, an underbid. Best to open 1NT and bri files, hand records and travellers available. describe the essential features of the hand. Teacher’s Manual : Emailed free of charge with books. 5. The opening lead could be more challenging for the defenders. Also available: A Guide By Your Side : Joan Butts and Kathy Johnson (a summary of the basics – for at the table) $15 If the defenders have little or no information about the suits held by Play Bridge Online the 1NT opener, they may get off Go to joanbuttsbridge.com to play all lessons hands, access videos, lessons, play competitive to the wrong lead. For example, if hands and interact with people all over the world. opener has a five-card major and opens 1NT, the defender may lead To Order: Go to www.joanbuttsbridge.com/books or phone 0413 772 650. that suit when holding four or more cards in the suit.

The QBA Bulletin July - September 2014 15

The dates for the last ABF Teacher mates flew in from Canberra so Training Programme for 2014 Manager's Travels were able to join us for a drink or two (Brisbane) are mentioned below, before we even left Brisbane. and also for a new ABF Continuing In June the QBA Management Professional Development Day on Committee neglected to recognize Sunday November 23 at Toowong my fear of flying and sent me to BC. I will be running both these Sydney on my own in the morning events. Kim when the Qantas Club was shut but What’s the difference between Ellaway my loyal flask came with me. After a Teacher Training Programme the Brisbane to Sydney flight I went and a Continuing Professional GAIN we played in the Arana to the Neuro Science Department Development Day? ATeams and at lunch time we as their guest and saw where the A TTP is the first step for teachers. were second. However, we did not money we raised in that first week of It's a 9-hour programme that will win a match after lunch so perhaps May goes. We are helping so many cover "How" to teach, and have we should have starved, but it was people so Queensland, we have to practical demonstrations. a great day. do more. Please put it as a must next year. Of course, the next bulletin is The CPD is the next step for teachers We then went to Townsville and of the Xmas one and no doubt I will who have completed a TTP, and course I travelled up the day before have a tale of my flight to the United want more support on "What" to and of course I flew the plane Kingdom which is scary but exciting teach for the next step for students successfully and arrived safely. We - Paris is now on the itinerary. beyond beginners. did exceptionally well in the Walk- ins and then decided not to bother Hubbie Ray sneezed at a recent Anyone interested in teacher any more and concentrate on re- board meeting of QCBC and is now education may attend, but most kindling old friendships and testing the President of that club so as you should do the TTP first. out the restaurants, cos we socially can see we are certainly enjoying Points towards Teacher Accreditation had a great time but the cards were his retirement. A problem I incurred will accrue from attendance at the very unkind to us. Nathan van Jole at the table in Coffs was when Ray CPD (having done a TTP). and Paul Wyer took out both titles. was South and opened 2D which is For all bookings and queries, Ph. Nathan has settled into Townsville any weak major. Andy Braithwaite 0413 772 650 or email Joan Butts life and will be there for a long while sitting West bid 3NT, passed out. [email protected] I think. Andy obviously has a long running In the QBA Graded Teams Lindy minor and my hand is Kxxxx, Qxx, Free Teacher Vincent, who has played with us Jx, Jxx - what would you lead. I was Training Program for the last 150 years, purchased taught to lead my weakest major in this situation and if you did what I did QCBC - October 25-26 opera tickets (or was it ballet?) and this unfortunately clashed with our –600 would be your score. Be a man If you are a bridge teacher or are yearly event. Luckily we got Therese and lead your suit and you will find just interested in bridge education, Tully instead having a fabulous day your partner's 6-card suit. You would you are invited to attend this free coming fourth, and we certainly had have known. Well done, Andy. ■ workshop, sponsored by the ABF our chances. and the QBA. Down to Surfers Paradise to play 25 Years Ago You will receive a Teacher with my good friend Sarah Jane Reid Training Certificate at the end of - she had not touched a card for over the course. 15 years so I was pleased to be the Qld Open Teams one bringing her out again. We had THE magnificent new clubrooms a great day and the bridge was not at Toowong hosted their first QBA Workshop so bad either. event over the weekend of 2-3 Invitation for August is a busy month because September. The turnout was poor Bridge Teachers Coffs is on, and we teamed up with however; a paltry ten teams which reduced the event to a round-robin. Toowong BC November 23 Phil Hale and Pam Schoen again. Of course we had a great time and Swiss events are great fun, and you A professional development I drove so it was even better. At the need to take out the key matches to day for bridge teachers who end of August I was swatting on the win, and there are always plenty of wish to update their skills for manual for the plane to Darwin - it them. With round robins the emphasis intermediate+ classes is offered would be easier if I could tell them is on big wins against the tailenders. FREE for teachers. (NB: an which planes I knew about. This trip The LAVINGS team, Paul Lavings, ABF Teacher Training Program was great because hubby booked Joan Butts, Malcolm Carter, Therese Certificate is desirable, but not the flights when the Qantas Club Tully and Richard Wallis, presents the essential, to attend.) was open both ways so I needed ideal picture in this regard. Drawish no additional medication. Our team results vs 2, 3 and 4 and then chunky

The QBA Bulletin July - September 2014 16

wins. COOKE, Marion Cooke-Kim Things were generally going A special thanks to club Tourna- Ellaway-Ray Ellaway and Di Rogers- COOKE's way. This deal turned out ment Director, Judy Nothdurft, who Greer Tucker had good wins against to be the decider. cleaned up after everyone, and to 1 and 3 but lost out to teams 7 and 8. Peter Schouten who manned the bar ROBSON, Mike Robson-John Sum- Dlr W ♠ 7642 the entire weekend. merhayes, Frank Duffy-Tony Jack- Vul Both ♥ J10  Paul Lavings ♦ Q10 man seemed to sag in the middle. Richard Wallis's article on the 2014 ♣ K10876 This hand from the first round Open Teams is on the website. AKQ J109853 created problems all round. ♠ ♠ ♥ 298654 N ♥ K3 W E AKJ 7532 Sunnybank Dlr E ♠ 86 ♦ S ♦ Q A Vul NS ♥ 8542 ♣ ♣ THE Sunnybank Teams was won ♦ AKJ109 ♠ — by Richard Ward/Lindy Vincent and 7AQ ♣ 65 ♥ Barry and Agnes Kempthorne. ♠ J9 ♠ AKQ7 ♦ 9864 This board helped a lot. ♥ AK7 N ♥ QJ ♣ J85432 W E ♦ 87543 ♦ 2 Dlr W ♠ 9 S AJ10972 ♣ AKQ ♣ J108742 When the Cookes were EW they Vul NS ♥ 853 ♠ 105432 relayed comfortably to 4S by East. ♦ Q82 ♥ 10963 South led the ♦8 and declarer won ♣ Q108 K432 ♦ Q6 the ♦A and drew three rounds of ♠ ♠ ♥ KQ4 N ♥ 65 ♣ 83 trumps and played a heart to the 10- W E K2 A1064 K-A. South exited a club to East's ♦ S ♦ J7543 AK9 ace and declarer drew the last trump, ♣ ♣ AJ765 W N E S South releasing a diamond! Now, ♠ 83 1C P even though the diamond finesse ♥ QJ97 1D P 1S P failed, East's ♦7 was high. ♦ 2H* P 3C P ♣ 106 ? At the other table Butts-Tully bid 1H-1S; 4C splinter and thereafter *4th suit, game forcing wandered into 6S. Fortunately for W N E S What would you bid? Wallis opted us South led the ♥A! 13 big IMPs to P 2H X P for 3NT! AKQ in partner's rebid LAVINGS who managed to lose by 3NT All pass suit should help to set it up. North only 17-13 and thus take the title. led the ♦A and South did not dump Well run by the Toowong Club, and The ♥J was led and staring at a her queen, but worse was to follow. Reg Busch, our excellent director. probably hopeless contract. Lindy North now led ♦J and Wallis's ghastly And thank you for the hand records Vincent gave it her best shot. Firstly, she allowed the ♥J to win the trick. 3NT made for no swing. Apparently It was a pleasant surprise to play North switched to a diamond taken similar things were happening all against the LYNN team from by the ace. A low spade saw South round the room. Lismore. With NSW clubs like Ballina, rising with the ace to put through his LAVINGS led well up to the middle Byron Bay, Brunswick, Lismore, last heart and North cleared the suit. rounds but COOKE began catching Murwillumbah and Tweed only 2 up, and in the last round they played 1/2 odd hours from Brisbane, but Still not home by any means, each other. COOKE needed a 20-10 10 hours from Sydney, there is no declarer then led the ♣J hoping for win for victory, around 20 IMPs over reason we should not see many other a miracle or two. When the ♣10 12 boards. such teams in our championship! dropped doubleton from South, she had 9 tricks for a nice swing, when 2NT went down at the other table. Brisbane Bridge Centre  Richard Ward 104 Frederick St, Annerley. Ph: 3392 7933 Queensland Senior Teams [email protected] - www.bbc.bridgeaustralia.org The Gold Coast Bridge Club is proud Play Sessions Tuesday 9.30 am Duplicate to host this prestigious event. 7.30 pm Duplicate Club members have generously Wednesday 10.00 am Duplicate offered to billet players (non- Saturday 1.00 pm Duplicate smokers) who have to travel a long Coaching Sessions & Monday 9.30 am distance to attend the event. Beginners’ Classes Tuesday 7.30 pm Please contact Eva Berger on Friday 10.00 am 0411 249 964 or antonberger1@ Enquiries for coaching & beginners’ classes: 3392 7933 bigpond.com

The QBA Bulletin July - September 2014 17

raises in competition. A cue raise Q52 Coffs Harbour Dlr W ♠ guarantees one of the top three 10732 Vul None ♥ honours and simple raises deny 95 Super Congress ♦ honours. This allows a defender with AK103 ♣ holdings such as KJxxx or AQxxx 9 KJ1086 ♠ ♠ to know if a lead is safe or not and ♥ AJ954 N ♥ KQ W E can also give the defensive side AQ85 74 ♦ S ♦ the necessary tempos against both Q92 J754 ♣ ♣ suit and NT contracts. These are A743 Malcolm ♠ unexciting but important in the battle 86 Carter ♥ for the small swings. Finally one KJ1062 ♦ hand for the system. ♣ 86 FTER any event I reflect on Athe performance and what Dlr N ♠ J9873 went well/badly. Obviously winning and they eventually subsided in 4DX Vul EW ♥ K10865 meant that most things went well. 8 at a cost of 500. You can criticise the ♦ Q10 matches of 14 boards is a solid event bidding but it’s a difficult choice. ♣ 4 and when asked to write an article I ♠ A5 ♠ K1042 ♠ 1097 N thought of big hands and swings but Dlr W ♥ Q3 ♥ A2 ♥ K72 W E analysis showed we bid only 2 slams Vul EW ♦ 2A8753 S ♦ K9 ♦ — (and 4 against) and there were only ♣ J83 ♣ AKQ102 ♣ AK109854 6 double figure swings. We did have ♠ Q6 ♠ K843 ♠ AJ2 52 positive swings of 4 IMPs or less. ♥ J974 ♥ A85 N ♥ Q10943 The event was won in the part score ♦ J64 ♦ 962 W E ♦ AQ43 battles. Playing and defending care- S ♣ 9865 ♣ QJ2 ♣ 6 fully won overtrick IMPs on 28 boards ♠ Q65 and the remaining IMPs came about ♥ J6 by competing successfully. (Some W N E S ♦ KJ10875 P 1C1 P swings larger than 4 IMPs were also ♣ 73 2D2 P 2S3 P gained in this facet of the game.) 3C P 4C4 P 5 6 Some system bids and under- 4S P 7C All pass standings were helpful. Tony Hutton 1 and I recently switched to W N E S 14+, 2+ clubs 2 and this features 10-13 point opening P 2C X P 10+, 5+ diamonds 2NT P 3H P 3 natural but confirms clubs 2 bids promising 5+ cards in the bid 4H All pass 4 Minorwood suit and some distribution. (not 5-3- 5 2 key cards without the ♣Q 3-2 or 5-4-2-2). The opposition were On the lead of ♣7 and ♠10 switch 6 the ♦K should be gold unclear on the strength of defensive from Tony, declarer tried the jack to Richard Wallis has articles on the bids and tended to overbid leading the queen and king. A low diamond Coffs Teams and Pairs on the to a lot of medium-sized swings. from the table was passed to South website. This is an example (see next column) and a further club gave declarer real with Tony sitting West. problems eventually going 3 off. Tony opened 2H, I elected to pass Very hard to judge blame. Lockyer and South competed with a The other gadget that worked well 3D, North tried 2NT which I doubled was our version of cue raises/suit

CLEAN CRUISING PAIRS SUNDAY OCTOBER 12 Hosted by the QCBC and Sponsored by

ENTRY FEE: $60 Per Pair DIRECTOR: Alan Gibson All enquires and entries to QCBC: 3391 3241 - [email protected] Details on the website: www.qcbc.org.au Winners of the Lockyer Swiss Pairs: Tony Jackman and Tony Hutton

The QBA Bulletin July - September 2014 18

Eacham A LUNCHEON was held on June 13 in Malanda for our retiring president of 3 years, and member of 12 years, Marsha Hopkins. Marsha and her husband Mike are moving to Perth to be closer to family. They have lived on the Tablelands for 28 years and Marsha nursed at the Atherton Hospital for 12 years from the early 90s. Marsha said, "Bridge saved me from insanity after retiring from nursing - it gave me a purpose and a focus after a very rewarding career in nursing". The Eacham Bridge Club will sorely miss her calm hand at the helm, and everyone will miss a wonderful Lynn Viegel, May Hubbard, Marsha Hopkins and Marg Azar friend. Moreton-Bribie Darling Downs IT was very pleasing to see 46 novice pairs compete it our recent congress. 22 people attended from clubs other that the Darling Downs and Toowoomba. We are very grateful for the support of these clubs. Winners of the “A” grade were Maree Fillippini and Roxane Blaylock from Redcliffe and “The Enid Busch” shield and prize was awarded to Marley Walker and Beryl Clark from the DDBC who were the highest performers with fewer than 50 master points. It was pleasing to also have Mike Fawcett (novice coordinator from Teams winners: Sandra Johnson, Lindy Vincent and Toni Bardon the QBA) attend on the day. (missing Richard Ward) QBA Graded Pairs

Maree Fillipini and Roxane Blaylock A Grade winners: Ivy Luck and C Grade winners: Bob Thomas and with the club pres, Michael Doherty John Luck Christine Thomas

The QBA Bulletin July - September 2014 19

Noosa NOOSA Bridge Club held its inaugural mid-week congress in 2013. The original “raison d’etre” for holding a mid-week congress was to coincide with the Noosa Long Weekend, an annual event that attracts hundreds of participants from far and wide. Consequently, Thursday was chosen, but due to the late declaration of the NLW in 2013 it didn't coincide with that event. However, it was a success, so 2014 was programmed. The 2014 event, held on Thursday June 12, attracted 68 pairs. It was another QBA Butler and Mens winners: Peter Hainsworth (left) and very successful day. Why? The Tony Treloar (right) with Keith Mcdonald (QBA pres) reasons are many. The words of Tony Hutton at the end of the day might sum up the opinions of most. He said something like, “this club is doing everything right”. This year, our Congress Co- ordinator (Gayna Ryan) and the Congress Convenor (Jan Beckett) went above and beyond their job description by personally talking to many members about the roles they could play as volunteers. Peter th Busch always directs flawlessly 20 Barrier Reef Congress and the caddies and kitchen staff contributed enormously. Gerald Schaaf Hilton Hotel, Cairns President, Noosa Bridge Club June 5 – 8, 2015 State News Chief Director: Sean Mullamphy

Winners of the Qld Teams An ABF Gold Point Event Tony Treloar, Peter Evans, John

Mills and Bev Stacey Swiss Teams (Open and Restricted) Winners of the Graded Teams Butler Swiss Pairs (Open, Restricted and Novice) A Grade: Kevin Steffensen, Neville Francis, Pamela Evans and James Evans B Grade: Jim Taylor, Cora Taylor, Nanette and Brodie Loxton

Winners of Butler Pairs Tournament Organiser: William van Bakel 0414 430 145 Peter Hainsworth and Tony Treloar E-Mail: [email protected] who also won the Mens Pairs. Winners of the Womens Pairs were Web: www.qldbridge.com/brc Jill Broad and Carmel Martin. the Girls Joan Gerard Youth award. At the World Youth Teams This award is mainly based on I'd like a review of the bidding Championship, recently completed good sportsmanship and a friendly with all of the original inflections. in Istanbul Jessica Brake, from attitude. For more information on Queensland representing Australia the actual award, please go to the George Kaufman in the Girls division, was awarded ABF site.

The QBA Bulletin July - September 2014 20

four suits. There is nothing wrong do not suggest replacement calls Directors' about playing on in the hope that a or approve choices. The offending Corner useful discard will be made though player should be advised of the three professional courtesy comes into options for making a legal call and play when skilled opponents will the consequences of each. He then URTHER to my article in the last surely keep the right cards. Faulty chooses his action and the director FBulletin, it has been brought to my claims usually take up more time applies the relevant clause. attention that so much emphasis has than they were intended to save. Law 25 (Unintended Calls) continues been placed on identifying the fielding Play ceases when a claim is made. to be a worry. A player must have of psyches that education about the “Ceases” means stops, does decided to make a particular call but need to disclose awareness has been not continue, ends. If there is no by some turning away of the mind calls overlooked. Page 8 of the 2010 WBF agreement to the claim then the something else. A call that had been Code of Practice contains useful Director must be called immediately. under consideration is unlikely to be guidance. The Code of Practice has It is incorrect for play to continue, classed as unintended. A decision to been adopted in Queensland and a even though Law 70 D caters for pass a cuebid is not unintended. link may be found at qldbridge.com/ situations where play has continued director/index.php The QBA Congress Director in breach of Law 68D. Accreditation exam is set for 15th The following snippets are based on Law 27 (Insufficient Bids) continues November. recent correspondence: to be a worry. When insufficient bids Jan Peach When a claim is made without are not accepted by LHO, Directors Director Accreditation. mentioning a trump remaining in an opponent’s hand, a trick is not automatically awarded to that trump. Coming Events A trick is awarded only when (a) it is at all likely that claimer at the time of his Sep 21 Sunshine Coast Graded Matchpoint Pairs claim was unaware of the outstanding Sep 21 Sanctuary Cove Graded Swiss Pairs trump and (b) a trick could be lost Sep 28 Redlands Graded Pairs to that trump by any normal play. Sep 28 Cairns Pairs Oct 4-6 Toowoomba Pairs and Teams “Normal” includes play that would Oct 4-6 Mackay Pairs and Teams be careless or inferior for the class Oct 12 Gympie Teams of player involved. It may be that the Oct 12 QCBC Clean Cruising Pairs claimer loses additional tricks. Oct 18-19 QBA Open Pairs The auction period on a deal Oct 25-26 Hervey Bay Butler Pairs and Swiss Teams begins for a side when either Oct 25 Surfers Paradise Graded Teams partner withdraws his cards from Oct 29-Nov 6 Spring Nationals Sydney the board. The auction period ends Nov 1-2 Bowen Congress when, subsequent to the end of Nov 1-2 Northern Suburbs Butler Pairs the auction, either defender faces Nov 2 Caloundra Teams an opening lead. Law 24 is applied Nov 8 Townsville Novice Teams when the Director determines that Nov 9 QBA Senior Pairs (at Gold Coast Bridge Club) during the auction period because Nov 9 Sunshine Coast Novice Pairs of a player’s own error a card from Nov 15-16 Cleveland Bay Anniversary Pairs that player’s hand was in a position Nov 15-16 Noosa Butler Pairs for its face to be seen by his partner. Nov 22-23 Central Qld Teams - Mackay Nov 22-30 Qld Wide Pairs Often more than one card will be Nov 23 Gold Coast Teams involved. Things like presumed Nov 28-Dec 1 GNOT Final declarer or presumed dummy Nov 30 Toowong Graded Teams facing a card as though making the Dec 7 Redlands Graded Teams opening lead or starting to display Dec 14 QBA Teams of 3 the dummy as though the opening Dec 21 QBA Individual lead had already been faced are handled using Law 24. As a matter of courtesy a player DEAD should refrain from prolonging play unnecessarily (as in playing QBA NOV 24 (noon) on although he knows that all the Email: manager@ Contributions to: tricks are surely his) for the purpose qldbridge.com 33 Royal Pde of disconcerting an opponent. A Ashgrove 4060 player has no obligation to make a Phone: 07 3351 8602 Ph: 07 3366 1292 0412 064 903 claim when he has any uncertainty, Mobile: Email: psquire@ even if it is uncertainty stemming Fax: 07 3103 4799 lindabackceramics.com from inexperience or the inability to Website: www. qldbridge.com keep track of all thirteen cards in all LINELINE

The QBA Bulletin July - September 2014