Vol.40 No 6 November - December 2012

New South Wales Bridge Association

162 Goulburn St, East Sydney Phone 02 92648111 ABN 61 000 438 648 Email: [email protected] Web : www.nswba.com.au

] [ Bulletin } { Editor: Peter Jamieson

searching for a replacement so if anyone would like Chairman’s Corner to get involved please contact me (even in a joint capacity – it doesn’t have to be a single person as we Depending on when you read this, Happy Christmas, have had some volunteers to assist). The role is paid Happy New Year or welcome to 2013! I hope and Council is open to changes that a new editor everyone has a good Festive season and you are all may wish to make going forward. looking forward to lots of fun bridge in the coming year. Finally, if you have any concerns or suggestions about the way bridge is run in NSW and how we This bulletin marks a “changing of the guard” in a could improve matters, I welcome your input. couple of ways. Firstly at the recent NSWBA AGM Bruce Neill stepped down as chairman after 5 years. Julian Foster I would like to thank him for his enormous [email protected] contribution over that time and am grateful that he is remaining on the Council in 2013 (where he will be } ] [ { } ] [ looking after Rules and Ethics matters). Thanks to the other members of Council and the Regional representatives who are continuing in their roles from Annual General Meeting 2012 2012 and also welcome to Richard Douglas who has joined Council as our new secretary. Like all clubs, About 20 people attended. the NSWBA depends heavily on volunteers who willingly give their time to help administer the game Minutes of AGM December 2011 were confirmed. we all love (well, most of the time!). There was no business arising or correspondence.

“Who’s the new chairman?” I hear you ask. Well I The 2011 Annual report was accepted. The operating grew up in England and moved to Sydney in 1998 profit was $42,300 —up from $37,749 the previous with work (tax accountant although tending more year. Details are in the Treasurer’s Report within the towards software development these days). As is a Annual Report. pretty common story, I enjoyed the Australian lifestyle and my 18 month work secondment ultimately turned The Annual Report is posted in PDF format at our into permanent settlement here (sorry, I’m still web site. supporting England in the Ashes though!) I have been on the NSWBA Council for 12 years and was Here is the link treasurer for 5 of those so I am pretty familiar with the http://www.nswba.com.au/member/AGM/reports/AnnualRe way things operate and look forward to working with port12.pdf the new Council. Warren Robinson will continue as Honorary Solicitor. The second changing of the guard relates to this CBC Partners will continue as Independent Auditors. bulletin. Peter Jamieson has been an extremely [ ] } { [ ] } { capable editor for over 10 years and has decided to pass the baton on after this issue. I would like to . thank him greatly for his efforts over such a long period of time. At the time of writing we are still

Page 1 NSWBA Bulletin

Declarer Play Tester who rely on judgment and bridge logic in competitive situations, without comprehensive agreements, will Dealer W; Vul All inevitably suffer losses to their better-prepared ] A 9 6 4 competitors.” [ Q 5 } A 10 6 2 Have you noticed that these days more and more of { J 6 5 your opponents are keen to interpose over your opening bids. The number of times you and partner ████ get to have a peaceful undisturbed auction seems to keep shrinking. And of course you, the reader, are South choosing more and more often to disturb your ] K J 8 3 opponents after they open the bidding. [ A 4 } Q 9 8 4 3 The Contested Auction explores all facets of { K 3 competitive bidding in considerable detail. There are West North East South 17 chapters with titles like “Low-level Doubles — The Pass Pass Pass 1NT12-14 hcp Modern Approach”, “Redoubles” and “ 2C* Pass 2S Competitive Auctions”. The author examines a Pass 3S Pass 4S particular situation and in many cases explains that All Pass there is more than one ‘answer’ to a problem then discretely states his preference. Lead [9, Q, K, A. You play spade to ace and spade back winning East’s ]Q with your king. Then you Early on in the book Hughes says ....”Clearly any play ]J on which East pitches {7.Next you play a attempt to exhaustively list individual auctions with diamond to the ace and another diamond to East’s their meanings is hopeless. Even if it were possible, which it isn’t, such a list would be of use only to a king. East cashes [10 then plays {4. Which club do computer, for it would exceed the human power of you play from your hand? Answer page 4 recall. Instead we must be guided by general principles”. As he develops his material, Hughes BOOK REVIEW offers a limited number of plausible ‘Rules’ which are useful in solving some of the more obscure bidding The Contested Auction by Roy Hughes problems.

This book was published July 2012 by Master Point I liked the way the author discusses the importance Press of Toronto, Canada. It has won the 2012 of the spade suit and why you need to be careful Book of the Year award as when the opponents own that suit. He also reported by the International Bridge Press articulates the importance of having the bigger spot Association (IBPA). cards –especially tens. Some players know all this stuff but often fail to respect it in the heat of battle. The publisher rates this book as “Advanced” and with 336 pages it digs deeply into all facets of contested On page 336 is a bibliography of 21 books –some of bridge auctions. But really any bridge player with which are recognized as ‘classics’ in bridge writing. aspirations to perform well at Tournament Bridge will Hughes mentions many of these books on bidding at find this to be a very interesting and rewarding book. intervals in the text. One fact that surprised me was that Hughes points out that Larry Cohen’s famous The author has a background in mathematics, book To Bid or Not to Bid which talks, amongst linguistics, classical music and computer other things about the and programming as well as Tournament Bridge. He has DONT, is now 20 years old! had three well regarded bridge books published prior to this one (Building a , Canada's One good aspect of the book for me was the author’s Bridge Warriors and Card By Card). He has use of clear descriptors for the various people played in multiple World Championships, including involved in the contested auctions. Obviously we New Orleans (1978), Biarritz (1982), Miami (1986), have the Opening Bidder but the player in second Montreal (2002), and Philadelphia (2010). chair is the Intervenor ; the player in third chair is Underpinning the whole book is this thought the Responder and the player in 4th chair is the (extracted from page 19) “I hope that the book can Advancer. Of course where appropriate the text provide a checklist of necessary partnership mentions West or East or ‘the doubler’. Also good is agreements. For one thing I am sure of: partnerships the author’s use of 1=4=4=4 and so on to describe

Page 2 NSWBA Bulletin an exact distribution (here being 1 spade and four in In Praise of Howell Movements each other suit). This helps focus the reader’s mind on that precise pattern. Some bridge players are rather negative about playing in a session when the Director chooses a Chapter 8 is titled Low-Level Doubles – the Modern Howell movement (all pairs except one moving). Alternative. Here Hughes supports the increasingly Admittedly if there are exactly five or six tables and popular view that most low-level doubles should be some players have restricted mobility issues then a takeout. He stresses the need for the partnership to Mitchell movement ( N/S pairs stationary) may be know what the exceptions are to this approach –as preferable. clearly some low level doubles must logically be for penalties. However for a small session of between three and 6½ tables a Howell movement is the correct choice. One segment that should be looked at by all serious The winner of the Howell session can be well partnerships is the meaning of doubles of artificial satisfied because they have played everyone (or in bids such as transfers, splinters and so on. In some versions almost everyone). Chapter 14, the author presents 30 questions and suggests both members of a regular bridge Ballina Bridge Club October Newsletter has an partnership separately answer the question as to the excellent article on this titled “I Love Howells”. Go to meaning of the final bid in each competitive auction. http://www.users.on.net/~bbclub/newsletterarchive.html or I would bet that many partners taking this quiz would google Ballina Bridge Club then click on the discover that they are not on the same wavelength.... Newsletters tab on the top bar, then choose October 2012. The article starts on page 2 and concludes on There are a number of mostly very recent bridge page 3. hands shown taken from high level tournaments and { } ] [ { } ] [ { } ] [ featuring many of today’s ‘top guns’ showing some triumphs but also some disasters where someone thought the auction meant something quite different BEGINNERS BRIDGE LESSONS IN 2013 to their partner’s viewpoint. Most bridge clubs have programs for teaching The Contested Auction is very well written as bridge. Contact your local bridge club or visit our befits someone with a background in linguistics. In web site and select ‘Lessons’ to see links to other fact I would say it is a delight to read even though clubs offering lessons. some of the subject matter has considerable density and complexity. It is right up to date and looks at all Bridge Lessons at the NSWBA recent developments in competitive bidding offering The first 2013 beginner’s lessons will be run by measured suggestions on how to handle those Ed Barnes from the following dates: situations. Tuesday Evenings 7-10pm from January 29 If you are serious about bridge and especially if you Wednesday Mornings 10am-1pm from January 30 are currently in a regular and serious partnership then this book is a ‘must buy’ – for both of you. 10 lessons at a cost of $145 — Contact NSWBA office for more details 02 9264 8111 or go to our web site and Peter Jamieson select the Lessons tab on the top bar.

This book is available from the usual outlets including: Resources for Bridge Directors

The Bridge Shop 02 9967 0644 NOTE: The Bridge Shop also sells this book in The Australian Bridge Directors Association digital format (with a lower price) (ABDA) web site has been revamped. Please check it out! At the ABF Home Page select the Paul Lavings Bridge Books and Supplies Directors tab. Halfway down the menu bar at the 02 9388 8861 ABDA home page you will see FORUM. Click on that and you will find a lot of material that can be Both these vendors have full service web sites - just viewed for free. You need to be a registered Google the name. member in order to post comments - except in . General Discussion where anyone can post.

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Bridge on the Internet There are Daily Bulletins available at the relevant web site for many other major tournaments including 2012 was a great year for bridge players with access the big ABF events and the North American Bridge to Internet –which these days is most of us. Championships. If you keep an eye on the ABF web The quality of Bridge Base Online (BBO) coverage of site home page you will see links to upcoming and major events on continues to improve with current major championships web sites. During the audio commentary now available to on line viewers course of each tournament you will find the Daily at one selected table in the top level tournaments. Bulletins posted progressively at their web site –they Many other matches that are broadcast on BBO have are easy to find. brief text comments posted by expert commentators in the text bar at the bottom of the panel. Many bridge associations and some bridge clubs have regular Newsletters or Bulletins which typically If you haven’t tried watching Vugraph (or playing come out monthly or bi-monthly. The bi-monthly ABF bridge on line) at BBO all you need to do is register. Newsletter carries book reviews and match reports It is free – just google BBO and go from there. To as well as numerous advertisements for bridge see what upcoming matches are to be broadcast on holidays and bridge products. BBO just select the Vugraph Schedule tab from the BBO home page. The broadcast times are shown in Recently, the ABF Youth Bridge Bulletin which is local time i.e. where you have logged in from. The edited jointly by Andy Hung and Laura Ginnan has finals of major Australian championships are usually been very impressive. Their recent issues are full of broadcast on BBO. Visit the ABF web site and go to match reports, photos and much more. Go to ABF BBO Broadcasts for details of these. web site, select Youth Bridge, and then select Bulletins. Choose one and it will open in PDF As a matter of interest there are BBO broadcasts format. The September-October issue contains 41 from the past posted on You Tube. You don’t need to pages. You can save it to your computer for later be registered with BBO to view these. For example if reading if you wish. you go to You Tube and search on Peter Jamieson you will see dozens of full matches from the 2011 { } ] [ { } ] [ { } ] [ { } ] [ World Championships. If you choose 2011 Bermuda

Bowl Rd 10 - Australia vs USA 1 it will start playing two hours of that match with video coverage of Answer Declarer Play Tester From p2 Australia’s Sartaj Hans and Tony Nunn. On is ] A 9 6 4 also the standard BBO display of all four hands with [ Q 5 a bidding grid on the top right that is in sync with the } A 10 6 2 actual bidding (they use bidding boxes as well as { J 6 5 screens). It is well worth checking out to get the West East flavour of watching on BBO. ] 10 5 2 ████ ] Q 7 [ 9 8 7 6 3 [ K J 10 2 For people who like to read about big time bridge } J 7 } K 5 there was a huge amount of quality reporting shown { A 9 2 { Q 10 8 7 4 South in the Daily Bridge Bulletins from major bridge ] K J 8 3 tournaments around the world. The daily bulletins are [ A 4 in English and usually between 20 and 30 pages long } Q 9 8 4 3 and are posted at the relevant tournament web site { K 3 each day in PDF format. You can save them to your home computer for later reading. In most cases the Counting points gives the answer. East passed in 3rd bulletins are produced by a professional bridge seat and has shown you ]Q, }K, [K and probably bulletin team meaning the analysis and comments [J as well based on the [9 . He cannot are generally of a high order. hold {A else he would have opened the bidding. So

at trick7 when East exits a club, you should play low I found some excellent reporting in 2012 at NEC and thus make your contract. At the table in early Tournament (Yokohama, Japan), European Bridge 2012 in a Sydney club game, declarer failed to count Championships (Dublin, Ireland), World Bridge the points shown so far, went up with {K for -100. Championships (Lille, France), PABF (Fukuoka,

Japan). { } ] [ { } ] [ { } ] [ { } ] [

Page 4 NSWBA Bulletin

the Restricted Pairs will be awarded free to the 2014 Tasmanian Restricted Swiss Pairs in March 2014.

Here are a couple of hands:

In the first, 10 of round 2 in the Open and Restricted teams saw North hold 653 7642 7543 63.

No card higher than the seven! The mathematicians Canterbury Park Racecourse was the venue for the at the venue calculated that the odds of being dealt a 2012 Sydney Spring Nationals held in late October. hand with no card higher than 7 was 1 in 250,000. The venue proved to be readily accessible from virtually all parts of Sydney, despite frequently The following hand was provided by Kinga Moses. expressed fears to the contrary. Most players found that the time taken to reach the venue was much less Restricted Choice with a Difference than anticipated. A copious amount of free parking within 50 metres of the front door was available on Dealer East, Vul N/S arrival. Canterbury railway station is an easy 15 ] 6 5 2 minute walk from the venue and there is direct bus [ Q 8 7 4 access from the city. An escalator or lift provided } A K easy access to the playing area. { 6 5 4 3 West East The playing area was huge with panoramic views of ] J 9 4 3 ████ ] Q the racecourse. The expanse of the venue meant [ 6 5 3 [ J 10 9 2 that separation between tables was large enough to } J 8 6 } Q 9 7 4 2 allow easy movement around the room. { A Q J { 9 7 2 South The sandwich lunches were of very high quality. ] A K 10 8 7 Alternatives were available from the snack bar, which [ A K also sold all types of espresso coffee for those who } 10 5 3 preferred this to the free instant coffee available. { K 10 8 Each evening, the snack bar morphed into an alcohol bar for those wishing to discuss hands over a quiet West North East South beer. — — Pass 1NT

Pass 2C* Pass 3S# Teams events were: Open and Restricted (<300 Pass 4S All Pass masterpoints) held concurrently in the first week and

Women's and Seniors', concurrently in the second # 3S = maximum and 5 spades week. Lead [5

On the weekend, the Dick Cummings Open Pairs The play went: win [A then cash [K followed by }3 was held. The format of this event is a combination to }A; now }K, ] to Q and ]K, then } ruffed, [Q of matchpointing and Swiss draw. Each hand of the discarding a club; now { to {K won by West’s ace. 10 board match is matchpointed, just as it is at a West cashed {Q then played {J ruffed by declarer. regular duplicate game. The match result is then In the three card ending and holding ] A10 8 South converted to Victory Points to rank each pair in the advanced ]10 thus end playing West. NB This play field. For the next round, opponents are drawn in a fails if the SQ was from doubleton QJ. Swiss fashion, so that all players are pitted against players of equal ability. The best players play each The Spring Nationals in 2013 will be held on October other, the least experienced players play each other, 23 - 31. Form your pairs and teams and join us at and those in between also play opponents of like Canterbury. ability.

Marcia Scudder For 2013, the Spring Nationals Restricted Pairs will run alongside the Open Pairs. Only players with fewer than 300 (at 30/6/13) can play in the Restricted Pairs. The pairs coming 1st and 2nd in

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GNOT Changes in 2013 CONGRESS RESULTS

Clubs should note that some changes are likely with Gunnedah regard to the administration of the GNOT in 2013 and beyond. Pairs 1 Sharon Mayo – Greg Mayo There are 2 aspects to the changes: 2 Michael Johnson – David Weston 3 Eric Baker – Brian Glover a) The ABF has requested that State bodies co- Teams ordinate all qualifying heats throughout their State. 1 Carolyn Dowling, Linda Abbenbroek, Details are still being sorted out and the change will Jan McLennan, Bev Menzies not happen for all NSW regions in 2013. However 2 Sharon Mayo, Greg Mayo, some of the NSW regions presently co-ordinated Michael Johnson , David Weston directly by the ABF may now be co-ordinated by the 3 Roy Cottage, Frank Gooley, NSWBA instead. Jean Wellwood, Cynthia Jones

b) A review has been conducted of the participation Tumbarumba in the GNOT and the number of teams qualifying to the National finals from each region. As a result Swiss Pairs some changes may be made to the proposed region 1 Emlyn Williams- Lisa Ma boundaries and the number of teams qualifying from 2 Valerie Sanderson – Richard Harmon each. Again these changes are likely to be spread 3 Alan Scerri – Susan Scerri between 2013 and 2014. Teams Contact will be made with any clubs and regions 1 Stephen Fischer, Margaret Bourke, affected by either of these changes as soon as more Sebastian Yuen, Christy Geromboux details are know. This will probably be in January. 2 Barbara Hastie, Val Hopwood Phil Timmins, Bal Krishan { } ] [ { } ] [ { } ] [ { } ] [ 3 Val Brockwell, Stephen Carter

Myong Campbell, Arjuna De Livera Management Liability Insurance - Certificate of Currency Port Stephens Teams The ABF has advised that the new Certificate of Currency for the above insurance policy has been 1 Robyn Fletcher, Paul McGrath, posted to the ABF Web Site. Ken Wilks, Michael Simes 2 Rose Bliss, Michael Courtney, Here is the link: Linden Raymond, Anne Lamport 3 Noel Crockett, Shirley Crockett, http://www.abf.com.au/clubs/insurance.html#mli Sally Clarke, Garry Clarke

{ } ] [ { } ] [ { } ] [ { } ] [ Parramatta Foundation Day Teams Vu-Bridge 1 Avinash Kanetkar, Ranjit Limaye, The Bridge Shop has announced a partnership with Pauline Gumby, Warren Lazer Vu-Bridge to sell Vu-Bridge products. 2 George Finikiotis, Elizabeth Fanos, Margaret Foster, Jamie Ebery You can play bridge interactively on line as well as 3 Sartaj Hans, Richard Lock, receive newsletters. There are two different levels Helena Dawson, Peter Gill namely beginners and intermediates. For all the details go to the Bridge Shop web site and select Vu-Bridge from the menu bar.

{ } ] [ { } ] [ { } ] [ { } ] [

Page 6 NSWBA Bulletin

Southern Highlands Ballina

Pairs Open Teams 1 Dot Blomley – Claire Metcalfe 1 Eric Hurley, Janet Brown, 2 Ken Colbert – Alexander Hewat Roger Weathered, David Read 3 Catherine Chown – Chris Bayliss 2 Robert Milward, Helen Milward, Teams Kevin Steffensen, Carolyn Miller 1 George Finikiotis, Liz Fanos 3 Judy Forsyth, Judith Woodward, Toni Sharp, Marilyn Chadwick Lyn Arnett, Mike Gilfoyle 2 Janet Clarke, Peter Johnman, Restricted Teams Kerrie Johnman, Virginia Dressler 1 Betty Clark, Mary Doohan, 3 Val Carmody, Val Hopwood, Judy Carroll, Margaret Kelley Val Holbrook, Val Brockwell 2 Terry Lowe, Peter Forsyth, Di James, Tim Ellis Armidale Swiss Pairs 1 Imre Bokor – Ronald Gates Central Coast 2 Edward Hahn – Nicholas Wall 3 Ken Wilks – Rosalie Broughton Almost Summer Open Teams 1 Sue Allen, Peter Lewin, Teams Frances Lewin, Helga Delgorge 1 Kellie Potts, Nigel McIvor, 2 Tony Burke, Peter Gill, Ben Raaphorst, Magda Kiraly Michael Courtney, Catherine Ritter 2 Syd Pickering, Maureen Smith, 3 Judy Atkins, Tony Wagstaff, Sarah Strickland - Robert Stewart Rosalie Broughton, Margaret Geddes 3 Greg Mayo, Ian Price, Almost Summer Restricted Teams Bruce Tier, Sharon Mayo 1 Judy Zhu, Shijun Tian, Alex Zhang, Irene Guo 2 Mark Matthews, Alison Heathcote, Tweed Gloria Smith, John Smith Birthday Teams 1 Peter Tootell, Helen Tootell, Janet Brown, Eric Hurley Manly Leagues 2 Helen Milward, Robert Milward, Margaret Smith Memorial Teams Shirley Brandham, Roger Weathered 3 David Read, Bruno Molino, 1 Bruce Neill, Nye Griffiths, Stanley Protheroe, Dianne Swift Pauline Gumby Warren Lazer 2 David Beauchamp, Ian Thomson, Dubbo Andrew Peake, Kim Morrison 3 Sue Ingham. Michael Courtney, Pairs Paul Browne, Catherine Ritter 1 Roy Nixon – Bernard Waters 2 Deborah Nilsson - Peter Nilsson Trumps 3 Philip Street - Margaret Robinson Teams Teams 1 Martin Bloom, Stephen Bock, 1 David Weston, Jane Rasmussen, Judy Osie, Helena Dawson Bernard Waters, Roy Nixon 2 Michael Prescott, Marlene Watts, 2 Tom Carr, Peter Tarlinton Bob Richman, Matthew Vadas Helen Wilson, Jane North

3 Conway Seymour, Tony Wells Peter Quin, Catherine Smith Illawarra Bridge Association Swiss Pairs 1 George Czubala - Wally Malaczynski 2 Bill Fotheringham – Hughie Gilberg 3 Sue Rolph – John Rolph

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DIARY OF UPCOMING CONGRESSES IN NSW At our web site, go to Tournaments then select Calendar for more congress details

Date Club Event Contact Phone Jan 6 NSWBA Summer Teams NSWBA 9264 8111

Jan 13 Double Bay Bridge Swiss Pairs Paul Marston 9326 2072 Centre Feb 2-3 Inverell Delvyn Bridge Pairs Helen Ditchfield 6721 4640 Club Feb 3 Kings and Queens Teams Ishmael Del’Monte 9388 8112

Feb10 Double Bay Bridge Teams Paul Marston 9326 2072 Centre Feb 16-17 Great Lakes Teams Daphne Yarnold 6554 5692

Feb 17 Trumps Bridge Centre Summer Teams Derrick Browne 9969 5959

March 3 Forbes Bridge Club Swiss Pairs Judith Kerr 6852 1385

March Batemans Bay Bridge Fri: Walk In pairs David Holbeck 4472 7739 8,9,10 Club Sat : Pairs; Sun: Teams March Griffith Sat: Pairs Carolyn Marsh 6963 6666 or 9-10 Ex-Serviceman’s Sun: Teams 0428 693 519 March 10 Kings & Queens Teams Ishmael 9388 8112 Del’Monte March 10 Lismore Teams Chris Pezzutti 6624 2210

2012 John Arkinstall NSW State Teams Championship

These eight teams gathered at 162 Goulburn St on the weekend of December 14-16 for the finals of this event. They had earned the right to play by their efforts in various qualifying events.

Northern Division Marjorie Askew, William Powell, Janet Brown and Eric Hurley Southern and Western Division Steve Hurley, Elizabeth Hurley, Ian Porter and Tim Marchant Outer Metropolitan Division Michael Seldon, Chris Dibley, Wayne Smith and Julie Gleeson NSWBA Martin Bloom, Peter Gill, Sartaj Hans, Helena Dawson, Tony Nunn, Adam Edgtton Susan Crompton, Peter Fordham, Elizabeth Adams, David Beauchamp Pauline Gumby, Warren Lazer, David Weston, Julian Foster Sydney Metropolitan Region Peter Buchen, Mike Hughes, Barbara McDonald, Alan Walsh, Kim Morrison Margaret Foster, Margaret Reid, Trish Matheson, Jane Russ

Following the round robin qualifying phase the BUCHEN and GUMBY teams contested the 56 board final on the Sunday with BUCHEN winning 133-115 IMPs.

In the Country Playoff, NORTHERN DIVISION defeated Outer Metropolitan Division 150-66 IMPs. Details including full deals, contract and result can be viewed at our web site.

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