Center~ai')f Magazine ( { j Celebrating too years of bridge MEMBER ~· ABTA~· EBU/BBL Licensed Our sixty six page MERCIAN BRIDGE HOLIDAYS brochure is now available. Just call Mercian for the most comprehensive programme of Bridge holidays yet produced - please note our new FREEPHONE number now NINE FREE telephone lines to cr:- ·· r. ihe increased volume. SUPERIOR BRITISH WEEKENDS • J\ DIFFERENCE Mercian Bridge weekends are not the cheapest, but we defy you Probablf tht~ rn:: . ~ nd outstanding of all Mercian to find any that are better, with our choice of 'up-market' superior Holidays is HiP. LJ..= •·. Ht: PHARAOHS" - in the Mercian British hotels, all provided at a bargain price, from the HAVEN at programme since we stanc?:J Bridge holidays. The SHERATON SANDBANKS, POOLE, looking out over Poole Bay and HOTEL on the UPPER NILE is one of the most popular of all our Brownsea Island, with Its highly prized awards of AA Rosettes venues. Guaranteed perfect weather throughout the stay and the and RAC Award of Merit for Food, to the 4 Star COPTHORNE most fascinating excursions and an exclusive arrangement at a HOTEL in the heart of the Black Country, which cost some £10 price that is now less than we were paying In 1989, so, if you million to build, a link between one of the largest shopping com ­ enjoy a bargain, then do come with us to the "Land of the plexes In Europe and the ancient industry of the heart of England, Pharaohs". to the CASTLE HOTEL in TAUNTON, the centre of excellence in Or, we have a "PLACE ON EARTH SO CLOSE TO HEAVEN", hospitality. One of the most highly acclaimed hotels In the West another regular venue for Mercian, because of the unique setting Country, where the gourmet meals can only be matched by the at the edge of KYRENIA HARBOUR, in this unique and pic­ quality of the Bridge, to the beauty of the NEW FOREST, with our turesque town, combining natural beauty and historic interest. regular visits to the LYNDHURST PARK, with excellent Bridge The open air cafes and restaurants that one can wander to, to facilities and a superb reputation for its food, surrounded by the unwind after an evening's Bridge, or, for those who like sea and New Forest peace and tranquility. Or, one might prefer the sand and golf, we have the "SECRET PARADISE OF GREECE" GRAND HOTEL on the English Riviera In Torquay, one that is in HALKIDIKI, or a visit to the World's greatest open air theatre, large enough to cope, but small enough to care, a regular venue the market place In MARRAKECH In the centre of MOROCCO, for Mercian Bridge, or one can wander further into the West under the towering peaks of the Great Atlas Mountains, stepping Country with Bridge on PLYMOUTH HOE. None of our British back Into a bygone century, still enjoying the modem comforts venues are cheap, but you will not find anything better. and the luxury of a Sheraton Hotel, or straying further afield to the warmth of the reception which awaits one in THAILAND. This and much more can be had through a Mercian Bridge holiday. THE ULTIMATE IN BRIDGE CRUISING A cruise, where every Mercian client has a suite, where all your port taxes, your gratuities, your Insurance, fine wines with your THE LONGSIAV WINTER SUN meals, and we provide three meals a day, breakfast, lunch and THE DON PABLO HOTEL dinner, drinks of your choice In the lounge or bar, or In your New clients never seem to be amazed at the speed In which private suite, or on the verandah of that suite, all Included In the the longstay Winter Sun holidays provided by Mercian are package provided by Mercian. Also Included, Master Points, 'snapped-up'. If you do not book on departure from the Don Pablo prizes, the services of the Mercian Bridge Team, a combination for the com1ng year, the chances are you will not get the period not surpassed by anyone - the ultimate In Bridge cruising. that you require. This is for a stay of up to eighty four nights of non-stop Brl~ge, afternoon and evening, where you can play as much or as httle Bridge for any number of nights In multiples of EL HANA HANNIBAL PALACE HOTEL seven. The Don Pablo has become a legend In Bridge holidays. Or, If a more luxurious hotel is required, we have the EL HANA N~w a SOL hotel, offering an even higher standard at affordable HANNIBAL PALACE at PORT EL KANTAOUIIn TUNISIA, where pnces, where you can be assured of a very warm welcome by the we offer a mere fifty four nights of non-stop Bridge each afternoon stall, who have got to know the Mercian Bridge dients so well and evening. An hotel set In exotic gardens, with a beautiful ov~r the yea.rs and where there Is such superb facilities, now a Marina and only a short distance from the ancient town of hohday that IS totally non-smoking. SOU SSE. Merclan clients are very welcome In this land of toler­ ance, where the people are so friendly and one can relax In such beautiful surround l ~gs . Again, a totally non-smoking holiday, with All our holidays, both In the United Kingdom and Overseas, a private lounge adjacent to the Bridge Room. Who else but comply with the Package Travel, Package Holidays and MERCIAN BRIDGE offer the Bridge community a choice of two Package Tours Regulations 1992, In all aspects, especially longstay Bridge holidays. the Bonding and Insurance requirements that are now placed on the organlser. MERCIAN TRAVEL CENTRE LIMITED . 109 Wc;»rcester Ro~d, West Hagley, Worcestershire DV9 ONG Tel. (0562) 883795 (8 lines) Telex. 337945 Fax: (0562) 886944 FREEPHONE (0500) 026839 English Bridge Centenary Magazine Editor: Ken Rowe Editorial Board Publisher: En~llsh Brld~e Union Wynford. Awllscombe, Honlton. Peter Stoclzen (chairman) Broadflelds. Blcester Road. Devon EX14 ONT Gerard Faulkner. John Williams Aylesbury. Bucks HP19 3BG Tel: 01404 43259 fax: 01404 47624 and the Editor Tel: 01296 394414 Fax: 01296 392464 Bond the Bold 5 'J · 007 and the Portland Club ', ~ The Queen's message ;:A club at home 7 : How to join the computer network ,-.The rake's progress 8 · James Whitaker tells his story Naughty Nineties 9 . The era when bridge arrived ' FEAR 10 Sherlock's passion 11 ·Cocaine was not the only vice Gerard Faulkner, Esq., Lick your elbow 13 The Cha i J:lll&ll, i And other ways of signalling The English Bridge Un on. Birth of bridge 14 to send her sincere thanks to The game's Intriguing history I am commanded by The Queen li b Bridge Union for your mbers of the Eng s u, the Board and Me t on the occasion of the Wisdom of Kantar 15 yo 1 greetings, sen kind message of loya f Bridge in England. Some tips to help at the table f the introduction o Centenary 0 Centenary Quiz 17 t d to receive this message and Your chance to win a £100 book Her Majesty vas deligb e ceasful celebration and to you for a sue sends her best wishes M•ther 18 able Centenary year. for a.n en joy A game with a difference It's fun 19 How to help friends to learn The EBU 20 February, 1994. Past, present and future The ten books ••• 23 •••every player should read The first duplicate 24 Devious dodges 25 How fortunate they've disappeared My dream Time travellers 27 By GERARD FAULKNER The changes they would find Chainnan of the EBU in Centenary Year Omnium gatherum 28 A bridge miscellany I JIA VE a dream that the next 100 years of bridge will see discour­ Broken hearts 30 tesy at the table unlmown; that bridge will be played for enjoyment, The Tollemache 100 years ago and with o sense of fun. Philosophy of signals 32 I dream that many more millions throughout the world w11l tal<e up How to choose your style En"•ond leading the way. I dream that England, th g ith & Centenary acrostic 33 Scoe tlaarnnde, and w Wales will play In th e1r. own r1 gI ·1t ·m th e 'nor" ld Championships, winning many European championships between The fledging flew 34 How the EBU took off th~~ve all I dream that we, the membership of the EDU, will think The moles emerged 35 of our organisation as OURS and not THEIRS. MASTER BRIDGE SERIES Your Guarantee to Better Bridge NEW TITLES -AUTUMN 1994 Our ACOL BRIDGE FLIPPER cover Ran Klinger Now the most successful bridge book of the past decade has been completely revised and updated card to take account of all the changes in the game and In scoring. THE playing card £ 1.99 PB on the cover of our Centenary Magazine, and the BACHELOR BRIDGE card above, are just over 100 years old - and could have David Bird & Simon Cocheme been the cards used by the first bridge players in this coun­ The bridge-playing bachelor, Jack O'Hearts, searches high and low for the perfect, er... try. The cover card was produced by De Ia Rue and the card partner. A hugely entertaining book with above was brought out in 1887 by Charles Goodall to mark excellent hands - a masterpiece of bridge the golden jubilee of Queen Victoria's reign. ., ~:..-. ..,• •, writing. Both cards belong to collector Major Donald Welsh who founded the English Playing-Card Society ten ago. tt £6.99 PB year~ now has members world-wide.