HE ULLETIN TPublished by the QueenslandQBA Bridge Association B May-July 2020 Volume 46 No www.qldbridge.com.au Email: [email protected] 2

bridge from the many other games (similar but less sophisticated than From the combining luck and skill. Part of iPads), four per table which, rather the answer is teamwork. Complete than connecting through the internet, President bridge players are forever helping make use of a local area network their partners and receiving operating through the club computer. information in return. They have been using Smartbridge to Variety: ‘Bridge presents all the play three small sessions each week challenges that we know of. It is a for the past month. SmartBridge is human game, yet it is an intellectual compatible with the popular scoring Richard game. If I sit down to play, I am likely program ‘Compscore 2’ and so it is a Ward to run into some sort of situation simple matter to produce hard copy that I’ve never seen before.’ Edgar hand records and to post results to ITH almost all bridge clubs Kaplan the club website. This is a work-in- closed and congresses progress and has the potential to W Universality: ‘No matter where I go, cancelled at present it is timely become increasingly user-friendly as I can always make new friends at the for us to plan ahead for the post- program upgrades are implemented. bridge table.’ Martina Navratilova coronavirus era and to envisage Contact [email protected]. what our members would prefer One common thread running au for more information. through all of these is the importance when they return. To do that, a good SmartBridge demonstration session: starting point is to list some of the to many of us of the regular social reasons why people who take up interactions that bridge clubs the game quickly discover that they provide. However, there may be a have a life-long obsession with it. culture shift on the way regarding the use of playing cards, bidding Socialisation: Meeting people with pads and BridgeMates. Many have common interests and spending joined Bridge Base Online and are time enjoyably is the single most playing ABF, club-based or casual frequently mentioned reward from games during the pandemic. But we playing bridge. are all looking forward to face-to-face Mental challenge and exercise: bridge as soon as possible. It has ‘Many games provide fun, but been possible for clubs to embrace bridge grips you. It exercises your online bridge and perhaps there will Charles Page mind. Our mind can rust you know, be some who would like to continue but bridge prevents the rust from online but to do so when actually at forming.’ Omar Sharif the club. Just as muscles will atrophy when not A third possibility, SmartBridge, used regularly, so will brain power has recently been created by Greg deteriorate when not maintained Murray who plays at the Coolum with stimulation. Bridge Club. It requires the use of Teamwork: What distinguishes a set of very basic tablet computers Contents From the President by Richard Ward...... 1 Warwick Daily News by Neil Bonnell...... 2 Teachers' Corner by Joan Butts...... 4 IBPA Column Service by Tim Bourke...... 5 Australian Online Youth Tournament by Andrew Gosney...... 7 Directors' Corner by Jan Peach...... 10 25 Years Ago...... 11 Richard Wallis and Greg Murray

The QBA Bulletin May - July 2020 2

The 2020 Australian Online Youth documentation to allow their club Now that the print edition of the Tournament saw the Queensland to re-open within the Covid-19 Daily News has been abandoned in Youth Team (William Han, Ellen Viss- restrictions currently in place. favour of a digital version, it is not cher, Paddy Taylor, Ben Leung, Se- These have all been posted to clear whether the notes will again be bastian Langdon Macmillan, Darren the QBA website. printed when play resumes. Brake and Andrew Gosney [NPC]) • All clubs who have assisted QBA By and large, successive editors finishing at the top of the leader Manager, Kim Ellaway, with have appreciated the value of the board after the 2-round-robin qualify- the development of the 2021 bridge notes to their paper, although ing rounds: QLD 98; SA 92; VIC 78; Calendar – now on the website. from time to time we have had NSW 76; ACT 56. This was an out- • Neville Francis who has stepped to remind them that there is one standing result from a talented group down after decades of service as acceptable way to present bridge of players. The finals comprised 4 x Chair of the Appeals Committee notes, and printing the hands side 12-board matches. SA won the first and a member of the Tournament by side is not one of them. The main set by 28 imps, but QLD regained the Committee. He and Richard writer has been Neil Bonnell, but lead at the halfway mark. Thereafter Wallis have been replaced by when the Bonnells were away from it all went SA’s way and they ended Julie Jeffries and Charles Page. Warwick from 1995-97 John Rose up comfortable winners 162-110. and Neville Francis filled in very • The Barrier Reef Congress Congratulations to all players who ably. Later on John Marley was an committee at Yeppoon which played in good spirits and with a high entertaining guest columnist. level sportsmanship throughout. was faced with cancellation of the event and all that was then Here are some hands from the early The Barrier Reef Congress schedule entailed in refunding thousands days. The first comes from a country is now: 2021 Mackay; 2022 Towns- of dollars of entry fees – congress. ville; 2023 Cairns; 2024 Yeppoon. accomplished promptly and with Bridge with Aunt Agatha The 2021 entry form is on the QBA a minimum of fuss. website. • Thanks to everybody associated Dlr W ♠ 93 Congratulations to Jan Peach, with introducing local Bridge Vul None ♥ Q1082 QBA Director Accreditation, who Base Online tournaments into ♦ Q8763 has been promoted to National clubs, especially Charles Page, ♣ J7 Director Level 1, the highest ranked Paul Brake, Val Roland and all ♠ QJ2 ♠ A1085 director in Queensland. This was ♥ AK73 N ♥ J9 local club organisers. ■ W E in recognition of her outstanding ♦ K954 S ♦ A10 support of our directors including: ♣ 43 ♣ 109852 creating and maintaining the Qld Warwick Daily ♠ K764 Online Proficiency Test; preparing ♥ 654 directors for their club and congress News ♦ J2 exams, then writing, marking and ♣ AKQ6 assessing all applicants; providing workshops across the state and editor of the Australian Bridge W N E S Directors Association Newsletter. 1D P 1S P 1NT All pass Thanks to: Neil Bonnell • Richard Wallis who stepped Still smarting from failing to bid a down as President of the QBA makeable 3NT on the previous 500,000 words later – after serving in this position hand, EW remained conservative on the end of the road? 1984-1985 and then 2017- this one. After North led the two of 2020. He continues to be one of N June 8 1985, the first set of hearts, declarer called for dummy’s Queensland’s top players with Obridge notes appeared in the jack, which held. Given a tempo by a plethora of bridge titles to his Warwick Daily News. It proudly the lead, declarer decided to rely on name. He is also a prolific author announced that at the first official the generosity of the defenders and of bridge articles and congress game, six tables were in play at continued with the club ten. How reports who, over the decades, the Warwick Band Centre. Details many Souths would have played has provided much very welcome of the place-getters were added. small and allowed partner’s jack to copy for the QBA Bulletin. Richard It was not long before the Hand of win and therefore create four tricks has always given generously of the Week feature was added and in the suit? This South was not one his time to bridge in Queensland continued with a stutter or two along of that select band and flew with the and will be missed from the the way for 35 years until Covid-19 queen. In the twinkling of an eyelid Management Committee. struck. The Daily News was then South tabled the king and not even • The committee of the Mackay offered a weekly hand from the the crash of partner’s jack could Bridge Club which has been club’s archives, but this offer was not stop the onrush of the ace, leaving willing to share all of its taken up. dummy’s modest 9-8 as winners on

The QBA Bulletin May - July 2020 3 table. The heart switch was then too grand slam bidder scored only one Murphy would win the ace and late. Declarer won with the ace, took more point than the pair defending cash his spade winners. As Wal’s the losing finesse in spades and against 6H. No doubt 7S was a lot fingers closed around the king of claimed nine tricks. South’s admiring more fun to play. diamonds, Dog nipped him sharply glance showed her appreciation of Anklebiting at the Flats on the ankle. A moments’ thought the play, but then she leaned forward showed Wal a better line of play, and murmured, “You do underbid a When played in a Footrot Flats teams so he continued with two top clubs, lot, don’t you?” match in their knockout competition, both North and South following with this board gave Wal and his team a a spade pitched from dummy. Now And a Happy Christmas to you too. lucky break. came the three of clubs, catching Twenty-point grand slams are rare, Spit’s queen and ruffed in dummy. Q2 but this one enlivened the 1988 Dlr W ♠ A heart ruff brought Wal back into AK10732 festivities at the Warwick Bridge Vul NS ♥ hand and out came the jack of clubs. 53 Club. No one has admitted to setting ♦ Spit, who hated being over-ruffed, Q92 this hand - yet. ♣ discarded a heart and a second 963 J65 ♠ ♠ spade loser had disappeared. By Dlr S ♠ AJ73 ♥ Q N ♥ 864 W E the time South was able to ruff the ♥ KQ104 J98762 Vul Both ─ ♦ S ♦ fifth club with the ace of diamonds, ♦ AJ 3AKJ10 8 ♣ ♣ Cheeky’s spade losers had melted ♣ J987543 AK1074 ♠ away and the defenders had taken ♠ ♠ 95 J95 ─ ♥ just their two aces. Spit explained ♥ AKQJ108654 N ♥ 92 A W E ♦ that he was about to ruff Wal’s clubs ♦ 2 ♦ KQ108543 7654 S ♣ when he felt a nip on his ankle and ♣ K106 ♣ Q2 changed his mind. ♠ KQ108642 ♥ 73 W N E S When the same hand was played ♦ 976 Wal Spit Cheeky Pop at the Warwick Bridge Club early in ♣ A Murphy Hobson Murphy 1989, 5D made once and failed once. 1C 1H P 1S 4H North, making, was common and 2D 2H 3D 3NT one glorious sacrifice in 6C doubled P 4H 5D All pass W N E S by West cost 1700 points – and there wasn’t a dog in sight. 3S Cheeky Hobson’s initial pass was 4H 5H P 6C mainly due to the fact that she 6H 7S All pass One more for luck was still sorting her cards. When it Two Warwick Bridge Club reports North’s cue-bid of 5H showed spade was her next turn to bid, Wal had found their way into The Australian, support and first round control shown his diamond suit. Cheeky first by favour of George Havas and of hearts. East had had enough, wasn’t sure what Wal had meant then by Paul Marston. George’s as there were already too many when earlier he had told her that piece is probably of greater general points in the pack. South obediently she wasn’t vulnerable, but she saw interest. It is reprinted below. showed first round control in clubs, that bidding diamonds was her best chance of reminding Wal what she In a warm-up for the interstate teams but West had not yet given up. Over championships the Queensland West’s 6H, North could have settled wanted to wear on her left hand. As North and South stubbornly argued Open and Women’s teams played a for 6S, but must have decided that demonstration match in Warwick last this was the last chance to make a about their suits, Cheeky persisted weekend (9th July, 1988). The deals grand slam that year and continued with diamonds, rubbing the ring were selected from recent events in to 7S. finger on her left hand as she did so. the Warwick club and were picked When Spit led his ace of hearts in West might have deduced that East because of their interest. held diamonds, but led the ace of the modern manner Wal shuddered This led to a high-scoring match in hearts which was predictably ruffed at the sight of three spade losers in which the Women (Margie Drake, in dummy. A small club was led to dummy. Wal’s play of the queen of Jenny Ling, Lindy Vincent, Lyn the ace and another heart was ruffed hearts didn’t fool Spit Murhpy. He Carter, Pam Francis and Enid in dummy. Because of the helpful had never trusted Wal and wasn’t Busch) outscored the Open (Bill distribution, declarer was now in going to start now. The king of hearts Hunt, Jim Wallis, Kevin Hume, Paul control. The clubs could be ruffed which followed was duly ruffed by good, the remaining trump drawn Wal, who muttered that he never Lavings, Brian Blyth and Richard and four good clubs enjoyed, with the false-carded anyway. Ward) by nine IMPs over 30 boards. ace of diamonds intact as an entry to At this stage Dog, who had seen Slam level hands are of critical dummy. 2210 points was a generous Cooch make 4H at the other importance in teams events. Being reward for a risky bid. Next best for table, returned. He had watched on the right side of these hands is NS was 200 when EW failed in 6H. enough bridge to know that if Wal often the key to victory. Try to bid the In matchpoint scoring, however, the immediately played a trump, Pop East-West cards of this deal. Dealer

The QBA Bulletin May - July 2020 4

Warwick Bridge Club, Hand of the down to the coast to her son who is ♠ J543 Dlr E Week will continue to appear on their dentist, and while her husband ♥ QJ32 our website, which can be reached was in the dentist’s chair, she was ♦ 1083 through the QBA site. ■ sitting outside in the car joining us for ♣ 98 her lesson. Even when her husband ♠ K109 ♠ AQ was finished and started driving ♥ K986 N ♥ A Teachers' W E home she stayed on the phone. That ♦ K954 ♦ AQ62 S Corner made me feel so good as a teacher. I ♣ J5 ♣ AK10743 must be doing something right!” ♠ 8762 ♥ 10754 Later she sent this one: ♦ J7 “I did one better than my student who ♣ Q62 was in the car online for her lesson. Joan Last Sunday I had arranged to play East, no opposition bidding. Butts in a tournament but I had to go to my great grand-daughter’s birthday Three small slams (six clubs, six party at a park. Days had been diamonds and six no-trumps) UNNING Zoom teaching ses- mixed up. So I went to the park and are cold on all but the wildest sions, both as a private teacher, R played in the tournament online distributions and succeed easily and for ABF accreditation is an while attending the party. I had to here. The corresponding grand interesting ongoing exercise, and social distance anyway. And we did slams have play, but only one, the may be here to stay. well in the tournament too!” best, makes on this layout. One of the biggest positives is the You certainly couldn’t have done this Seven diamonds, about a 50% amazing fact that your audience can before! chance, makes easily while both come from anywhere! No longer is seven clubs and seven no-trumps one restricted to a club or region and, The other opportunity we have now (each about 30% chances) fail. as such, the interaction is fascinating. is to observe many more players online than before. This, combined How would you have fared? The ABF Zoom teacher training sessions have, in the same with the large numbers of online The deal was a problem for both “room”, teachers from all states tournaments gives an insight into teams. The Women bid to seven NSW, Victoria, Queensland, ACT, how people are playing. There are clubs without really considering any Tasmania, SA and WA, and this so many results to compare. other brand. The Open were in seven offers a unique opportunity to I watched some very experienced diamonds for a while before removing compare teaching views and bidding women dealing poorly with this hand to seven no-trumps. No swing. ideas. in an online teams match, and it fired Some people say that you should Hats off to the teachers who’ve me up to offer a Zoom Continuing never bid a grand slam unless you kept bridge education alive online Professional Development Day for can count all 13 tricks. That approach during the past four months. They teachers on “How to Teach and Play here would have gained either team send me some great stories of their Slams’. See the ABF Education page more than the winning margin. “adventures”, eg Bernadette Dwyer for dates of Zoom teacher training Note: What George didn’t mention from Sunnybank writes: sessions, which we are limiting to twenty people per four hour session. (he may not have known) is that “I was thrilled yesterday when one These are free, totally supported by at each table, East signed off in a of my ladies was so determined not the ABF. small slam but, perhaps because of to miss her Friday lesson (we have the pressure of the occasion, West lessons every afternoon) that she What do you open vul, in second tried to improve the result and bid was sitting in the car with her phone. seat, with: one more. One West explained that, She and her husband had gone ♠ AKQ1085 ♥ A ♦ AK865 ♣ 3 “Partner didn’t know how strong I was.” Paul Lavings did best by finding 7D (which would have taken Brisbane Bridge Centre care of the troublesome queen of 104 Frederick St, Annerley. Ph: 3392 7933 clubs) and choosing to play there, Normal service will be resumed some time. Please check the only to see partner remove the website for details of current play sessions contract to a losing spot. Even Paul’s Play Sessions Monday 9.30 am Duplicate equable nature must have been Tuesday 9.30 am Duplicate sorely tested. Therese Tully, not 7.15 pm Duplicate & S'vised mentioned by George, provided an Wednesday 9.30 am Duplicate entertaining commentary. Following Thursday 9.30 am Supervised this form of training, the Open team Friday 10.00 am Duplicate (Mini Lesson at 9.45 am) was successful in the ANC. Saturday 1.00 pm Duplicate When normal play resumes at the

The QBA Bulletin May - July 2020 5

Assuming you open 2♣, the bidding bit surprised that North had not bid will go P 2♦ P 2♠ P 3♥️ P to you: what three notrump; however, that could Dlr S ♠ A843 do you choose for your next bid? have been a bad move if South had Vul EW ♥ J75 held a minor-suit king instead of the ♦ 1072 At the table I watched, this hand ace of spades. ♣ Q62 chose to open 1♠, and remarkably, Declarer’s first step was to cover ♠ 72 ♠ 6 over partner’s 1NT response, bid 2♦ ♥ 1092 N ♥ 8643 which was passed out! the six of hearts with dummy’s nine, W E to prevent East from ducking and ♦ KJ5 S ♦ 4986 At the other table, they were playing leaving West on lead to shift to a ♣ J9743 ♣ K1085 Precision, and South opened 1♣, club. East won the nine of hearts with ♠ KQJ1095 and after a short (too short) series of the queen and found the excellent ♥ AKQ exchanges, decided to leap to 6♠! return of the queen of diamonds, ♦ 3AQ This of course failed, so the table guarding against declarer having ♣ A which hadn’t even reached game, the king-ten-eight or king-ten-nine, won a few IMPs! which declarer took with dummy’s Here are the four hands. ace. Declarer expected East to have W N E S 2C the king of clubs; consequently, he P 2D P 2S Dlr E ♠ J saw that his best shot would be to P 3NT P 4NT Vul NS ♥ KJ963 endplay East with the fourth round of P 5D P 5NT ♦ 972 hearts, forcing him to lead a club into P 6S All pass ♣ 8742 dummy’s tenace or concede a ruff- ♠ 632 ♠ 974 and-discard. checked for key cards and, on finding ♥ Q875 N ♥ 1042 one, asked, with five notrump, for W E In order to bring this to fruition, ♦ QJ S ♦ 3104 declarer realised that he had to North to bid any suit in which he held ♣ AKQ5 ♣ J1096 stop West from gaining the lead in the king. ♠ AKQ1085 diamonds. As a result, he played West led the ten of hearts against ♥ A dummy’s king of hearts at trick six spades. This was taken in ♦ AK865 three and discarded his remaining hand by declarer with his queen. ♣ 3 diamond from hand when East Declarer counted eleven tricks, with played the ace on the king. East a twelfth seemingly dependent on could see that returning a red suit East holding the king of diamonds. W N E S would assist declarer and so exited Never one to rely on a simple finesse P 2C P 2D P 2S with a trump. Declarer played the when there were other possibilities, P 3H P 4D five of trumps from hand and won declarer cashed the ace of clubs P 5D All pass the trick with dummy’s nine in order at trick two, then led the king of to ruff a heart in hand with the ace of spades to dummy’s ace. Declarer trumps. Next, declarer led the ten of continued by ruffing dummy’s six of IBPA Column trumps to dummy's queen and ruffed clubs with his nine of trumps. Then dummy’s remaining diamond with he cashed the queen of trumps and Service his king of trumps. All that remained the ace-king of hearts before leading was to lead the carefully preserved his five of trumps to dummy’s eight. Dlr E ♠ Q943 two of trumps to dummy’s three to Declarer’s next move was to call for Vul Both ♥ K932 reach dummy for the last time. dummy’s queen of clubs. ♦ A4 Declarer then executed the final If East had followed with a low club ♣ 6AQ step of his plan: he led dummy’s declarer’s plan was to throw the ♠ ─ ♠ 87 fourth heart and let East win the trick three of diamonds from his hand. If ♥ J86 N ♥ AQ1075 by discarding a club from his hand. W E West took the trick with the king of ♦ KJ8753 S ♦ Q92 East had two unappetising options: clubs he would be endplayed, forced ♣ 10975 ♣ KJ2 he could return a club into the ace- to lead a diamond or concede a ruff- ♠ AKJ10652 queen or give declarer a ruff-and- sluff – giving declarer his twelfth ♥ 4 discard. Either way, declarer would trick. 106 make ten tricks. ♦ Alas for declarer, East played the 843 ♣ See next column. king of clubs on the queen. Declarer The auction had a small technical found a neat counter-measure point for this pair: the jump to three by ruffing in hand and leading a W N E S low diamond. This would have 1H 3S notrump promised four spades, P 4S All pass whereas a simple raise to three guaranteed a second diamond trick spades would have shown three (or gained a ruff-and-discard) either After a straightforward auction, West of the suit, both responses being if West had started with the jack of led the six of hearts. Declarer was a positive and encouraging. South diamonds or East with the king of

The QBA Bulletin May - July 2020 6

diamonds. As the cards lay, West A low trump to the nine and queen West won the diamond and tried a had to play his jack of diamonds and was followed by the ace of spades forlorn queen of hearts. Declarer the resulting endplay made sure that to draw East’s last trump. All that ruffed, then trumped a club in declarer had his twelfth trick. remained was for declarer to cash dummy, a heart in hand and another Note that, instead of relying on the the king of clubs and ruff a club for club in dummy. East over-ruffed and diamond finesse alone, declarer his tenth trick. returned a trump, but to no avail. came up with a plan that would Declarer made eight trumps on a succeed if West had either the king Dlr W ♠ Q10652 crossruff and the round-suit aces, of clubs or the jack of diamonds, and Vul NS ♥ A764 for a total of ten tricks. also when the king of diamonds was ♦ 10953 Of note is that declarer would have onside. ♣ ─ failed if West had led a heart, a low ♠ ─ ♠ A43 diamond or one of his club honours. ♥ Q105 N ♥ KJ82 Dlr E ♠ J1032 W E After any of these starts, East would Vul Both ♥ 7642 ♦ AKJ74 S ♦ Q82 have been able to win a trick and ♦ 76 ♣ KJ542 ♣ Q86 play the ace and another trump, ♣ A83 ♠ KJ987 thereby holding declarer to nine ♠ 6 ♠ K98 ♥ 93 tricks. ■ ♥ 3QJ985 N ♥ 10 ♦ 6 W E A10973 ♦ J8 S ♦ AKQ1093 ♣ ♣ 9542 ♣ QJ10 Mackay ♠ AQ754 W N E S ♥ AK The Covid-19 Octopus and the ♦ 542 1D P 1H 1S X 4S X All pass Barrier Reef Congress ♣ K76 The Covid-19 Octopus has spread West’s double was in the modern style, showing three-card heart its tentacles far and wide and is now W N E S support. East’s double asked all too familiar to us. Its extensive 1D 1S partner to do something intelligent. tentacles forced the cancellation P 2S 3D 3H As it looked to West that his side of the 2020 Barrier Reef Congress P 4S All pass likely had the non-spade suits well scheduled for Yeppoon. Mackay now becomes the host for the 2021 At one table in a team game, South covered, he passed – which was a good decision up to a point, as five congress. jumped insouciantly to game over of either minor would have failed by The Mackay Contract Bridge Club the simple raise. In the other, South at least two tricks. is run by optimists! They assume took a more thoughtful line in the that by May next year the Octopus’ auction and, as we shall see, in the Despite making a good decision in the tentacles will have no hold over play. auction, West made a not-so-good one by leading the king of diamonds to a gathering of a large number of The defenders at both tables began ask for count in the suit. East indicated closely spaced bridge players. with three rounds of diamonds, with an odd number of diamonds, probably Planning for the milestone 25th West ruffing the third round with his three, and so West shifted to a low Barrier Reef Congress is in full swing six of trumps. heart at trick two. and proceeding smoothly. The happy The first declarer overruffed the six face of our convenor, Janet Hansen, Declarer took this with the ace and with dummy’s ten and then led a tells the story as she presented deduced from the heart shift that low spade to his queen. When West a progress report to the Mackay West did not have a trump in his discarded a heart, declarer had to Club’s Management Committee. hand – otherwise, it was the obvious lose a trump and a club for down Janet plans to mark the congress shift with such a dummy on display. one. Declarer saw that the contract would with a few surprises in recognition of The second declarer expected fail if East gained the lead and played the hard work contributed by Cairns, East to have the king of spades. the ace and another trump. So, Townsville, Yeppoon and our own As declarer had a sure club loser, declarer won the second trick with Mackay club over the years. She is declarer thought it better to lose the ace of hearts and then led the ten so optimistic that the entry form for the club now and discarded the of diamonds, intending to throw his the congress is now available on the three of clubs from the table. West remaining heart if East followed low. QBA web site recovered from his surprise at When East carefully played the queen Starting sometime in the 1980s, a winning the trick and exited with the of diamonds, declarer won the trick by North Queensland Congress was queen of hearts. Declarer took this ruffing in hand. After cashing the ace held each year. Jan Randall from with his king of hearts and crossed of clubs and ruffing a club, declarer Rockhampton Bridge Club recalls to dummy with a low club to the called for dummy’s nine of diamonds. that in 1993, when the congress ace. Next, he led the jack of trumps When East could not cover, declarer was held in Mackay, Eric Parsons, from dummy and, when East played threw the nine of hearts from hand – then President of the Mackay club, low, declarer played low from hand. mission accomplished! chaired a semi-formal meeting

The QBA Bulletin May - July 2020 7 of officials and participants. That the finesse and returning with a heart meeting led to a move to elevate the Dlr N ♠ J863 finesse, also working. Upon a second North Queensland Congress to an Vul NS ♥ AQJ65 finesse of the clubs, Ben heard the ABF National Tournament. Over the ♦ Q3 bad news, when it went 9-10-Q-♦4. following years, that elevation was ♣ 95 ♠ K4 ♠ AQ52 After taking another heart finesse approved along with a name change N this was the position. to the Barrier Reef Congress. ♥ K732 ♥ 104 W E J863 The first such congress was held ♦ AJ10542 S ♦ 96 A65 in Townsville in 1993. Mackay is ♣ 2 ♣ K10643 3 honoured to be hosting the 25th ♠ 1097 ─ Barrier Reef - Covid-19 permitting. ♥ 98 ♦ K87 K4 AQ52 The Barrier Reef Congress has ♣ AQJ87 K7 ─ been run on rotation by the Cairns, AJ105 6 Townsville and Mackay Clubs since ─ K64 inception, with the Yeppoon Club W N E S 1097 being included from 2017. This is one 1H P 1NT ─ of two Queensland Gold Point ABF P 2C P 2D K8 events, and the premier congress in P 2H P 3C A87 Central/Northern Queensland. All pass Ben now played the ♥A, and East Nomination forms are available on Ben was put in an unwinnable discarded a diamond. This is where the QBA website. Keep an eye out position, with a 5-1 break against Ben’s fate changed. for updates but most importantly, be him. The ♦9 lead went to the 7-2-Q. By discarding the diamond, East set part of the silver anniversary BRC. Ben started drawing trumps, winning himself up for a lethal endplay, which We look forward to welcoming a full Ben ended up finding. Ben only house to Mackay from the April 30 needed three more tricks, and East - May 3 2021 for a long weekend couldn’t stop Ben winning three clubs of bridge at an historic Barrier Reef on a heart continuation. Whether or Congress. not East trumps the ♥6, Ben simply trumps it (overtrumps if necessary) and just plays side suits until he is left with the A8 over the K6. East chose to trump the ♥6, Ben overtook the ♣4 with the ♣7, and exited the ♦K, sealing East’s fate. QLD gained 6 IMPs on this board, which was the first swing in a match that resulted in a 57-10 win for the team. Andrew Gosney  Andrew Gosney

Janet Hansen

Australian Online Youth Tournament

Capitalizing on your opponents' mistakes URING our very first match of Dthe tournament, Ben Leung was William Han, Ben Leung, Andrew Gosney (npc), Paddy Taylor, put into a tough spot. Ellen Vischer, and Sebastian Langdon-Macmillan. Missing Darren Brake

The QBA Bulletin May - July 2020 8

Members were planning a wine and by Charles Page, Director of Moore Rockhampton cheese evening to coincide with the Stephens Qld & Northern NSW. actual birthday on Thursday; however Ours really is a lucky club. Our N Thursday, May 14, 2020 the Covid-19 changed those plans. committee member, valued Director, ORocky Bridge Club celebrated Members could not play bridge in and Club Teacher, Jan Randall has its 50th birthday. The first meeting the physical club, so a virtual club put so much effort into getting our to form the contract bridge club for Yeppoon and Rockhampton club playing on BBO. Along with Dr was held on Thursday May 14 members was set up using the Bridge Malcolm Allan and Don Cameron, 1970. Thirteen people attended the Base Online platform. Players were these three have helped members founding meeting at the Commercial able to link into the game via their access and set up BBO. Hotel (later the Heritage Tavern). computers/tablets and iPhones from It really is great to be part of a club Bill Brownlee (at the time proprietor their homes. A few hours of solid with such devoted members. I hope of Brownlee Chemist in East Street bridge play was enjoyed with players all clubs in Australia are as lucky and Emu Park) was elected first clicking on cards with their cursor, as us to have a member like Jan president of the new club. There are being swept via space to the next Randall, and other club members three surviving founding members; table, chatting via typed message devoted to keeping bridge alive in John Lanham, Bram Gibson and rather than holding actual cards, “little old Rocky” as Jan calls us. Margaret Manson. verbally greeting their opponents and getting up and physically moving.  Jan Randall and Donna Smith The club was fortunate to have its major celebration, a weekend of Players from all age groups, bridge and gala dinner on March 14 embraced the opportunity, after and 15, before the pandemic, and weeks of no bridge games, to play was attended by QBA Manager, a session of bridge using this 21st century technology. Kim Ellaway and her husband Ray, Rockhampton Regional Council John Lanham, who turns 85 in Mayor, Margaret Strelow and her September, proved there are no husband Darryl. age-related issues when learning to use modern gadgets. Who would We were honored to have these have thought 50 years ago when he people assist with presentations to: was involved in starting the club that Life members, Silver Grand Masters – he would be competing by playing Dr Malcolm Allan and Ron Lorraway, his favourite game on a computer? Grand Masters, Jan Dooner and John, playing with his daughter Donna John Lanham (foundation member), Smith, won their section. However, the and gifts presented to two of three overall winners were Ellen Duggan surviving foundation members of our and Malcolm Saunders with second Chris Callard wonderful club, Margaret Manson, place being Denise O’Regan and Inaugural Secretary and John Cristel Philp. The winners received Lanham, Inaugural Publicity Officer. a monetary prize of BB$’s donated

Ellen Duggan

Hervey Bay Hervey Bay received a grant of $3,904.00 from the Fraser Coast Council to put towards the cost of a Kate and Peter Hielscher dealing machine.

The QBA Bulletin May - July 2020 9

Sunshine Coast Bridge Club The club has re-opened - partially at least - with sessions on Monday afternoons and Wednesday and Friday mornings. We will be following our Covid-19 Safe Plan.

Gold Coast Bridge Club The club has re-opened - please check their website for details.

Trevor Fletcher, Cheryl Hensel, Kerry Hiscocks and Dale Wells

No Bridge Club? No congresses? Try some of these …… Bridge Base Online CLICK HERE Many clubs are conducting their “members only” tournaments. Check your club website HERE New Event - Novice Pairs Ron Klinger’s Daily ABF Bridge For all players with less than 100 masterpoints Column is free on the ABF website Sundays 2.30pm AEST CLICK HERE RED POINTS Paul Marston’s Bridge Lounge ABF Nationwide Online Pairs Online is free and includes historical weekly bridge columns The ABF Nationwide Online Pairs games on Sundays allows people to play and card play videos CLICK HERE against competitors across Australia and earn Red masterpoints. to subscribe Sundays 2.30pm AEST Also check regularly the ABF Open to all ABF Registered Players HERE and QBA HERE websites Restricted less than 300 Masterpoints as of April 1, 2020 for updates on Covid-19 and its Novice less than 100 Masterpoints as of April 1, 2020 impact on bridge activities into the To play, both you and your partner MUST have registered your BBO user- future. names with the ABF.

The QBA Bulletin May - July 2020 10

board played, the sighted card goes director shall award a trick or tricks Directors' Corner back into hand. It does not sit face to the opponents if: up on the table though unauthorised • claimer made no statement about information remains. that trump; and A call that has been withdrawn is • it is at all likely that claimer at the not part of the legal auction. Say a time of his claim was unaware that natural 1H has been withdrawn by a trump remained in an opponent’s Jan an offender as part of the rectification hand; and Peach for an infraction. The offender does • a trick could be lost to that trump not show hearts during the legal by any normal play. HE recent QBA Club Director auction and becomes a defender. The days should be gone when a exam exposed some misunder- Forbidding a heart lead is one of the T contestant is given multiple awards standings that I suspect are wide- options available to declarer when of 'average plus' in situations such as spread. the offender’s partner is first on lead. Declarer may forbid the lead of any no substitute being available when The “auction” and the “auction one suit not specified by the offender a player becomes ill. Law 12C2(d) period” are different. While the in the legal auction. Law 26B. gives the regulating authority power auction starts when the first call is to have regulations different from With rectifications that involve the made, the auction period for a side Law 12C2(a) for multiple board possibility of a comparable call, commences before that, when either losses. Should club rules be silent there is no requirement that a partner withdraws his cards from the yet default to the QBA Regulations, comparable call must be made. How board. The auction period extends the director goes to Section C Page could that be so when often there beyond the end of the auction, until 17 and uses the table found there. will be no comparable call available either defender faces an opening Suppose the opponent cannot in the system? The requirement will lead. Should a board be passed in, get a score on four boards during be that a legal call be made. There the auction period ends when all a matchpoint pairs event, 55% is may be consequences should a four hands have been returned to awarded on each of the four boards. non-comparable call be chosen. the board. The pair unable to play receives Partner may be required to pass at There are many laws where the 40% or a lesser figure should the his next turn or for the rest of the distinction between these two terms pair have been averaging less than auction. is important. Just three examples of 40% on the boards played. ■ when the director may need to act When a claim is contested, there is during the auction period are: no automatic transfer of one trick DEAD just because the opponents have a • Law 25A5 when an unintended trump and no mention was made of NOV 2 (noon) call has been made and the it in the claim statement. There has Contributions to: auction ends before partner has a Philip Squire to be a normal, careless, inferior but turn. Ph: 07 3366 1292 not irrational way for that trump to 0490 456 575 • Law 17D3 when a call has been win a trick. followed by three passes and one Email: philipsquire@ All the dot points of Law 70C must of those passes was out of rotation tpg.com.au be met. When a trump remains in so denying a player of his right to one of the opponents’ hands, the LINE call. • Law 21B1(a) when a call may have been based on misinformation. Law 24 on the other hand applies QCBC during the auction and this is the 67 Ipswich Rd Woolloongabba law causing problems. It does not Ph: 3391 3241 Email: [email protected] apply before the auction starts. The www.qcbc.org.au WBF Laws Committee has clarified that Law 24 is applied during the Please check the website for current play details. Clarification Period, the time after the Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible. final pass and before either defender Sessions: Mon 10.00 am 7.30 pm faces an opening lead, because Tue 10.00 am 7.30 pm there is a presumed declarer. If a Wed 10.30 am 7.30 pm player drops a card face up before Thur 10.30 am the auction starts or if there is a Fri 10.00 am 7.30 pm boxed card, the director applies Sat 1.00 pm Law 16D. The director strives to Supervised: Mon 7.30 pm obtain a result on the board and, in Fri 9.30 am the most likely case of having the

The QBA Bulletin May - July 2020 11 25 Years Ago This is the first issue produced by the current editor.