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SINGLE CABIN SUPPLEMENTNO CRUISES TO CLASSICAL CIVILISATIONS * BRIDGE CRUISES - AUTUMN 2012

ISTANBUL TO ATHENS VENICE TO ATHENS ATHENS TO ATHENS ENJOY SPECIAL AUGUST 27, 2012 OCTOBER 8, 2012 OCTOBER 18, 2012 Venice CROATIA I�anbul SAVINGS ON I�anbul Zadar Mount Kornati Islands Split Athos 3 EXCITING VOYAGES Trogir Hvar ITALY Korcula Dubrovnik Skiathos Lemnos Bay of Kotor Skiathos MONTENEGRO Izmir TURKEY TO ANTIQUITY GREECE GREECE Ephesus Athens Athens Sámos Kusadasi TURKEY Corfu Mycenæ Mykonos Aphrodisias Mykonos Arta GREECE Delos Join us on Aegean Odyssey for a Nauplia Delos Preveza Nauplia Ithaca Monemvasía CYCLADES Rhodes wonderful Voyage to Antiquity and Santorini Katakolon Olympia Athens Nauplia CRETE Knossos discover the art, history and cultures of Rethimnon CRETE Rethimnon the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Aegean. Choose from three Mr Bridge Autumn DATE PORT DATE PORT DATE PORT sailings, each offering extraordinary Aug 27 Fly to ISTANBUL Turkey Oct 8 Fly to VENICE Italy Oct 18 Fly to ATHENS Greece value for money. More good news is Transfer to Aegean Odyssey Transfer to Aegean Odyssey Transfer to Aegean Odyssey Oct 9 Oct 19 that there are no single supplements* Aug 28 Cruising the Dardanelles VENICE Italy NAUPLIA Greece and all cruises are hosted by members LEMNOS Greek Islands Oct 10 ZADAR Croatia Oct 20 MONEMVASÍA Greece Aug 29 SKIATHOS Greek Islands Cruising the Kornati Islands Oct 21 RETHIMNON Crete of the Mr Bridge team. SPLIT Croatia Aug 30 IZMIR Turkey Oct 22 RHODES Greek Islands Cruise in comfort, relax in style Oct 11 SPLIT Croatia Oct 23 Aegean Odyssey is a premium class Aug 31 IZMIR Turkey Oct 12 DELOS Greek Islands KORCULA Croatia MYKONOS Greek Islands Sept 1 DUBROVNIK Croatia ship carrying just 350 passengers. The DELOS Greek Islands Oct 24 MYKONOS Greek Islands Oct 13 SAMOS Greek Islands atmosphere on board is relaxed with DUBROVNIK Croatia KUSADASI Turkey Sept 2 SANTORINI Greek Islands Oct 14 plenty of passenger space, a choice of CORFU Greek Islands Oct 25 KUSADASI Turkey restaurants (with open-seating dining) Sept 3 Oct 15 RETHIMNON Crete PREVEZA Greece Oct 26 At Sea and generously-sized accommodations, Sept 4 ITHACA Greece NAUPLIA Greece Oct 27 ISTANBUL Turkey plus the comfort and attentive service Oct 16 KATAKOLON Greece Sept 5 PIRAEUS Greece Oct 28 Oct 17 ISTANBUL Turkey of boutique-style cruising. Fly home from Athens NAUPLIA Greece Oct 29 SKIATHOS Greek Islands Oct 18 PIRAEUS Greece SPECIAL FARES INCLUDE: Oct 30 10 days from £1,450 including: Fly home from Athens PIRAEUS Greece PROGRAMME OF SHORE EXCURSIONS Views of Mount Athos monasteries; visits Fly home from Athens to Ephesus and Pergamon; the Greek 11 days from £1,795 including: EXPERT ANTIQUITY LECTURE PROGRAMME islands of Lemnos, Skiathos, Santorini, Guided tour of Venice including a 13 days from £1,995 including: WINE WITH DINNER & GRATUITIES Delos and Mykonos; Minoan Crete; private evening visit to St Mark’s; the Guided tours of ancient Mycenae and classical Mycenae. Roman Forum in Zadar and Palace of Monemvasía; Minoan Knossos; the EXCLUSIVE COCKTAIL PARTY Diocletian in Split; Korcula and Hvar; Citadel of the Knights of St John, Rhodes; SCHEDULED AIR & TRANSFERS ABROAD Dubrovnik and Kotor Bay; Venetian the sanctuary of Delos; Roman Ephesus; Corfu; Byzantine Arta and Ithaca; the monuments of Aphrodisias; treasures ancient Olympia and Mycenae. of Istanbul; Mount Athos monasteries.

BOOK NOW CALL ON ACCOMPANIED BY BRIDGE PLAYERS 01483 489 961 There is a supplement of £30 per person for those wishing TEAM MEMBERS to participate in the duplicate bridge programme. 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. Singles are made especially welcome and a partner will always be found. 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.

VOYAGES TO ANTIQUITY FEATURES ADVERTISEMENTS We Are Survivors 5 Mr Bridge 2 Voyages to Antiquity (For those born Before 1940 . . .) Autumn Cruises BRIDGE 9 Stephen Cashmore says We were born before television, Skip Stayman 3 We are Survivors before penicillin, polio shots, Ryden Grange on a 4333 Hand Tea-Towel frozen foods, Xerox, contact Knaphill, Surrey lenses, videos and the pill. We GU21 2TH 12 Julian Pottage 4 Voyages to Antiquity were before radar, credit cards, split atoms, laser beams and ( 01483 489961 Answers Christmas and Your Questions New Year Cruise ballpoint pens, before dish- e-mail: washers, tumble driers, electric 5 Christmas 2012 blankets, air conditioners, drip-dry [email protected] 16 Prize Crossword 3 set by Sputnik clothes . . . and before man walked website: 6 Tunisia 2012 on the moon. 17 Fifth Round Control www.mrbridge.co.uk 7 Mail Order Form We got married first and then by Dick Atkinson lived together (how quaint can Publisher and 7 Cut-out Form you be?). We thought ‘fast food’ 21 Bidding Quiz was what you ate in Lent, a ‘Big Managing Editor by Bernard Magee 8 Bernard Magee’s Mac’ was an oversized raincoat Mr Bridge Interactive Software and ‘crumpet’ we had for tea. We 22 Bidding Quiz Answers existed before house husbands, Associate Editors by Bernard Magee 10 Voyages of Discovery computer dating and sheltered 2012 Summer Cruises accommodation was where you Bernard Magee 23 Defence Quiz waited for a bus. Julian Pottage by Julian Pottage 20 Bridge Events We were before day care centres, with Bernard Magee group homes and disposable Technical Consultant 24 Defence Quiz Answers nappies. We never heard of FM Tony Gordon by Julian Pottage 21 Bernard Magee’s radio, tape decks, artificial hearts, Hand Evaluation word processors, or young men 25 Declarer Play Quiz Proof Readers wearing earrings. For us ‘time by David Huggett 22 Mr Bridge Tony Richards sharing’ meant togetherness, a Playing Cards ‘chip’ was a piece of wood or fried 26 Declarer Play Answers Danny Roth potato, ‘hardware’ meant nuts Richard Wheen by David Huggett 23 Mr Bridge Rubber/ and bolts and ‘software’ wasn’t Chicago Events a word. Hugh Williams 27 Lead Quiz by Andrew Kambites 25 Bernard Magee’s Before 1940 ‘Made in Japan’ Office Managers Tips for Better Bridge meant junk, the term ‘making out’ referred to how you did in Catrina Shackleton 28 Lead Quiz Answers by Andrew Kambites 27 Mr Bridge Tutorial your exams, ‘stud’ was something Jane Cavell Bridge Breaks that fastened a collar to a shirt 29 The A to Z of and ‘going all the way’ meant Events & Cruises Bridge: L 33 Bernard Magee’s staying on a double-decker bus to the terminus. In our day, cigarette ( by Julian Pottage Begin Bridge CD 01483 489961 smoking was ‘fashionable’, ‘grass’ Rosie Baker 34 David Stevenson 36 Duplicate Bridge was mown, ‘coke’ was kept in the coalhouse, a ‘joint’ was a piece of Jessica Galt Answers Rules Simplified meat you ate on Sundays and ‘pot’ Your Questions Rachel Everett 38 Global was something you cooked in. Megan Riccio 37 The Power of Shape Travel Insurance ‘Rock Music’ was a fond mother’s lullaby, ‘Eldorado’ was an ice- Sophie Pierrepont reviewed 40 Stamps cream, a ‘gay person’ was the life by Sandra Landy Clubs & Charities and soul of the party, while ‘aids’ 40 Bridge Event just meant beauty treatment or Maggie Axtell 40 What’s in a Name Booking Form help for someone in trouble. by Didapper [email protected] We who were born before 1940 44 Charity Bridge 41 Readers’ Letters must be a hardy bunch when Address Changes Events you think of the way in which Elizabeth Bryan 43 The Diaries of the world has changed and the 47 Crossword 3 Solution adjustments we have had to make. ( 01483 485342 Wendy Wensum 47 QPlus 10 No wonder there is a generation [email protected] 44 Catching Up gap today . . . BUT by Sally Brock 48 Bernard Magee’s By the grace of God . . . All correspondence should Five-Card Majors be addressed to Mr Bridge. 45 Seven Days we have survived! Please make sure that all by Sally Brock 48 QPlus 10 letters, e-mails and faxes Printed in the UK on a 100% cotton tea-towel carry full postal addresses The views expressed in this publication are not and telephone numbers. £5.95 from Art Screen Prints necessarily those of the publisher or its Managing Editor. ( 01287 637527

Page 3

EASTERN MAGIC COMING SOON CHRISTMAS 2012 On page two, you will find In the last issue I should Mr Bridge three lovely cruises to have told you that early choose from, the first and bookers save up to £100 per Christmas third of which I will be person per event and those joining in company with booking a back to back & New Year Mrs Bridge. With no single package even more. Those supplement, inclusive shore who have booked already 2012/13 excursions and local wines will have their final invoice with evening meals they are amended to reflect the Duplicate Bridge proving really popular. lower price. This offer ends on 30 June 2012 or it won’t I thoroughly enjoyed my Denham Grove BOUTIQUE be a special offer anymore. recent cruises around the Near Uxbridge, UB9 5DU Mediterranean on board CHRISTMAS PARTY Aegean Odyssey, so when the chance of combining Bernard Magee is going to bridge with cruises to India the Chatsworth Hotel, and the East came up, I Worthing, 28-30 December contacted Voyages to for a special weekend party. Antiquity immediately to It follows the format of his see if there could be a weekend events but has a bridge party on each sailing Aegean Odessey, pictured seasonal theme. The price is 24-27 Dec £455 this coming winter. above, sails under the £245 per person with no Just Bridge command of her quietly They said, ‘Yes’, so single supplement. Jo Walch competent Swedish captain, Kay Adamson will lead a Roland Andersson, another 27-29 Dec £215 team on board for DIARIES 2013 boon in itself. Game Tries Christmas and New Year. These are promised for the The advertisement on the BRIDGE FEES end of June. A full range of 29 Dec – 1 Jan £445 facing page should be of cover colours is available. Finding Slams special interest to singles as Please note there are fees Order now. Luxury cover there are a some cabins for our bridge programme versions are also available. without single supplements. on board Aegean Odessey. The Olde Barn In January, Bernard Magee £30 per person for summer. OLD POT BOILER Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT will join the ship and sail £100 per person for winter, from Hong Kong to Bali whatever the length of your As promised, I provide the and then from Bali to chosen cruise. solution to this widely Bangkok, two lovely cruises known double dummy which can be taken GOFF STAMPS problem, see overleaf. together as a Grand Voyage. I provide the problem below and new readers should see if they can solve it before turning the page. 24-27 Dec £455 Just Bridge ♠ A Q 7 ♥ A K Q J 27-29 Dec £215 ♦ Once again I provide a plug Q J 10 9 8 7 Doubles ♣ for my sponsor of long Void ♠ ♠ 29 Dec – 1 Jan £445 standing, Clive Goff. K J 10 8 6 9 5 4 3 2 In March, Mrs Bridge and ♥ 5 4 3 2 N ♥ Void Losing Trick Count Believe me, if Royal Mail W E I will join the ship in ♦ S ♦ put up prices anymore, they Void 6 5 4 3 2 Singapore and sail to ♣ ♣ will kill snailmail off K Q J 10 4 3 2 Mumbai doing the full ♠ altogether. Even I use email Void ( 01483 489961 tourist thing, flying on to ♥ these days. 10 9 8 7 6 [email protected] Delhi for the four-night ♦ A K www.holidaybridge.com Golden Triangle extension, For Clive Goff’s unique ♣ A 9 8 7 6 5 so that we can savour and service, telephone him on: Contract 7♥ by South. Please call if you would like a sample copy of the programme enjoy the serene beauty of ( 020 8422 4906. West leads the ♣K. the Taj Mahal. [email protected]

Page 5 OLD POT BOILER NEW HOSTS Mr Bridge Here is the solution to this NEW Those interested in hosting AT THE much loved problem. VENUE or helping at our weekend events should, in the first The key element is for ROYAL KENZ instance, send an email to South to discard his ace We have found a great new [email protected] TUNISIA and king of diamonds. venue in the Cheltenham ♠ for an application form. One can go on the A, but area, or more correctly it Two-week what to do with the other? has found us. I believe it FIRST VOYAGE half-board The answer is, strange will suit our needs and as it seems, on the last there will be no single Voyages of Discovery are duplicate trump from dummy, as supplement. proud to announce the after South has ruffed two inaugural sailing of the holiday All the beds are king-sized spades, his trumps will latest addition to its doubles which can be be shorter than North’s. growing fleet, m.v. Voyager. unvelcroed to make two ♣ ♦ She sails from Portsmouth 1. Win A (discarding 7 ). singles. All their soups, ♥ to Jamaica in the Caribbean 2. Play a trump to A. desserts etc are created in ♠ on 4 December 2012. There 3. Ruff 7. their own kitchens. We ♥ are plenty of sea days which 4. Play a trump to K. have three 2012 dates all ♠ suit bridge players to a tee. 5. Ruff Q. hosted by Bernard Magee. 6. Play a trump to ♥Q. This special sailing will 7. Play ♥J, drawing 29 June – 1 July 2012 have bridge hosted by Tony West’s last trump, Leads and Defence – £245 and Jan Richards. Inside discarding ♦K. 6 – 8 July 2012 cabins from £999 per 8. Play ♠A, throwing Finding Slams – £245 person. Outside cabins are ♦A and North’s from £1349 with no single hand is high. 26 – 28 October 2012 supplement, strictly subject Doubles – £245 to availability. Book now to For a full range of bridge avoid disappointment. tea towels, ring Art Screen FUNDRAISING 4-18 November 2012 Print on ( 01287 637527. Golf available www.artscreen.co.uk/ In BRIDGE 114, I told you PROTECTION Tony and Jan Richards customizeArea/shop.html that all the traded-in QPlus I am a belt and braces man, £769* software had been donated so readers should be COVER STORY to support Little Voice. By assured that your names 24 Feb – 10 March 2013 the end of April, we had and addresses are protected Golf available banked £1,432.00. Thank by our registration under Bernard Magee you. I repeat my offer in the Data Protection Act. All and his team case you overlooked it. office waste paper is either £799* QPlus 7. Donation £10. shredded or burnt. QPlus 8. Donation £16. *per person half-board sharing a twin-bedded room and is QPlus 9. Donation £25. CONSTITUTION inclusive of bridge fees. Single supplement £6 per night. These All are guaranteed for at To save space, the promised prices are based on air travel from Gatwick to Enfidha. least one year, and as draft constitution is now Flights from other UK airports nothing can go wrong with ready and will be emailed are available at a supplement. the product, you can call All prices are firm until the end or posted to you on request. of July 2012. Prices for seven- that five. Please make night stays (November only) are cheques out to L.U.C.I.A. available on application. THANK YOU Pay £70 per fortnight per person Little Voice and send me extra and have a pool-facing two 2nd class stamps to A great big thank you for room, tea & coffee making Bernard Magee’s Baltic cover the cost of posting it. all the congratulations and facilities, bath robe and a bowl of cruise on Discovery, sailing seasonal fruit. goodwill messages. I hope 3 September from Harwich to guide and direct a These holidays have been organised BRIDGE BARON for Mr Bridge by Tunisia First Limited, to St Petersburg and back, growing team of younger ATOL 5933, working in association is one of the highlights of Those wanting a bridge play people for as long as they with Thomas Cook Tour Operations Limited, ATOL 1179. the 2012 season. There are program to use with their and my health permit. also bridge parties on every AppleMac hardware need DETAILS & BOOKINGS Discovery voyage this look no further than Bridge All good wishes, ( summer. See page 10 & 11 Baron. The latest version is 01483 489961 for a list of dates and ports. £63. Trade-ins £36. Mr Bridge

Page 6 ✄ ✄

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Page 7 Better Bridge BERNARD MAGEE’S with Bernard INTERACTIVE TUTORIALS

Six DVDs record the seminars from Haslemere. ACOL MORE DECLARER Each seminar is divided BIDDING (ADVANCED) PLAY into two halves: designed to look at subjects from ACOL BIDDING l Opening Bids and l Suit Establishment two different perspectives. Responses l Basics in No-trumps

1. Ruffing for l Slams and Strong l Advanced Basics l Suit Establishment extra tricks Openings in Suits This seminar deals with declar- l Weak Twos er’s use of ruffing to generate ex- l Support for Partner l Hold-ups tra tricks and then looks at how l Strong Hands the defenders might counteract l Pre-empting l Ruffing for this. 74 mins. l Defence Extra Tricks l Overcalls to Weak Twos 2. COMPETITIVE l Entries in AUCTIONS l No-trump £66 l Defence to 1NT No-trumps £76 This seminar focuses on Openings competitive auctions from the l Doubles perspective of the overcalling and Responses l Delaying side to start with and then from l Two-suited Drawing Trumps l Opener’s and £96 the perspective of the opening Overcalls side in the second part. 86 mins. Responder’s Rebids l Using the Lead l Defences to 3. MAKING THE MOST l Minors and Misfits l Trump Control OF HIGH CARDS Other Systems This seminar helps declarer to l Doubles l Endplays & l Misfits and use his high cards more carefully Avoidance and then looks at how defenders l Competitive Distributional should care for their precious Auctions Hands l Using the Bidding high cards. 83 minutes.

4. Identifying & BIDDING SLAMS The first half of this seminar is ADVANCED DEFENCE FIVE-CARD about identifying when a slam DECLARER PLAY MAJORS & might be on – one of the hardest l Lead vs Strong No-Trump topics to teach, because as soon l Making Overtricks No-trump Contracts as you announce the topic in No-trumps l Opening Bids everybody is looking for slams. l Lead vs & Responses The second half covers some of l Making Overtricks Suit Contracts the techniques used to bid slams. 96 minutes. in Suit Contracts l No-Trump l Partner of Leader Openings l Endplays 5. PLAY & DEFENCE vs No-trump OF 1NT CONTRACTS Contracts l Support £89 l Avoidance This seminar looks at the most for Partner l Partner of Leader common and yet most feared of l Wrong contracts: 1NT. The first half £81 vs Suit Contracts l Slams Contract looks at declaring the contract & Strong Openings and the second part puts us in l Count l Simple the defenders’ seats. 88 minutes. Signals l Rebids Squeezes 6. DOUBLING & DEFENCE l Attitude l Minors l Counting £76 AGAINST DOUBLED Signals & Misfits CONTRACTS the Hand The first half of this seminar l Discarding l Pre-empting explores penalty doubles and the l Trump Reductions second half discusses the defence & Coups l Defensive Plan l Doubles against doubled contracts. 88 minutes. l Playing Doubled l Stopping Declarer l Overcalls Contracts £25 each l Counting l Competitive All 6 for £100 l Safety Plays the Hand Auctions

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System Requirements: WindowsPage XP, Vista8 or 7, 8mb RAM, CD-ROM Stephen Cashmore Says Skip Stayman on a 4333 Hand

t is often right to skip Stayman when B is an example. Nobody would fancy better to bid 3NT. Moreover, if you you have no ruffing value. For one opening 1♠, intending to rebid 2♠, with use Stayman and find partner with the thing, there is no point in seeking a 10-8-5-4-3. It is best to tell a smaller lie, wrong major, you are adding greatly to Ifit when both hands may be completely and open 1NT in the first place. Once in the chance that the opening lead will flat. Secondly, raising in no-trumps a while, you will miss a good 5-3 fit and, hit your side’s weak spot. An auction gives less information to the defenders. assuming you do not use Stayman with a of 1NT-2♣-2♥-3NT tells them that you As partner will have the same four-card flat 4-3-3-3 hand, you will miss the odd have four spades and that partner has major as you roughly one time in three, 5-4 fit. This is one of those things, the four hearts. They are much more likely two thirds of the time Stayman will just result of having an awkward hand to bid. to find the best lead after that than after help the opponents. Thirdly, even if you Assuming you do not usually open 1NT-3NT. have a 4-4 fit, four of a major may yield 1NT with a five-card major, should you With Hand D, you definitely jump to no more tricks than 3NT. If you can skip Stayman with a 4-3-3-3 or 3-4-3-3 3NT. For one thing, you are reasonably make the same nine tricks in 3NT as hand? Well, yes, but not always. sure that there is no obvious weak suit in the 4-4 fit, you can make game there for the defenders to attack. For another, but not in 4♥ or 4♠. At teams or rubber with weak spades like these, a 4-1 spade bridge, when the extra 20 points for Hand C Hand D break might defeat 4♠ but not 3NT. making 4♥ or 4♠ rather than 3NT is of ♠ K 10 8 4 ♠ Q 8 4 2 There is another way of looking at this. little value, this is critical. ♥ A 9 4 ♥ A 9 5 If there are plenty of points available to The other side of the coin is that, ♦ K Q 8 ♦ A Q 8 make 3NT (as with Hand D opposite a because you are 4-3-3-3 (or 3-4-3-3), ♣ J 6 5 ♣ K J 5 1NT opener), it is likely that all suits are there is no guarantee that partner will covered and no-trumps will be the best be too. If he is, for example, 4-3-4-2, spot to play. playing in the 4-4 spade fit may well be Partner opens 1NT (12-14). With C and Are there hands on which you can tell superior because of a lack of cover in D, do you respond Stayman 2♣ or not? game in a major is safer than 3NT? clubs. On C, the danger in ignoring a possible There is one other point against the 4-4 fit and playing in no-trumps is that maxim, though its impact depends on both you and your partner may have a Hand E your partnership style. poor stopper in one of the other suits – ♠ A K J 10 or even no stopper at all. In no-trumps, ♥ A K J the defenders might win, say, the first ♦ 8 4 3 Hand A Hand B five tricks in clubs, whereas, playing in ♣ 9 5 4 ♠ A Q 10 9 8 ♠ 10 8 5 4 3 spades, you can ruff and keep control. ♥ K J 9 ♥ K J 5 Then again, if partner has ♣Q-10-x, you ♦ Q J 8 ♦ K J 8 have a stopper for 3NT, but may run into Having all your values in two suits is a ♣ 3 2 ♣ A J a deadly ruff to set 4♠. Also, as you have good indicator. With spades like these just thirteen points, there may be only and all these points, 4♠ on a 4-4 fit will nine tricks available wherever you play. surely make. Just about the only way to go Most Acol players would open Hand A My experience, backed up by a friend’s down in game is to play in 3NT and find with 1♠, planning to rebid 2♠. However, computer simulation, is that it is 50-50 partner weak in one of the minors. The if it is your style to open Hand A with whether a 4-4 fit plays better than 3NT case for using Stayman would be even 1NT, partner needs to employ Stayman when one hand has no ruffing value. clearer if you had a similar hand with whenever he has a four-card major, even It is therefore a toss-up on a hand like about an ace more – a ruff in partner’s if he has a completely flat hand. You this which contract is the more likely hand could be the twelfth trick. would not want to miss a 5-4 fit. to make. In this case, the fact that you In summary, unless a slam is in the Even if it is not your general style to clearly don’t want to use Stayman and air, when the chance of a possible extra open 1NT with a five-card major, you tell the opponents about the declaring trick in a 4-4 fit is worth going for, skip may find yourself forced to do so. Hand hand when there is no fit, makes it Stayman on a 4-3-3-3 hand. ■

Page 9 Inspiring Summer Cruises ExCLUSIVE MR BRIDGE FARES

FROM £1199pp* EXCLUSIVE Mr Bridge FARE ON TIMELESS BALTIC

in Moscow and, on the anniversary of D-Day, an inspirational journey of A NORDIC and WHITE SEA ADVENTURE July 25, 2012 ~ 20 days Gary GTY £1,899pp Harwich ~ Bergen ~ Bodø ~ Murmansk ~ Solovetsky Islands (overnight) ~ Archangel ~ Kirkenes ~ Hammerfest ~ Trondheim ~ Ørsta Conrad remembrance and discovery to the landing beaches of Normandy, little- Florø ~ Harwich visited Heligoland in Germany and beautiful Amsterdam. AROUND BRITAIN and EDINBURGH TATTOO August 13, 2012 ~ 13 days Alex £1,599pp Harwich ~ St Peter Port ~ Fowey ~ Cobh ~ Galway ~ Killybegs ~ Oban ~ Portree ~ Scrabster ~ Kirkwall ~ Rosyth (Edinburgh) ~ Harwich Davoud cat m

All passengers are eligible to attend the exclusive drinks OSLO and the MAGIC of NORWAY August 25, 2012 ~ 10 days Alison £979pp parties. When Discovery is at sea there are morning seminars and Harwich ~ Oslo ~ Kristiansand ~ Stavanger ~ Flåm and Gudvangen ~ Ålesund ~ Bergen ~ Harwich Nicolson cat m September 3, 2012 ~ 15 days afternoon bridge sessions. Those Mr Bridge passengers choosing to pay TIMELESS BALTIC exclusive Bernard *Mr Bridge Exclusive Fare Harwich ~ Copenhagen ~ Saaremaa ~ Tallinn ~ St Petersburg (2 nights) ~ Gdynia ~ Szczecin (Berlin) mr briDge Magee from £1,199pp the £30† per bridge player supplement will be eligible for the evening Sassnitz ~ Kiel Canal transit ~ Harwich Fare duplicate bridge after the first dinner sitting. The bridge programme is fully optional and you may participate as much or as little as you wish. Mr Bridge actively encourages singles to join the party and they will always be found a partner for a game. Summer 2012 Fly cruises VOYAGE to the MEDITERRANEAN September 17, 2012 ~ 8 days Sandy £529pp Harwich ~ Leixoes (Porto) ~ Gibraltar ~ Cartagena ~ Barcelona Bell cat n A PORTRAIT of the MEDITERRANEAN September 24, 2012 ~ 12 days Tony & Jan £999pp Barcelona ~ Sète ~ Rapallo ~ Livorno (Florence/Pisa) ~ Civitavecchia (Rome) ~ Castellammare di Stabia ~ Messina ~ Brindisi Richards cat n Dubrovnik (overnight) ADRIATIC and AEGEAN ODYSSEY October 5, 2012 ~ 15 days Crombie & Helen £1,849pp YOUR VOYAGE INCLUDES: Dubrovnik ~ Pula ~ Venice ~ Koper ~ Hvar ~ Kotor ~ Durres ~ Itea ~ Katakolon ~ Piraeus (Athens) ~ Canakkale ~ Istanbul (overnight) McNeil cat o BLACK SEA EXPLORER^ October 19, 2012 ~ 12 days Sandy £2,069pp • Evening bridge† • All meals, entertainment Istanbul ~ Trabzon ~ Sochi (overnight) ~ Novorossiysk ~ Yalta ~ Sevastopol ~ Odessa ~ Nesebur ~ Istanbul (overnight) Bell cat m • Afternoon bridge when at sea and onboard gratuities • Comprehensive lecture • Bridge seminars when at sea For passengers interested in higher grade cabins, sole occupancy or combination and grand voyages please contact our friendly team who will gladly assist and guest speaker programme • Exclusive Mr Bridge drinks with current availability and fares. parties • Captain’s cocktail parties and gala dinners 01483 489961 for brochures and bookings www.bridgecruises.co.uk

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Playing a weak first suit and at least four the weak two. I give the The bidding no-trump, as cards in his second? replies as weak, strong, went as follows: Qdealer, I held: weak, strong, calling this Q West North East South Ogust. Players at our 1♠ Pass 2♥ Pass club invert the 3♦ and West North East South ♠ A K 10 3♦ 3♥ replies. Is this the 1♦ Dble End ♥ A Q 9 Blue Club convention? ♦ K J 10 West North East South Shirley Prince by email I was East and had ♣ 9 5 4 2 1♥ Pass 2♣ Pass (similar from Paddy Seligman). two points and two 2♠ diamonds. My partner At one time, I believe went one off (she had Holding 17 HCP, I was Ken Wheeler, Chestfield, Kent there was a subtle only 12 points). too strong for 1NT; I (similar from Dave Ross, A difference between At most tables, could not bid a 3-card Swanmore, Hampshire). the Blue Club and Ogust North-South made 3NT. suit and clubs was out style rebids after the 2NT What do you make of the question. Was Yes, that is what the enquiry. Nowadays they have of North’s double there a way out? rebid shows after a come (rightly or wrongly) and South’s pass? Len Hodby, A two-level response to mean the same thing: David Mason, Leicester. Dyffryn Ardudwy. – and it has done for some considerable time. The 3♣ = minimum, poor suit North’s double I do not see why difference between the two 3♦ = minimum, good suit is for takeout. 99 bidding clubs was sequences is that, for a high 3♥ = maximum, poor suit A times out of 100 A out of the question. reverse, opener might have 3♠ = maximum, good suit South removes the double. In France, America and equal length (five spades 3NT = AKQ in suit Once in a while, South various other places, people and five diamonds in your has long, strong diamonds open routinely on a three- example), whereas, for a The alternative method and chooses to leave in the card club suit; here you simple reverse, opener’s first is that you show features double, changing it from have four clubs. While I suit will always be longer. if you are non-minimum: a takeout to penalty. This agree you would not want Both sequences go past two you rebid your suit at the is a penalty pass. Leaving to open one of a major of opener’s first suit (and three level with a minimum; in the double occurs on 9-x-x-x, opening 1♣ is create a game force after with a maximum, you more commonly when the no problem whatsoever. the two-level response), show a feature at the three doubler is under the bidder which is why opener level (e.g. K-x-x); a logical or when the bidding is at ♣♦♥♠ must not be minimum. extension is that a bid a much higher level. at the four level (below Getting out for one down In the sequences ♣♦♥♠ four of your suit) shows a when the opponents could below, am I right shortage and a maximum. make game sounds like a Qin thinking that, Playing Benji, The Blue Club/Ogust style good result for you. It seems these days, opener has there seem to be seems more popular than that South did not have a shown 15+ points with Qtwo alternatives showing features, though suitable hand for leaving in at least five cards in his to the 2NT enquiry over either method is playable. the double.

Page 12 Ask Julian continued queen, East helps to build reply – or you might have a a slow winner for West. ♠ A Q 10 9 7 weak hand with the majors. If you want to know more, ♥ K 5 When 3♦ comes back to there is an article available in ♦ A K 5 you, there is not much you Does the the Mr Bridge library on the ♣ K 10 7 can do other than double. defender in subject. If you want to know Then, you are showing N third seat even more than that, there is W E game try values (or better) Q S need to play high? a whole chapter on it in The – assuming the overcaller is Peggy Robinson, Golden Rules of Defence. ♠ K J 8 3 2 sensible, you will not have a Welham Green, ♥ A Q diamond stack, so it is more Hertfordshire. ♣♦♥♠ ♦ 9 6 4 takeout than penalties. You ♣ A 9 5 are hoping partner shows ‘Third hand high’ What are frozen a major, though, with his is one of the suits and how do actual hand, presumably he A oldest maxims Qyou play them? Suppose you are in 6♠ and would leave 3♦ doubled in. in bridge. Indeed, it pre- B Coffey, receive a diamond lead. dates bridge, originating Altrincham, Cheshire. You win, draw trumps, ♣♦♥♠ in the days of whist. Let us cash your winners in the consider a few layouts: A frozen suit is one red suits and exit with the With 20-22 that you cannot third round of diamonds. HCPs and a A play without losing Whoever wins will have to Qbalanced hand, Layout 1 a trick. You try not to play open up the frozen club suit I normally open 2NT. ♥ 9 6 4 them – you wait for your (or lead a red card, giving With six or a few more opponents to do so. Often you a ruff and discard). HCPs partner will N ♥ Q 10 3 2 W E ♥ K 7 5 every hand has an honour: usually raise to three. S ♣♦♥♠ Sometimes, we have a ♥ A J 8 suit unguarded and the K 10 7 Playing a weak result can be disastrous. no-trump and How do we avoid this? N When West leads the two, Q 8 4 2 W E J 6 3 Stayman, my Ronald Barker, S Q East needs to play high with partner (East) and I held: Verwood, Dorset. the king to stop declarer A 9 5 from scoring an undeserved When you have a second trick with the jack. ♠ Q 10 6 3 ♠ K 9 4 balanced hand, Some people are If NS attack the suit, they ♥ A J 7 3 N ♥ Q 10 2 you usually bid it W E A reluctant to play the king make only two tricks. If ♦ 7 S ♦ A K 6 3 as such without worrying for fear that it loses to the EW attack the suit NS ♣ K Q J 2 ♣ 8 6 4 about whether you ace. The point is that the make three tricks. have stoppers. ace will make anyway; by This is always going to playing the king, East helps West North East South be the case with an opening set up West’s holding. K 7 1NT Pass bid. It is only when the 2♣ 3♦ Pass Pass opponents have bid a suit N Q 9 5 4 2 W E A 10 6 3 ? or you have bid the other S Layout 2 suits that you worry about ♥ K 6 4 J 8 Should partner have bid whether you have a stopper. over 3♦? What should I If you have a 4-4 fit in a N ♥ J 9 3 2 W E ♥ Q 8 5 do when it comes back? major, you can locate it if S If NS attack the suit, there 3♦ went two down partner bids 3♣ (Stayman ♥ A 10 7 is no way to make a trick. (non-vulnerable), or similar enquiry) rather If EW attack it, NS do get a whereas 3NT made. than raising to 3NT. trick (though if West attacks Peter Calviou, Amersham. Incidentally, five points are When West leads the two it and NS are declaring, usually enough for raising and dummy plays low, East declarer will need to When the overcall 2NT to 3NT. While it is true needs to play high with make a winning guess). is at the three that contracts are harder the queen to stop declarer So how do you get your A level, your partner to make when most of from scoring an undeserved opponents to play them? has to pass more or less the strength is in one third trick with the ten. You remove the cards that whatever. You might have hand, it is usual to bid The ace and king will win they can lead safely (exit bid Stayman on a very weak game with a known anyway – by playing the cards) and give up the lead: hand planning to pass any combined 25-27.

Page 13 Ask Julian continued 6♣ is a fair contract, 2. After the same If you have a source roughly needing start to the auction on of tricks in your own A one of two finesses another deal, West held: A suit (e.g. A-Q-J- (if West has the ♦Q, you x-x), it can be a good idea If an opponent will be able to discard two to show that suit and then doubles Stayman spades on the diamonds ♠ J 9 5 4 support partner next time, as

(1NT-pass- and so avoid a spade loser). ♥ 10 4 3 N per the traditional delayed Q W E 2♣-double), what A slam needing one of two ♦ 9 2 S game raise. On many hands, should opener do? finesses is a good one to ♣ Q 5 4 2 however, the most important Irene Devine by email. bid. You should certainly be feature of your hand is the reaching at least game. four-card (or better) support, The standard The right way to bid this East claims that so you want to convey that treatment is that hand depends upon how West should have feature first. By using 2NT A redouble shows you play the sequence 1NT- taken her out of 1NT to do so, you allow a lot of clubs (normally five, or four pass-2♣-pass-2♦-pass-3♣. doubled – but how? space for exploring whether very good ones), 2♦ shows If you play that as a weak Peter Bradman, the hands have the values diamonds (ditto) while pass hand with clubs, as was the Cheddar, Somerset. and the controls needed for shows no four-card major traditional treatment, you a slam without taking the (without especially good have to start with 3♣ (forcing) 1. West should pass bidding beyond game. This cards in either minor). as you did. If, however, you 1NT but bid 2♣ after is why the 2NT raise has 2♥ and 2♠ are exactly have some other way to sign A North doubles and replaced both the delayed as without the double. off in clubs, that sequence is the bidding comes back. This game raise and the 3NT Other treatments are forcing and you can afford is not Stayman but, instead, pudding raise as the normal possible. For example, you to check for a 4-4 spade an attempt to play there. With way to show a game-forcing could play some actions to fit. The bidding then goes: the majors, West could have raise. If you played in a show a club stopper and bid 2♣ immediately rather tournament, you would find some to deny. You would North South than waiting for the double. that 90% of the pairs are need to discuss anything 1NT 2♣ 2. West might do the using the Jacoby 2NT. like that with your partner. 2♦ 3♣ same thing, hoping that As to your question about 3♦1 3♠ nobody doubles 2♣. Another nomenclature, I do not think ♣♦♥♠ 4♣2 4♥3 possibility – though only there was a player called 6♣4 if you have discussed it pudding. I do not know who Playing weak no- 1diamond values with your partner (or if you coined the term, though it trump, Stayman 2agreeing clubs – unable to bid are playing matchpoints, was almost certainly a Brit. Qand red-suit 3NT with no heart stopper when a disaster is only a transfers, we held: 3cue bid bottom) – is to make an ♣♦♥♠ 4good trump support and a SOS redouble. After passing maximum 1NT first time, it is unlikely Your partner ♠ 9 5 3 that West would want to leads the king ♥ 10 5 3 ♣♦♥♠ make a business redouble. Qfrom A-K, asking ♦ A K J 7 for count. You hold ♣ A Q 4 1. The bidding ♣♦♥♠ 8-6-4-2, which card do went as follows, you play? Of course, it is N W E with 1NT 12-14: Could you explain important to distinguish S Q the demise of the between the four- and ♠ A K 4 2 West North East South Qdelayed game two-card holding. ♥ A 1NT Pass raise in favour of using Simon Gottschalk, ♦ 10 Pass Dble End 2NT or 3NT as a way to Pendoylan, Glamorgan. ♣ J 9 8 7 6 3 2 show a game-forcing hand with support I have always played ♠ J 9 4 2 for your partner’s that you play second North South ♥ 10 5 N major? I understand highest (the six) and W E A 1NT 3♣ ♦ 7 3 S that 2NT goes by the then the third highest (unless End ♣ A J 8 4 2 name Jacoby and you are giving suit preference that 3NT is a pudding on the second round). An 12 tricks made. How raise – who coined the astute partner will note that should we have The partnership plays term pudding raise? the two is missing and so bid to a slam? Stayman. What should M J Gurney, place you with four rather Jacqueline Darts, Dorset. West have done? Holt, Norfolk. than two.

Page 14 Ask Julian continued 3NT. Partner should then be West North East South on your uninformative in a good position to judge 3♣ 3♠ Pass auction. Often West will not whether to play in 3NT, ? have a natural heart lead, 4♥ or (occasionally) 5♦. In which will give you other Please can you pre-transfer days, you would Vincent Lei by email. chances besides playing explain the have had to jump to 3♥, the trumps for no loser. Qpurpose for which would have told your 3♠ is not forcing. If West leads the ♦A or (less playing transfers? partner less about your hand. With a game- likely) a spade, the play is Valerie Francis, Kenilworth. A going hand, East all over. If the lead is a low could either bid 4♠ directly diamond, you will place East There are three Hand 3 or start with a double. with the ♦A and try to ruff main purposes ♠ 8 5 I would bid 3NT, protecting down the ♦A in three rounds. A for a transfer: ♥ A J 8 5 2 the ♣K. It could be wrong If the lead is a club, you (i) to give you a chance ♦ K Q 6 if partner has a singleton will probably take two rounds to show both strong ♣ J 10 3 club of course. However, of trumps ending in hand and weak hands; 4♠ could also be wrong if and lead the ♦J for a ruffing (ii) to give you a chance there are two clubs, a heart finesse. If West has the ace to show two suits; Holding Hand 3, you want and a spade to lose – or but fails to cover, dummy’s (iii) to make the stronger to invite game while showing if the spades split badly. heart goes away at once. hand declarer. five hearts and a balanced If West does cover, you can Suppose you hold any of hand. With transfers, you ♣♦♥♠ ruff in dummy and hope to the following hands and can do it. You bid 2♦ and return to hand with a club, partner opens a 12-14 1NT. rebid 2NT. With a minimum, My partner discarding the heart later. In each case, you should partner passes or bids 3♥; and I play a I agree you were unlucky. start with 2♦, which shows with a maximum, partner can Qstrong no-trump five or more hearts and raise to 3NT or jump to 4♥. and transfers. ♣♦♥♠ asks partner to bid 2♥. Without transfers, you would have to start with Stayman In the H section and jump to 3♥; that is less ♠ K J 10 8 6 4 3 of the A-Z, you Hand 1 informative and so more ♥ 7 Qmention Halmic ♠ 8 5 likely to cause partner to ♦ Void but not Helvic. Whilst ♥ Q J 10 9 3 misjudge – as well as taking ♣ A K 8 5 2 similar to Halmic, it is ♦ A 8 4 2 the bidding past 2NT, which probably more precise. N ♣ 7 3 might be the right contract. W E Patrick Dunham, S The loss in playing Coleorton, Leicestershire. transfers is negligible. When ♠ A 7 You do not wish to go any did you last hear the auction ♥ Q 9 2 You make a good higher than 2♥, though go 1NT-pass-2♦-all pass? ♦ K Q J 7 point. Many people it could be beneficial to Some people play transfers ♣ Q J 6 4 A are unaware of the have the lead coming up to in other situations; the most difference. After the bidding partner’s possible tenaces, widely played applications starts 1NT-double, the such as the ♠A-Q or the ♣K. are red-suit transfers North South two-level Helvic bids are: (diamonds to hearts and 1NT 2♣ Clubs and diamonds hearts to spades) in response 2♥ 2♠ 2♦ Diamonds and hearts Hand 2 to 1NT and 2NT openings. 6♠ End 2♥ Hearts and spades ♠ 8 5 2♠ Spades and clubs ♥ K Q 9 4 3 ♣♦♥♠ West led the ♥A followed To show clubs and hearts or ♦ A K J 6 by the ♣7. The contract diamonds and spades, you ♣ 7 3 Is 3♠ forcing in now depended on pass over the double, forcing the sequence not losing a trump trick. I partner to redouble. You then Qbelow? What went for the drop, which rebid 2♣ or 2♦ respectively. Holding Hand 2, you intend should West bid? failed. Since no other There are a couple of to play in game but do pair bid the slam, I am downsides to Helvic: not know which one. After feeling hard done by. (i) you can never play in partner completes the ♠ J 7 George Pilcher, Deal, Kent. 1NT doubled (only 1NT transfer, you will rebid 3♦. ♥ J 10 6 2 redoubled), which to me is a You will then have shown ♦ A K J 6 4 While 6♣ is clearly significant flaw and (ii) if you both your suits and your ♣ K 6 the best spot, 6♠ is a have spades and clubs, you strength without going past A respectable contract cannot stop in 2♣.

Page 15

Ask Julian continued Without a bit of science you are not going to reach a slam, because, not only are PRIZE CROSSWORD 3 you going to worry about set by Sputnik I was North having two aces missing, and dealer: but also you are going to Q worry about having two fast 1 2 3 4 5 club losers. On your actual 6 7 sequence, your partner ♠ K 10 could have bid 6♦ to show 8 ♥ A K 9 7 5 4 one ace and a void on the 9 10 ♦ K Q 2 basis that you could guess ♣ Q 5 from the overcall where the void would be. Your N 11 12 13 14 W E 4NT was risky, however, S because, even if partner ♠ A Q J 8 3 2 had shown two aces, there ♥ Q J 6 3 could still have been the 15 16 17 18 ♦ 9 6 3 ace-king of clubs off the top. ♣ Void ♣♦♥♠ 19 20 21 22

West North East South I would like to 1♥ 2♣ 4♥ ask if my partner 23 24 Pass 4NT Pass 5♦ Qwas correct in Pass 5♥ End bidding 3♠ after I had opened 1♦. He insisted We made 13 tricks on a he was making a pre- ACROSS DOWN club lead. As my partner emptive bid. I thought did not play splinters, it was incorrect to reply 6 A type of Mitchell 1 Boris partnered Terence that produces a single for many years (8) could we reach a slam? to your partner with winning pair (9) If he had used a a pre-emptive bid. 2 A sacrifice that results in splinter bid, how could Olive Hirst, 7 Defeat a contract (3) a greater success (6) he tell me it was a void Fleet, Hampshire. 9 An uneven distribution 3 Almost a label for and not a singleton? of opposition cards (3,5) winning players (4) Barry Tyrrell by email. Playing a double 10 That famous road in 4 Meckstroth and Rodwell, jump response as West Hampstead (4) US experts, have a If your partner had pre-emptive is the nickname (8) A 11 ______ludorum, the made a 4♣ splinter, traditional meaning, hence winner of the game (6) 5 A rabbit’s frequent score A he could tell you what you should expect if (4) it was a void in one of two you have not agreed to play 13 Point count minimum ways, depending upon how something else. However, I for raising a weak NT 8 100 below the line (4) (6) the auction developed. In a agree with you: pre-empting 12 A possible call for partner cue-bidding sequence, he when partner is bidding and 15 Ordered from Dorset to run (8) (6) could later bid 5♣ to show the opponents (at least so far) 14 S—t—a—y—m—a—n ? the first-round control. If, are not is of dubious value. If 17 The number of cards held (8) as you did, you bid 4NT, he you played in a tournament, in a particular suit (6) 16 Experts achieve many, could make an unexpected very few pairs would be 19 Worth two finesses? (4) rabbits few (4) response to show the void. playing the double jump as Some people play that pre-emptive. I suspect most 21 What accurate players 18 A historic 4NT you simply bid one level would be playing it as a aspire to be (8) convention (6) higher when you have a splinter, a singleton or void 23 A term for a small card 20 Surrender the lead (4) ♦ (3) void, so 6 would show in the suit bid with strong 22 Everyone in breaches of one key card and a void. support for opener’s suit. ■ 24 Access between declarer the rules (4) and dummy may be difficult due to these (9) E-mail your questions for Julian to: Reprinted from BRIDGE 114. [email protected] Solution and winners on page 47

Page 16 From the Baron’s Archives by Dick Atkinson Fifth-round Control

suppose it was his own fault. When the hands are those awful computer- an opponent accuses you of peek- ♠ K Q J 10 7 generated things. You will recall we ing, you are asking for trouble if ♥ Q 6 have already had one singleton ace on Iyou admit it and my Uncle Leopold ♦ 10 9 6 4 Board 2.’ certainly admitted that he had no ba- ♣ J 6 He has a bee in his bonnet about sis for playing South for a singleton singleton aces and kings, but I let his ace – no bridge basis. N technophobia pass for the moment. W E ♠ It happened in the summer of 1997. S ‘You didn’t have to jump to 6 !’ He shook his head witheringly. ‘In The Baron scores ♠ A that auction? It was the key bid. We a top on Board 4 ♥ A K J 8 4 3 have bid everything but diamonds – ♦ 8 5 the jump to slam proclaims a diamond It was a pleasant evening in July ♣ A K 5 2 control. The only way I can deter the (Monday the 28th) and I had agreed unwelcome diamond lead that you to take Uncle Leo to the club for have invited is by advertising such a an evening’s duplicate. When we East was on lead and held the ace, control – the opponents may find it got there, we discovered that it was queen, jack and two of diamonds. hard to guess that I control only the the British Bridge League Summer He looked at them longingly, but, fifth round!’ Simultaneous Pairs. in the end, led a passive trump and ‘Great,’ I remarked, ‘we’ll get a thirteen tricks were scored. This was On a roll booklet with all the hands we played a depressing result for the opponents, afterwards.’ since the obvious 3NT on the previous I shut up wisely, and the tops kept ‘That is certainly easier than noticing board had also produced thirteen rolling in. the cards when they are played,’ he tricks when everything turned out to Then came Boards 17 and 18. The snapped pointedly. I could see it was be right. East player was the Chairman of the going to be one of those evenings, ‘Honours don’t count nowadays,’ I Committee: but, at the age of 100, I suppose one remarked jocularly. is entitled to be crotchety. One is also The normally straggly moustache entitled to sit for the evening and so we bristled alarmingly. ‘I presume you are ♠ 8 found ourselves North-South at Table referring to the fact that you forced me ♥ A 10 5 2 1. There were thirteen tables, so we to bid my suit no fewer than four times ♦ A 4 3 played Boards 1-26 in sequence, two before you let me play there.’ ♣ A Q J 9 7 boards per round. An early success ‘But my hearts . . .’ ♠ J 10 5 ♠ A K 7 4 3 for the Baron was Board 4, where we ‘You never appreciate the value of ♥ Q 8 6 N ♥ J 4 W E ♠ ♦ ♦ scored a top in 6 by my uncle. a solid suit! Remember Board 1 . . . J 10 8 6 2 S 9 5 After three passes, I opened ♥2 , [East had gone three down in 3NT with ♣ 10 8 ♣ 6 5 4 3 since the Baron is violently opposed a heart void opposite West’s purely ♠ Q 9 6 2 to artificial bidding and, therefore, ♣2 ornamental ace, king, queen, jack, ten, ♥ K 9 7 3 would have been natural. Over his 2♠ three.] My hand is worth four tricks, ♦ K Q 7 positive, I rebid 3♥. He continued with probably five, played in spades. You ♣ K 2 3♠ and now I bid 4♣. He persisted were unable to bid 3NT and your with 4♠ and I thought 5♥ was the clubs were an afterthought, so I placed sensible move. The Baron jumped to you with the bare ace in my suit for After ♣1 , Pass, I was probably the only 6♠. your strong bidding, especially since player in the room not to respond

Page 17 Fifth-round Control continued nerable against non-vulnerable. The Gruesome plays Chairman looked at my flushed face long and hard. Then, as on the previ- The last two rounds were arrow- ous deal, he tossed a mental coin. He switched, my uncle sitting East. This decided he was too short of controls was the very last hand, played against 1♥. My uncle is absolutely inflexible for 5♥, so he doubled and began with the Club Secretary who was also – about such hands. What is the point, the king of hearts. A spade switch as it happened – the spouse of the he would complain, of bidding a would work for him, but that was Chairman: weak four-card suit when you have a third choice, so he tossed yet another perfect descriptive bid? I called 2NT imaginary penny and then continued and the old man decided to have a hearts rather than switching to clubs. ♠ J 6 5 flutter: he rebid 6♣. The auction was Eyebrows were raised when the Baron ♥ 10 9 less than informative. East led the calmly played a diamond to the ace. ♦ Q 9 8 2 king of spades and then thought long After that, eleven tricks were easy. ♣ A Q 10 4 and hard. No doubt, he suspected ‘Forgive me for asking, but what is ♠ 3 ♠ K Q 10 9 8 7 4 2 strongly that the ace would be ruffed, your authority for that gruesome play ♥ K 7 3 2 N ♥ A W E ♦ ♦ but he was familiar with the Baron’s in the trump suit?’ asked the Chairman K 10 7 5 S A deceptive capabilities and, in any in a tone of suppressed violence. ♣ K J 8 7 ♣ 9 6 5 case, things figured to be pretty solid The Baron replied, ‘I find myself ♠ A elsewhere looking at that dummy. The unable to answer your enquiry. I am ♥ Q J 8 6 5 4 slam might well be unbeatable and he afraid you will have to be satisfied ♦ J 6 4 3 certainly wasn’t going to risk having to with that. In any case, I believe your ♣ 3 2 explain to his partner if a switch gave question is contrary to the Proprieties it away. The precise lie of the spades of the Game.’ was fortunate, of course, allowing the A harrumphing match ensued, West North East South Baron to discard two hearts for his terminated only by the calling of the 2♠ 3♥ contract. round and I was able to lean over and 3NT Pass 4♠ End The Chairman was, understandably, interrogate Uncle Leo. ‘Why could you in a less than sanguine frame of mind not just explain?’ 2♠ was, in principle, game forcing, for the second board of the encounter: ‘Ethics, dear boy. I believed that the goading South into exploring the pos king of diamonds would be singleton sibility of a save at equal vulnerability. because this is a computer-dealt set Uncle Leo won the heart queen with ♠ 9 6 and I believe the program commonly the ace, cashed the ace of diamonds, ♥ 7 4 2 used is fundamentally flawed.’ then switched to the eight of spades. ♦ A 10 9 7 3 ‘You could have—’ On lead to the next trick, South, the ♣ Q 7 2 ‘The nature of the flaw is that Secretary, squirmed and it was obvious ♠ K J 10 5 4 ♠ Q 7 3 2 certain features, particularly singleton to everyone at the table exactly why. ♥ 8 6 3 N ♥ A K Q J 10 5 honours, repeat themselves in a session Perhaps the Baron wanted to discard W E ♦ ♦ 6 5 S K far more often than chance.’ his second heart on the king of ♣ A 6 3 ♣ 10 4 ‘But you could—’ diamonds before North had a chance ♠ A 8 ‘I obviously could not reveal that I to ruff? If so, it was plausible that he ♥ 9 had seen a singleton king of diamonds wished to take out some trumps before ♦ Q J 8 4 2 on an earlier deal [Board 8]. They may playing on clubs. ♣ K J 9 8 5 not have played it yet. Mein Gott!’ On the other hand, he might have I began to explain that his belief was two singleton aces . . . Three singleton just a ridiculous Luddite superstition. aces in one deal? That did not seem Over East’s 1♥ I called 2NT. Whoops! Computer dealing is the fairest plausible. South led a middle heart That was sheer force of habit. method possible. and the roof fell in. One overtrick, for ‘What does that show?’ asked West. ‘Rubbish. Because it allegedly a massive top. The Baron announced, ‘About satisfies some ‘perfect’ probability? Have you ever noticed how married twenty points, perhaps a couple less If it did that, it would no longer be couples begin to sound like each other? with a strong minor suit.’ a true version of the deal required ‘Forgive me for asking, but what is Luckily, West doubled, whereupon by the Laws. You might as well have your authority for that gruesome play the Baron realised that there could electronic roulette wheels!’ in the trump suit?’ not be so many points in the pack. After the following board, number The Baron was busy calculating Someone had told a lie and his im- 19, my uncle made a particular the second decimal place of his mediate and unfortunately accurate point of waving his singleton king of estimate and took unkindly to being assessment was that I was the guilty diamonds, the third of the evening, interrupted. ‘Madam, you are not party. He called 5♦ – a bold call vul- under my nose. entitled to ask insulting questions

Page 18 Fifth-round Control continued 18 and 19, the jack of hearts on Boards Footnote 14 and 15 and the nine of diamonds on 19 and 20. Honesty compels me to add that I ‘Board 19 was a bizarre freak. There continued to berate my uncle about his about my card play, but out of were two eight-card red suits each superstitious aversion for computer- innate good manners and a life-long headed by the ace; in each case, the dealt hands. deference to your sex I shall explain. partner had a three-card fit, and the I had not at that stage, of course, seen I have seen more singleton aces this opponents each had a singleton – the analysis he sent the Committee. evening than real bridge players, including both singleton red kings. I pointed out foolishly that we had including a previous singleton ace of The partners of the red one-suiters played only 26 boards, and there spades in the South hand on Board 4. each held a five-card black suit headed would be several more in the booklet I do not see why I should have to play by ace-king. In each case, their partner to test his theory. against two opponents, a partner and a had a singleton – two singleton black ‘Ten-to-one-on you’ll find a fourth nasty little computer, but I have given fours. Each of the long suits broke singleton heart ace or diamond king it my best shot. And now goodnight!’ exactly the same as the pattern of the in there!’ hand (8-3-1-1 or 5-4-3-1). [This was in ‘Done!’ slipped out before I could The Baron’s Letter line with Culbertson’s discredited ‘Law stop myself. of Symmetry’.] ‘I’ll wager a ‘tenner’,’ he replied. So There were inevitably suspicious ‘Ignoring such details, it would have the singleton ace of hearts on Board 28 repercussions, but the last ripple was a been sufficient to look at the lengths cost me £100 . . . letter from my uncle to the Committee. only of suits across the 26 deals to The deals and statistics quoted There was no reply. This is an abstract know there was something odd going are entirely accurate (thanks to of his missive: on. Tony Gordon, who spotted a severe ‘This computer generation of hands There were five eight-card suits. miscalculation on my part). I leave is ruining the game . . . The editors Normally, one would not even expect it up to the reader to decide whether of the BBL Booklet [Anna Gudge and as many as five seven-card suits. A there is something dodgy about David Burn] claim that the hands single eight-card suit in a session is computer dealing. conform ‘almost exactly’ to the approximately an evens chance. The If you have access to any old BBL ‘expected average’ and make ironic likelihood of five such suits, even if Sim Booklets, you may like to note remarks about those who ‘play for the the rest of the cards were relatively that the 1997 Autumn Sim provided singleton king . . . offside because it’s a balanced in compensation, is over 30- one nine-, one eight-, and seven seven- computer deal’ [see note on Board 3]. I to-1 against and even that assumes card suits, similarly freaky to the set therefore enclose my own analysis of the ‘perfect’ odds which apply in the analysed above. the 26 boards we played: world of computers rather than that The five of spades was a singleton of human dealers. I cannot remember five times in ten boards (Boards 15-24) such a session in normal play. and there were seven singleton aces Expected Actual ‘But the hands were even more (including the heart ace in Boards 7, 9 freakish than that. The eight-card and 11). So the Baron was not safe even Singleton suits did not simply replace the sevens. for three months. 2 or 3 8 Aces The expectation should be that there The Spring Sim in 2001 provided, would be four seven-card suits in a among other patterns, this remarkable Singleton 26-board session. series of club singletons (see below). 2 or 3 5 Kings There were seven; so, even without On average, there will be only one the eight-card suits, the session would specific four-card suit (e.g. spades) per Singleton 2 or 3 4 have been freakish. Similarly, six- deal. There are over 700 different com Queens card suits were just above the average binations of cards possible in a four- expectation too. card suit, so it is quite striking to get Total 33 45 Singletons ‘Standard methods are not devised exactly the same suit repeated in a set. for dealing with such extreme Boards 2 and 4 both had ♠10-4-3-2. conditions. I managed between 91 North must have felt a constant sense Voids 5 or 6 10 and 92%, I think, so I was not severely of déja vu. disadvantaged and a successful side- On Board 8 he had ♦A-K-Q-J-10-9, bet made up for any slight irritation. on the next Board ♥A-K-Q-J-10-9. ‘The singletons also cluster in unlikely Since I only play at most once a month He held the singleton ♥9 twice, the ways, for example the three singleton these days, I hope to be safe from such singleton ♠3 twice, and those three aces on Board 26, the two single red a session for the rest of my own life – ♣5s already mentioned. He held the kings on Board 19, the two singleton unless you use that damned computer ♦6-5-4 tripleton twice in six boards, black fours on Board 24, or the again. the ♣A-7 doubleton on successive singleton king of diamonds on Boards Yours . . .’ boards (14 and 15), etc.

Page 19 Fifth-round Control continued PROGRAMME This is the format for 2012-2013 BRIDGE EVENTS all Bernard Magee hosted events.

♣ Board 2 5 (North) FRIDAY with Bernard Magee 1500 Mr Bridge Board 4 ♣5 (North) Welcome Desk open November 2012 Afternoon tea/coffee 2 – 4 Blunsdon House Board 6 ♣8 (South) 1745 to 1830 £245 Squeezes Welcome drinks reception 9 – 11 Inn on the Prom ♣4 (North) and Board 10 £245 Declarer Play ♣3 (West) 1830 to 2000 DINNER DECember 2012 2015 BRIDGE 1 Board 12 ♣5 (South) DUPLICATE PAIRS 28 – 30 Chatsworth Hotel Chatsworth Hotel Worthing BN11 3DU £245 Better Defence ♣9 (South) and Board 17 ♣J (North) SATURDAY MARCH 2013 June 2012 0800 to 0930 22-24 Brook Queensferry Hotel Board 20 ♣7 (South) BREAKFAST 15 – 17 Chatsworth Hotel £245 Leads and Defence £245 Doubles 1000 to 1230 Board 21 ♣9 (South) SEMINAR & 29 – 1/7 Cheltenham Regency SUPERVISED PLAY £245 Leads and Defence of SET HANDS Board 23 ♣7 (West) (tea & coffee at 1100) JuLY 2012 1230 to 1330 6 – 8 Cheltenham Regency COLD BUFFET Board 24 ♣7 (East) £245 Finding Slams LUNCH 1400 to 1645 October 2012 Board 25 ♣9 (North) BRIDGE 2 TEAMS of FOUR 5 – 7 The Olde Barn Hotel £245 Suit Establishment Blunsdon House or FURTHER Swindon SN26 7AS Board 27 ♣5 (North) SUPERVISED PLAY of SET HANDS 12 – 14 Blunsdon House £245 Landy Defence to 1NT 1815 to 2000 APRIL 2013 Board 28 ♣9 (South) DINNER 19 – 21 Chatsworth Hotel 5 – 7 Blunsdon House 2015 BRIDGE 3 £245 Signals and Discards £245 Losing Trick Count Board 31 ♣7 (South) DUPLICATE PAIRS 26 – 28 Cheltenham Regency 12 – 14 Chatsworth Hotel £245 Doubles £245 Declarer Play Board 32 ♣7 (West) SUNDAY 0800 to 0930 19 – 21 Inn on the Prom BREAKFAST £245 Thinking Defence The Baron is absolutely 1000 to 1230 26 –28 The Olde Barn Hotel right: the purpose of the SEMINAR & £245 Splinters and Cue Bids computer is, surely, to SUPERVISED PLAY simulate the real game, of SET HANDS JUNE 2013 not to replace it with some (tea & coffee at 1100) alleged ideal version with 1230 to 1400 7 –9 The Olde Barn Hotel perfect odds. That it fails CARVERY LUNCH £245 Endplay and Avoidance even to do that is ironic to 1400 to 1645 The Olde Barn Hotel 14 – 16 Chatsworth Hotel say the least. ■ Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT BRIDGE 4 £245 Sacrificing FURTHER SUPERVISED PLAY of SET HANDS or Previously published DUPLICATE PAIRS Full Board – No Single Supplement. See booking form on page 40. in BRIDGE 67.

Page 20 Bernard Magee’s Better Hand 2012-2013 BRIDGE EVENTS Bidding Quiz Evaluation You are West in the Bernard Magee auctions below, playing with Bernard Magee ‘Standard Acol’ with a Introduction weak no-trump (12-14 November 2012 Better Hand Evaluation is points) and four-card aimed at helping readers to majors. (Answers overleaf.) 2 – 4 Blunsdon House add greater accuracy to their bidding. It deals with auctions £245 Squeezes in which you and your partner, against silent opponents, can 1. Dealer West. Love All. 9 – 11 Inn on the Prom describe your hands fully to ♠ K Q 9 7 each other and, by evaluating £245 Declarer Play ♥ K Q N them accurately, find the best ♦ K Q 4 W E DECember 2012 final contract. The emphasis of S all good, accurate bidding is on ♣ Q J 7 3 28 – 30 Chatsworth Hotel hand evaluation. Inn on the Prom £245 Better Defence St Annes-on-Sea FY8 1LU There are two general types of auction: a) a fit is found and b) West North East South MARCH 2013 no fit is found. 1♠ Pass 2♠ Pass JULY ? 22-24 Brook Queensferry Hotel When you do not have a fit, £245 Leads and Defence 5 – 7 Blunsdon House you are aiming to describe the £245 Signals and Discards strength of your hand as soon as possible, most often using 2. Dealer North. Love All. no-trump bids. This book be- October 2013 ♠ A K 10 7 5 3 2 gins by discussing balanced N hand bidding in Acol, as it ♥ 4 11 – 13 Blunsdon House W E is very important that both ♦ A 8 £245 Splinters and Cue Bids S members of a partnership ♣ A 5 3 have an accurate knowledge of 18 – 20 Chatsworth Hotel how to show hands of different £245 Game Tries strengths. West North East South 25 – 27 Queensferry Hotel When a fit is found, there is 2♥1 Pass 3♥ much re-evaluation of the ? 1 6 hearts and 5-9 HCP £245 Finding Slams hand to be done; point count, though still important, needs Blunsdon House November 2013 Swindon SN26 7AS to be evaluated together with distribution. The best way of 3. Dealer North. Love All. 8 –10 The Olde Barn Hotel reaching an accurate assess ♠ A K 5 3 APRIL 2013 £245 Leads and Defence ment is to use the Losing Trick Count; this is an important ♥ 10 4 3 N 5 – 7 Blunsdon House 15 – 17 Chatsworth Hotel method of hand evaluation and ♦ Q 7 W E takes up a number of chapters. S £245 Losing Trick Count £245 Hand Evaluation ♣ A 8 7 3 Finally, we move on to different 12 – 14 Chatsworth Hotel 22 – 24 Blunsdon House forms of evaluation including £245 Declarer Play £245 Better Defence game tries and splinter bids. West North East South You can never know enough 1♦ 1♥ 1♠ methods of hand evaluation; 19 – 21 Inn on the Prom ? the more you learn, the better £245 Thinking Defence you get at judging your hand.

26 –28 The Olde Barn Hotel Although the Losing Trick 4. Dealer North. Love All. £245 Splinters and Cue Bids Count is used more easily in tandem with your partner, a ♠ 9 4 2 JUNE 2013 large proportion of the ideas ♥ 8 N in this book can be used by an ♦ 10 9 6 4 2 W E individual. For example, eval- S 7 –9 The Olde Barn Hotel ♣ 9 7 6 3 uating your hand to be worth £245 Endplay and Avoidance an extra point is going to help anyone you partner – as long Brook Queensferry Hotel 14 – 16 Chatsworth Hotel as you get it right. North Queensferry KY11 1HP West North East South £245 Sacrificing Pass 2♣ Pass £14 including postage 2♦ Pass 2♥ Pass See Mail Order Form 2NT Pass 3♦ Pass Full Board – No Single Supplement. See booking form on page 40. on page 7. ?

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

West North East South does not have to have that much. You 1. Dealer West. Love All. 2♥1 Pass 3♥ need to ask him how good his overcall ♠ K Q 9 7 ♠ A J 5 2 ? is. To do this, you bid the opponents’ suit. ♥ K Q N ♥ 6 5 3 16 hearts and 5-9 HCP Partner would rebid 2♥ (showing weaker W E ♦ K Q 4 ♦ J 7 than an opening hand), after which you S ♣ Q J 7 3 ♣ 9 5 4 2 4♠. I hope this was an easier one – you will continue if they bid 3♦ – you will have to bid something – and 3♠ is surely finish no higher than 3♥. not enough. West North East South You almost have game in your hand 1♠ Pass 2♠ Pass (say, 8 tricks), so need very little from ? partner – he will never be able to judge 4. Dealer North. Love All. whether to bid game or not. ♠ 9 4 2 ♠ A 7 2NT. 18 points, though with the ♥K-Q As it is, on his cards he would surely ♥ 8 N ♥ A K 10 6 5 3 W E doubleton you are not a certainty for pass 3♠ when 4♠ is most definitely odds- ♦ 10 9 6 4 2 S ♦ A K Q 8 5 game. You have the ideal bid to tell on. You should certainly go the whole ♣ 9 7 6 3 ♣ Void partner about your shape and your way here and bid 4♠. strength – 2NT. This bid invites partner to Notice that South players will often bid game and shows a balanced hand. bid 3♥ on quite a weak hand, as a West North East South With a 4333 hand or only 3-card spade pre-emptive strategy – simply raising Pass 2♣ Pass support, he will usually pass 2NT or raise the ante, after the opener has shown a 2♦ Pass 2♥ Pass to 3NT. Otherwise, he chooses between 6-card pre-empt. 2NT Pass 3♦ Pass 3♠ and 4♠. ? Here, partner declines the invitation, retreating to the known 8-card spade 5♦. Remember that you are in a game- fit with 3♠, which you pass. The defence 3. Dealer North. Love All. forcing auction (once partner opens 2♣ can take their 4 tricks (they might get a ♠ A K 5 3 ♠ 6 2 and does not rebid 2NT). Which game club ruff too); still, you have done well to ♥ 10 4 3 N ♥ K Q J 8 7 would you like to play in? 5♦ of course W E avoid any of the doomed games – no- ♦ Q 7 S ♦ 9 2 – you have nothing else to show. Partner trumps will go badly on a heart lead. ♣ A 8 7 3 ♣ K 9 4 2 will know you are short in hearts because For those using the losing trick count – you have not supported his first suit. watch out for aceless hands. With such good diamond support, you West North East South are sure where you want to play. Your 1♦ 1♥ 1♠ partner will know that you have good ? diamonds and, depending on his mood, 2. Dealer North. Love All. will put you in 6♦ or 7♦. ♠ A K 10 7 5 3 2 ♠ Q 8 2♦. Do not jump because this will punish Note that your jump to 5♦ shows a ♥ 4 N ♥ 9 7 5 your partner for making a perfectly weaker hand than would a raise to 4♦. W E ♦ A 8 S ♦ K 6 4 3 2 reasonable overcall. While you have In the game-forcing situation, the jump ♣ A 5 3 ♣ 9 6 2 enough to make game if your partner to game, ‘fast arrival’, is the weaker has the strength of an opening bid, he action. ■

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

ou are East in the defensive positions below. It is your turn Yto play. Both sides are using Acol with a 12-14 1NT.

1. ♠ K J 4 3. ♠ Q 10 5 ♥ K ♥ J 8 4 Ardington Hotel, Worthing BN11 3DZ ♦ K 7 4 2 ♦ A 10 ♣ Q J 10 3 2 ♣ A J 10 9 2 ♠ Q 8 7 6 3 ♠ A 3 3-5 August 2012 N ♥ 9 7 4 N ♥ K 10 7 2 hosted by Sheila Rogers W E ♦ 10 8 6 W E ♦ J 8 6 3 S ♣ K 4 S ♣ K 5 4 23-25 November 2012 hosted by Ann Pearson West North East South West North East South 1NT 1NT Pass 3NT End Pass 3NT End

West leads the ♥Q, won by West leads the ♠4 (fourth the ♥K. Declarer calls for highest) and you win with the ♣Q. What do you do? the ♠A. Which card should you return?

2. ♠ A 5 4. ♠ Q 10 5 ♥ A 8 4 ♥ A 8 4 ♦ A K 8 ♦ Q 5 ♣ Q J 10 5 2 ♣ K J 10 9 2 Blunsdon House Hotel, Swindon SN26 7AS ♠ Q J 9 4 3 ♠ A 3 N ♥ Q 9 N ♥ Q J 10 7 2 hosted by Diana Holland W E ♦ Q 10 6 3 W E ♦ J 7 6 3 S S ♣ K 4 ♣ 5 4 31 August – 2 September 2012

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

West leads the ♠6 – ♠5, ♠J West leads the ♠4 (fourth and ♠7. You return the ♠4 highest) and you win with £199 Full-board – ♠10, ♠8 and ♠A. Declarer the ♠A. Which card should calls for the ♣Q. What do you return? No Single Supplement you do? Please see booking form on page 40.

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

West leads the ♠6 – ♠5, ♠J and ♠7. You has shown at least 12 and you can see 1. ♠ K J 4 return the ♠4 – ♠10, ♠8 and ♠A. Declarer 12 in dummy. This leaves at most 5 for ♥ K calls for the ♣Q. What do you do? partner, which leaves no room for the ♦ K 7 4 2 As on the previous deal, you need to king of spades and an entry. Even if you ♣ Q J 10 3 2 hope that partner has the ace of clubs, can set up the spades, partner will be ♠ 10 5 2 ♠ Q 8 7 6 3 thereby making your king a useful unable to get in to enjoy the suit. ♥ Q J 10 6 2 N ♥ 9 7 4 card. As on the previous deal, the entry You should switch to the two of hearts, W E ♦ ♦ Q 9 3 S 10 8 6 situation indicates the best course of showing interest in the suit. You hope that ♣ A 7 ♣ K 4 action – declarer has held up the king partner has the queen (or ace) and can ♠ A 9 of spades, hoping to cut your side’s co-operate in knocking out declarer’s ♥ A 8 5 3 communications, which means you need stopper in the suit. ♦ A J 5 to be careful. Since you possess an entry with the ♣ 9 8 6 5 This time, you are trying to set up a king of clubs, it will not help declarer to long suit in your hand rather than in your hold up in hearts. This way, you make a partner’s. This means you want partner spade, three hearts and a club to defeat West North East South to get in first and save your entry for the game. 1NT when the spades are ready to run. You Pass 3NT End therefore play low on the club. Partner, who has indicated possession West leads the ♥Q, won by the ♥K. of a third spade (by playing the six fol- 4. ♠ Q 10 5 Declarer calls for the ♣Q. What do you lowed by the eight), can win the club and ♥ A 8 4 do? continue spades. Soon you will gain the ♦ Q 5 If declarer has the ace of clubs, your lead with the king of clubs and cash your ♣ K J 10 9 2 king is probably useless. Placing partner long spades to defeat the contract. ♠ K 9 6 4 2 ♠ A 3 with the ace, you have a good reason ♥ 6 5 N ♥ Q J 10 7 2 W E ♦ ♦ to play the king. This is so that you can 10 8 2 S J 7 6 3 knock out the ace of hearts while partner ♣ A 8 7 ♣ 5 4 still has the ace of clubs as an entry to 3. ♠ Q 10 5 ♠ J 8 7 the long hearts. Therefore, you play the ♥ J 8 4 ♥ K 9 3 king of clubs and, when it holds, return ♦ A 10 ♦ A K 9 4 the nine of hearts. ♣ A J 10 9 2 ♣ Q 6 3 ♠ J 9 6 4 2 ♠ A 3 ♥ Q 6 5 N ♥ K 10 7 2 W E ♦ ♦ 9 5 2 S J 8 6 3 West North East South 2. ♠ A 5 ♣ 8 7 ♣ K 5 4 1NT ♥ A 8 4 ♠ K 8 7 Pass 3NT End ♦ A K 8 ♥ A 9 3 ♣ Q J 10 5 2 ♦ K Q 7 4 West leads the ♠4 (fourth highest) and ♠ 8 6 2 ♠ Q J 9 4 3 ♣ Q 6 3 you win with the ♠A. Which card should ♥ 10 7 6 5 2 N ♥ Q 9 you return? W E ♦ ♦ 9 2 S Q 10 6 3 On the previous deal, you were right ♣ A 7 6 ♣ K 4 West North East South to switch to a moth-eaten heart suit of ♠ K 10 7 1NT K-10-x-x. ♥ K J 3 Pass 3NT End This time, you have a juicy ♦ J 7 5 4 Q-J-10-x-x. Should you try a heart again? ♣ 9 8 3 West leads the ♠4 (fourth highest) and No, here you have no entry – even if you win with the ♠A. Which card should partner has the king of hearts, declarer you return? can hold up dummy’s ace to shut out the West North East South While it is often right to return partner’s suit. You should simply return a spade, 1♣ 1♠ 1NT suit, you do need to think first. How many hoping that partner has K-x-x-x-x and an Pass 3NT End points can partner have? Well, declarer entry. ■

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

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

suit, which you ruff. How do you plan the must hold the queen of hearts. 1. ♠ A K 10 7 2 play? The queen is unlikely to be doubleton ♥ 3 Apart from the heart already lost, there for two reasons. Firstly, with 5-5 in the ♦ 10 6 5 are potential losers in each minor. If the majors, East might have used Stayman ♣ A K 4 3 diamond finesse is failing, you must bring rather than just shown the spades. ♠ 6 4 ♠ J 9 8 5 in the club suit without loss; the best way Secondly, you will soon find West with ♥ J 9 5 N ♥ Q 10 8 6 to do that would be to cash the king of a doubleton diamond – and it would W E ♦ ♦ K 8 4 3 S A 7 clubs, planning to continue low to the be unusual to open 1NT holding a ♣ Q 10 8 2 ♣ J 9 7 ace. (If West shows out on the first round, doubleton in each red suit. ♠ Q 3 you have finesse positions against East.) Fortunately, there is no reason that ♥ A K 7 4 2 If instead the diamond finesse works, you West has to have the ten of hearts. So ♦ Q J 9 2 have a safety play in clubs to ensure one lead the jack of hearts and, when West ♣ 6 5 loser at most. So take a diamond finesse covers, win in dummy and lead low at trick three and see what happens. If it towards the nine. This is a backward wins, play a low club from dummy. Then, finesse. On a good day, your skill meets You are declarer in 3NT and West leads if East shows out, win with the ace and its reward. the ♣2. How do you plan the play? lead low towards the table. If East follows There are only seven tricks on top – to the first club, you again play the ace; and a superficial glance might suggest if West then shows out, you can cater for that the other two tricks might come that by playing low back to the king and 4. ♠ Q J 10 6 from spades. Alas, if you play on that leading to the jack. ♥ J 9 5 suit and it fails to break 3-3, you will ♦ A Q J find you have generated too many losers ♣ 9 6 4 via one spade, two diamonds and two ♠ 7 ♠ A 4 3 clubs. By contrast, diamonds are bound 3. ♠ 7 5 ♥ 10 6 4 2 N ♥ A 7 W E to give you two extra tricks once the ace ♥ K 7 2 ♦ K 10 6 5 S ♦ 9 8 4 3 2 and king have gone. As long as you can ♦ K 10 6 3 ♣ K Q J 2 ♣ 10 8 3 believe from the lead (the ♣2) that clubs ♣ Q J 8 4 ♠ K 9 8 5 2 are breaking 4-3, all you have to do is ♠ Q J 10 3 ♠ K 9 8 6 4 ♥ K Q 8 3 win the first club and lead a diamond, ♥ Q 8 6 3 N ♥ 10 5 4 ♦ 7 W E ♦ ♦ ♣ repeating the process after the defenders J 8 S 7 2 A 7 5 play a second club. ♣ A K 2 ♣ 10 9 5 ♠ A 2 ♥ A J 9 You are declarer in 4♠ and West leads ♦ A Q 9 5 4 ♣K. How do you plan the play? 2. ♠ Q 10 5 ♣ 7 6 3 Dummy’s diamond values could be ♥ Q 6 better spread between the other suits – ♦ A Q 7 6 4 and the club lead has found your weak ♣ K 8 2 You are declarer in 3NT after West has spot – but there is hope. Clearly, you ♠ 9 2 ♠ 8 6 4 3 opened 1NT (12-14) and East has re- cannot afford to draw trumps because ♥ K J 9 2 N ♥ A 10 8 7 5 4 moved to 2♠. West leads the ♠Q. How the defenders will then take two clubs W E ♦ ♦ K 9 3 S J 10 5 do you plan the play? and two aces – so you have to dispose of ♣ Q 10 7 3 ♣ Void You have eight tricks on top but do not a loser quickly. On the surface, you might ♠ A K J 7 dare lose the lead before finding that ex- think you could take a ruffing finesse in ♥ 3 tra one. At first glance, it might seem that diamonds – why will that not work? If East ♦ 8 2 a successful heart finesse against the has the king, he will cover and then there ♣ A J 9 6 5 4 queen would be all that is required – but is no way back to the table. No, your only can that really work? There are only 16 real chance is to play West for the king points missing, of which West has shown and take a diamond finesse at trick two, You are declarer in 5♣ and West leads 12-14. Presumably, he does not have disposing of a club on the ace when the the ♥2. East plays the ♥A and returns the the king of spades, which means that he finesse works. ■

Page 26 Andrew Kambites’ Tutorial Bridge Breaks Lead Quiz You are West in the auctions below playing JUNE 2012 teams or rubber bridge. It is your lead. (Answers 8-10 The Ardington overleaf.) £245 Endplay & Avoidance Gary Conrad

SEPTEMBER 2012 1 ♠ 7 5 ♥ A K 7 6 5 N 28-30 The Ardington ♦ 10 9 8 W E S £245 Leads and Defence ♣ 6 3 2 Crombie McNeil

OCTOBER 2012 West North East South 1♠ 12-14 The Ardington Ardington Hotel Pass 4♠ End £245 Losing Trick Count Worthing BN11 3DZ Sandy Bell 2 ♠ 7 5 19-21 The Olde Barn Hotel ♥ A K 7 6 5 N W E £215 Signals and Discards ♦ 10 9 8 S Patrick Dunham ♣ 6 3 2

November 2012 West North East South 2-4 The Olde Barn Hotel 1NT £215 Game Tries Pass 3NT End David Stead

9-11 Blunsdon House Hotel £245 Suit Establishment 3 ♠ 7 5 N Ned Paul The Olde Barn Hotel Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT ♥ A K 7 6 5 W E ♦ 10 9 8 2 S 16-18 Chatsworth Hotel ♣ 6 3 Worthing £245 Finding Slams Crombie McNeil West North East South 23-25 The Olde Barn Hotel 1♥ Pass 2NT £215 Playing Suit Pass 3NT End Combinations TBA

23-25 Queensferry Hotel 4 ♠ 7 5

£245 Game Tries ♥ A K J 6 5 N Crombie McNeil ♦ 10 9 8 W E ♣ 6 3 2 S 30-2/12 Chatsworth Hotel Worthing Blunsdon House £245 Endplay & Avoidance Swindon SN26 7AS West North East South Ned Paul 1NT Pass 3NT End See booking form on page 40.

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

I will start by repeating the approach to This time, you are looking to establish This hand just demonstrates the futility opening leads that I gave last month. length tricks in hearts. of leading a suit bid by opponents against (i) Objective – what am I trying to If partner has a heart honour, maybe a no-trump contract unless either: achieve? The answer does not have the ♥Q, you do not want to block the (i) Your intermediate cards are very to be spectacular. ‘Nothing’ is a re- suit. If partner has only low hearts, you good, e.g. Q-J-10-9-8 or spectable answer, meaning that the want to lose the lead early so partner still (ii) You are trying to be passive. aim is just to give nothing away and has a heart to return when he (hopefully) A low heart lead just gives declarer an make declarer work for his tricks. subsequently regains the lead. easy trick. He then drives out the ♠A and (ii) How likely is my lead to achieve this? So, lead the ♥6. The lead may succeed scores nine tricks easily. As it happens, if in a different way on the above layout. you lead the ♥A, you have time to switch Looking at all four hands, we can all see to a diamond and drive out declarer’s 1. ♠ K 10 9 8 3 that declarer can put up dummy’s ♥Q diamond stoppers before he can estab- ♥ 8 4 3 and take lots of tricks; now look at it from lish spade tricks and a heart trick; still, ♦ 7 declarer’s point of view. leading the ♥A defeats your presumed ♣ A J 8 7 If you have led from ♥A-J or ♥K-J, it (if faulty) objective of trying to establish ♠ 7 5 ♠ 6 2 is correct to play dummy’s ♥10. Only if heart length tricks. ♥ A K 7 6 5 N ♥ 9 2 you have led from ♥A-K is it right to try You should be looking elsewhere: a di- W E ♦ ♦ ♥ ♦ 10 9 8 S A Q 6 5 3 dummy’s Q. Seems like odds of 2 to 1 amond looks your best bet. Lead the 10 ♣ 6 3 2 ♣ 10 9 5 4 in favour of playing the ♥10. Partner’s (top of a sequence). If you decide you like ♠ A Q J 4 ♥J wins trick 1 and, having overcome his strong ten leads, which I shall develop in ♥ Q J 10 surprise, partner returns the ♥2, allowing a later quiz, you will lead the ♦9 from this ♦ K J 4 2 your side to take the first five tricks. holding. ♣ K Q

3. ♠ Q J 9 2 4. ♠ K Q West North East South ♥ Q 10 8 3 ♥ 10 9 8 1♠ ♦ K 6 ♦ Q J 7 5 Pass 4♠ End ♣ A K 9 ♣ K Q J 7 ♠ 7 5 ♠ A 10 8 4 ♠ 7 5 ♠ A J 8 4 2 Somebody has two hearts. Your objective ♥ A K 7 6 5 N ♥ 2 ♥ A K J 6 5 N ♥ 4 2 W E W E ♦ 10 9 8 2 ♦ Q J 7 4 ♦ 10 9 8 ♦ 6 4 3 is to cash two heart winners. If you are S S lucky, partner will ruff a third round. Lead ♣ 6 3 ♣ 7 5 4 2 ♣ 6 3 2 ♣ 10 9 4 the ♥A. Partner encourages with the ♥9. ♠ K 6 3 ♠ 10 9 6 3 ♥ J 9 4 ♥ Q 7 3 ♦ A 5 3 ♦ A K 2 2. ♠ K J 10 ♣ Q J 10 8 ♣ A 8 5 ♥ Q 10 9 ♦ A J 7 ♣ A Q 8 7 West North East South West North East South ♠ 7 5 ♠ 9 8 4 3 2 1♥ Pass 2NT 1NT ♥ A K 7 6 5 N ♥ J 2 Pass 3NT End Pass 3NT End W E ♦ ♦ 10 9 8 S 6 5 4 2 ♣ 6 3 2 ♣ J 10 Suppose you lead the ♥6. What are you Sometimes, it might turn out to be right ♠ A Q 6 trying to achieve? Presumably, you want to lead a fourth highest ♥6 even holding ♥ 8 4 3 to set up length tricks in hearts. How likely three honours. More often, the lead that ♦ K Q 3 is a heart lead to achieve this? It has no will work is the ♥A or ♥K (depending on ♣ K 9 5 4 chance! Dummy has bid hearts, showing your methods), which is what you should at least four. Declarer has jumped in try. When partner fails to encourage, no-trumps, showing at least two hearts. you should switch suit. Partner will West North East South Your partner cannot possibly have more subsequently gain the lead with the ♠A 1NT than two hearts. Even if he has the magic and return a heart through declarer’s Pass 3NT End ♥Q-J doubleton, the suit is blocked. ♥Q. ■

Page 28 A to Z of Bridge compiled by Julian Pottage

LAWS OF CONTRACT BRIDGE West North East South The international code last revised in 1♥ 1993 in accordance with the rules for Pass 2♥ 3♦ 4♥ playing rubber bridge. Three bodies ? L promulgate the Laws jointly: The Portland Club, The European Bridge It is likely (though not certain) that League and The American Contract the opponents have a nine-card heart Bridge League. The World Bridge fit. You expect partner to hold six LANDY Federation has approved them. diamonds for the three-level overcall, A conventional defence to a 1NT giving your side a ten-card diamond opener whereby 2♣ shows at least 5-4 LAWS OF DUPLICATE fit. in the majors. In reply, partner usually CONTRACT BRIDGE With nineteen total trumps, you shows preference between the majors The international code for the playing expect nineteen total tricks. Therefore, or, with equal length, bids an artificial of duplicate bridge. The World Bridge if 4♥ is making ten tricks, you expect 2♦, asking for the overcaller’s longer Federation, in association with the 5♦ to be down two. This tells you that major. For example: same bodies as the Laws of Contract it would be a mistake to bid 5♦ if you Bridge, promulgates the laws. The are vulnerable against not. You do latest revision was in 2007 (published not want to concede 500 to stop the ♠ Q 9 3 ♠ K J 8 4 2 in Britain by the English Bridge Union opponents from making 420. ♥ 10 6 3 N ♥ Q J 8 4 in conjunction with The Portland At other vulnerabilities, if you can W E ♦ K Q 5 S ♦ A 4 2 Club). make nine tricks (when 4♥ is making) ♣ J 8 7 2 ♣ 5 or eleven (when 5♦ is), you are likely to LAW OF TOTAL TRICKS show a profit by bidding ♦5 . This theory asserts that the number West North East South of tricks available to both sides if they LAYDOWN 1NT 2♣* Pass play in their best fit is equal to the total Term for a contract that is so certain 2♦* Pass 2♠ End number of trumps in both sides’ best that declarer could claim after the *Landy and enquiry trump fit. Suppose there is a nine-card initial lead. heart fit for North-South and an eight- LATE PAIR card diamond fit for East-West. This LAYOUT Various duplicate movements make totals seventeen trumps. Therefore, if, The placement of the cards. provision for a pair arriving after the on best play and best defence, North- start of a session, but its admission is South can make ten tricks in hearts, LEAD at the discretion of the Director. East-West should be able to take seven The initial card played to a trick. On tricks in diamonds. With the same the first trick, the player to the left of LATE PLAY fits, if North-South could make nine declarer leads. Completion of a board not played tricks, East-West should make eight Thereafter, the player who won the during the allotted time. tricks and so on. preceding trick leads. You might use this information LAWS AND ETHICS in deciding how to bid during LEAD-DIRECTING BID COMMITTEE (OF THE EBU) competitive auctions. A bid made suggesting an initial lead The Committee of the English Bridge For example: in that suit. For example: Union established in accordance with the Union’s Constitution to be responsible for licensing arrangements ♠ 7 5 ♠ 8 5 3 for systems and conventions, and to ♥ 9 4 2 ♥ 7 4 N W E deal with all matters concerned with ♦ K 9 6 5 ♦ A K Q 6 4 S the Laws and Ethics of duplicate ♣ K 8 5 2 ♣ 8 5 3 bridge in England.

Page 29 A to Z of Bridge continued LEAD THROUGH STRENGTH Top of a doubleton, In general, a player sitting in front of Low (e.g. fourth highest) from other dummy and unsure which suit to lead, combinations. should lead through dummy’s stronger West North East South holding, in the hope or knowledge of Notes: Pass Pass leading up to partner’s honours in the 1 Some players prefer to lead the king 1♦ suit. from A-K. For example (with North as the 2 Against a suit contract, it is usual Expecting that North-South will buy dummy): not to underlead an ace. the contract in one of the majors, West 3 Against a no-trump contract, opens light in third seat to suggest a the lead of an honour usually diamond lead. ♠ A Q 2 guarantees the possession of at least ♥ 8 5 2 three honour cards unless the lead LEAD-DIRECTING DOUBLE is from a short suit. From a long ♠ 7 4 3 N A double of a conventional or cue bid W E suit headed by just two (touching) to suggest a lead of that suit. ♥ 7 4 3 S honours, the standard lead is a low For example: card (e.g. fourth highest).

West North East South West, on lead with no definitive LEAP 2NT Pass 3♦* Dble information to guide him, should lead A jump bid often used to describe a *transfer to hearts a spade. jump to the probable final contract, If, for example, East has K-J-x in inviting partner to pass at his first South’s double asks for a diamond each major, the king-jack will be well opportunity e.g. the final bid in the lead. Since it is unclear whether the placed in spades over North’s ace- sequence 1♦-1♠-1NT-4♠. final contract will be in hearts or no- queen, but useless in hearts under trumps, South needs length (normally South’s holding. LEAPING MICHAELS at least five cards) and strength in A conventional way of showing a two- diamonds for the double. The previous LEAD UP TO WEAKNESS suited hand after a weak opposing hand would be perfect. In general, a player sitting over bid. dummy, and unsure which suit to lead, A jump in a minor that shows the LEAD-INHIBITING BIDS should lead up to dummy’s weakness minor bid and the unbid major. A psychic bid of a suit not held strongly, in the hope or knowledge of leading For example: hoping to discourage the opposition up to partner’s honours in the suit. from leading the suit. For example (with North as the West North East South dummy): 2♥1 4♣ ♠ A K J 4 1weak ♥ A K Q 8 5 2 ♠ A Q 2 ♦ Void ♥ 8 5 2 West’s 4♣ shows at least five clubs and ♣ 10 5 2 at least five spades. N ♠ 7 4 3 ♠ W E East usually corrects to 4 or raises S ♥ 7 4 3 to 5♣. You open 1♥ and partner raises to 3♥. West might hold: The technical bid is 3♠, giving partner a chance to cue bid 4♣. The lead- East, on lead with no definitive inhibiting bid is 4♣, feigning strength information to guide him, should ♠ A Q 9 5 2 (or shortage) in clubs. lead a heart. Any honours West has ♥ 3 N W E in hearts will be useful over South’s ♦ 4 S LEAD OUT OF TURN holding whereas it will be hard work ♣ A Q 10 6 4 2 A lead from the wrong hand (i.e. an to establish a spade trick in view of initial lead by any player other than North’s strong spades. declarer’s LHO or a later lead by any Playing Leaping Michaels, a cue bid of player other than the one who won the LEADING FROM HONOURS the suit opened (3♥ in this example) preceding trick). The Laws apply. The standard leads from honour would ask for a stopper rather than combinations are: denote a two-suited hand. LEAD THROUGH A player who leads to a trick leads Ace from A-K (but king from A-K LEAVE IN through the player on his left. So South doubleton), To pass and, especially, to pass a could lead through West. The higher of two touching honours, double by partner.

Page 30 A to Z of Bridge continued 2NT and Stopper and interest in To bid light means to bid with values then 3NT other major below the acceptable range. 2NT then No stopper but cue bid interest in other major LIGHTNER DOUBLE LEBENSOHL A double of a freely bid slam by the A convention to improve definition, Many pairs who play Lebensohl also player not on lead to the first trick. The used originally when partner opens use it after the opponents open a weak double calls for an unusual lead. The 1NT and the next player overcalls in a two and partner doubles for takeout. suit called for is quite often dummy’s suit at the two-level. main side suit and often shows The basis of the convention is the West North East South (against a suit slam) a void in the suit use of a bid of 2NT as a conventional 2♥ Dbl Pass or (against a no-trump slam) two fast request for opener to bid 3♣. This ? winners in the suit. then creates an extra echelon of bids — direct bids, and bids after the Lebensohl 2NT. Hand 1 Hand 2 ♠ 7 5 3 One sequence shows game-going ♠ 9 5 ♠ 9 5 ♥ 10 7 5 4 2 N W E values (traditionally the direct bid), ♥ 10 6 5 ♥ 10 6 5 ♦ Void S whilst the other is employed on ♦ K J 8 4 2 ♦ K J 8 4 2 ♣ A 8 5 3 2 competitive hands (or invitational ♣ J 7 3 ♣ A J 7 hands if a competitive bid in the suit was available at the two-level). West North East South By agreement, a double may show With the first hand, you have little 1♠ Pass 3♦ a traditional penalty double or may interest in game and so bid 2NT, Pass 3♠ Pass 4NT show a raise to 2NT. Lebensohl, on the way to 3♦. With Pass 5♥ Pass 6♠ For example, if your partner opens the second, you want to show positive Dbl 1NT and the next hand overcalls 2♥: values without going past 3NT. You do 2♠ Natural, competitive this by bidding 3♦ directly. On a diamond lead, you expect to 2NT Asks opener to bid 3♣; defeat the slam with a diamond ruff usually weak with and the ♣A. a minor or invitational LENGTH with spades The number of cards held in a LIMIT BID 3♣/3♦/3♠ Game-forcing particular suit. A bid that defines a player’s hand accurately in terms of both strength LEVEL and distribution, for example, an Hand 1 Hand 2 1 This is the number of tricks above opening of 1NT, or the 3♠ bid in the ♠ 7 4 ♠ Q 9 6 5 3 2 the book (six tricks) that a player sequence: 1♠-pass-3♠. ♥ 9 6 ♥ 8 4 names in the bidding. For example, ♦ K Q 9 7 5 2 ♦ A 6 bids of 2♣ or 2♦ are bids at the two LIMIT RAISE ♣ J 9 3 ♣ K 10 2 level, while contracts of 5♥ or 5♠ A raise of partner’s suit in which you are contracts at the five level. bid the full value of your hand on 2 A way of categorising which the assumption that partner has the On both hands, you bid 2NT over the conventions are legal in a particular lower range of values for his bid. It is intervening 2♥. On the first hand, you type of competition, with the more a limit bid that shows support and is intend to convert 3♣ to 3♦, which will complex conventions allowed only not forcing. ask partner to pass. On the second, in higher-level competitions. For example: you intend to rebid 3♠ to invite game. Responder may also use the LHO West North East South convention on balanced hands to show Abbreviation for Left-Hand Opponent 1♥ Pass 3♥ or deny a stopper in the suit overcalled e.g. West is South’s LHO, North is or to show or deny four cards in the West’s LHO. East’s 3♥ is a limit raise, indicating other major. The most logical system four hearts and about 11 points or 8 (though perhaps not the most widely LIE OF THE CARDS losers. played) is: A reference to the position of the cards around the table, e.g. ‘I could not LIMIT RESPONSE 3NT direct Stopper in suit succeed on that lie of the cards.’ A response that defines the shape and overcalled and no strength of the responder’s hand, e.g. interest in other major LIGHT 1♠-pass-2♠. Cue bid No stopper in suit or To be light means to go down in a Limit responses are usually raises interest in other major contract. and no-trump bids.

Page 31 A to Z of Bridge continued particular suit, especially the trump have a doubleton 6-4 of clubs and suit. partner has neither the ace nor the As a rule, ruffing in the long trump king of clubs, the six and four of clubs hand does not generate extra trump are losers. LINE tricks. Nevertheless, you may wish to 1 The horizontal line dividing a ruff in the long hand to interrupt the LOSER ON LOSER rubber bridge score sheet, hence run of an opponent’s suit, to set up To discard one losing card on the expressions ‘Above the line’ dummy’s suit or to prepare the way for another, as illustrated in the following relating to penalties, overtricks and a throw in, a squeeze or a trump coup. examples: bonuses, and ‘Below the line’ for You must take particular care about tricks bid and made. ruffing in the long hand if the long 2 The sequence of play that a player hand has only four trumps or if a ♠ K J 10 9 takes (as in ‘The best line of play’). defender is likely to have four trumps: ♥ A Q J 10 3 If players bid four-card suits in ♦ J 5 ascending order, they are bidding ♣ 5 4 3 ‘Up the line’. ♠ Q 2 ♠ 4 3 ♠ 2 ♥ 10 2 ♥ 9 8 7 N ♥ K 6 5 3 LITTLE SLAM ♦ A 7 6 5 4 2 ♦ K Q 10 3 2 W E ♦ 9 8 7 6 4 S Another term for small slam – a ♣ A J 5 ♣ A Q 2 ♣ J 10 9 contract to make twelve tricks. ♠ A 8 6 5 ♠ 7 4 ♠ A Q 8 7 6 5 ♥ A 5 4 N ♥ Q J 9 8 7 6 3 ♥ 4 2 LMX ♦ Q 9 8 W E ♦ K 10 ♦ A S A conventional defence to an opening ♣ 9 6 3 ♣ 7 4 ♣ K 8 7 6 three bid whereby a bid in the lower ♠ K J 10 9 3 minor (LM i.e. 3♦ over 3♣ and 4♣ ♥ K over 3♦/3♥/3♠) is used as a takeout ♦ J 3 As South, you play in 4♠ and receive request immediately after the opening ♣ K Q 10 8 2 the lead of the ♦K. If East obtains the bid and a double (X) is used in the lead with the ♥K, there is the danger fourth seat. Very few pairs use this of three club losers in addition to a defence any more, preferring a simple As South, you play in 4♠ after East heart loser. takeout double in both second and has pre-empted in hearts. West leads Therefore, after drawing trumps fourth seat. ace and another heart. If you ruff, you ending in dummy, you play dummy’s will go down on the normal 4-2 trump ♦J (you can presume from the lead LOCAL POINTS break: West wins the second round that West holds the ♦Q) and discard Points issued by the Home Bridge of trumps and leads a third round of a losing heart. You can then establish Unions, such as the English Bridge hearts, reducing your trumps to fewer heart tricks by taking a ruffing finesse Union and affiliated bodies, such as than his. into the safe hand. clubs and County Associations, for Instead, you should throw a diamond success in club sessions, county events at trick two – it is a loser anyway. and certain tournaments. 100 Local ♠ 8 7 Points are equivalent to one Master LONG SUIT ♥ J 3 2 Point. A suit with four or, usually, more cards ♦ A 6 5 4 3 2 in the same hand. ♣ 7 4 LOCKED (IN OR OUT OF HAND) ♠ K 10 9 ♠ Q J 6 5 3 2 To be unable to get the lead in or out LOOSE DIAMOND ♥ 5 4 N ♥ 8 7 6 ♦ ♦ K Q 10 8 W E ♦ J 9 of dummy or declarer’s hand without An arrangement to open 1 without a S loss. As declarer, you want to avoid genuine diamond suit. This is common ♣ Q 10 5 2 ♣ 9 6 such a position. with variations of the Precision ♠ A 4 system. ♥ A K Q 10 9 LONG CARDS ♦ 7 Cards left in a suit when the other LOSE THE LEAD ♣ A K J 8 3 players’ cards in the suit have gone. Giving the lead to an opponent, For example, if you have A-K-Q-7-3 whether by design, by force, or by and the suit breaks 5-3-3-2 round the accident. Playing in 6♥, you receive the lead of table, you can cash the A-K-Q to leave the ♦K. If you try to ruff the third or the seven and three as long cards. LOSER fourth round of clubs low, you will A card with which you expect to lose incur an overruff and subsequently LONG HAND a trick if you lead it or play it when lose a spade. However, you can ruff a The hand with the greater length in a following suit. For example, if you club with the jack and then return

Page 32 A to Z of Bridge continued in the suit opened and at least four Hand 1 Hand 2 cards in the reversing suit: ♠ K Q 9 4 ♠ J 10 3 2 ♥ A 6 ♥ 5 3 to hand with a spade to play another ♦ A 6 4 ♦ K Q 2 ♠ K 6 club; but, this time, instead of ruffing, ♣ K 9 8 4 ♣ A 7 5 2 ♥ 7 5 you make the loser on loser play of ♦ A Q 10 3 discarding a spade from dummy. ♣ A K J 8 5 Dummy can then ruff a losing spade The first hand has six losers: one in in safety. each major and two in each minor. The second has eight losers, three in This hand would be fine for the spades, two in hearts, one in diamonds sequence 1♣-Pass-1♥-Pass-2♦. ♠ J 10 2 and two in clubs. ♥ 8 7 6 The maximum number of losers LOWER MINOR ♦ A Q 3 2 a hand may have is thus twelve, and A conventional defence to an opening ♣ K 6 2 the most the two combined hands three-bid. Using this convention, ♠ 7 6 ♠ 9 8 5 4 could have is twenty-four. Subtract a bid of the lower unbid minor (3♦ ♥ A K Q 3 N ♥ 10 5 4 2 the combined number of losers from over 3♣ or 4♣ over anything else) is a ♦ 10 8 7 W E ♦ 9 6 S the total possible number of losers and takeout request. The advantage of this ♣ J 9 4 3 ♣ Q 10 8 the result equates to the number of defence is that you can use all other ♠ A K Q 3 tricks that should be available. Thus, suit overcalls, 3NT and a double in ♥ J 9 a six-loser hand opposite an eight- their natural sense. The disadvantages ♦ K J 5 4 loser hand would have fourteen losers are that you can rarely stop below the ♣ A 7 5 between the two and therefore they four level and that you cannot pick should make ten tricks (24-14=10). up a penalty when one member of the The main advantage of the Losing partnership has good values and the South plays in 4♠ and West leads Trick Count over the Milton Work other holds good trumps. Most pairs three rounds of top hearts. If you ruff Count is that the Losing Trick Count now prefer to use double for takeout. the third round, you will lose control is more accurate with good trump fits. of the trump suit on the probable 4-2 LUCAS TWOS break. LOVE ALL A conventional opening of 2♥ or 2♠, Therefore, you should discard a Neither side vulnerable. Both sides showing a weak hand with at least five loser in clubs on the third round and non-vulnerable. cards in the suit bid and with a side dummy’s trump holding is able to take suit. Requirements about the strength care of any continuation in hearts. LOVE SCORE of the hand and the length of the There are many other variations Neither side vulnerable and, in rubber second suit can vary according to the when the loser-on-loser play is good bridge, no partscore. vulnerability and partnership style. declarer technique. LOW CARD LURKING LOSING TRICK COUNT Any card other than an honour card Lurking means passing or bidding A method of evaluating the playing and sometimes denoted by an ‘x’ on cautiously early in the auction in strength of a hand, for trump hand records. Low cards, though they the hope that the opponents will bid contracts, based on the number of often do not win tricks in their own too high or double you in a making expected losers. right (unless they are trumps) have a contract. ■ You count the number of losers as number of useful purposes. They can follows: With three or more cards, the guard your honour cards, they can number of losers in a suit is normally enable you to reach partner’s hand equal to the number of missing high and, when you are defending, they can BEGIN BRIDGE honours (the ace, king and queen) e.g. be good cards with which to signal. ACOL VERSION A-x-x counts as two losers, K-Q-x or K-Q-x-x count as one loser. LOW REVERSE An Interactive With a doubleton, the queen A rebid by opener in a suit higher- Tutorial normally counts as a small card in the ranking than the suit opened. This CD above calculation and similarly with bid is normally forcing for one round £66 with any singleton, other than the ace, the if the response was at the one level Bernard Magee suit counts as one loser. and forcing to game if it was at the Exceptions to the above are that two level. For a low reverse, it is usual See Mail Order form on page 7. Q-x-x counts as two and a half losers, to have significantly better than a A-Q doubleton as half a loser. minimum opening, at least five cards

Page 33 David Stevenson answers your questions on Laws and Ethics Does a Three-Card Club Opening Require an Alert?

Playing a weak A defender cards. The director explains game will not survive without no-trump and inadvertently this if called; then either tolerance. I think we need Q4-card majors, Qdiscards when side can allow for those ‘Maxi Tolerance’ and, in North opened 1♣ on a holding a singleton but penalties in their future play. clubs, that means tolerating hand with a 4-4-2-3 immediately rectifies How can they do that if minor rule-breakers, whether shape and 17 points. A his error and leaves the nobody calls the director? they do not follow stop or few boards later, the penalty card exposed If called late, the director alert rules, or even rules of same player opened on the table, which he must try to work out whether conduct like writing on their 1♣ with a 3-3-4-3 is obliged to play on either side has taken any score-card before leading. If shape and 17 points. the next trick when advantage by not calling called as a director, I would South said that he was the original suit is led him. If he thinks declarer just give West a short lecture. unaware that the 1♣ was again. When gaining has taken advantage, he alertable as he had no the lead, the offender’s rules it is not now a penalty ♣♦♥♠ idea that his partner had partner leads the suit card: the defender can opened with a 3-card discarded, which defeats pick up the card and play Declarer had the club suit. Is that right? the contract that would continues. If the defence, he lead in dummy; Kenny Picken by email otherwise have made. does apply the penalties. Qmistaking the (similar from Brian Clarke, If someone had called position, she placed a Terry Bunn and Ken Davies). the director, what ♣♦♥♠ card from her own hand should his ruling be? face up on the table. The In principle, three- Geoffrey Cassen, Honiton, The bidding next player did not card minor-suit Devon (similar from starts as follows: accept the lead. Can A openings are not Gordon Tate). Q declarer then return the alertable, so the simple card to hand or does it answer is no alert is If I were the director, West North East South become a penalty card? required. However, this I would be close to 1NT Pass 2♣ David Salmon, Reading. may not be so simple. A giving a Procedural Pass 2♥ Pass If North keeps doing Penalty to both sides. I would Declarer never has this, South cannot claim certainly give both sides a I, as South, place the a penalty card. The not to know. It is a matter well-earned lecture. The rules stop card on the table A lead comes from of style and thus subject to of bridge are complex: only and bid 3NT. Without dummy but declarer may disclosure. If asked as to the director may apply them. any hesitation at all, play any legal card. their methods, South should When he played his singleton, West passes. What probably reply that their and immediately rectified his would you have done? openings are natural, but, error, this drew attention to Jim Parlour, Southampton. David Stevenson answers all occasionally, his partner the irregularity: it was then queries based on the facts supplied by the letter writer. opens a three-card club suit the responsibility of all four Probably nothing: Neither Mr Bridge nor rather than a four-card suit. players to call the director. it is unfortunate David Stevenson has any way Furthermore, they should The rules for penalty cards that players do not A of knowing whether those write something to this effect involve forbidding leads follow the rules, especially facts are correct or complete. on their system card. as well as having to play the simple ones – but this

Page 34 Ask David continued had said, ‘Oh I didn’t though they are making laws 1 The player with the know I had the ♠K.’ As up encourage this. Reading major penalty card must director, I believe I made them out is much better. play it at his first legal the right decision in opportunity to do so. South opened saying that West could ♣♦♥♠ 2 If the partner of the 2♦, explained designate which of the player with the major penalty Qas the partner- two cards she wanted The declarer card gains the lead, declarer ship’s second strongest to play, with the other decided to claim may do one of three things: bid (reverse Benja- one put back into her Qthe rest of the (a) He may require the min). Was this accept- hand. Was I correct? tricks in his contract. lead of the suit of the major able on this hand? North then argued This required him to penalty card, in which with me that West, take three tricks in case the offender picks declarer, must play the hearts, holding K-J-x up the major penalty card ♠ J 10 9 7 5 card on top i.e. the ♠7. opposite A-10-x. I held and may play anything. ♥ A K Q J 4 3 2 My ruling was that both Q-x-x and, since there (b) He may forbid the ♦ Void were eventually exposed was no prior indication lead of the suit of the major ♣ Q (by the time I got to which way he should penalty card for as long as the table, everyone take the finesse and he retains the lead, in which had seen the ♠K) and, he did not say, I asked case the offender picks up Jeff Stanford by email therefore, declarer could him to continue play. the major penalty card and (similar from Dan Grammer). play whichever one she The trouble is that my may play anything, or wanted. North was very question made it obvious (c) He may keep it as a Probably: it is legal upset because she would who held the queen. major penalty card and to play an artificial have played the ♠Q and Being very sporting, he the offender’s partner A 2♦ opening to won the trick if West deliberately took the may lead anything. include this hand since it is had had to play the ♠7. finesse the wrong way 3 While the knowledge rule of 25 (12 cards in the Bea David Griffiths by email. and went down. What that the defender must longest suits and 13 HCP). should have happened? play his major penalty However, if a pair allows The first rule of David Barker, Aylesbury. card is authorised, distributional hands that directing, especially knowledge that he holds it are weaker than people A for inexperienced You do not say where is unauthorised to partner. expect, they need to be directors, is that you read this happened – at 4 The director has the careful in their explanation the laws from the law book. A duplicate or rubber right to deem an exposed as to what 2♦ shows. So, you do not rule as you bridge – I am assuming card is not a major penalty think right: you read it out duplicate. When there is a card; he may do so if not ♣♦♥♠ and then you will be right. claim, play ceases. You never called in a timely fashion. If the players had called me ever play on after a claim. South had led when the under-card was Either you accept it, or you ♣♦♥♠ a small spade. invisible, I would have read call the director, who decides. QDeclarer (West) Law 58B1 to the players. This In fact, the director will I led to the first had put down the ♠7. says that the ♠7 is the played award a trick to the defence, trick and won Immediately, North card, with the other card put since the director will not Qit; declarer won noticed that West had back unseen in the declarer’s allow a winning finesse the second trick but pulled two cards but hand without penalty. in his decision as to the put his card our way that only the top one Once the ♠K became number of tricks made. round. Dummy tried to was visible. Had the visible, you were right draw his attention to players called for the that West could designate ♣♦♥♠ the mistake, which we director (me, a relative which card to play. were happy to allow. newcomer to the task), You do not argue with What are the What does the law say? I would have told West players: you read the law rules for a major Dan Crofts, Birmingham. to take back both cards out and tell them that is the Qpenalty card? and just play whichever ruling. Tell North you did John Honeyman by email. It is a change. Now, one she wanted: no not write the laws. Tactfully, anyone may point penalty. Was I right? of course, you do not want There are four, of A out a card has been In fact, by the time they to upset her more – but which everyone put down the wrong way called, the unexposed there are too many people A knows the first, many – but only until the lead to card, the ♠K, had playing who do not think the people forget the second, the next trick is made. After become visible to all laws apply. Unfortunately, everyone forgets the third that, declarer may do so but four players. Declarer directors who sound as and very few know the fourth. nobody else.

Page 35 Ask David continued board. Is that right? We had all agreed to just discussed the basic Jean Lawrence, Birmingham. play weak twos in the system. I thought the majors (six cards and double was asking for a Players are required 5-10 points). The bid suit. Both East and West West led the ♠A to count their cards misled our side; we insisted that I should from A-x-x. Dum- A before looking at finished three down have alerted. North Qmy came down them as a matter of Law. doubled in 4♣. said that her double with ♠K-x. West contin- If the director decides it Dr Charles Godden, was how she always ued spades. Dummy then has made no difference, he Guildford, Surrey. used to play. What are discovered a third spade can put the card right and the rules please? hidden in a different suit. continue – but this is very un- It is perfectly Ann Grove by email. West said he wished to likely this late in the play. So, normal bridge to change his lead to the in general, the result should A stretch opening At the time of the second trick. Was the di- be cancelled and N/S should bids at rubber bridge when double, you had rector right to allow this? get average plus (not being holding a part score and A no agreement, so Club Player, Liverpool at fault) while E/W get aver- you should expect it. Many there was no reason to alert (similar from Mike age minus (being at fault). people would open 2♥ with anything. However, now you Campbell, Chichester). Although I do not that hand, knowing that 2♥ know this is not a takeout understand what giving you would be enough for game. double, you will have to alert Neither declarer nil points on the hand means, Similarly, with a 60 part it in future. The rules for nor the defenders it sounds illegal. Perhaps the score, despite playing a weak alerting doubles of natural A are responsible for director has decided to enter no-trump, people will open suit bids are extremely sim- making sure dummy has 13 ‘not played’ in the scoring, 1NT with 12 points or with ple. Up to 3NT, if you do not cards in view: that responsi- which is a common directors’ 20 points. It is just normal alert it is for takeout, so you bility lies with dummy. While mistake. When the director rubber bridge tactics. alert if it has any other mean- your ruling was practical cancels a board at a table, ing. Above 3NT, with rare enough, the official ruling is the players get average, ♣♦♥♠ exceptions, you do not alert. to play the hand out and then average plus or average Of course, the opponents adjust if dummy’s infraction minus dependent on whose Playing with have no right to be furious of putting his cards down fault it is, never ‘not played’. a new part- that you led the ♥Q. They incorrectly caused damage. Qner, the bid- have no right to tell you ♣♦♥♠ ding went as follows: what to lead and no right ♣♦♥♠ to think that you should Playing rubber West North East South do what they would do. South was play- bridge with both Pass Pass Pass A director might adjust, ing 3NT and had Qsides vulnerable 1♥ Dble 1♠ Pass but only if he felt you had Qtaken the first and 60 below to the op- 2♠ Pass Pass Pass an agreement that dou- nine tricks. With four ponents, my opponent ble showed hearts, that it tricks remaining, East opened 2♥ on this: As South, I held: should have been alerted suddenly exclaimed she and, only if your opponents’ had only three cards left; bidding would be differ- then her partner discov- ♠ A K Q ♠ 9 6 4 3 ent if it had been alerted. ered she was holding ♥ A Q 9 4 3 2 ♥ Q 3 five. The director ruled ♦ 7 6 5 ♦ 5 3 2 ♣♦♥♠ that both pairs would ♣ 6 ♣ A J 8 4 have nil points on that If North bids 1♠ and East I did not want to lead Qbids 1♦, can a trump or club, nor North draw attention DUPLICATE BRIDGE let partner think I to the insufficient bid? RULES SIMPLIFIED had something in Peter Jeffery, diamonds, so led the Wheathampstead, Herts. (otherwise known as the Yellow Book) ♥Q and trumped the third round of hearts. Certainly: the laws by John Rumbelow and only £595 East was furious and say that anyone may revised by David Stevenson demanded to know why I A draw attention to led a heart and why I did an irregularity during the Available from Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 not alert the double. auction, whether it is their My partner and I had turn to call or not.

Page 36 Ask David continued and play continues. There are no penalty cards. The Power of Shape ♣♦♥♠ by Ron Klinger reviewed by Sandra Landy South was £10.99 from The London Bridge Centre ♠ playing in 3 . I have been a ( 020 7288 1305 www.bridgeshop.com QDuring the play, member of a dummy (North) took Qbridge club in the a trick with ♠J. Then, southern Home Counties his is the only and five for diamond inadvertently, West led for 12 years and, in that bridge book I have length. Of course, it is not the ♦Q. Declarer called time, I have never had ever read that obligatory to open but, at for a heart discard the director called to the Tconcentrates on using the favourable vulnerability, it from dummy; East also table concerning my play shape of a hand as the is an interesting thought. discarded a heart. Then, or behaviour. Suddenly, basis for a bidding system. At least, if your LHO dummy said, ‘West, you the chairman phoned Klinger suggests that it becomes declarer, partner have led out of turn. The to say that the club’s is just as important to should find the best lead. ♦Q must remain on the committee was meeting describe the shape of your Even at unfavourable table and be played at and that I was no longer hand as it is to describe the vulnerability, the author the first opportunity.’ a member of the club; point count. Shortage in recommends opening 1♠ Then, East said the small a letter confirming the right place may make with this 11-point hand: heart from dummy must this followed shortly. bidding a slam a good stand as the lead to the Surely, I should have bet, but that shortage can trick. South protested, been entitled to a fair be even more valuable if ♠ K 8 6 5 3 saying he did not want hearing. I am unhappy it is a void rather than a ♥ Void to lead a small heart to be condemned by singleton. Most evaluation ♦ Q J 8 7 from dummy and allegations made methods are unable to ♣ A J 8 4 that West’s ♦Q should by people speaking account for that difference. remain as the lead to behind my back. If you have a 4-4 fit in the trick. The situation Name and address supplied. hearts but both hands are This is despite the fact that was difficult to resolve a 3433 shape, there may be you will have to rebid 2♠ because the director was I am afraid that no advantage in playing in on a poor spade suit should dummy. Who was right? I have not much trumps when 9 tricks are partner respond 2♥. Malcolm Sutherland, A advice to offer. available in 3NT. Obviously, a change in Aldeburgh, Suffolk. While it is not normal In order to use both hand evaluation methods behaviour for a club to expel high-card points and hand will affect the subsequent While it is not always someone without a hearing shape in bidding, you bidding. Still, for those of easy for playing and most people would can use the Bergen Point us who have always taken A directors, they must consider it unacceptable Count. an optimistic view with be very careful. Certainly, for a club to do so, clubs To your high-card shapely hands, it formal- it almost defies belief that do have a right to accept points, add the number of ises our approach and de- when there is a disagreement or reject members as cards in your two longest velops better partnership about a ruling, a director they think fit. Unless the suits. If the total is 20 or understanding in the han- should fail to read it out club has a constitution more, you have the values dling of low point count from the Law book, or Mr and this goes against it, I to open the bidding. opening bids. Bridge’s Yellow Book. think you have no case. Suppose you hold: The book also has a few As I understand it, If it is an EBU club and chapters on card play and the ♦Q was a lead out you are an EBU member, concludes with appendices of turn, followed by a you could write to the EBU ♠ 8 7 4 3 on some little played bid- heart from dummy. and suggest that the actions ♥ A 2 ding methods. It sounds as though of individuals have upset ♦ K Q J 6 2 While I am not suggest- declarer was playing on you and their behaviour is ♣ J 8 ing that all of you change the ♦Q; in this case, the unacceptable. I do not know your bidding methods, I play of the heart from whether the EBU would feel do think this book may dummy condoned it; the able to get involved in a You can open 1♦ first open your eyes to what is ♦Q lead has become legal matter inside a club. ■ in hand, as you have 20 possible when you take Bergen points. These come as much account of your E-mail your questions on bridge laws to: from 11 high-card points hand shape as you do of [email protected] plus four for spade length your high-card points.

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SINGLE TRIP SUMMARY OF COVER

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 £50. Policy Excess £75. 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 £50. 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 a 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 £50 (b) only. Limit £2,500 for transfer of remains to your home if you die in the UK. MISSED DEPARTURE up to £500 Policy Excess £75 Areas 1, 2 & 3, £150 Area 4 or on a Cruise. 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 Areas 1, 2 & 3, £500 Area destination if you arrive too late at your final UK outward departure point due to failure of the 4 or on a Cruise. 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 Areas 1, 2 & 3, £1,000 Area strike, industrial action, mechanical breakdown or accident to the vehicle. No Policy Excess. 4 or on a Cruise. PERSONAL LIABILITY up to £2,000,000 See section headed Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions for increased excesses applicable to claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions. Covers your legal liability for injury or damage to other people or their property, including legal 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 Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions The following represents only the main exclusions. The policy document sets out all of the Acceptance of pre existing medical conditions is made by the application of increased conditions and exclusions. A copy of the full policy wording is available on request in writing prior excesses in the event of claims arising from the pre existing condition. to application. If You have ever had a circulatory, heart or blood pressure related problem, a stroke, cancer, asthma or any breathing problems, diabetes or any psychological problem, the following MAIN HEALTH EXCLUSIONS: excess will apply (other than in respect of claims that are specifically excluded) : Insurers will not pay for claims arising Under the Cancellation or Curtailment section – double the normal excess. 1. Where You (or any person upon whose health the Trip depends) have or have had symptoms Under the Medical & Other Expenses section – which are awaiting or receiving investigation, tests, treatment, referral or the results of any of For persons aged 60 years or less the excess is increased to £500 Areas 1&2, £750 Area the foregoing, unless We have agreed in writing to cover You. 3, £1,000 Area 4 or on a Cruise. 2. From any terminal illness suffered by You (or any person upon whose health the Trip depends). For persons aged 61 to 90 years the excess is increased to £1,000 Areas 1&2, £1,500 Area 3. From any medical condition for which You (or any person upon whose health the Trip depends) 3, £2,000 Area 4 or on a Cruise. have within 12 months prior to the date of issue of this insurance been diagnosed with a medical Please note that we consider a Cruise to be a Trip by sea in a liner calling at a number of ports. condition or have been admitted or undergone a procedure/ intervention. 4. Medical conditions existing prior to the payment of the insurance premium or any consequence thereof in respect of which a Medical Practitioner would advise against travel or that treatment may be required during the duration of the Trip. Medical Screening OTHER GENERAL EXCLUSIONS Unless you are travelling to Area 4 or on a Cruise, there is no need to advise us of your Claims arising from pre existing medical conditions. 1. Winter sports, any hazardous pursuits, any work of a non sedentary nature. If You have a history of any medical condition and are travelling within Area 4 or on a 2. Self inflicted injury or illness, suicide, alcoholism or drug abuse, sexual disease. Cruise, you must first contact Towergate Medical Screening Line to establish whether 3. War, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities or warlike operations, civil war, rebellion, we can provide cover for your trip. The number to call is: Terrorism, revolution, insurrection, civil commotion, military or usurped power but this 0844 892 1698 exclusion shall not apply to losses under Section 3 – Medical Expenses unless such If you are accepted, the level of excess stated above will apply. You will receive losses are caused by nuclear, chemical or biological attack, or the disturbances were already written confirmation that you are covered for the trip. In the event that you are not taking place at the beginning of any Trip. accepted for cover having been screened, we may be able to offer you cover under 4. Failure or fear of failure or inability of any equipment or any computer program. our Single Trip “PLUS” product. 5. Bankruptcy/liquidation of any tour operator, travel agent, airline, transportation company or Please ask us for further details or go to our website. accommodation supplier. 6. Travelling to countries or regions where the FCO or WHO has advised against travel. 7. 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.

If you have a complaint about the sale of this insurance you must first write to the Managing Director of Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd. Subsequently, complaints may be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service. If we are unable to meet our liabilities you may be entitled to compensation under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. If you would like more information or are unsure of any details contained herein, you should ask Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd for further advice. ✄

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

2 £ The following Premiums are valid for policies issued up to 31/3/2013 and for travel completed by 31/12/2013. 3 Maximum age is 90 years. £ Maximum period of insurance is 94 days. 4 £ Geographical Areas 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 Credit/Debit Card Details TOTAL PREMIUM £ 6 -10 days £21.80 £40.40 £85.10 £121.80 Card No 11-17 days £24.90 £44.20 £94.60 £136.30 18-24 days £28.00 £50.80 £106.50 £153.40 Start Date End Date Issue No

25-31 days £31.10 £57.80 £121.20 £174.50 Security Code Each + 7 days call for a quotation DECLARATION All premiums include the Government Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) On behalf of all persons listed in this application, I agree that this application shall be the basis of the Contract of Insurance. I agree that Insurers may exchange PREMIUM ADJUSTMENTS information with other Insurers or their agents. I have read and understood All age adjustments apply to the age on the date of return to the UK the terms and conditions of the insurance, with which all persons above are in agreement and for whom I am authorised to sign. Persons aged 81 to 90 inclusive are subject to a premium increase of 50% in Areas 1&2 and of 100% in Areas 3&4...... 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. Services Ltd, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

✄ 328STI12 BRIDGE What’s in a Name? by Didapper BREAKS obert Blyth, a area was developed for former editor of housing, the Milton Keynes ♦ Full-board ♦ Two seminars* RThe Pharmaceutical Development Corporation ♦ All rooms with ♦ Two supervised Journal, was due to wanted to name the streets en-suite facilities play sessions* celebrate his 90th birthday after famous bridges. ♦ No single supplement ♦ Four duplicate sessions** yesterday (21 October But because most bridge 2011). Addressing his names had already Please book ..... places for me at £...... per person, birthday card reminded me been used elsewhere that he lives in a street with in other contexts, they Single .... Double .... Twin .... an unusual name, being decided instead to use the only road in Britain names connected with Name of Hotel/Centre...... called Mortons Fork. the card game bridge. The name has always They chose Blackwood Date(s) ...... amused me because Crescent, Culbertson Lane ‘Morton’s fork’ means a and Gardiner Court after Mr/Mrs/Miss ...... choice between two equally the inventors of bidding unpleasant alternatives. systems, Van Der Bilt Address...... The term has its origins in a Court after a compiler of ...... tax system devised in 1487 the game’s laws, Vienna by the Lord Chancellor, Grove after the ‘Vienna Postcode ...... Archbishop John Morton. coup’ (an unblocking play He would visit noblemen first recorded in Vienna) ( ...... and assess the level of and Mortons Fork (for a hospitality offered him: if road that forks) after a Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, it was lavish, he assumed playing manoeuvre that but we will do our best to oblige). they were wealthy and emulates Archbishop levied a heavy tax; if it Morton’s strategy...... was frugal, he assumed However, half these they had a fortune salted names are wrong. Bridge- Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking. away — and levied a heavy playing friends tell me tax. Either way, they were that Van Der Bilt should ...... caught on the prongs of a be Vanderbilt, Gardiner Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place by two-tined fork — similar to should be Gardener cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice for the balance will be sent the horns of a dilemma. and Mortons should, of with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, The road named Mortons course, be Morton’s. 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be sent Fork is in a district of Robert Blyth together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. Should you Milton Keynes known as never allowed such require insurance, you should contact your own insurance broker. Blue Bridge. When the sloppiness in the PJ.

From The Pharmaceutical Journal. Volume 287, 22/29 October 2011

Expiry: ...... CVV...... Issue No...... REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR POSTAGE (CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip) Postage stamps for sale at 90% of face-value, Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH. all mint with full gum. ( 01483 489961 Quotations for commercial quantities available on request. e-mail: [email protected] Values supplied in 100s, higher values available as well website: www.holidaybridge.com as 1st and 2nd class (eg 1st class: 100x37p+100x9p) *on tutorial weekends. **6 sessions on rubber/Chicago events. (/Fax 020 8422 4906 e-mail: [email protected]

Page 40 at the top of the game. It city, Perth, they play four-card made me want to get to major Acol, while in the other READERS’ Eindhoven Airport to try its major inhabitable non-burnt fish and chips. What more part, the east coast of can one ask of any writer? Queensland and New South Arthur Poole by email. Wales, they play mainly standard American. Benji LETTERS BOB’S BLOG Acol is almost unknown here, In today’s mail, I got a new, they use an opening bid of shining bus pass from the two diamonds to show 19+ Government, assuming my points, not necessarily MOST WELCOME name. Bearing in mind that old one to be worn out, I diamonds and probably The forward looking article, ‘Jacks’ were once known as suppose. unbalanced. A southern Modernising The Game, in ‘Knaves’, a suitable About 40 years ago, I met hemisphere attempt at Benji BRIDGE 114, was most replacement could be my bridge partner at a class. but not as good, as it doesn’t interesting. Thought does ‘Bankers’. She is married to a farmer allow both weak and strong indeed need to be given to Jim Dapré, eight miles away and also twos. They also play very attracting younger people. Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. plays in my wife’s tea parties. quickly, 6 or 7 minutes a I favour the idea of This works fine. No car board, fine for bidding but ten-card suits. These would WHAT DO YOU THINK? journeys home, hearing, ‘…I they seem to allow no time either make the game take When the EBU proposed P2P mean, any card but the ten of for making a plan when the up less time or could be used there was a lot of opposition, hearts would have done,’ in dummy goes down. Anyway, to allow time for formal with many stating it could be your ear. Learning and using it’s interesting to see the post-mortems, perhaps with fatal for the EBU. Their the Phoney Club system has national differences. dummies from other tables financial report for last year served a lot of us quite well. It P Pfeifer, Upper Moutere, acting as referees if needed. shows a loss of £47,209. annoys some. New Zealand. The time saved could be What is Mr Bridge’s verdict? Our club had a great used for general conversation Has the P2P scheme been player called Big Agnes of REVIEWS WANTED by those who could not successful, or is the EBU the Diamond Rings. One I have recently purchased an remember the hand just heading for the morgue? night, she insisted our Phoney iPad and wondered whether played. Martyn Stevens, Club opening was illegal it would be appropriate for J Harris, Crewe, Cheshire. according to her diary. I your magazine to review the Guildford by email. Too soon to know but I will asked for a look and software available. ask the question. returned it to her pointing out I already have your …AND MORE it was from the EBU and she instructional/play discs which Receiving BRIDGE 114 on USED STAMPS was in Scotland. are loaded onto my St Patrick’s Day, I was not I am delighted to enclose a More seriously, my friend, Windows-based PC. surprised to see that we are further cheque for £979 for Jack, plays in a club where I would value a review of to await a green paper. The Little Voice raised over the Acol is widely uniform. With recommended software for cover date suggests gremlins last few months from selling partner Isabel, they the various operating at work, or have the EBU used postage stamps sent by experimented with five-card systems, whether to be finally flipped irrevocably? your readers and by Jill majors for a while until told purchased through you or Chris Dicker, Russell and her helpers at that it was unwise to play a from other providers. Tavistock, Devon. L.U.C.I.A. system different from that No doubt, I am sure I am Colin Bamberger, adopted by the majority. Is not on my own in having TRUTH DAWNS 179 High Road, this good advice? difficulties in deciding which Reading the first column of Trimley St Mary, IP11 0TN. Bob Benzies, software is best. Modernising The Game, Coupar Angus, Perthsire. David Grounds by email. BRIDGE 114, I turned to the MARMITE LOVER front cover… yes, it was the Sally Brock’s columns are DOWN UNDER PLUS RETURN WANTED April issue. really enjoyable. Please I reckon to be your most Please send Bernard back to Lawrence Davidoff, disregard the complaints distant member/fan, here at North Queensferry for East Preston, Sussex. from people who happen not the top of the South Island of another tutorial weekend. We to find them so. New Zealand. find it too hard to travel NEW NAME In particular, ‘Seven Days’ Interesting to note that here around England for such In these days of sexual in the February 2012 issue in NZ, they play four-card short breaks – great to have equality, it would seem was great. It gave the major Acol about 50/50 with one on our doorstep. appropriate to replace ‘Jacks’ ordinary bridge player an five-card majors. In the Mr J Robertson, with a non gender-specific insight into how tough life is Australian west coast major Fife, Scotland.

Page 41 READERS’ LETTERS contracts doubled would articles (apart from Sally carrying a part score. But, I continued attract very large scores. Brock’s tedious diary) of have not yet grasped the The final outcome will, I which I particularly enjoy tactics needed. I cannot work suspect, be one of very high David Stevenson’s Laws and out, for example: scores all round, along with Ethics pages. His The End of When is it worth bidding BOOKS FOR SALE much merriment. the Auction article should be above my comfort zone and I am in possession of about The reason I say ‘suspect’ pinned up on every club maybe going one or two 250 books on bridge, some is that nobody would take me noticeboard. down? of which are ‘vintage’ and up on the suggestion. One of my pet hates is When it is worth trying to many might be of interest, Has anybody else tried it? opponents who sweep away push my opponents above particularly to collectors. I Andrew Mountain, their bidding cards before my their comfort zone? have them listed and would Oakleigh, Wrexham. partner or I have a chance to When should I take a be pleased to email these lead, so I’m very pleased chance and risk being lists and answer questions. CLUB PLUG David Stevenson has drawn doubled? Don Booth, Preston Bridge Club has attention to this. When it is worth doubling [email protected] moved to new premises at St Alan Cooke, the opposition? ( 01425 475147 Walburge’s Gardens, Weston Henlow, Beds. Looking at the traveller Street, Preston, PR2 2QJ. doesn’t help as I can CRITICS ( 01772 720060. MEMBERS WELCOME compare my score only I have noticed comments We welcome players of all The Carrington Bridge Club against the other pairs about Sally Brock’s feature in standards and have lessons operates on a Friday (start playing that hand. Some your magazine recently and for beginners as well as 7.30pm) at the Day Centre, players seem able to look at feel that it is about time practice and supervised play Harpenden. Duplicate bridge the traveller and announce someone stood up for her. for the less experienced. The is played on a friendly basis. that this is a top/bottom or I read the article and enjoyed premises are accessed easily Table money is £2 per person whatever while I can’t tell it thoroughly – there is more and there is ample car with an annual sub of only until all the boards have been to bridge than reading about parking. £5. Visitors and potential played. Someone has kindly playing and bidding various We play on Mondays, members should bring their explained to me how making hands and there is enough Tuesdays, Thursdays and own refreshments as the club a sacrifice and going down bridge in it to make it Fridays starting at 7.05pm. has no such facilities hundreds even when interesting, to me at least. Also on Monday available. Visitors are asked vulnerable, can score better Derek Cannell, afternoons at 1pm. to bring a partner, although, than letting the opponents Bangor, Co. Down, www.PrestonBridgeClub.co.uk in some cases, these can be make a slam. What they did Northern Ireland. New, immediate scoring found. For further details, not explain is how you can be system, EBU master points please contact Bill Kenney on sure they won’t just pass your ANOTHER NOVELTY awarded. Lessons for all ( 01727 854871. sacrifice and chortle. Reading Kay White’s letter in levels. Ring Wendy on Bill Kenney, How about a new series of BRIDGE 114 reminded me of ( 01772 338789 for St Albans, Herts. lessons on duplicate tactics? an idea I had years ago for further information. I can’t be the only one our Christmas party. Dave Parkin by email. CRY FOR HELP facing this conversion. The cards would be dealt I have played friendly rubber Stella Burnett by email. each round as in Chicago. A BIG THANK YOU bridge for some time, but Then a random contract This month’s issue is more find myself forced into SALLY BROCK would be selected (either than usually inspiring and duplicate as so few clubs play Now that I have read the from a hat or a preselected helpful. If only you could rubber these days. This reason for her column, all random list). e.g. six hear how we all discuss and seems to require a whole new readers should accept that diamonds by West. West then quote from your pages – set of tactics. Sally is here to stay. He who had to play the hand as being instructional and, by Basically, I need to bid pays the piper calls the tune. declarer in six diamonds, some amazing second sight, more aggressively as I can no Mr G Makeham, irrespective of what he and seeming to cover the issues longer doddle around Lewes, East Sussex. his partner held. Simple our group have just been contracts e.g. one spade pondering only yesterday. doubled by North, may well Rosemary Morton Jack, Write to Mr Bridge at: Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH make most of the time, slams Oddington, Kidlington. or e-mail [email protected] invariably will go down. The E-mail correspondents are asked to include result, however, will depend THE BEST YET? their name, full postal address, telephone entirely upon the declarer’s Your latest magazine, BRIDGE number and to send no attachments. card playing skill and the 114, was one of the best ever. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. defence. Vulnerable slam You have consistently excellent

Page 42 READERS’ LETTERS continued The Diaries of Wendy Wensum

MATTER OF FACT Episode 7 Your Anniversary Cruise looks fabulous. I have just forwarded the email Keeping the Score below to my current and past bridge students: 25th Anniversary Cruise n returning from At our table, West passed that what Millie had im- – this looks like a good deal the memorable and, sitting North, I plied? On the other hand, to me. In fact, if I didn’t have Spanish holiday, I opened one diamond. The had I misunderstood her? classes, I might easily go Omust admit I found it diffi- Moose, as East, overcalled Perhaps she had meant myself. Let’s face it, if Mr cult to re-adjust to the Brit- two no trumps, show- mousse. Bridge and his team weren’t ish climate. Life seemed ing both clubs and hearts. When Jo and Kate played any good at what they do, rather mundane, even Millie bid three spades. the hand in the East-West they wouldn’t have grown the when playing bridge at the With my spade holding, seats, the bidding followed business the way they have. Riverside, but distractions I wondered for a moment a different route. Ian Dalziel, do occur. It was Millie who if Millie had been drink- Troon, Scotland. remarked, rather rudely in ing, but common sense West North East South my view, on the appear- prevailed. Of course she’d Kate Jo SPANISH BRIDGE ance of a visitor partnering been drinking. The full Pass 1♦ 5♣ Dbl In 2005, I set out on a 500 an established and upright auction was: End mile walk across Spain. In club committee member 2011, ‘A Different View of the in the monthly team event. West North East South South led the ace of spades, Camino de Santiago’ was Surely, the term moose Wendy Moose Millie which Jo ruffed in hand. published. should never be used to Pass 1♦ 2NT1 3♠ The king of trumps brought The book is based on a describe a partaker of our Pass 5♠ Pass 6♠ out the ace and South re- diary I kept of my noble card game. There Dbl Pass Pass Redl turned another spade, observations of the people were no antlers in evidence End ruffed by Jo, who removed and wildlife during the walk. so presumably her com- 1unusual (clubs and hearts) the opponents’ remaining In many of the bars, I ment must have referred to trumps. Jo then led a small noticed people playing cards some other characteristic Millie completed the auc- heart towards dummy on with the strange Barajas card of the reindeer family. tion with a defiant, bran- which South, unfortu- deck; (4 suits with 10 cards in From time to time, re- dy-enhanced redouble and nately for him, inserted the each suit). I never saw a markably skewed distri- West led the nine of clubs. jack. Dummy won with the standard deck. I was soon butions occur and the fol- Millie ditched the nine of ace. There was still a heart reflecting on how this might lowing hand was distinctly hearts from dummy and to lose, but the contract of have affected them as a freakish. West was dealer won the trick in hand with five clubs doubled made, ‘bridge nation’. with both sides vulnerable. the ace. She then ruffed resulting in a score of +770 When I got round to writing a club and the ace of dia- for Kate and Jo. the book, I discovered that monds took care of the last In the hostelry later over Spain finished in 17th place ♠ K J 10 9 7 club. Cross-ruffing hearts drinks, Jo mused over the in the 49th European Bridge ♥ 9 and diamonds ensured results of the hand. ‘With Team Championships. What ♦ A Q 10 9 8 7 5 the contact of six spades scores like these, perhaps a contrast to Italy, a similar- ♣ Void redoubled with an over- we should make ourselves sized country with many ♠ 3 2 N ♠ Void trick and a score of +2,470. available to play for the W E common features. ♥ A 8 7 S ♥ K 10 6 5 3 ‘There you are,’ said Millie county.’ ‘I don’t think so,’ I would be interested to ♦ K J 6 4 3 2 ♦ Void indignantly, looking at me retorted Millie, downing know if any readers, ♣ 9 4 ♣ K Q J 10 as if my amazement was the remains of her bran- particularly Spanish ones, 7 6 5 2 unfounded, ‘my redoubles dy, ‘possibly we are good agree with my postulation ♠ A Q 8 6 5 4 are successful sometimes.’ enough, but county play- that the Barajas card deck is ♥ Q J 4 2 Moose did not seem ers are expected to score responsible for Spain’s lowly ♦ Void amused; perhaps antlered properly. Five clubs dou- standing in the bridge world. ♣ A 8 3 creatures do not have a bled vulnerable is +750 not Bill Watson, Codsall, sense of humour. Was +770. Whose round is it?’ Wolverhampton. ■

Page 43 CHARITY Catching Up BRIDGE EVENTS

JUNE 2012 20 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE by Sally Brock ROTARY CLUB 6 DOWNHAM MARKET TOWN 12 for 12.30pm. Outlane HALL Golf Club. £44 per table inc he most exciting Festival Bridge with lunch, tea and biscuits. event since I last Dealer East. N/S Game afternoon tea. Brian Noble wrote was my holi- ♠ 8 6 1.00pm start. ( 01484 427356 Tday with Briony in Sri Lan- ♥ K J 10 7 6 3 2 Tickets £6.00. ♦ 10 Pat Roberts 5 St Teresa’s Hospice ka at half term. We flew into ( 01366 382947 Bridge The Gap afternoon at Colombo, stayed there over- ♣ 5 4 2 Richmond Support Group night and then set off for ♠ J 9 4 3 2 ♠ K Q 7 5 15 ST MARY’S CHURCH (N Yorks) followed by tea. ♥ A 9 8 N ♥ Q 5 4 Eaton Socon, St Neots. Mary Lovell Kandy via the Elephant Or- ♦ W E ♦ 10.00 for 10.30am. £13.50. ( 01748 850208 phanage. After a few nights 8 5 4 S 9 6 Malcolm Howarth there, we went south to the ♣ Q 9 ♣ 10 7 6 3 ( 01480 212910 OCTOBER 2012 Yala National Park for a sa- ♠ A 10 JULY 2012 5 ST ANDREW’S CHURCH fari; after that, we went to ♥ Void The Mandeville Galle for four nights by the ♦ A K Q J 7 3 2 27 GREAT BARFORD CHURCH Village Hall, Kimbolton. sea before flying back from ♣ A K J 8 Village Hall, Great Barford. 10.00 for 10.30am. £14. Derek Fordham Mavis Campion Colombo. It was fabulous. ( 01234 870324 ( 01480 860477 This period was also Malcolm Howarth full of sadness when good West kicked off with the ( 01480 212910 6 NSPCC ♥ Bridge & Supper, Royal friend and team-mate A, on which East played AUGUST 2012 British Legion, Sutton. £10. Richard Palmer died after the five. This really must be Wendy Powell a short illness following the a suit-preference signal as 24 ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH ( 01353 664752 discovery of a brain tumour. the whole layout of the suit Village Hall Sawtry. Silvia Farmer 1pm for 1.30pm. ( 01353 777373 We went up to Manchester is apparent when declarer Champagne ‘Ritz Tea’. £10. Margaret Law for Michelle Brunner’s discards a club. However, Pat Walters ( 01353 860334 stone-setting ceremony, as West missed the point and ( 01487 830674 well as for a one-day Swiss switched to the ♣Q. Partner Malcolm Howarth 29 RNLI. Bridge afternoon at ( 01480 212910 Waltham Chase Village Hall pairs the previous day. After was quick to win, cross to (near Bishop’s Waltham). leading the pairs at the half- that precious ♦10, discard a SEPTEMBER 2012 1.30pm for 2pm - 5pm. way stage, we played badly spade on the ♥K and claim £40 a table including tea. in the second half to slide the rest. 5 GYDA (Gulu Youth Sue Carpenter Development Association, [email protected] down the field and finish Although 6NT is a terrible Northern Uganda) ( 01489 893843 seventh. The winners were contract, it should make on Corn Exchange, Michael Byrne and Michael the more normal spade lead. Faringdon. £15. NOVEMBER 2012 Steve Braithwaite Newman. We played them Declarer needs to play clubs ( 01367 240929 22 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE in the fifth match, in which for four tricks. The only ROTARY CLUB it seemed that on every helpful layouts are a 3-3 14 ST MARY’S CHURCH 12 for 12.30pm. Outlane board we scored either break with the queen right, Eaton Socon, St Neots. Golf Club. £44 per table inc 10.00 for 10.30am. £13.50. lunch, tea and biscuits. much worse or much better or Q-9 or Q-10 doubleton Malcolm Howarth Brian Noble than we deserved. I am with West. Thus, declarer ( 01480 212910 ( 01484 427356 embarrassed to say how wins the lead and cashes badly I bid my hand on the the ace of clubs. When West E-mail your charity events: [email protected] following deal. Suffice it plays the nine, it is surely to say, my partner became more likely that he holds declarer in 6NT. Q-9 doubleton than 10-9-x. After South opened 2♣ On a diamond lead, Register for your e-magazine and received a 2♦ negative, declarer needs four club South bid diamonds and tricks, making an immediate then no-trumps, while finesse the only chance. Bridge Weekly North bid hearts a few On the ♥A followed by a times. diamond switch, you need The progression to quite only one extra club trick: www.mrbridge.co.uk such a high level was foolish again, a first-round finesse is – still … the best chance.

Page 44 Seven Days by Sally Brock

Monday time for a good gossip. Then action? I think it is horrible South, Colin, doubles and I drive to London to have a to overcall an unusual 2NT; then doubles again when After a much-needed gym cup of tea with Barry before all the same, I think they East removes to 3♦. On a visit, I settle down to work. leaving to meet Nicola for will in the other room, so trump lead and misplay, this It is Nigeria and Borneo this our London League match. that is what I choose. My results in an 800 penalty. week. This is my second Chelsea football team left-hand opponent bids 3♠ week of jury duty. Last Mon- are at home and there is a (non-forcing), and is raised day I turned up as requested huge police presence on the to 4♠. This is the full deal: Thursday at 9.15am, made the first Earl’s Court Road – at least Barry is working some- cut from thirty odd, hung 40 vans, police with dogs where early so I leave when around until 2pm when and on horses. We have a ♠ J 10 8 he does and, despite traffic, the sixteen of us remain- salad (and in my case a glass ♥ A K J 10 3 arrive home by nine. ing were ushered into court of wine), discussing some ♦ A 7 5 A day of catching up where the officials read out system bits and pieces. We ♣ 10 9 with bits and pieces and twelve names. Mine was have recently decided to ♠ Q 9 5 ♠ K 3 generally putting affairs in not one of them so they said take up transfer responses to ♥ 8 7 6 5 4 2 ♥ 9 order. I do a bit of invoicing, N I could go away and they a 1♣ opening. We are both ♦ J 8 W E ♦ K Q 9 4 2 send off a few Sunday Times would ring me when they enthusiastic about the idea ♣ K 3 S ♣ J 8 5 4 2 articles to my proofreader, needed me. I am still wait- but it is quite complicated. ♠ A 7 6 4 2 tidy up the mess of files on ing. Then, this afternoon, I The first half of the match ♥ Q my computer. I arrange my get a call asking me to turn goes quite well; I am pleased ♦ 10 6 3 gym visit to coincide with up at 1.50pm tomorrow. with our card and we are ♣ A Q 7 6 picking Briony up from 20 up. The second half school. Still no phone call is a different matter. We from court. Later on, Barry Tuesday seem incapable of getting Swayed by my overcall, and I practise for a while on We hang around until a plus score. I go back to Nicola gets off to the BBO. Actually, we do this 3.30pm, after which we score with a great sense of unfortunate start of the quite often at about 10pm, are ushered into court and foreboding, Eggy and Colin ♣K. There is no recovery after Briony has gone to bed. sworn in; then the judge have a great card and we after this; worse still, when We go to a bidding room, fix adjourns the case until put on another 5 IMPs. Last declarer plays the ♠A and the high-card points so we 11am tomorrow. year, we won the London another spade, Nicola have at least 22 and talk on League; this year, we are thinks declarer is being Skype – nice. lying bottom and want to careful from an initial Wednesday avoid relegation. The biggest holding of A-K-x-x-x and At 12.50pm, we eventually swing of the second half is goes in with her queen. In Friday get into court, where the somewhat unexpected. At truth, even on a diamond I have been looking forward judge tells us that the love all, you hold: lead, declarer can succeed to this weekend. I pick case involves the theft of quite easily by ducking the Briony up from school something worth £3; in any first diamond, winning the and we head for the south event, the defendants are ♠ K 3 second and running the coast – rather slowly – the not recognisable from the ♥ 9 jack of spades. Still, I do not M25 on a Friday afternoon CCTV so he dismisses the ♦ K Q 9 4 2 see how –450 can be a good is hardly the paciest place case. I had made a lunch ♣ J 8 5 4 2 score. in the country. We get to date with Carole Mueller, As it happens, we gain 8 Brighton about 6.30pm and thinking it would be a bit of IMPs. In the other room, meet up with Barry (who a rush; in the end, there was Your right-hand opponent East also overcalls 2NT has been working in Lewes) no rush at all and we have opens 1♥. Do you take any (at least I am right there); at the Metropole. Regular

Page 45 Seven Days continued Saturday is a tea break before we Sally’s start to play a teams game. I have never thought a great There will be a couple of Dramatis deal of the Metropole but, rounds and then a break for on reflection, I think that dinner (incidentally, this is Personae readers of these pages will is because it (along with excellent). Barry and I each Sally Brock lives in High have heard me speak of other bridge venue hotels) captain one of six teams, Wycombe with her two Richard and Gerry, whom does not cope well with which are drawn by lot. I teenagers, her husband Raymond having died in I teach on a regular basis. the sudden influx of bridge ask my three (Rob, Roz and early 2008. She works partly Richard lives in Muswell players. They never seem to Chang) if any of them play as a bridge professional, Hill, Gerry in Toronto. As have enough staff. It comes regularly together: it turns occasionally playing for pay but more often writing (she is we have come to know each as a total shock to them out that Roz and Rob are a the bridge columnist for The other better and become that 30 or so bridge players semi-regular partnership, Sunday Times) and teaching friends, we like to get all want to buy rounds of so I decide to play with online; the rest of the time she works on the production together when Gerry is over drinks when the bridge Chang. Apart from a couple of travel guides – hence the here (several times a year). finishes for the day. This of clangers (I think he is occasional reference to rather We were due to play with weekend, when it was less pretty nervous), he plays obscure countries. She has been a member of the British/ them in the London green- busy, I thought it excellent. quite well, as do our team- English women’s team on and pointed teams last Sunday After an enormous, but mates, but our score of +50 off since 1979. but Michelle’s memorial truly excellent breakfast, is only enough for second Briony & Toby are Sally’s ceremony got in the way Briony and I hit the shops. place. 16-year-old daughter and of that. Instead, we have Brighton is particularly Unfortunately, you can 18-year-old son. an invitation to spend the good for shopping: as well guess whose team manages Ben is Sally’s 35-year-old son weekend with them and as the general high-street more than that – you got it, who is married to Gemma. Hayden is their two-year-old their friends in Brighton. chains, they also have plenty Barry’s. There are bottles of son; they live in Waltham Richard runs a small of individual boutiques in champagne and wine for Abbey. private bridge club for his The Lanes and the North the successful teams. Barry Myers is Sally’s new friends in his kitchen on a Laine areas. I noticed that, even though partner, both at and away Monday evening. They get I have to rush back for some of the players here are from the bridge table. He is a criminal defence barrister and about four or five tables on a a booked, public, at-the- quite weak, they have learnt lives in Shepherd’s Bush. regular basis. This weekend, table lesson with Richard to bid aggressively. Game, Nicola Smith is Sally’s current twenty or so of them have and Gerry. It is quite fun to which was wafer-thin on international bridge partner. gathered at the Metropole have an audience. (Briony this deal, needed careful They formed a last-minute in Brighton for an informal still has more shopping handling: partnership in 2008 to join the England women’s team for social bridge weekend. to do so I send her back the World Mind Sports Games On the Friday evening, with my credit card – and in Beijing where they won the while they and their friends commission her to buy me Dealer East. E/W Game. gold medal. Nicola has been playing international bridge have fish and chips, Barry some new underwear.) ♠ A 8 2 since she was 17, which is and I take my friend and old What we are doing ♥ 4 3 rather a long time ago. bridge partner, Sandra, out this afternoon is playing ♦ K 9 5 Carole Mueller is a friend for dinner. It is good to swap TOPs. This is an ingenious ♣ 9 8 6 4 3 and leading light of the New ♠ K 6 ♠ J 7 Amersham Bridge Club. family news and reminisce invention whereby you can about old times. make up hands played in a ♥ A J 9 7 N ♥ 10 8 6 Richard and Gerry are two of W E ♦ A 6 4 S ♦ Q J 10 3 2 Sally’s regular online clients. We then return to the big pairs’ tournament of the Richard lives in North London Metropole where Richard past; then, after you have ♣ K 10 7 2 ♣ Q J 5 and Gerry lives in Toronto. has organised a six-table played the hands, you can ♠ Q 10 9 5 4 3 Every week Sally plays against ♥ K Q 5 2 them for a couple of hours, duplicate for his friends. As compare your scores with stopping to discuss problems it happens, he is not playing the datums that occurred ♦ 8 7 that arise – sometimes with so we soon remedy that in the actual event. (When ♣ A Barry if he is not working, and sometimes with herself (when and sit down to play a few you buy the set, you get four she is almost flawless). Chicagos. We have given packs of cards with different West North East South Steve Eginton (Eggy) and the others an hour’s start; backs so you can make up Colin Simpson, are friends and our aim is to get through each hand as you go along. Pass 1♠ regular teammates. 18 boards while they finish I find this is a bit tedious Dble 2♠ 3♦ 4♠ Sandra Landy is Sally’s good their 18. I last played with and prefer to make up the End friend and old bridge partner. Sandra in 1989 but we soon boards beforehand – or in They first played in 1979, and won world championships get back into gear. Honours my case pay Briony to make West leads the ♦A, on which together in 1981 and 1985. are more or less even at the them up for me). East plays the queen, and end of the session. After our session, there continues with a second

Page 46

Seven Days continued another good breakfast, PRIZE CROSSWORD 3 – Solution the programme calls for an Individual. Our services are not S G A M Z required as they have five S C R A M B L E D S E T diamond. complete tables. H M L C G R You do not have enough However, Briony, who had entries to set up the clubs, so played in a very youthful B A D B R E A K A C O L you cannot set up an extra team the night before, P I W M trick there. found that she had quite V I C T O R E L E V E N You will need to ruff enjoyed herself. two hearts in the dummy. Not having played for a R E L X Therefore, having put up couple of years, she says S O R T E D L E N G T H the ♦K, you play a heart to that when she plays with O O O E me she feels so hopeless; your king and West’s ace. P E E P U N E R R I N G West continues with a third by contrast, in the present diamond. company, everyone seems X S B A M D You ruff in hand, cash the to think she plays well. She B I T B L O C K A G E S ♥Q and ruff a heart. Then is therefore quite keen to T E H N D play a club to your ace and play; this fits in well because a fourth heart. As expected, Jenny, Richard’s wife, needs The winners, listed below, will receive a free bridge weekend West follows and now it is to walk the dog (Bobby, a place at The Ardington Hotel or The Olde Barn Hotel: crunch time. Do you ruff beautiful, black Labrador). with the eight or the ace? In the event, after a couple Mrs P Theobald, Billericay, Essex. Mrs S Taylor, Farnham, It looks most likely that of boards, Briony plays for Surrey. Mr B Barrett, Northampton. Mr J Bulmer, Albrighton, West holds the ♠K. East the rest of the session (19 Wolverhampton. Mrs C Thorp, Ryde, Isle of Wight. you know holds the ♦Q-J boards), with me watching. Those unable to take up their prize may transfer it to a friend. and probably the ♣Q (West I am quite impressed. She might have led or switched does a couple of really to a club if he held the king rather good things and and queen). nothing silly. What is more, It also seems likely that she wins. trumps are 2-2 – West We leave Brighton is most likely 2-4-3-4 at lunchtime, having PLUS 10 (though 1-4-3-5 is certainly thoroughly enjoyed our Q possible). So there is a good weekend; on the way case for finding the winning back, we decide to take Really user-friendly bridge-playing software line of ruffing with the ace advantage of our National of trumps and then running Trust membership and FEATURES INCLUDE dummy’s eight, thus visit Standen, just outside l Updated comprehensive succeeding on the actual lie East Grinstead. Barry is manual of the cards. a big fan of the Arts and l Displays on HD and large £86 Richard is one of the most Crafts movement, of which screens including post and packing enthusiastic players I know; Standen is a good example. l Minibridge option when everyone else had We stop in East Grinstead l 5,000 preplayed hands for QPLUS gone to bed, the three of us, for lunch, drop Barry off at teams TRADE-IN OFFER along with Martin, settle Shepherd’s Bush and head l 4,000 preplayed hands for down to finish the TOPs home (all this takes quite match-point pairs Return any QPlus CD boards – another 12 boards. a long time because of and booklet with your l Improvement over two years cheque for £35 and I wish I could tell you more traffic). l New save match function receive the very latest about these; in truth, by We collect an Indian version of the wonderful l Save deals then, I was rather awash takeaway en route (nobody QPlus 10. with red wine – and, when else really likes Indian so l Closed room – new button Order with confidence. to view other table I look at them now, they do I can only have it on my not appear familiar at all. birthday and Mothering System: 8mb RAM, CD-ROM, Windows XP, Vista or 7 Sunday) and drag Toby out of his room to join us. See Mail Order Form on page 7. Sunday I must have eaten at least The following day, after 5,000 calories today. ■

Page 47 Five-Card BRIDGE If undelivered or unwanted kindly return to Majors Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey, GU21 2TH with a Strong No-Trump The Interactive Way of Improving Your Five-Card Majors Bidding with Bernard Magee

Bernard Magee, Britain’s most popular Contents (20 hands each) bridge teacher, has joined forces with Q-plus, one of Britain’s best selling bridge l Opening Bids & Responses software programs, to produce a Five- l No-Trump Openings Card Majors bidding teaching package. PLUS 10 Bernard, through 200 deals, evaluates l Support for Partner Q your bids, praising the correct ones and l Slams & Strong Openings discussing the wrong ones. Really user-friendly bridge-playing software Bernard explains, in his own inimitable l Opener’s & Responder’s Rebids FEATURES INCLUDE way, difficult bidding sequences. So, l Minors & Misfits if your PC has a sound card and a l Updated comprehensive manual loudspeaker, you can hear Bernard’s l Pre-empting l Displays on HD and large screens spoken explanations, otherwise they are l Minibridge option l Doubles shown as text on your screen. After the l 5,000 preplayed hands for teams £86 including post and packing bidding, you may also play the hand. The l Overcalls l 4,000 preplayed hands for match-point pairs software is supported by a user friendly l Improvement over two years from version 9 l Competitive Auctions manual. l New save match function QPLUS TRADE-IN OFFER

l Save deals with automatic file labelling Return any QPLUS CD and booklet with a cheque for £35 System Requirements l Closed room – and receive the latest version of new button to view other table wonderful QPLUS Bridge. Windows XP, Vista or 7, l System: 8mb RAM, CD-ROM, Order with confidence. 8mb RAM, CD-ROM £89 Windows XP, Vista or 7 including post and packing See Mail Order Form on page 7. See Mail Order Form on page 7