BRIDGE

Number One Hundred and Thirty-Five

Bernard Magee’s Acol Bidding Quiz

You are West in the auctions below, playing ‘Standard Acol’ with a weak no-trump (12-14 points) and 4-card majors.
March 2014

1. Dealer West. Love All. 4. Dealer East. Game All. 7. Dealer East. Game All. 10. Dealer North. N/S Game.
♠ A K 4 2 ♠ K Q 3 ♠ A K 7 6
♠ J 4 3 2
♥ A K 4 2 N ♥ K Q 3 N ♥ 7 2 N ♥ A 6 5 N
W E W E W E W E
♦ 7 6 ♦ Q J 10 2 ♦ A K 8 3 ♦ A K Q 3
S S S S
♣ 5 4 3 ♣ 9 8 7 ♣ 9 8 3 ♣ 9 7

West North East South West North East South West North East South West North East South
? 2NT Pass 1♥ Pass 1♣ 1♠ 2♣
? 1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass ?
?

2. Dealer East. Love All. 5. Dealer North. N/S Game. 8. Dealer East. Love All. 11. Dealer East. Love All.
♠ 4 3
♠ 3 2 ♠ 2 ♠ 3 2
♥ A J 4 3 N ♥ K J 10 9 6 N ♥ A K 6 5 4 3 N ♥ 8 7 2 N

♦ 6 5 W E ♦ 7 6 W E ♦ A K 4 W E ♦ 9 5 4 3 W E
S S S S
♣ A K J 5 2 ♣ J 9 8 7 ♣ 8 7 5 ♣ 8 7 6 5

West North East South West North East South West North East South West North East South
1♦ Pass 1NT Dbl Redbl1 3NT1 Pass 2♣ Pass
? ? ? 2♦ Pass 2♠ Pass
The start of a wriggle –
1 1
Gambling 3NT – a weak hand 2NT Pass 3♠ Pass
opener bids 2♣... with a long and solid minor ?

3. Dealer East. N/S Game. 6. Dealer West. Love All. 9. Dealer West. Love All. 12. Dealer West. Game All.

♠ A 2 ♠ 3 2 ♠ A K 8 5 4
♠ 6 2
♥ 4 N ♥ A Q 8 3 2 N ♥ K Q 3 2 N ♥ 5 4 N
W E W E W E W E
♦ K Q 7 6 5 4 3 ♦ A K 10 9 ♦ K 7 ♦ K 6
S S S S
♣ 6 5 2 ♣ A 5 ♣ 6 2 ♣ A Q J 6 5 3 2

West North East South West North East South West North East South West North East South
3♣ Pass 1♥ Pass Pass 2♦ 1♠ Pass 1NT Pass 1♣ 1♥ 1♠ Pass
? ? 2♥ Pass 3♣ Pass 2♣ Pass 2♦ Pass
? 3♣ Pass 3NT Dbl
?
Answers on page 6 Answers on page 9 Answers on page 11 Answers on page 13
 CROATIA From
NEW 7-21 May 2014 £1399
sharing
Bernard Magee
and his supporting team

HOTEL EDEN, ROVINJ

Rovinj is situated on the western coast of Istria in Croatia, the largest peninsula on the Adriatic coastline, a one hour
drive from Trieste, 2.5 hours from Zagreb. Boasting a rich, natural and cultural heritage with beautiful landmarks such
as the old town, the Golden Cape Park Forest, protected islands and coastal area, Rovinj has many loyal visitors from all
parts of the globe and has developed into a popular tourist destination.
The climate is warm and semi-dry, with more than four months a year without wind. Such a mild microclimate is
characteristic only to Mali Lošinj and the Brijuni archipelago. There are 134 sunny days in a year, which makes Rovinj
the third sunniest spot in the Adriatic. At the same time, it is the least cloudy place.
Hotel Eden is wedged right between a peninsula covered by a one hundred year old park forest and a quiet cove. The
old city centre of Rovinj is just a 20 minute walk away.
Rooms: All rooms are equipped with a direct phone line, LCD SAT TV, mini-bar, safe, bathtub or shower, toilet, hair
dryer, balcony, air conditioning/heating. Suites are available, details on application.
Singles: There is a sole occupancy supplement of £10 per room per night. If you are a single bridge player, please do not
worry about being on your own. We will always be able to find you a partner and you can always have a game. As well
as there being other singles in the same situation as yourself, there is the Mr Bridge team who will be happy to partner
you if required.
Entertainment and excursions: In the hotel, an evening programme of entertainment with live music and
dance shows is available for those not wanting to play bridge. During the day and planned around the bridge programme
there will be excursions to Venice, Pula, Postjona Caves and Opatija to name just a few.
Beaches & Pools: The playful curves of the pool offer refreshment in the summer with a salty breeze coming from
the natural stone and pebble beach only a few steps away. The vast outdoor pool will cool you down after a day of
lounging in the freely available deck chairs. There is an indoor pool for invigorating laps or afternoon refreshments. Swirl
the aches away with massaging water currents in one of the hotel’s whirlpools.
Terms and conditions apply. Packaged with and bookings by Tunisia First ATOL 5933. Details of the bridge programme ( 01483 489961
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BRIDGE March 2014 Page 3

 DONATION CLEARANCE

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traditional Sunday Roast. See the advert on page 2.

Page 4 BRIDGE March 2014

 PICK ‘N’ MIX VERY MODERN TELL ME ABOUT IT VOYAGER
Readers may have noticed a The now not so new town Good news. We have a new
new advertisement for of Milton Keynes has a bridge room onboard m.v.
Genesis Choice, which first district known as Blue Voyager, pictured below. I
appeared in our last issue. Bridge, presumably named am now able to recommend
Genesis Choice are after the railway bridge, readers to book with real
currently advertising their built over 140 years ago, confidence. Have a look at
travel insurance in using the local blue clay the advert on page 42 and if
BRIDGE for the first time bricks. It is now a listed a cruise takes your fancy,
and as part of a special structure of special interest. give my office a ring and we
promotion they will be will send you the 2014/2015
I have asked Stewart Pye, a
giving Policy holders a brochure. ( 01483 489961.
All three series of six DVDs reader living in Blue Bridge,
very special type of
are listed on page 10 with to find out why its roads
traceable luggage tag in
thumbnail descriptions of and drives have been given
appreciation of their
their content. Playing time names related to the game
business. To re-coin a
is an average of 90 minutes. of bridge. Hopefully, he will
phrase, ‘The Acumen
The wonderful thing about tell us how Blackwood
Luggage Tracker Tag does
a tutorial DVD is that Crescent and Gardiner
what it says on the label’.
viewers have a permanent Court came to be so named. There are now no bridge
record which they can With a unique bar code on supplements for those
re-visit over and over again. the label, you can add your BELIEVE IT OR NOT booking any of our cruises
Individual DVDs, £25 each. contact details online. or overseas holidays, so no
Without the security risk of It is nearly twenty years excuses for not booking
Boxed sets of six, £100. Pick
putting ones name and since I published the first with Mr Bridge as we can
and mix. Six for only £105
address on a suitcase, an issue of BRIDGE in the match all prices.
including postage.
owner can be quickly and spring of 1994. It is also five
easily identified and years since I had my
DENHAM EVENTS government sponsored
TRAVEL COVER
contacted wherever their
Bernard Magee, pictured bag is found. The tag is not coaching to develop as a As I am not competent to
above, will host both the limited to air travel, but can business man. advise on these matters, I
Twixmas and New Year’s be used by all and any will be carrying adverts for
Eve Events at Denham travel services worldwide. NEW MAN different providers. Make
Grove this year. Be sure sure you read all the small
The great thing is that if Members need to be sure print, however boring, to
to book early. you register bag ‘A’ and the their club is covered by cover your risks while away
The fifth in the series of on the next trip decide to insurance for small from home, see page 17.
these six part filmed events take Bag ‘B’, it is no amounts of cash and their
is scheduled for Denham problem as in a matter of equipment as well as public
Grove next January. Three seconds online, you are able liability. Just over £63 for a
BETTER BRIDGE
night’s full board, six to re-assign your personal twelve month period for a Those readers taking up the
lectures, six sessions of information to the new bag. club of up to 100 members. damaged DVDs offer will
supervised play. £399 per You can also renew the There are over five hundred be delighted to learn that
person, see the advert on label cover annually. clubs in my scheme there is a CD available that
page 7. A really interesting If you want to know more enjoying peace of mind. will provide 20 hands of
experience that you will about this label go to www. There is a new contact at supervised play for each of
never forget and something [Link] managing brokers, Moore the topics covered by the
you should be part of a least Stephens. Ring Tom Harvey DVDs they have bought.
once in a lifetime. If you have ever lost your ( 0207 515 5270. It is the
luggage, you will be only These I am happy to offer
unexpected that you need
too aware of the agony, at half price (£35). Those
EARLY BIRD to have covered.
time and stress caused in readers who have enjoyed
Bernard Magee will be searching for and retrieving using Bernard Magee’s Acol
sailing from Mumbai to
QPLUS BRIDGE Bidding over the years will
the lost item. Using this
Jordan on Aegean Odyssey, 21st century technology This month’s new numbers be thrilled to discover the
pictured above, next March nobody should ever lose are listed below and I am existence of this extension
on his 100th cruise as a their luggage again, as one preparing a full list which I to their enjoyment. As I say,
Mr Bridge host. Fares from swipe of the bar code by a will incorporate in next half price. £35.
£1695 per person and there baggage attendant at any months issue.
All good wishes,
are special opportunities airport worldwide will 5702-07 1186-01
for early booking singles. solve the problem. 1489-01 0652-01 Mr Bridge

BRIDGE March 2014 Page 5

 Answers to Bernard Magee’s 
Bidding Quizzes 1-3 on the Cover
your partner’s opening bid, so you West North East South
1. Dealer West. Love All. will be able to show both of your suits. 3♣ Pass
♠ A K 4 2 ♠ 9 8 Therefore, you should start by bidding ?
N
♥ A K 4 2
W E
♥ 5 3 clubs first and then follow up by bidding
♦ 7 6 S ♦ A K 8 5 2 hearts: showing five and four. If, instead, 5♣. Your partner has opened with a
♣ 5 4 3 ♣ Q 9 8 6 you start by responding 1♥, your partner pre-empt and you have a weak hand
is more likely to place you with five hearts too, so it looks like this should be your
and four clubs, when you bid the second opponents’ hand.
West North East South suit. You have long diamonds, but they are
? It is only when you are weak that you not relevant to the hand since you have
bid a four-card major in preference to a a good fit with your partner’s suit. You
1NT. This is a simple question: you have five-card minor: this is because you can know your opponents have a good heart
a bare 14 HCP and a balanced hand, so afford to bid only once, so you choose fit since your partner will not have four
you open 1NT. the more important suit. hearts for his pre-emptive opening. You
It is important to follow your system on Here, by responding 2♣, you give the expect to make at most two tricks against
balanced hands, otherwise you will not partnership the chance to find the best 4♥ and your partner is likely to have only
find the right level for your final contract. fit and explore for the best contract: 1♦- one trick at most.
Your system says that with a balanced 2♣-2♠-2NT-3♣... The opener has shown Expecting 4♥ to make, you should
hand of 12-14 points you should open his three suits and therefore suggested make an advance sacrifice of 5♣. This
1NT. It revolves about the shape of your shortage in hearts, which should push stops your opponents discussing their
hand rather than the placement of high you to bid towards 6♣. hands to find their best fit and forces
cards in your hand. If you open in a suit, them to guess.
1♥ or 1♠, then partner responds 2♦ and, If you pass or bid 3♦ this makes life
whatever you do next, you are going to easy for North, who probably has a very
be too high. If you rebid 2NT, partner will 3. Dealer East. N/S Game. strong hand. 4♣ might do the trick, but
raise to 3NT. But if you bid a second suit, ♠ A 2 ♠ 5 4 might also allow your opponents to at
N
your partner will return to your first bid ♥ 4 ♥ 9 7 6 least have a little conversation. Instead,
W E
suit. ♦ K Q 7 6 5 4 3 S ♦ 8 over 5♣, they may have to guess – what
With distributional hands, you can ♣ 6 5 2 ♣ A K 9 8 7 4 3 does their double mean? Have they
sometimes stretch the rules to fit your discussed it? ■
hand. However, with balanced hands at
the start of the auction, it is important to
follow the rules to give a clear picture of
your hand. 2014 FESTIVE SEASON EVENTS
Denham Grove Olde Barn Hotel
Near Uxbridge, UB9 5DG Marston, Lincs, NG32 2HT
2. Dealer East. Love All.
♠ 4 3 ♠ A K 5 2 Christmas 23-27 Dec Christmas 23-27 Dec
N
♥ A J 4 3 ♥ 8
W E Just Duplicate Bridge £495 Just Duplicate Bridge £495
♦ 6 5 S ♦ A K 7 4 3
♣ A K J 5 2 ♣ Q 9 8 Twixmas 27-29 Dec Twixmas 27-29 Dec
Seminar Event £245 Seminar Event £215
West North East South New Year 29 Dec–2 Jan New Year 29 Dec–1 Jan
1♦ Pass Seminar Event £445 Seminar Event £345
?
Back to Back bookings – save £50 per booking.
2♣. When you have a strong hand, you
should try to bid your hand’s shape. You Booking Form on page 8.
have the strength to bid game opposite

Page 6 BRIDGE March 2014

 ✄
BERNARD  Mr Bridge MAIL ORDER
TUTORIAL DVDs
MAGEE PLAY SOFTWARE NOVELTIES
QPlus 11 NEW £92.00 ......... 2011 Series – £25 each Mr Bridge
at Denham QPlus Trade-in £49.00 ......... Ruffing for Extra Tricks ......... Torch Pen (boxed) £5.00 .........

Grove QPlus 10 (S/Hand) £50.00 ......... Competitive Auctions ......... Mr Bridge Pound for Life
Keyring £5.00 .........
Near Uxbridge, Bridge Baron 24 NEW £69.00 ......... Making the
Bucks, UB9 5DG. Most of High Cards ......... BOOKS
Bridge Baron
Trade-in for 24 £35.00 ......... Identifying & Duplicate Bridge Rules
Bidding Slams ......... Simplified £5.95 .........
9-12 January TUTORIAL SOFTWARE
Play & Defence of Better Hand Evaluation
Begin Bridge - Acol £66.00 .........
2015 Acol Bidding £66.00 .........
1NT Contracts ......... Bernard Magee £14.00 ........
Doubling & Defence Tips for Better Bridge
£399 Advanced to Doubled Contracts ......... Bernard Magee £14.00 ........
Acol Bidding £96.00 ......... All 6 DVDs
Friday – Monday Robin Hood’s Bridge Memoirs
Declarer Play £76.00 as a boxed set £100.00 ......... David Bird £12.00 ........
£369 Advanced 2012 Series – £25 each Bridge Adventures of Robin
Friday – Sunday Declarer Play £81.00 Hood – David Bird £12.00 ........
Leads .........
Defence £76.00 .........
full board Five-Card Majors with
Losing Trick Count ......... MR BRIDGE DIARIES
Strong No-Trump £89.00 .........
Making a Plan as Declarer ......... for 2014
Limited places for
Responding to 1NT ......... Red £6.95 ........
Thursday night available. Better Bridge 2011 with
£45pp single, Bernard Magee £69.00 Signals & Discards ......... Navy £6.95 ........
£65 double/twin. Bundleware Offer Endplays ......... Club Prices 10 for £35 ........
Any two CDs £140.00 ......... All 6 DVDs Luxury Kidrell Covers
as a boxed set £100.00 ......... & ball-point pen:
TEA TOWELS
Topics Life’s a Game, but
Bridge is Serious £7.00 .........
2013 Series – £25 each
Ruby Red
Bottle Green
£14.95 ........
£14.95 ........
Hand Evaluation .........
DAY 1 The Pot Boiler. A Double Club Prices 10 for £90 ........
Pre-Empting .........
Dummy Problem £7.00 .........
l Take-Out Doubles Splinter & Cue-Bids ......... SUBS
l Defending
10 Commandments for
Avoidance .........
(Introductory Rates)
Bridge Players £7.00 .........
Against 1NT Pairs Play & Defence .........
12 Months £20.00 .........
10 Commandments for
Duplicate Players £7.00 ......... 24 Months £35.00 .........
Thinking Defence .........
DAY 2 36 Months £50.00 .........
25 Road Traffic Signs for All 6 DVDs
l Defence as Partner Bridge Players £7.00 ......... as a boxed set £100.00 ......... 12 Months Overseas:
of the Leader
Back In Our Day £7.00 ......... Europe £50.00 .........
l Strong PICK ‘N’ MIX
We Are Survivors £7.00 ......... Any 6 DVDs £105.00 ......... Outside Europe £95.00 .........
Opening Bids

DAY 3 Prices are inclusive of VAT and postage to UK mainland.

l SuitEstablishment
I enclose a cheque for £..........
l Competitive
(Aggressive) Mr/Mrs/Miss .....................................................................................................................................................................
Bidding
Address..............................................................................................................................................................................

6 seminar sessions ...........................................................................................................................................................................................

with Bernard1
Postcode............................................................................. ( ..........................................................................................
6 sessions of
supervised play2
Contact Mr Bridge to
book your place or Expiry: ............. CVV ........ Issue No. ...........
for further details: (CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip)

( 01483 489961 Make your cheque payable to Mr Bridge and send to: Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH
Filmed 2Not with Bernard Magee
1
( 01483 489961 [Link]/mrbridge-shop
✄

BRIDGE March 2014 Page 7

 ✄
BRIDGE  BRIDGE EVENTS
with Bernard Magee
BREAKS
June continued
♦ Full-board ♦ Two seminars*
20-22 Olde Barn Hotel
♦ All rooms with ♦ Two supervised £245 Finding
en-suite facilities play sessions*
Slams
♦ No single supplement ♦ Four bridge sessions**
OCTOBER
Please book ..... places for me at £....... per person,
3-5 Chatsworth
Single .... Double .... Twin .... £245 Hotel
Chatsworth Hotel Game Tries
Name of Hotel/Centre............................................................. Worthing BN11 3DU
10-12 Olde Barn Hotel
£245 Endplay &
Date(s) ....................................................................................
March Avoidance
Mr/Mrs/Miss ......................................................................... 14-16 Queensferry
£245 Hotel
Address................................................................................... Endplay &
Avoidance
................................................................................................
21-23 Inn on the Prom
Postcode ................................................................................. £245 Doubles

( ........................................................................................... April
Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, 4-6 Chatsworth
but we will do our best to oblige). £245 Hotel Blunsdon House Hotel
Finding Slams Blunsdon, Swindon SN26 7AS
................................................................................................ 11-13 Blunsdon House
£245 Leads & Defence
Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking. NOVEMber
................................................................................................ June 7-9 Chatsworth
£245 Hotel
6-8 Olde Barn Hotel
Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place by Hand
cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice for the balance will be sent £245 Bidding NEW
Evaluation
with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, Distributional
28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be sent Hands 14-16 Blunsdon
together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. Should you £245 House
require insurance, you should contact your own insurance broker. Further into
the Auction
21-23 Elstead
£245 Hotel
Doubles
28-30 Blunsdon
Expiry: ................................. CVV......................... Issue No.................... £245 House NEW
(CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip) Bidding
Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH. Queensferry Hotel
Distributional
North Queensferry KY11 1HP Hands
( 01483 489961
e-mail: jessica@[Link]
website: [Link] Full Board. No Single Supplement.
*on tutorial weekends only. **6 sessions on rubber/Chicago events. See Adjacent Booking Form.
Please note: Just Bridge events contain no seminars and do not award prizes.
✄

Page 8 BRIDGE March 2014

 Answers to Bernard Magee’s 
Bidding Quizzes 4-6 on the Cover
could have doubled South in 2♥ or your
4. Dealer East. Game All. 5. Dealer North. N/S Game. partner would double any other contract.
♠ K Q 3 ♠ A J 5 2 ♠ 3 2 ♠ A K 9 8 2♥ doubled would have been great
N N
♥ K Q 3
W E
♥ J 2 ♥ K J 10 9 6
W E
♥ 5 fun. Certainly more so than playing 2♥
♦ Q J 10 2 S ♦ A K 6 ♦ 7 6 S ♦ A K 5 3 yourself, although you should probably
♣ 9 8 7 ♣ A K 5 3 ♣ J 9 8 7 ♣ Q 10 6 5 get eight tricks. One way you score +110
and the other you get +800 or +1,100.
Once your side has doubled 1NT
West North East South West North East South for penalties, be on the look out for
2NT Pass 1NT Dbl Redbl1 subsequent penalty doubles, but only if
? ? you are long in their suit: you need both
1
The start of a wriggle – opener bids 2♣... trumps and points to double at low levels.
6NT. Your partner has shown 20-22
and you have 13 HCP. You are 3-3-4-3 Pass. Most club players play wriggles
which is not good, but you do have the over 1NT (methods to escape from 1NT
♦10 to counterbalance the poor shape. doubled) and with good reason at club 6. Dealer West. Love All.
Knowing that no-trumps is the right level, because they never get hunted ♠ 3 2 ♠ 9 8 7 6
denomination, it is just a question of down. At higher levels, very few wriggles ♥ A Q 8 3 2 N ♥ J 5
W E
deciding the correct level. are played because your opponents are ♦ A K 10 9 S ♦ 4 3
Points matter, not aces and kings: your more likely to keep doubling you and you ♣ A 5 ♣ K 9 8 7 2
queens and jacks are just as valuable in end up with a worse score.
no-trump contracts. A lot of West players will call 2♥ with
For 6NT, you require about 33 points this hand: competing the deal, only to West North East South
between the two hands: you have 33-35, find that South was planning to show a 1♥ Pass Pass 2♦
which suggests you should bid 6NT. five-card heart suit later in the auction: ?
If you know the denomination and the South has five points including five hearts
level, then bid it. to the queen. Had you been patient, you Pass. A double here would be for take-
out: asking your partner to bid again de-
spite his showing 0-5 points; aiming to
compete for the hand. With your hand,
Ardington Hotel you would prefer to play in diamonds, so
keep quiet and if partner doubles later,
Worthing BN11 3DZ then you can pass for penalties.
Of course, this kind of bidding
can depend on how aggressive your
BRIDGE EVENTS
partnership is at competing for the
partscore. A lot of Easts might pass out
14-16 March 2♦, but it is actually East’s job to keep
Take-Out Doubles the bidding open. With short diamonds,
(Improvers) he would like to play in another suit and
£215 he can show his hand by making a take-
out double. I know he is weak, but he
has already expressed his weakness by
11-13 April
passing on the first round (0-5), so within
Hand Evaluation that range he is pretty strong. Competing
£215 for partscores is such an important
duplicate tactic: remember that -50 will
often score well.
Full Board – No Single Supplement
On this hand, you would pass the take-
Booking Form on page 8. out double and hope to collect 300 points
by defeating 2♦ doubled by two tricks. ■

BRIDGE March 2014 Page 9

 BERNARD MAGEE
Boxed Sets of six DVDs
Series 1 Series 2 Series 3
1 Ruffing for Extra Tricks 7 Leads 13 Hand Evaluation
This seminar deals with declarer’s Bernard takes you through all the Going beyond just the point-count
use of ruffing to make extra tricks basic leads and the importance of is important if you want to improve.
and then looks at how the defenders your choice of lead. If you start to Reaching & making 3NT on 24 HCP;
might counteract this. (74 mins.) think not just about your hand, but and avoiding 3NT on 26 HCP when
about your partner’s too, then you there are only 7 or 8 tricks. (110 mins.)
2 Competitive Auctions will get much better results. (95 mins.)
This seminar focuses on competitive 14 Pre-Emptive Bidding
auctions from the perspective of the 8 Losing Trick Count The art of pre-empting is so important
overcalling side and then from the A way of hand evaluation for when in the modern game. Understanding
perspective of the opening side in you find a fit. Bernard deals with the the right types of hand to bid up
the second part. (86 mins.) basics of the losing trick count then on and realising the importance of
looks at advanced methods to hone position and vulnerability. (96 mins.)
3 Making the Most your bidding. (92 mins.)
of High Cards 15 Splinter & Cue-Bids
This seminar helps declarer to use 9 Making a Plan Take your slam bidding to another
his high cards more carefully and as Declarer level. Splinter bids are a vital tool to
then looks at how defenders should Bernard explains how to make a plan add to your armoury & try your hand
care for their high cards. (83 mins.) then expands on how to make the at Italian style cue-bidding. (116 mins.)
most of your long suits. The first half
4 Identifying deals with no-trumps, the second with 16 Avoidance Play
& Bidding Slams suit contracts. (87 mins.) As declarer, an important tactic is
The first half of this seminar is about to be in control of the defenders:
identifying when a slam might be on 10 Responding to 1NT avoiding a particular defender getting
– one of the hardest topics to teach. This seminar deals with Transfers the lead. As a defender, you can try to
The second half covers some slam- and Stayman in detail. The 1NT make sure the right player gets the
bidding techniques. (96 mins.) opening comes up frequently, so lead at the right time. (88 mins.)
having a good, accurate system of
5 Play & Defence responses is paramount. (93 mins.) 17 Play & Defence at Pairs
of 1NT Contracts Duplicate Pairs is the game most of
This seminar looks at the most 11 Signals & Discards us play and getting used to the tactics
common and yet most feared This seminar deals with Count, will make a lot of difference to your
of contracts: 1NT. The first half Attitude and Suit-preference signals: performance. Making more overtricks
looks at declaring the contract and aiming to get you working as a and making sure you do not give
the second part puts us in the partnership in defence. (92 mins.) away tricks as a defender. (90 mins.)
defenders’ seats. (88 mins.)
12 Endplay 18 Thinking Defence
6 Doubling & Defence Bernard takes you through the basics By far the hardest aspect of bridge,
against Doubled Contracts of the technique before showing some but if you can improve your defence
The first half of this seminar magical hands where you take extra your results will quickly improve.
explores penalty doubles and the tricks from defenders. In the second Learn how to think through the
second half discusses the defence half, Bernard looks at how to avoid defence and get your mind in gear for
against doubled contracts. (88 mins.) being endplayed. (80 mins.) the decisions that await you. (87 mins.)

Individual DVDs. £25 each. Individual DVDs. £25 each. Individual DVDs. £25 each.
Boxed Set of 6. £100. Boxed Set of 6. £100. Boxed Set of 6. £100.

PICK AND MIX. A BOX OF ANY 6. £105

Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961 email: mrbridge@[Link]
 Answers to Bernard Magee’s 
Bidding Quizzes 7-9 on the Cover
fourth suit forcing: using the bid in the no) strength outside. It is your job to
7. Dealer East. Game All. last suit artificially, to get your partner to place the final contract. With stops in all
♠ A K 7 6 ♠ 2 bid once more and particularly to show a the suits, you can contemplate passing
♥ 7 2 N ♥ A K 8 6 3 stopper in the suit by rebidding 3NT. 3NT, but that is clearly not the case here.
W E
♦ A K 8 3 S ♦ Q J 4 2 This is exactly what East would do here: Otherwise, you choose the level you want
♣ 9 8 3 ♣ Q J 2 his club holding is enough to stop the to play in partner’s suit. Sometimes, it is
run of the suit and makes 3NT the best not clear which suit your partner holds,
contract. but here it is clearly clubs since you
West North East South hold the ♦A-K. Your partner has shown
1♥ Pass 7 tricks, you have four top tricks to add
1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass and surely you are likely to make a spade
? 8. Dealer East. Love All. ruff too, for a twelfth trick. Bearing this in
♠ 2 ♠ 6 4 mind, you should respond 6♣, expecting
3♣. You have 14 HCP, which, opposite ♥ A K 6 5 4 3 N ♥ 7 2 to make it comfortably.
W E
an opening hand, is enough for game, ♦ A K 4
S
♦ 9 8 With a ten-card club fit, there is no
but which game? ♣ 8 7 5 ♣ A K Q J 9 3 2 reason to contemplate a heart contract.
With three suits bid, the focus is on the
fourth suit: clubs. You have no high cards
in clubs and thus a no-trump bid would West North East South
be dangerous. However, a diamond bid 3NT1 Pass 9. Dealer West. Love All.
is not ideal either: 3♦ is too weak and ? ♠ A K 8 5 4 ♠ 9 2
4♦ commits you to playing in diamonds 1
Gambling 3NT – a weak hand with a long ♥ K Q 3 2 N ♥ 8 6
W E
rather than the other options. and solid minor ♦ K 7 S ♦ Q 4
Better is to make a forcing bid and ♣ 6 2 ♣ A 9 8 7 5 4 3
enlist your partner to help you choose 6♣. Your partner is showing a solid
the final contract. The best bid is to use minor suit (7+ cards) with very little (or
West North East South
1♠ Pass 1NT Pass

Chatsworth Hotel 2♥ Pass 3♣ Pass

?

Worthing BN11 3DU

Pass. A strange auction: your partner
has started by showing a weak hand and
BRIDGE EVENTS then bid 3♣.
21-23 March Trust your partner: do not expect him
Just Duplicate £199 to have found a lost card – he will have a
weak hand and the reason he has bid 3♣
4-6 April now, is that he thinks it will make the best
Finding Slams £245 contract, so you should pass.
Bernard Magee A 1NT response followed up by a bid of
3-5 October a suit, generally shows a weak hand with
Game Tries £245 a very long suit – too weak to respond at
Bernard Magee the two-level initially.
The reason East bids 3♣ is because
7-9 November he can see the potential for 5 club tricks
Hand Evaluation £245 in his hand, but little else. Played in any
Bernard Magee other denomination, the club suit will be
worthless, but in 3♣, the suit does indeed
Full Board – No Single Supplement make 5 tricks, which added to ♠A-K and
Booking Form on page 8. a trick in each red suit allows you to make
nine tricks. ■

BRIDGE March 2014 Page 11

 BERNARD MAGEE’S
INTERACTIVE TUTORIALS
BEGIN BRIDGE ACOL MORE DECLARER
ACOL VERSION BIDDING (ADVANCED) PLAY
l Card Play Technique ACOL BIDDING
l Opening Bids and l Suit Establishment
l Planning Card Play Responses l Basics in No-trumps
l Bidding Balanced l Slams and Strong l Advanced Basics l Suit Establishment
Hands Openings in Suits
l Bidding Suits l Weak Twos
l Support for Partner l Hold-ups
l Responding to a Suit l Strong Hands
l Pre-empting l Ruffing for
l Supporting Partner l Defence
Extra Tricks
l Responding to 1NT l Overcalls to Weak Twos
£66 l Entries in
l Stayman l No-trump l Defence to 1NT No-trumps £76
l Strong Two Opening Openings
l Doubles
and Response and Responses l Delaying

l Overcalls l Opener’s and l Two-suited £96 Drawing Trumps

l Doubles £66 Responder’s Rebids Overcalls l Using the Lead

l Pre-empting l Defences to
l Minors and Misfits l Trump Control
Other Systems
l Defence against No l Doubles l Endplays &
Trump Contracts l Misfits and Avoidance
l Competitive Distributional
l Defence against Suit
Auctions Hands l Using the Bidding
Contracts

ADVANCED DEFENCE FIVE-CARD BETTER

DECLARER PLAY MAJORS & BRIDGE
l Lead vs Strong No-Trump
l Making Overtricks No-trump Contracts l Ruffing for
in No-trumps l Opening Bids Extra Tricks
l Lead vs & Responses
l Making Overtricks Suit Contracts
in Suit Contracts l No-Trump l Doubling and
l Partner of Leader Defence
Openings
l Endplays vs No-trump Against
Contracts l Support £89 Doubled
£69
l Avoidance
for Partner Contracts
l Partner of Leader
l Wrong £81 vs Suit Contracts l Slams
Contract
& Strong Openings l Play and Defence
l Count
l Simple of 1NT Contracts
Signals l Rebids
Squeezes
l Counting
l Attitude £76 l Minors l Finding and
Signals & Misfits Bidding Slams
the Hand
l Discarding l Pre-empting
l Trump Reductions
& Coups l Doubles l Making the
l Defensive Plan
Most of High Cards
l Playing Doubled l Stopping Declarer l Overcalls
Contracts
l Counting l Competitive l Competitive
l Safety Plays the Hand Auctions Auctions

Make your cheque payable to Mr Bridge and send to: Mr Bridge , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH
( 01483 489961 [Link]/mrbridge-shop
System Requirements: Windows XP, Vista, 7 or 8, 8mb RAM, CD-ROM
 Answers to Bernard Magee’s 
Bidding Quizzes 10-12 on the Cover
will go one or two off: note that two off will show your suit now, if you have one,
10. Dealer North. N/S Game. doubled (+500) would be worth more or even show where your strength is. Af-
♠ J 4 3 2 ♠ K Q 10 9 5 than your game. ter all, he does not need much to make
N
♥ A 6 5
W E
♥ K 4 3 2 When your hand is unexpectedly a slam viable.
♦ A K Q 3 S ♦ J 9 6 strong, it is important to try to tell your However, you finish off your perfect
♣ 9 7 ♣ 10 partner, before he does something fool- description by raising to 4♠ – showing
ish. His response to 3♣ would be 3♠, absolutely nothing.
showing a weak overcall, or if North car- Your partner passes satisfied that he
West North East South ries on to 4♣, East would pass leaving has shown his great hand and therefore
1♣ 1♠ 2♣ the decisions up to you. that a slam is not possible.
?

3♣. You have a very nice hand: in fact,

you may have the best hand at the 11. Dealer East. Love All. 12. Dealer West. Game All.
table, yet you have heard everybody ♠ 3 2 ♠ A K 9 8 7 6 5 ♠ 6 2 ♠ J 8 7 4 3
N N
speaking in the auction already. It is ♥ 8 7 2
W E
♥ A K 6 ♥ 5 4 W E
♥ A 6 3
not unreasonable to think that your side ♦ 9 5 4 3 S ♦ A K 2 ♦ K 6 S ♦ A 4 3 2
can make 4♠: even if your partner has ♣ 8 7 6 5 ♣ Void ♣ A Q J 6 5 3 2 ♣ K
a weak overcall, but you must avoid the
temptation to jump to 4♠. It is important to
predict how the auction might progress. West North East South West North East South
If North bids on to 5♣, what do you think 2♣ Pass 1♣ 1♥ 1♠ Pass
your partner will do? 2♦ Pass 2♠ Pass 2♣ Pass 2♦ Pass
He looks at the vulnerability and his 2NT Pass 3♠ Pass 3♣ Pass 3NT Dbl
own hand and he may assume that they ? ?
can make 5♣ and go for a cheap sacri-
fice in 5♠. How is he to know that it is the 4♠. When your partner opens 2♣ and Pass. Your partner has bid 3NT and
opponents who are the weaker side? rebids in a suit, he is showing a hand that South has doubled. Should you rescue
You need to tell your partner that you wants to play in game even if you hold a the situation?
are the strong side by bidding 3♣ – the Yarborough. You must keep bidding until You have described your hand neatly:
opponents’ suit. You will follow up later a game contract is reached. Your 2♦ was you have shown the equivalent of a pre-
by bidding 4♠. After which your partner the negative response and then 2NT was emptive three opening with 10-12 points.
will not drive on to 5♠, instead he will a second negative showing 0-3 points. A hand that you felt was just too strong
leave the decision up to you – a double Partner knows you are very weak but you to open 3♣.
of 5♣ works out much better. still have to bid. East is taking his time to If you had something very different,
4♠ makes ten tricks only, whilst 5♣ find the best contract, he is hoping you or perhaps if your suit was particularly
weak, then you might want to take out.
However, with this hand, you should
leave it up to your partner. Trust him: his
Elstead Hotel Bournemouth BH1 3QP 3NT bid was based on his ♣K and will
get you a great score. It would have been
28-30 March £199 +630, but now it will be +950 for 3NT
Just Duplicate Bridge doubled plus one.
South’s double is probably based
11-13 April £215
on him holding 10 or 11 HCP after his
Signals & Discards partner overcalled. It is not unreasonable
21-23 November £245 to double contracts like this aggressively,
Doubles – Bernard Magee but you do need to know that the
opponents’ long suit is not running,
Full Board No Single Supplement. Booking Form on page 8. otherwise 3NT can be made with just 22
points, as here. ■

BRIDGE March 2014 Page 13

 Misleading Cases Number Three

Unlicensed
Gambling
Regina v. Erehwon Duplicate Bridge Club
before Mr Justice Diamond, at the Old Bailey

After the evidence and counsels’ closing speeches, the judge summed up to the jury as follows

“L
adies and gentlemen of the incidentally, many learned tomes remains – which particular hands you
jury, this case concerns, have been written, lessons taught and play against which opponents, the skill
as you have heard, the magazines published. I am not sure of those particular opponents, the
Committee of the Erehwon Duplicate that anyone has written a book worth conventions they use and so on. So,
Bridge Club, who have been charged reading on how to win at, say, roulette. strange as it may seem, you may feel
with using the Erehwon Community During this case, the example hand constrained to conclude that, prima
Hall for the purposes of gambling shown below was discussed at some facie, bridge counts as a game of chance
without a licence. At the start of the length by counsel in arguing this point. for the purposes of the Gambling Act.
case, I informed prosecuting and South is playing in 3NT after West Mr Pontjoueur, however, then
defence counsel that I play bridge (to overcalled in spades. West led the ♠J pointed out that Section 6 goes on to
a very modest standard). Both sides and East played low. I will remind you say that playing a ‘sport’ is not to be
were happy for me to hear this case of how this hand was played later, but treated as gambling. Is bridge a sport?
nevertheless. to me it demonstrates clearly that skill Mr Pontjoueur reminded us that,
You may have been as surprised is much more important than chance in the latest Olympics, England did
as I was to learn that playing bridge in, at any rate, duplicate bridge. particularly well in the sitting-down
amounts to gambling, but Mr Killjoy sports (rowing, sailing, cycling, horse-
for the prosecution based his case on riding etc) and the playing of bridge,
the Gambling Act 2005 where it says ♠ 4 2 also a sitting-down activity, was a
(section 3) that gambling includes ♥ 5 3 natural extension of that. Indeed, the
gaming and (section 6) that gaming ♦ A K 10 7 6 3 bridge authorities (not just in this
means playing a ‘game of chance’. But ♣ A 10 3 country) have in recent years argued
surely, you may say, gambling means forcefully that bridge is a sport and
playing for money and there are no N
should be included in the Olympics.
W E
money prizes at the Erehwon Duplicate S If it were so included, then clearly it
Bridge Club. You may well say that, but would fall outside the Gambling Act
the Gambling Act does not. Whether ♠ K Q 6 and the defendants would be entitled
or not you play for money (or indeed ♥ A Q 9 2 to be discharged immediately, if not
other prizes) is apparently irrelevant ♦ 5 2 sooner.
to whether gambling is taking place. ♣ K J 7 4 Mr Killjoy responded that the key
Now, a few people make their living characteristics of a sportsman are
from bridge; some play for their fitness, speed and/or strength – none
country; some for master points; large However, as Mr Killjoy pointed out, of them, as he put so eloquently, much
numbers for a penny a hundred; many section 6 of the Act also says that, ‘a in evidence at your average bridge club
for pure enjoyment. The notable thing game of chance includes a game that on a Monday evening. Moreover, he
is that some people consistently do involves an element of chance and says, the authorities have so far failed
much better than others when they an element of skill,’ and not even Mr to make their case that bridge is a
play bridge. That does not suggest to Pontjoueur would go so far as to say sport.
me that bridge is a game of chance – that there is no element of chance in All in all, you may conclude that
indeed I agree with Mr Pontjoueur, duplicate bridge. Duplicate bridge bridge does not at present count as a
defence counsel, that bridge is a seeks to avoid the element of chance sport and is therefore deemed to be
game of great skill, about which, as far as possible, but inevitably some gambling.

Page 14 BRIDGE March 2014

Misleading Cases continued charged. You heard what “After overcalling in spades,
Mr Pontjoueur said, most West made the opening lead Blunsdon
eloquently, in their defence.
If you find them guilty, you
of the ♠J, won by South with
the ♠K, who then, at each House
But, says Mr Pontjoueur,
there are a couple of
may wish to recommend a
suitable punishment.”
table led the ♦2.
At table 1, South (a begin-
Hotel
other ‘safe havens’ in the The jury then left the ner) played off dummy’s two Swindon SN26 7AS
Gambling Act, namely the courtroom and returned top diamonds (West playing
‘members’ club’ and the shortly afterwards. On being ♦4 then ♦Q), then led a third
‘private gaming’ exceptions. asked for their verdict, the diamond, hoping (if indeed
Again, however, I must agree foreman said that yes, they he had turned his mind to
with Mr Killjoy that, on had reached a unanimous the matter) that West would
careful analysis, neither of decision, namely that none win the trick. Unfortu-
these exceptions is available of the defendants were nately for South it was East
here, since they require the guilty. He went on to say who won it and fired back a
defendants to have run the that the decision had been spade, whereupon West won
Club mainly for purposes based largely on the fact four spade tricks in short or-
other than gaming, or in that his Lordship was a keen der. One down.
someone’s home. Neither is bridge player and they did At table 2, South (an in-
the case here. not wish to do anything termediate player) finessed
At this point, I should which might lead to his ♦10 on the first round of BRIDGE EVENTS
remind you that those who, being charged with illegal diamonds. Same result.
without a licence, provide gambling. Had they found At table 3, South (a good 14-16 March £199
facilities for gambling are, the defendants guilty, the player) led the ♦2 to ♦4, ♦K Just Duplicate Bridge
by virtue of section 33 and/ foreman added, the jury and ♦8, then returned to
or 37 of the Gambling Act, would have recommended hand with the ♣K and led 11-13 April £245
guilty of an offence and two days in prison for each the ♦5. When West played Bernard Magee
thus liable to a substantial of them (one day if the the ♦Q, declarer played low Leads & Defence
fine and/or imprisonment sentence were to be served in dummy. He made his
for up to 51 weeks (though in Scotland). contract easily. 25-27 April £199
in Scotland only up to His Lordship then At table 4, when West Just Duplicate Bridge
six months – I wonder explained, for the benefit of (artfully) played ♦Q on the
if this is because of the the public, what happened first round of diamonds, 14-16 November £245
Scottish weather, the state on the hand discussed South could not resist the Bernard Magee
of its prisons, the gambling during the case. temptation (no doubt hop- Further into
culture there, the length ing that West held ♦Q-J the Auction
of its weeks or some other doubleton) to win with the
reason?). So this is a serious Dealer North. Love All. ♦K, again allowing East to 28-30 November £245
matter (though apparently ♠ 4 2 win the third round of the Bernard Magee
less so in Scotland). ♥ 5 3 suit and return a spade. Bidding
NEW
TOPIC
Accordingly, it seems ♦ A K 10 7 6 3 Also one down.
Distributional Hands
that the Erehwon Duplicate ♣ A 10 3 Res ipsa loquitur, as
Bridge Club and no doubt ♠ A J 10 9 7 ♠ 8 5 3 we lawyers say on these
many hundreds of other ♥ K 7 4 N ♥ J 10 8 6 occasions.”
W E
bridge clubs up and down ♦ Q 4 S ♦ J 9 8
the land may be committing ♣ Q 9 2 ♣ 8 6 5 Reporter: Richard Wheen,
an offence by conducting ♠ K Q 6 after A.P. Herbert
illegal gambling unless they ♥ A Q 9 2
have obtained a gaming ♦ 5 2 PS by Richard Wheen.
licence, which, according ♣ K J 7 4 As far as I know, the
to Mr Pontjoueur, virtually above statements about
none of them have. the Gambling Act are the
So, members of the jury, West North East South truth, the whole truth and
having heard what the law 1♦ Pass 1♥ nothing but the truth. I
is, you must now retire and 1♠ 2♦ Pass 3NT would welcome views as to Full Board
decide whether or not the All Pass why bridge clubs do not in No Single Supplement
committee of the Erehwon fact need a gaming licence.
Booking Form on page 8.
Duplicate Bridge Club are 3NT by South. Perhaps the English Bridge
guilty of the heinous crime Lead: ♠J. Union could help here. ■

BRIDGE March 2014 Page 15

 Julian Pottage answers your Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 4NT Better

Than 4♣ for
Ace Asking?
T
here are two main reasons why you might want to bid 4♣ as a cue
it is much better to check on bid. For anyone who plays splinters ♠ A K 9 7 3 2
aces or key cards with 4NT (and you will find it difficult to bid ♥ Void
than with 4♣. Firstly, whether you are slams that depend upon fit and ruffing ♦ J 10 4
missing two aces should be only one values if you do not), you might want ♣ A K J 9
component on a slam hunt, one to do to bid 4♣ as a splinter. Although I can
after you have checked other issues, think of other possible uses of 4♣,
rather than the starting point. Sec- depending upon your methods, let us You Partner
ondly, a bid of 4♣ has so many other concentrate on those three. 1♠ 3♠
possible uses that you cannot afford to ?
sacrifice it for use as an ace enquiry.
On 61% of deals, one side or the ♠ 7 To find out whether they can cash
other has at least three of the four ♥ A K 9 6 5 two diamond tricks, you want to cue
aces. Obviously, a slam is not available ♦ 7 4 bid 4♣, showing the club control and
on anything like 61% of deals. Playing ♣ A K Q 7 4 leaving room for partner to bid 4♦.
double dummy, one side can make a You do not want to have to cue bid 4♥
slam about 10% of the time. Probably and then 5♣. Doing so could result in
only half of those slams are biddable, You Partner one down at the five level if partner
which gives us a biddable slam say 5% 1♥ 2♦ unluckily has three losing diamonds.
of the time. On the other 56%, a slam 3♣ 3♠*
is either not available or is against the ? *Fourth suit forcing
odds. In other words, the vast majority ♠ A J 9 4 2
of the time that one side has three You want to be able to bid a natural ♥ A J 10 3
or four aces, being in a slam is not 4♣. ♦ A 6 2
sensible. Even if your methods allow ♣ 3
you to detect trump honours as well as
aces, it is clear that a key card enquiry ♠ 7
will rarely tell you positively that you ♥ K 5 You Partner
can make a slam. ♦ K 7 4 1♠ 2♥
Before checking on key cards, ♣ A Q 8 7 6 3 2 ?
you want first (a) to establish what
denomination you will play in (b) A splinter bid of 4♣ describes the hand
whether you have the playing strength You LHO Partner RHO very nicely – a sound raise to 4♥ with a
to make twelve tricks and (c) whether 1♥ 3♠ shortage in clubs. If you cannot bid 4♣
you have two fast losers in one suit. ? because it is an asking bid, you have no
For these reasons, it is an advantage to equivalent way to describe your hand.
have the ace or key card enquiry at a You want to be able to bid a natural If you simply bid 4♥, partner will
high level: this gives you more time to 4♣. You do not want to have to jump not know whether you have a flatter
check on (a), (b) and (c). to 5♣. Doing so could take you past the hand or maybe a hand like this with
What are the other possible uses for best game if partner has six hearts or the minor suits the other way round.
a 4♣ bid? For everyone, you might give partner a horrible guess whether Inventing 3♣ with a view to raising
want to bid 4♣ naturally. For anyone to raise to 6♣ if he likes clubs. hearts later is even riskier: if partner
who plays cue bids (and you will find On the next hand, slam prospects raises clubs or gives you preference to
it difficult to avoid bidding slams with look quite good so long as the oppo- spades, it will not even be clear that 4♥
two top losers in a suit if you do not), nents cannot cash two diamond tricks. next time shows support. ■

Page 16 BRIDGE March 2014

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 David Stevenson answers your questions on Laws and Ethics

What is the
Time Allowed
to Play a Card?

Q A
We have a she had only a single- of his partner’s bids. A player who realises
player (a very ton diamond. When For example, after: he has given an in-
good one) at our questioned about her correct explanation
club who can take up opening bid she said West North East South is required to call the director
to 4 minutes (timed) to she thought she had 1♠ Dbl 2NT Pass and, in the director’s pres-
play a card, even with opened 1♥ (both the 3NT Pass 4♠ All Pass ence, explain his mistake to
6 cards in his hand. light and her eyesight the opposition. This is to be
Is there any rule being a bit dull). One of After the 2NT bid, West is done immediately he realises
on time taken when the defenders refused asked for an explanation his error. His partner will
playing a card? to allow her the points of the 2NT bid and says have unauthorised infor-
Stan Babb, for the overtricks on the that it is a natural bid, mation from his original
Chineham, Basingstoke. grounds that her bid had around 11 points. After mis-explanation and will
influenced his defence. his 3NT bid, but before have more unauthorised

A
There is no rule over Declarer had made his partner’s 4♠ reply, information from his correc-
playing a single card. a genuine mistake of he remembers the tion and will have to do his
However, bridge is which she was una- agreed system and that best to take no advantage.
a timed game and it is up ware until the hand his explanation of the In practice, players often
to the director to control had been played. Was 2NT bid was incorrect. correct without calling the
slow play. A player who the defender correct? The correct explanation director, which sometimes
does this repeatedly should John Gordon by email. was that partner had a does not matter. With a
be warned and if that does natural 3♠ raise. What playing director, this is

A
not work, penalised. Play- No, certainly not, should this poor soul often a practical solution, so
ers should call the director and I think the de- do, in order to redress long as the opponents are
if their opponents take an fender is completely his error ethically? experienced, but inexperi-
inordinate amount of time. lacking in sportsmanship. We Should he interrupt enced opponents need the
have all made mistakes that the bidding as soon as protection of the director.
♣♦♥♠ have gained accidentally: he realises his error In the example you gave,
these are well balanced by and provide the correct you realised what you have

Q
After our an- far more mistakes that have explanation? Or should done wrong when your part-
nual Christmas cost us thousands of points. he wait until the bidding ner bid 4♠ and you should
dinner, our club has finished and trust correct your explanation
always has a quick and ♣♦♥♠ that his partner will give immediately, after calling
friendly competition. the correct explanation the director. The director

Q
Last night, an elderly What should before the opening lead will check to make sure your
North pulled out a 1♦ bid a player do, (and if partner does partner’s 4♠ bid was not
and eventually became whilst the bid- not provide this made based on his realisa-
declarer in 3♥, doubled. ding is still in progress, explanation, provide tion that you forgot the sys-
She made three over- when he realises that it himself)? tem, perhaps he will adjust
tricks, but during the he has given an incor- Herbert Potts, to 3NT feeling your partner
play it transpired that rect explanation of one Bramhall, Stockport. should have passed 3NT.

Page 18 BRIDGE March 2014

 A
Ask David continued Revokes must be corrected, should not be directing if I find it incredible
if not established and the he comes up with ideas like that the director
opponents may change any this. Cheating is deliberately does not know
cards played after the revoke, and knowledgeably breaking that revokes get automatic

Q
I was declarer but before the correction. the rules in a serious way penalties. Unless the defence
in 3NT and, with There is no penalty for a so as to gain unfairly. If did not take another trick,
three cards left in corrected revoke by declarer what you played was illegal one trick is transferred to
each hand, my RHO led so you penalised yourself un- it would not be cheating, it you. Perhaps the director
a heart. I played a club necessarily. Incidentally, why merely would be illegal. should start reading laws
and LHO played a small was the director not called? However, it is worse than from the law book (or Mr
diamond. I then realised that: what you are playing Bridge’s Yellow book).
I had played the wrong ♣♦♥♠ is completely legal. There
card and replaced my are rules for artificial strong ♣♦♥♠

Q
club with the heart ace. My wife and I two-bids, often repeated in

Q
After some friendly play a strong no- this column and any hand Can you please
discussion with our trump and when with at least sixteen points clarify how
opponents, my heart either of us has 18-19 may be opened legally with an ‘average’
ace was allowed to points we open 2♣. This a strong artificial two-bid, is calculated? Having
stand, so I won the is alerted and explained whether that is sensible or read your articles
trick and I was able as showing 18-19 points. not. So your director has no regularly in BRIDGE,
to play my two master Partner replies 2♦, understanding of the rules I am not at all sure
clubs, thereby winning alerted and explained nor does he understand what scores are used to
the last three tricks to as a relay, keeping the ethics of the game, assess an average, ie
make an overtrick. the bidding open. which are very strongly the average of what?
My partner does the On this occasion, we against accusing anyone I have asked bridge
scoring for our club and were playing against of cheating except in the friends but the replies
he decided the fairest the director and my wife most serious of cases. are either, ‘don’t know,’
way to score the board proceeded to make a or a confusing reference
would be to penalise very good 3NT+1. The ♣♦♥♠ to other scores. I am
ourselves by one trick, director then accused us not a director and

Q
ie scoring 9 tricks of cheating and we had At around trick the matter has not
instead of 10. Is an argument about our 8, my RHO led arisen at our club.
this correct? system. He stated that he a diamond, John Hamilton by email.
Gordon Adams by email. had attended a seminar winning the trick, with

A
and had been advised his partner discarding. On every board there

A
A card played legally that this is cheating. He played another is a possible top,
to a trick may not Is our system wrong? diamond, this time which is: (the number
be withdrawn just Raymond Cook by email. his partner producing of times it is played less one)
because it is not the card in- a diamond and x 2, ie if a board is played

A
tended. However, if the card This is a totally winning the trick. eight times, a top is twice
played is not legal, ie it is a disgraceful statement At the end of play, seven, ie fourteen. This is the
revoke, then that is different. by the director, who the director asked me most matchpoints you can
if the opponents had get on the board by getting a
gained an advantage by better score than every other
revoking and I said, pair who played your cards.
DUPLICATE BRIDGE  ‘No, I don’t think
so.’ He ruled that
Average is half a top,
ie seven matchpoints if a
RULES SIMPLIFIED there should be no
adjustment to the score.
board is played eight times.
It is described as, ‘50% of
(otherwise known as the Yellow Book) Although I suspected a top.’ Usually, average
this was an incorrect plus is 60% of a top, that
ruling, I was happy to is 8.4 matchpoints in our
only accept it in the interests example and average minus
by John Rumbelow and
revised by David Stevenson £595 of ‘fair play’. Can
you advise what the
40% of a top, that is 5.6
matchpoints in our example.
correct ruling should These days, scoring is
have been please? generally done by computer
Available from Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961
Fraser McLeod, which works the matchpoints
Southampton. out in this fashion.

BRIDGE March 2014 Page 19

 Ask David continued players leave alert cards on suit asks if partner has a for help in diamonds then
the table because they find it stop in that suit. All these you tell the opponents that,
easier. The EBU regulations agreements are shown and you bid accordingly
do not cover when it should on our convention card. and let partner worry

Q
I have three be withdrawn which I find So now to the incident. about his own ethics.
questions. curious: at one time they Partner opened 1♥, my Giving unauthorised
1. There is no said it should be withdrawn RHO intervened with information to partner
mention of the existence before partner calls again. 2♣ and I bid 3♣. LHO is not illegal: it is only
of the alert card in I think in practice this asked for the meaning illegal if he uses it. But
either the Laws (2007) is not an area where you of the 3♣ bid and my giving misinformation to
or The Blue Book. It is should be worrying about partner said, ‘asking if opponents is illegal, so
mentioned in The White how people display the card I have a stop in clubs.’ you must not do that.
Book but I cannot find so long as both opponents My LHO passed. Partner
any indication of what are alerted clearly. bid 3♦, meaning clearly ♣♦♥♠
to do with it after it 2. Players are required to me that he did not

Q
has been shown. I see to delay their next call for have a club stop and my I made 5♣
some players leave it about ten seconds after a RHO asked me for the doubled +1
upside down on the jump bid. Correct procedure meaning of the 3♦ bid. (vulnerable) to
table. I think it should be is for the stop card to be I was aware that score 950. Someone else
returned to the bidding left out for this time so I could not pass made 4♣ doubled +2 to
box, as leaving it on the that the person who made information to my score 1,110. Why does
table, to my mind, now the jump bid controls the partner by saying the higher contract not
becomes unauthorised time, not his opponent. his explanation was yield the larger score?
information to partner, Sadly, a large proportion incorrect and that if I Patricia Jones, Blackpool.
ie a memory jogger, ‘ I of club players, while said it showed no stop

A
have alerted a previous displaying the stop card, in clubs then it would When a doubled
bid of yours,’ and even, put it away immediately, not be in line with our contract makes, the
‘I am anticipating which is wrong. The next partnership agreement. trick score is doubled,
another alertable player is still required to What should I have which often means that
bid from you.’ wait to avoid unauthorised replied? How should cheaper contracts become
What should happen information problems. I have treated my game contracts, hence
to the alert card after 3. Certainly. Law 36 says partner’s bid when term ‘doubling into game’.
it has been shown? that the original doubler deciding what to bid? Overtricks, on the other
2. Again no mention is silenced for the rest Peter Chapman by email. hand, score considerably
of the stop card until of the auction and there more when doubled; thus a

A
The White Book. may be lead penalties. Your partner’s smaller contract, if making
By the wording, an wrong explanation the same number of tricks,
interpretation is for ♣♦♥♠ is unauthorised will often score more because
LHO to delay his/ information to you, so you it includes more overtricks.

Q
her bid for about 10 Recently, I was must make every effort to The breakdown
seconds after the stop playing with avoid gaining in any way is as follows:
card is shown. Another my partner from it. However, you must
interpretation, which I and the following always explain partnership 4♣ doubled +2:
consider the right one, is incident occurred. agreements fully and Trick points: 4x20x2=160
about 10 seconds after We play that a jump correctly, so if you are asked Overtrick points: 2x200=400
the stop bid is made. raise to 2NT over a what 3♦ means, you tell them Bonus for making contract:
Which is correct? one-level major suit as per your agreement. If 50
3. Partner doubles opening shows 12+ that confuses opponents so Game bonus: 500
partner with RHO having HCP and a minimum be it: they will probably work Total: 160+400+50+500
passed. TD withdraws of 4-card support. We out what is happening. =1,110.
the double and notifies also play that, if there Will your explanation wake
partner of unauthorised is an overcall following your partner up to what 5♣ doubled +1:
information. Is there the one-level major suit has happened? Certainly, Trick points: 5x20x2=200
any further penalty? opening, then a call of but your explanation is Overtrick points: 1x200=200
John Dawe by email. the overcalled suit shows unauthorised information to Bonus for making contract:
the same support. We him and he must make every 50

A
1. I think your also play that, at other effort to take no advantage. Game bonus: 500
suspicions are totally times in the auction, a So if, for example, you Total: 200+200+50+500
unjustified. Many call of the opposition’s play 3♦ as a game try asking =950.

Page 20 BRIDGE March 2014

 Ask David continued South was set to make
11 tricks, but ended up
with 9 giving a resound-
ing bottom. The director
DECLARER
Q
I have two was called but didn’t
queries which I
would like your
know the answer. Should
South have been pe-
PLAY
QUIZ
opinion on please: nalised 1 or 2 tricks?
1. The bidding started: Ann Bennett by email.

A
1. If players give
West North East South
1♥ 1♠ rulings at their own
by David Huggett
Pass 2♠ 2♥ table without the di- (Answers on page 43)
rector, then they should make
South pointed out
that 2♥ was insuf-
sure they are correct and
read them from the book: Y ou are South as declarer playing teams or rubber bridge.
In each case, what is your play strategy?
ficient, East changed this seems very strange and
his bid to 3♦ and the unnecessary to me. However,
bidding continued. since South has accepted the
1. ♠ 5 3 3. ♠ A 7 5 3
3♦ bid, that makes it legal
♥ K Q J 6 ♥ 8 4
West North East South and East and West can bid
♦ K 7 4 ♦ K Q 7 3 2
1♥ 1♠ whatever they like. The ruling
♣ A 7 5 4 ♣ 10 5
Pass 2♠ 3♦ 3♠ would have been differ-
Pass Pass ? ent if the director had been N
N
W E
called, but East would still S
W E
S
Is East permit- have been able to continue
ted to bid again? bidding: the penalties tend
♠ A K J 10 6 2 ♠ 2
2. South is in 4♠ and to be against his partner.
♥ 10 2 ♥ A K Q 3
this is the position at 2. The law is quite clear: if
♦ A Q J 3 ♦ A 10 9 8
trick 7 (no trumps out): the revoker wins the re-
♣ 2 ♣ Q J 6 4
voke trick by ruffing, it is a
two-trick penalty: it is a little
♠ — strange the director could not
You are declarer in 6♠ You are declarer in 3NT
♥ ­­— find that in the law book.
and West leads the ♣J. and West leads the ♠Q.
♦ A K J 9 x
How do you plan the play? How do you plan the play?
♣ x ♣♦♥♠

Q
N
W E West opened
S
3♣, North
♠ x passed and
2. ♠ 6 5 4 4. ♠ 7 4 3
♥ — East doubled. The
♥ A 2 ♥ K Q J 3
♦ Q 10 x x director stated that:
♦ A Q 10 7 6 5 ♦ K 8 4
♣ A (a) West was silenced for
♣ K 7 ♣ A K 2
the rest of the auction
(b) East could make N
N
W E
Declarer played the ‘any legal bid’. S
W E
S
small club from dummy Does this mean
and ruffed it in hand, East cannot pass?
♠ K Q 9 ♠ A K J 10 2
then played the ♣A. Claude Stokes by email.
♥ K 6 5 ♥ 10 7
East declared a revoke

A
♦ J 9 3 ♦ A Q J 3
and demanded a two- In fact, the player
♣ A 5 3 2 ♣ 6 5
trick penalty. South who doubled may
would have made all make any legal call,
the remaining tricks not just any legal bid, so that
You are declarer in 3NT You are declarer in 6♠ and
even without the revoke. does include pass. ■
and West leads the ♠7. West leads the ♣Q. How
East plays the ♠J. How do do you plan the play?
E-mail your questions on bridge laws to: you plan the play?
davidstevenson@[Link]

BRIDGE March 2014 Page 21

 2014 with Jeremy Dhondy, Chairman of the EBU

March 2014
E
play an odd system then so what, but if,
ducation, Education, Education, routinely, you still misplay:
as Tony Blair said about 15 years ♠ K x
ago. He wasn’t talking about ♥ A Q x
the future of bridge but he might as ♦ A J 10 9 x ♠ A K x x x
well have been. If you look around ♣ A K x N

your club on a normal night, there W E

S
is a danger that the average age will
be well over 60 and the result of that A pretty good hand and you would ♠ J 9 x
in 25 years time is fairly clear. Some expect to bid at least a small slam, but
clubs ignore this and I am sad to say your partner might look at you and
that two EBU clubs closed their doors wonder if you had imbibed too much when you need four tricks, then you
in 2013 because their attendance had gin if you wheeled out the standard might consider whether you want to
fallen to a point where hiring the hall Beasley response of 6♦. Time moves do something about it by learning a
was no longer viable for the three-table on and methods change. Two helpful few of the more common suit combi-
Howell. There are clubs who have real- things the EBU can do are to have a nations*.
ised that teaching people both to play recognised syllabus, which approxi- When computer dealing came in, it
and improve is going to give them the mates to what is played in the major- caused ire in some quarters and part
life blood that they need. There have ity of clubs and to have a method to of that was because the way the cards
long been programmes to teach the accredit teachers so that, when the were distributed resembled what you
young for the first time and it is hard club or an individual wants to employ would expect mathematically far more
to deny the importance of these but it a teacher and know if they might be often than when the pack had had a
is not the only area which can be fer- any good, there is a quality mark. Can lazy and cursory shuffle. Those who
tile for finding new students. Some of you teach an alien system or one with played for the 3-3 break instead of a fi-
the more successful clubs are teaching many modifications to standard Eng- nesse were, theoretically, taking a very
much older people, perhaps those who lish? Of course, you may teach well inferior line (36% instead of 50%), but
are close to retiring and looking for without a badge or certificate, but you the bad shuffling made it a lot closer
new activities to indulge in with their do need some way of judging and the and also gave rise to the school who,
increased leisure time. The local U3A teaching arm of the EBU (EBUTA) is faced with a two-way finesse, always
often has a bridge section. one way to have a quality mark which played for the queen to be over the
One problem is having the right can be helpful. Some local authorities, jack.
teachers teaching the right material. I but by no means all, expect an EBUTA If you hope your club will be thriv-
listened to two bridge teachers arguing qualification from those whom they ing in years to come, then teaching is
about the importance of teaching their employ. one of the key ways to make it hap-
beginner students whether to open 1♣ From April, the education part of the pen and having a national organisa-
or 1♦ with 4-4 in the minors. The ar- English Bridge Union will be a part of tion that gives it a priority will help.
guments were fervent and I left them a new charity which will, hopefully, One last thing though. Once you have
still at it wondering why they thought make it easier to raise funds to further taught the beginner and he or she is
it was in any way relevant. I can see the this critical part of our game. There is ready to take their part in the game
arguments for both, but I would not evidence that, when older people keep they will be nervous, slow and prone
worry about it with students unless their mind active with games such as to make mistakes. If the first time they
they had been playing for several years bridge, it delays the onset of mental do so they are harangued, told off for
and possibly not even then. It is a good deterioration. In our society today, that failing to follow etiquette or bellowed
idea to have a basic syllabus so begin- seems to me to be a pretty good adver- at to speed up, I don’t expect they will
ners learn in a structured way and also tisement for the game. The education be back quickly. That is perhaps a topic
to have teachers who are qualified and programme is not just about teaching for next time.
sensible. There is probably still, some- the young or even the old, it is also *To save you looking it up, cash the
where, the teacher who wheels out about giving those who play a chance ace and play low to the nine.
Beasley as the standard method and to improve. You don’t have to have a If you have constructive comment
indeed, it was standard in about 1936. desire to play internationally to want to or feedback on these or other topics,
It might not stand the test of time to- play better. If you have been playing for I will be pleased to hear from you at
day. Try this. Partner opens 1♠: 40 years and you have never wanted to jeremy@[Link]. ■

Page 22 BRIDGE March 2014

 Bernard Magee’s Tips
DEFENCE for Better Bridge
QUIZ 65 invaluable tips in 160 pages
Bidding Tips 33 A low lead usually promises
by Julian Pottage 1 Always consider bidding
spades if you can
length and an honour
34 When declaring 1NT,
(Answers on page 47) 2 Bid more aggressively try to be patient
when non-vulnerable 35 Duck an early round when
3 Always double when the you are short of entries

Y ou are East in the defensive positions below, playing

teams or rubber bridge. It is your turn to play. Both sides
are using Acol with a 12-14 1NT.
opponents steal your deal
4 A takeout double shows
shortage in the suit doubled
36 Lead up to your
two-honour holding
37 Do not always assume
5 ‘Borrow’ a king a suit will break well
to keep the auction open 38 Drop a high card
6 After a penalty double, to put off the defence
don’t let the opponents escape 39 Play your highest card to tempt
1. ♠ K 5 3. ♠ J 9 8
7 Halve the value of a singleton a defender to cover
♥ K J 2 ♥ Q 8 7 3 honour when opening 40 Draw trumps first unless you
♦ Q J 10 5 3 ♦ K Q 9 5 8 Only add length-points for a have a good reason not to
♣ A K 7 ♣ J 10 suit that might be useful 41 Do not waste your trumps
9 Isolated honours are bad 42 Consider leaving a lone defen-
N
♠ A 10 7 4 3 2 ♠ A Q 10 7 3 2 except in partner’s suit sive trump winner out
N
W E ♥ Q 9 5 W E
♥ K2 10 Use the jump shift sparingly
11 Consider passing and letting Defence Tips
S ♦ A 6 S ♦ 10 7
partner decide 43 Keep four-card suits intact
♣ 5 4 ♣ 432 whenever possible
12 You need two top honours
for a second-seat pre-empt 44 Give count on declarer’s leads
13 Put the brakes on if you have a 45 Keep the right cards
misfit rather than signal
West North East South West North East South 46 Take your time
14 Strong and long minors work
1♦ 1♠ 1NT 2♠1 3♥ well in no-trumps when dummy is put down
Pass 2NT Pass 3NT Pass 4♥ All Pass 15 One stop in the opponents’ suit 47 High cards are for killing
can be enough for no-trumps other high cards
All Pass 1
Weak
16 Keep your two-level 48 Do not waste
responses up to strength intermediate cards
Partner leads the ♠6 and 17 Use your normal methods in 49 Pick two key suits to
Partner leads the ♠9, dummy plays low. What response to a 1NT overcall concentrate on during the play
18 Don’t overcall just because 50 If in doubt, cover an honour
covered by the ♠K. What do you do? with an honour
you have opening points
is your plan? 19 Overcalls can be quite weak, 51 If a lead is from two honours, it
so be prudent when responding is best not to cover
20 Weak overcalls must be based 52 Keep your honour to kill
on strong suits dummy’s honour
21 6NT requires 33 points 53 Try to show partner your
not 4 aces and 4 kings solid honour sequences
22 Raise immediately, if weak 54 Lead the normal card when
with four-card support leading partner’s suit
2. ♠ Q 10 8 3 4. ♠ J 4 55 Never underlead an ace at trick
23 In a competitive auction,
♥ 8 2 ♥ 10 9 2 show support immediately one in a suit contract
♦ A K Q 5 ♦ A K Q 5 3 2 24 Bid to the level of your fit 56 Be wary of leading from
quickly with weak hands four cards to only one honour
♣ 8 7 3 ♣ K 7 57 Lead a higher card from
25 With strength and support,
♠ 76 ♠ 10 7 use the opponents’ bid suit a suit without an honour
N N
W E ♥ Q75 W E ♥ Q75 58 Lead through ‘beatable’
strength and up to weakness
S ♦ 876 S ♦ J 10 7 6 Declarer Play Tips 59 Cash your winners before try-
♣ A J 10 9 4 ♣ A 9 5 4 26 When your contract depends ing for a trump promotion
on a finesse, think ‘endplay’ 60 Be patient when defending
27 Consider what a defender 1NT
might be thinking about 61 Trump leads can be safe
West North East South West North East South 28 Always take your time throughout the play
Pass Pass 1NT 1 2♠1 3♦ Pass 3♥ at trick one
29 Establish extra tricks before General Tips
Pass 2♣2 Dbl 2♥ Pass 4♥ All Pass
cashing your winners 62 Do not put important cards
Pass 2NT Pass 3NT 1
Weak 30 Use your opponents’ at either end of your hand
All Pass bidding to your advantage 63 Avoid being declarer when
1
12-14 2Stayman Partner leads the ♣J and 31 Avoid the ‘baddie’ you are dummy
gaining the lead 64 Before you lead, ask for a
dummy plays low. What is 32 Use the Rule of Seven when review of the auction
Partner leads the ♣Q. your plan? holding up in no-trumps 65 Enjoy the Game!
What is your plan?
£14 including postage and packing from Mr Bridge,
Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH. ( 01483 489961

BRIDGE March 2014 Page 23

 Robin Hood’s Bridge Adventures by David Bird

Wise
Wynnfryth’s
Judgement
T
he Thursday night duplicate Marian smiled happily at Robin. ‘Six West – the safe hand who would have
game, taking place in the Spades,’ she said. no heart to play. Still, Tuck’s opening
Drunken Partridge ale-house, This was the full deal: bid made it more likely that he held
had reached the half-way stage. The both the missing diamond honours.
next arrivals at Robin Hood’s table What could be done in that case?
were two of his outlaws, Friar Tuck Dealer East. E/W Game. Robin Hood soon found the answer.
and Nazir the Saracen, well known for ♠ K Q 5 ‘Three of diamonds, please,’ he said.
his fighting ability when using a razor- ♥ A 7 6 Swallowing his mouthful, Friar
sharp sword in each hand. ♦ J 9 8 3 Tuck played the ♦Q from the East seat.
Friar Tuck took his seat at the table, ♣ A K 8 Hood won with the ♦A and continued
depositing a half-eaten game pie ♠ 9 6 2 ♠ 4 with the ace and king of trumps,
N
before him. ♥ 5 W E ♥ K Q J 10 8 East throwing a heart on the second
‘Did you not take supper with us ♦ 7 6 4 S ♦ K Q 2 round. He next played the two top
before we left the forest?’ queried ♣ J 10 7 5 3 2 ♣ Q 9 6 4 clubs, discarding the remaining two
Robin Hood. ♠ A J 10 8 7 3 diamonds from his hand. When he led
‘One or two morsels,’ Tuck replied. ♥ 9 4 3 2 the ♦J, Friar Tuck covered somewhat
‘I didn’t trudge all this way to turn ♦ A 10 5 reluctantly with the ♦K. Hood ruffed
down one of the tastiest pies for miles ♣ Void high in his hand and returned to
around. Hare and venison always work dummy with the queen of trumps.
well together. Do you want a piece?’ Two hearts were discarded on the
Robin Hood declined the offer and West North East South established ♦9-8 and the slam was
sorted through these South cards: Nazir Maid Friar Robin made, declarer conceding a heart trick
Marian Tuck Hood eventually.
1♥ 2♠ ‘If I have four diamonds, I can defeat
♠ A J 10 8 7 3 Pass 6♠ All Pass you,’ observed Friar Tuck.
♥ 9 4 3 2 ‘Can you?’ said Hood
♦ A 10 5 Nazir led his singleton heart and down ‘I don’t cover the second round of
♣ Void went the dummy. ‘I have a fine hand diamonds and you’re stuck,’ Tuck
for you, my love,’ said Marian. continued. ‘Nazir still has a trump. I
For once, Robin Hood had to agree. duck the next diamond too and he can
Friar Tuck opened One Heart on his If they were too high on this one, it ruff if you discard another heart.’
right. At least, it sounded like One would be his fault. ‘Ace, please,’ he A round or two later, Hood and
Heart. It was difficult to be sure when said. Marian faced Wise Wynnfryth, an
his mouth was full of game pie. Hood paused to assess his prospects. ancient but much admired soothsayer
‘Two Spades,’ said Robin Hood. He Six trump tricks and four top cards in in these parts. No-one had doubted
was a bit short of points for this bid, the the side suits brought his total to ten. her evil powers since the time five
way the outlaws played it. Still, Marian To create any more tricks, he would years ago when one of her pigs had
would make allowance for the fact that have to develop the diamond suit. If gone missing. A neighbour had been
the vulnerability was favourable. the diamond honours were split, he found mysteriously dead, slumped
‘Pass,’ said the black-eyed Nazir. could afford to lose a diamond trick to over his dining table. Beside him on

Page 24 BRIDGE March 2014

 Robin Hood continued id partner, he eyed her as if she were dummy by overtaking the ♠9 with the
a nubile 18-year-old. A strange busi- ♠10 and led another club towards the
ness, indeed. queen, his last honour in the suit. Wise
Bligh led the ♦A and down went the Wynnfryth faced the same dilemma
a platter was the well-picked bone of a dummy. ‘Not much for you, my love,’ as before. Once again, she chose to
large pork chop. said Maid Marian. discard and Hood won with the ♣Q.
‘I’ve had no business from you Robin Hood was happy with what This position had been reached:
recently, Robin,’ declared Wise he saw. If clubs broke 3-2, all would
Wynnfryth. ‘You don’t need no harm be easy. In fact if trumps were 2-2
comin’ to no-one?’ also, he would be able to discard a ♠ 3
Robin Hood eyed the old woman heart from dummy and then ruff a ♥ Q 6
respectfully. ‘When I do, I’ll come to heart for an overtrick. What if trumps ♦ J 9 7 6
your door,’ he replied. were 3-1 and the clubs were 4-1? That ♣ —
‘My prices are fair, you know that.’ would be more of a test but perhaps he ♠ — ♠ 7
N
The players drew their cards for this could survive if it was East who held ♥ K 9 7 W E ♥ J 10 8
deal: the singleton club. He could then lead ♦ K 8 3 S ♦ Q 10 2
towards his club honours, preventing ♣ J ♣ —
old Wynnfryth from ruffing one of his ♠ A K Q
Dealer South. Game All. honours. ♥ A 5
♠ 10 8 3 Since he might need to use dummy’s ♦ —
♥ Q 6 top trumps as entries, Hood ruffed the ♣ 7 5
♦ J 9 7 6 4 first trick with the ♠J. He then cashed
♣ 9 6 3 the ♣A. Crossing to dummy with the
♠ 4 ♠ 7 6 2 ♠8, he embarked on his plan of leading Robin Hood smiled to himself as he
N
♥ K 9 7 3 W E ♥ J 10 8 4 2 towards the club honours. ‘Small club, realised that his work was not yet over.
♦ A K 8 3 S ♦ Q 10 5 2 please,’ he said. When he led a fourth round of clubs,
♣ J 10 8 2 ♣ 4 Wise Wynnfryth sniffed the air.
West’s ♣J appearing, he realised that
♠ A K Q J 9 5 Should she ruff this trick? It seemed he would go down if he ruffed with
♥ A 5 that declarer must hold a black the ♠3. East would overruff and there
♦ — two-suiter. If she ruffed in second would be a further loser in hearts.
♣ A K Q 7 5 seat, the clubs might be established, ‘Throw the six of hearts, will you,
allowing declarer to discard a heart my love?’ he said.
from dummy eventually and ruff The contract could not be defeated
West North East South a heart. She sucked in air through then. West’s ♣J won this trick but
Jake Maid Wise Robin her remaining teeth. What to do? nothing could stop declarer from
Bligh Marian Wynnfryth Hood Eventually, she discarded a heart. ruffing a heart in dummy to bring
2♣ Robin Hood’s eyes lit up. East home the slam.
Pass 2♦ Pass 2♠ had started with a singleton club. Wise Wynnfryth paused to evaluate
Pass 4♠ Pass 6♠ It seemed that his splendid plan what had happened. Declarer had
All Pass had been necessary. He returned to needed two trump entries to dummy
to lead towards his
When Robin Hood clubs and, eventually, a
heard of spade support third trump to take the
opposite, he lost no heart ruff. She turned
time bidding a small her piercing eyes in
slam. A grand slam the direction of her
might be possible, but it unfortunate partner.
would be difficult to bid ‘You drooling buffoon!’
it with any certainty. she shrieked. ‘Lead a
Jake Bligh, a mus- trump and he can’t
cular 24-year-old, was make it!’
an unlikely partner for ‘But, but… I had the
Wise Wynnfryth. Al- ♦A-K.’
though no-one would ‘Let him make a vul-
dare suggest it openly, nerable slam, would
it was widely assumed you?’ cried the old
that she had cast a spell crone. ‘You can sleep
over him. Every time in the back yard to-
he looked at his decrep- night!’ ■

BRIDGE March 2014 Page 25

 We Are Survivors Beginners’ Bridge Corner
(For those born Before 1940 . . .)
We were born before television,
before penicillin, polio shots,
frozen foods, Xerox, contact
lenses, videos and the pill. We
Mary’s Third Lesson
were before radar, credit cards,
split atoms, laser beams and
by Liz Dale
ballpoint pens, before dish-

I
washers, tumble driers, electric
blankets, air conditioners, drip-dry t had been Anne her It seemed the main you had to have 12 HCP, but
clothes . . . and before man walked daughter-in-law’s idea for difference between mini that, as opener’s partner, you
on the moon. Mary to move nearer to bridge and bridge proper needed only 6 HCP to reply?
We got married first and then Liam, her son, and family was that you didn’t announce Alasdair, whilst giving out
lived together (how quaint can after the loss of Peter two your high-card point count the homework sheets, said
you be?). We thought ‘fast food’ and a half years ago. Anne (HCP) but you still had to that maybe the group would
was what you ate in Lent, a ‘Big
Mac’ was an oversized raincoat was anxious to return to her identify partnership HCP find it helpful to divide the
and ‘crumpet’ we had for tea. We career in the bank – quite by making a ‘Bid’. And homework into two sessions.
existed before house husbands, a highly paid job, and she with this bid you promised The first session could be
computer dating and sheltered thought Mary might like certain criteria. If you, as done in one sitting, that of
accommodation was where you to help out with David, dealer, passed, then you going through the exercises,
waited for a bus.
Mary’s Grandson. ‘Make promised partner you hadn’t counting up the HCP and
We were before day care centres,
Mary feel wanted and got the required 12 HCP for slotting the figure into the
group homes and disposable
nappies. We never heard of FM useful,’ was what she said. opening the bidding. If you, homework sheet, without
radio, tape decks, artificial hearts, The bridge lesson on as opener, made the first worrying about what the
word processors, or young men Tuesday morning caused a bid, for example, 1♣, 1♦, 1♥ correct bid and responses
wearing earrings. For us ‘time problem for Liam and Anne. or 1♠, then you promised should be. Then, the second
sharing’ meant togetherness, a
There always seemed to three things. 12-19 HCP, at session could be devoted
‘chip’ was a piece of wood or fried
potato, ‘hard­ware’ meant nuts be such a fuss made about least four cards in the suit bid to a time when you were
and bolts and ‘software’ wasn’t who would take David to and, thirdly, you promised feeling relatively fresh and
a word. school on a Tuesday morn- to rebid if partner changed you could tackle the bidding
Before 1940 ‘Made in Japan’ ing. And now David had the suit. If opener’s partner sequences straight off.
meant junk, the term ‘making been ill in the night. Mary made a bid, then at least Mary tried to give her
out’ referred to how you did in
had said she would take over 6+ HCP were promised. attention to the new
your exams, ‘stud’ was something
that fastened a collar to a shirt after 12.30pm but Liam and Fewer than 6 HCP meant principles of bridge proper,
and ‘going all the way’ meant Anne weren’t at all happy that partner should pass. but it wasn’t easy. Her
staying on a double-decker bus to about this arrangement. ‘Yes, pass’ said Alasdair, concentration wasn’t at all
the terminus. In our day, cigarette Feeling more than a little ‘Don’t try and rescue good this morning. She was
smoking was ‘fashionable’, ‘grass’
bit guilty, Mary arrived partner – it doesn’t work.’ feeling very low. Couldn’t
was mown, ‘coke’ was kept in the
coalhouse, a ‘joint’ was a piece of at the bridge club. She The number of tricks you quite shake off the feeling
meat you ate on Sundays and ‘pot’ couldn’t seem to lift her were expected to make was that she had somehow let
was something you cooked in. spirits this morning, not the same as with mini bridge. Anne and Liam down. She
‘Rock Music’ was a fond mother’s since the phone call. If the partnership had 21/22 would have to work very hard
lullaby, ‘Eldorado’ was an ice-
Everyone had completed combined HCP, you were on the homework exercises if
cream, a ‘gay person’ was the life
and soul of the party, while ‘aids’ their homework. Alasdair (the expected to make seven she was to keep up with the
just meant beauty treatment or teacher) felt that today they tricks. With 23/24 HCP, the rest of the class. Mary really
help for someone in trouble. were all ready to progress expectation was eight tricks liked coming to the lesson. It
We who were born before 1940 from mini bridge to bridge and if the partnership had was the first real opportunity
must be a hardy bunch when proper. Cries of, ‘Why? But 25/26 HCP, then nine tricks she had for meeting new
you think of the way in which
we like mini bridge. We don’t in no-trumps or ten tricks people since moving to the
the world has changed and the
adjustments we have had to make. want to progress. We’re in hearts and spades. The area and she thought that
No wonder there is a generation happy with mini bridge. ‘mentor’ at Mary’s table was maybe, with time, she might,
gap today . . . BUT Do we have to?’ Mary said working hard this morning. even, make some good
By the grace of God . . . nothing. Just listened to them, Why was it so hard to friends. She really hoped
we have survived! admiring their exuberance. remember that as opener so. ■

Printed in the UK on a
100% cotton tea-towel Open the bidding with 12 HCPs or more and reply to
£7 from Art Screen Prints
partner’s suit opening with 6 HCPs or more.
( 01287 654481

Page 26 BRIDGE March 2014

 The Diaries of Wendy Wensum
Episode 23: Different Paths
Part 1: St David and the Saints

I
t was a long car journey from Nor- with alacrity. After the exertions of the and mumbled to himself about walk-
folk to Pembrokeshire for a short day, Spouse and his new friend Dave ers and bridge. I ruffed the second dia-
holiday of bridge. Spouse and I were sampling pints of local real ales, mond and played a top trump losing
arrived at the hotel near St David’s in discussing each beer with the affected to the ace and then the ♣A. I trumped
time for dinner and the first session tones of wine connoisseurs, while the diamond return and played a heart
of bridge. We were not at our best and Sally and I sipped our glasses of wine hoping for a 2-2 break. It was not to
were disappointed with our perfor- quietly and set out our system card be. I took the spade ace; West took
mance. carefully. the king. I ruffed his club return and
At breakfast next morning, we This was a board of interest: played a winning spade. My two re-
discovered that bridge players were not maining trumps gave me eight tricks
the only guests. A group of walkers were in total for two down. As Sally filled in
also based at the hotel and Spouse and Dealer East. Love All. the traveller West said, ‘Shouldn’t that
I were persuaded to join them on the ♠ Q 10 9 8 7 3 be 200 to us? The vulnerability is red.’
first walk of their holiday. The group ♥ K J 10 7 2 ‘No, it’s green; the score is 100,’ inter-
leader promised us a short warm-up ♦ 3 ceded his wife, sitting East, ‘No won-
stroll. So it was that a dozen or so ♣ 4 der you have trouble with traffic lights.
walkers and two invited bridge players ♠ K 6 4 ♠ J 5 I’d better do all the driving in future.’
N
set off in a mini-bus to St. David’s. We ♥ 8 6 3 W E ♥ A ‘Why didn’t you double?’ her husband
alighted near the impressive cathedral ♦ K Q J 9 S ♦ A 10 8 2 retorted before starting to mumble
and made our way from there along ♣ Q 7 3 ♣ A K 10 8 6 5 again, but now the subject matter con-
a track to St. Non’s Bay, named after ♠ A 2 cerned wives and woman drivers.
the mother of St. David. The weather ♥ Q 9 5 4 When Spouse and Dave played the
was ideal for walking; light clouds, dry ♦ 7 6 5 4 board, there was no intervention from
and little wind. We took the coastal ♣ J 9 2 opponents. The bidding was:
path overlooking St. Bride’s Bay and
rounded the peninsula. By Ramsay
Sound, we saw seals basking in a small Sally and I played North-South and West North East South
inlet and, further along, dolphins this was the auction: Dave Spouse
swimming with the nature reserve 1♣ Pass
of Ramsay Island as the backcloth. West North East South 1♦ Pass 3♦ Pass
At St Justinian’s, we turned inland Sally Wendy 4♣ Pass 5♣ All Pass
and returned by flatter tracks and 1♣ Pass
footpaths to St David’s. 1♦ 2NT* 3♦ 3♥ South led the ♠A and, with only that
We enjoyed the nine mile walk 4♦ 4♥ All Pass trick to lose, Spouse made his contract
thoroughly, but pointed out to our *Both majors with an overtrick for a good score.
new friends’ amusement that such a One pair had bid and made a slam in
distance with the ups and downs of the West led the ♦K. When dummy ap- diamonds. Both our pairs finished in
Welsh coastal cliffs was rather more peared, the gentleman sitting West the top quarter of the field and Sally
challenging than the same distance in was not a happy bunny and called the and Dave admitted they had gained a
Norfolk. director, complaining that Sally had lot of confidence from the session and
After dinner, I suggested that as overcalled with six points. I explained had enjoyed themselves immensely.
a sign of mutual respect, the group that we were a new partnership and Afterwards, Dave and Spouse con-
should join us for bridge. I have never our only arrangement was that the tinued their beer drinking, while Sally
seen so many walkers disappear so 2NT bid was of the two-suited variety and I sipped herbal tea healthily at Sal-
fast. However, with social rubber showing both majors. The TD saw no ly’s recommendation. I made a mental
bridge experience, although novices problem. The hand had only six los- note of suggesting that to Millie. It had
to duplicate and rather nervous about ers and contained useful intermediate been a good day. We had walked in
the prospect, Sally and Dave accepted cards. Its strength was only six high dry weather and been successful at the
the invitation. Spouse and I offered to card points, but it reached 17 ‘opening table. The Pembrokeshire saints were
split our partnership and they agreed points’. West was still clearly unhappy smiling on us. ■

BRIDGE March 2014 Page 27

 Julian Pottage answers your bridge questions

Is the Fourth Suit

Still Forcing
After a Double?

Q
You are South, ine North regretted not QPlus, which bid to 6♠. (waiting)-4♣ (cue)-4♦ (cue)-
playing a weak having redoubled 1♠. 4♥ (cue)-4♠-5♣ (second
no-trump with cue in clubs so must be
5-card majors and fourth ♣♦♥♠ ♠ K Q 3 2 ♠ A 9 7 6 5 ace-king)-6♣ (cue, show-
suit forcing to game: ♥ A 8 6 5 4 ♥ Void ing third round control)-7♠.

Q
N
I opened 4♦ with ♦ K 8 W E ♦ A 6 2
this hand and ♣ Q 3 S ♣ A K 10 7 4 ♣♦♥♠
♠ A Q 9 6 3 ended up making

Q
♥ 5 6♦ doubled after the We play Acol
♦ K 10 2 opponents bid to 5♠. Should you reach with key card
♣ A J 9 2 7♠? How would you Blackwood, cue
bid it? 1♠-2♥-3♣ was bidding and splinters.
♠ Q a common start.
West North East South ♥ K 8 4 Patrick Dunham, Co-
1♠ ♦ A K Q 10 9 8 7 6 leorton, Leics. ♠ K J 7
Dbl 2♥ Pass* 3♣ ♣ A ♥ Q 9 7 4 3

A
Dbl 3♦ The grand slam is a ♦ A 10 6
*Alerted as a penalty pass good contract, albeit ♣ A Q
What would you open? not laydown. A 4-0 N
W E
The point of the dispute Doreen Y Parrington, trump break or a 5-1 club S
was in relation to North’s Lytham St Annes. break could cause problems.
3♦. Was this fourth suit I recommend playing 2NT ♠ Void

A
forcing in this rather 4♦ as an opening as a game forcing raise; ♥ A K 5
strange sequence? bid is a weak bid, 1♠-2NT gets you off to a ♦ K Q J 7 3
Michael Harris by email. showing a pre- better start than 1♠-2♥- ♣ J 9 7 4 3
emptive hand, which you 3♣-4♠. After the artificial

A
It is quite common do not have. If you play 2NT, with a 5-loser hand
to play that with natural strong two bids, and first-round control in all North South
most responses you you could open 2♦. If you four suits, East will insist on 1♥ 2♦
ignore the double. I would play 2♦ as something else, reaching at least 6♠. This 2NT 3♣
also feel inclined to ignore opening 1♦ would be fine. leaves plenty of space for 3NT 4♣
the explanation of East’s exploring grand slam pos- 4NT 5♦
pass over 2♥; perhaps West ♣♦♥♠ sibilities. Whether the players All Pass
did not see North’s 2♥. are sufficiently confident of

Q
Despite the unusual auc- This comes from the club position to bid 7♠ is Should I have rebid 3♥
tion, I think 3♦ should be a Mr Bridge debatable; at least you are rather than 2NT? What
fourth suit forcing as usual. weekend. Two in with a chance. With my else do you suggest
Given the way the auc- pairs bid 6♠; everyone regular partner, we might bid to reach 6♦ or 6♥?
tion progressed, I imag- made 13 tricks. I put it in 1♠-2NT-3♥ (shortage)-3♠ Ray Andrews by email.

Page 28 BRIDGE March 2014

 Q
Ask Julian continued lose more than a spade, Should you open
a diamond and a club. a weak two with ♠ A 7 4
both majors? ♥ A
♣♦♥♠ My partner and ♦ A K Q J 10 9 8 3 2

A
The first four bids I disagree. ♣ Void

Q
are correct. The How should Irene Symes by email. N
W E
2NT rebid shows we have bid

A
S
the balanced nature of the a grand slam If you make any type
hand and does not deny with these hands? of pre-emptive bid, a ♠ K Q 6 3
five hearts. A jump to 3♥ We failed weak two included, ♥ K J 7 4
would suggest six good comprehensively. you are saying that your ♦ Void
hearts, not five poor ones. hand will be worth far more ♣ K J 7 4 3
North should have with its long suit as trumps.
supported diamonds at ♠ 9 3 If you have a two-suited Martin Ison, London N3.
some point, probably over ♥ A Q 6 hand, especially if your

A
3♣ and certainly over 4♣. ♦ A Q 7 5 second suit is the other Grand slams are of-
As the hearts are poor and ♣ A 10 7 6 major, this is unlikely to ten difficult to bid. So
it is cheaper to bid 3♦ than N be the case. While some are freak hands. The
W E
3♥, I prefer 3♦ to 3♥ over S
say never to pre-empt with combination of the two makes
3♣. By failing to give South four cards in an unbid things especially difficult.
a chance to support hearts ♠ A K Q J 8 7 major, you can apply a North will be looking for
and in failing ever to support ♥ K J 8 4 bit of common sense. South to hold the ♠K and
diamonds, North’s bidding ♦ K J 10 either the ♠Q, ♥K, or ♣A.
made life very difficult. ♣ void The ♦7 and certain honour
South might reasonably Hand 1 combinations would also be
assume from the repeated ♠ K Q J 10 9 3 good enough – though no
no-trump bids that North North South ♥ 6 4 3 2 known method of bidding
had a lot of wasted 1♠ ♦ 6 2 will tell you about the ♦7.
values in spades. 2♣ 2♥ ♣ 4 On the actual layout, if
A possible auction is 1♥- 3NT All Pass North can find out that South
2♦-2NT-3♣-3♦-3♥-4♥-6♦. has three kings, it will be
Paul Jesper by email. easy to count 13 tricks: two
♣♦♥♠ Hand 2 spades, two hearts and nine

A
This is not an easy ♠ K 10 7 3 diamonds. The problem is

Q
With a strong hand to bid in ♥ A J 8 6 4 3 that a two king reply to 5NT
hand, can I open Acol. However, ♦ 6 2 will take the auction to the
an Acol 2♣ with you should certainly reach ♣ 4 seven level. North might not
fewer than 23 points? at least a small slam. risk doing that, especially
Brian Davenport by email. The upper limit for if South has bid clubs and
North’s jump to 3NT Hand 1, with very good then cue bid hearts, making

A
The requirement to really ought to be 15 spades and terrible it likely that the two kings
hold 23 HCP applies points. With this strength hearts, should play well would be the ♥K and ♣K.
only if you have a hand, going via fourth enough in spades even if One way of trying to bid
balanced hand. If you have a suit would seem better, partner has a heart fit. this is 2♣-3♣-4♦. Following
powerful game-going hand especially as South might Hand 2, in contrast, with your 2♣ opening with a jump
with five quick tricks, you can have held five hearts. the ace in your long suit rebid shows a self-supporting
open 2♣ with fewer HCP. In any case, South’s pass of and good spade support, suit and invites cue bidding.
With this hand it would 3NT is exceedingly cautious. might well play far better in
be correct to open 2♣: With a four-loser hand and spades than in hearts. While ♣♦♥♠
the likelihood that North it would be sensible to open

Q
has the missing diamond 2♠ with Hand 1, you should Playing red-
♠ K Q J 10 6 3 honours, South should not open 2♥ on Hand 2. suit transfers,
♥ A K envisage a slam. A jump to if my partner
♦ 4 6♠ would be a better shot ♣♦♥♠ opens 1NT and I re-
♣ A K 10 8 than passing 3NT. North spond 2♦ (showing

Q
might or might not find the Please tell me hearts), should my
raise to the grand slam on how we bid to partner always bid 2♥?
Even facing a Yarborough, the strength of the three reach 7♦ on these John Hiles,
it would be unlucky to aces. hands. North is dealer. Elveden, Norfolk.

BRIDGE March 2014 Page 29

 A
Ask Julian continued missing as well as the ace. afford to hold up. With only 11 HCP,
A possible auction is I would not
1♥-1♠-2♥-3♦-3♠-4♣-4♦-4♠. ♣♦♥♠ consider a 2♠
If South bids 4NT instead opening with the North

A Q
While many play that of 4♠, you still stop out of My left hand cards. 1♠-2♣-4♠ seems a
opener always bids a slam because the ♠Q opponent opened reasonable auction. The
2♥, others permit and an ace are missing. 1NT (12-14) and, jump to 4♠ shows a hand
opener other options beyond Possibly even better is if after a pass from my too good for a 4♠ opening.
simply completing a transfer. North employs the principle partner, my RHO bid Actually, if you were
With a maximum, four-card of fast arrival and jumps 2♠, understood to be a vulnerable, it would not
support and a ruffing value, to 4♠ over 3♦, giving transfer. I held 16pts be ridiculous for North to
many people would ‘break’ 1♥-1♠-2♥-3♦-4♠-End. including ♠A-Q-J-10-x open 4♠, which would give
or ‘super-accept’ the transfer. so I doubled, intending an even shorter auction.
Playing a weak no-trump, ♣♦♥♠ it to be for penalties
some break into a small or for a lead if they ♣♦♥♠

Q
doubleton. Perhaps more How should played in no-trumps.

Q
common, especially for you respond My partner took this for Playing Acol,
those who play a strong with this hand take-out. Who was right? how would you
no-trump, is to break into after partner opens Keith Boothby, Buxton. recommend
a strong side suit. Some a weak 1NT? bidding the

A
play that a jump to three of If 2♠ was a transfer following hands?
responder’s suit shows four to clubs, there are
trumps but not a maximum. ♠ 9 5 4 two ways of playing
♥ Void the double (i) asking for ♠ J 4
♣♦♥♠ ♦ A Q J 9 7 5 4 2 a spade lead (ii) showing ♥ A K 9 6 3
♣ Q 7 a hand that would have ♦ Q J 4 2

Q
6♠/6♥ make doubled 1NT. (i) is the more ♣ 10 8
on these common agreement and is N
W E
hands. Should At the table, I was what partner ought to think S
you reach it playing concerned someone if you have not discussed
Benji and RKCB? might hold up the ♦K the situation. Unless ♠ A Q 8 2
in 3NT, so I bid 5♦. specifically agreed otherwise, ♥ 4
Partner held the a double of an artificial ♦ A K 10
♠ K J 2 ace-king in each black bid is not for take-out. ♣ A K Q 9 7
♥ K Q 10 9 8 3 suit, so a slam was on.
♦ Void Nobody found the heart ♣♦♥♠
♣ J 10 8 3 lead to beat 3NT. North South

Q
N David Lawrence by email. North was the 1♣
W E
dealer playing 1♥ 3NT

A
S
Freak hands are Acol twos. All Pass
♠ A 10 9 8 4 often difficult to
♥ 5 judge accurately. 3NT made 13 tricks. All
♦ A 8 7 6 The extreme shape ♠ A Q J 8 6 5 4 2 the other pairs played
♣ A K Q suggests that the suit game ♥ 7 3 in 6NT, although with
may be better. Indeed, on a ♦ A the opposition card
quick computer simulation, ♣ 10 2 layout, 7NT, 7♦ and
Mary O’Connor by email. 5♦ made 54% of the time, N 7♣ all make.
W E
3NT 43% of the time. At How should you

A
S
The North hand is matchpoints, a further bid these hands?
a bit too good for consideration is that 3NT ♠ Void David France by email.
a weak 2♥. I would making 10 tricks outscores ♥ A Q J 8 4

A
open 1♥. Even so, I would 5♦ making 11 or 12 tricks. ♦ Q 8 With 22 HCP and
not expect to reach a slam Then again, 5♦ is unlikely ♣ K J 9 7 4 2 some useful shape,
with these hands. In 6♠, you to go many down, whereas 5.5 defensive tricks
would be missing the ♠Q 3NT might go several down. and only 3 losers, the South
and an ace, which RKCB You need not worry about Our auction started hand would seem to tick all
will establish. In 6♥, again holding up the ♦K. Only if 2♠-3♣. How should the the boxes for a 2♣ opening.
you have a problem in the diamonds are 3-0 with the bidding have gone? 2♣-2♥-3♣-3♦-3NT-6NT
trump suit, with the jack king offside can an opponent Mrs Eede, Chepstow. seems a good sequence.

Page 30 BRIDGE March 2014

 Ask Julian continued case we use 4NT. On one Bridge and Travel Tips
deal, my partner opened
1♣. I, with 14 points and

Having decided to open

a balanced hand, re-
plied 3NT. Partner then
PREPARING THE WAY
1♣, South should rebid 2♠. A bid 4♣, which I took as
Bridge tip from Sally Brock:
jump in a new suit is forcing natural and raised to 5♣.
and shows a strong hand. She had in fact wanted Before making the key decision on a hand,
As it happens, that would to know how many aces try to get as much information as you can.
not have helped as there is I had and whether she

T
no fit and North will never could make 6♣, which his advice comes into and kings were present
believe that South has this we did. How should we its own when you are before bidding the grand
many points or controls. have reached the slam? trying to find a queen. slam. West led the ♠J. How
Name and address supplied. If you can discover who is would you play?
♣♦♥♠ more likely (or certain) to This is not the time just

A
On this particular have the length in the suit, to bash out your top clubs

Q
South opened auction, I am afraid then that player is also more and hope for the best. Stay-
1NT (12-14), your partner has likely to hold the queen. Here man saw that he had twelve
and E/W no direct way to ask you for is a rather extreme example top tricks and thirteen if ei-
were using Asptro. aces. Having opened 1♣, – a hand played by the dear, ther hearts or clubs came
4♣ is clearly natural. Since it departed Sam Stayman. in. What he did was win in
would be a raise, 4NT would dummy and cash the ♣A.
♠ A K 5 4 ♠ J 8 6 be natural too. Had you cue He then cashed his spades,
♥ A 10 9 7 2 ♥ J 8 5 4 bid something rather than Dealer South. Game All. dummy throwing a club on
N
♦ K 3 W E ♦ J 10 5 4 raised to 5♣, your partner ♠ A 7 the third, while East pitched
S
♣ 7 5 ♣ K 3 might have been able to ♥ Q 8 4 a diamond. He now tried
bid 4NT next time to ask for ♦ A Q 2 the hearts and East showed
aces. Please bear in mind ♣ A Q 10 9 3 out on the third round of
West North East South that with clubs as the agreed those too. He then cashed
N
1NT suit, a 4NT ace enquiry is W E the ♦K and ♦A, both oppo-
S
2♦ Pass 2♠ End of limited value since most nents following and paused
replies will take you past 5♣. ♠ K Q 5 to take stock. He knew that
Is the bidding correct? ♥ A K 10 2 West had started with six
With the simpler Landy ♣♦♥♠ ♦ K 10 4 spades, four hearts, two
convention, we would ♣ K 6 4 diamonds and therefore

Q
have reached 2♥ quickly. The response of only one club. So he ran
Lloyd Lewis by email. 1NT to my part- the ♣10, then played a club
ner’s opening The contract was 7NT, to his king and a diamond

A
Yes, playing Asptro it bid of, say, 1♦ shows 6 reached after South opened back to dummy’s queen to
is usual to anchor to to 8 points, no support a 16-18 1NT and North just cash the ♣Q, his thirteenth
the weaker suit, the for partner’s suit and checked that all the aces trick. ■
result being the occasional denies a 4-card major.
auction like the one you cite. If RHO intervenes at the
If you watch VuGraph one level, does this af- Travel tip from Emma Thomson:

‘B
broadcasts on BBO, fect my 1NT response?
e Prepared’ is the Scout motto – and wise words
hardly anyone plays Asp- Susan Hoddinott, too. Researching your destination prior to travel
tro – this tells a story. Chart Sutton, Kent. not only deepens your enjoyment of the country,
but it always prevents you from making a cultural faux

A
♣♦♥♠ After the overcall, pas. In America, giving a ‘thumbs up’ means ‘OK’, but
there are two subtle in South America, it’s hideously offensive; in Europe, it’s

Q
My partner and changes. Firstly, the perfectly polite to finish an entire plate of food, but in
I play 4♣ as range is more like 7-9 than China, it’s customary to leave a small morsel to signal
asking for aces, 6-8 or a poor 9. Secondly, the hosts gave you enough to eat; in India, nodding your
unless clubs have been you are showing a stopper in head means ‘No’, and shaking your head is agreement.
It’s also polite to learn a few of the basics – ‘thank you’,
bid naturally, in which the opposing suit. ■
‘please’ and so forth – in the local lingo. Pick up a
guidebook before you leave and have a thumb through
the background information – it’ll pay dividends.
E-mail your questions for Julian to:
julianpottage@[Link]

BRIDGE March 2014 Page 31

 G L O B A L 
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429STI13
 Things You Should Know by Andrew Kambites

About Opener
Bidding No-Trumps
A
s opener, you should You should not waste energy worrying If you still need convincing, try
classify your hand as about flaws, just do it. The whole looking at the next layout. West is
either balanced or system depends on it. The dangers are dealer. What do you think is the best
unbalanced immediately. far less than you think and you will contract for East/West?
see later that the hidden rewards are
Balanced hands have no singleton and huge when you don’t open or rebid no-
not more than one doubleton. trumps. ♠ 8 7 ♠ 6 4 2
There are three balanced shapes: ♥ A Q 3 N ♥ K 5 4
W E
4333, 4432 and 5332. (By ♦ A Q 6 5 S ♦ K J 3 2
5332, I mean any hand with a 5-card Hand A Hand B ♣ 8 4 3 2 ♣ A K 7
suit, two 3-card suits and a doubleton.) ♠ A Q 6 5 ♠ 4 3
The only unbalanced hand shape ♥ A K 7 6 ♥ K 7 6
without a 5-card suit is 4441. This ♦ 9 4 3 ♦ A Q 10 3 2 You have 26 points so it is fantasy to
shape is fairly infrequent: only about ♣ 10 2 ♣ A 7 6 imagine that you are going to stop
one hand in 30. below game.
5♦ has no chance whatsoever:
♣♦♥♠ Hands A and B are obvious hands to whatever they lead, you will lose two
open 1NT. I will consider 5332 hands spade tricks and a club.

B
alanced hands should be with a 5-card major at the end of this The practical contract is 3NT, but
either opened with a no- article. only if the bidding has gone 1NT-3NT,
trump bid or opened with leaving North with a blind lead.
a suit bid with the intention of ♣♦♥♠ If the missing spades are 4-4 you are
rebidding no-trumps. safe. They can take only 4 tricks and

Y
ou can often get away you have nine winners to pocket the
I will assume you are playing a weak with murder in 3NT, rest.
no-trump (12-14 points), and that your particularly if your Suppose the missing spades are 5-3
2NT opening shows 20-22 points. You bidding was short and sweet (or worse). If North has five spades,
will see below that all no-trump rebids and gave your opponent no he will lead one and you will go off.
show hands in the range 15-19. clues as to what to lead. However, if South has five spades why
The consequence of this is that if you should North lead a spade from a three
are dealt a balanced hand in the range If you are still worried about opening card holding, unless your bidding has
12-14, unless you open 1NT you will 1NT with a small doubleton, told him to do so?
never get another opportunity to bid remember:
no-trumps, without partner thinking (i) Just because you open 1NT ♣♦♥♠
you have a stronger hand. This leads doesn’t mean the final contract will be

W
onto my third point. in no-trumps. Partner can use Stayman ith a 4441 shape, with
or transfers. a red suit singleton
♣♦♥♠ (ii) If you are weak in a suit, partner open the suit below
may have strength in it. the singleton: with a black suit

I
f you are dealt a balanced (iii) Even if both you and your part- singleton open the middle of
hand in the range 12-14 ner are weak in a suit, the opponents your three touching suits.
points, you must open 1NT. may not lead that suit.

Page 34 BRIDGE March 2014

 About Opener Bidding NT continued Auction G Auction H West East
West East West East 1♥ 1♠
1♠ 2♣ 1♥ 1♠ 1NT 2♠
2♥ 2♣
You might wonder why I am Do you really want East to pass 1♥? Or
introducing 4441 shape hands (which Auction J Auction K do you want to play this at the three
are unbalanced) into an article on no- West East West East level after a 2NT rebid?
trump bidding. 1♥ 2♣ 1♦ 1♠ (ii) Since a 2NT rebid can be 19
The reason is that, if you accept my 2♦ 2♣ points (and should be played as game
ideas so far you will see there is a very forcing unless East passes), it gives
valuable implication that if opener In Auction G, West guarantees at least further room for investigation. For
introduces two suits, the first has at five spades because it is never correct example:
least five cards. to open a 4441 hand with 1♠.
However, 4441 hands are an In Auction H, West guarantees at
exception to this, so this needs to be least five hearts; if West was 4441 shape ♠ K 8 6 ♠ Q J 10 5 4
understood. for his 1♥ opening, his singleton would ♥ A Q 7 6 N ♥ K 4 2
W E
be in clubs. Therefore, he would have ♦ J 10 6 S ♦ 8 4
four spades and would raise spades ♣ A K Q ♣ 8 6 4
Hand C Hand D rather than rebid diamonds.
♠ A Q 3 2 ♠ A Q 3 2 In Auction J, West will usually have
♥ A Q 5 4 ♥ A Q 5 4 five hearts but he could have Hand C. West East
♦ J 8 7 6 ♦ 4 However, it will pay East to assume that 1♥ 1♠
♣ 4 ♣ J 8 7 6 West has five hearts and accept that oc- 2NT1 3♥2
casionally that will not be the case. 3♠3 4♠4
In Auction K, West may be 4-4 in
the minors, but it does less harm to 1
18-19 points.
Hand E Hand F mislead partner about the length in a 2
I have three hearts (hoping for a 5-3
♠ A Q 3 2 ♠ 4 minor suit than a major suit. fit). This makes the auction game
♥ 4 ♥ A Q 5 4 To summarise: if partner opens forcing.
♦ J 8 7 6 ♦ J 8 7 6 a major suit and rebids a new suit, 3
I haven’t got five hearts but I do have
♣ A Q 5 4 ♣ A Q 3 2 assume he has five cards in the major. 3-card support for your spades.
4
The correct contract.
♣♦♥♠
With Hand C, open 1♥. You intend a If West had to jump to 3NT to show his

A
2♦ rebid over a 2♣ response. 1NT rebid shows 15-17 19 points, none of this investigation
With Hand D, open 1♣. You intend a points. A 2NT rebid with would be possible, without bypassing
1♥ rebid over a 1♦ response. a jump (ie after a one 3NT. East would have to pass 3NT,
With Hand E, open 1♦. You intend a level change of suit) shows which has little chance because the
1♠ rebid over a 1♥ response. 18-19 points. defenders will have two chances to
With Hand F, open 1♦. You intend a attack diamonds.
2♣ rebid over a 1♠ response. I can almost hear the howls of protest.
Yes, I know that most of you were ♣♦♥♠
Notice that you never open a 4441 taught that a 1NT rebid shows 15-16

I
shape hand with 1♠ and the only time but things have moved on. There are f you have a 4432 shape,
you open a 4441 hand with 1♥ is if you huge advantages: too strong for 1NT, you
have a singleton club. (i) It isn’t sensible to have to jump must open one of your suits,
to 2NT to show 17 points. Although intending a no-trump rebid. If
♣♦♥♠ 17 opposite 6 will often make 2NT, you have a major and a minor,
it certainly isn’t guaranteed. It also it is best to open the major. If

T
he consequence of your makes it a bit safer for responder to you have both majors, open
decision either to open try to improve the contract with fewer 1♥.
or rebid all balanced than six points, for example:
hands with no-trumps is Prefering to open the major to the
that, with the exception of minor just reflects the priorities
the comparatively rare 4441 ♠ 9 7 6 ♠ Q J 8 5 4 3 between major and minor suits.
shaped hands, if you open ♥ A Q 7 6 N ♥ Void Prefering to open 1♥ with both ma-
W E
a suit and rebid a new suit ♦ A Q 6 S ♦ 8 4 3 jors makes it easy for partner to re-
your first suit has at least five ♣ K Q 3 ♣ 9 6 5 2 spond 1♠ if he has four spades, so you
cards. shouldn’t miss a 4-4 major suit fit.

BRIDGE March 2014 Page 35

 Opener Bidding NT continued Now, consider what would
happen if West had to jump
to 3NT because he had 18
Hand N
♠ 4 3
Better Hand
points. Presumably, East ♥ A Q 10 3 2 Evaluation
If you open 1♠, he cannot would have to pass, leaving ♦ K 7 6
respond 2♥ without five the contract at the mercy of ♣ A 7 6 Bernard Magee
hearts so you are likely to a wide open diamond suit. Introduction
miss a 4-4 heart fit. Jumps to 3NT tend to be
Better Hand Evaluation is
Note that some pairs very destructive. Since a Andrew Robson, probably aimed at helping readers to
choose to rebid no-trumps natural jump to 3NT is never the best player in the add greater accuracy to their
with a singleton. This is needed with my suggested country, would certainly bidding. It deals with auctions
perfectly legal. It is also range of no-trump rebids, advocate opening them in which you and your partner,
against silent opponents, can
legal to open 1NT with some pairs play it as showing all 1NT. Such an approach describe your hands fully to
a singleton, but partner a solid 7-card suit and a certainly lends itself to each other and, by evaluating
should announce: ‘12-14: few bits and pieces outside. simplicity, an attribute not them accurately, find the best
could contain a singleton.’ Often the hand will contain to be underestimated. My final contract. The emphasis of
all good, accurate bidding is on
It is a legitimate attempt to a singleton in responder’s approach is to open the hand evaluation.
avoid bidding two suits with suit, for example: major if I am happy with my
There are two general types of
a 4441 shape but it does rebid, otherwise I open 1NT.
auction: a) a fit is found and b)
need extensive partnership With Hand L, I have no no fit is found.
discussion. ♠ 2 N
W E
♠ Q J 6 4 problem in opening 1♠. If
When you do not have a fit,
♥ K 8 7 S ♥ A 3 2 partner responds 2♣, 2♦ or you are aiming to describe the
♣♦♥♠ ♦ A K Q 8 7 6 2 ♦ 9 3 2♥ I will rebid 2♠ and he strength of your hand as soon
♣ Q 3 ♣ J 9 6 5 cannot expect more than as possible, most often using

A
2NT rebid five spades. He will have no-trump bids. This book be-
gins by discussing balanced
without a jump ten or more points (enough hand bidding in Acol, as it
(ie after a two- West East to continue with 2NT if he is very important that both
level response) shows 1♦ 1♠ dislikes my spades) or a well members of a partnership
15-19 points. fitting nine points. If he has have an accurate knowledge of
3NT Pass
how to show hands of different
only nine points and dislikes strengths.
This needs looking at from ♣♦♥♠ my spades (eg a singleton),
When a fit is found, there is
a purely logical stance. he should have responded

Y
much re-evaluation of the
Responder has at least ten ou have a 1NT. hand to be done; point count,
points (or a well fitting nine) decision to make I have more concern with though still important, needs
to change suit at the two about how to Hands M and N. Suppose to be evaluated together with
distribution. The best way of
level. Opener has at least handle 5332 shapes I open 1♥ and partner reaching an accurate assess­
15 points for the no-trump with a 5-card major. responds 1♠. He may have ment is to use the Losing Trick
rebid. That adds up to to do that with just six points Count; this is an important
game values. And once you If you are strong, it is easy to and a void in hearts. What method of hand evaluation and
takes up a number of chapters.
decide 2NT should be game open your 5-card major and can he do if I rebid 2♥? Only
forcing, it makes no sense to rebid no-trumps. pass, leaving me in a really Finally, we move on to different
forms of evaluation including
restrict it to 15-16 or 15-17. However, I am returning stupid contract. For this game tries and splinter bids.
to such hands in the 12-14 reason, the sequence 1♥-1♠- You can never know enough
range. 2♥ should show six hearts. methods of hand evaluation;
♠ A K 6 3 2 ♠ Q J 8 So with Hands M and N, I the more you learn, the better
you get at judging your hand.
♥ A Q 2 N ♥ K 4 3 cannot rebid 2♥ if I open 1♥
W E
♦ 9 7 6 S
♦ 8 4 Hand L and the response is 1♠. Although the Losing Trick
Count is used more easily in
♣ K Q ♣ A 10 7 4 3 ♠ A Q 10 3 2 With Hand M, I am pre-
tandem with your partner, a
♥ 4 3 pared to open 1♥ and raise a large proportion of the ideas
♦ K 7 6 1♠ response to 2♠ with just in this book can be used by an
West East ♣ A 7 6 3-card support. Therefore, individual. For example, eval-
uating your hand to be worth
1♠ 2♣ my personal choice is to
an extra point is going to help
2NT1 3♠2 open 1♥. If I were not pre- anyone you partner – as long
4♠3 Hand M pared to raise spades to the as you get it right.
♠ K 4 3 two level on 3-card support,
1
15-19 points. Game forcing. ♥ A Q 10 3 2 I would open 1NT. £14 including UK postage
2
3-card spade support. ♦ 7 6 With Hand N, I do not See Mail Order Form
3
In that case we have a 5-3 ♣ A 7 6 have this option. I open on page 7.
fit. 1NT. ■

Page 36 BRIDGE March 2014

 Things You Should Know About
Opener Bidding No-Trumps Quiz
by Andrew Kambites
(Answers on page 41)

1 You are playing Acol with a 12-14 1NT. With Hands A to

F you have two 4-card suits:
(i) What is your opening bid?
(ii) If you don’t open 1NT, state your rebid if partner
introduces a new suit at the lowest legal level.

Hand A Hand B Hand C

♠ 6 3 ♠ 6 3 ♠ A 3
♥ K J 10 6 ♥ K J 10 6 ♥ K J 10 6
♦ J 5 4 ♦ K 10 5 ♦ J 5 4
♣ A K J 3 ♣ A K J 3 ♣ A K J 3

Hand D Hand E Hand F

♠ A 3 ♠ A K J 3 ♠ A K J 3
♥ K J 10 6 ♥ K J 10 6 ♥ K Q 10 6
♦ K 10 5 ♦ J 5 4 ♦ K 10 5
♣ A K J 3 ♣ 6 3 ♣ 6 3

2 You are playing Acol with a 12-14 1NT. With Hands G

to K you have just one biddable suit.
(i) What is your opening bid?
(ii) If you don’t open 1NT, state your rebid if partner
introduces a new suit at the lowest legal level.

Hand G Hand H Hand J Hand K

♠ 4 3 ♠ 4 3 ♠ A 3 ♠ A 3
♥ K 10 8 ♥ K Q 8 ♥ K Q 8 ♥ K Q 8
♦ A J 6 5 2 ♦ A J 6 5 2 ♦ A J 6 5 2 ♦ A J 6 5 2
♣ K Q 4 ♣ K Q 4 ♣ K 5 4 ♣ K Q 4

3 With Hands L to P you have 4441 shape.

(i) What is your opening bid?
(ii) What do you rebid if partner responds in your
singleton suit?

Hand L Hand M Hand N Hand P

♠ 9 ♠ 9 ♠ A Q 8 7 ♠ A Q 8 7
♥ A Q 8 7 ♥ A Q 8 7 ♥ K 8 6 5 ♥ K Q 6 5
♦ K 8 6 5 ♦ K Q 6 5 ♦ K J 6 5 ♦ K J 6 5
♣ K J 6 5 ♣ K J 6 5 ♣ 9 ♣ 9

BRIDGE March 2014 Page 37

 QPLUS 11
Mr Bridge
AT THE
ROYAL KENZ
TUNISIA


Really user-friendly
bridge-playing software
NEW Half-board
Duplicate Bridge
Holidays

Hans Leber, QPlus designer and chief programmer

writes, ‘These 16 FAQs* deal with most of the questions
I am asked for both QPlus10 and QPlus11.’

FAQ 1 – Players FAQ 9 – Remarks

At any time, you can change other players to You can enter remarks to the deal in the window which
‘human’ players and operate them yourself. is opened by the menu item: View/Edit remark. This
This can be done either by the menu item: makes sense if you print (File/Print) or save (Own
Configuration/Players or by clicking with the right deals/Save to file) the deal.
hand mouse button on one of the players.
FAQ 10 – HTML
FAQ 2 – Record Besides printing (menu item: File/Print) you can
During play, you can see the bidding and the cards also export a deal in HTML format (menu item: File/
played so far by opening the record window in the Export to HTML. The resulting .htm file can be loaded
menu: View/View record of current deal or by the to an editor (eg MS-Word). This way you are able to get
i-Button in the South-West corner. a deal with picture cards in the editor.
FAQ 3 – Bidding Info FAQ 11 – Playing Strength
During the bidding, you can click with the right The playing strength is not a fixed property of this
hand mouse button on a bid which is marked by program but depends on the PC. It has initially been
‘~’ or ‘.’ and get a short explanation for this bid. set during the installation but you can change it in the
Information for any bid is also available via the menu: Configuration/ Playing Strength. If the program
‘Evaluate’ and the ‘i’ buttons. plays rather slowly on the PC you should decrease the
playing strength.
FAQ 4 – Card Display
If you prefer the suits displayed in the sequence, FAQ 12 – Bidding Systems
spades, hearts, clubs, diamonds (rather than QPlus Bridge has a wide choice of bidding systems and
spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs) then select this conventions – the program dialog: Configuration/ 30 March – 13 April
option in the program menu: Configuration/ Bidding Systems shows the list of systems and the Crombie &
Preferences/ Hand display. button View or Modify in that window shows the
Helen McNeil
agreements and conventions in detail.
FAQ 5 – Mouse Handling
In the program menu: Configuration/ Preferences/ FAQ 13 – Checking User Actions £899*
Mouse Handling you can specify whether you The program is able to ‘complain’ about bids and cards
prefer to select bids and cards with one of two played by you when it considers them poor. You can 2-16 November
mouse clicks. turn this feature on or off in the menu: Extras/Check Tony & Jan Richards
user actions.
FAQ 6 – Cards Movement £789*
Cards can ‘jump’ or ‘move’ from the hand to the FAQ 14 – Signals
table – this can be selected in the program menu: If, during defensive play, you are interested if cards *per person half-board sharing
Configuration/ Preferences/Hand Display. played by North have meanings as signals, select the a twin-bedded room and is
button Evaluate and then ‘South about North’. inclusive of bridge fees. Single
FAQ 7 – Pair Tournament Deals supplement £6 per night.
When you select, in the Match Control Window FAQ 15 – Save Match These prices are based on air
(menu item: Deal/Match control), Pair tournament If you need to leave the program and the PC but have travel from Heathrow to Tunis.
file as deal source you get a comparative match- not finished the match, you can exit the program by Flights from other UK airports
point score of your result against the results of the the menu item: File/ Save match + Exit. Then, at the are available at a supplement.
Prices for seven-night stays are
other tables. next start of the program, the match will be continued. available on application.
FAQ 8 – Repetition FAQ 16 – Stop Sign Pay £70 per fortnight per person
After you have played a deal you can repeat it If you do not want jump bids marked by the stop sign extra and have a garden-facing
yourself or let it repeat by the computer by selecting you can turn this off in the menu item: Configuration/ room, tea & coffee making
facilities, bath robe and a bowl of
the menu item: Deal/Repeat deal. Preference then sub item ‘Bidding Display’.
seasonal fruit.

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See mail order form on page 7 First Limited, ATOL 5933.
or [Link]/mrbridge-shop
System Requirements: Windows XP or later, CD-ROM. DETAILS & BOOKINGS
*Frequently asked questions including VAT & UK postage
( 01483 489961

Page 38 BRIDGE March 2014

READERS’ each time with a different
guest. (Mike, Angela,
Susan, Hazel and Martin).
Strangely enough, playing
say where and when the
club meets plus a few details
about the club, eg, do
you need a partner? Are

LETTERS
at my local clubs, I am not learners encouraged?
usually that successful. I remember you were kind
Mr Cedric Cohen, enough to give my club a
New Barnet, Herts. plug some time ago. All and
any publicity helps. Clubs
BRIDGE BOOKS also need to make some for
UNHAPPY BUNNY Pause for Thought‘ enables Thank you for publishing themselves. Leaflets, ads in
I am beginning to wish I a difficult aspect of bridge my letters concerning the church magazines, libraries,
hadn’t paid for a 3-year law to be better understood. availability of my catalogue on local authority websites
subscription for your On the small point of bridge of bridge books. I still have and run a ‘free evening’. The
magazine. It is being law involved, two panels electronic copies available. If avenues are boundless.
‘dumbed down’ at such of eminent players have any of your subscribers have However, the best adverts
an alarming rate. The opposite views and neither changed email addresses are your own members.
February edition has panel gives any reasons since they last contacted Encourage them to play
among its content: for its decision. If David me, perhaps they could let their part by spreading
Stevenson were to consider me have their new address the word locally.
Wendy Wensum the same situation, I am should they require a copy. Keep up your good work.
Pause for Thought sure he could give a clear My third catalogue will be All good wishes to Bill
Mary’s Second Lesson and reasoned ruling in a available towards the end Seymour and Orpington
Lords v. Commons fragment of the space wasted of April and will contain Bridge Club members.
Charity Bridge on Richard Wheen’s article. a good selection of back Gerald Makeham,
Climb Every Mountain I hope that future issues of various bridge Chairman. Framfield
Catching Up and editions will move back to magazines, as well as the Bridge Club, Sussex.
Seven Days. a more serious content. usual number of books. ( 01273 480730
Mr Geoffrey Fairhall, Gordon Bickley,
All these contain only tiny Folkestone, Kent. Card Game Books ANOTHER FAQ
nuggets of useful bridge Gordonarf@[Link] In March, Bebington Bridge
information and advice ON TOP FORM ( 01614 274630 Club will hold its annual
embedded in large amounts I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner, followed by bridge.
of dross. Your remarks under cruise on m.v. Minerva TELEPHONE Do you have any suggestions
the heading, ‘Truth will up and around the mouth I think that your initial for making the bridge
Out’, suggest that you have of the Orinoco river. response to Bill Seymour session more fun and
already received complaints Crombie and Helen summed it all up. Use a ‘party-like’? A few
about the David Bird and McNeil were great hosts. telephone..., see Readers’ suggestions would be
Richard Wheen articles. Now I have just returned Letters, BRIDGE number 131. much appreciated.
Your defence of them is from Christmas at Denham. Websites, etc. are all very Jackie Theeten,
not convincing. You cannot During the course of the well, but you cannot beat Bebington, Wirral.
reasonably contend that ‘A cruise, I came top five times, talking to someone when See ‘Our Party Bridge’ by
trying to get information. Colin Payne, on page 25 in
When I moved down BRIDGE number 122. To be
REDUCE THE COST from Lincoln to Sussex ten found in my website library
years ago, I was given [Link]/library.
OF YOUR POSTAGE telephone numbers by my
Postage stamps for sale at 90% of face-value, Lincoln bridge partner. I NOT YET
all mint with full gum. Quotations for spoke to the lady chairman I have purchased many of
commercial quantities available on request. of Framfield Bridge Club. I your excellent tutorial CDs,
received a warm welcome but would like to take them
Values supplied in 100s, higher values
and I am still a member. on holiday with me. I now
available as well as 1st and 2nd class
So a telephone contact own an iPad. Is there any
(eg 2nd class: 100x37p+100x13p)
is a must, but it is obviously way that I could download
(/Fax 020 8422 4906 up to the club officials. If them from my Windows
you want new members computer to my ipad?
e-mail: and most clubs do, then Margaret Bawden,
[Link]@[Link] you have to work at it. Amersham.
You also have to clearly The short answer is: No.

BRIDGE March 2014 Page 39

 READERS’ LETTERS
CHARITY
in the area. Just thought
The Olde continued you might be interested.

Barn Maura Brady, Belfast.

Thank you. EVENTS
Hotel SEE FACEBOOK ON-LINE BRIDGE MAY
Marston,
Lincs NG32 2HT As a direct result of reading 2 Friends of Girlguiding
an article in the January issue Oxfordshire
14-16 March £169 of BRIDGE, I have started Eynsham Village Hall.
Just Duplicate Bridge playing bridge online at BBO. 10 for 10.30am. £15.
Bridget Walton
Thank you, Jeremy Dhondy, ( 01993 702934
25-27 April £179 for drawing my attention to bridgetmwalton@[Link]
Will Parsons an enjoyable new experience.
Further into the Auction 8 BURGHLEY ROTARY CHARITIES
Brian Barrett by email. Stamford Bridge Club.
I recently returned from 1.45 for 2.00pm. £8.00.
9-11 May £179 Alan Kinch
Gwen Beattie – Overcalls travelling in IndoChina ABC OF BRIDGE
( 01780 444276
and this photo shows me I have recently started going
about to board our boat to duplicate bridge, but I am 15 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE
16-18 May £169
ROTARY CLUB
Just Duplicate Bridge for a two day journey down finding ‘bridge language’,
Outlane Golf Club.
the Mekong river in Laos. like computer language, 12 for 12.30. £48.00 per table.
6-8 June £245 From close inspection of hard to understand. I Rtn Sam Smith
Bernard Magee NEW my rucskack, you will see have also been reading ( 01924 492540
TOPIC
Bidding samuelsmith396
BRIDGE carried so it was your BRIDGE magazine
Distributional Hands @[Link]
easily accessible at all times. which gives me no clues.
16 MS THERAPY CENTRE
Thank you for your Mrs M Halley,
13-15 June £169 Huntingdon, Cambs. £14.00.
Just Duplicate Bridge excellent publication. Towyn, Conwy. Hemingford Abbots Village
D Clive Norman by email. See the series, ABC of Hall. 10.00 for 10.30am.
20-22 June £245 Bridge, which started with Jenny Lea
( 01480 455810
Bernard Magee SUBSCRIBER ‘A’ in BRIDGE number 105.
Finding Slams I am enclosing a subscription You will find this and so much
for £20 for a year’s supply more in my web library.
JUNE
27-29 June £169 of BRIDGE. For nigh on four [Link]/library 13 ST MARY’S CHURCH
Just Duplicate Bridge years I have been struggling Eaton Socon, St Neots.
10.00 for 10.30am. £13.50.
with this most absorbing and ASKING A LOT Malcolm Howarth
11-13 July £169
intriguing game. Indeed, I used to enjoy getting every ( 01480 212910
Just Duplicate Bridge
I enjoy the challenge. copy by post, but am now
1-3 August £169 That’s not to indicate any getting used to reading the JULY
Just Duplicate Bridge improvement, though we are magazine on an iPad. Some 3 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE
called ‘improvers’; so I look articles have answers on later ROTARY CLUB
29-31 August £169 forward to the light that your pages. On a tablet, these Outlane Golf Club.
Diana Holland 12 for 12.30. £48.00 per table.
magazine sheds which will articles are not easy to follow
Rtn Sam Smith
Rubber / Chicago illuminate some of the more when one has to chase back ( 01924 492540
obscure ‘language’ of bridge. and forth to read them; samuelsmith396
12-14 September £169 You mentioned that they would be much easier to @[Link]
Just Duplicate Bridge
you had once lived near read if the answers were on 11 GREAT BARFORD CHURCH
Comber, so last time I was the next page. Would it be Village Hall, Great Barford.
26-28 September £179 10.00 for 10.30am. £13.50.
Declarer Play baby-sitting, I picked up possible to bring the answers
Derek Fordham
the enclosed local paper closer to the questions? ( 01234 870324
10-12 October £245 with reports of the recent Richard Cavendish,
Bernard Magee storm and flood damage Ashburton, Devon. ■ AUGUST
Endplay & Avoidance
15 ST IVES DAY CARE CENTRE
Hemingford Abbots Village
14-16 November £179 Write to Mr Bridge at: Ryden Grange,
Hall. 10 for 10.30am. £13.50.
Will Parsons – Doubles Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH
Don Moorman
or e-mail letters@[Link]
( 01480 463444
Full Board E-mail correspondents are asked to include
No Single Supplement their name, full postal address, telephone
number and to send no attachments. E-mail your charity events:
Booking Form on page 8. maggie@[Link]
Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

Page 40 BRIDGE March 2014

 Answers to Opener Bidding No-Trumps on page 37
1 You are playing Acol with a 12-14 Hand E: ( i) Open 1NT, as with Hand A. partner responds 1♥ or 1♠. Rebid 2NT
1NT. With Hands A to F you have two Note that opening 1♠ and rebidding 2♥ (15-19 points, game forcing) if partner
4-card suits: guarantees 5 spades. responds 2♣.
(i) What is your opening bid? Hand F: (i) This time you are too strong
(ii) If you don’t open 1NT, state your to open 1NT. With 4-4 shape in the ma-
rebid if partner introduces a new jor suits, it is best to open 1♥, allowing 3 With Hands L to P you have 4441
suit at the lowest legal level. partner to introduce spades cheaply if he shape.
has four spades. Note that if you open (i) What is your opening bid?
1♠, you will never find a 4-4 heart fit: (ii)
What do you rebid if partner
Hand A Hand B partner cannot respond 2♥ because that responds in your singleton suit?
♠ 6 3 ♠ 6 3 shows five hearts. You cannot open 1♠
♥ K J 10 6 ♥ K J 10 6 and rebid 2♥ because that guarantees
♦ J 5 4 ♦ K 10 5 five spades. Hand L Hand M
♣ A K J 3 ♣ A K J 3 Hand F: (ii) Rebid 3♠ if partner responds ♠ 9 ♠ 9
1♠. Having found a 4-4 major suit fit, ♥ A Q 8 7 ♥ A Q 8 7
you don’t need to stress that you are bal- ♦ K 8 6 5 ♦ K Q 6 5
Hand C Hand D anced. Rebid 2NT (15-19 points, game ♣ K J 6 5 ♣ K J 6 5
♠ A 3 ♠ A 3 forcing) if partner responds 2♣ or 2♦.
♥ K J 10 6 ♥ K J 10 6
♦ J 5 4 ♦ K 10 5 Hand N Hand P
♣ A K J 3 ♣ A K J 3 2 You are playing Acol with a 12-14 ♠ A Q 8 7 ♠ A Q 8 7
1NT. With Hands G to K you have just ♥ K 8 6 5 ♥ K Q 6 5
one biddable suit. ♦ K J 6 5 ♦ K J 6 5
Hand E Hand F (i) What is your opening bid? ♣ 9 ♣ 9
♠ A K J 3 ♠ A K J 3 (ii) If you don’t open 1NT, state your
♥ K J 10 6 ♥ K Q 10 6 rebid if partner introduces a new
♦ J 5 4 ♦ K 10 5 suit at the lowest legal level. I t is worth reinforcing why 4-4-4-1 hands
♣ 6 3 ♣ 6 3 are included in an article on balanced
hands. There are only three hand shapes
Hand G Hand H without a 5-card suit. 4-3-3-3 and 4-4-
Hand A: (i) Open 1NT. You should open ♠ 4 3 ♠ 4 3 3-2 hands are either opened 1NT or
all balanced hands with 12-14 points ♥ K 10 8 ♥ K Q 8 rebid 1NT (unless an 8-card major fit is
with 1NT because huge benefits result. ♦ A J 6 5 2 ♦ A J 6 5 2 found). The problem with 4-4-4-1 hands
Hands B, C and D: (i) You are too ♣ K Q 4 ♣ K Q 4 is that they are an exception to the in-
strong to open 1NT but your hand is bal- valuable principle that if opener bids two
anced so you intend to bid only one suit, suits, the first has at least five cards.
(rebidding no-trumps at an appropriate Hand J Hand K The principle for 4-4-4-1 hands is
level unless partner supports your suit). ♠ A 3 ♠ A 3 summarised as follows:
Major suits take priority over minor suits ♥ K Q 8 ♥ K Q 8 With a red suit singleton, open the suit
so open 1♥. ♦ A J 6 5 2 ♦ A J 6 5 2 below the singleton.
Hand B: (ii) Rebid 1NT (15-17 points) if ♣ K 5 4 ♣ K Q 4 With a black suit singleton, open the
partner responds 1♠. Rebid 2NT (15-19 middle of your three touching suits.
points, game forcing) if partner responds
2♣ or 2♦. You might be tempted to raise Hand G: (i) Open 1NT. Your hand is bal- Hand L: Open 1♦. Rebid 2♣ over a 1♠
2♣ to 3♣ but that will mislead partner anced. With 13 points, unless you open response.
who will expect you to have an unbal- 1NT you will never get another chance to Hand M: Open 1♦. Rebid 2♣ over a 1♠
anced hand and hence five hearts. bid no-trumps because every no-trump response. However, with 15-17 points
Hand C: (ii) Rebid 1NT (15-17 points) if rebid shows 15+ points. some players would prefer to rebid 1NT
partner responds 1♠. Rebid 2NT (15-19 Hands H and J: ( i) Open 1♦. over 1♠.
points, game forcing) if partner responds Hands H and J: (ii) Rebid 1NT (15-17 Hand N: Open 1♥. Rebid 2♦ over a 2♣
2♣ or 2♦. points) if partner responds 1♥ or 1♠. Re- response.
Hand D: ( ii) Rebid 2NT (18-19 points) if bid 2NT (15-19 points, game forcing) if Hand P: Open 1♥. Rebid 2♦ over a 2♣
partner responds 1♠. Rebid 2NT (15-19 partner responds 2♣. response. However, with 15-19 points
points, game forcing) if partner responds Hand K: (i) Open 1♦ some players would prefer to rebid 2NT
2♣ or 2♦. Hand K: (ii) Rebid 2NT (18-19 points) if over 2♣. ■

BRIDGE March 2014 Page 41

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14_0414
 Answers to David Huggett’s 
Play Quiz on page 21
If the diamond finesse is working,
1. ♠ 5 3 you have more than enough tricks for 4. ♠ 7 4 3
♥ K Q J 6 the contract, but are you in danger if ♥ K Q J 3
♦ K 7 4 it doesn’t work? Well, you are if you ♦ K 8 4
♣ A 7 5 4 inadvertently won the first trick. East will ♣ A K 2
♠ 8 ♠ Q 9 7 4 win the diamond and play back a spade ♠ Q ♠ 9 8 6 5
N N
♥ A 8 5 4 ♥ 9 7 3 and, if West started with a five-card suit, ♥ A 9 8 2 W E ♥ 6 5 4
W E
♦ 10 8 5 2 S ♦ 9 6 you will lose four tricks in spades and the ♦ 10 7 6 2 S ♦ 9 5
♣ J 10 9 6 ♣ K Q 8 3 king of diamonds for a one trick defeat. ♣ Q J 10 7 ♣ 9 8 4 3
♠ A K J 10 6 2 The answer, of course, is simple; just ♠ A K J 10 2
♥ 10 2 duck the jack of spades at trick one. If ♥ 10 7
♦ A Q J 3 East returns the suit, he will either have ♦ A Q J 3
♣ 2 no more spades left when he wins the ♣ 6 5
diamond or the spade suit will have
broken 4-3 which means you would lose
You are declarer in 6♠ and West leads just three spades and a diamond. But You are declarer in 6♠ and West leads
the ♣J. How do you plan the play? you still have nine tricks. the ♣Q. How do you plan the play?
With a certain loser in hearts, you have This hand might look very similar to
to hope that you don’t lose a trump trick. Hand 1, but in fact it is very different.
On the surface, it might look right to play 3. ♠ A 7 5 3 Again, with a certain heart loser, you
off a top spade before taking a trump ♥ 8 4 have to play spades in the optimum
finesse, but that is wrong. It is true that ♦ K Q 7 3 2 fashion and you should realise that the
playing a top trump first will gain when- ♣ 10 5 contract is unmakeable if the suit breaks
ever West has a singleton queen, but it ♠ Q J 10 8 4 ♠ K 9 6 5-0. But what about the 4-1 breaks? If
N
will lose whenever West has a singleton ♥ J 9 7 ♥ 10 6 5 2 East has the queen in a four card holding,
W E
4,7,8 or 9 because you will be unable to ♦ 4 S ♦ J 6 5 you can pick up the suit without loss, but
capture East’s queen. So win the lead in ♣ A 9 8 3 ♣ K 7 2 the difference this time is that you can
dummy and play a spade to the ten. If ♠ 2 afford to play a top spade off first in
that wins, re-enter dummy with a dia- ♥ A K Q 3 case West holds the singleton queen. If
mond and repeat the finesse. You will ♦ A 10 9 8 nothing happens when you play the ace,
have to lose the ace of hearts but your ♣ Q J 6 4 then enter dummy with a club and take a
contract is secure. trump finesse and if West shows out, you
still have the king of diamonds in dummy
You are declarer in 3NT and West leads to allow you to take a repeat finesse. ■
2. ♠ 6 5 4 the ♠Q. How do you plan the play?
♥ A 2 When a contract looks too easy, it
♦ A Q 10 7 6 5 is good practice to look for hidden Mr Bridge
♣ K 7 dangers and this is the case here. With Premium Quality Cards
♠ A 10 8 7 2 ♠ J 3 apparently one spade, three hearts and
N
♥ Q 10 8
W E
♥ J 9 7 4 3 five diamonds, there seem to be nine Standard Faces
♦ 8 2 S ♦ K 4 easy tricks and, although a 4-0 diamond with or without
♣ J 9 4 ♣ Q 10 8 6 break could prove problematic, there bar codes.
Unboxed.
♠ K Q 9 is a far greater danger that they break
6 red / 6 blue
♥ K 6 5 3-1 with the jack being in the three-card
£19.95
♦ J 9 3 holding. Then, you will find the diamonds
30 red / 30 blue
♣ A 5 3 2 are blocked with no entry to dummy to only £60
enjoy the fifth winner in that suit. But how
about ducking the opening lead? Then, The London Bridge Centre
You are declarer in 3NT and West leads later, you can discard a diamond on the
( 020 7388 2404
the ♠7. East plays the ♠J. How do you ace of spades and the suit becomes easy [Link]
plan the play? to run for five tricks.

BRIDGE March 2014 Page 43

 Catching Up
by Sally Brock
T
he day after I returned from At our table, South, Brian Senior, had Barry playing in the senior trials for
Phoenix, I went to pick Briony opened a 15-17 1NT. His partner, Ed the European championships. Again,
up from Luton. She seemed to Jones, had used Stayman and bid 2NT he played with Chris and Taf, but this
have had a great time in Paris. We had over the 2♠ rebid. Brian passed, no time in partnership with Rob Shee-
a fairly quiet time for a week or so and doubt expecting his partner to have han. They led throughout but unfor-
then things started to heat up. bid 3NT with most 9-counts, and tunately fell at the final hurdle and
The second weekend of December not wanting to push for a thin non- didn’t make the play-off stage. While
was the Gold Cup final. Our team was vulnerable game. Expecting a four- he was busy with that, the children,
Barry and me, and Chris Dixon and card heart suit in the dummy, I led a Toby’s friend Tom and I went to stay
Taf Anthias. In truth, we were pretty club. Brian won and played the ace of in a rented cottage near Winchester
pleased to have got as far as the semi- diamonds and a diamond to dummy’s for three nights. The plan was that the
finals. Our draw for that was not too queen. After this start, there was no boys could do what they liked during
scary (though I’m sure our opponents way we could take more than four the day (ie play on their Xbox/comput-
thought the same): Brian Senior, Ed defensive tricks (if we attacked hearts ers all day or watch TV without our
Jones, Sandra Penfold, Joe Fawcett and declarer could set up a heart trick for nagging), but would be more sociable
Glynn Liggins. We got off to a terrible his ninth trick, while if we didn’t, he in the evenings, when we would have
start and, at the halfway point, we were could establish a long spade). dinners in and play games together
68 IMPs down. At that stage, all we In the other room, Taf was declarer (mostly Risk). On the Friday, Briony
were thinking was how humiliating in three no-trumps, after the Acol auc- and I went to Winchester for shopping
it would be if we had to concede. tion: 1♠ – 2♠ – 2NT – 3NT. Here, West and the Christmas market and on Sat-
However, things then turned around. led the jack of hearts, covered by the urday went to Portsmouth for more of
Having clawed back a lot of the deficit, queen and ace. This is a very complex the same. Sunday was Toby’s birthday
we entered the last eight boards 30 deal. To beat the contract against any and in the evening we all (with Barry
IMPs down. The last set seemed too play, the defenders have to concentrate too) went out to a Mexican restaurant.
flat for us to have a chance but, when on taking a spade, a diamond and three Christmas was at my parents’ house
Barry and I finished our boards, we hearts. To that end, East needs to play in north Wiltshire (though Barry does
found that things had gone well in a spade or a diamond now. In practice, not believe in Christmas and spent his
the other room. There was one board though, East switched to a club, which at home spring cleaning the kitchen
where I had been worried because looks fairly natural. Declarer won and and experimenting – not entirely
I thought I might have made four played on diamonds, actually getting successfully – with pigs’ trotters for
spades, but, in the other room, Taf had the suit wrong because he wanted to Christmas dinner). They have an Aga,
doubled and declarer had inexplicably cater for West holding K-J-x-x. Now which I find very difficult, so I had
gone two down for 500. That left us he was doomed and went two down. agreed to cater for everyone (all 21 of
2 IMPs down with one board to go. Actually, he shouldn’t have been play- us), but not in the traditional way. We
This was the deal: ing on diamonds at all. He should first had plenty of starters, then the choice
establish his heart trick. He plays a for the non-vegetarians was steak and
heart, West plays a club, declarer plays kidney pie or breaded chicken fillets,
♠ K 9 6 a heart and West plays a club. Only followed by desserts contributed by all
♥ Q 9 8 2 now does declarer play on diamonds and sundry. Even though most things
♦ Q 10 8 5 – and he has to play a diamond to the were already cooked, it was still pretty
♣ J 4 queen to prevent East from gaining difficult to get it all hot on the Aga.
♠ Q 10 2 ♠ J 8 5 the lead. The appeal of such ovens is lost on me
N
♥ K J 10 3 ♥ A 7 So, it was not to be. We had lost by 8 I am afraid. Anyway, it was good to see
W E
♦ K 7 2 S ♦ J 9 3 IMPs and our run in the competition family members who we hadn’t seen
♣ 10 9 3 ♣ 8 7 6 5 2 had come to an end. If our semi-final since the previous year. And, more
♠ A 7 4 3 wasn’t close enough, in the other importantly, my parents had a great
♥ 6 5 4 half of the draw Allfrey, the eventual time. We came home on Boxing Day,
♦ A 6 4 winners of the competition, beat Irens to open all our presents to and from
♣ A K Q by only 0.4 IMPs. each other. Then Barry joined us and
The last weekend of December saw we had goose for dinner. ■

Page 44 BRIDGE March 2014

 Seven Days
by Sally Brock
Saturday Monday When Susanna confirms the presence
of all the key cards, I know I should
Today is Briony’s Christmas present It is the Swiss teams and my first bid the grand slam on the strength of
– a day’s shopping with me and my outing for a while with Susanna. (a) my excellent heart holding, and (b)
credit card. This is the beginning of the process my fifth spade. There are no problems
She has slimmed down a lot recently of preparing for the Lady Milne in the play and thirteen tricks roll in.
and is desperately short of clothes trials at the end of January so I start As it happened, we played Board 24
that fit her. Predicting mayhem in by meeting her for breakfast at next:
Westfield, we get up early and leave the Starbucks in Hammersmith. We have
house about 8.15am. The first thing we a brief discussion about the system,
do when we arrive is have breakfast reminding ourselves of what we used Dealer West. Both Vul.
at our favourite place – Carluccio’s. to play, what we want to drop etc. ♠ J 10 9 6
Suitably fortified, we head for the Barry plays with Rodney who has ♥ A 6 4
shops. I am pleasantly surprised at come down from Manchester for ♦ A K 10 6 5
how quiet it is and we shop happily the day. Again, no-one seems to be ♣ 10
with no queues for fitting rooms or on good form. We win a couple of
N
tills. At lunchtime, we meet up with matches narrowly but generally are on W E
Debbie and daughter Tess, to swap the losing side. Susanna and I have the S
stories of Christmas and keep up with chance to bid and make back-to-grand
each other’s family news. A couple of slams. This is Board 22: ♠ A K Q 7 4 3 2
hours later, we return to the shops, a ♥ Q 10 9 8
bit busier now but still not too bad. ♦ Void
When we’re done, Briony drops Dealer East. East-West Vul. ♣ A 2
me off at Barry’s where he’s prepared ♠ K J 10 5 4
something of a feast and we have a nice ♥ K Q 3
evening doing nothing in particular. ♦ 10 6 4 West North East South
♣ Q 10 Pass 1♦ 3♣ 3♠
5♣ 6♠ Pass 7♠
N
Sunday W E
S
All Pass

Today I am playing with Barry in the A spirited auction. Susanna wins the
Mixed Pairs at the Year End Congress. ♠ A Q 3 2 club lead and, in no particular order,
We meet friends for breakfast and ♥ A J 10 8 7 6 draws trumps, ruffs a club in dummy
then it’s off to play. Somehow, we are ♦ A and ruffs diamonds.
not quite in form. We have plenty of ♣ A 4 Had diamonds broken or someone
luck and could easily have won but we held Q-J-x she would have been home,
had too many disasters – the low spot but it is not to be. Surprisingly, it is
was when the opponents had a mix-up North South East who holds the five diamonds and
and bid 7NT with an ace missing, but 1♥ she discovers that his distribution was
I led the wrong suit and then a revoke 1♠ 4♣ 1-1-5-6, so she can play him for either
let it through. 4♥ 4NT the singleton king or singleton jack of
A bit tired of lots of rich food and 5♦ 5NT hearts.
evenings out, we just go home and 7♠ What would be your guess? She
have bread and cheese for supper. chooses to play him for singleton

BRIDGE March 2014 Page 45

 Seven Days continued for supper. There is a bit of excitement today so the plumber arrives at
as the lamb chops catch fire under the 8.15am. I wait to get him settled and
grill and we discover that we have a then Briony takes me to the gym and
smoke alarm. We never knew that. goes on to do a bit of food shopping
king and goes one down. I can see no Then it’s out to Amersham before picking me up.
real reason to do one rather than the Community Centre for a league Then its work, work, work: first this
other, but I think I would have run the of eight match. We are playing the article, then the start of the British
queen, just because it looks flashier. weakest team in the division and beat Guild of Travel Writers’ Yearbook
And I would have succeeded. them comfortably – by 125 IMPs over which will keep me busy for most of
After a below-average finish, we 24 boards. Talking of grand slams, we the month.
drown our sorrows in Cobra at enjoy this one: Briony is out in the early evening
an excellent Indian restaurant in and we manage a couple of hours of
Shepherds Bush. TV before bed. ■
Dealer East. Love All.

Tuesday

♠ A Q 4 3
♥ A Q 10 9 5 2 Dramatis Personae
After a scrambled egg and smoked ♦ K 10 9
salmon breakfast, Barry takes Rodney ♣ Void Sally Brock lives in High Wycombe
to catch his train. ♠ K J 9 7 6 5 ♠ 8 2 with her two teenage children, her
N
We slob around all day: reading ♥ K 8 4
W E
♥ 3 husband Raymond having died in early
(I read a whole book on my Kindle), ♦ 4 S ♦ 8 6 2 2008. She works partly as a bridge
watching TV and doing puzzles. Then, ♣ 8 7 4 ♣ A Q J 9 6 3 2 professional, occasionally playing for
it’s time to glam up a bit and go out ♠ 10 pay but more often writing (she is the
to Chris and Brian’s for New Year’s ♥ J 7 6 bridge columnist for The Sunday Times)
Eve dinner. There are seven of us and ♦ A Q J 7 5 3 and teaching online; the rest of the time
we have an excellent evening with ♣ K 10 5 she works on the production of travel
delicious food and good company. guides – hence the occasional reference
There is a quiz in which Barry and I do to rather obscure countries. She has
so embarrassingly badly that we have East opens three clubs, I overcall three been a member of the British/English
to pretend we weren’t really paying diamonds and West bids three spades. women’s team on and off since 1979.
attention. Barry can’t think of a way to find out
At about 1.30am, we find it if I have the king of hearts, but he Briony & Toby
are Sally’s 18-year-old
surprisingly easy to get a taxi and head thinks it is most likely that I have it, daughter and 20-year-old son.
back to Shepherd’s Bush. and failing that, then it is more likely
West has it than East. Consequently, Barry Myers is Sally’s new partner, both
he surprises the whole table by leaping at and away from the bridge table. He is

Wednesday straight to seven diamonds. West

leads a diamond, I draw trumps and
a criminal defence barrister and lives in
Shepherd’s Bush.
New Year’s Day. We get up slowly take the heart finesse, soon claiming
and after lunch, I head back to High my grand slam. Debbie is a good friend and occasional
Wycombe on the train. Briony picks We just have time for a quick drink bridge partner who lives in west London.
me up from the station and I collapse in the bar before Barry drops me home Her eldest daughter and Briony are a
in front of the TV. She makes me a and heads back to London as he is similar age and the two families have
lovely vegetarian dinner – I need a few working tomorrow. been on holiday together several times.
months of healthy eating after all that
Christmas excess. Susanna Gross is bridge columnist for

Friday the Spectator and Literary Editor of the

Mail on Sunday and has been Sally’s

Thursday I am determined to get to the gym

today – I have been terrible recently
partner in the Lady Milne, the women’s
home international for three of the last
Today, we take Toby back to Bradford. and, over the past couple of months, four years.
We leave at about 9.30am and the plan have only gone three or four times. I
is more or less to go straight there and have been in the habit of going three Rodney Lighton is an old university
back. We go in Briony’s car so we can times a week for the past ten years or friend of Barry’s who lives in Manchester.
share the driving, but I do the lion’s so and it would be a pity to let that
share and feel pretty tired by the time drop. I notice that I have lots more Chris and Brian are Chris Duckworth
I get back at 5.30pm. aches and pains around my hips, legs and Brian Callaghan, friends and
Barry arrives a bit later and we have and back when I don’t go. London bridge players.
lamb chops and stir fried vegetables We are having a new boiler installed

Page 46 BRIDGE March 2014

 Answers to Julian Pottage’s 
Defence Quiz on page 23
West North East South Your trump holding means that declarer
1. ♠ K 5 Pass Pass 1NT1 cannot draw trumps quickly. It may
♥ K J 2 Pass 2♣2 Dbl 2♥ well be necessary to play the suit from
♦ Q J 10 5 3 Pass 2NT Pass 3NT dummy. This being the case, you can
♣ A K 7 All Pass afford to bide your time. To keep open
♠ 9 6 ♠ A 10 7 4 3 2 1
12-14 the possibility of a trump promotion on
N
♥ 10 8 7 4 ♥ Q 9 5 2
Stayman the third round of spades, you should
W E
♦ K 9 4 S ♦ A 6 thus play the ♠10 at trick one.
♣ J 10 6 3 ♣ 5 4 Partner leads the ♣Q. What is your plan? When declarer wins and plays on dia-
♠ Q J 8 While you would like to set up and run monds, partner steps in smartly with the
♥ A 6 3 your suit, as on the previous deal, you ♦A and continues spades. Whatever de-
♦ 8 7 2 know it is not going to happen this time. clarer does on the third round of spades,
♣ Q 9 8 2 The ♣Q lead indicates a doubleton, so your side ends up with a trump winner of
declarer can always shut out the club suit some description.
(by ducking if you do).
West North East South Your plan should be to make two club
1♦ 1♠ 1NT tricks, two heart tricks and a spade. You
Pass 2NT Pass 3NT play the ♣J (or the ♣9) at trick one, oblig- 4. ♠ J 4
All Pass ing declarer to hold up. You can win the ♥ 10 9 2
next club and switch to the ♥5. Partner ♦ A K Q 5 3 2
Partner leads the ♠9, covered by the ♠K. wins with the ♥10 and continues hearts, ♣ K 7
What is your plan? making the ♥K and ♠K later. ♠ A Q 9 6 5 3 ♠ 10 7
Your plan should be to set up and run ♥ 4 N ♥ Q 7 5
W E
the spades. You have one entry (the ♦A) ♦ 9 4 S ♦ J 10 7 6
and, as South probably has ♠Q-J-x and ♣ J 10 8 3 ♣ A 9 5 4
hence two stoppers, you hope partner 3. ♠ J 9 8 ♠ K 8 2
has an entry too (most likely the ♦K). To ♥ Q 8 7 3 ♥ A K J 8 6 3
effect this plan (a) partner must get in ♦ K Q 9 5 ♦ 8
before you do and (b) partner must have ♣ J 10 ♣ Q 6 2
another spade to lead. ♠ 6 4 ♠ A Q 10 7 3 2
N
You should duck the first trick to keep ♥ 10 4 W E ♥ K 2
communications open, playing the ♠7 to ♦ A J 6 4 3 S ♦ 10 7 West North East South
encourage. Later, you duck the first dia- ♣ K 8 7 5 ♣ 4 3 2 2♠1 3♦ Pass 3♥
mond, allowing partner to win and con- ♠ K 5 Pass 4♥ All Pass
tinue spades. ♥ A J 9 6 5 1
Weak
♦ 8 2
♣ A Q 9 6 Partner leads the ♣J and dummy plays
low. What is your plan?
2. ♠ Q 10 8 3 Having got used to holding back
♥ 8 2 West North East South an ace, you may feel tempted to do so
♦ A K Q 5 2♠1 3♥ now – here to stop the ♣K and ♣Q from
♣ 8 7 3 Pass 4♥ All Pass making separately. A glance at dummy’s
♠ K 5 4 2 ♠ 7 6 1
Weak diamonds should warn you of the need
♥ K 10 4 3 N ♥ Q 7 5 to think differently. Since partner might
W E
♦ 9 4 3 S ♦ 8 7 6 Partner leads the ♠6 and dummy plays well have led a singleton diamond, the
♣ Q 5 ♣ A J 10 9 4 low. What do you do? odds are that the singleton is on your left
♠ A J 9 With the ♠4 and ♠5 missing and and that discards are coming. Take the
♥ A J 9 6 spades not supported, the ♠6 is likely to ♣A and switch to the ♠10. You score the
♦ J 10 2 be from a doubleton. In any case, even if ♥Q as you overruff the third spade. This
♣ K 6 2 it was a singleton, the ♠A and ruff would defence would also work if partner held
leave you in need of two more tricks. the ♠K and ♥A. ■

BRIDGE March 2014 Page 47

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