

new books from

Master Point Press
the bridge publisher

Last Call in the Menagerie

Victor Mollo

Just about every bridge player over forty has read Victor Mollo’s
Bridge in the Menagerie, a book that is on any list of the all-
time top ten on the game. Towards the end of his life, Mollo
continued to write stories about the same well-loved characters
(the Hideous Hog, the Rueful Rabbit, Oscar the Owl, and the
rest), but they appeared in various magazines around the world,
and if you weren’t a subscriber, you didn’t get to read them.

This is the final MPP anthology of these lost Menagerie gems.

Victor Mollo is everyone’s favorite bridge humorist, and a
genuinely new book from him will be greeted as something to
be treasured.

Illustrations by bridge cartoonist Bill Buttle add to the fun.

Tips on Bidding
Mike Lawrence

20 years ago, Mike Lawrence published a series of short

pamphlets for intermediate players with advice on various
aspects of bidding and cardplay. Long unavailable, this material
has now been revised, updated, and republished in three
anthology volumes, each comprised of about 10 of the original
booklets.

The topics here include: The Three-Card Raise, Penalty Doubles,

Preempts and The Fine Art of Hanging Partner.

Lawrence is acknowledged as one of the two or three best

writers in the world for intermediate players, and there will be
a ready audience for this series in its new format.

2 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine


This Sporting Life
In 1999, the International Olympic Commit-

BRIDGE
MAGAZINE
tee (IOC) recognised that Bridge and Chess
should be recognised as mind sports.
Sport England is the organisation that deter-
mines which activities are recognised as sports
in England, and it chooses to use a 1992 defini-
tion provided by the European Sports Charter.
This definition refers to ‘sport and physical recreation’, which Sport
England has chosen to interpret as excluding all Mind Sports.
In a ground-breaking judgement, granting the EBU permission
to mount a full judicial review challenge against Sport England’s
position that the game is not a sport, Mr Justice Mostyn stated that
Bridge is ‘arguably’ a sport and could qualify for lottery funding.
44 BAKER STREET
LONDON W1U 7RT He went on to say the game could be said to be a legitimate sport
Tel: 020-7486 8222
Fax: 020-7486 3355 under English law.
email: info@bridgeshop.com Sport England has refused to recognise the game and claims it is
http://www.bridgeshop.com
no more a sporting activity than ‘sitting at home, reading a book’.
Editor:
Mark Horton Mr Justice Mostyn, who said he played Bridge on social occasions,
Assistant Editors:
Sandra Landy heard a claim the game ought to be recognised as a ‘mind sport’
Neil Rosen that exercises the ‘brain muscle’.
Christina Lund Madsen
Advertising: Kate Gallofent QC, for Sport England, said the definition of a
Matthew Read qualifying sport was an ‘activity aimed at improving physical fit-
Photographer: ness and well being, forming social relations and gaining results
Ron Tacchi
Proofreaders:
in competition’.
Danny Roth
Monica Kummel That definition is based on a European Sports Charter promoting
Typesetter: ‘a common European definition of sport’.
Ron Tacchi
BRIDGE Magazine is published However, the judge was told other EU countries, including the
monthly. Netherlands, Ireland and Poland, ‘recognise Bridge as a sport’.
Online Subscriptions:
1 year: £19.95 Miss Gallofent insisted: ‘The starting point of the definition of
Individual Issue:
£2.00 sport is physical activity. Bridge cannot ever satisfy this definition.’
Distributors
CHESS & BRIDGE LTD.
44 Baker Street Mr Justice Mostyn told her: ‘If the brain is a muscle, it does. You
London W1U 7RT U.K. are doing more physical activity playing Bridge, with all that deal-
Views expressed in this publication are not
necessarily those of the Editor. Editorial ing and playing, than in rifle shooting’.
contributions will be published at the
Editor’s discretion and may be shortened
if space is limited. (It brings to mind the occasion when his doctor asked G.C.H.
No parts of this publication may be
reproduced without the prior express Fox what he did for exercise and he replied ‘I occasionally play
permission of the publishers. All rights
reserved. 2015
East-West’.)
A reversal of Sport England’s position would afford the opportu-
nity for the EBU, counties and clubs to receive funding (whether
from national or local sources), which can be used, for example,
for the development of playing facilities, or for teaching initiatives,

3 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine


whether for children or adult players. It would also enable bridge to receive greater opportunities
to be included in the pursuits available to certain groups. These factors would enable, for exam-
ple, greater exposure to school children, or to those older people who may be affected by social
isolation or cognitive decline. It would also be an important step in the EBU’s case with HMRC
regarding VAT.

O Tempora
The New York Times has announced its intention to terminate its bridge column. Decisions such
as these can be, and have been, reversed, if there is enough public outcry.
Anyone wanting to protest this errant decision should call or email the Public Editor, Margaret
Sullivan, at public@nytimes.com or +1(212) 556-7652. Ms. Sullivan acts as the independent voice
of the Times and has the power to express the bridge community’s outrage about the removal
of the column. Letters to the Editor are also welcomed and can be sent to letters@nytimes.com.
These should be between 150-175 words for the best chance of appearing in the paper.

Splinter Group
The American Contract Bridge League is governed by a 25-member Board of Directors. There is
an administrative division headed by a CEO, but he, and everyone else, ultimately takes direc-
tion from the Board of Directors.
The ACBL is divided into 25 geographical Districts, each with an elected Director. Twenty-one
of the Districts are solely American and one is solely Canadian. The other three are combined
American/Canadian, American/Mexican and Canadian/Bermudian. This organisation is simi-
lar to the U.S. Senate, which has 100 elected members, two from each state, regardless of size or
population. But there the comparison stops. The U.S. Congress also has a House of Representa-
tives, 435 strong, with the number of state representatives being based on each state’s population.
These two bodies together are called the Legislative Branch of government. There are two other
branches as well, the Executive Branch (headed by the President) and the Judicial Branch (headed
by the Supreme Court). These three branches of government all have very defined duties and lim-
its of power. The famous ‘checks and balances’ among the three branches work to ensure no one
branch has all the power.
A group of prominent ACBL players, led by Bob Hamman, is calling, via petition, for the ACBL
Board of Directors to re-organise itself into a more-streamlined body and to confine itself to mat-
ters of policy and direction. Specifically mentioned are three areas of great concern:
The size of the existing Board of Directors
The decreasing membership numbers
The increasing age of existing members
The petition calls for the Board to be reduced in size from the 25 current members to a more-
manageable 12 members, each elected directly, without reference to geographical locale. That
12-member Board would then confine itself to appointing a CEO to run the organisation. The
Board would ‘set policy for the ACBL, including specific short- and long-term objectives in the
areas of human resource management, financial objectives, marketing, technology and operations.’
The CEO and senior management would then ‘develop a strategic plan to achieve the agreed

4 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine


objectives and to update this annually.’
Further, the board ‘should not involve themselves in day-to-day management of the organization
and should have strong bias towards management continuity.’
In other words, the group led by Hamman, himself a very successful businessman, suggests that
the ACBL reorganise itself as a business and set, achieve and monitor goals for that business, with
a management group responsible for carrying out the plans of that business. The Board of Direc-
tors would oversee, not manage, the business.
The Editor of the IBPA Bulletin observes that these proposals contain two laudable, if a bit quix-
otic ideas:
That the Board of Directors vote to reduce itself to less than half its current size
That the Board drastically reduces the power it currently wields
Having just endured the General Election I can hardly wait to see how this unfolds. How will
the candidates be chosen? Will they have to pay a deposit (say US$500) which will be forfeited if
they fail to poll 5% of the vote. Will each ACBL member receive a Ballot Paper?

Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose

An article on the benefits of bridge appeared in the Bulletin of the American Association for
Retired persons:
http://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-2015/bridge-for-brain-health.html
I also found this in the magazine’s section on preventing dementia:
Try working on different puzzles for a fun and challenging approach to prevention. You only form
new synapses when you’re doing an activity at which you’re not already an expert. If you’re a cross-
word expert, try sudoku instead. If you play a lot of bridge, switch to hearts, spades, or poker.

In This Issue
I 6 Problem Corner — Ron Tacchi & Patrick Jourdain. .GI 50 Great Hands From The Past — Richard Fleet
I 7 Hands of Providence — The editor on the I 52 Test Your Defence — Julian Pottage
reisinger Trophy I 54 Solution to Non-Prize Problem
I 31 Misplaying The Trump Suit. — An extract from I 56 The Parrot Declines — David Bird
David Bird’s ‘52 Bridge Mistakes to Avoid’
GI 62 This Month’s Video Page 
GI 35 The Buenos Aires Affair 50 Years On — Richard
Fleet I 63 Partnership Profile — Mark Horton
I 44 The Rainbow Bridge Club — Alex Adamson & I 75 Solution to Test Your Defence
Harry Smith. I 76 Marks & Comments — Alan Mould

5 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Ron Tacchi and Solution to prize problem 303
Patrick Jourdain’s Tart Making
♠ A6 N ♠ Q J 10 9

Problem ♥ AJ 7 6
♦ A K Q J 10
♣ 87
W
S
E
♥ Q83
♦ 53
♣ A K 10 2
Corner Valuing your ♦10 as a point you open 2NT and after
a Stayman enquiry from partner you arrive in 6NT.
sponsored by North leads the ♠8 and South, with a wry smile refuses
THE ORION PUBLISHING GROUP to cover. How do you continue and what distributions
will thwart you?
Master Bridge Series
The question is how to tackle the heart suit to your best
advantage, you can establish a second heart trick by force
and a third will see the contract home. Obviously if they
Non-Prize Problem See Page 52 are 3-3 then there is no problem. We must cater for the
How should South play Four Spades? West leads a other splits. Surprisingly a 6-0 split does not inconven-
low heart to East’s ace and East returns the heart jack. ience you - I will leave you to verify my statement.
Whichever defender wins plays a third heart. Thus we must examine the 5-1 amd 4-2 divisions. You
♠ A 10 6 2 have two possibilities to broach the heart suit - firstly
♥ 10 2 take the finesse and secondly play up towards the queen.
♦ K Q J 10 9 5 2 It is the latter that is superior.
♣ — You know that South has the king of spades (you were
told so in the preamble) so you have a menace in the
♠ KJ93 spade suit against him. By leading towards the queen
♥ Q76 you will succeed whenever the king is with North (if
♦ A7 he rushes in with the king you immediately have three
♣ 10 9 6 3 heart tricks, if he plays low you cash the spade ace, cross
to dummy and establish a spade throwing your two
losing hearts on the spade leads) or South has it along
with heart length as he will be squeezed on the run of
the minors. So you will fail if South has singleton or
Email your answers to BMProb@vaupillon.com or send
doubleton king of hearts. If you take the finesse you
on a postcard to The Editor, Bridge Magazine, 44 Baker
will lose if North holds the king and the heart length.
Street, London, W1U 7RT. Entries must be received before
five hearts to the king is five times more likely than sin-
30th June. The first correct solution out of the hat will
gleton king and king fourth is twice as likely as king
receive £15 of BRIDGE Magazine book vouchers.
doubleton - so a low card towards the queen gives you
a better chance of your contract.

Congratulations Look for Patrick Jourdain’s Problem Corner,

available from Chess & Bridge.
Prize Problem 302.
With a slightly larger entry this month the name of
our winner was wrested from the elegant chapeau de
Mrs T and it proved to be Phil Callow. Let this be Prize Problem 304
an example to you all, it was Phil’s first attempt at Caramel Cake
entering a solution to the Prize Problem. ♠ A9 3 ♠ 62
It would please me greatly if more subscribers entered N
♥ A5 2 ♥ K J 10 9 7 6 3
the Prize Problem, your chances of winning the book ♦ AK W E ♦ 6
prize is quite high. A reminder that the email address ♣ KQ732 S ♣ 10 9 8
to which you should now send your solutions is North shows a two-suited minor hand and as East
BMProb@vaupillon.com. you come to rest in 6♥. South leads a spade. Trumps
are 2-1, how do you rate your chances?

6 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Hands of Providence
The Editor reports on what many people regard as the toughest team event in the world.

C ontested at the fall Nationals in December, by common consent the Reisinger Trophy is
the toughest event of the ACBL year. It is an open team-of-four contest scored by board-
a-match with two qualifying, two semi-final and two final sessions.
Only ten teams qualify for the final, playing 54 boards over two sessions.
Nick Nickell’s team went into the final with a carryover of 3.84, well ahead of Schwartz’s 1.55.
Here are some of the high (and low) points from the final day’s play:
Board 2. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ J 10 8 7 4 3
♥ J76
♦ 53
♣ J9
♠ K9652 N ♠A
♥2 ♥ AK Q
♦ J 10 6 4 W E ♦ AQ 9 2
♣ AK 3 S ♣ Q 10 7 5 2
♠Q
♥ 10 9 8 5 4 3
♦ K87
♣ 864
Open Room
West North East South
Smirnov Bathurst Piekarek Zagorin
– – 1♣* Pass
1♠ Pass 2NT* Pass
3♣ Pass 3♥ Pass
4♣ Pass 4♠* Pass
5♦* Pass 5♥* Pass
5NT* Pass 7♣ All Pass
1♣ Baltic Club, 11-13 (14) balanced or 11-18 4+♣ or 18+ or tricks
2NT Strong balanced, denies three spades
4♠ Keycard ask in clubs
5♦ 2 keys, no ♣Q
5♥ Asking for side kings
5NT 1 of 3
It look as if the combination of 3♣-3♥-4♣ set clubs as trumps.
7♣ is aggressive, but from East’s point of view it would be good if West’s king was in diamonds,
or if West were 5-2-2-4. The diamond finesse would be the last resort.
South led the four of clubs for the jack and queen and declarer unblocked the ace of spades,
crossed to dummy with a club, ruffed a spade with the ten of clubs (hoping South had started
with ♠QJ10) drew the outstanding trump and ran the jack of diamonds – one down.

7 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Closed Room ♠ J 10 8 7 4 3
♥ J76
West North East South ♦ 53
Brink Narkiewicz Drijver Buras ♣ J9
– – 1♣* Pass ♠ K9652 N ♠ A
1♠* Pass 2♦ Pass ♥ 2 ♥ AK Q
♦ J 10 6 4 W E ♦ AQ 9 2
2♥* Pass 3♣ Pass ♣ AK 3 S ♣ Q 10 7 5 2
3♦ Pass 3♥ Pass ♠ Q
4♦ Pass 4NT* Pass ♥ 10 9 8 5 4 3
5♣ Pass 6♦ Pass ♦ K87
6NT All Pass ♣ 864
1♣ 12-14 balanced, 2+♣ or 18-20 balanced, 2+♣ or 12+unbalanced, 4+♣
1♠ Natural, 4+♦ possible
2♥ Fourth suit forcing to game
4NT Optional Blackwood
At this form of scoring West went for the slam that would outscore 6♦.
You can replay this deal at: http://tinyurl.com/nfunrz6
Board 9. Dealer North. E/W Vul.
♠ KJ93
♥ J 10 9 8 6
♦ 10 4 2
♣4
♠A N ♠ 10 8 6 5 4
♥ Q32 ♥ AK 7 4
♦ KQJ83 W E ♦ A7 5
♣ AJ 6 3 S ♣K
♠ Q72
♥5
♦ 96
♣ Q 10 9 8 7 5 2
Open Room
West North East South
Willenken Levin Rosenberg Weinstein
– Pass 1♠ Pass
2♦* Pass 2♠* Pass
2NT* Pass 3♦ Pass
4♣ Pass 4NT* Pass
5♦* Pass 5♥* Pass
5NT* Pass 6♦ All Pass
2♦ 5+♦
2♠ 4+♥
2NT Forcing
4NT Keycard ask
5♦ 3 keys
5♥ Asking
5NT ♦Q, no side kings, something extra

8 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
East’s 3♦ strongly suggested he was 5-4-3-1, but it was ♠ KJ93
difficult for E/W to discover the perfect fit. ♥ J 10 9 8 6
North led the four of diamonds and declarer won with ♦ 10 4 2
♣ 4
dummy’s ace, unblocked the king of clubs, came to hand ♠ A ♠ 10 8 6 5 4
with a spade and played a club, pitching a spade when ♥ Q 3 2 N
♥ AK 7 4
North ruffed in with the ten of diamonds. Declarer took ♦ K Q J 8 3 W E ♦ A7 5
North’s trump exit in hand and claimed, +1370. ♣ AJ 6 3 S ♣ K
♠ Q72
Closed Room ♥ 5
♦ 96
West North East South ♣ Q 10 9 8 7 5 2
Nickell Auken Katz Welland
– 2♥* Pass 2NT*
Pass 3♣ Pass Pass
3NT All Pass
2♥ 3-9, 5+♥, can be very weak 1st NV vs VUL
2NT Relay, either clubs or a fit
The system employed by Welland/Auken affords them many opportunities to enter the auction.
Should East have taken some action over 3NT?
Would you know (for example) what a bid of 4♣ at this point would mean?
While declarer was waiting for North to lead he opined that his bid was a Tom Jones 3NT –
it’s not unusual.
North led the four of clubs and declarer won with dummy’s king, played a heart to the queen,
a diamond to the king, a diamond to the ace, cashed dummy’s top hearts and then played three
more diamonds. On the last of these, South, down to ♠Q7 ♣Q109 was squeezed.
Discarding a club would allow declarer to play ace and another club, but pitching a spade allows
declarer to cash the ace of spades and exit with a club, forcing a return into the club tenace.
A well-played +690, but a loss.
You can replay this deal at: http://tinyurl.com/oh7ugxg
West North East South
Brogeland Narkiewicz Lindqvist Buras
– Pass 1♠ 3♣
3♦ Pass 4♦ Pass
4NT* Pass 5♥* Pass
5NT* Pass 6♣ Pass
6♦ Pass 6♥ Pass
7♦ All Pass

At this table it was South who attempted to muddy the waters, but with the diamond fit rapidly
established West asked for key cards and then side kings. Having shown the king of clubs but
with the heart king in reserve East felt entitled to go on over 6♦.
North led the four of clubs and declarer won perforce with dummy’s king, came to hand with
a spade and played a club, ruffing when North discarded. After ruffing a spade declarer ruffed
another club, unblocked the ace of diamonds, came to hand with a heart, drew trumps and claimed.
Notice that it was not essential to ruff two clubs. If North ruffs in with the ten of diamonds
declarer overuffs, ruffs a spade, draws trumps (not risking that North started with ♦109x) crosses
to dummy with a heart, ruffs a spade and then cashes his minor-suit winners, squeezing North
in the majors.
You can replay this deal at: http://tinyurl.com/qckjmdu

9 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 13. Dealer North. All Vul.
♠ 743
♥ 86
♦ Q 10 9 6 3 2
♣ K7
♠ J9 N ♠ AK Q 8
♥ K Q J 10 3 ♥ A9 7 5 4
♦ AK J 4 W E ♦5
♣ 10 2 S ♣ Q63
♠ 10 6 5 2
♥2
♦ 87
♣ AJ9854
Open Room
West North East South
Piekarek Levin Smirnov Weinstein
– Pass 1♥ Pass
2♠ Pass 3♦ Pass
3♥ Pass 3NT Pass
4♦ Pass 4♥ All Pass

2♠ clearly agreed hearts, but there is no mention of it on the convention card.

Then 3♦ looks like it promised a shortage and it quickly became clear that E/W were lacking
a club control.
South led the ace of clubs and continued the suit holding declarer to eleven tricks.
Closed Room
West North East South
Nickell Narkiewicz Katz Buras
– 2♦ Double Pass
3♦* Pass 4♦* Pass
5♥ Pass 6♥ All Pass

3♦ was designed to show a good hand and I suspect 4♦ was

intended to offer a choice of major suits.
With West as the declarer 6♥ looked a good bet, but
North found the devastating lead of the seven of clubs and
the defenders took their tricks for a win.

Nick Nickell

10 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 15. Dealer South. N/S Vul.
♠ A943
♥ A 10 7 5 4
♦3
♣ Q 10 8
♠ KJ N ♠ 65
♥ KQ ♥ J862
♦ Q 10 9 5 4 W E ♦ KJ62
♣ KJ52 S ♣ 963
♠ Q 10 8 7 2
♥ 93
♦ A87
♣ A74
Open Room
West North East South
Piekarek Levin Smirnov Weinstein
– – – Pass
1♦ 1♥ 3♦* Double
Pass 3♠ All Pass
3♦ Weak raise
1♦ promised at least four diamonds, hence East’s preemptive raise.
Levin asked his coach Eric Kokish to play the dummy and the irrepressible Canadian quipped
to Piekarek ‘How’s my bidding this time?’
East led the king of diamonds and declarer won with dummy’s ace and played the queen of
spades, covered by the king and ace and ducked a heart to West’s king. After cashing the jack of
spades West exited with the queen of diamonds and declarer ruffed, cashed the ace of hearts, ruffed
a heart and played a club, claiming ten tricks when West went in with the king.
Closed Room
West North East South
Nickell Narkiewicz Katz Buras
– – – Pass
1NT 2♣* Pass 4♠
All Pass
2♣ Majors
West led the king of hearts and when it held he continued with the queen. Declarer won with
dummy’s ace and ruffed a heart with the ten of spades. West overuffed with the jack and exited
with the king of spades. Declarer won with dummy’s ace, ruffed a heart with the eight of spades,
cashed the queen of spades and played a club, claiming when West went in with the king.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/p3qng98

11 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 18. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠—
♥ K Q J 10 7 5 4
♦ A 10 5
♣ Q 10 6
♠ KQJ8653 N ♠ 972
♥8 ♥ 632
♦ QJ6 W E ♦ K987
♣ K5 S ♣ 984
♠ A 10 4
♥ A9
♦ 432
♣ AJ732
Open Room
West North East South
Nickell Grude Katz Ellingsen
– – Pass 1♣
3♠ 4♥ All Pass

East led the two of spades and declarer ruffed, drew trumps and lost only to the king of clubs, +680.
Closed Room
West North East South
Stansby Levin Bramley Weinstein
– – Pass 1♣
4♠ 5♥ Pass 6♥
All Pass

North’s 5♥ was explained as a slam try (4NT would

have been a weaker 5♥ bid).
When East led the nine of spades declarer was soon
claiming, +1430 and a win for Nickell, still leading.
Should East have led a diamond?
In his Bols bridge tip, Benito Garozzo pointed out
that against a slam you frequently need to make an
attacking lead and that advice would have served East
well here.
You can replay this deal at: http://tinyurl.com/oz4stzl

Bart Bramley

12 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 20. Dealer West. All Vul.
♠ K J 10 9 2
♥3
♦ J94
♣ AJ82
♠ Q5 N ♠ A8 3
♥ 7652 ♥ A9
♦ AK 6 W E ♦ 10 8 7 3
♣ K 10 9 6 S ♣ Q753
♠ 764
♥ K Q J 10 8 4
♦ Q52
♣4
Open Room
West North East South
Duboin Narkiewicz Mahmood Buras
1♣ 1♠ 1NT 2♥
Pass Pass 2♠* Pass
3♣ Pass Pass 3♥
Pass Pass Double All Pass
2♠ To compete in a minor
West led the ace of diamonds and when East followed with the seven he cashed the king (East
playing the ten) and switched to the five of spades. When declarer put in dummy’s jack East won
with the ace and returned the three – unfortunately it was a red three and declarer won with the
queen of diamonds and played a top trump. East won and returned a diamond, but declarer ruffed
high, drew trumps and played a spade for +730.
As you can see, East needed to return a spade when West cannot be prevented from scoring a
spade ruff.
I could fill several pages discussing this deal, but I am not 100% certain of the signalling meth-
ods being used by E/W and that is certainly relevant.
What can be said is that if West had switched to a spade at trick two then East would have been
unlikely to go wrong.
You can replay this deal at: http://tinyurl.com/pj34l5y
The leaders met for the first time in the penultimate round:

13 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 22. Dealer East. E/W Vul.
♠ KQ62
♥ 10 9 2
♦ 932
♣ KJ9
♠ 75 N ♠ 10
♥ AK 7 3 ♥ Q54
♦ A8 6 W E ♦ Q 10 7 4
♣ 8765 S ♣ A Q 10 4 2
♠ AJ9843
♥ J86
♦ KJ5
♣3
Open Room
West North East South
Brogeland Levin Lindqvist Weinstein
– – Pass 1♠
Pass 3♠* All Pass
3♠ Mixed Raise
West led the ace of hearts and continued with the king
and seven, East winning with the queen and returning
the seven of diamonds for the jack and ace.
West switched to the eight of clubs, which caused
Kokish, sitting behind Levin to laugh when declarer
started to think. East took dummy’s nine with the ten
and played the queen of diamonds. Declarer won with
the king, and claimed seven tricks, -100.
In the other room, after an auction which has been
lost in the mists of time Katz was in 5♣.
After two rounds of spades declarer has to ruff, cross
to dummy with a heart, play a club to the ten, go back
to dummy with a heart to pick up the trumps, cash the
queen of hearts and then play the queen of diamonds
for the king and ace, followed by running the eight of
diamonds.
Very difficult and it was no surprise when declarer
finished a trick short, a win for Schwartz. Boye Brogeland

14 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 23. Dealer South. All Vul.
♠—
♥ AK632
♦ K 10 9 8 5 3
♣ J4
♠ QJ63 N ♠ K854
♥ J 10 5 ♥ 987
♦ J7 W E ♦ AQ 2
♣ Q752 S ♣ 10 8 6
♠ A 10 9 7 2
♥ Q4
♦ 64
♣ AK93
Open Room
West North East South
Brogeland Levin Lindqvist Weinstein
– – – 1♠
Pass 2♦ Pass 2NT
Pass 3♥ Pass 3NT
Pass 4♥ All Pass

East led the six of clubs and declarer won with dummy’s ace and played a diamond to the seven,
ten and queen. East did well to cash the ace of diamonds and play a third diamond, ensuring a
trump trick for West, holding declarer to ten tricks, +620.
In the closed room N/S reached the giddy heights of 2♦, +150 giving Nickell a win.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/ng8ekfe
At this stage, Nickell was on 16.84, Schwartz 13.55, a significant advantage.

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15 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 26. Dealer East. All Vul.
♠ K 10 9 4 3
♥ 63
♦ 965
♣ Q52
♠ AQ 8 6 2 N ♠J
♥ K52 ♥ A Q J 10 7
♦ AJ 7 2 W E ♦ Q 10 8
♣4 S ♣ J963
♠ 75
♥ 984
♦ K43
♣ A K 10 8 7
Open Room
West North East South
Brink Levin Drijver Weinstein
– – 1♥ Pass
2♣* Pass 2♦* Pass
2♥ Pass 3♣* Double
3♥ Pass 3♠* Pass
3NT* Pass 4♣* Pass
4♦* Pass 4♥ All Pass
2♣ Game-forcing relay
The system employed by E/W apparently makes it difficult to show three-card heart support.
At the end of the artificial auction West advised that his partner had shown a pretty good hand
and that his own hand was also pretty good.
(You cannot get everything onto your convention card, but Brink/Drijver’s is somewhat thread-
bare when it comes to detail.)
South led the ace of clubs and when North followed with the five (suit preference) he switched
to the three of diamonds.
Declarer won in hand with the ten, ruffed a club, came to hand with a heart, ruffed a club,
cashed the ace of spades, drew trumps and ran the queen of diamonds, +680.
Closed Room
West North East South
Nickell Bathurst Katz Zagorin
– – Pass Pass
1♠ Pass 2♥ Pass
4♥ All Pass

After cashing the ace of clubs South switched to the eight of hearts. Declarer won in hand and
ran the jack of spades. North won and played a second trump and declarer won, ruffed a club,
ruffed a spade, drew the outstanding trump and played the queen of diamonds, claiming when
South covered, +650 but a loss.
On the final deal of the session West, at love all, held ♠AK8654 ♥J104 ♦6 ♣J63 and at both
tables opened 2♠. Levin, with ♠2 ♥Q65 ♦KQ92 ♣KQ852 passed, ending the auction, and led the
king of diamonds. Dummy delivered ♠QJ ♥AK32 ♦1084 ♣10974 and declarer had six trumps

16 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
and four hearts, +170.
At the other table North doubled and South jumped to 5♦ on his ♠10973 ♥987 ♦AJ753 ♣A.
West led the ace of spades and switched to the jack of hearts, two down, but another loss for the leaders.
At the end of the first session Nickell was on 17.84, Schwartz 16.55, Gromov, 14.93, Fleisher
14.84, Wolsey 14.52 & Bocchi 14.34.
Board 2. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ AK8
♥ J9543
♦ KJ9
♣ 85
♠ 7643 N ♠ Q952
♥ Q 10 7 ♥ AK 8
♦ Q8642 W E ♦ A5 3
♣6 S ♣ KJ9
♠ J 10
♥ 62
♦ 10 7
♣ A Q 10 7 4 3 2
Open Room
West North East South
Sadek Levin Elahmad Weinstein
– – 1NT Double*
2♣* Double* 2♠ 3♣
All Pass

South’s double promised a one-suited hand unless his next bid was 2NT which would indicate a
two-suiter West’s 2♣ was Staymanic and North’s double showed a good hand.
West led the six of spades and declarer went up with dummy’s ace and played a club to the
queen. When that held, he cashed the ace of clubs and put East on lead with the king, pitching a
heart from dummy. In due course declarer had to take a view in the diamond suit and he played
one to the jack for +110.
Closed Room
West North East South
Rodwell Jansma Meckstroth Coren
– – 1♣* 2♣
Pass* Pass Double Pass
2♠ All Pass
1♣ RM Precision
Pass 0-5 or clubs
North led the eight of clubs for the nine and ten and South switched to the ten of spades, North
winning with the king and returning his remaining club. Declarer ruffed, played a heart to the
king and ruffed a club. North overuffed, cashed the ace of spades and exited with a heart. Declarer
won in hand and crossed to dummy with a heart, but there were two diamond losers, one down,
-50, a win for Nickell who tied the other two deals, increasing their advantage by half a board.
You can replay this deal at: http://tinyurl.com/ma8gqyr

17 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 4. Dealer West. All Vul.
♠ A976
♥ J64
♦ 43
♣ A752
♠ J32 N ♠ Q 10 8
♥ A8 7 3 2 ♥ Q 10
♦ Q72 W E ♦ A J 10
♣ 86 S ♣ KQJ94
♠ K54
♥ K95
♦ K9865
♣ 10 3
Open Room
West North East South
Brogeland Rosenberg Lindqvist Willenken
Pass Pass 1NT* Pass
2♦* Pass 2♥ All Pass
1NT 14+-17
2♦ Transfer
South led the ten of clubs and North took the ace (declarer dropping the jack) and switched to
the six of spades for the queen and king, South returning the five of spades. North took the ace
and fatally played a third round.
Declarer won with dummy’s jack and played a heart to the ten and king. The club return went
to declarer’s king and after cashing the queen of hearts declarer played the queen of clubs, ruffed
by the nine and overuffed. Declarer drew the last trump and took a losing diamond finesse, +110.
Closed Room
West North East South
Martel Schwartz Gromov Fisher
Pass Pass 1NT Pass
2♦* Pass 2♥ All Pass

Once again South led the ten of clubs and North took the ace. A switch to the four of diamonds
saw South win with the king and continue with the nine. Declarer won with dummy’s queen and
played a heart to the ten and king.
North ruffed the return of the eight of diamonds, led the six of spades to South’s king, ruffed
the six of diamonds and cashed the ace of spades for two down, -200 and a win.

18 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 5. Dealer North. N/S Vul.
♠ A86
♥—
♦ QJ9743
♣ KJ64
♠ KJ954 N ♠ Q 10 7 3
♥ K9 ♥ A Q J 10 8
♦ A 10 6 2 W E ♦5
♣ Q9 S ♣ A8 3
♠2
♥ 765432
♦ K8
♣ 10 7 5 2
Open Room
West North East South
Brogeland Rosenberg Lindqvist Willenken
– 1♦ 1♥ Pass
1♠ Pass 4♠ Pass
5♦ Pass 6♠ All Pass

North led the six of spades and declarer won in hand and showed his cards, +980.
Closed Room
West North East South
Martel Schwartz Fleisher Fisher
– 1♦ Double 2♥*
4♠ All Pass
2♥ Weak
2♥ seems an extraordinary gamble. If West doubles and
that ends the auction then +1100 is on the cards.
Of course, if North redoubles for rescue N/S will find
the club fit and escape relatively unscathed.
Indeed they can do even better by playing in 3♦, which
cannot be defeated.
Whatever, it’s not how, it’s how many, and Schwartz
had another win.

Lotan Fisher

19 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 6. Dealer East. E/W Vul.
♠ Q8
♥5
♦ K Q 10 8 6 4
♣ A954
♠ K J 10 7 6 2 N ♠ 953
♥ K9 ♥ A J 10 7 4 3
♦ 97 W E ♦5
♣ J 10 7 S ♣ Q63
♠ A5
♥ Q862
♦ AJ32
♣ K82
Open Room
West North East South
Brogeland Rosenberg Lindqvist Willenken
– – 2♥ Pass
3♥ 4♦ Pass 6♦
All Pass

East led the ace of hearts and continued with the seven, declarer ruffing West’s king. Although
the losing spade could now go on the queen of hearts there was still a club to lose, one down, -50.
Closed Room
West North East South
Martel Schwartz Fleischer Fisher
– – 2♥ Pass
Pass 3♦ Pass 3NT
All Pass

E/W usually play the Multi, but the ACBL do not allow it in team events with only three-board
rounds.
Perhaps if I sent all the Board members a copy of The Mysterious Multi.....
West led the king of hearts and continued with the nine, East taking the ace and switching to
the six of clubs.
Declarer won with the king, cashed the queen of hearts and then ran the diamonds, but there
was no pressure and he finished with ten tricks.

20 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
After winning with the king of clubs declarer should simply run the diamonds to reach this
position:
♠ Q8
♥—
♦ 10
♣ A9
♠ K J 10 N ♠9
♥— ♥ J 10
♦— W E ♦—
♣ J 10 S ♣ Q6
♠ A5
♥ Q8
♦—
♣8
When declarer plays the last diamond from dummy East must throw a black card, and when
declarer pitches if West does the same declarer plays a spade to the ace, forcing East to throw a
club and then the queen of hearts squeezes West.
If instead West pitches a club then East is immediately squeezed by a spade to the ace.
Still, this is all academic, as Schwartz was already assured of a clean sweep on the round.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/mh34muc
Board 8. Dealer West. None Vul.
♠ A 10 6 5 3
♥ 8743
♦ A4
♣ KQ
♠K N ♠ 9872
♥— ♥ AJ 6
♦ J 10 9 8 6 2 W E ♦ K753
♣ A J 10 8 6 3 S ♣ 95
♠ QJ4
♥ K Q 10 9 5 2
♦Q
♣ 742
Open Room
West North East South
Brink Levin Drijver Weinstein
4NT* Pass 5♦ All Pass
4NT Minors
When South led the king of hearts declarer matched it with dummy’s king of spades. After win-
ning with the ace of hearts, declarer played a club to the ace and king (when Levin quipped ‘Kings
have no value’ Brink countered with ‘Kings fall’ whereupon Levin added, ‘Drop another king and
I’m going to kill you.’) and ran the jack of diamonds.
When South won with the queen declarer claimed for one down, -50.

21 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Closed Room ♠ A 10 6 5 3
♥ 8743
West North East South ♦ A4
Rodwell Bathurst Meckstroth Zagorin ♣ KQ
Pass 1♠* Pass 1NT* ♠ K N ♠ 9 8 72
♥ ♥
4♦ 4♥
— AJ 6
3NT* Pass W E
♦ J 10 9 8 6 2 ♦ K753
Pass Pass 5♦ Pass ♣ A J 10 8 6 3 S ♣ 95
Pass Double All Pass ♠ QJ4
1♠ 10-15 ♥ K Q 10 9 5 2
1NT Semi-forcing ♦ Q
3NT Minors ♣ 742

South led the queen of spades and North won and returned the three. Declarer ruffed with dum-
my’s jack of diamonds and continued with the ten, going up with the king when North followed
with the four.
The contract was only one down – but the double meant a loss for Nickell.
You can replay this deal at: http://tinyurl.com/mmazef9
Board 11. Dealer South. None Vul.
♠ 10 3 2
♥ AK53
♦ Q J 10
♣ 987
♠ Q84 N ♠ K76
♥ 10 9 8 ♥ 764
♦ 97654 W E ♦ K832
♣ KQ S ♣ J62
♠ AJ95
♥ QJ2
♦A
♣ A 10 5 4 3
Open Room
West North East South
Stansby Levin Bramley Weinstein
– – – 1♣
Pass 1♥ Pass 1♠
Pass 1NT Pass 2♥
All Pass

This simple auction contains some subtle points.

In principle, South has shown a hand that is too good to raise hearts immediately, but if you
insist on four-card support for a direct raise then perhaps South should jump to 3♥.
East led the six of hearts and declarer won with dummy’s queen and played ace of clubs and a
club, West winning with the king and switching to the four of spades. Declarer took East’s king
with dummy’s ace and played two more rounds of trumps, followed by a club. East won and
returned a spade giving the defenders their third trick, +170.
As the players returned their cards to the board Levin remarked ‘That was not the hand I was
hoping you would have.’

22 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Closed Room ♠ 10 3 2
♥ AK53
West North East South ♦ Q J 10
Rodwell Hans Meckstroth Gill ♣ 987
– – – 1♣* ♠ Q84 N ♠ K76
♥ 10 9 8 ♥ 764
Pass 2♦* Pass 2NT ♦ 97654 W E ♦ K832
Pass 3♣* Pass 3♦* ♣ KQ S ♣ J62
Pass 3NT All Pass ♠ AJ95
1♣ 16+ ♥ QJ2
2♦ Game-forcing, 8-10 balanced may ♦ A
have 5♣/♦ ♣ A 10 5 4 3
3♣ 4♥, may have 4♠
3♦ Asking for four spades
West led the ten of hearts and declarer won in hand with the queen and ducked a club to West’s
queen. The spade switch went to the king and ace and declarer played two rounds of hearts fol-
lowed by the ten of spades. West won with the queen and switched to the nine of diamonds.
Declarer won with the ace, cashed two spades and played ace of clubs and a club. East could win
and cash a diamond but had to surrender the gam-going trick to dummy – another loss for Nickell.
You can replay this deal at: http://tinyurl.com/n2jm7bq
Board 14. Dealer East. None Vul.
♠ 10 9 8
♥ 10 8 4 2
♦ A72
♣ KQ7
♠ AK Q J N ♠ 765432
♥ KQ93 ♥7
♦ Q63 W E ♦ 54
♣ 32 S ♣ 10 9 8 4
♠—
♥ AJ65
♦ K J 10 9 8
♣ AJ65
Open Room
West North East South
Dubinin Levin Gromov Weinstein
– – 3♠ Double
4♠ Double Pass 4NT*
Pass 5♥ All Pass
4NT Takeout
When South asked about 3♠ West described it as ‘not great’.
East led the six of spades and declarer ruffed (West following with the ace) and played a club
to the king and a heart to the jack and queen. West’s club return was taken by dummy’s jack and
declarer cashed the ace of hearts, East pitching the two of spades.
When declarer continued with a club West ruffed, cashed the king of hearts and took two
spades for three down.
When the 4-1 heart split was revealed declarer could have got home by running the jack of dia-
monds and then playing on that suit, restricting West to just one more trump trick.

23 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Closed Room ♠ 10 9 8
♥ 10 8 4 2
West North East South ♦ A72
Rodwell Narkiewicz Meckstroth Buras ♣ KQ7
– – Pass 1♦ ♠ AK Q J N ♠ 765432
♥ ♥
1♥ 2♠ 4♥
KQ93 7
Double W E
♦ Q63 ♦ 54
Double All Pass ♣ 32 S ♣ 10 9 8 4
♠ —
East led the ten of clubs and declarer won with the king ♥ AJ65
and played a heart to the ace, a club to the queen and a ♦ K J 10 9 8
third club. West ruffed, cashed his top hearts and exited ♣ AJ65
with the king of spades. Declarer ruffed in dummy,
pitched a spade on the ace of clubs and ran the eight of diamonds for +590 and a win.
You can replay this deal at: http://tinyurl.com/pukvadd
Schwartz and Fisher were in bad humour at the end of this round and Fisher was still steaming,
yelling (quietly, they were in one big playing room) at Schwartz when the next one started. It was
probably because with ♠K93 ♥K4 ♦AQJ7 ♣K942 facing ♠A ♥QJ1087532 ♦654 ♣J they had
bid 1NT-4♣*-4♦*-4♥-4NT-5♣-6♣-(Double)-6♥ which suffered from a lack of aces.
In round 6 the match between Schwartz and Liu saw 4♥ played six times. Two of the deals
were tied but on the third declarer had to tackle a trump suit of ♥J97532 opposite ♥AQ864.
The contract was in no danger, but South had overcalled in clubs on ♠J8 ♥K ♦K975 ♣QJ10864.
Fisher had contented himself with a modest 2♣ which persuaded declarer to take the heart finesse.
Liu had overcalled 3♣ – but Lindqvist played for the drop for a vital overtrick.
That same board cost Nickell a point, as Madala got the trumps right after a 2♣ overcall, whereas
Rodwell got them wrong following a 3♣ overcall.
Board 18. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ 874
♥4
♦ AQ85
♣ AQ964
♠J N ♠ A Q 10 2
♥ A 10 7 6 5 ♥ Q9832
♦ 10 3 2 W E ♦ K96
♣ K732 S ♣ J10
♠ K9653
♥ KJ
♦ J74
♣ J85
Open Room
West North East South
Bianchedi Levin Madala Weinstein
– – 1♥ 1♠
4♥ 4♠ Pass Pass
Double* All Pass

24 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
West’s double indicated that he was keen to bid on, but ♠ 874
with that trump holding East had a better idea. ♥ 4
If South is allowed to make a vulnerable overcall on ♦ AQ85
such a hand then North is taking a risk by bidding 4♠. ♠ J ♣ AQ964
N ♠ A Q 10 2
West led the ace of hearts and when East followed with ♥ A 10 7 6 5 ♥ Q9832
the nine, switched to the two of diamonds. East won ♦ 10 3 2 W E ♦ K96
with the king and returned a diamond, declarer winning ♣ K 7 3 2 S ♣ 10
with dummy’s queen and playing a spade to the king and ♠ K 9 6 5 3
a spade. East won with the ten, cashed the ace of spades ♥ KJ
♦ J74
and exited with a diamond. ♣ J85
Declarer won with the jack and, paying homage to
the Rabbi, played a club to the ace. When the king failed to appear he was three down, -800.
Closed Room
West North East South
Rodwell Bocchi Meckstroth Duboin
– – 1♥ Pass
2NT* Pass 3♦* Pass
4♥ All Pass
2NT Limit plus in hearts
3♦ Artificial game try
South led the five of clubs and North won with the queen and switched to the ace of diamonds
and a diamond. Declarer won with the king, played a heart to the ace and the jack of spades,
overtaking it with the ace to play the queen. South covered with the king and declarer ruffed in
dummy and claimed.
He could come to hand with a club ruff and
pitch a diamond on the ten of spades.
You will have spotted that a diamond lead defeats
4♥, as long as South covers the queen of spades, as
declarer has no quick entry to hand.
You can replay this deal at: http://tinyurl.com/
kmbfftu
Schwartz had been gaining ground steadily and
by the time the leaders met in the penultimate
round they had taken the lead.

Norberto Bocchi

25 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 22. Dealer East. E/W Vul.
♠8
♥ J95
♦ J85432
♣ 10 7 3
♠— N ♠ A J 10 7 3
♥ A 10 6 4 2 ♥ KQ8
♦ 10 7 W E ♦ AQ 6
♣ AJ 8 6 4 2 S ♣ K5
♠ KQ96542
♥ 73
♦ K9
♣ Q9
Open Room
West North East South
Brogeland Levin Lindqvist Weinstein
– – 2NT 3♠
5♠* Pass 5NT* Pass
6♣ Pass 6♦ Pass
6♥ All Pass
5♠ Spade control, two places to play
5NT Choose
Declarer won the spade lead with dummy’s ace, cashed the king of hearts, the king of clubs and
the queen of hearts. When a second club saw the appearance of South’s queen declarer was soon
claiming +1460.
Closed Room
West North East South
Rodwell Schwartz Meckstroth Fisher
– – 2NT 3♠
Double* All Pass
Double Takeout
West led the ten of diamonds and East took the ace and returned the six. Declarer won with the
king and made the strange-looking play of the two of spades. East won with the ten, cashed the
king of clubs, the king and queen of hearts and then played a second club. West won and con-
tinued with the ace of hearts.
Declarer ruffed and played the king of spades, but East ducked and declarer could score only
one more trick, five down, -1100 but a win for Schwartz.
If declarer plays a high spade at trick three then he will be in a position to endplay East in the
trump suit at trick 11 to escape for four down.
However, if the defenders cash their four winners in hearts and clubs at tricks 2-5 and only
then exit with a diamond +1100 is back in sight. If declarer tries a top spade East ducks and with
two safe exits in the red suits must score four trump tricks.

26 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 23. Dealer South. All Vul.
♠ 10 8 5
♥4
♦ A632
♣ J8653
♠ A2 N ♠ KQ964
♥ A9 8 5 ♥ 10 6 2
♦ J 10 9 8 W E ♦ 74
♣ Q94 S ♣ A 10 7
♠ J73
♥ KQJ73
♦ KQ5
♣ K2
Open Room
West North East South
Brogeland Levin Lindqvist Weinstein
– – – 1NT
All Pass

West led the jack of diamonds and declarer won in hand with the queen and played the king of
clubs. After some consideration, East ducked and declarer now tried the queen of hearts. When
that scored he continued with the king. When that also held declarer cashed his diamonds and
gave up, one down, -100.
Closed Room
West North East South
Rodwell Schwartz Meckstroth Fisher
– – – 1NT
All Pass

Here West led the ten of diamonds and declarer won with the king and tried the jack of hearts.
When that held he followed with the queen and West won and played the jack of diamonds.
Declarer won in hand and played a third diamond, East pitching the four of spades. Declarer
played a club to the king and when that held he cashed the king of hearts to escape for one down
and flatten the board.
To be sure of two down East needs to retain that fifth spade and also go in with the ace of clubs
and then play a low spade to West’s ace.
Interestingly, once West has played a second diamond declarer can play a spade, which entan-
gles the defenders communications (a type of play described in detail in The Rodwell Files) which
should lead to six tricks.
To stay in the hunt Nickell almost certainly had to win the last board:

27 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 24. Dealer West. None Vul.
♠ AQ65
♥ 975
♦ K72
♣ AQ6
♠ K J 10 8 7 4 2 N ♠ 93
♥ A6 ♥ 43
♦ J854 W E ♦Q
♣— S ♣ K J 10 9 8 4 3 2
♠—
♥ K Q J 10 8 2
♦ A 10 9 6 3
♣ 75
Open Room
West North East South
Brogeland Levin Lindqvist Weinstein
4♠ Pass Pass 4NT*
All Pass
4NT Two places to play.
West led the five of diamonds and declarer allowed East’s queen to hold, following with the six.
The return of the three of hearts was covered by the king and ace and West exited with the six of
hearts. Declarer won with the jack and played the ten of diamonds. When West followed with
the four he went up with dummy’s king and when East discarded a club declarer had to concede
a diamond to West, +430.
Closed Room
West North East South
Rodwell Schwartz Meckstroth Fisher
4♠ Pass Pass 5♥
All Pass

Here South elected to put his trust in his long suit.

West led the jack of spades and declarer won with dummy’s ace pitching a club and played
a heart to the queen and ace. West returned a heart and declarer won with dummy’s seven and
cashed the king of diamonds. He had to lose a diamond, but that was +450 and a championship
winning board for Schwartz.
If West finds a diamond lead and then wins the first heart he can give East a diamond ruff and
then score a club ruff to defeat the contract.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/kh9monr
Schwartz won his last match against Hans 2-1, while Nickell drew with Fleisher to leave the
table looking like this:

28 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Total
1 Richard Schwartz, Allan Graves, Boye Brogeland, Espen Lindqvist, 33.55
Lotan Fisher, Ron Schwartz.
2 Nick Nickell, Ralph Katz, Robert Levin, Steve Weinstein, Jeff Meck- 30.34
stroth, Eric Rodwell.
3 Norberto Bocchi, Giorgio Duboin, Zia Mahmood, Agustin Madala, 29.84
Alejandro Bianchedi.
4 Sjoert Brink, Bas Drijver, Daniel Zagorin, Kevin Bathurst. 27.56
5 Sartaj Hans, Peter Gill, Tor Eivind Grude, Kristian Ellingsen, Bart 27.49
Bramley, Lew Stansby,
6 Andrew Gromov, Aleksander Dubinin, Krzysztof Buras, Grzegorz 27.43
Narkiewicz, Josef Piekarek, Alexander Smirnov.
7 Martin Fleisher, Chris Willenken, Roy Welland, Chip Martel, Michael 26.84
Rosenberg, Sabine Auken.
8 Aubrey Strul, Michael Becker, Walid Elahmady, Tarek Sadek, Jan Jansma, 26.70
Richard Coren,
9 Kit Woolsey, Fred Stewart, John Sutherlin, Dan Morse, Dan Jacob, 26.52
Boris Baran.
10 Jing Liu, Yinghao Liu, Junjie Hu, Yichao Chen. 23.50

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29 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine



1st DUBLIN SUMMER BRIDGE CONGRESS

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30 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Misplaying The Trump Suit
This is an excerpt from David Bird’s ‘52 Bridge Mistakes to Avoid’, recently published by Master
Point Press and available from the Bridge Magazine Bookshop

Chapter 31 - Misplaying The Trump Suit

Suppose that you have decided to draw trumps. Let’s go further and assume that it is the correct
thing to do! There may still be a right and a wrong way to play the suit. Look at this example:
♠ 65
♥ 42
♦ AKQJ65
♣ A76
♠ A 10 9 N ♠ KQJ74
♥ Q 10 6 ♥ J9
♦ 98 W E ♦ 73
♣ K Q 10 9 4 S ♣ 8532
♠ 832
♥ AK8753
♦ 10 4 2
♣J
West North East South
– – – 2♥
Pass 4♥ All Pass

How will you tackle this contract when West leads the ♣K?
You win with the ♣A and decide to draw trumps before taking some discards on dummy’s
splendid diamond suit. What will happen if you cash the ♥A and ♥K next? Nothing good. The
trumps break 3-2, yes, but you will be exposed to the loss of three spade tricks now that dummy
has no trumps left. You will have to hope that three rounds of diamonds emerge unruffed. No
such luck on this occasion and you will lose three spades and one trump.
You need to lose a trump trick (you hope it is only one) at a time when dummy still has a trump
to protect you in spades. In other words, you must duck the first round of trumps. There is noth-
ing the defenders can do then. They can take two spade tricks but you will claim the remainder.
The best play in the trump suit, viewed on its own, will often vary when there has been oppo-
sition bidding. Suppose an opponent has overcalled in a suit or has opened with a pre-emptive
bid. You should generally finesse against his partner for a missing queen of trumps, even if there
are only four trumps out.

31 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
On the next deal, West opens with a pre-emptive bid, suggesting that he is short in the trump suit.
♠ J54
♥ 85
♦ KJ732
♣ KQ6
♠8 N ♠ K 10 3
♥ KQJ9643 ♥ A2
♦ Q64 W E ♦ A 10 9
♣ 95 S ♣ 10 8 7 4 3
♠ AQ9762
♥ 10 7
♦ 85
♣ AJ2
West North East South
3♥ Pass Pass 3♠
Pass 4♠ All Pass

West leads the ♥K against your spade game, East overtaking with the ♥A and returning the ♥2.
How will you play the contract when West wins the second heart and switches to the ♣9?
You have at least one diamond loser awaiting you and will therefore need to pick up the trump
suit without loss. In the absence of any opposition bidding, you would lead a low spade towards
the South hand on the first round and finesse the ♠Q. If West followed with the ♠10, you could
then return to dummy to pick up East’s remaining ♠K8. Here, though, West has only six vacant
places for non-hearts while East has eleven. You should therefore be inclined to play East for three
(or four) trumps.
Since you are not worried that East will hold a singleton ♠K, you win the club switch in dummy
and lead the ♠J. Let’s say that this is covered by the ♠K and ♠A, West dropping the ♠8. The odds
then strongly favour a finesse against the ♠10 on the second round. You cross to dummy’s remain-
ing club honour and finesse the ♠9 successfully, picking up the trump suit. It only remains to
guess the diamond suit. West can hardly hold the ♦A in addition to his splendid heart suit, so it
doesn’t take a genius to finesse the ♦J. This duly forces the ♦A and the contract is yours.
Suppose East had started with ♠K1083 and West had shown out when the ♠J was covered by
the king and ace. You would then need two further entries to dummy to pick up East’s remaining
♠1083. The ♣Q would be one and you would generate another entry in diamonds by playing a
diamond to the jack.
Imagine the bidding had been slightly different, with South opening 1♠ in first seat and West
overcalling 2♥ or a weak 3♥. Again this would be sufficient to tilt your play in the trump suit to
the one just described.

32 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
The next deal, from the 2014 Australian Interstate Teams final, illustrates a common error when
playing the trump suit against a forcing defence:
Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ AQ763
♥ A7
♦ 832
♣ A76
♠ K 10 9 5 2 N ♠ J4
♥ Q 10 4 2 ♥ 95
♦ AK 9 7 W E ♦ QJ654
♣— S ♣ 8543
♠8
♥ KJ863
♦ 10
♣ K Q J 10 9 2
West North East South
– – Pass 2♥
2♠ Double Pass 4♣
Pass 4♥ All Pass

South’s 2♥ showed hearts and an unspecified minor suit. How would you play the eventual con-
tract of 4♥ when West starts with the ace and king of diamonds?
Declarer ruffed the second diamond, crossed to the ♥A and finessed the ♥J. Mistake! West won
with the ♥Q and was quick to force South again in diamonds. Declarer ruffed and played the ♥K,
praying for a 3-3 break. This last-minute request for assistance went unanswered and the contract
failed by two tricks. The defenders scored two trumps and three diamonds.
To make the contract, declarer needed to rise with the ♥K on the second round and then play
club winners. The defenders would be welcome to score two trump tricks, even if the trumps
divided 3-3. Declarer would lose just two trumps and one diamond.
We will see one more deal where the choice of play in the trump suit is affected by the need to
repel a forcing defence:
♠ 10 9 4 2
♥ J 10 6
♦ K75
♣ KQ7
♠ K873 N ♠6
♥ AK Q 9 4 3 ♥ 82
♦ 10 8 W E ♦ 9643
♣ 10 S ♣ J86432
♠ AQJ5
♥ 75
♦ AQJ2
♣ A95
West North East South
– – – 1♦
1♥ Double Pass 4♠
All Pass

33 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
How will you play when West leads the ♥AKQ, East ruffing with the ♠6?
The original declarer overruffed with the ♠J and continued with the ♠A and ♠Q. West had
played the game before and refused to win with the king. Had he done so, declarer would have
been able to ruff a fourth round of hearts with the last trump in the South hand.
It was the end of the road for the contract. If declarer played a third round of trumps, West
would win and force dummy’s last trump with another heart. Trump control would be lost. If
instead declarer abandoned the trump suit, West would score two trump tricks.
The winning line of play is to give up a trump trick while you still have protection against hearts
in the already shortened South hand. At Trick 4, you lead the ♠Q from your hand. If West wins
this, he cannot damage you. Let’s say that he ducks. You continue with a low trump from the
South hand, retaining the ♠A. If West goes in with the ♠K, you can ruff a further heart with the
♠A and cross to dummy to draw the outstanding trumps with the ♠109. If instead West ducks
again, you will simply cash the ♠A and play winners until West ruffs. Dummy still has a trump
to protect you in hearts and you will make the contract.
Many players would go wrong on this deal:
♠ 542
♥ 976
♦ A8
♣ KQ865
♠— N ♠ Q 10 9
♥ J854 ♥ Q 10 2
♦ KQJ94 W E ♦ 7653
♣ 9742 S ♣ A J 10
♠ AKJ8763
♥ AK3
♦ 10 2
♣3
West North East South
– – – 1♠
Pass 2♠ Pass 4♠
All Pass

How would you play the spade game when West leads the ♦K?
If you win the first (or second) diamond and make the apparently natural play of a trump to the
ace, West will show out and you will have a loser in each of the four suits. The winning play, which
more or less guarantees the contract, is to finesse the ♠J once East has followed on the first round.
If this loses to the queen, the trumps are 2-1. You can win West’s heart switch, draw the last
trump and play a club to the king and ace. You will lead the ♠3 to the ♠5 to reach the established
♣Q for a heart discard. When the cards lie as in the diagram, your finesse of the ♠J will win. You
will then score seven trump tricks and the three top cards in the red suits.

Tips to avoid mistake 31

It is sometimes right to spurn a trump finesse because you cannot afford to lose the lead. (The
defenders may score a ruff or be able to force the long trump holding.)
When you can afford to lose a trump trick, consider ducking an early round. This may secure
your control of the hand.
When you are missing four trumps to the queen, you may choose to finesse to keep the dan-
ger hand off lead.

34 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
50 YEARS ON – THE BUENOS AIRES AFFAIR
by Richard Fleet

B ridge was literally headline news in 1965, though not for the right reasons. On 25th May,
the Daily Telegraph printed a long article at the top of its front page reporting that Terence
Reese and Boris Schapiro had been accused of cheating in the Buenos Aires World Cham-
pionship. To give the Telegraph its due, it gave equal prominence to a report over a year later that
the official British Bridge League enquiry had cleared the British pair.
The accusation against the British pair had been instigated by some of the American players and
camp followers, foremost among them Dorothy Hayden and her partner, B(enjamin) Jay Becker.
Hayden was later to marry Alan Truscott, an expatriate Briton who was also present in Buenos
Aires and who wrote a book about the affair – “The Great Bridge Scandal”. This book was repub-
lished in 2004, after both Reese and Schapiro were dead, and was for the first time made available
in this country. One suspects that the reason for the delay was attributable to the severity of the
libel laws here. The book, available from the BM bookshop, will appeal to those who enjoy fic-
tion set in a bridge background.
Britain had high hopes of success in Buenos Aires. The team had qualified by winning the 1963
European Championship – with the scarcely believable score of 100 out of 102 – and the same
players had narrowly lost to Italy in the semi-final of the 1964 Olympiad Teams. There were signs
that the era of success was drawing to a close, however. The closeness of the Italy match was illu-
sory: Britain had gained two fortunate grand slam swings, one which needed a 2-2 trump break
(Schapiro made a bid that could only be described as speculative and, in line with his reputa-
tion, got lucky) and one when the Italians were severely punished for a slightly inferior choice of
denomination: 7NT was cold but 7♦ was only beaten by a first round ruff. In addition, the team
was ageing, with Maurice Harrison-Gray and Kenneth Konstam both in their 60s and only Jer-
emy Flint the right side of 40.
An additional factor was that all was not well within the team. The line-ups employed in the
Olympiad had been criticised (the partnerships were regarded as flexible) and it was decided to
hold fresh trials. As it happened, Flint and Reese won the trials, finishing over a match clear, with
Konstam and Schapiro second and Albert Rose-Ralph Swimer third. Not that the trials proved
much: the standard of play was variable and the Rose-Swimer finishing position was flattered by
the fact that they had scored a big win with a substitute (Nico Gardener, the father of Nicola
Smith) playing instead of Swimer. Excluding this result, Rose and Swimer finished exactly aver-
age. Konstam was moved to write to BM and point out that the leading pairs made plenty of
mistakes. He also commented: “Neither Reese and Flint nor Schapiro and myself are a shadow
of the partnership that Reese and Schapiro were”.
The selectors were committed to selecting the first two pairs but had a free hand with regard to
the third. They invited Gray, who had played in both 1963 and 1964, and Rose to complete the
team. Whilst Gray accepted, Rose at first declined. As Flint put it in Tiger Bridge, “It required
considerable diplomacy to get the team to the starting gate … Swimer was made non-playing
captain”. Per Flint, relations between the team members were best described as polite.
The charge against Reese and Schapiro was that they signalled the number of hearts that they
held by the position of their fingers in the hand holding the cards. For example, it was alleged
that, if two fingers only were on display, the player held two hearts. If this strikes the reader as a

35 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
somewhat pointless and clumsy method of cheating, it should be remembered that, in the days
when relatively few experts employed negative doubles – and Reese and Schapiro didn’t – oppos-
ing bidding (particularly in spades) might make it difficult to find a heart fit.
This charge suffered from one minor defect: apart from the fact that Reese and Schapiro did seem
to change their finger positions from time to time (a fact which was admitted by Reese), there
was virtually no evidence to support it. In particular, there was a dearth of hands which could
suggest the availability of extra-curricular information. As Flint put it: “Reese and Schapiro were
accused of burglary but the safe was still intact”.
In spite of the lack of evidence, the World Bridge Federation Executive Committee convened a
formal hearing and found Reese and Schapiro guilty. The proceedings were not far short of sham-
bolic: there was inadequate time for Reese and Schapiro either to prepare a defence or to arrange
representation and one of the witnesses against them (the British delegate, Geoffrey Butler) was
himself a member of the Executive Committee.
Truscott was not worried about the procedural inadequacies, commenting that this is the norm
at a bridge tournament. Whilst this is true, committee hearings at tournaments do not involve
grave accusations of dishonesty. Nor did he believe that Butler’s dual role was of significance, com-
menting that it was “a very fine legal point”. He went on to say: “In a court case, a judge cannot
also be a witness. He would have to disqualify himself from acting in a judicial capacity. This is
not a practical rule in a bridge tournament, in which experienced and responsible observers are
usually in short supply.” All very well, perhaps, in the general run of cases, but hardly appropriate
when the accusation is one of pre-arranged cheating. The WBF, in its haste to bring the matter
to a conclusion, botched it badly.
An astonishing feature of the accusation was that the charge was supported by Swimer. One would
normally expect the captain of a team to present the strongest possible case in support of his play-
ers, but Swimer did the opposite. Irrespective of his private views on the matter, it was Swimer’s
duty to support his players and he manifestly failed to do so. One can only imagine the damage
that this caused to Reese and Schapiro’s case.
To cap a fine performance as captain, Swimer conceded the matches against Argentina and the
USA (the one versus Italy had already been lost) even though Britain held an unassailable lead
in the first and a useful one in the second. It is difficult to think of a more reprehensible set of
actions by a captain in any arena: could Swimer have harboured a grudge against Reese and Scha-
piro, perhaps perceiving them as instrumental in his replacement on the team? Certainly it is
tempting to explain his actions in this way. Rixi Markus, never one to understate her case, wrote
in such intemperate – though justifiable – terms of Swimer’s captaincy that a libel action resulted:
the jury failed to agree and Swimer decided not to pursue the matter.
Following the conclusion of the Buenos Aires championship, the BBL set up an enquiry under
Sir John Foster QC to consider the charges afresh. Assisted by General Lord Bourne, and with
technical input from two expert bridge players (Tony Priday, who had partnered Truscott in the
British teams in the 1961 European and World Championships, and Alan Hiron, who had part-
nered Gray in the trials and went on to become editor of this magazine), Foster concluded that
Reese and Schapiro were not guilty. Although the WBF never formally accepted this verdict, both
Reese and Schapiro were allowed to play international bridge subsequently – and Schapiro went
on to win a Senior world title at the age of 89.
In his report, Foster made the point that a charge of cheating was very serious and that the appropriate

36 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
standard of proof was beyond reasonable doubt, the same as would have applied in the case of a
criminal charge. Regrettably, such a rigorous approach seems to have had little appeal to Truscott.
One of the least edifying aspects of Truscott’s book was that he saw fit to relate what can only be
described as a disgraceful farrago of tittle-tattle, innuendo and speculation. Truscott, who was born
in 1925 and took part in his first bridge tournament in 1946, talks of incidents relating to marked
cards in games of rummy and bridge in which Reese took part before the war. The evidential
value of London club gossip in such circumstances will be apparent to the reader. In another case,
Truscott quotes a comment allegedly made by Richard Lederer (a well-known tournament player
and club owner) to Reese in 1939: Truscott cannot possibly have known what was actually said.
That one should take Truscott’s comments with more than a pinch of salt is perhaps best illus-
trated by his comment concerning the 1955 World Championship, won by Britain – Konstam,
Reese and Schapiro were all members of the team. He states that “The match was a slight disap-
pointment as a spectacle, for the British team built up an invincible lead at an early stage and was
never in danger of defeat.” Whilst it is true that Britain took an early lead, which reached 4,000
points after 26 of the 224 boards, the USA fought back strongly and were actually leading by 500
points at board 160.
Truscott also thinks it appropriate to give details of several of the hands from 1955 on the grounds
that Reese and Schapiro’s failure to find heart fits during that event (they twice missed good 6♥ con-
tracts when the fit was 4-4, going down in 6♦ and 7♣ respectively) is evidence that they were not
then cheating! Quite how this could be felt to advance his case must remain something of a mystery.
A further illustration of Truscott exaggerating matters to make a point relates to the later bridge career
of Reese. Truscott states that “He gave up playing after 1970, at any level, but continued writing”.
This is simply untrue: Reese took part in the 1971 British trials partnering Irving Rose; he played
in the Gold Cup as late as 1975-76 (I was privileged to be a team-mate); and he continued to take
part in the Lederer Memorial Trophy for several more years, playing a particularly strong game in
the 1979 event. As Schapiro commented to me at the time: “It was just like the old Terence”. Finally,
at the Brighton summer meeting one year in the 1980s, Reese (who had moved to Hove) played on
the last day with Louis Tarlo, ironically as a substitute for Schapiro. I know – I was there.
The Americans had form when it came to cheating accusations. Indeed, one could argue that they
had long been paranoid about being cheated, particularly when the British were involved (chippy
colonials?). What follows is far from being an exhaustive list.
In 1949, the Sharples twins (Bob and Jim) took part in a match against a strong American tour-
ing team. The following hand caused somewhat of a furore:
♠ A7543
♥ 6532
♦ J8
♣ K4
♠ K8 N ♠ 96
♥ A 10 ♥ KJ9
♦ A9 7 6 4 W E ♦ K Q 10 5 3
♣ 9875 S ♣ Q63
♠ Q J 10 2
♥ Q874
♦2
♣ A J 10 2
37 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine
 General Interest
♠ A7543 Sitting East, George Rapee opened 1♦ at love all (an
♥ 6532 opening bid that was, surprisingly, found at both tables)
♦ J8
♣ K4
and Bob doubled. Sam Stayman redoubled and Jim bid
♠ K8 ♠ 96 2♠, a quantitative bid in those days. This was passed
N round to Stayman who bid 2NT: Rapee removed to 3♦
♥ A 10 ♥ KJ9
♦ A9 7 6 4 W E ♦ K Q 10 5 3 (why?) but Stayman persisted with 3NT. Sensing a lack
♣ 9875 S ♣ Q63 of conviction in his opponents’ bidding, Jim doubled …
♠ Q J 10 2
♥ Q874
and led the king of clubs!
♦ 2 900 points later (it would be 1,100 nowadays), a storm
♣ A J 10 2
broke, with the Americans having the temerity to allege
that the twins were “wired”. When the hubbub subsided, Johnny Crawford, arguably the best
player on the US team, reportedly commented that “The lead sticks out like it was a sore thumb”.
Truscott records that Lew Mathe, one of the US team in the 1955 event, thought that Reese and
Schapiro were employing a particularly crude method of cheating, moving their hands higher or
lower depending upon whether they wanted their partner to play high or low in defence. Mathe
declined to make a formal protest, very possibly because he lacked even a scintilla of evidence,
but made his feelings clear by congratulating only the other four members of the British team.
Don Oakie, one of the American players taking part in the 1960 Olympiad, accused Reese and
Schapiro of using a different type of finger signal. Apparently, they held their cards in the right hand
if strong or the left hand if weak. As Reese commented in his Story of an Accusation (also availa-
ble from BM): “A more obvious or naïve way of signalling could scarcely be imagined”. No official
action resulted though Oakie sent details to all the directors of the American Contract Bridge League.
The Americans had therefore had suspicions, but no proof, of Reese and Schapiro’s honesty for
some ten years. It is only to be expected that this would have become common knowledge in the
world of US expert bridge, and it is almost inconceivable that Becker would not have heard of it.
Becker was apparently the first person to notice that Reese and Schapiro were changing their finger
positions. In Truscott’s book, he says: “I could not fail to notice that the number of fingers used
by Reese and Schapiro in holding their cards varied from hand to hand … The gnawing feeling
that something improper was going on could not fail to assert itself in the back of my mind …
The changing pattern of fingers with each deal could not be accidental.” Obviously, if you have
information in advance that someone might be cheating, it is all too easy to interpret everything
in this light. In addition, Becker had history where unwarranted cheating accusations were con-
cerned. He had been part of the American team in the 1958 World Championship and had seen
fit to accuse the victorious Italians of malpractice, though nothing at all came of the charge. On
being questioned about this in 1965, he notably failed to concede that his previous allegation
might have been ill-judged.
Finally, Truscott involved himself in further controversy at about the time when his book was reis-
sued. In the January 2004 bulletin of the International Bridge Press Association, he opined that
Austria won the 1937 Bridge World Championship “in suspicious circumstances”. Doubtless the
fact that an American team could be outplayed by 4740 points over 96 boards was sufficient in
itself to arouse suspicion.
Truscott’s book includes several of the Buenos Aires hands, none of which supports the likelihood
of illicit knowledge. The first one of all is a Schapiro psyche: he bid hearts on two small, and no
less a pair than Pietro Forquet and Benito Garozzo now missed a cold 4♥ with a 6-3 fit and a

38 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
combined 25 count. Per Truscott, he knew that Reese had two hearts also and that it was safe to
bid the suit. Later, against the same pair, he bid hearts with a singleton: the suit was 4441 round
the table and it seems unlikely, to say the least, that someone would risk a psyche in a suit where
he knew that his partner had four cards.
In fact, there is plentiful evidence that the top Italians did not cope at all well when something
out of the ordinary occurred, and it must have been tempting to exploit this weakness. A famous
example is one, against the North American team in the 1966 World Championship, where Wal-
ter Avarelli and Giorgio Belladonna played a cold grand slam in game following a psyche. Avarelli
overcalled 3NT and Belladonna, perhaps playing him for a different hand type, passed. It is inter-
esting to note that this was board 28 of the match and this was the second psychic 1♥ opening
by the same player (Eric Murray).
Another instance occurred in the 1972 Olympiad, where Forquet and Garozzo had a horrendous
misunderstanding against Flint and Jonathan Cansino. Following a Multi 2♦ opening (then a
new and unfamiliar device), they essayed a 4♥ contract on a 2-2 fit!
Indeed, Truscott does not consider at all the fact that Reese and Schapiro learned their bridge in
the 1930s, when bidding was far from accurate and psyches of all sorts a normal part of the game.
Schapiro, in particular, had always been a “flair” player, likely to depart from the norm for good
reason or none, and there were many such, even in the US. On one occasion, Stayman notoriously
cost his team an important match by opening a psychic 1NT (his partner played in Stayman’s
void suit at the four level, costing 1,100). A contemporary report of the American touring team
in 1949 described Peter Leventritt as possessing “the most uncanny flair for “sensing” psychic
bids. On innumerable occasions, Crawford made experimental bids which, with a less alert part-
ner, might have proved disastrous, but Leventritt never faltered”.
To be fair to him, possibly fairer than he deserves, Truscott made efforts to check his sources. He
was in correspondence with Harrison-Gray (who displaying deviousness worthy of Machiavelli,
was simultaneously advising both Reese and Truscott) in an attempt to get statements in support
of what he had heard. This was uphill work: Gray commented that the Sharples (who, along with
Jack Marx, made it clear to me in conversation that they believed that Reese and Schapiro were
cheating) had suddenly developed fallible memories and were unwilling to put anything in writing.
One hand, however, gives the lie to any suggestion of knowledge of the heart suit.
♠ AQ75
♥ Q 10 2
♦ A4
♣ AK32
♠ K93 N ♠ J8
♥ AJ 9 8 6 ♥ K7543
♦ J 10 6 5 W E ♦ KQ87
♣5 S ♣ 98
♠ 10 6 4 2
♥
♦ 932
♣ Q J 10 7 6 4
Alberto Berisso, sitting North for Argentina, opened 1♣ at unfavourable vulnerability and Schap-
iro passed. Marcelo Lerner raised to 4♣, Berisso made a try with 4♦ but passed 5♣ (surely South
should have seen it through and bid 4♥). Whatever you may think about the merits of a 1♥

39 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
♠ AQ75 overcall with the East hand (I think it automatic), the
♥ Q 10 2 decision to pass becomes absolutely incredible – border-
♦ A4 ing on the insane, even – if you know that partner has
♣ AK32
♠ K93 ♠ J8
five card support. No impartial observer could possibly
N accept for one moment that Schapiro might have known
♥ AJ 9 8 6 ♥ K7543
♦ J 10 6 5 W E ♦ KQ87 how many hearts were held by Reese.
♣ 5 S ♣ 98
♠ 10 6 4 2 In response to this, Truscott makes the suggestion that
♥ — Schapiro may have bid too quickly; or that he was expect-
♦ 932 ing Reese to bid hearts knowing that he himself had five.
♣ Q J 10 7 6 4 This is too ridiculous for words: in the light of the fact
that Reese had five hearts, the overwhelming likelihood
was that South was about to bid spades. So is it seriously being suggested that the hand with the
opportunity to bid at the one level would pass and expect his partner to bid at a higher level?
Doubtless, had Schapiro actually bid 1♥, it would have been seized upon by Truscott as evidence:
he made a sub-standard call safe in the knowledge that Reese had five trumps.
The key question is: just what were Reese and Schapiro doing with their fingers? Bridge players
hold their cards in a variety of ways, but one constant is that they do not change the way that they
hold them. Whilst one might occasionally move one’s fingers if they are stiff, to do it regularly is
certainly unusual, and for both members of a partnership to do it is very likely unprecedented.
All the participants are now dead and the likelihood of discovering the truth is virtually nil. The
Editor tells me that, after Reese’s death, Schapiro allegedly commented “‘Now I’m the only one
who knows the truth”. After Tony Priday’s death last October, Andrew Robson wrote in The Times
that he visited Schapiro on his death-bed and asked him to say what had actually happened. And
there was a rumour circulating after Schapiro’s death that a letter had been lodged with the Port-
land Club which would explain all. The fact is that one can only speculate.
I suspect that the Editor would prefer me to come off the fence. Very well: I find the persistent
finger movement too difficult to explain in any other way and am therefore prepared to accept
that Reese and Schapiro might have been cheating. But I can’t accept the “heart code” theory –
the evidence just isn’t there.

Reese’s own account of the events in Buenos Aires, ‘Story of an Accusation’, is available from the
Bridge Magazine bookshop.

40 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest

65ème Festival International de Bridge de

LA BAULE
DU 15 AU 23 AOÛT 2015
SALLE DES FLORALIES - PLACE DES SALINES

41 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
The Rainbow Bridge Club
Alex Adamson and Harry Smith bring us more tales from the Rainbow Bridge Club

The Club Pairs’ Championships had reached the final night. The Tin Man was not in a good mood.
’We’re lying third,’ he glared at Dorothy. ‘Third, in this field of Munchkins!’
‘How many times do I have to tell you that pairs can be like that,’, said Dorothy trying desper-
ately to calm him down before play started. ‘You can’t legislate to stop idiocies working occasionally.
And when you play that Scarecrow, you can guarantee some idiocies will happen.’
‘It’s a matter of dignity,’ he announced in his most grating metallic tones. ’I am without doubt
the best player here, and you may well be the second best. For us not to retain this trophy would
be like a Women’s team winning the Spingold’.
’And why shouldn’t a Women’s team be able to win the Spingold?’ Dorothy could feel her face
tingling as her blood pressure rose.
‘Oh now you are just being ridiculous,’ said the Tin Man, dismissively.
’How can I get him to calm down?’ she wondered. Fortunately, just at that moment the direc-
tor called for play to start.
Three hours later, as the last move was called, the Tin Man was still not happy. ’We’re winning
tonight, of course,’, he whispered to Dorothy as they moved to their new seats, ‘but I’m not sure
we’re winning by enough to overtake both these pairs of cretins who were ahead of us. Fortunately
we have just the right opponents for this last round.’
His face actually moved into a semblance of a smile as he took the North seat with the Lion
coming to his left and the Scarecrow to his right.
‘Aaargh’, roared the Lion as he strode up to the table, ‘three easy tops coming for us, Scarecrow!’
‘You’ve got a nerve’, laughed Dorothy. ‘Oh, I was forgetting you lost it years ago.’
The Lion whimpered indistinctly as the Tin Man glared at him in his usual unfriendly fashion.
This was the first hand:
Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ A43
♥ Q642
♦ A96
♣ A 10 5
♠ QJ62 N ♠ 10 9 8 5
♥ AK 8 ♥—
♦ 742 W E ♦ K Q 10 8 3
♣ 987 S ♣ QJ43
♠ K7
♥ J 10 9 7 5 3
♦ J5
♣ K62
After three passes the Tin Man opened a weak no-trump on the North cards. The Lion and the
Scarecrow didn’t play any special defence to 1NT so the Lion was able to overcall a natural Two
Diamonds. Dorothy bid Two Hearts and the Scarecrow raised to Three Diamonds. The Tin Man

44 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
raised Dorothy to Three Hearts. The Lion passed quickly. He had bid on 8 points and his part-
ner, a passed hand, had raised him to the three-level. Thank goodness the opposition had come
to his rescue, and he wouldn’t have to play the hand.
Dorothy looked at her hand. She knew she should pass, but surely the Scarecrow on lead was
worth a trick. Yes! She bid Four Hearts, which ended the auction. The full auction had been:
West North East South
Scarecrow Tin Man Lion Dorothy
– – Pass Pass
Pass 1NT 2♦ 2♥
3♦ 3♥ Pass 4♥
All Pass

The Scarecrow dutifully led a MUD four of diamonds, and Dorothy surveyed her prospects. Nine
tricks seemed routine and she would probably need a little help from her friends to make a tenth.
Still, there was always hope.
She won the ♦A and played a trump, won by the Scarecrow’s king. He played back the ♦7.
The Lion won and, seeing no further hope in that suit, switched to the ♠10. Dorothy took that
in hand and played another trump. The Scarecrow won his second high trump. He knew from
many years of criticism that as he was unlikely to find the best defence himself, it was always the
safest policy to try to follow his partner’s defence. At least it led to less criticism. He returned the
♠Q. Dorothy won the ace and played two more rounds of trumps, ending in hand. At this stage
declarer had lost two trumps and a diamond, and these were the remaining cards:
♠3
♥—
♦6
♣ A 10 5
♠J N ♠9
♥— ♥—
♦2 W E ♦K
♣ 987 S ♣ QJ4
♠—
♥ J9
♦—
♣ K62
On the next heart the Scarecrow threw away his last diamond, dummy threw a club and the spot-
light fell on the Lion. Trusting that his partner had the ♠J he threw his nine so as to keep hold
of the minors. On the last heart the Scarecrow was squeezed in the black suits. He had to throw
away a club to stop dummy’s three of spades becoming a winner. That card having done its work
Dorothy pitched it from the dummy. Now it was the Lion’s turn to feel the pinch. He clutched
first the ♣4, then the ♦K, then went back to the club. With a snarl he tossed it onto the table.
With the remaining clubs now 2-2 Dorothy had the last three tricks. The Scarecrow grabbed the
travelling score sheet. Their +620 was a clear top.
‘There was nothing we could do partner,’ shrugged the Lion. ‘We just happen to have been sit-
ting against the only declarer up to playing the double squeeze.’
The Tin Man was in an ecstatic mood. This pair were the perfect opponents to have with such
tight scoring. There were still two boards to go. He might as well put the boot in!
He turned to the Lion. ‘On the contrary, it is more likely that you were the only defenders to

45 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
set up a double squeeze against yourselves. It’s obvious to anyone with a grain of intelligence that
if either of you plays a third round of diamonds early on the squeeze is obliterated.
‘Even without taking that simple precaution you could have saved yourself at the end. When
defending a double squeeze it is a general rule that you try to guard the suits held on your right.
When the penultimate trump is played you must keep hold of your spade, trusting that partner
has 9xx or better in clubs. If he hasn’t then the last trump is going to squeeze you in the minors
anyway. Throwing a club from your hand will mean that on the last trump the Scarecrow will be
able to throw his spade (not that I’m saying he will) and keep his three clubs. Whether a spade or
a diamond is thrown from the dummy you will be able to do the same in comfort. Declarer will
be left with a loser however she plays it.’
There was a stony silence as they started the second board. It turned out to be a very simple
deal. The Scarecrow became declarer in 3NT and carefully timed the play to make nine of his
ten top tricks. The Tin Man was jubilant. Another board like one of these two, and they would
be a certainty for first place.
On the third and final board of the round, at Game All, Dorothy held
♠ J96
♥ Q5
♦ QJ7
♣ K Q J 10 4
On her left the Scarecrow opened One Club and the Lion alerted. The Tin Man passed and the
Lion bid One Heart.
‘What was the One Club?’ Dorothy enquired.
‘Who knows with my partner,’ he bellowed. ’It could be as much as nineteen or twenty points!’
‘Behave.’ She glared at him. ‘You play five-card Majors and a natural diamond don’t you?’
The Lion winced. He could never keep up his brazen exterior in front of Dorothy. ‘Um…er …
yes, five-card majors and a..a...a 15-17 no-trump. So it’s either natural or a balanced hand out-
side that range,’ he whimpered.
Dorothy passed and the Scarecrow raised to Two Hearts. That was passed back to Dorothy. Had
the Scarecrow been playing the hand, she would probably have passed as his incompetency at the
helm would have almost ensured a good score. However, the Lion was moderately competent, so
she decided it was better to try and push them up a level. She bid Three Clubs and sure enough
the Scarecrow bid Three Hearts. Dorothy felt pleased, and then she noticed the Tin Man think-
ing. Eventually he bid Four Clubs and everyone passed. This was the auction:
West North East South
Scarecrow Tin Man Lion Dorothy
1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass
2♥ Pass Pass 3♣
3♥ 4♣ All Pass

The Scarecrow led the ♥A and dummy appeared:

♠ AQ 8 2
♥ 63
♦ K93
♣ 9876
Not a pretty sight, but Dorothy remained polite as usual. ‘Thank you partner,’ she gulped. She
had four top losers and then spades to think about. Meanwhile, though Two looked safe, whether
Three Hearts would make was far from clear.

46 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
After the ♥A the Scarecrow switched to a small one, to the Lion’s king. He switched to a trump,
won by the Scarecrow’s ace. Dorothy took the trump return, noting disappointedly that the Lion
had followed suit. To help her place the remaining high cards she led the ♦J from hand. The Scare-
crow went up with the ace and played another heart. Thank goodness for that straw-brained idiot,
thought Dorothy, as she ruffed in the dummy and threw a spade from hand.
Dorothy ran through the play so far. She was already one down. The Scarecrow had played three
aces and the Lion had shown the ♥K. If the Scarecrow had the ♠K he had at least fifteen points.
Since he clearly had a balanced hand, and since the Lion’s paw could use a few more points, it was
obvious that the ♠K was on her right. That was good news in that it meant 3♥ was making but
bad news in that it meant she was going to go two down, and -200 would be a very poor score.
Thinking fast she saw a chance to avoid a spade loser. She played the ♠A from the dummy and
then a small one, hoping that the Lion wouldn’t put up his king when she was ‘obviously’ going
to ruff it. The Lion played low worryingly quickly and the Scarecrow took her jack with the king.
This was the full hand.
♠ AQ82
♥ 63
♦ K93
♣ 9876
♠ K 10 7 4 N ♠ 53
♥ A 10 4 2 ♥ KJ987
♦ A 10 6 W E ♦ 8542
♣ A5 S ♣ 32
♠ J96
♥ Q5
♦ QJ7
♣ K Q J 10 4
‘Why didn’t you open 1NT?’ Dorothy asked the Scarecrow, trying to remain calm.
‘Ah, that’s because we play a 15-17 no-trump, and I only had fourteen.’
‘You had three aces and a king!’ said Dorothy.
‘And three tens,’ added the Tin Man.
‘Are you sure?’ asked the Scarecrow. ‘I added them up twice. Mind you, it did seem an awfully
good fourteen. That’s why I went on to three hearts.’
‘I see you would only have gone one off if our avian-repelling friend hadn’t given you that ruff
and discard,’ said the Tin Man, unfeelingly. ‘You would have had nothing to try but the double
spade finesse. I just hope that two tops to us and one to them is sufficient.’
The Scarecrow perked up. He had been responsible for them getting a top. The Tin man had
said so. That ruff and discard had been a master play. He resolved to do more of them!
It was an anxious wait for the Tin Man once play had finished. The thought of having to con-
gratulate some Munchkin on winning a trophy that should clearly be his was abhorrent to him.
If was with considerable relief he heard the director announce their success, relief so great that he
never even noticed the indignity of only winning by just 1 match point.

47 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine



48 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine



49 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine


GREAT HANDS FROM THE PAST
b y R i c h a r d F l e e t

REHABILITATION OF MR ROSE

T his month’s deal comes from the 1934 Schwab Cup match. This trophy was presented by
American steel magnate Charles M Schwab for competition between the USA and Great
Britain. The first match in 1933 attracted great publicity: per Rex Mackey, writing in The
Walk of the Oysters, both the Daily Mail and News Chronicle “treated the match as front-page
news with banner headlines”. Sadly for the home supporters, although the British team led
throughout the first half of the 300 board match, the Americans dominated in the second half
and won by 10,900 points.
The significance of the match can be gauged from the fact that a hard-back book some 400
pages in length, including the full match records plus analysis, was published by the News Chron-
icle and on sale less than 48 hours after the end of the match. At the time, this was held to be a
publishing record.
The second (and final) match took place the next year and was arranged in somewhat of a hurry.
It had been hoped that the Schwab Cup might involve other countries (a quasi-Davis Cup for
bridge), and there was an announcement in the March 1934 edition of British Bridge World to
the effect that England would probably play Holland in the first round of the European Zone; in
the event, no such match took place. Hubert Phillips’ report of the match in the November 1934
BBW stated that although “there was virtually no preliminary publicity … the whole of the Lon-
don press carried full reports each day”.
The selection process for the 1933 team had come in for criticism and efforts were made to avoid
a repetition. It was announced that team trials would be held (on a knock-out basis) but, perhaps
because of lack of time, a one weekend pairs trial took place instead, with scoring by matchpoints.
This trial was won easily by Richard Lederer and Willie Rose, with Stanley Hughes-Harry Ingram
second and Alan Frost-Col George Walshe third. The first two pairs were automatically selected
with the third pair as reserves (in the event, they were called upon to play 30 boards, to allow
Hughes and Ingram to rest); Walshe was appointed captain.
This was a strong team. Lederer and Rose had dominated the tournament scene in 1934, win-
ning both the Gold Cup and the Tollemache Cup (the National Bridge Association’s equivalent
of the British Bridge League’s Gold Cup), whilst Hughes and Ingram had been prominent in a
number of events.
The American team inevitably included the Culbertsons, Ely and Jo. Although the team was a
strong one, better teams could have been selected and this was in no sense an official USA team.
Ely partnered Teddy Lightner, with whom he had played both in the 1933 event and in a cele-
brated match against Col Walter Buller’s team in 1930, whilst Jo played with Albert Morehead.
Britain again got off to a good start and led by over 5,000 points at the half-way mark. The
fourth day of the match was disastrous, however, and the Americans had a lead of almost 1,000
points when the last day started. The hand which follows below occurred early on during the final
session and might be regarded as the final nail in the coffin.

50 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine


As the hand went, the USA gained 550 points but, with a little more inspiration, a swing of equal
or even greater magnitude might have gone Britain’s way. North was the dealer at love all.
♠ J 10 9 8 7
♥J
♦ A 10 3
♣ K J 10 4
♠2 N ♠ AQ 6 5 4 3
♥ A9 8 ♥K
♦ K96542 W E ♦ Q8
♣ A9 6 S ♣ Q853
♠K
♥ Q 10 7 6 5 4 3 2
♦ J7
♣ 72
Hughes, playing a strong club system, opened 1♠ with the North hand and this was passed
round to Ely Culbertson who doubled. When East passed, Ingram, who always liked a joke, bid
2♦ with the South hand: when this was doubled by West, he removed to 2♥. Culbertson had no
reason to do anything other than pass but he doubled again and led his spade.
Having won his ace, Lightner returned a spade and Ingram fell from grace. Had he discarded a
diamond, which was surely the indicated play, eight tricks would have depended on guessing the
club position. However, he ruffed low, was overruffed and had no chance to make the contract.
I first encountered this hand in Terence Reese’s autobiographical Bridge at the Top. He described
the bidding in the other room as “utterly horrendous”. There were two passes to Jo Culbertson
who opened 3♥ (because of its lack of honour tricks – the principal means of hand evaluation in
those days – passing the East hand occasioned no comment) and Lederer overcalled 4♦ (dubious
at best). Morehead bid 4♠, a bid for which there could be no conceivable excuse had a beginner
made it, far less one of the top experts of the time, and Rose bid 5♦! As Reese and David Bird put
it in Famous Hands from Famous Matches, “The merits of a double of 4♠ apparently escaped the
East player.” This was doubled and failed by three tricks, a penalty of 450 at the time (not 500
as stated by Reese and Bird).
Reese relied on a number of published sources for the hands in his book and I later came across
an article by Ingram in the December 1962 edition of BBW which set out the auction as above.
He opined that Rose’s decision to bid 5♦ “passed comprehension”.
Indeed, it would have been incomprehensible if this auction had actually occurred. I have in
front of me the report of this hand from the April 1935 BBW and this is different in one funda-
mental way: Morehead passed over 4♦ and it was Rose, protected by his partial fit for Lederer’s
diamonds, who bid 4♠. Lederer might have passed this but he decided to bid 5♦ and Morehead
doubled. This auction might be questionable but at least all the actions can be readily compre-
hended and I am sure that it represents what happened at the table: to assume otherwise is to
attribute to both Morehead and Rose a total and simultaneous failure of judgement.
It is interesting to speculate on what might have happened. Had Lederer passed over 3♥, it is
quite likely that Rose would have reopened with 3♠ and then Lederer would doubtless have tried
3NT. Whilst this contract can be beaten (and indeed it ought to fail), stranger things than it mak-
ing happened during the match.
On finding the 1935 report, it seemed to me that Willie Rose was due a posthumous apology
from the bridge press for the wrong perpetrated by Ingram and perpetuated by Reese and Bird –
I am happy to set the record straight.
I suspect that very few BM readers will have heard of Rose. He was born in 1892 and was a

51 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine


silk merchant by profession. He died in 1941, by a sad coincidence the year in which Lederer
also passed away.
Guy Ramsey described him thus in Aces All:
“Rose was minute, with circular spectacles and pointed shoes. Only a thin and piercing voice
prevented him from figuring as a miniature Pickwick to the life: he had the circular – almost glob-
ular – stomach; the beaming benevolence; the twinkle – but he had a shrewdness that Pickwick
… never achieved. He made a lot of money in silk and was equally successful at bridge.”
And Reese wrote as follows about him in the August 1939 BBW:
“The real fighters are rare. Willie Rose is one. See him today playing at Rubber Bridge a 3NT
contract in which five is lay down. He will try as hard to make six as if he had bid it. That sort of
determination tells.”
Almost certainly the last words written in relation to Rose’s bridge during his lifetime, and a
fitting epitaph.

Test Your
Defence
with Julian Pottage Solutions on page 75
♠ A964 ♠ AK
1 ♥ 8654 2 ♥ A 10 6 5 3
♦ QJ ♦ AQ6
♣ J 10 4 ♣ AKJ
N ♠ 10 5 3 2 N ♠ 843
♥ 73 ♥ K8
W E ♦ 94 W E ♦ K 10 5 4
S ♣ Q9652 S ♣ Q943
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
– – – 2NT – – – 2♥*
3♦ Double* Pass 3♠ Pass 2NT Pass 3♣*
Pass 4♠ All Pass Pass 6♥ All Pass
Double Takeout 2♥ Weak
3♣ Minimum with poor suit
Partner plays the ace, king and then the two of hearts.
What is your plan? Partner leads the jack of spades to the ace. The ace of
hearts follows, on which partner discards a spade. Next
comes the king of spades, on which declarer drops the
queen. You then find yourself on lead with a trump.

52 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine



53 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine



Solution to Non-Prize Problem

This a deal from the 1999 IOC Grand Prix and features the unusual both-ways safety play
finesse in trumps. You must ruff the third heart, and to guard against a 4-1 trump break
should start with a low spade to the nine. If that holds then the correct continuation is a low
spade to the ten!
If the first finesse loses then you can happily ruff a club continuation in dummy unblock
trumps and return with a diamond to draw the last trump. If the finesse wins but you err
by returning to the ace then your game fails because West did hold ♠ Q875 and the hand
collapses.
The French declarer put to the test began trumps by cashing the ace and could not recover
when East showed out on the next round. He put in the jack but Alfredo Versace let this hold
and now declarer was in trouble and went three off.
The full layout was:
♠ A 10 6 2
♥ 10 2
♦ K Q J 10 9 5 2
♣—
♠ Q875 N ♠4
♥ K843 ♥ AJ 9 5
♦6 W E ♦ 843
♣ KJ72 S ♣ AQ 8 5 4
♠ KJ93
♥ Q76
♦ A7
♣ 10 9 6 3

54 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine



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55 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate

The Parrot Declines

David Bird

T he Witchdoctor and Mbozi took their seats against Gabriel Chagas, who for several dec-
ades had been South America’s most famous player. Despite being well into his sixties, the
Brazilian gleamed with health.
‘What sort of system do you lads play?’ Chagas enquired. He was merely making pleasant con-
versation. The Brazilian coach had already supplied his team with a full summary of the next
opponents’ methods.
The Witchdoctor rolled his eyes. ‘Usual stuff,’ he replied. ‘What you playin’?’
‘Sounds like we play the same as you,’ Chagas replied. ‘Strong no-trump and 5-card majors.’

UPPER BHUMPOPO V BRAZIL

The match started and the Witchdoctor was soon sorting through a promising hand:
Board 3. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
♠ KJ642
♥ 10 8
♦ A653
♣ 76
♠8 N ♠ 75
♥ 543 ♥ J976
♦ K J 10 7 W E ♦9
♣ 10 8 5 4 3 S ♣ AK Q J 9 2
♠ A Q 10 9 3
♥ AKQ2
♦ Q842
♣—
West North East South
Gabriel Mbozi Marcello The
Chagas Branco Witchdoctor
– – – 1♠
Pass 3♠ 4♣ 6♠
All Pass

The Witchdoctor ruffed the club lead and drew trumps with the ace and king. He ruffed dummy’s
remaining club in his hand, eliminating the suit. After playing the three top hearts, throwing a
diamond from dummy, he ruffed his last heart. It did not escape his notice that East had followed
to two rounds of trumps and four rounds of hearts. After his bid of Four Clubs, East could hold
at most one diamond in this end position:

56 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
♠ J6
♥—
♦ A65
♣—
♠— N ♠—
♥— ♥—
♦ K J 10 7 W E ♦9
♣ 10 S ♣ AK Q 9
♠Q
♥—
♦ Q842
♣—
‘Small diamond!’ said the Witchdoctor. When the ♦9 appeared from East, he flicked the ♦2 onto
the table. The defence was at an end. If East was left on lead, he would have to give a ruff-and-
discard. Declarer would ruff in his hand and discard the ♦6 from dummy, claiming the remaining
tricks. If instead West overtook partner’s ♦9, he would have to lead from the diamond king or
give a ruff-and-discard himself.
‘Hah!’ exclaimed the Witchdoctor. ‘Back in Africa everyone thinkin’ I use powerful magic to
make such plays.’
Chagas smiled politely. ‘It looked like magic to me,’ he replied.
‘Jus’ countin’ the hand, of course,’ continued the Witchdoctor. ‘Against your team, mos’ prob-
ably a flat board.’
At the other table, Campos and Villas-Boas had been somewhat surprised to arrive at the table
and find the West seat occupied by a non-human. Although parrots were plentiful in Brazil, par-
ticularly in the Amazon region, they were not a regular part of the bridge scene.
‘You play a long time?’ enquired Miguel Villas-Boas, speaking very slowly.
The Parrot nodded.
Villas-Boas turned towards the Abbot. ‘Can he speak?’ he said.
‘Of course, OF COURSE!’ shrieked the Parrot. It really was quite tedious how people tended
to treat him like a complete idiot, just because he had feathers.
Almost an hour passed before the Parrot had a chance to display his skills at playing the dummy.
This was the deal:
Board 8. Dealer West. None Vul.
♠ 982
♥ J 10 9 3
♦ Q J 10
♣ Q43
♠5 N ♠ AQ 7 6 4 3
♥ AK Q 8 6 5 ♥ 742
♦ A7 6 W E ♦5
♣ AK 2 S ♣ 875
♠ K J 10
♥—
♦ K98432
♣ J 10 9 6

57 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
West North East South
The João Paulo The Miguel
Parrot Campos Abbot Villas-Boas
2♣ Pass 2♦ Pass
2♥ Pass 4♦ Pass
4NT Pass 5♦ Pass
5NT Pass 6♥ All Pass

Seeing no future in leading a diamond after the Abbot’s splinter bid in the suit, Campos placed
the jack of trumps on the table. The Parrot rolled his eyes when South showed out on this trick.
What had he done to deserve that?
The two diamond losers could still be ruffed in dummy but the Parrot had to find some way
to dispose of his club loser. At Trick 2, he crossed to the ♠A, not taking a finesse in the suit, and
ruffed a spade. After ruffing a spade, he played the ♦A and ruffed a diamond. He ruffed another
spade in his hand, clicking his beak when the suit broke 3-3. He then returned to dummy with
another diamond ruff and played a good spade, discarding his club loser. North was welcome to
ruff since this would consume his natural trump trick. The slam had been made.
Campos sat back in his chair, looking a little dazed. ‘You don’t like to take spade finesse?’ he
queried.
‘Finesse 41% chance,’ squawked the Parrot, rocking backwards and forwards. ‘Drop king better.’
Villas-Boas looked impressed by this. ‘He’s probably right,’ he said. ‘When trumps are 4-0, I
have more vacant places for the spade king.’
The Abbot nodded. ‘My partner is a keen follower of the Law of Vacant Places,’ he said.
There were few boards of note until near the end of the match. Back on the other table,
Chagas bid boldly on this deal:
Board 18. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ 763
♥ 95
♦ K 10 7
♣ 98542
♠ AK Q J 9 8 4 N ♠ 10
♥ 742 ♥ A Q 10
♦— W E ♦ J86532
♣ A Q 10 S ♣ KJ6
♠ 52
♥ KJ863
♦ AQ94
♣ 73
West North East South
Gabriel Mbozi Marcello The
Chagas Branco Witchdoctor
– – 1♦ 1♥
1♠ Pass 1NT Pass
3♠ Pass 3NT Pass
5♠ Pass 6♠ All Pass

Chagas took a slight risk with his 5♠ bid, which asked for a heart control. He was rewarded when

58 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
his partner raised to 6♠, indicating robust protection against a heart lead from North. Mbozi led
the ♥9 and Branco displayed his 11-count with no great confidence.
‘Fine. Thank you,’ said Chagas. Not the best of dummies. What could be done? He would need
to work on the diamonds, so he couldn’t afford to release the ♥A at this stage. If North held a sin-
gleton heart and scored a ruff, so be it. ‘Play the ten.’
The Witchdoctor won with the ♥J and paused for thought. It was fairly obvious that West was
void in diamonds. Trying to cash the ♦A would merely assist declarer in setting up dummy’s suit.
The only constructive return seemed to be a trump, removing a possible entry from dummy.
Chagas won the trump switch with dummy’s ten and called for a diamond, the Witchdoctor
rising with the ace. Declarer ruffed and drew trumps in two more rounds, throwing the ♥Q and a
diamond from dummy. The ace of clubs and the club ten to the jack allowed him to ruff another
diamond. This position had been reached:
♠—
♥5
♦K
♣ 985
♠ QJ N ♠—
♥ 74 ♥A
♦— W E ♦ J86
♣Q S ♣K
♠ —
♥ K86
♦ Q9
♣—
To make the slam, Chagas needed South to have started with four diamonds alongside his hearts.
It was essential at this stage to cash one more trump, extracting a card from the Witchdoctor in
the South seat. He led the trump queen and threw a diamond from dummy. The Witchdoctor
could not afford to release a diamond and discarded the ♥6. Now the ♣Q was led to dummy’s
♣K. It was the end of the road for South. If he discarded another heart, declarer would cash the
♥A and reach the established ♥7 with a diamond ruff. If instead South threw a diamond, declarer
would be able to ruff a diamond and return to the ♥A to score the ♦J.
Not looking in the least bit amused by the situation, the Witchdoctor discarded his penulti-
mate heart. Chagas called for the ♥A and soon had the slam under lock and key.
When the Upper Bhumpopo team met to compare scores, they discovered that Brazil had won
the match by 41 IMPs to 33. Not a bad result but somewhat adrift of what would be needed if
they had any intention of qualifying for the quarter-finals
‘After lunch we play Indonesia,’ declared the Abbot. ‘Unless anyone objects, the Parrot and I
will sit this one out.’
No objections were forthcoming and the team left the hotel to take the short walk to the Famous
Dhabba Sandwich Shop. The Abbot would have preferred a more substantial refreshment, but he
had to restrain himself with four other mouths (and one beak) to feed.

UPPER BHUMPOPO v INDONESIA

The first match in the afternoon was against Indonesia.
‘It’s very nice to play against you ladies,’ said Robert Tobing. ‘But, secretly, we wanted to face
your famous Parrot.’
‘We were reading about him in the bulletin this morning,’ added Taufik Asbi.

59 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
‘He’s played well for us,’ Mrs Okoku replied. ‘Resting for this match, though.’
This was the first deal of note:
Board 7. Dealer South. Both Vul.
♠ K975
♥ A974
♦5
♣ K952
♠ Q 10 4 N ♠2
♥ Q J 10 3 ♥ K852
♦ 10 8 3 W E ♦ KJ976
♣ J74 S ♣ Q 10 8
♠ AJ863
♥6
♦ AQ42
♣ A63
West North East South
Robert Miss Taufik Mrs
Tobing Nabooba Asbi Okoku
– – – 1♠
Pass 4♦ Pass 4NT
Pass 5♥ Pass 6♠
All Pass

Mrs Okoku could visualize a low point-count slam when partner responded with a splinter bid
in diamonds. The ♥Q was led against 6♠ and she won with dummy’s ace. ‘Low heart, partner,’
she said.
After ruffing a heart in her hand, Mrs Okoku crossed to the ♠K and ruffed another heart. The
♠A revealed a trump loser but declarer was now in position to benefit from her early preparation
in hearts. She crossed to the ♣K and took a successful diamond finesse. After cashing the ♣A, she
threw a club on the ♦A and ruffed a diamond in dummy. These cards remained:
♠9
♥9
♦—
♣9
♠Q N ♠—
♥J ♥K
♦— W E ♦K
♣J S ♣Q
♠J
♥—
♦4
♣6
Mrs Okoku ruffed dummy’s last heart with the ♠J and led the ♦4. Dummy’s ♠9 was promoted
and the slam was home.
‘Nice work, partner!’ exclaimed a delighted Miss Nabooba.
Mrs Okoku waved the congratulation aside. ‘Only chance if there was a trump loser,’ she replied.

60 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Later in the match, Franky Karwur reached a slam:
Board 14. Dealer East. None Vul.
♠ K9
♥ A542
♦ QJ75
♣ 852
♠ 10 8 5 3 2 N ♠ QJ7
♥8 ♥ 63
♦ K84 W E ♦ A 10 9 6 3
♣ Q976 S ♣ 10 4 3
♠ A64
♥ K Q J 10 9 7
♦2
♣ AKJ
West North East South
Witch- Denny Mbozi Franky
doctor Sacul Karwur
– – Pass 1♣
Pass 1♠ Pass 2♥
Pass 3♥ Pass 3♠
Pass 4♥ Pass 5♣
Pass 6♥ All Pass
Karwur opened with a strong 1♣ and the 1♠ response showed a balanced hand with 9+ points.
Hearts were soon agreed and a couple of cue-bids from the opener persuaded Sacul to jump to 6♥.
The Witchdoctor did not believe in leading away from kings or queens against a slam. He led
the ♠3 and down went the dummy. Karwur was happy with what he saw. He could ruff the spade
loser and a successful club finesse would give him the contract. Could he extract some extra chance
from the diamonds? It seemed that could be done if West held ♦Axx or ♦Kxx, or if East held ♦AKx.
The Indonesian declarer won the spade lead with the ace and drew trumps with the king and
queen. When he led a diamond towards dummy, the Witchdoctor played low and the queen lost
to East’s ace. Karwur won the club return with the ace and crossed to the ♠K to ruff a diamond
in his hand. He cashed the ♠A and returned to dummy with a spade ruff. A second diamond ruff
produced good news, the ♦K falling from West.
‘Club goes on the diamond,’ announced Karwur, facing his cards.
It turned out to be a low-scoring match, with Indonesia edging it by just 5 IMPs.
‘Not so bad,’ observed the Abbot, smiling at his team mates as they walked out of the hotel.
‘Indonesia are in the top half of the table.’
Mrs Okoku nodded. ‘Can’t winnin’ every match,’ she replied. ‘Wow, it’s hot here! Let’s gettin’
some cold beers on the way back.’
‘I’ve taken a liking to the Kingfisher beer,’ said the Abbot. ‘I’m not a great drinker, as you know,
but it slips down well enough.’
‘You should tryin’ Kingfisher Blue,’ Mbozi told him. ‘Not much taste but eight percent alco-
hol! That’s what I need.’
The Parrot listened disdainfully to this discussion. He’d tried beer a few times but he didn’t
really like it. Drinking beer from a saucer wasn’t very elegant and it was somewhat embarrassing
having to ask others to pour a bit more out for him. No, he’d keep his head clear for the impor-
tant matches tomorrow. It would be good to have at least one sober member of the team!

61 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 VIDEO OF THE MONTH 3

Championship Bridge
Your Editor takes a nostalgic look at the first successful bridge
program on television

Charles Goren's award-winning television show ran from

1959 to 1964. It was the first successful bridge program on
television. Charles Goren was the world's foremost bridge
authority for most of the last half of the 20th century and
was known to millions as 'Mr. Bridge'.

The series featured many household names including

Howard Schenken, Sam Stayman and Easly Blackwood.

The American Contract Bridge League published a four

disk DVD of the second series which included a match fea-
turing B Jay Becker & Dorothy Hayden, who were leading protagonists in the Buenos Aires affair that
Richard Fleet highlights in this issue.

A year before his death Chico Marx made his last television appearance on the show in the first of the
series transmitted in 1960. He partnered Ivan Erdos, who went on to represent the USA in the
Bermuda Bowl in 1965.

Eddie Kantar noted that when Erdos and Kelsy Petterson had a really terrible game in the finals of a
K.O championship they went back to their home table to compare and one of their teammates says,
'How dare you come back with this game? to which Kelsey replies, 'It wasn't my idea to come back.'
Marx & Erdos faced Edith Kemp and John Gerber, the latter going on to represent the USA as a player
in the 1961 Bermuda Bowl and as non playing Captain a year later.

Click the image below to play the video (running time: 24 minutes)

62 June 2015 Bridge Magazine

 Intermediate
PARTNERSHIP PROFILE
In this issue, the Editor takes a look the 2015 Lady Milne Trophy which was staged in
Birmingham.

In 1934 the Lady Milne started as the Ladies Team championship of the National Bridge Association
run by Hubert Phillips. Then in 1950 it became the trophy for the Ladies Home Internationals
with one team eligible from each country. In 1949 entry was still open to many teams. In 1950
the winner is recorded as “Scotland”. It is assumed that in 1950 it became the Home Internation-
als with only one team from each country. In the early years England fielded the winner of the
Whitelaw Cup, its Women’s teams championship.
The event is now played over one weekend for Women’s teams from England, Scotland, Wales,
Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Since 2009 the host fields a sixth team called by the name of its Federation. This team can also
win the trophy for the country and the EBU did so for England in 2010. Teams play a head-to-
head match of 32 boards against the others, each being victory-pointed.
In 2011 for the first time in 62 years the series ended in a tie, the trophy being shared between
Scotland and England.
England has won outright on 46 occasions (one being its second team in 2010). Scotland has
won outright 12 times; Wales won in 1967, 1968, and 1988; Northern Ireland won in 1981 and
1985; the Republic of Ireland, joining the series in 1998, has yet to win.
England’s second city was the destination for the six teams contesting the 2015 edition.
Here is how they lined up:
England: Sally Brock & Anita Sinclair, Jane Moore & Gillian Fawcett, Sarah Teshome & Cath-
erine Jagger, NPC David Burn
EBU: Sarah O’Connor & Anne Rosen, Kath Stynes & Hannah Cornfield, Marietta Andree &
Janet Cahm, NPC Simon Cochémé
Ireland: Teresa Rigney & Joan Kenny, Mary Finn & Jill Kulchycky, Hilary McDonagh & Gild
Pender, NPC Gay Keaveney
Northern Ireland: Ciara Burns & Ruth Connolly, Clare Watson & Heather Hill, Dymphna Friel
& Toni Sproule, NPC Alan Hill
Scotland: Sam Punch & Paula Leslie, Anne Symons & Helen Kane, Liz McGowan & Michele
Gladstone, NPC Alan Goodman
Wales: Susan Ingham & Aida Aris, Maggie Pierce & Gilly Clench, Diane Kurbalija & Liz Com-
mins, NPC Linda Greenland

63 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
The Hands
(This month all the deals were played at IMPs.)
Hand 1. Dealer West. N/S Vul.
♠ AK Q 8 5 ♠ J 10 9
♥ A9 ♥ K7652
♦ 98654 ♦ KJ732
♣K ♣—
South overcalls 5♣
West North East South
Rosen O’Connor
1♠ Pass 2♠ 5♣
All Pass

E/W were playing five-card majors and 2/1 game forcing.

Sally Brock’s vulnerable overcall was on ♠- ♥J43♦AQ ♣AQJ87632 and dummy’s ♠76432
♥Q108♦10 ♣10954 was enough for +600 when West not unreasonably led the king of spades.
Given the vulnerability both West and East might have bid on – West with 5♦ and East with
a double. However, if West bids 5♦ then East might be tempted to advance – give West the ♦Q
and it would be the right thing to do.
West North East South
Moore Fawcett
1♠ Pass 3♣* 4♣
4♦ 5♣ 5♦ Pass
6♦ All Pass

Three Clubs was a limit raise with three-card support.

For my money West’s advance to 6♦ was far too optimistic.
Recommended auction: 1♠-2♥-(4♣)-4♦-(5♣)-5♦.
After the 5♣ overcall life is very tough for E/W. Perhaps East can double when West might bid
5♦. After the 4♣ overcall the English auction is fine up to 5♦.
4♠ looks easy, but after a club lead ruffed in dummy declarer cannot afford to play even one
round of trumps – and that is not an easy play to find.
It was too difficult for the Irish declarer, but for Wales, Maggie Pierce ruffed the opening club
lead and played the jack of diamonds. South won and switched to a heart (continuing clubs is a
stronger defence, but declarer can ruff in dummy and clear the diamonds) and declarer won in
dummy, cashed the jack of spades and then played a second diamond. She could win the heart
return in hand and draw trumps.
Marks: 5♦10, 4♠ 8 6♦ 6, 5♠ 4.
Running score: Wales 8 (11) England 6 (11) Scotland 8 (0) EBU 0 (0) Northern Ireland 0 (11)
Ireland 4 (0).

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 Intermediate
Hand 2. Dealer North. E/W Vul.
♠6 ♠ A 10
♥ AQ 9 5 3 ♥ K86
♦ AK 5 ♦ Q J 10 9 4
♣ A6 5 4 ♣ Q73
North opens 2♦ Multi (weak 2M/19-21 5M/18+ 4441/445m0)
If East doubles South bids 2♥ and North bids 2♠ which South raises to 4♠
West North East South
Rosen O’Connor
— 2♦ Double 2♥*
Pass 2♠ Pass 4♠
5♥ All Pass

East’s double promised 12-15 balanced or various stronger hands. There must have been a sys-
temic reason why West did not do something over 2♥.
Perhaps West should bid 4NT over 4♠, suggesting at least two places to play. If East then bids
5♦ West might go on, but it’s not convincing.
With the hearts breaking all the tricks are available if E/W play in diamonds.
West North East South
Moore Fawcett
— 2♠ Pass 3♠
Double Pass 4♦ All Pass

Oops.
It is results like this that go a long way to explaining why weak opening bids and preemptive
raises are so popular – even experienced international partnerships can struggle.
It seems clear that East must do something different – 5♦ is one possibility (West might bid
on) 3NT another (West could consider bidding 4♠, but it could easily be the wrong thing to do).
Recommended auction: (2♦)-Double-(2♥)-3♥-4♥-4NT*-5♥*-6♥
In The Mysterious Multi Eric Kokish suggests that 3♥ should be natural and game-forcing, a
double being responsive, with at least invitational strength and some defensive tolerance. A bid
of 3♣ is game forcing Stayman, typically 41 or 14 in the majors.
In the match between Scotland and Northern Ireland after (2♦)-Double-(2♥) Sam Punch sim-
ply jumped to 6♥, earning 13 IMPs against the 5♦ at the other table.
Wales defended 4♠ doubled for +500 and lost 5 IMPs to the 690 recorded in the other room.
Marks: 7♦ 10, 6♥/6♦/6NT 8, 5♦/4♥/3NT 5, 4♠ doubled 3.
Running score: Wales 11 (11) England 6 (11) Scotland 16 (13) EBU 5 (11) Northern Ireland
5 (11) Ireland 9 (5).

65 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Hand 3. Dealer East. All Vul.
♠3 ♠ A9 8 2
♥ AK Q 4 ♥6
♦ J85 ♦ 9763
♣ KQ986 ♣ A 10 7 5
South opens 1NT (12-14). If West doubles North bids 2♠.
West North East South
Kane Symons
– – Pass 1NT
Double Redouble Pass 2♣
Pass 2♠ Double Pass
3♣ Pass 3NT All Pass

When West doubled 1NT North’s redouble on ♠QJ7654 ♥J1098 ♦102 ♣J promised a five-card
suit. 2♠ would have been one down in short order after four rounds of hearts, but when West
decided to introduce her main suit East made a well-reasoned conversion to 3NT.
South led the queen of diamonds then switched to the king of spades but declarer won and
could claim, +600.
West North East South
Sinclair Brock
– – Pass 1♣
1♥ Double* Pass 1♠*
Pass 2♠ All Pass
Double Transfer to spades
1♠ 11-13, not four spades
Once South had opened 1♣ this was a tricky hand for E/W.
It looks better for West to pass over 1♣. If North then bids 2♠ (3-6) West has an easy double
on the next round, but E/W are still some way from finding 3NT.
Recommended auction: Scotland did well in both rooms. You would be hard-pressed to better
the auction to 3NT.
Wales were one down in 2♠ while at the other table they played in 3♦, which can be made by
winning the spade lead, ruffing a spade and playing four rounds of hearts followed by a spade,
but finished two down.
In the all Ireland encounter West passed South’s 1NT and North used Stayman to locate the
4-4 heart fit. West started with four rounds of hearts and the contract was four down, -400.
At the other table South opened 1♦ and when E/W reached 5♣ North led the ten of diamonds
for a rapid one down.
Marks: 3NT 10, 2♥(N/S) 8, 2♠ doubled 7, 3♣ 6, 3♦ 5, 5♣ 4, 2♠ undoubled 1.
Running score: Wales 12 (11) England 7 (11) Scotland 26 (24) EBU 11 (20) Northern Ireland
13 (22) Ireland 13 (5).

66 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Hand 4. Dealer South. N/S Vul.
♠ AQ 2 ♠ K3
♥ 852 ♥Q
♦ Q98 ♦ K J 10 7 6 5 2
♣ K Q 10 2 ♣ A9 8
West East
Kurbalija Commins
1NT 2NT*
3♦* 3♥* (Double)
Pass* 5♦
Pass
2NT Diamonds
3♦ Fit
Pass Denies first-round heart control
When West denied the ace of hearts, East gave up ideas of a slam. 6♦ requires near perfect cards
in the West hand – and partner very rarely has them.
West North East South
O’Connor Rosen
1♣* Pass 1♦ (1♥)
Double* (3♥) 5♦ All Pass
1♣ 2+♣,11-21 (all weak NT’s without 5M open 1♣)
Double three-card diamond support
In England v Scotland, England bid 1NT-3NT and North led the ten of spades from ♠109764
♥K976♦3 ♣J43 . Declarer won with dummy’s king, dropping the queen from hand and played
the two of diamonds. South ducked that, won the next diamond (North pitching the six of spades)
and laid down the ace of hearts – +100.
In the replay West opened 1♣ and East responded 1♠, a transfer to diamonds. South bid 2♥
and North raised to 3♥ but East jumped to 5♦.
Ireland started 1NT-2NT*-3♦* but then East blotted her copybook by bidding 3NT.
Here West did not drop the spade queen under the king but South still ducked the first dia-
mond – luckily West had not started with five clubs.
Recommended auction: Both featured auctions are fine.
Marks: 5♦ 10, 4♦ 4, 6♦ 2, 3NT 1.
Running score: Wales 22 (11) England 8 (11) Scotland 36 (34) EBU 21 (20) Northern Ireland
23 (33) Ireland 14 (5).

67 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Hand 5. Dealer West. All Vul.
♠ K 10 8 7 4 ♠ AJ 6
♥K ♥ AQ 8 7 5 2
♦ KJ93 ♦ A2
♣ 762 ♣ A8
South overcalls 2♣
West North East South
Cornfield Stynes
Pass Pass 1♥ 2♣
2♠ Pass 4NT* Pass
5♦* Pass 5♥* Pass
5♠* Pass 6♠ All Pass

When West showed one keycard East continued asking, hoping to locate the spade queen and
heart king, before signing off.
South’s overcall on ♠Q95 ♥94♦Q105 ♣KQ1094 was bordering on the heroic, but it ensured
North would find the testing club lead.
Declarer won with dummy’s ace, played a heart to the king, a spade to the ace and ran the jack
of spades. When that held she continued with the top hearts, pitching two clubs as South ruffed
in with the spade queen.
With two entries to dummy declarer could establish and reach the hearts so did not need the
diamond finesse.
I think a better line after unblocking the hearts is to cash the top spades ending in dummy and
then play on hearts.
West East
Pierce Clench
2♠* 2NT*
3♦* 4♠
Pass
2♠ 5♠+5 (occasionally 4) m, 5-9
2NT Relay
3♦ Weak
West had the option of rebidding 3♠ to show a good hand with diamonds, but she was a diamond
short and the singleton king was of uncertain value.
East did have the option of continuing with a game forcing 3♥, but facing what was expected
to be a weak hand she was not thinking in terms of a slam.
Recommended auction: 1♥-1♠-4♥-5♦-6♠.
According to the high priest of Acol, Eric Crowhurst, East’s jump to 4♥ promises a fit for spades.
I hesitated before suggesting that West should risk a cue-bid with three small clubs, but this is
perhaps the exception that proves the rule.
It is worth discussing East’s other option of rebidding in no-trumps.
In former times a jump to 3NT promised a balanced 19 points. By making a one point adjust-
ment to the various no-trump bids you can play that a rebid of 1NT shows 15-17 and 2NT 18-19,
leaving 3NT available to show a long running suit.
This relies on playing 12-14 throughout and on opening 2NT on 20 point hands. Most play-
ers are happy to do this, but Crowhurst is not, preferring a 3NT rebid to show 19-20.
In England-Scotland Paula Leslie was able to rebid 3NT to show 3♠+6♥ but although she gave

68 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
it some thought Sam Punch felt she could not risk more than 4♠.
Fawcett & Moore bid 1♥-1♠-2NT-3♦-3♥-3♠-4♠ -maybe East might have tried 4♣.
Marks: 6♠/♥ 10/ 4♠/4♥ 5, 7♠ 2.
Running score: Wales 27 (11) England 13 (11) Scotland 41 (35) EBU 31 (33) Northern Ire-
land 28 (33) Ireland 19 (7).
Hand 6. Dealer East. None Vul.
♠ Q54 ♠ A 10 9 8 7
♥ AK 9 7 6 5 3 ♥ Q4
♦ A3 ♦ J4
♣Q ♣ A8 6 4
If East opens 1♠ South overcalls 3♦ (weak)
West North East South
Cornfield Stynes
– – 1♠ 3♦
3♥ Pass 4♥ Pass
4NT* Pass 5♠* Pass
6♥ All Pass
4NT Keycard Blackwood
5♠ 2 keys +♥Q
Once East has supported hearts you can see the attractions of asking for keycards – give East the
♠AK and ♥xxx and you must have a play for 6♥.
Not expecting her side to have a diamond trick North led the two of hearts from ♠KJ63
♥102♦876 ♣KJ73, which looks very passive given North’s spade holding, and declarer played
three rounds of the suit, followed by a spade to the ace and a spade to the queen.
South’s bid was based on ♠2 ♥J8♦KQ10952 ♣10952 so this strange line was not a success.
West North East South
Pierce Clench
– – 1♠ 3♦
3♥ Pass 4♥ Pass
4NT* Pass 5♠* Pass
6♥ All Pass
Recommended auction: I find it hard to disagree with the duplicated auctions.
Of course if East does not open then West is unlikely to contemplate a slam.
England followed an identical route to slam to lose 11 IMPs to the 450 recorded in 4♠ at the
other table and Northern Ireland got a similar result although here 4♥ was preferred to 4♠.
Marks: 4♥/3NT10, 4♠ 7, 6♥ 5.
Running score: Wales 32 (11) England 18 (11) Scotland 48 (46) EBU 31 (33) Northern Ire-
land 38 (44) Ireland 24 (7).
When the last match started Scotland led with 49.28 and faced third-placed Wales who were
on 41.65. Northern Ireland’s 44.86 meant they were second, and they met fourth-placed England,
not quite out of it with 36.93. Nor were the EBU, 35.82 who faced Ireland, 31.56.

69 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Hand 7. Dealer South. N/S Vul.
♠ AQ ♠ K J 10 9 8 2
♥ AQ J 4 ♥ 63
♦ AK 9 6 ♦7
♣ A9 3 ♣ K865
West East
McGowan Gladstone
2♣* 2♦*
2♥* 2♠*
2NT 3♥*
3♠ 4♣
4NT* 5♣*
6♣ Pass
2♣ Strong
2♦ Relay
2♥ Kokish
2NT Strong balanced
3♥ Transfer
It is possible that West intended 4NT to be natural and/or that East interpreted as a Keycard ask
and showed one.
Declarer won the diamond lead and played a club to the eight and a singleton ten, finishing
two down. South’s hand was ♠7653 ♥K10975♦QJ10 ♣10.
West East
Clench Pierce
2♣* 2♠
2NT 3♠
5NT 6♠
Pass

It looks as if 5NT was ‘pick a slam’.

West led the nine of hearts and declarer took no chances, going up with the ace, drawing trumps
and claiming.
Recommended auction: There is nothing wrong with the Welsh auction. 2♣*-2♠-2NT-3♣-3♠-
4♦*-4♥*-4♠-6♠ would be one of many possible routes to 6♠. Another would be for East to respond
3♥, a transfer to spades promising a good suit but less than a positive, when West could jump to 6♠.
Ireland and EBU had no trouble reaching a slam, but there was plenty of excitement in Eng-
land v N Ireland.
Watson and Hill bid 2♦*-2♥-2NT*-3♥*-(Double)-3♠-4NT*-5♣*-6♠-7♠. 2♦ was a Multi.
Knowing that the king of hearts was onside, West took a shot at seven and right she was.
At the other table Sinclair-Brock started 2♣*-2♠-2NT-3♣-3♥-3♠-4♣-4♦-4NT*-5♣*-5NT*-6♠
which is fine but now, with E/W out of Pass cards West bid 7♥.
I think West was trying to cater for East having a hand like ♠KJ1082 ♥K63♦7 ♣Q865 when
7♥ is the place to be, but I’ll leave you to debate the merits of that suggestion. However, East
elected to pass and that cost 17 IMPs.
Marks: 6♠/6NT 10, 7♠/7NT 5, 4♠/3NT 4, 6♣ 1.
Running score: Wales 42 (25) England 18 (11) Scotland 49 (46) EBU 31 (33) Northern Ire-
land 43 (61) Ireland 24 (7).

70 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
At half time Wales led Scotland 37-21, England were 55-40 ahead of N Ireland and EBU were
just in front of Ireland, 39-35.
Hand 8. Dealer East. None Vul.
♠ AK 6 3 ♠8
♥ AJ 9 ♥ Q64
♦ J54 ♦ K2
♣ 10 9 8 ♣ AK Q 7 4 3 2
West East
Kane Symons
— 1♣
1♠ 3NT
6NT Pass

I refer you to hand number 5.

Clearly West was expecting far more in the way of high cards to go with the running club suit.
South led the seven of hearts from ♠Q1095 ♥8732♦AQ1073 ♣- and North won with the king
and returned the six of diamonds for a rapid two down.
West North East South
Kurbalija Commins
– – 1♣ 2♦
Double* Pass 3♣ Pass
3♦* Pass 3NT All Pass

Here South led seven of diamonds and declarer took eleven tricks.
Recommended auction: The Welsh auction can’t be bettered. Without intervention 1♣-1♠-3♣-
3♥* -3NT looks normal.
England and N Ireland sailed into 3NT – South overcalled 1♦ and West was able to bid dia-
monds to ask for a stopper.
EBU picked 11 IMPs when Ireland tried 6NT.
Marks: 3NT 10, 5♣ 5, 6♣/6NT 2.
Running score: Wales 52 (36) England 28 (12) Scotland 51 (46) EBU 41 (44) Northern Ire-
land 53 (61) Ireland 26 (7).
As in last month’s feature on the Camrose you can see that good bidding does not always trans-
late into IMPs.
England outscored N Ireland 45-7 in the second half, but Wales outscored Scotland 48-33 and
that was enough for them to move to the top of the table:

W E S EBU NI I Total
Wales 8.43 15.37 9.14 18.9 5.18 56.92
England 11.67 3.10 9.56 17.78 12.60 54.71
Scotland 4.63 16.90 13.62 6.71 12.05 53.72
EBU 10.86 10.44 6.38 8.14 11.86 47.68
N Ireland 1.10 2.20 13.29 11.86 18.61 47.08
Ireland 14.82 7.40 7.95 8.14 1.39 39.89

71 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
For those who are interested the following pairs were positive in the Butler:
Rank Player IMPs Boards IMPs/Bd
1= Ciara Burns 48.00 86 0.56
1= Ruth Connolly 48.00 86 0.56
3= Aida Aris 61.73 112 0.55
3= Sue Ingham 61.73 112 0.55
5= Catherine Jagger 60.07 112 0.54
5= Sarah Teshome 60.07 112 0.54
7= Sam Punch 51.40 128 0.40
7= Paula Leslie 51.40 128 0.40
9 Liz Commins 24.60 112 0.22
9= Diane Kurbalija 24.60 112 0.22
11= Hannah Cornfield 9.60 86 0.11
11= Kath Stynes 9.60 86 0.11
13= Anne Symons 2.94 112 0.03
13= Helen Kane 2.94 112 0.03
You can play through the deals mentioned in this article. Just follow the links:
Hands 1 & 2: http://tinyurl.com/k4n7dya
Hands 3 & 4: http://tinyurl.com/lxvovmd
Hands 5 & 6: http://tinyurl.com/puhdba4
Hand 7: http://tinyurl.com/lvevnpt
Hand 8: http://tinyurl.com/lh5moto

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AN HONORS BOOK
by David Bird
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The chapter on each mistake will contain several deals where the original
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72 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine



BLACK BRIDGE
Vienna for Connoisseurs a unique bridge holiday
August 23 - 29, 2015

Travel Itinerary
Day 1 - August 23rd Day 3 – August 25th finger food from Vienna’s award- in a Michelin award-winning
winning catering and a bridge restaurant in the historic vaults.
I ndividual arrival and check-in
at your hotel, with free time to
settle in and explore the neigh-
T he morning is at your
leisure. Lunch will be held in
the garden of a former city mo-
tournament await.
Day 7 – August 29th
borhood, such as the nearby nastery (Gault et Millau award- Day 5 – August 27th
Museum Quarter, one of the
world‘s greatest art and cultural
winning restaurant), then you
will depart for a bridge tour-
T he morning is at your
leisure. Lunch will be served
I ndividual check-out and depar-
ture.
areas. Late in the afternoon, en- nament in the Viennese Bridge * Subject to change. Alternative acti-
in an upscale restaurant right on
joy an official welcoming drink Club with dinner afterward at a vities will be arranged in the event of
the Danube River with a view of
at the hotel and then dinner in a winery under the stars. bad weather.
the Vienna’s modern skyline, fol-
stylish Art Nouveau atmosphere.
lowed by a bridge tournament
Day 4 – August 26th afterward in the Bridge Center. No scheduled activity is
Day 2 – August 24th In the evening, we will surprise

A fter breakfast, visit

the Vienna Secession Exhi-
A fter breakfast, head off on a
city walking tour with
stops at the City Park,
you with an exclusive dinner held
in one of the city’s museums with
mandatory - you set the pace of
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You can join walking tours later or
a visit to the museum exhibition. leave earlier, and between
bition Hall (with a guided tour). Museum of Applied Arts and
activities you’ll have plenty
Then stroll through the lively the Otto Wagner-designed Aus- of time to relax or explore
Naschmarkt, Vienna‘s largest in- trian Postal Savings Bank buil- Day 6 – August 28th on your own.
nercity market, where you can ding. After lunch in a sophisti-
sample delicacies from around
the world. The culinary tour con-
cated tavern serving traditional
Viennese cuisine, you’ll continue A fter breakfast, take a vinta-
ge tram ride through Vienna
and then lunch at the city’s top For bridge players
tinues with a stop at a traditional with a tour of the Vienna city cen-
Asian fusion restaurant. Another of all levels.
Viennese coffee house, after ter, visiting Mozart´s House and
which you’ll return to the ho- St. Stephen´s Cathedral, among city walking tour in the afternoon
tel for optional participation in others. You’ll return to the hotel will include a visit to the Baroque Non-players are also
State Hall of the National Libra-
a bidding challenge. Depart for to relax, and then depart for the
ry. The closing dinner will be held
very welcome!
dinner in the Basteigarten. "Bridgecentrum" where the finest

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73 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

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74 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate

Solutions to “Test Your Defence”

with Julian Pottage See page 52

♠ ♠
1 ♥
A964
8654 2 ♥
AK
A 10 6 5 3
♦ QJ ♦ AQ6
♣ J 10 4 ♣ AKJ
♠ 8 N ♠ 10 5 3 2 ♠ J 10 9 7 6 2 N ♠ 843
♥ AK 9 2 ♥ 73 ♥ – ♥ K8
♦ K 10 8 6 5 3 2 W E ♦ 94 ♦ 9732 W E ♦ K 10 5 4
♣ 7 S ♣ Q9652 ♣ 865 S ♣ Q943
♠ KQJ7 ♠ Q5
♥ Q J 10 ♥ QJ9742
♦ A7 ♦ J8
♣ AK83 ♣ 10 7 2
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
– – – 2NT – – – 2♥*
3♦ Double*Pass 3♠ Pass 2NT Pass 3♣*
Pass 4♠ All Pass Pass 6♥ All Pass
Double Takeout 2♥ Weak
3♣ Minimum with poor suit
Partner plays the ace, king and then the two of hearts.
What is your plan? Partner leads the jack of spades to the ace. The ace of
For a start, you want to ruff the third round of hearts. hearts follows, on which partner discards a spade. Next
Ruffing an opposing winner with a low trump is very comes the king of spades, on which declarer drops the
often a sensible thing to do. How do you continue? queen. You then find yourself on lead with a trump.
You cannot read the two of hearts as a suit-preference You have three unattractive options here. The fall of
the queen of spades tells you that the opposing hands
signal because partner had to use that card for giving
are both void, which means that a spade would give a
you a ruff to avoid setting up the eight in dummy. It
ruff and discard. Dummy’s tenaces in the minor suits
looks and indeed is right to switch to a diamond, the
mean that a lead of either minor will give a free finesse.
suit that partner has bid. Dummy is short of entries for
taking finesses against you, so you do not want to help Whatever you do, you cannot avoid conceding one trick.
declarer by leading one of the black suits. You must aim to concede only the one trick. This may
still leave declarer a trick short.
Declarer goes up with the ace of diamonds, draws
trumps ending in dummy and calls for the jack of clubs. If you lead a spade, declarer can discard a club, cash the
The usual rule is to wait to cover the second of touching ♦A and squeeze you in the minors. It will be clear that
honours. The rule works well. You do not want to set you have both minor-suit honours or you would exit
up the ten as an entry for finessing the eight of clubs. in the suit in which the finesse was working anyway.
If you lead a diamond, declarer hops up with the jack,
cashes the top clubs and squeezes you in the minors.
Your best exit is a club. There is no squeeze after that.

75 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate

MARKS & COMMENTS

Set 292 conducted by Alan Mould

Hello again one and all. We have a new innovation

this month which was suggested to me by Mike Law-
rence, so many thanks Mike. For your viewing pleas-
ure in addition to the bids and marks, you will also THE BIDS & MARKS
see how many of the panel voted for each bid. So you Bid Marks No. of Votes
can see exactly how much I have upgraded or down- 1. Dble 10 12
graded your preferred bid . Let the editor or myself 6NT 8 1
know what you think of this. Seven Clubs 7 7
Seven Diamonds 7 3
We have a welcome return to sometime panelist Pass 2 0
Phillipe Cronier from France this month. Bonjour 2. Five Hearts 10 9
Phillippe. This month problem 1 was sent to me by 5NT 9 7
Pass 8 3
reader Malcolm Prior and comes from a Gold Cup Double 8 1
match, problem 2 was sent in by reader Martin Can- Five Spades 7 1
tor, problems 3-5 were from the most recent Camrose Six Diamonds 7 1
Six Hearts 7 1
series and were given to me by participants and pan- Six Clubs 2 0
elists John Matheson and Iain Sime, problem 6 comes 3. Double 10 16
from the English Premier League, problem 7 from Two Diamonds 8 3
1NT 6 4
the Manchester Congress in January of this year and Pass 4 0
finally problem 8 comes from a local Pairs event. We 2NT 2 0
have a 23 strong panel this month so enough from me One Spade 1 0
and on to them. Two Clubs 1 0
4. Five Spades 10 13
Pass 8 5
PROBLEM 1 Double 8 5
Six Spades 1 0
IMPs. Dealer West. All Vul. 5. Redouble 10 14
Pass 9 6
♠7 Four Diamonds
4NT
6
6
1
1
♥- Six Clubs 5 1
♦ A K 10 9 6 5 3 3NT 5 0
♣ A9 7 4 2 Three Hearts
Five Clubs
4
4
0
0
West North East South 6. 2NT 10 9
1♦ 1♠ 3♦* 6♠ Three Clubs 9 8
Two Spades 7 6
? Five Clubs 3 0
3 ♦ Pre-emptive Four Clubs 2 0
Bid Marks No. of Votes 7. Three Hearts 10 12
Pass 8 5
Double 10 12 3NT 8 6
6NT 8 1 Four Clubs 3 0
Seven Clubs 7 7 Three Diamonds 1 0
Seven Diamonds 7 3 8. Two Diamonds 10 9
Five Diamonds 9 7
Pass 2 0 Double 8 6
OK what do we know? We know that (a) if partner 3NT 6 1
leads a heart this will be going off (expect for a highly Pass 5 0
1NT 4 0
unlikely club void somewhere) and that if partner Three Hearts 2 0
doesn’t lead a heart it is almost certainly making and Three Diamonds 1 0
(b) that Seven Diamonds is very cheap against the Four Diamonds 1 0
slam and probably cheap against game. So should
we unleash our Lightner double for an unusual lead?
The problem with this is that partner is likely to have

76 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
three or fewer hearts. Even when partners don’t have what (or if not, should) distinguish (I cannot think
a great hand they have a penchant for doubling One of a better example) good from great among wan-
Spade with four hearts rather than making a pre- nabes! Also it is close to less than 1% IMO that an
emptive diamond raise. So it is likely that partner has opponents spade trick is not available at trick one
longer clubs than hearts and so may well lead a club vs. Seven Diamonds and for me not to be able to
in response to our double. This is liable to concede cash a defensive club trick is just, although possi-
1660. These thoughts are not enough to dissuade 12 ble, is just too non-percentage to consider.  A great
of the 23 strong panel to make the bid anyway. Most teaching bridge logic problem for students in their
are very positive about it. later years of school training.
Apteker: Double. Lead directional Lightner Dou- Several point out that although Seven Diamonds
ble. Partner should work out that it is hearts being may be cheap -500 against +200 is still plenty of IMPs:
requested (why?) after which I can then cash the Bowyer: Double. Will partner recognise this as
Club Ace. Lightner? He probably ought to and surely the ♣A
Carruthers: Double. In my view, partner cannot will live. Bidding Seven Diamonds is likely to cost
have ♠— ♥xxxxx ♦QJxxx ♣KQx, or the like, to 500 but that’s no bargain if we can collect 200.
bid Three Diamonds, so we have no chance at a Matheson: Double. Hoping partner reads this as
grand slam. South has bid Six Spades to make, Lightner and leads a heart. Bidding Seven Dia-
although it may well have been a gamble on the monds as insurance is expensive, all vulnerable at
lead, with hearts he is expecting to provide any dis- IMPs, if both Seven Diamonds and Six Spades are
cards declarer needs and a diamond void. I expect one down
to ruff the heart lead and cash the club ace, leading -1660 is even more expensive!
to down one or more. Sime: Double. It looks simple to trade a minus for
You will only ruff the heart lead if partner leads one! plus 200, but appearances can be deceptive. Even
Greco: Double. Maybe I should take out insurance if partner is on the Lightner wavelength, will he
here and save as I don’t know for sure if partner will realise that I want a heart lead, not a club? If East
lead a heart as opposed to a club, but we will soon is looking at a club honour, let’s trust him to work
find out. Partner should realise it is much more out that South’s raise is based upon hearts.
likely that his LHO has a long heart suit than club OK that is a reasonable argument. If partner is
suit for my failure to open One Heart and RHO’s looking at a club honour then she might work out
failure to bid Micheals. that the leap to six spades is based on a very good out-
Really? Why can you not be (say) 2-4-7-0? side suit and therefore that will be the one we don’t
Sally is not so hopeful: have an honour in.
Brock: Double. Let’s see if we can get my success Rosen: Double. Hope for heart ruff.
rate for a Lightner double up from 0 to 1! Unlikely Phillip is in ironic mode:
I know. Alder: Double. Then it is partner’s fault if he leads
Adam makes a very good point about how the game the wrong suit! But maybe at IMPs I should bid
is played these days. Many years ago you tried to avoid Seven Diamonds, which has to be cheap.
big swings. Now you try to get things right: Kokish: Double. If I had fewer diamonds I might
Zmudzinski: Double. Think partner before you consider that the Six Spade dude had xxxx and
lead. Six Spades was bid to make. Unfortunately my inferred his partner’s void, with a club void of his
double isn’t 100% Lightner. I know that probably own, and that a heart ruff might be the only defen-
only a heart lead beats Six Spades. I do not blame sive trick, making the save more attractive. Here,
partner if he leads a club. 50 years ago it wouldn’t though I think the ♣A might well cash and dou-
be a big problem. I think most of the panel would bling in search of a heart ruff will be the winning
be in Seven Diamonds Doubled. – 800 very bad strategy. So should I double and count on East
day or sometimes made. to work out that South has mostly majors? What
Wolff: Double. A key factor would centre around makes this such a good problem is that the risk
whether my bid is based on Lightner principles or versus gain factor suggests we should neutralize
just thinking they were going set. When partner the huge swing possibility by bidding Seven Dia-
realizes his overall weakness and my only open- monds (or 6NT to suggest a heart rather than a
ing a one bid, he should then totally realize that club (Seven Clubs) lead against a last-guess Seven
Lightner motives prevailed and then should have Spades). I think it’s sensible to bid rather than dou-
no difficulty in leading a heart. These hands are ble, but the purist in me makes my fingers reach

77 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
for a red double bidding card within my allotted saving against this Six Spade slam. How should I
10 seconds (of course). save is the real question. If I bid Seven Clubs, and
Those last two comments bring us to the bidders. If they try Seven Spades I will not get my heart ruff
we are going to bid on then what happens if they bid at trick one versus Seven Spades doubled. A trick
Seven Spades? Unlikely I know but stranger things is a trick. So, I will simply bid Seven Diamonds,
have happened – they might not know we cannot make and then double Seven Spades (if it does come to
Seven Diamonds Surely against Seven Spades we do that) as a Lightner Double to obtain my heart ruff
want a heart lead. How do we get that? Would bid- at trick one. Then, go about the club suit.
ding Seven Clubs for the lead and then doubling Seven But is Double of Seven Spades necessarily Lightner?
Spades cancel that message? Or is just an attempt to Might it just not be “I bid Seven Diamonds to make
increase the penalty from Seven Spades? Would bidding and now I have to take the penalty”?
Seven Diamonds and then doubling Seven Spades ask Smith: Seven Clubs. It would be nice to make a
for a heart lead (since you could have bid Seven Clubs Lightner double to get a heart lead from partner,
for a club lead)? I don’t know the answer to all these but how sure are you that you will get one? Surely
questions. The one thing I do know is that this should South has some huge two-suited hand such a 4-8-
get you a heart lead against Seven Spades: 0-1 shape, so is it not fairly likely that partner’s
Rigal: 6NT. Yes slam goes down on a heart lead hearts will also be relatively short? Having decided
and maybe I should bid 6NT to get the heart lead to bid on, it is surely right to bid Seven Clubs rather
against Seven Spades (Seven Clubs gets the club than Seven Diamonds – might as well make sure
lead so…)? Is it really possible one opponent has that we beat Seven Spades if the opponents should
a club void? I really don’t think so but how about happen to bid again.
making Seven Diamonds?  But as above, don’t you actually want a heart lead?
1-6-5-1 Cronier: Seven Clubs. I want to sacrifice. A Light-
6-2-1-4 5-5-0-3 ner double could save the day, but my partner will
1-0-7-5 never guess to lead a heart. And I bid Seven Clubs
On a non-spade lead maybe Seven Diamonds in case opponents bid on, to get a club lead.
actually makes! But as above – oh never mind!
Yes but you have now told them not to lead a heart! Lawrence: Seven Clubs. Doubling could be the
Still I like the bid a lot and have thus upgraded it (a winner if I was sure East would lead a heart. I sus-
lot). Of the other bids seven went for Seven Clubs and pect that he has three hearts (no negative double)
three for Seven Diamonds. The bidders are noticeably and he may have more clubs than that. If he deduces
more worried about what partner will lead against I have a club void, I will get a club lead. Perhaps
Six Spades doubled than the doublers. Let’s hear what not useful. I’m guessing that South has five spades
they have to say. Tadishi puts the case well: and seven hearts or similar with a void in diamonds.
Teramoto: Seven Diamonds. If I make a Lightner If they bid Seven Spades over that, we would have
double for hearts he may not lead them because he another question that you would have to answer
will not have heart length. Seven Diamonds dou- in your mind now in anticipation of a later prob-
bled will be cheap and avoids the big minus. lem. If I bid Seven Clubs and then double Seven
Bird: Seven Clubs. A heart lead will no doubt give Spades, would that ask for a heart lead?
us two tricks (with the club ace). Is partner certain I asked that question and I don’t know the answer!
to lead a heart if I make a Lightner Double? Not Robson: Seven Clubs. A bit wet not to gamble the
necessarily, since South’s leap to Six Spades is likely Lightner double (I would at Pairs) but it might not
to be based on spade support, a diamond void and be clear for pard to lead a heart if it’s a massive dou-
a massive heart suit. A small extra pointer is that ble fit (or partner might read double as penalty and
with 4+ hearts East might have started with a nega- lead a soft diamond), so I’ll softly take insurance.
tive double. I will take out insurance in Seven Dia- If I bid Seven Clubs then double Seven Spades is
monds, bidding clubs on the way just in case they that Lightner for hearts? Or plain penalties? We’ll
go to Seven Spades. probably not find out.
But as above don’t you want a heart lead not a club I also asked that question and I don’t know the
lead against Seven Spades? answer to that either! Joey does (sort of!) though:
Drew wants one and thinks this is the way to get it: Silver: Seven Clubs. The trouble with doubling
Cannell: Seven Diamonds. Very cool problem! I Six Spades is that a heart lead does not guarantee
actually believe the opponents here. Therefore, I am beating the villian’s contract (wow that is a pretty

78 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
pessimistic assessment!), and a heart lead by my OX on to Seven Spades which I shall happily double.
is far from guaranteed (much more reasonable ). A I think they are far less likely to bid on over Seven
pre-emptive jump in diamonds is rarely done with Clubs than they are over Seven Diamonds.
heart length, so chances are that N/S have a lot of Leufkens: Seven Clubs. For the lead.
hearts and all doubling will get me is a club lead The panel are spot on in their analysis. Partner
and 1660 or 1860. Therefore after a bit of thought held ♠Qxx ♥10xx ♦QJxxx ♣Q10 so assuming that
I bid my club suit because if I hit a fit with East declarer is going to get the spades correct only a heart
(likely) it might be our only making grand on a non lead beats Six Spades and thankfully partner will
spade lead with diamonds providing the necessary find it! At the table the player elected to bid on and
discards (of course I might be fantasizing thinking was -500 in Seven Diamonds doubled. The auction
partner might pass even if he a club fit). Should was much slower at the other table and we were able
the enemy soldier on to Seven Spades (ain’t poker to get in a lead directing heart bid and so Six Spades
great?) then I will double asking partner to make doubled was one off, for -13 IMPs as the panel said.
an unusual lead, and what could be more unusual
than leading a heart the one suit I DID NOT BID PROBLEM 2
(PS I expect to win the post mortem when my OX
leads a club to 14 spades). IMPs. Dealer East. E/W Vul
Green: Seven Diamonds. Par is probably Six Spades ♠ K973
Doubled down one on a heart lead. But getting part- ♥ A Q 10 5 4 3
ner to lead a heart off possibly a three card suit is ♦Q
too much pressure for any partnership. RHO looks ♣ Q8
to have long hearts (probably solid) with spade sup-
West North East South
port with a void in one of the minors, possibly 5602
– – 1♣ Pass
or 4702. I don’t think Seven Diamonds is making
1♥ 3♦* Double* 5♦
but on a non heart lead I’m sure Six Spades is cold.
?
The reason I choose to bid Seven Diamonds and 3♦ Natural and pre-emptive
not a more technical Seven Clubs (to ask for a club Dble Takeout
lead, 6NT by the way should ask for a heart lead Bid Marks No. of Votes
here) is a tactical one, I want the opponents to go Five Hearts 10 9
5NT 9 7
Pass 8 3
Double 8 1
Five Spades 7 1
Six Diamonds 7 1
Six Hearts 7 1
Six Clubs 2 0
This problem created the greatest number of bids from
the panel (seven) with a remarkable four single votes
YOUNG CHELSEA and no overall majority (the highest number of votes
being nine).
BRIDGE CLUB The first issue to address is whether or not Pass is
forcing. After all we have an opening bid and response
One of the World’s Great Bridge Clubs (not that either of those means much these days), and
Duplicate every weekday evening an extra values double and two opponents seemingly
pre-empting. Does this all add to a forcing Pass? No
says John:
Tel: 020 7373 1665 Matheson: Five Hearts. As this is not a forcing pass
www.ycbc.co.uk situation for me I need to do something. I am not
quite worth a drive to slam.
Yes say the Erics and Adam. The Koach produces
his usual highly erudite analysis:
Kokish: Pass. By “takeout” you don’t really mean
4-2-1-6 or 4-3-1-5 but rather “not penalty” so East

79 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
would have a good offensive hand with one or two have some sort of partial heart fit, say a 3-3-1-6
diamonds, possibly 3-3-2-5 18-19(20). The possi- shape, than he is to have four spades. Indeed, with
bility of duplicated diamond shortness is a bit of a four spades, five or six clubs and a singleton heart,
downer, but this is still a very good hand that will he would need a very good hand to double Three
make slam more often than not, though the best Diamonds. With the safety of a heart fit, he can
strain is an issue too. It becomes a test of agree- compete with less values. Five Spades might leave
ments on how best to show it. As it’s impractical not him with nowhere to go, whereas he can still bid
to treat a pass as forcing, it’s a partnership choice again over Five Hearts.
on whether pass should initially (a) express doubt Rosen: Five Hearts. We might make a slam here
between declaring and defending; (b) imply extra but in what? Clubs, spades or hearts all possible. I
offense; or (c) request a double with the inference think if I double (flexible some will cry) it is just
that West will often be intending to pass the double too likely to get passed out...
because he has a bias for defending. As (c) opens Cronier: Five Hearts. It’s true that I can easily make
up an extra level of communication, i.e. pulling the a slam if my partner has a strong balanced hand
double can by agreement express extra strength or (♠AQx ♥Kxx ♦Jx ♣AKJxx). But most probably
extra strain flexibility, with distinctions between we have the same shortness and it’s specific to get
direct and delayed cue-bids and 5NT bids in the the right cards to make a slam. But I don’t want to
mix, I suspect this treatment will become main- play Five Diamonds doubled with this distribution.
stream practice soon enough, with specific mean- Go for Five Hearts…
ings being a separate issue. I won’t take up more Green: Five Hearts. Tough problem. Double will
space here with a suggested scheme. end the auction every time and I’m not getting rich
Greco: Pass. Difficult problem. First are we in a from Five Diamonds. It is tempting to bid 5NT but
force? I think we certainly should be but does part- I don’t think I quite have enough for that, we could
ner agree? It is hard for me to imagine partner pass- easily be off two aces. Partner has shown at least a
ing this out given RHO passed the opening and doubleton heart so I will bid our game, partner can
LHO is preempting. I will pull this to Five Hearts always raise if he has the nuts hand.
to show a slam try. I could certainly bid 5NT pick Cannell: Five Hearts. I do not think we will get
a slam as a second choice but we could easily be off enough by doubling them in Five Diamonds. A
two aces or be in a poor spot, so I feel like I need vulnerable game bonus is likely in Five Hearts in
to involve partner and I am way too strong to just my view. Partner has good values with something
bid Five Hearts. like a 4-3-1-5 distribution. Sure, a slam is possible
Zmudzinski: Pass. Forcing. I hope no need to but bad breaks may thwart that effort.
explain why? But what after a Double by partner? Sime: Five Hearts. Partner could have bid Three
Probably Five Spades but do we have enough? Spades with the blacks, so will probably have three
Don’t know says: hearts. I would rather play in a 6-3 fit with those
Bowyer: Five Hearts. Double here would be to hearts than in a potentially weak 4-4 spade fit. Even
shut partner up. Pass may be forcing (is it?) but honour-small might be better.
that would put too much pressure on partner. 5NT David makes the same point as Iain about partner
(pick a slam) is possible but could have two top not bidding Three Spades:
losers as I suspect partner has a singleton diamond Bird: Five Hearts. Without something useful in
as well. Playing spades in a possible weak 4-4 fit hearts, East might have bid Three Spades instead
is not a good idea as I am likely to get spade los- of doubling. If I was willing to head for a slam, I
ers away on his Clubs. Five Hearts tells partner my could bid 5NT (or Six Diamonds) now. As I see
hearts are good and may allow him to raise with it, I need too many particular cards from East to
good controls. land 12 tricks, particularly as I am not certain to
The largest vote of nine was for Five Hearts so let’s find the best trump suit.
continue with that: All this talk of slams. There are several ways to get
Smith: Five Hearts. I seem to have a much more there. Seven go for the now standard “5NT pick a
offensive than defensive hand, so it looks right to slam”: Ah but which slams are in the picture? Most
choose to bid rather than defend, However, I do not are offering simply a choice between the majors:
think I am strong enough to bid Six Diamonds to Carruthers: 5NT. I’ll pull Six Clubs to Six Hearts,
offer a choice of majors. So which major to choose? conveying to partner that we can also play in Six
It seems to me that partner is much more likely to Spades. I’d feel much better about that if the queen

80 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
of diamonds were the queen of spades. PROBLEM 3
Lawrence: 5NT. Will pull Six Clubs to Six Hearts.
Should imply something like this. I’m comfortable IMPs. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
that partner will have enough that slam is OK. Just
need to find the right slam. ♠ QJ9
Rigal: 5NT. Trying to get to best major-suit slam. ♥ 10 6 4
Singleton diamond not the best holding but maybe ♦ AQ J 5
Six Spades is our better slam if we have a slow club ♣ 632
loser (facing 4-2-2-5) where we avoid the slow club West North East South
loser by pitching dummy’s clubs on the hearts. – – – Pass
Phillip thinks Six Clubs may be best, but won’t Pass 1♣* Double* 1♦*
pass it: ?
Alder: 5NT. Pick a slam. I plan to correct Six Clubs 1♣ Natural or all 12-14 NT or all 18-19 NT
Dble Takeout of clubs
to Six Hearts, and to apologise if Six Clubs is the 1♦ No 5 card major. No reference to diamonds.
only making slam. About 6-8 HCP
Enri is the only person who will sit for Six Clubs Bid Marks No. of Votes
if partner bids it: Double 10 16
Leufkens: 5NT. Opposite ♠Axxx ♥Kx ♦x ♣AKJxxx Two Diamonds 8 3
with Six Clubs much better than Six Hearts. 1NT 6 4
Silver: 5NT. Do I settle for a small non-vulnerable Pass 4 0
penalty in 10 diamonds? Or do I make a slam try? 2NT 2 0
Stopping short of slam is out of the question since One Spade 1 0
the only way of guaranteeing reaching our best fit Two Clubs 1 0
is via 5NT asking partner to bid a slam. Since my OK the opponents (Forrester and Gold) are playing
OX has shown extra values by his double of Three unusual methods, but that should not cause us too
Diamonds I opt for the slam try, and that juicy vul- much hardship. Essentially partner has made a take-
nerable slam bonus. out double of One Club. What should we do now?
Robson: 5NT. Pick a slam. They’ll probably take Two thirds of the panel go for an “obvious” double of
the save anyway.  the artificial bid to show diamonds:
Sally finds a different bid as a choice of major suit Cannell: Double. Diamonds. This is enough for
slams, but with 5NT available doesn’t this suggest a now. Let’s see where this auction wends.
void diamond? Kokish: Double. Just a first move. I will bid dia-
Brock: Six Diamonds. Choice of major-suit slam. monds later with this promising hand. Two Dia-
Alon doesn’t give partner a choice: monds (instead) would suggest longer diamonds
Apteker: Six Hearts. Partner has extra values in 4-3- and a weaker hand.
1-5, 3-3-1-6 or 4-3-0-6 type hand. I too have extras Lawrence: Double. I play this is for penalty. I’m a
and shape. Opposite ♠AJxx ♥Kxx ♦x ♣AKxxx, passed hand so this bid describes my hand exactly.
slam it is virtually laydown. If I have room to bid One Spade later, I will do
And two more sole voices: that. Otherwise, I hope my double will let partner
Teramoto: Double. I expect that Double with get do something.
about 500 in most cases, with Five Hearts not sure Silver: Double. Partner has made a takeout double,
to make. the villians have bid my chunky four card suit, so
Wolff: Five Spades. Partly to make, partly to then I double with my 10 HCP, intending to bid 1NT
double Six Diamonds, but both to be a tough oppo- should they run. Simple ain’t it?
nent.  Let somebody else make a mistake. Sime: Double. Ugh, I was trying to forget this
Whilst this was a great panel problem I suspect not match. (Sorry about that Iain!) The anti-psyche dou-
many of the panel would have found partner’s dou- ble after (one apple) Double (one plum), showing
ble on ♠AJ10x ♥Kxx ♦x ♣A9xxx – not many extra four-plus plums and some values, seems to be going
values there! Hearts are 2-2 and spades 4-1 with the out of fashion, perhaps because psyches are a rarity.
singleton Q so 11 tricks in either major are cold with I have yet to be convinced of a better use for double
Five Diamonds doubled costing 300. (takeout since as you say they never psyche these days).
Here, it doesn’t matter. One Diamond is artificial
and I can double to show diamonds. Or, if we must,

81 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
I can double to show “directionless values.” bid them.
Funny you should mention that: Apteker: Two Diamonds. Should be natural given
Zmudzinski: Double. No four card major , ran- note. While two Diamonds may be a bit conserva-
dom 1NT bid, just cards. tive, I downgrade with 4-3-3-3.
Cronier: Double. Diamonds. I don’t wish to bid Bowyer: Two Diamonds. Normally a bid in RHO’s
no-trump with three small clubs in this situation. suit shows five cards but not here. Sorry, I’m not
I agree entirely Phillippe, but more on that later… sure I see the problem...
Green: Double. What else? I have diamonds and “It is a truth universally acknowledged that when a
not enough of them to bid Two Diamonds, 1NT panelist says “I’m not sure I see the problem” he is in
is absurd with xxx in a suit partner is short in. a huge minority” 
I agree entirely Ben, but more on that later…. OK onto the bid I neither like nor understand.
Teramoto: Double. This shows diamonds and I will Partner has ostensibly shown short clubs, so I fail to
bid something more later I expect. I don’t like to understand why we want to bid 1NT with ♣xxx!! Yes,
bid 1NT with this hand as my cards are concen- One Club didn’t show clubs but since no one else has
trated in two suits. got them, surely opener has? Plus if partner is actually
A man who knows: fairly balanced with a club stop then perhaps partner
Bird: Double. This looks like one of the Camrose might actually bid NTs…. Well better let them have
third-seat psyche deals. 1NT now would show club their say!
stoppers and is therefore a ‘big mistake’. Even if you Carruthers: 1NT. Stoppers? We don’t need no
exclude the possibility that One Diamond might stinkin’ stoppers.
be passed out, I prefer Double to a Pass. At least I Shows what you know!
will tell partner that I have some values. Wolff: 1NT. I realize I am not showing diamonds
Phillip is concerned about our lack of agreements stopped specifically and not clubs, but my hand pat-
but doubles anyway: tern and values are just about right for this choice.
Alder: Double. What are our agreements?? Does Rigal: 1NT. This feels right on values, and I can
this double show diamonds?? Would Two Clubs bid Two Diamonds over their Two Clubs should
be a cue-bid indicating a maximum Pass?? It is they make that call.
hard to answer this problem without knowing the Leufkens: 1NT. Close to 2NT but not enough.
parameters. Confession time:
Robson: Double Whether it’s diamonds or 3-3 in Matheson: 1NT. My bid at the table. That describes
the majors, or just card showing, I’ve got it!
Smith: Double. Whether One Diamond is natu-
ral or artificial, it seems that double should mean
the same thing – values with four and maybe five
diamonds. With longer diamonds, we have a natu-
ral Two Diamond bid available. The only vaguely
sensible alternative seems to be 1NT, and shouldn’t
that promise (or at least strongly suggest) club val-
CARD TABLES
ues/stoppers, since partner has theoretically made FOR SALE
a takeout double of that suit (even though opener
has not promised them). Refurbished old tables standard size
Rosen: Double. Traditional treatment here, bid- with new green baize top
ding Two Diamonds would show five plus dia- £29 each
monds for me.
Greco: Double. While the exact meaning of this Will deliver within reasonable distance
may be slightly unclear, whatever it means I have it DANNY ROTH
as I feel like this hand is slightly to strong on points 47 Bearing Way, CHIGWELL,
and short a diamond for Two Diamonds. ESSEX IG7 4NB
Which brings us neatly to the three Two Diamond
bidders: 020 8501 1643 tel/fax dannyroth@btinternet.com
Brock: Two Diamonds. I think normally double
would show four diamonds, and Two Diamonds
five, but here they are so good I’d rather actually

82 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
the values and balanced pattern. Against these meth- of tricks. Not often used for big 4M overcalls, it
ods I felt there was a fair chance partner was flatter is nonetheless available, and I would bid Three
than usual eg 4-4-2-3, 4-3-3-3 etc with 12-14 and Hearts, then Four Spades with a big high-card Four
1NT might be a good spot for us. However, oth- Spade bid; therefore Four Spades directly would be
ers feel 1NT includes a definite guard. As always it reserved for hands in this family – big suit, distribu-
needs partnership discussion. tional offense. Without such an arrangement, Four
Partner held ♠AKx ♥KQ9xx ♦Kxxx ♣A and sim- Spades is a mildly dangerous overbid on a hand with
ply raised 1NT to 3NT as I admit I would have done virtually no sure defensive strength, and it might
also. A club lead quickly put paid to that with six of be more practical to settle for Two Spades, hopeful
either red suit cold on the lie. that it would not end there. The risk in Four Spades
is that it might logically create a forcing pass over
PROBLEM 4 further competition, and that would create different
meanings for East’s pass or double over Five Hearts.
IMPs. Dealer South. E/W Vul. Inevitably, we are on our own in this feature and
♠ A K Q 10 7 6 4 2 perhaps expected to bid our conscience rather than
♥- according to Bridge Mag Standard, which is silent
♦5 on such matters. If Four Spades is OK then Pass
♣ Q 10 4 2 would not be forcing, and West could pass, dou-
ble, or bid Five Spades on his own. If Four Spades
West North East South
implies this type of hand specifically, then West can
– – – 2♥*
double to say “even more offense – I was going to
4♠ 5♥ Pass Pass
bid Five Spades unless you have a strong bias for
?
2♥ Natural and weak
defending.” Still, that seems to place a great deal
of faith in a partner who could have doubled for
Bid Marks No. of Votes penalty if Four Spades would never be a high-card
Five Spades 10 13 hand, and it’s more intuitive to just bid Five Spades
Pass 8 5 unilaterally and prepare a half-hearted apology.
Double 8 5
Six Spades 1 0 Eric’s Five Spades was the view of the majority of
the panel and I have to say I am rather surprised by
Another hand that fulfills Adam’s comment about how
it. The usual rules of “don’t bid five over five”, “don’t
the game has changed. Thirty years ago I doubt many
bid your hand twice” etc. seem to have gone out of the
people would have thought of bidding again on this
window. The vulnerability seems to be wrong for us
hand – we have made our bid and that is the end of
as well – we either have to make or go no more than
it. Now people try and get hands right – if Five Hearts
one off if they are making. Nevertheless Eric has a
is going off let’s double it and if Five Hearts is making
dozen supporters:
and/or Five Spades is making let’s bid it. I invited the
Cronier:  Five Spades: 1) I have no clue that Five
panel to comment on whether they would have pre-
Hearts will go down; 2) I may easily make Five
ferred a different initial action to Four Spades. I was
Spades; 3) My partner doesn’t know at all what I
mindful that Eric K for example has written extensively
need. So it seems clear to bid again.
on not “pre-empting over pre-empts” and that hands
Leufkens: Five Spades. Fine 1st action. Usually,
with plenty of playing strength but no extra values
I don’t sell my hand twice. But now I’ve got eve-
like this one are better started with a simple overcall
rything in spades and potential 2nd suit in clubs.
(and indeed he discusses it here). In fact everyone was
Partner can’t know that, but even then it can be
pretty happy with Four Spades but Eric did produce
-500 versus +50...
another lengthy analysis and bidding theory:
Eric G makes a number of the same points as Eric K:
Kokish: Five Spades. It’s common to define a Four
Greco: Five Spades. Whether or not we are in a
Heart jump-cue-bid as a stronger hand with both
force or not, this feels right as I only need the king
minors than 4NT would be, so Four Hearts would
of clubs to have a chance to make this and it could
not be available to show a very strong one-suiter
be a double game swing. If partner has a trump
in those partnerhips – pity, as Four Spades would
trick (or two) and was afraid to double showing
be fine with hands like this (in contrast). Another
convertible values (if we were not in a force), then
strong option, however, is Three Hearts, nominally
I have done the wrong thing.
seeking a stopper for 3NT and based on a source
As does Mike:

83 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Lawrence: Five Spades. I’m willing to be wrong. Bowyer: Pass. Having made my bed (and I would
Since a high club honour will give me a play for Five have bid Four Spades) I’d better lie in it. Do I expect
Spades, I choose that. This is a rare hand that might to make Five Spades? No, not really. Do I expect to
bid Five Spades and if partner has a heart stack, he defeat Five Hearts? Who knows? Partner may have
will be disappointed in my choice. I do know he nuisance values in diamonds. Also, I certainly don’t
doesn’t have a goodish hand since he would double want to bid Five Spades and see them bid Six Hearts.
with nine scattered points in the off suits. By the Now that is a good point – and one which no one
way. My Four Spade bid is not accurately defined. else mentioned. We would not be happy if Six Hearts
Does it show a great hand or a good hand with came back to us!
excellent spades or some combination? Partner’s Robson: Pass. Very wet.
bids may not be as well defined as normal because Not something one can usually accuse Andrew of!
of the lack of definition of my Four Spade bid. Alder: Pass. I think Four Spades was all right and
A man who believes we are in a forcing pass situa- now I will live with partner’s decision.
tion – as discussed by Eric: In between we have the “action doublers”. In gen-
Rigal: Five Spades. Four Spades is fine. Since pass eral if we have pre-empted then double it is considered
is forcing Five Spades seems about right. Yes at this an action double. People play this in different ways.
vulnerability Pass should be forcing. Some play that double is simply yet more offence and
Both Marc and Bobby reflect on partner’s lack of basically means “I want to bid again unless you have
a double: a strong preference for defence” whereas for others it
Smith: Five Spades. Four Spades seemed obvious shows offence plus some defence as well – ie you are
last time and Five Spades seems equally clear now. expected to have at least a trick outside. However is
We need very little (perhaps just the ♣K) from part- all that valid here? As Eric and Mike have pointed
ner to have play, but we might need quite a bit to out, our Four Spades is ill defined. Might we not
defeat the opponents’ game. Bidding is not likely have simply some good hand such as ♠AQJxxxx ♥x
to be disastrous, but defending if either contract ♦AKx ♣Kx that bid Four Spades to make and now
makes 11 tricks would be, and here it is even pos- just needs to double Five Hearts? Anyway five pan-
sible that both will do so. If we should be defend- elists are up for it:
ing, then perhaps partner should have expressed Brock: Double. Whenever I bid a fifth spade in
that opinion when he had the chance. this situation I am wrong and everyone tells me I
Wolff: Five Spades. Obviously could be wrong, but should double. So I shall try that on paper and if it
to do otherwise IMO borders on the insane and works might try it more often at the table.
masochistic.  Furthermore, partner’s Pass resonates Wait for it Sally and I will tell you 
in favor of Five Hearts being a make, so to not bid Ben has exactly the agreements Eric was discuss-
Five Spades, after partner has chosen not to Dou- ing above:
ble makes it standout more. Green: Double. You can’t pass this out as opposite
Apteker: Five Spades. A two way shot! Who knows KJxx in clubs you will lose a double game swing.
who can make what but partner has not doubled This is partly a matter for agreement. For me Four
Five Hearts. Opposite very little, Five Spades makes. Spades does not show a hand laden with high card
I agree with the initial action. points. With a 20 count and seven spades I would
Teramoto: Five Spades. We have a chance to make start with Three Hearts asking for a stopper. Some
Five Spades or I hope that it is a good save. We play a jump to Four Hearts or even Four Diamonds
have very poor defence so it will not be easy to as showing a strong Four Spade bid. Since I can’t
beat Five Hearts. have a strong hand in HCP then double suggests
Rosen: Five Spades. Happy with initial action. that I want to bid on. I’m quite happy with the ini-
Zmudzinski: Five Spades. I have no clues. I sym- tial Four Spade bid.
pathize with straight Four Spades. Carruthers: Double, conveys to partner that I wish
At the other end of the spectrum we have those who to bid on but don’t want to get in his way if he’d pre-
feel they have said their piece: fer to defend. What else but Four Spades? I eagerly
Silver: Pass. Personally I prefer to describe my hand await enlightenment.
as early in the auction as possible which is exactly Talk to your countryman!
what my jump to Four Spades has done. Having Cannell: Double. A willingness to go to Five Spades
told partner I have spades like rice and wish to play if partner is willing. This portrays sort of a trans-
for 10 tricks I see no reason to take another bid. ferable values hand-type. Four Spades vulnerable

84 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
versus not is fine at our first turn. the deal that I have in mind, I think East should
I have to say those values don’t look very transfer- have doubled Five Hearts.
able to me! Well should he? Partner held ♠x ♥xxx ♦KJxxx
Matheson: Double. I would like a little more ♣xxxx which doesn’t look like a double to me unless
defence, but double includes partner in the final Pass was indeed forcing! As my old partner Gary Hyett
decision. used to say you don’t have a double of six. And note
Last word(s) to the two players who let on they know that if you swap the minors over then Five Spades is
the hand (John Matheson did as well) cold barring clubs ruffs and Five Hearts also very likely
Sime: Pass. Twice Ugh, I was trying to forget this cold (and certainly so if there are club ruffs.) All seems
match (sorry twice). The Sassenach (that Sassenach pretty random to me.
was Andrew “Tosh” McIntosh an émigré Scot) who
held this hand against us action-doubled, found PROBLEM 5
partner (who hadn’t squeaked) with two diamond
tricks and us with two spades apiece. 300 to the IMPs. Dealer East. None Vul
bad guys. On another day, Five Hearts would have ♠ AJ 6 2
been redoubled plus one. The five level belongs to…. ♥ AK J 9 2
Bird: Five Spades. A guess, obviously, but some- ♦ K4
thing good in clubs may give us 11 tricks. I simply ♣ A2
cannot take the risk of a double game swing. I half
West North East South
recall seeing this deal on BBO, where both five-
– – 3♣ Double
level contracts go two down. Well, so be it. If it is
?
Bid Marks No. of Votes
Redouble 10 14
Pass 9 6
ACBL Encyclopedia of Four Diamonds 6 1
4NT 6 1
Bridge Six Clubs 5 1
3NT 5 0
Official ACBL Encyclopedia of Bridge– Three Hearts 4 0
7th Edition Five Clubs 4 0
Edited by Brent Manley, 600+ pages Three Diamonds 2 0
(Hardback) OK partner has opened a love all pre-empt first in
hand which doesn’t mean much these days, but nev-
OUT NOW ertheless a juicy prospect awaits us as we have a 20
RRP £49.95 SUBSCRIBERS’ £45 + post free count which means this takeout double has run into
to UK customers (£10 for overseas customers) serious trouble. How do we punish them? The majority
The most complete volume of bridge informa- of the panel go for the old fashioned redouble which
tion and instruction ever compiled. alerts them that they are in trouble but means that if
partner can double Three Diamonds Christmas will
Over 600 easy-to read and easy-to-search have come early:
pages Apteker: Redouble. Looking for blood and part-
• Thousands of entries ner’s cooperation! I will double three of either major
covering bridge terms, and will bid 3NT over Three Diamonds if Partner
conventions, sys- has not doubled it.
tems, rules, and top Kokish: Redouble. We could make anything from
personalities. Four Clubs to game (3NT or Five Clubs) or slam,
• Contains a CD-ROM depending on what THIS Three Club opening
containing hundreds of looks like, so perhaps redouble will gain us some
extra biographies that information; East is invited to double a bid by
didn't make the printed edition North with three trumps and some defense (side
singleton or surprise king). Whether East could
have KQJxxxx or J109xxxx is a partnership matter

85 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
so almost all problems involving partner’s three-bids defend or cue-bid as a slam try.
are flawed by that mystery. Even QJ10xxxx does Rosen: Redouble. Easy for now....
not make Five Clubs laydown if she is 2-2-2-7 and So what can be better than that? This says six
3NT would be a catastrophe, so buying some time panelists:
probably can’t hurt and might gain. Smith: Pass. Shirley, you jest. Doing something to
Alder: Redouble. What is partner’s style? stop North from responding to his partner’s take-
Both Eric and you will find out soon. out double would seem to be a serious error here.
Bowyer: Redouble. This could be juicy. By Redou- With a complete bust that includes four diamonds
bling you give partner the chance of doubling Three and a four-card major, is he not likely to choose the
Diamonds if that’s what North bids. major? (Even a redouble risks allowing North to pass
Cronier: Redouble. Let’s see what happens. I will with that hand to see if his partner can bid Three
double a major. Maybe, if he opened with a 6-4, Diamonds.) If Three Diamonds comes back to me
will East be able to double diamonds.  I can rethink, but right now it is hard to see how
Zmudzinski: Redouble. To ask my partner to dou- the penalty from defending anything higher could
ble Three Diamonds (if it happens). be less than the value of our non-vulnerable game.
Green: Redouble. I can’t conceive of anything else. Greco: Pass. I don’t want to warn LHO to bid Three
I need to involve partner, as if the opponents run Diamonds instead of Three Hearts by redoubling
to Three Diamonds then I need him to be able to so I will smartly Pass and make the guess later since
double them, if he doesn’t then I can continue with no bid now will really solve my later problem and
a forcing Three Hearts. A direct Three Hearts over once in a while I strike gold when LHO bids Three
the double wouldn’t be forcing and passing forces a Hearts with four hearts and four or five diamonds
guess on me next round if Three Diamonds comes or even passes the double with four or five clubs
back to me. thinking it was there best chance for a plus.
Rigal: Redouble. The first call is easy, the next may Bird: Pass. What is the point of a redouble? It’s more
not be if they bid Three Diamonds and it comes likely to help the opponents than partner. Suppose
back to me. I guess Three Hearts – not that any- North has 4-3-4-2 shape. If I force him to speak
one asked me. now, he may choose Three Spades when they are
Carruthers: Redouble. Suppose South has a per- better off in diamonds.
fect Double: ♠KQ109 ♥Q108x ♦AQJx ♣x. If they Silver: Pass. On the off chance the villians get ambi-
reside in a major, Christmas has come early. If, as tious and go past the three level I will not get in their
expected, they settle in Three Diamonds, I shall way for now. However I do plan to double three
not Double, but shall pursue our own club con- of a major or higher and will bid 3NT over Three
tract (not 3NT with a diamond stop that they can Diamonds. Since I don’t expect East to bid again
control, i.e., when I take it). We might make 10, after pre-empting this should be a safe inaction.
11 or 12 tricks in clubs. Can we ever sensibly bid a Robson: Pass. Then double. From a large height. If
slam? Maybe, if partner can show a spade control. I redouble then double I think I might be involv-
Say North or South bids Three Diamonds; when I ing partner.
bid Four Diamonds, partner can bid Four Hearts A man who should be playing with Sally!
or Four Spades if his hand is suitable. Three panelists give up on trying to catch the oppo-
Wolff: Redouble. At least to me, a standout choice, nents and head for a slam. Have they seen what part-
but close between 3NT and Three Hearts, if it goes ner’s pre-empt on these days? 
Three Diamonds, Pass, Pass back to me with my Lawrence: Four Diamonds. RKCB for clubs. I con-
choice 3NT. sidered redoubling but I didn’t like possible con-
Sally has I suspect a treatment that few of the panel tinuations. Four Diamonds is precise and lets me
play and even fewer of the readers: bid slam without worry should one be there. I pay
Brock: Redouble. Invites partner to the party. It off when we can’t make more than Five Clubs and
means that if I double something else it is a sugges- happen to have a number on defense.
tion rather than a command. And it seems unlikely Leufkens: 4NT. I’m sure we’ve got a good mecha-
they will try to play in hearts anyway.  nism to indicate 0 keycards with Five Clubs. If not,
One assumes from this that Pass then Double is I’ll bid Six Clubs.
100% penalty with no options by partner. Drew doesn’t bother with such boring things as
Teramoto: Redouble. This shows a good hand with Blackwood:
good defence usually. We may now double and Cannell: Six Clubs. “It’s only rock and roll, but I

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 Intermediate
like it” (Jagger/Richards) Hearts? Probably should suggest this type of val-
“And it’s all over now baby Blue” (Bob Dylan) ues and black-suit shape. If I bid Two Spades and
Last word(s) again to the players at the table: then support clubs it seems as if I will have over-
Sime: Pass. Triple ugh, although I cannot complain stated things.
about this one appearing here as I suggested it as Marc and David both think the void is a liability:
a problem, albeit with an ace less to cater for the Smith: 2NT. And raise the likely Three Clubs to
pre-empting style (four out of six tables passed the Four Clubs invitationally. Do we really want to
East hand). If West redoubles, that should go Pass- commit to an 11 trick game with this? If our fourth
Pass-Three Diamonds. Now what? Double would diamond was a low heart, we surely wouldn’t con-
have worked well, but for all we know they are in sider forcing to game, but that hand might well be
a nine-card fit (Pass would have been fine as well better (allowing partner to lead once towards the
provided you now you are in a forcing situation – as honours in his second suit). Isn’t partner allowed
you should be). The winning call was to Pass South’s to have something like ♠x ♥KQJx ♦Axx ♣AKxxx?
Double, which would have enabled us to hit Three Bird: 2NT. And then raise the clubs. With four
Hearts by North (2-4-3-4). That would have been card support for his long suit, I wouldn’t bother
1400 if partner is inspired and leads his trump. seeking the small chance that spades will play bet-
Matheson: Redouble. I smell blood. If it goes Three ter than clubs. Am I worth Three Clubs? The hand
Clubs – Double – Redouble – Three Diamonds may look good at first glance, but I would rather
partner should double with say  ♠xx ♥x ♦10xxx hold a less attractive-looking singleton heart and
♣KJ10xxx. As Reese put it “We can hunt as a pair” three diamonds.
after the redouble. A man who knows:
Which strangely enough was the hand partner held… Green: 2NT. Followed by Four Clubs. I’m sure this
The doubler was 4-3-5-1 and responder 3-4-2-4 deal was played against me, perhaps in the Premier
League? (yep I was kibitzing Tosh-Bakhshi, John and
PROBLEM 6 yourself ) I think inviting is about right, you have a
void but it is in partner’s suit and if you start with
IMPs. Dealer East. E/W Vul Two Spades partner will never believe you hold four
♠ A9 6 4 3 card club support.
♥- Rosen: 2NT. I know this will wrong-side no trumps,
♦ J532 but I intend to play clubs not no trumps anyway. A
♣ 10 6 3 2 bit rich to bid Two Spades here despite the annota-
tion saying ‘not necessarily strong’.
West North East South
This seems fine to me:
– – 1♣ Pass
Matheson: 2NT. You have persuaded me to use
1♠ Pass 2♥ Pass
the invitational route. We can still play in Four
?
E/W methods are that 2♠ is forcing, but not necessar-
Spades if partner has three spades and is suitable.
ily strong, 2NT is the start of all weak hands (raising Four Spades is a suggestion to play over Four Clubs.
3♣ to 4♣ after 2NT would be invitational), anything Whereas these comments I don’t understand!:
else is natural and game forcing. Carruthers: 2NT. If I bid Two Spades, I’ll never be
Bid Marks No. of Votes able to express four card club support, so I’ll raise
2NT 10 9 Three Clubs to four if he bids that. I’d expect him
Three Clubs 9 8 to follow through and bid Three Spades with three-
Two Spades 7 6 card support anyway.
Five Clubs 3 0 Silver: 2NT. With only five HCP and a void in
Four Clubs 2 0 partner’s second suit and “only” four card support
Three Diamonds 0 0 I take the low road, and will invite game by bidding
3NT 0 0 Four Clubs over Three Clubs and Four Spades over
A straight forward evaluation problem – how much Three Spades. (I expect partner of course to show
is this hand worth opposite a reverse with hearts and three card support over 2NT).
clubs? Nine of the panel go for the invitational route, OK they must play this differently in Canada. I
ignoring the fifth spade on the way. thought the whole point of making Two Spades forcing
Brock: 2NT. And then raise Three Clubs to Four but not necessarily strong and 2NT generally weak was
Clubs. Or maybe I can bid Three Spades over Three precisely so that partner did NOT show three card spade

87 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
support without very significant extras. This method was in the shuffle.
invented to solve the problem of hands such as 3-4-1-5 Nevertheless six panelists opt for that:
16 counts when after the sequence One Club, One Spade, Sime: Two Spades. Partner could be inventing, or
Two Hearts, Three Clubs (NF) you felt you had to bid scraping up, a reverse with three spades, so my first
Three Spades in case partner had five of them. Now duty is to rebid Two Spades.
the sequence goes One Club, One Spade, Two Hearts, For Bobby it is entirely a partnership matter – fair
2NT and you bid Three Clubs because partner won’t enough!
have five spades if he is weak. Am I on my own here? Wolff: Two Spades. A partnership priority of what
Zmudzinski: 2NT. And Four Clubs over Three should be determined first, a five card decent major
Clubs. suit, or trump support for partner’s original suit.
The next most popular vote was indeed the game Both have major advantages, but since Two Spades
force of Three Clubs is a cheaper response, I’ll opt for that, hoping to
Bowyer: Three Clubs. I don’t mind making a GF show club support later, but in a quandary to what
Three Club bid on this hand as the fourth trump my partnership prefers.
makes this hand very powerful. No need to bid Teramoto: Two Spades. We will find the 5-3 spade
Two Spades (in fact, I think it a horrible bid). If we fit if we have it. If we don’t, I will bid Five Clubs.
belong in spades partner will bid Three Spades next. Alder: Two Spades. I think this is tough. Three
Cronier: Three Clubs. Game forcing with clubs. Clubs could work out best, or be a disaster, getting
If my partner has three spades, he will bid Three us too high or to the wrong game. This will prob-
Spades over Three Clubs. I don’t want to satisfy ably become a guessing game.
myself with a part score. Apteker: Two Spades. May as well show the extra
That is fair enough – partner will pattern out with spade length and hear further from partner. If Part-
Three Spades over a FG Three Clubs – he WON’T ner then bids 2NT or Three Clubs, I’ll bid a forc-
over 2NT. ing Four Clubs.
Lawrence: Three Clubs. If I understand your note Barry’s view of this hand is in sharp contrast to
says that Three Clubs is forcing, I bid that. Yes, the panel. Alone amongst the panel Barry is not even
Two Spades gets the fifth spade into the bidding going to invite game:
but Three Clubs starts showing something more Rigal: Two Spades. Over Two Spades I will hear
important. Since my bid is forcing, we can still 2NT/Three Clubs and bid Three Clubs/Pass, I
back into spades expect. No reason not to look for spades as a sen-
Greco: Three Clubs. Maybe I should bid Four Clubs sible game.
but I don’t see any reason to gobble up room as I I think the club bidders had the best of the argument
want to get a pattern bid from partner. While it isn’t so I have marked down Two Spades slightly. Partner
a game force on points I hardly can see not forcing had a great hand opposite your cards – ♠x ♥10xxx
it to at least Five Clubs. ♦AKx ♣AKQxx and accepted your club invite (if that
Four Clubs. Isn’t that a slam try? Strewth! Enri is what you chose to do). In the absence of a trump
certainly thinks so: lead partner merrily cross-ruffed his way to 12 tricks,
Leufkens: Three Clubs. Nice hand, but not enough cashing the diamond honours on the way.
for Four Clubs.
Robson: Three Clubs. Would like a club honour to PROBLEM 7
jump to Four Clubs. Great hand though.
Eric K and Drew are the last of a number to point Pairs. Dealer East. None Vul.
that bidding Two Spades is going to make it very dif- ♠ Q62
ficult to get across the fourth club and the shape: ♥ K64
Kokish: Three Clubs. Game forcing, does not deny ♦ AK 9 6 2
Five Spades. Perhaps an overbid, but the alterna- ♣ 10 4
tive – a forcing (one round) Two Spades will often
West North East South
make it difficult to show primary club support and
– – 1♣ 1♥
sharp values (such as they are) for Five Clubs or
2♦* Pass 3♣ Pass
slam. 2NT is not an option for me.
?
Cannell: Three Clubs. This looks like a game-force 2♦ Natural and forcing one round
in clubs to me. This has lots of potential. If I bid
only Two Spades the massive club fit may get lost

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 Intermediate
Bid Marks No. of Votes days with this hand type I’ll just make the bid in
Three Hearts 10 12 front of my face, ie 3NT.
Pass 8 5 Wolff: 3NT. Too unilateral not to try the NT game,
3NT 8 6 with a higher upside than Pass and in all likelihood
Four Clubs 3 0 to take the same number of tricks or almost.  At
Three Diamonds 1 0 least to me, passing is just an attempt to show how
This hand came up in the Manchester Congress pairs right one can be, sacrificing what our game is about.
and this was the sequence at pretty much every table. OK. That brings us to what I thought was possibly
And pretty much universally West ended the auction the main alternative – to guess that game is not on:
with 3NT at this juncture. It was hardly obvious to Smith: Pass. I suppose it depends on your partner-
me that this was such a routine bid, particularly at ship style, but unless I’m playing with Al Roth this
Pairs where there is a premium on plus scores and not is surely an automatic pass. Making it non-vulnera-
on bidding thin games. So I thought I would ask the ble at pairs surely tips off even the most optimistic
panel. My hunch was right in that only six panelists that we might already be high enough.
bid the unilateral 3NT: Well four other panelists of the 23 are with you Marc.
Kokish: 3NT. Probably down like a stone and per- Rigal: Pass. Its only a zero. I think game rates to
haps cold from East’s side when his hearts are the be less than 50%, but maybe I’m unduly pessi-
perfect Qx, but as 3NT will often be roughly on lit- mistic and have seen enough Acol openings to be
tle more than a club finesse and break, we’ll go with pessimistic.
the field here, usually a good idea. Passing Three Robson: Pass. Don’t like the only one heart stop-
Clubs is not impossible if it’s NF (East would have per and no fitting club honour.
to cue-bid or bid a new suit to force) but negative Bird: Pass. Yes, yes, I could bid Three Hearts and
thinking like that ought to be reserved for special find partner with Qx in the suit. What about the
(aka more desperate) situations. 90% of the time when he does not have that magic
Carruthers: 3NT. I’m not really expected to do holding? Suppose South passed and the bidding
anything else, am I? I have an opening bid, a heart started One Club – One Diamond – Two Clubs. I
stop, a partial fit with him and the added bonus would only be worth 2NT then. After South’s One
of almost a spade stop. If Three Clubs is our last Heart overcall my hand has deteriorated in value.
makeable contract, too bad – I’m not stopping on Green: Pass. My choices are between pass and Three
that dime (or farthing). Hearts (shooting 3NT from my side is a long way
Mike comes up with some thoughts to get us out off in my view). I’ve been wrong before but we are
of this: non vul and partner hasn’t shown a big hand, plus
Lawrence: 3NT. One alternative was to bid 2NT scores do tend to do better at Pairs. I’m tempted to
over One Heart. That would have made it easier bid Three Hearts because if partner is not sure about
to stop in a partscore. A second alternative was to 3NT then he can always respond Three Spades as
bid Three Hearts over One Heart telling partner a stall (he has denied this suit already) and we can
to bid 3NT. still get to 3NT.
An increasing common toy is to use a double jump The majority of the panel (just!) go for Three Hearts
of a 1M overcall as a command to bid 3NT, whether and many make that point.
or not partner has a stop. So you can easily get 3NT Alder: Three Hearts. I hope partner can bid Three
played either way depending on the nature of your No-trumps with, say, queen-doubleton or queen-
stopper. to-three hearts, or to continue with Three Spades if
Apteker: 3NT. I could bid Three Hearts looking happy with Three No-trumps when I have a stopper.
to right-side the hand but partner may not coop- But if partner is a light opening bidder, perhaps I
erate with Three Spades if he does not have the should pass at pairs.
heart stopper. Bowyer: Three Hearts. Hoping 3NT plays better
And why would he not? He has denied four spades from his hand (♥Q x). If partner has no heart hold-
after all. This is a point many of the Three Heart bid- ing then 3NT is unlikely to prosper as we proba-
ders make below. bly do not have nine tricks. If partner has running
Silver: 3NT. As far as I am concerned at this form clubs he might invent a Three Spade bid just so I
of scoring a Pass is acceptable, and depending on can then try 3NT...
how our game is going it is certainly an inaction I Brock: Three Hearts. I want partner to declare
would entertain. However I must admit on most (probably) if he has Qx in hearts. He either needs

89 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
help in hearts or solid clubs. He can always bid PROBLEM 8
Three Spades and let me bid 3NT.
Cannell: Three Hearts. An inquiry to find a heart Pairss. Dealer North. None Vul
stopper in partner’s hand. If partner obfuscates with
Three Spades I will try 3NT showing some doubt. ♠ 85
If all partner can do is bid Four Clubs – I am done. ♥A
Cronier: Three Hearts. I feel that’s a little short to ♦ A Q J 10 9 8 7 6
bid 3NT with only one heart stopper and no club ♣ AJ
complement. I would be happy if North can bid West North East South
3NT himself. If he bids Three Spades, I’ll bid 3NT – 1♥ Pass 1♠
now. Maybe he will understand what is going on. ?
Greco: Three Hearts.  This one is close. Pass might Bid Marks No. of Votes
be the winner of course but is too conservative for Two Diamonds 10 9
me. I bid Three Hearts instead of 3NT because part- Five Diamonds 9 7
ner can easily punt with Three Spades and some of Double 8 6
the time I strike gold when partner has Qx (and 3NT 6 1
gambles 3NT) or Qxx. Pass 5 0
Get the drift yet? More comments like that to come: 1NT 4 0
Leufkens: Three Hearts. Obviously partner has Qx Three Hearts 2 0
of hearts. Otherwise he can bid Three Spades for Three Diamonds 1 0
me to bid 3NT. Four Diamonds 1 0
Teramoto: Three Hearts. Three Hearts asks for a No one can deny that we have a good hand and if we
stopper in hearts to play 3NT. It will better from make less than nine tricks with diamonds as trumps
his side if he has something in hearts. If he doesn’t there be a stewards’ enquiry. What to do about it? I
have hearts, he will bid Three Spades in most cases don’t need to tell you that the modern vogue is for very
and then I will bid 3NT. heavy overcalls in the direct or the sandwich position
Zmudzinski: Three Hearts. I know it asks but we and indeed that is what gets the 10 marks here with
can have 3NT only from partner’s hand. Over Three nine votes. The vanguard is led by the man who was
Spades of course 3NT. a banker to bid two Diamonds:
Matheson: Three Hearts. Aiming for 3NT. A good Kokish: Two Diamonds. This will not threaten the
partner will have say ♠A10x ♥Qx ♦xx ♣AQJ9xx current land-speed record for most powerful simple
Rosen: Three Hearts. Important for right-siding overcall. I am comfortable with this and expect lots
reasons to do this. No problem if partner does not of company on this enlightened panel, even from
have a heart stopper as they have an easy waiting some non-Canadians.
Three Spades bid – having already denied a natural Well let us start with the Canadian contingent then:
spade suit – so we can then bid 3NT. Carruthers: Two Diamonds. No higher diamond
Sime: Three Hearts. I had better have another look bid is appropriate and Double turns my stomach.
at 3NT, as half of the field figures to be there. Maybe I am afraid that is it for Canadians Eric. Joey
we can right-side it opposite Qx(x). and Drew both go the other way. However plenty of
Well this hand rather amuses me. Partner will company:
indeed bid 3NT over Three Hearts so mission accom- Rigal: Two Diamonds. No reason to go overboard.
plished. Except that you have WRONG sided 3NT, I’ll learn more this way. Maybe will find another
not right sided it . Partner held ♠Ax ♥Jxxx ♦J
 call at my next turn, if I’m feeling wildly optimistic.
♣AKJ987 and the overcaller ♠J10xx ♥AQ108x ♦Qx Ho ho!
♣Qx. In 3NT from your side North will lead his sin- Zmudzinski: Two Diamonds. Nowadays with all
gleton ♥9 for want of anything better to do and that the support doubles etc. it is impossible I’ll buy the
gives a difficult Pairs problem as to whether to allow contract with this.
this to run or not. However 3NT from partner’s side This of course is the reason that you can bid like
the overcaller will surely lead the ♠J and unless you this! Either opener has to double to show something or
fancy dropping the ♣Q down you will go… responder has to double with shortage in case opener
has a penalty pass.
Wolff: Two Diamonds. Of course, four or five dia-
monds is at alternate choice, but both are guesses,

90 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
as is only Two Diamonds, but at least by doing so of lead through partner. And they might bid four
you will attempt to be more scientifically inclined of a major after which I have to bid my hand again.
to get both partner’s and the opponents’ opinions Sure, Two Diamonds can work better, but I don’t
before deciding yourself.  If it goes all Pass I will want to help the oppo with lots of space.
not be terribly disappointed but of course 3NT Smith: Five Diamonds. Even with three aces, are
might be cold. we looking forward to defending four of a major?
Rosen: Two Diamonds. I initially put Five Dia- With nine tricks in my hand, I’m willing to gam-
monds (only real alternative) but decided it may ble that the penalty won’t be extortionate so let’s
not be a game hand for either side. give North an uncomfortable guess with his spade
Robson: Two Diamonds. Or Five Diamonds. Very fit and diamond shortage.
mood dependent.  Brock: Five Diamonds. Eight-card suits need to
Matheson: Two Diamonds. I have a very strong be bid up, and it really is too good for Four Dia-
hand, but I hate off shape doubles. Both Two Hearts monds non-vulnerable.
and Two Spades are natural for me.  Even if Three Alder: Five Diamonds. With no great conviction,
Hearts or Three Spades was understood to ask part- but nothing else exactly jumps off the cards.
ner with a spade guard to bid 3NT there is still the Six panels go for the very off shape double hoping
small matter of the diamond king. I have too much to express extra power and yet keep the auction low,
defence to consider bidding Five Diamonds. knowing that they can convert any number of clubs
Bird: Two Diamonds. It is unlikely that this will to the same number of diamonds:
be passed out and I will be able to make a strong Cronier: Double. Just too strong for a Two Dia-
noise subsequently (not one of pain, I am hoping). mond overcall, isn’t it? I am want to see what will
It is unattractive to bid Five Diamonds immediately happen before I take a definitive action.
when I have good defensive cards. This might eas- Eric is just about the only panelist to comment spe-
ily go one or two down when they have no game cifically on the scoring method:
contract available. Greco: Double. I see no great reason to leap to Five
David and John are not enamoured of Five Dia- Diamonds when the opponents might be bidding
monds, yet that was the next most popular with seven up to only two of a major. I would be more apt to
votes: bid Five Diamonds at IMPs when if it is a high level
Bowyer: Five Diamonds. Who knows? I don’t so hand more IMPs are at stake but turning a +130
let’s see if they do. to -50 at matchpoints is just too likely.
This Eric is what two thirds of your countrymen did: Green: Double. No number of diamonds seems
Silver: Five Diamonds. Since I know in my ♥ of ♥s right. I’m too strong for Two Diamonds, Three Dia-
I am always going to bid to the five level, I might as monds and Four Diamonds and Five Diamonds is
well put it to the villians immediately, and let them a total shot in the dark so I’ll try and slow the auc-
guess before they have had a chance to exchange tion down with a Double and correct any club bids
any more information. to diamonds. The problem would be a bit more
Cannell: Five Diamonds. The usual “maximum tricky if I held clubs and not diamonds as then I
pressure” shot. Only “The Shadow” knows... can’t correct.
For those not in the know: Apteker: Double. Over any bid by the opponents
“The Shadow is a collection of serialized dramas, or partner, I will bid some number of diamonds to
originally in 1930s pulp novels, and then in a wide show strength. An immediate Five Diamonds feels
variety of media. Details of the title character have var- too much with this much strength although it may
ied across various media, but he is generally depicted as work out tactically.
a crime-fighting vigilante with psychic powers posing as Lawrence: Double. I intend to bid Five Diamonds
a “wealthy, young man about town”. The introduction unless something happens along the way. If East
from The Shadow radio program “Who knows what bids no-trump, I will bid 3NT.
evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” Teramoto: Double. Double then bid shows a good
spoken by actor Frank Readick Jr., has earned a place hand. We may have 3NT on so I don’t want to bid
in the American idiom. At the end of each episode The Five Diamonds immediately.
Shadow reminded listeners that, “The weed of crime Completely on his own is Iain:
bears bitter fruit. Crime does not pay... The Shadow Sime: 3NT. I shouldn’t expect ten marks for this
knows!”” (Wikipedia) (good – because you haven’t got them!), but plus 430
Leufkens: Five Diamonds. 3NT feels bad because could be nine and a half cherries (10 lemons this

91 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
time). Even minus 250 might not be so bad, as then sorely tempted to award it to his countryman Drew
Five Diamonds probably costs 300. If you think that Cannell for his pop culture references. Thanks as ever
they will bid five major with only one ace between to all the panelists for freely giving of their time.
them, dream on.
This time the low road was very, very right. Partner
held ♠Jxx ♥KJx ♦x ♣10xxxxx. The opponents limits
were Two Hearts or One Spade(!) and with no entry
to dummy you are held to your nine certain tricks in
diamonds. Opener on her 4-6-1-2 11 count will surely
bid up to Three Spades but as Iain says, bidding Five
Spades over Five Diamonds – nah! No panelist (apart
perhaps from Iain) went for anything tactical on this
hand but since everything is a guess there is scope for
lots of options. Why not Pass for example? No one will
know what you have then 
It was a generally very low scoring month which sug-
gests either that the problems were good or I am getting
grumpier in the marking. Particular kudos therefore
to Neil Rosen who scored the rarely achieved perfect
80, leaving the panel trailing in his dust. Second was
Adam Zmudzinski on a commendable 78 – enough
to win in many months – and third Eric Kokish on
75. Comment of the month goes to Eric for his fine Neil Rosen
detailed analyses throughout the problems, but I was

SET 292 – THE PANEL’S BIDS & MARKS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Total
Neil Rosen England Double 5♥ Double 5♠ Redble 2NT 3♥ 2♦ 80
Adam Zmudzinski Poland Double Pass Double 5♠ Redble 2NT 3♥ 2♦ 78
Eric Kokish Canada Double Pass Double 5♠ Redble 3♣ 3NT 2♦ 75
David Bird England 7♣ 5♥ Double 5♠ Pass 2NT Pass 2♦ 74
Paul Bowyer England Double 5♥ 2♦ Pass Redble 3♣ 3♥ 5♦ 74
Philippe Cronier France 7♣ 5♥ Double 5♠ Redble 5♣ 3♥ Double 74
Eric Greco USA Double Pass Double 5♠ Pass 3♣ 3♥ Double 74
John Matheson Scotland Double 5♥ 1NT Double Redble 2NT 3♥ 2♦ 74
Phillip Alder USA Double 5NT Double Pass Redble 2♠ 3♥ 5♦ 73
Marc Smith England 7♣ 5♥ Double 5♠ Pass 2NT Pass 5♦ 73
Sally Brock England Double 6♦ 2♦ Double Redble 2NT 3♥ 5♦ 72
John Carruthers Canada Double 5NT 1NT Double Redble 2NT 3NT 2♦ 71
Ben Green England 7♦ 5♥ Double Double Redble 2NT Pass Double 71
Andrew Robson England 7♣ 5NT Double Pass Pass 3♣ Pass 2♦ 70
Joey Silver Canada 7♣ 5NT Double Pass Pass 2NT 3NT 5♦ 70
Iain Sime Scotland Double 5♥ Double Pass Pass 2♠ 3♥ 3NT 70
Tadashi Teramoto Japan 7♦ Double Double 5♠ Redble 2♠ 3♥ Double 70
Alon Apteker Double
South Africa 6♥ 2♦ 5♠ Redble 2♠ 3NT Double 68
Drew Cannell Canada 7♦ 5♥ Double Double 6♣ 3♣ 3♥ 5♦ 68
Barry Rigal USA 6NT 5NT 1NT 5♠ Redble 2♠ Pass 2♦ 68
Bobby Wolff USA Double 5♠ 1NT 5♠ Redble 2♠ 3NT 2♦ 68
Mike Lawrence USA 7♣ 5NT Double 5♠ 4♦ 3♣ 3NT Double 67
Enri Leufkens Netherlands 7♣ 5NT 1NT 5♠ 4NT 3♣ 3♥ 5♦ 66

92 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

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93 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine



Bidding Competition – Set 293

Open to all – Free Entry

PROBLEM 1 Basic System

IMPs. Dealer North. E/W Vul. Natural, 4-card majors with a major bid before a minor (clubs before
♠ AK83 West North East South diamonds and hearts before spades), limit raises in uncontested
♥ KJ9 — 1♣* Pass 3♣* auctions, weak no-trump, weak 2, 2 and 2 (5–9, 6-card suit) with
♦ Q3 ? a 2NT relay asking for a high-card feature.
♣ KJ62 No-trump bidding: After 1NT 12–14, 2 = Stayman, 2/2 =
1♣ Could be 3 (N/S are playing five-card majors, better transfers, 2 = a raise to 2NT or a balanced slam try, 2NT = minor-
minor, strong NT) suit sign-off or slam try with both minors (continue with major-suit
3♣ Pre-emptive shortage).
1NT rebid = 15–17 with a 2 enquiry encompassing all forcing
PROBLEM 2 sequences. Jump 2NT rebid = 18–19. Non-jump 2NT rebid = game-
forcing. 3NT rebid = running suit.
IMPs. Dealer East. None Vul. After 2NT, 20-22, 3 = Stayman, 3/3 = transfers, 3 = slam try
♠ AQ943 West North East South with both minors.
♥ AJ42 — — Pass Pass Initial response: Jump shifts are either single-suited or two-suited
♦ 86 1♠ 2♥ Dble Pass with opener’s suit.
♣ AK ? Baron 2NT (16+) after 1/1. 2NT after 1/1 = game-forcing with
4+ card support (simple continuations natural, jumps splinters).
PROBLEM 3 Continuations: Reverses are forcing for one round after a 1-level
IMPs. Dealer North. N/S Vul. response (preference to the first suit and 2NT are the only non-forcing
♠ AQ6 West North East South continuations, rebid of responder’s suit is 1-round force, game-forcing
♥ — — 2♥* Pass 3♣ otherwise). All high reverses are game-forcing. Change of suit forcing
♦ Q95 ? for one round after a 2-level response. Jumps when a bid of the
♣ AKQJ873 suit one level lower is forcing are splinters, as are 4-level responses
in a lower-ranking suit to 1/1. 4th suit = game-forcing. When
2♥ Natural and weak
responder’s suit is raised a return to opener’s suit is forcing.
3♣ Natural and forcing one round
Slam bidding: Roman Keycard Blackwood. Gerber (only immediately
after 1NT and 2NT). Cue-bids are generally first-round ahead of
PROBLEM 4 second.
IMPs. Dealer West. N/S Vul. Competition: Responsive and competitive Doubles through 3,
♠ K 10 7 3 West North East South negative Doubles through 3 – after that Doubles are value showing,
♥ 10 9 8 6 4 3 2 ? not penalties.
♦ K Cue-bids in competitive auctions show value raises in partner’s suit
♣ K whilst raises are pre-emptive. Fit-jumps after opponents overcall or
takeout Double. Double jumps are splinter.
PROBLEM 5 Lebensohl applies after interference over our 1NT (through
IMPs. Dealer North. None Vul. 2NT shows a stopper).
♠ K J 10 9 6 3 — 3♣ Pass Pass Overcalls: In response to an overcall: UCB = 3 trumps, jumps = fit
♥ AQJ ? jumps, jump cue = 4-card raise, change of suit = constructive, non-
♦ J7 forcing.
♣ AK Weak jump overcalls, intermediate in 4th. Michaels cue-bids.
Defences: Against all pre-empts, takeout Doubles.
PROBLEM 6 Over their 1NT, 2 = majors, 2NT = minors or game-forcing 2-suiter.
Over a strong 1, natural, Double = majors, 1NT = minors, Pass then
IMPs. Dealer East. E/W Vul. bid is strong.
♠ 73 West North East South Send stamped addressed envelope to Chess & Bridge Ltd for WBF style
♥ A K 10 7 2 — — 1♣* 3♥ Convention Card
♦ A5 ?
♣ 8743 How to enter
1♣ BM standard so always at least 4 clubs and usually five.
Only four clubs if 3-3-3-4 or (3-2)-4-4 and 15-19 HCP Send your chosen bid in each of the eight sequences opposite,
preferably by email, to John Carruthers at: marksandcomments@
PROBLEM 7 sympatico.ca. Alternatively, you can enter by post, to: John Carruthers,
1322 Patricia Blvd., Kingsville ON N9Y 2R4, Canada. Entries must be
IMPs. Dealer North. None Vul. received by the 30th June. Include your name, address and telephone
♠ AJ93 West North East South number. Please quote the month, competition and value of your prize
♥ J6 — Pass 1♥ 1♠ when ordering Master Point Press books.
♦ A Q 10 6 Dble 3♠ 4♣ Pass
♣ KJ9
PRIZES
?

PROBLEM 8
IMPs. Dealer East. E/W Vul.
1st £50 Master Point Press books
♠ AQ9842 West North East South 2nd £25 Master Point Press books
♥ Q6 — — 1NT* Pass
3rd £15 Master Point Press books
♦ K 2♥* Pass 2♠* Pass
♣ AK87 3♣* Pass 3NT Pass 4th £10 Master Point Press books
?
1NT 12-14 Grand Prix
2♥ Transfer
In addition there is an annual Grand Prix with Master Point Press
2♠ Denies four spades prizes of £100, £50 and £35. Only scores of 50 and over will count
3♣ Natural and FG and the maximum score is 400. Each contestant’s Grand Prix total is
their five best scores over the year (January–December).

94 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine


WEST Bid these hands with those on the following
Hands for the page with your favourite partner; then turn to
June 2015 Partnership Profile Partnership Bidding inside to see how your score
compares to that of the experts
Hand 1. Dealer West. N/S Vul. Hand 5. Dealer West. All Vul.
♠ AKQ85 ♠ K 10 8 7 4
♥ A9 ♥ K
♦ 98654 ♦ KJ93
♣ K ♣ 762
South overcalls 5♣ South overcalls 2♣
Hand 2. Dealer North. E/W Vul. Hand 6. Dealer East. None Vul.
♠ 6 ♠ Q54
♥ AQ953 ♥ AK97653
♦ AK5 ♦ A3
♣ A654 ♣ Q
North opens 2♦ Multi (weak 2M/19-21 5M/18+ 4441/445m0) If East opens 1♠ South overcalls 3♦ (weak)
If East doubles South bids 2♥ and North bids 2♠ which South
raises to 4♠ Hand 7. Dealer South. N/S Vul.
♠ AQ
Hand 3. Dealer East. All Vul. ♥ AQJ4
♠ 3 ♦ AK96
♥ AKQ ♣ A93
♦ J85 Hand 8. Dealer East. None Vul.
♣ KQ986
South opens 1NT (12-14). If West doubles North bids 2♠. ♠ AK63
♥ AJ
Hand 4. Dealer South. N/S Vul. ♦ J54
♠ AQ2 ♣ 10 9 8
♥ 852
♦ Q98
♣ K Q 10 2

BIDDING COMPETITION Why not enter a bridge hand or bidding problem of your
own for use in BRIDGE Magazine?
SET 293
♠
(for the June Competition) ♥
♦
My answers are (the Adjudicator) ♣
1. ♠ ♠
♥ ♥
2. ♦ ♦
3.
♣ ♣
♠
4. ♥
♦
5. ♣
6.
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
7.

8.

Total marks:
Email to marksandcomments@sympatico.ca
or post to: Bidding Competition (292),
John Carruthers, 1322 Patricia Blvd.
Kingsville ON N9Y 2R4, Canada
Name: ___________________________ (please print)
Address:
Telephone: ___________________________________

Entries must be received by

30th June 2015.

95 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine


EAST Bid these hands with those on the previous
Hands for the page with your favourite partner; then turn to
June 2015 Partnership Profile Partnership Bidding inside to see how your score
compares to that of the experts

Hand 1. Dealer West. N/S Vul. Hand 5. Dealer West. All Vul.
♠ J 10 9 ♠ AJ6
♥ K7652 ♥ AQ8752
♦ KJ732 ♦ A2
♣ — ♣ A8
South overcalls 5♣ South overcalls 2♣
Hand 2. Dealer North. E/W Vul. Hand 6. Dealer East. None Vul.
♠ A 10 ♠ A 10 9 8 7
♥ K86 ♥ Q4
♦ Q J 10 9 4 ♦ J4
♣ Q73 ♣ A864
North opens 2♦ Multi (weak 2M/19-21 5M/18+ 4441/445m0) If East opens 1♠ South overcalls 3♦ (weak)
If East doubles South bids 2♥ and North bids 2♠ which South
raises to 4♠ Hand 7. Dealer South. N/S Vul.
♠ K J 10 9 8 2
Hand 3. Dealer East. All Vul. ♥ 63
♠ A982 ♦ 7
♥ 6 ♣ K865
♦ 9763 Hand 8. Dealer East. None Vul.
♣ A 10 7 5
South opens 1NT (12-14). If West doubles North bids 2♠. ♠ 8
♥ Q64
Hand 4. Dealer South. N/S Vul. ♦ K2
♠ K3 ♣ AKQ7432
♥ Q
♦ K J 10 7 6 5 2
♣ A98

BIDDING COMPETITION
Set 291 Top Scores Other Good Scores: 1 Graham Johnson 300
70 Kresten Kristensen, Stanko Kruzic 2 Mike Perkins 297
Prize winners should quote the month,
competition and value of their prize when 69 Graham Johnson, Bill Linton, Norman 3 Stuart Nelson 296
placing an order for Master Point Press Massey 4 Norman Massey 295
books. Prize winners can refer to the list of 68 David Barnes, Bob Brown, Bill Gordon, 5 Peter Hawkes 289
MPP titles on the inside back cover of the 6 Olga Shadyro 286
Simon Hill, Tugrul Kaban, Pyers
current issue of Bridge Magazine. 7 Buill Gordon 285
Pennant, Mike Perkins, Frank Turton,
Well done Michael Kaye scoring 76 on 8 Chris Bickerdike 284
a relatively low-scoring set. Michael wins Andre van der Werff
67 Harald Bletz, Peter Hawkes, Neil 9= Harald Bletz 283
₤50 worth of Master Point Press books
from Chess and Bridge. Next on 73 is Macdonald 9= Derek Markham 283
Nigel Guthrie (₤25 worth), followed 66 Axel Johannsson 11= Malcolm Copley 282
by Andy Poole on 72 (₤15 worth) and 65 Tony Burt, Andrew King, Mike Ralph, 11= Meic Goodyear 282
Stuart Nelson on 71 (₤10 worth). 11= Axel Johannsson 282
Alan Sant
Grand Prix Standings 11= Kresten Kristensen 282
This month’s Grand Prix after Set 290 15= Phil Callow 281
Standing have not been com- Here are the standings after the first four 15= Alan Sant 281
months in the Grand Prix. Remember that 15= Ray Stubbs 281
municated, so the list to the
only your top five scores of the year count 18= Tony Poole 280
right is still for set 290. Apolo- at the end, so with eight more entries to go 18= Frank Turton 280
gies for gremlins in the scoring time there is lots of time to move up! 20 Mike Ralph 279
works. If your own records do not agree with these
standings, please email so we can check.

96 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

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97 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

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98 June 2015 BRIDGE Magazine