HE ULLETIN TPublished by the QueenslandQBA Bridge Association B November-January Volume 46 No www.qldbridge.com.au Email: [email protected] 4

report tells us that playing bridge In addition to analytical thinking, From the lowers the chance of Alzheimer’s elite players learn and practice by as much as 75%, perhaps more. interpersonal skills, resilience and President The researchers compared the emotional self-control. They put reasoning capacities of two groups personal feelings aside in order to of 60+ year-old Alzheimer’s patients get the best for the partnership, – the first included bridge lessons in and they keep calm in the face of of their regular therapy program whilst setbacks (their own mistakes and the second did not. After one year, their partner’s) … Elite bridge players Richard the first group’s overall cognitive are displaying the capacity to make Ward ability was more than two times crucial gameplay decisions based greater than that in the other group. on incomplete information …. At the OR decades academics have That was impressive but apparently same time they need to be able to Fbeen researching and analysing insufficiently statistically significant control their irritation with their own the health and cognitive benefits of to be conclusive. More research is failings or those of their partner so our game of bridge. These studies being done. 1 as not to give their opponents an 2 fall into two core categories: 1 the 2. There is no doubt that bridge is advantage.” well-being of players, especially with a challenging, multi-faceted and To summarise, my advice to self for regards to ageing; and 2 the skills fascinating game. “The findings partnership harmony and optimal and strategies required to become reveal that playing bridge at the results is to keep quiet - say nothing an above-average competitor. highest level requires an ability - remain expressionless. The time 1. Following twenty-year-old data to read people and scenarios for discussion and even for venting from the University of California, strategically, to respond with is over a glass or two of wine at the USA Polish scientist Nicolas discipline to changing and sometimes end of the day. Happy bridging! Copernicus started research on demoralising situations, and to In these continuing uncertain how playing bridge can delay the nurture a trusting and supportively COVID-19 times there have been onset of dementia and particularly, silent relationship (at the table) with some signs of life in the 2021 Alzheimer’s Disease. The basic one’s partner. The research provides Calendar: premise was that playing bridge evidence that skills such as strategic • Qld Open Selection Trials 28 keeps us in fine mental shape with the planning, flexibility in problem- February & 7, 13-14, 20-21 March mind’s resistance to brain damage solving, concentration and focus can increasing when we play bridge. One be developed at the bridge table. • Qld Women’s & Seniors Selection Trials 27-28 March & 10-11 April • 25th Anniversary Barrier Reef Contents Congress [ABF Gold Point event] From the President by Richard Ward...... 1 Mackay 30 April – 3 May IBPA Column Service by Tim Bourke...... 2 Queenslanders were delighted Nothing to Think About by Matthew McManus...... 5 to hear that Diana Dick was the Teacher's Corner by Joan Butts...... 7 posthumous recipient of a Medal of Klinger's Column by Ron Klinger...... 8 the Order of Australia for 'service Directors' Corner by Jan Peach...... 9 to bridge' in the Australia Day 2021 Honours List. Diana's extensive contributions occurred over a lengthy period at Northern Suburbs. QCBC QBA Contact Details and Toowong. 1 International Bridge Press Association 22 Mareeba Court, Arana Hills QLD 4054 January Bulletin; Ph: 07 3351 8602 Mob: 0412 064 903 2 Punch S, and Snellgrove, M (2020); Email: [email protected] Playing your Life: Developing Strategies Website: www.qldbridge.com.au and Managing Impressions in the Game of Bridge. ■

The QBA Bulletin November - January 2021 2

So, declarer continued by leading a Had East not discarded a spade on IBPA Column low club from dummy to the five, six the second round of trumps, he’d Service and king. After ruffing the diamond have been endplayed to concede a return, declarer led the jack of clubs ruff-and-sluff. from hand. West played low, as did dummy. After East followed with the Dlr S ♠ 542 Dlr N ♠ AK952 Vul EW ♥ 2 ♥ K62 ten of clubs, declarer claimed ten Vul EW ♦ AQJ9762 ♦ 2 tricks. ♣ 104 ♣ A874 ♠ A983 ♠ 109 ♠ 8763 ♠ Q8743 ♠ J10 Dlr S ♥ 542 ♥ K1095 N ♥ QJ873 ♥ 5 N ♥ AQ7 Vul NS W E W E ♦ ♦ K1084 ♦ 53 ♦ 8753 ♦ KQJ1096 ─ S S ♣ AQ9743 ♣ Q53 ♣ J9 ♣ KQ3 ♣ 105 ♠ Q764 ♠ KJ ♠ AKQJ ♠ 6 ♥ 1073 N ♥ KJ96 ♥ A64 ♥ J109843 W E ♦ Q982 ♦ AJ10764 ♦ ─ ♦ A4 S ♣ 65 ♣ 2 ♣ AK8762 ♣ J962 ♠ 1052 ♥ 8AQ ♦ K53 W N E S W N E S ♣ KJ108 1C 1S 2D X P 1D P 2S 3D X P 4H P 3D P 3H All pass P 4S P 6S W N E S All pass West led the five of diamonds to the 1C P 1S X XX nine and ace. Declarer could see 2D 3D 4D X North decided that he needed a good four potential losers. He considered P 5C All pass score to remain in contention and trying to maximise his chances for so leapt to four spades, provoking one loser in the trump suit by cashing West found the best lead of the three South’s leap to six. West led the ten dummy’s ace and king of spades to of hearts. The contract was a poor of trumps. To have any hope of 12 discard his remaining diamond. (If one, with three potential major suit tricks, declarer needed clubs to be he played a trump immediately and losers. Declarer realized that the only three-two and trumps to be no worse West had queen-third of trumps, real chance to make 11 tricks was to than four-two. the defence could ensure a second hope that East had begun with two Declarer saw the danger of trying to trump trick by winning the ace of honours doubleton in spades. So, ruff a club in dummy. The play would trumps and tapping dummy with a after taking East’s jack of hearts have to go: heart ruff, the ace of diamond.) However, he rejected this with the queen, declarer ruffed a diamonds to shed a heart from hand, approach because it could create diamond, then cashed the ace of the ace-king of clubs and a club ruff entry problems if trumps were 3-1 spades, noting the fall of East’s jack in dummy. This would fail when the and East had both the ace and (the king might have been a better trumps were four-two; the defender queen: East could duck the first play). with the four trumps would keep round of trumps and prevent declarer After crossing back to hand with a his length intact. Then the only way from developing clubs optimally. trump to his king, declarer ruffed a back to hand would have been with So, declarer ran the jack of trumps second diamond in dummy. Next, a diamond ruff. This would cause at trick two. East won with the declarer led a trump toward his declarer to lose trump control and queen and continued with the ace hand, giving East a problem: if East the contract. and seven. Declarer cashed the discarded from a red suit, he would ace and king of spades to shed Instead, declarer found a better likely be endplayed to concede a ruff plan that was deceptively simple; his remaining diamond from hand. and discard. Accordingly, East threw South could have cashed the ace he relied on the most likely division the king of spades in the hope that of the black suits, that neither of clubs, hoping for a doubleton West had both the queen and ten of king-queen in the suit (the entries defender had a singleton in either spades along with the distribution to suit. So, at trick two, he played a were no longer there to cater for a cash them. singleton king or queen with West). low club from both hands. After Instead, he played for East to have a After winning the trump with the king, winning East’s trump return, singleton or doubleton ten of clubs, declarer led the ten of spades to declarer ruffed a heart in dummy, or a doubleton honour-ten, since West’s queen, establishing the nine discarded his remaining heart on East was marked with at least two and eight of spades as winners. The the ace of diamonds, returned to spades along with three trumps and, heart return proved to be no trouble, hand with a club to the ace and based on the lead, a minimum of six for declarer was able to discard his drew the outstanding trumps for his diamonds. heart loser on a spade. contract.

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Dlr S ♠ KQ Dlr N ♠ K52 Dlr N ♠ Q74 Vul Both ♥ 65 Vul Both ♥ A1092 Vul EW ♥ J65 ♦ KJ532 ♦ K63 ♦ 964 ♣ Q943 ♣ 652 ♣ K1053 ♠ 10854 ♠ J972 ♠ 410986 ♠ 7AQ ♠ J1085 ♠ 3 ♥ J1097 N ♥ Q8432 ♥ 8 N ♥ K76 ♥ KQ10 N ♥ 87432 W E W E W E ♦ Q1086 S ♦ 9 ♦ 1082 S ♦ 5J97 ♦ K3 S ♦ AQ752 ♣ K ♣ AJ2 ♣ 9843 ♣ QJ10 ♣ J974 ♣ 62 ♠ A63 ♠ J3 ♠ AK962 ♥ AK ♥ QJ543 ♥ A9 ♦ A74 ♦ 4AQ ♦ J108 ♣ 108765 ♣ AK7 ♣ 8AQ

W N E S W N E S W N E S 1NT P 1D 1NT P P 1S P 3NT All pass P 2C P 2H P 1NT P 2NT P 4H All pass P 3S P 4S All pass West led the jack of hearts from his better major suit. Declarer counted West led the two of diamonds, which North made what turned out to be a seven top tricks, so he would need declarer placed as either a third- winning decision when he bid three two more tricks, and really the only highest lead or a singleton. Declarer spades over two notrump, for three viable source of those was the was a little chagrined about the final notrump would have failed on the diamond suit. Declarer saw that contract, since the obvious advance normal lead of the five of diamonds. he could play the diamond suit for (he thought) on the North hand was five tricks by cashing the ace and three notrump rather than two clubs: West led the king of hearts against finessing the jack. If diamonds were there would have been nine easy the final contract. If trumps had three-two and the finesse won he tricks in notrump, just as there were been three-two, declarer would would make ten tricks. in hearts. Declarer’s problem was to have needed four tricks in clubs to conjure a tenth trick and that could make the contract. What if trumps However, this declarer was a little only come from spades. Furthermore, were four-one? The only hope more cautious than most and spades had to be worked on before would have been if he could have decided to aim for nine rather than the defenders attacked clubs. cashed four clubs to discard a ten tricks. Declarer decided to play East for heart, then taken a couple of heart After winning the first trick with the four diamonds in a balanced hand. If ruffs in hand. king of hearts, his next move was that were the case, East should have That possibility was firmly in mind to cash dummy’s king and queen of at least 12 high card points – almost when declarer won the opening spades. Then he led a low diamond all of those outstanding, including lead with the ace and cashed the to his ace then played a second the ace and queen of spades. So, ace-king of trumps. When East diamond. When West played a crafty declarer took the opening lead in discarded a heart on the second queen of diamonds, declarer made hand with the ace of diamonds, led trump, declarer put his reserve sure of his contract by calling for a a heart to dummy’s ace and then plan into action, playing the ace, low diamond from dummy – if he a low spade toward his hand. East queen and another club. When had taken the queen with the king he rose with the queen of spades and West followed with three low would have been restricted to three shifted to the queen of clubs, taken clubs, declarer saw that a three- diamond tricks and the contract by declarer with the ace. three club break would not help would have failed. Declarer continued with the jack his cause since West would ruff West exited with the ten of hearts, of spades to East’s ace and took the fourth club and cash three red- which was taken by declarer’s ace. the club return with his king. After suit winners. So, declarer finessed After cashing the ace of spades, crossing to dummy with a low the ten of clubs. East discarded an declarer claimed three diamond diamond to the king, declarer threw encouraging diamond, but it was tricks. He made three spades, two his remaining club on the king too late. Declarer played the king of hearts and four diamonds for nine of spades. When this passed off clubs and threw the nine of hearts tricks and his contract. successfully, declarer led a trump from hand. After ruffing dummy’s Note that if declarer had played on from dummy. East rose with the king low heart in hand, declarer returned simple lines by winning the heart and of trumps and tried to cash a club. to dummy with a trump to the queen immediately playing ace and another However, declarer ruffed this with to ruff the jack of hearts. When this diamond to the jack, he would not his jack of trumps and claimed ten was not overruffed, declarer had have been able to unscramble his tricks: a spade, four trumps, three ten tricks: five trumps, a heart and winners. diamonds and two clubs. four clubs. ■

The QBA Bulletin November - January 2021 4

MACKAY CONTRACT BRIDGE CLUB PRESENTS 25th BARRIER REEF CONGRESS 2021 30 APRIL - 03 MAY 2021

VENUE: 500 PAVILION, THE SHOWGROUNDS MILTON STREET, MACKAY QUEENSLAND

Chief Director: Jan Peach | Senior Director: Peter Busch Tournament Organiser: Janet Hansen 0438 490 268 | 07 4951 2147 Website: www.qldbridge.com/brc | Email: [email protected]

The QBA Bulletin November - January 2021 5

4. No prizes for the right answer here alleviate matters if you find yourself Nothing to – you only have one card to play. in such a situation? The answer is Think About Hopefully everyone gave this a 1. Yes. Look at these two scenarios… In particular, I want to talk about 1) You don’t have a significant choice problems 3 and 4. In both these of what card to play to this trick, but circumstances, you have an easy you are worried about how the hand decision as to what to play. The might play out in a few tricks time and Laws require you to play in normal so would like to think about it now. tempo. You are not allowed to try to Place the card you intend to play to Matthew bamboozle the opposition by means this trick face down on the table and McManus of the speed with which you play announce that you would just like to OU are defending 4S. Declarer a card. If you have no legitimate think about the hand. In this way, the Ywins the opening lead and draws bridge reason for thinking about opposition are not misled about your trumps. He then plays on diamonds what card you are going to play and play to this trick – you just turn it over by leading the jack from his hand the opponent may be deceived by it, when you are ready. toward dummy’s: the director can award an adjusted 2) You suddenly realise that you score. That means if you get a good K732 have delayed the play of a card and score because of the deception, the you haven’t had any reason to do You director will take it away. so. It may be that you were thinking J The great majority of players are not about another trick. Or it could be I will now give you a number of guilty of any deliberate trickery here. that you thought you were about to different diamond holdings. Your However, under the laws of bridge discard and suddenly unexpectedly job is to: (A) decide which card even if you accidentally lead the find a card of the suit led. Or you to play; and (B) rate how difficult opponent astray by an unwarranted might be going to take a card from your decision was (1 = easy, 2 = slow play, the director will award an your hand and you fumbled about so moderately hard, 3 = very hard). adjusted score. Let’s assume that that it appears that you are making 1) ♦A654 in # 4 above (holding the singleton a choice of which card to play. Or 2) ♦Q54 four), the time comes to play it. If it could have been that you were 3) ♦654 you do play it slowly, consider what looking out the window and not 4) ♦4 it looks like from declarer’s point of concentrating, and everyone thought 1. There is no right answer – either view. You “obviously” have choice you were mulling over what to play. the ♦A or the ♦4 might be right. of cards to play and have eventually By making a comment along the So if you thought that this was a decided on the ♦4. Now it may be lines of, “Sorry, I didn’t have anything to think about”, you can lessen your tough decision you were right to the case that you may have got unintended swindle. In some cases, rate it 3 – very hard. If declarer yourself momentarily distracted this will give the opponent a clue as has the singleton jack, then the and so delayed playing the four. to how to play the hand, but that is ace is probably right. With just one You may have been thinking about the consequence of your previous diamond, declarer is odds on to rise what to play next, or wondering action. with the ♦K if you play small, thereby about why your partner didn’t take losing no diamond tricks. But say his ace at Trick 1, or you may be Perhaps the most important declarer’s diamonds are J 10. Then thinking about how hungry you are message to be learnt is that if the he has to guess whether to play you and wouldn’t be good if the director opponents do call the director and or partner for the queen in order to called the lunch break now! In he does award an adjusted score, lose only one trick in the suit. none of these cases are you trying there is no suggestion that anyone 2. Again, no right answer, but this to deliberately deceive declarer. is cheating. An innocent player has time, the ♦Q is probably the right However because of your behaviour, been innocently deceived by the play. I would rate this one 2 – declarer is led to think that you had careless actions of another. The moderately hard. a difficult decision. If he goes astray purpose of the Laws is to try to put things right in such a situation. ■ You will solve declarer’s guess if and there is the possibility that he he has ♦J 10, but if you don’t play may have done better, the director Online Bridge with the ABF the queen and he has ♦J 6, he will will probably change the score. Matchpoint game 6.30 pm Friday have pulled a “swifty” and made a There is no suggestion that you were evenings and 1.30 pm Sunday diamond trick when he has no right intentionally trying to fool declarer. If afternoon - to play in these events to. the director does award an adjusted you need to click on this link and follow the prompts - https://www. 3. The right answer is either the ♦6 score, you should accept it with abf.com.au/abf-online-games- (if you are playing reverse count) or good grace and be more careful in on-bbo/ the ♦4 if you play natural count or future. All players should know to be Please note the the times on you don’t play count signals. This particularly careful to play in tempo the website are estimated so one rates an easy 1 on the difficulty when holding a singleton. be aware of this. scale. So, is there anything you can do to

The QBA Bulletin November - January 2021 6

Mackay Contract Bridge Club is proud to present the 25th Barrier Reef Congress, being held on the May Day Long week- end - April 30th to May 3rd.

2020 was a year that no one will forget. So, with the easing of restrictions, it is time to “kick up our heels “ and play Bridge !! Join us for the only Gold Point Congress in Qld for 2021.

Bring your partner and family, take a few extra days or week s, and get a glimpse of what we have to offer - along with a fabulous weekend of Bridge. Our city is pulling out all the stops for you. Flight and accommodation packages are available along with a range of day trips to tempt nonplaying partners – see the links for full details. Whether it is relaxation, adventure or natural experiences, Mackay is the perfect getaway. You may not know it, but we boas t Australia’s largest sub- tropical rainforest in Eungella National Park where platypus spotting is “must do”. Perhaps you can make time to see wallabies on the beach at sunrise - as seen in the Qantas promos. Oh, and did we mention, Mackay is the gateway to the fabulous Whitsunday Islands?

Whilst you are here take the time to visit some of these beautiful locations. Click the link below for further information: https://www.mackayregion.com/

Helloworld Travel Mackay has prepared a range of flight, accommodation and tour packages, just click on the link for details. If you are coming from a different destination, Johanna will be happy to prepare similar options for you. For enquires on all you travel needs, please contact Johanna Wood at Helloworld Travel Mackay: Phone: 07 4969 3680 or Email: [email protected] Click the li nk below for further information: https://www.qldbridge.com.au/brc/mackay/packages.pdf

See our Barrier Reef Congress website for congress information and lectures : Click the link below for further information: https://www.qldbridge.com.au/brc/mackay/index.php Be part of the Silver Anniversary BRC 2021

The QBA Bulletin November - January 2021 7

responder holds a good five+ card Teacher's suit with at least an ace and a king Dlr E ♠ A3 Corner (a "positive"), they make a waiting Vul NS ♥ 973 response of 2♦. This leaves room for ♦ J107 opener to describe their hand. Positive ♣ AKJ107 bids (2♥️, 2♠️, 3♣️, 3♦) promise five+ ♠ 10986 ♠ 752 ♥ K52 N ♥ J1084 card suits with two of the top three W E honours. 2NT or 3NT shows 8-10, or ♦ K82 S ♦ 96543 11+ points, without a five-card suit. It's ♣ 854 ♣ 2 Joan ♠ KQJ4 Butts better to bid 2♦ on any hand without a clear suit, because 2♣️ p 3NT (showing ♥ 6AQ ♦ AQ Strong Balanced Hands 11+ points) wastes a lot of your own bidding space. Better to conserve it to ♣ Q963 igh card points are the main find out what the strong hand holds. Hthing to consider with balanced After responder has described their hands (4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2, 5-3-3-2), as hand, opener will bid no trumps to W N E S there's not much shape to develop P 2NT describe their exact number of points P 6NT All pass long suits and to trump shortages. and to show the balanced shape. Now the number of points you show Summary: 2NT openings with Holding a 20-21 pt balanced hand partner must be accurate because balanced responding hands. South opens 2NT. South has 13 pts they will add theirs to yours and and a 5-card suit so can bid 6NT, decide whether a slam is possible. 2NT P P P (Responder has fewer than five points). confident that there aren't two aces Slams in no trumps require a full outstanding. 33 points for the small slam (6NT) 2NT P 3NT (Responder has enough and 37 for the grand slam (7NT). for game opposite 20,21) Dlr S ♠ 643 Because there are no long suits, you 2NT P 4NT (Responder is inviting Vul EW ♥ 10954 really need plenty of points. 6NT if opener is maximum). ♦ J742 82 So when a balanced hand is too 2NT P 6NT (Responder has enough ♣ strong to open at the one-level, ♠ 510987 ♠ Q2 for slam opposite 20.21, i.e. 13+) N because you wouldn't like partner to ♥ J73 ♥ Q862 Examples. W E pass with fewer than six points, open ♦ K9 S ♦ Q862 ♣ J76 ♣ Q109 either 2NT or 2♣️ and follow that up ♠ A74 Dlr N ♠ AKJ with a bid of no trumps. Most people ♥ AKQ Vul None ♥ AK have only one bid to describe their ♦ Q63 ♦ A105 game forcing hands, and that's 2♣️. ♣ AKQ4 ♣ AK543 The hand may or may not contain ♠ KQ52 ♠ 1098 clubs. ♥ 862 N ♥ 9543 W E So, for strong balanced hands ♦ 92 ♦ K1074 S W N E S 20-21: Open 2NT ♣ J872 ♣ 109 2C ♠ J63 22-24: Open 2♣️ planning to rebid P 2D P 3NT ♥ J107 All pass 2NT ♦ AJ85 25 +: Open 2♣️ planning to rebid 3NT ♣ 653 South has 26 pts so opens 2C. North, Going to 6NT (or 7NT) will depend with virtually nothing, responds 2♦ on the combined high card points and South rebids 3NT. North has because neither hand will have a W N E S nothing more to say. long suit. Blackwood is not used 2C P 2D Courtesy: joanbuttsbridge.com here; instead, quantitative bids ask P 2NT P 3NT All pass Online Bridge whether the strong hand is minimum QCBC or maximum. NB: 2NT P 4NT is 7.00 pm Wednesday Nights and North has 24 pts so opens 2♣️ which is NOT the Blackwood convention. It is 1.00 pm Thursday Afternoon - forcing. South has a balanced 7 pts so a quantitative raise, asking partner contact Kim if interested and I will responds the waiting 2♦ to hear what to bid 6NT if maximum, and to pass send your bbo username to QCBC. type of hand North has. When North 4NT if minimum. BBC bids 2NT showing 23-24 balanced Responder: Thursday at 9.45 am - contact Kim South has enough to bid 3NT. 2NT opening by partner is not if interested and I will send your forcing. You can pass with fewer than bbo username to BBC. 5 points, because you know game is Bridge bore: A player who talks about his hands when you want Every bridge player has a sane unlikely. (20 + 4 is not enough) him to listen to your hands. spot somewhere. But, a 2♣️ bid is forcing. Unless

The QBA Bulletin November - January 2021 8

What is your rebid if partner responds Bridge wins ABC Brisbane Klinger’s with the cheapest bid? Radio Award 1. NNE Russell has won the Column ♠ KJ5 ABC Radio Brisbane Award ♥ A9852 A (Community in Social Media ♦ 9862 Category) for the Kenmore Bridge ♣ A Club. Starting with two club 2. ♠ 108 members, which grew into three full- ♥ Q92 time volunteers, they organised 240 Ron members whom each were given an Klinger ♦ AJ ♣ AKJ762 hour of personalised training to play online on BBO during COVID-19. New Player Problems 3. ♠ AK97 They ran beginners classes, and North opens 2NT, 20-22 points, ♥ QJ7 learned to teach bridge using BBO Pass from East. ♦ 53 with Zoom video and audio. Zoom What do you do as South with each ♣ KQ84 enabled members to have social of these hands: interaction and brought in new 1 1. With 13 points (1 LP), open members from clubs that were not ♠ 742 1H. After 1H : 1S, bid 2H, a more providing online bridge. Kenmore ♥ KQJ attractive choice than 2D or 1NT. organises social bridge each ♦ K107 2.Answer: 17 points (2 LP), open weekday for players with or without ♣ Q1063 1C (not 1NT, as the hand is not partners, runs tournaments four days 2 balanced). After 1C : 1D, rebid 3C, a week, and a team's competition for ♠ 742 showing 6+ clubs, no second suit 16 teams one evening each week. ♥ KQJ and about 16-18 points. Lessons for improvers are provided KQ7 ♦ 3.Answer: 15 points, open 1NT. After twice a week, beginners are taught Q1063 ♣ 1NT : 2C (Stayman), bid 2S. four times a week and Therese Tully, one of Australia's top players, offers 3 Courtesy: ronklingerbridge.com ♠ 742 a Zoom discussion each week to ♥ AKJ discuss hands. ■ ♦ KQJ ♣ A984 1. Bid 4NT. With 33-34 points together, a small slam is usually a good chance. You have 11 HCP (plus two tens). Partner has 20- 22. Combined total: 31-33. Your 4NT invites opener to bid 6NT if maximum, pass if minimum. 2. Bid 6NT. With 33-34 points together, a small slam is usually a good chance. You have 13 points and partner has 20-22. Combined total: 33-35. That makes bidding 6NT worthwhile. 3. Bid 7NT. You have 18 HCP, partner has 20-22. Combined total: 38-40. 7NT might not be a sure thing but it will be a very strong chance. Online Bridge CASUAL BRIDGE CLUB - our QBA newest bridge club How many points do each of the Red point imp scoring QBA Game Casual Bridge Club holds real following hands contain? Remember 1.00 pm every Saturday - you need deal bridge and special sessions to count Length Points (+1 for a to be on the QBA list which means are intended during lockdown 5-card suit and +2 for a 6-card suit). contacting me with your usernames especially 1.00 pm on Sunday. If What would you do with each of these or email me. you are interested - contact Val hands as dealer? See next column. CAIRNS Roland on 0413177633 and she 7.00 pm Monday Nights and 2.00 will send you the details about Real If a player’s bridge prowess is pm Tuesday nights - contact me if Deal Bridge or email me and I will to be abused, there’s nobody interested and I will send your bbo email you the documentation. You like a partner to do it. username to Cairns. can actually hear your partner.

The QBA Bulletin November - January 2021 9

So, let’s pin down “relay”. A relay bid uses up time. Make a resolution to Directors' Corner is an artificial bid that usually has place the opening lead face down little or no descriptive meaning of its and wait for partner to confirm he own but requests partner to make a has no questions. This increases the descriptive bid in response. A relay likelihood of someone noticing that is often the cheapest bid available the wrong defender is trying to lead. but need not be. Paying attention to the game saves Jan 2♣️ Pass 2♦ time, by reducing the number of calls Peach 2♦ is a relay bid if it truly says nothing to the director. Paying insufficient about responder’s hand and asks attention breaches the etiquette OST know that when answering opener to describe his hand further. laws, see Law 74B1, and is often the cause of the little mistakes, like a question about the meaning 2♦ used to show a minimum point M insufficient bids and revokes, which of partner’s call we say what the count, perhaps 0-7, is not a relay, take time to resolve. call means, not give its name. even though it allows opener to Convention XYZ may have the describe his hand further. Recently I noticed a table waiting original meaning, perhaps back in for a player to return from a comfort the dawn of bridge time, any number stop. A few minutes passed, no of modified meanings, reverse Law 32 confirms that the Law 29A right problem. If one has to go one has meanings and modern treatments. to accept a call out of rotation applies to go. I’m sure my eyes rolled when Opposing pairs will often have to doubles or redoubles provided that no sooner had that person returned different understandings about the conditions of Law 19A1 and Law to the table when another left to get Convention XYZ. 19B1 respectively are satisfied viz that a cup of coffee. Unsurprisingly, one it is a double of an opponent’s bid or a The terms “relay” and “puppet” board could not be played. redouble of an opponent’s double with may be misused or misunderstood My regular partners are encouraged no call other than pass in between. If and therefore also best not used. to keep things moving if I am called not accepted, it may be very difficult According to the ABF Alerting away. I like it to be my turn to do and quite likely impossible to think Regulations clause 2.5.2. a puppet something when I get back to the table of a call comparable to a withdrawn bid is an artificial bid, which requires and not have to wait for three other double and in particular to a withdrawn a particular response by partner, but people, who have just been sitting redouble. does not promise a holding in the there chatting, to now start counting suit of the forced response. their cards. I also like everyone at According to Wikipedia, a puppet This is not a new theme. Bridge is the table to help with the chores. The bid requests partner to make the usually a timed game and following person doing the scoring doesn’t cheapest bid regardless of his hand. correct procedure saves time. need to be the person removing the It also describes a "marionette" bid Calling the director for a faced old board and setting up the new one. as being similar to a puppet bid opening lead by the wrong player Bank time to use later. ■ except that it allows responses other than the cheapest bid with certain BBC uncommon hand types. Thus, On November 8, 2020 the Brisbane a marionette bid is technically a Bridge Centre celebrated a major relay bid but with the cheapest bid refurbishment project financed and expected most of the time. managed by the Brisbane City Coun- 1NT 2♠️ 2NT (lebensohl) cil's Access and Inclusion Branch. The project resulted in a vastly more 2NT is a puppet bid requesting accessible building, including: opener to bid 3♣️ regardless of his • two fully wheelchair accessible hand. PWD toilets, one upstairs and one Rajendra Padhee (BCC Access and 2♠️ X Pass 2NT (lebensohl) downstairs; Inclusion Branch), Elaine Jonsberg 2NT also requests partner to bid 3♣️ • two accessible car parks and one (BBC President) but should partner not want to risk maxi-taxi drop-off car park; being left to play in 3♣️ he does have • wider pathways between carpark DEAD the option of bidding something and building; APR 19 (noon) else. So, while this 2NT might start • main doors widened: Contributions to: out as a puppet bid, “Please bid 3♣️,” • upgraded outside balustrades; Philip Squire it also has elements of a relay bid, • flood-lighting at the entrance; Ph: 07 3366 1292 saying very little about its own hand • completely refurbished men and 0490 456 575 other than being safe at the three women's facilities; Email: philipsquire@ level, and carries the rider, “but by • a new roof; tpg.com.au all means bid something else if you • painting of the upstairs veranda have an unusual hand.” area. LINE

The QBA Bulletin November - January 2021