

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.

AVAILABLE FROM CHESS & BRIDGE

2 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine


The Book Factor
In 2007 the American Contract Bridge League

BRIDGE
MAGAZINE
undertook a survey in an effort to determine
the best bridge books of all time. These were
the top ten (in descending order) as rated by
expert players:
The Expert Game by Terence Reese
Why You Lose at Bridge by S. J. Simon
Adventures in Card Play by Géza Ottlik and Hugh Kelsey
Killing Defence at Bridge by Hugh Kelsey
Bridge in the Menagerie by Victor Mollo
Right Through the Pack by Robert Darvas and Norman de V.
Hart
Watson on the Play of the Hand at Contract Bridge by Louis H.
44 BAKER STREET Watson
LONDON W1U 7RT Card Play Technique or the Art of Being Lucky by Victor Mollo
Tel: 020-7486 8222 and Nico Gardener
Fax: 020-7486 3355
email: info@bridgeshop.com
Bridge With the Blue Team by Pietro Forquet
http://www.bridgeshop.com Reese on Play: An Introduction to Good Play by Terence Reese
Editor: Four of these books also appeared in the list as rated by non-experts
Mark Horton
Assistant Editors: (again in descending order):
Sandra Landy
Neil Rosen Watson on the Play of the Hand at Contract Bridge by Louis H.
Christina Lund Madsen Watson
Advertising: Points Schmoints! Bergen’s Winning Bridge Secrets by Marty Bergen
Matthew Read How to Read Your Opponents Cards by Mike Lawrence
Photographer: Why You Lose at Bridge by S. J. Simon
Ron Tacchi
Proofreaders: Killing Defence at Bridge by Hugh Kelsey
Danny Roth 25 Bridge Conventions You Should Know by Barbara Seagram
Monica Kummel and Marc Smith
Typesetter: Card Play Technique or the Art of Being Lucky by Victor Mollo
Ron Tacchi
BRIDGE Magazine is published
and Nico Gardener
monthly. Adventures in Card Play by Géza Ottlik and Hugh Kelsey
Online Subscriptions: Standard Bridge Bidding for the 21st Century by Max Hardy
1 year: £19.95
Individual Issue: The Secrets of Winning Bridge by Jeff Rubens
£2.00
Distributors
CHESS & BRIDGE LTD.
Many outstanding books have been published in the intervening
44 Baker Street
London W1U 7RT U.K.
period - can any of them find a way into these charts?
Views expressed in this publication are not
necessarily those of the Editor. Editorial Send your list of the top ten books (in either category) to me at:
contributions will be published at the
Editor’s discretion and may be shortened
markhorton007@hotmail.com
if space is limited.
No parts of this publication may be
reproduced without the prior express
The results will be published later this year.
permission of the publishers. All rights
reserved. 2015
Olympic Dream
The World Bridge Federation has been invited by the organisers
of the 2020 Olympics Games in Tokyo to submit an application
for bridge to be included in the Games.

3 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine


Bridge was one of 33 sports specifically approached by the organising committee. After a two-part
application process the Tokyo committee will then make a recommendation to the International
Olympic Committee for its consideration.
Whilst the likelihood of bridge ultimately being chosen may be small, it is noteworthy that bridge
should be included in this list of ‘sports’, and that it meets the criteria for consideration of the
Olympic organising committee.
The other 32 eligible to apply are baseball, bowling, underwater sports, chess, climbing and moun-
taineering, motorcycling, waterski and wakeboarding, air sports, American football, floorball, polo,
flying disc, motor racing, basque pelota, karate, korfball, netball, lifesaving, dance sport, boules,
tug of war, orienteering, powerboating, roller sports, sport climbing, squash, surfing, sumo, cricket,
racquetball, snooker, softball and wushu.
I am not a betting man, but the smart money should surely be on sumo being one of the chosen
sports.

All change on the Brighton Line

The EBU Board has decided that the Summer Meeting in 2016 and beyond will belocated in
Eastbourne, using the same venue as the popular Summer Seniors’ Congress.
This decision is based on a number of factors, and takes in to account the feedback received
from members in the survey that was undertaken by the EBU last year. The move to Eastbourne
addresses a number of concerns expressed during the survey – in particular the cost and availabil-
ity of accommodation and parking in Brighton – whilst maintaining the ‘holiday resort’ location
which was appealing to the majority of the respondents. The new venue will also lead to a reduction
in the cost of holding the event, and this will be passed on through a reduction in the entry fees.
(Our correspondent says Eastbourne is better for parking and hotels/B&B accommodation. There are
perhaps fewer restaurants close to the venue.) The EBU hopes that the move to Eastbourne will be
a great success, and the event will be well supported, but that does not mean they are not deter-
mined to make the 2015 Summer Meeting the best it can be.
Those entering the full congress in Brighton in 2015 will receive a £50 discount on their entry for
the full congress in Eastbourne in 2016 (juniors entering at half price will receive a £25 reduc-
tion). The EBU hopes this is a further incentive to play in 2015 and 2016, and make them both
great events to end one era, and start the next.

Sporting Chance
Sports minister, Tracey Crouch MP, has spoken on the benefits of playing bridge.
When asked by fellow MP Bob Blackman for an update regarding the status of bridge, and other
mind sports, as sports, she replied:
‘I recognise that many of these games are enjoyed by many people and that the mental agility
required in this activity can help with conditions and bring many health and wellbeing benefits’.
She added that approaches for funding support can be made to the departments of education or
health.

4 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine


Fortune or Glory
As the reigning European Champions, Israel will be one of the favourites to lift the Bermuda Bowl in
Chennai later this year. However, their star pair, Lotan Fisher & Ron Schwartz have withdrawn from the
team and will be replaced by Ehud Friedlander & Inon Liran, the pairs world champions from Sanya.
In a lengthy interview with Jan van Cleeff (http://newinbridge.com/news/2015/may/fisher-schwartz-
not-bermuda-bowl) Fisher revealed that the reasons are financial - they have to make a living out of
bridge and they have a lucrative contract with Vitas Vainikonis a sponsor from Lithuania, to play in
a number of events, including the Transnational World Championships in Chennai. Fisher pointed
out they are not the only players to face this dilemma in recent years, citing Brink-Drijver from The
Netherlands, Buras-Narkiewicz from Poland and the players from the Lavazza squad.
Fisher also commented on the rumours surrounding his partnership, pointing out that it is the
price of being successful.
Birthday Honours
Christina Lund Madsen has received a birthday honours award from the Prince Consort of
Denmark. The award, which is in the form of a scholarship, is presented to young personalities
who have supported the development of life quality in society and raised Denmark’s recognition
culturally, commercially or within science.
In presenting the award HRH mentioned her bridge results and her efforts to communicate
and broaden bridge interest in Denmark and also
FOTO: JESPER SUNESEN / BILLED BLADET

her resolve to become a world champion and her

wish to work with and for bridge.
He mentioned how she started by attending a
junior camp in Poland in 2001 in an attack of intel-
lectual boredom ever since spending many long
nights at the bridge table. The Prince looked at her
over his glasses and said ‘Only playing bridge…?’
The other recipients this year were a young art
historian who has already written several books, a
young scientist and a young male actor who has
received several acting prizes, including a silver
bear in Berlin.

In This Issue
I 6 Problem Corner — Ron Tacchi & Patrick Jourdain. GI 91 The Rainbow Bridge Club — Alex Adamson &
I 7 Spring into Action — The editor on the 2015 Harry Smith
Spring Fours I 95 Test Your Defence — Julian Pottage
GI 24 Bumblepuppy Days. — Richard Fleet reviews I 98 Great Hands from the Past — Richard Fleet
Julian Laderman’s book I 102 The Abbot’s Brilliant Switch — David Bird
I 25 Solution to Non-Prize Problem I 107 Solution to Test Your Defence
GI 27 A Letter from Sharm El Sheikh — Our Layout I 108 Partnership Profile — Mark Horton
Editor reports on the African Bridge Federation
Championships GI 115 MVP — Katie Thorpe reports on the 2015
Canadian Seniors Championship
GI 87 This Month’s Video Page 
I 122 Marks & Comments — Alan Mould

5 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Ron Tacchi and Solution to prize problem 304
Patrick Jourdain’s Caramel Cake
♠ A9 3 ♠ 62
Problem ♥ A5 2
♦ AK W
N
E ♦ 6
♥ K J 10 9 7 6 3

Corner ♣ KQ732 S ♣ 10 9 8
North shows a two-suited minor hand and as East you
sponsored by come to rest in 6♥. South leads a spade. Trumps are
2-1, how do you rate your chances?
THE ORION PUBLISHING GROUP
100% – Do you need me to explain further?
Master Bridge Series South is obviously void in clubs else he would have led
one. Not surprising as you have been told North has a
minor two-suiter. You will always make your contract
Non-Prize Problem See Page 25 if North is 5-5 in the minors or his shape is 2245.
How should South play Four Spades? There was no Win the opening lead with the ace and draw trumps in
opposition bidding. West leads a heart. two rounds. Cash the ace and king of diamonds discard-
ing a spade and then ruff a spade. For the denouement
♠ AJ3 lead a club towards the king. If North wins this he is
♥ 5 thrown in to give you a ruff and discard or to lead away
♦ KJ4 from his jack of clubs. Thus North ducks and you adopt
♣ A 10 9 8 6 5 Plan B and lead your last spade from dummy and dis-
card a club from hand. South is now in the pickle that
♠ 10 8 7 4 2 North avoided. He can only lead a pointed suit giving
♥ A63 you a ruff and discard and thus bringing home your
♦ A532 contract.
♣ 2
Why ‘Caramel Cake’? – Well caramel cake is men-
tioned in the article about the African Bridge Federation
Championships in this magazine and the hand was one
that actually happened in Sharm El Sheikh. If you had
read all the bulletins from that tournament you would
Email your answers to BMProb@vaupillon.com or send already be cognisant of the answer.
on a postcard to The Editor, Bridge Magazine, 44 Baker
Street, London, W1U 7RT. Entries must be received before
30th June. The first correct solution out of the hat will
receive £15 of BRIDGE Magazine book vouchers.

Congratulations Look for Patrick Jourdain’s Problem Corner,

available from Chess & Bridge.
Prize Problem 303.
It appears that no-one agreed with my analysis of
the problem. I have asked our illustrious editor to Prize Problem 305
verify my solution; if he should find in favour of the I Looked over Jordan
entrants rather than the setter then I shall revisit the ♠ 652 ♠ A Q J 10
selection of the winner. N
♥ Q65 ♥ K3
It would please me greatly if more subscribers entered ♦ A K J 10 2 W E ♦ 754
the Prize Problem, your chances of winning the book ♣ Q2 S ♣ A8 7 5
prize is quite high. A reminder that the email address North opens a weak no-trump and as West you blun-
to which you should now send your solutions is der into 6NT. North leads a MUD six of diamonds
BMProb@vaupillon.com. to South’s queen. How will you play and what if
any distribution do you need to fulfil this ambitious
contract?

6 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Springing into Action
The Editor reports on the 2015 Spring Fours.

You can gauge the quality of the field for the 2015 Spring Fours by looking at the top ten seeds:
Allfrey Alexander Allfrey, Andrew Robson, David Bakhshi, David Gold, Tony Forrester,
Zia Mahmood
Hinden Frances Hinden, Jeffrey Allerton, Jon Cooke, Graham Osborne
Green Ben Green, Gunnar Hallberg, John Holland, John Matheson, Alan Mould
de Botton Janet de Botton, Thomas Charlsen, Thor Erik Hoftaniska, Artur Malinowski,
Nick Sanqvist, Tom Townsend
Gillis Simon Gillis, Boye Brogeland, Espen Lindqvist, Erik Sælensminde
Penfold Sandra Penfold, Brian Senior, Nevena Senior, Kalin Karaivanov, Rumen Trendafilov
Rosen Neil Rosen, Simon Cope, Peter Crouch, Martin Jones
Vitas Vitas Vainikonis, Lotan Fisher, Ron Schwartz, Dror Padon, Waseem Naqvi,
Wojtek Olanski
Kent Alistair Kent, Rossen Gunev, Andrew McIntosh, Ivan Nanev, Stefan Skorchev
Black Andrew Black, Dennis Bilde, Morten Bilde, Phil King, Derek Patterson, Willie
Whittaker
and then appreciating that many of the teams below them contained numerous World, European
and National champions.
The seeding worked pretty well, with all
the top ten surviving the opening two rounds.
Green lost a life in Round 3, as did Gillis,
Rosen & Kent. Vitas and Black lost in Round
4, de Botton and Penfold in Round 5, while
in the once-defeated pool Black & Rosen
lost for a second time and were eliminated.
In Round 6 Hinden won the match between
the two undefeated teams against Allfrey 52-48.
Meanwhile Gillis, Kent & Green bowed out.
With Hinden getting a break, Penfold &
de Botton left at the quarter-final stage.
In the semi-finals Allfrey went down to
Vitas, 55-47.
Meanwhile Hinden was engaged in a
titanic struggle with Mossop (David Mos-
sop, Jason & Justin Hackett, Alex Hydes,
David Price, Colin Simpson). Hinden trailed
11-13 after 8 boards, then 35-46 and 65-71.
After 7 of the last eight boards the score had
advanced to 69-78. Colin Simpson

7 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Dealer North. E/W Vul.
♠ 76
♥6
♦ QJ865432
♣ A4
♠ AK Q J 3 2 N ♠ 954
♥ J 10 4 ♥ AK 9 7 2
♦K W E ♦ A 10 9 7
♣ 873 S ♣2
♠ 10 8
♥ Q853
♦—
♣ K Q J 10 9 6 5
Open Room
West North East South
Simpson Osborne Price Hinden
– 4♦ Pass Pass
4♠ Pass 4NT* Pass
5♠* Pass 6♠ All Pass
4NT RKCB
5♠ 2 keys plus the ♠Q
North led the ace of clubs and when South followed with the five he switched to the two of dia-
monds. South’s ruff was the setting trick.
Closed Room
West North East South
Cooke Justin Allerton Jason
– 5♦ Pass Pass
Double All Pass

Justin Hackett went for the most aggressive action and when West chanced his arm with a dou-
ble he hit the jackpot.
East led the king of hearts and switched to the two of clubs, declarer winning in hand and
playing the jack of diamonds. West won and returned the eight of clubs, East ruffing and return-
ing the five of spades. West cashed a couple of tricks in the suit and then played his last club, five
down, -1100 and 15 match-winning IMPs to Hinden.
(As the undefeated team they would have been entitled to extra boards had they been behind
at the end.)
You can replay all the deals from the semi -final:
Hands 1-8: http://tinyurl.com/p8gp27b
Hands 9-16: http://tinyurl.com/nugugoj
Hands 17-24: http://tinyurl.com/ncfsjn6
Hands 25-32: http://tinyurl.com/nfoobxt

8 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
The final proved to be a low-scoring affair.
Dealer North. All Vul.
♠9
♥ J853
♦ J4
♣ KJ9852
♠ AQ 5 4 3 N ♠ K 10 8 7 6
♥ AK 7 6 ♥ Q42
♦ K5 W E ♦ Q 10 3
♣ 10 7 S ♣ 43
♠ J2
♥ 10 9
♦ A98762
♣ AQ6
Open Room
West North East South
Olanski Cooke Vainikonis Allerton
– 3♣ Pass 5♣
Double Pass 5♠ All Pass

The purists would be shocked by North’s choice of opening bid, but this type of action tends to
be a consistent points winner.
For my money East should have passed the double. His cards were all defensive in nature and
there was nothing to suggest that his side could make eleven tricks. If they could it was likely they
would do well in defence.
South started with the ace and queen of clubs and North overtook it and switched to the jack
of diamonds, South taking the ace for one down.
Closed Room
West North East South
Osborne Schwartz Hinden Fisher
– Pass Pass 3♦
Double Pass 3♠ All Pass

Ten easy tricks meant Hinden led 6-0.

Jeffrey Allerton

9 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Dealer South. E/W Vul.
♠ AQ864
♥ K53
♦6
♣ Q876
♠ J53 N ♠ 10 7 2
♥ Q 10 9 6 ♥A
♦ 10 9 8 W E ♦ Q J 743
♣ 942 S ♣ A J 10 3
♠ K9
♥ J8742
♦ AK52
♣ K5
Open Room
West North East South
Olanski Cooke Vainikonis Allerton
– – – 1♥
Pass 1♠ Pass 2♦
Pass 3♥ Pass 3♠
Pass 4♠ All Pass

South explained 3♥ as forcing with three-card support. North considered it to be invitational.

As a general rule bidding 3♠ in this situation would promise a much stronger hand with three-
card support, so North might have considered cue-bidding 4♦.
East led the two of spades and declarer won with dummy’s king and played a heart to the king
and ace. East switched to the queen of diamonds and declarer won with dummy’s ace, drew trumps
and played a heart. When East discarded the game was up and declarer finished two down.
Closed Room
West North East South
Osborne Schwartz Hinden Fisher
– – – 1♥
Pass 1♠ Double 1NT
Pass 2♣* Pass 2♦*
Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥
All Pass
2♣ Checkback
2♦ Minimum, denies 3♠
West led the ten of diamonds and declarer won with the ace, played a spade to the queen and the
six of clubs. When East put in the ten declarer won with the king, cashed the king of diamonds
pitching a club, unblocked the king of spades, ruffed a diamond, cashed the ace of spades pitch-
ing a club, ruffed a club and played a diamond. When West discarded a club (ruffing does not
help) declarer ruffed and with the first nine tricks in the bag he could simly exit with the king of
hearts and was assured of one more trump trick, +420 and 11 IMPs.
As you will have realised the key moment was at trick three – East needs to go in with the ace
of clubs.

10 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Dealer West. All Vul.
♠ A Q 10 6 5
♥ K2
♦ A J 10 7 5
♣3
♠ 93 N ♠ K42
♥ Q J 10 8 ♥ 9543
♦ 862 W E ♦ K9
♣ J842 S ♣ AQ 6 5
♠ J87
♥ A76
♦ Q43
♣ K 10 9 7
Open Room
West North East South
Olanski Cooke Vainikonis Allerton
Pass 1♠ Pass 2♠*
Pass 4♠ All Pass
2♠ 7-10 three-card support
East led the five of hearts and declarer won with the king and played the ace of spades, followed
by the ten. When East withheld the king declarer played a club and when the king was allowed
to score he had an overtrick, +650.
Closed Room
West North East South
Osborne Schwartz Hinden Fisher
Pass 1♠ Pass 2♠
Pass 2NT Pass 3♣
Pass 3♠ Pass 3NT
All Pass

I cannot enlighten you as to the precise meaning of North’s 2NT, other than to say it was some
type of game try. I can understand why South bid 3NT with his flat hand, but North’s failure to
convert it to 4♠ is surprising.
East led the five of hearts and declarer won with the king and played the ace of spades and a
spade, winning with dummy’s jack when East ducked. The queen of diamonds lost to East’s king
and the heart return left declarer with only eight tricks, -100 and 13 IMPs to Hinden, who led
24-12 at the end of the first set.
You can replay deals 1-8 at: http://tinyurl.com/ovxch37

11 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Dealer West. N/S Vul.
♠ Q954
♥ 10 8 7 3
♦ KQ3
♣ K5
♠3 N ♠ AK J 8 6 2
♥ AQ J 5 4 2 ♥K
♦ 10 5 2 W E ♦ AJ 7 6 4
♣ Q97 S ♣2
♠ 10 7
♥ 96
♦ 98
♣ A J 10 8 6 4 3
Open Room
West North East South
Padon Cooke Naqvi Allerton
2♦* Pass 2♠ Pass
3♣* Pass 4♦* Pass
4♥ All Pass
2♦ Mult
2♠ is usually pass or correct.i
3♣ Maximum weak two in hearts
4♦ 5♠-5♦ game-forcing
North led the five of spades (two rounds of clubs is testing, but declarer can still get home – one
way is by pitching a spade or diamond on the second club) and declarer won with dummy’s ace,
ruffed a spade, played a heart to the king and a third spade, overruffed South’s nine of hearts and
continued with three more hearts, putting North on lead with the ♥10.
When the defenders could only score two club tricks there were enough winners in dummy to
get declarer up to ten and +420.
Closed Room
West North East South
Osborne Schwartz Hinden Fisher
2♥ Pass 2♠ All Pass

South led the nine of diamonds and declarer took North’s

queen with the ace, overtook the king of hearts with dum-
my’s ace, pitched a club on a heart and played a spade to
the jack, finishing with 11 tricks but losing 6 IMPs.

Lotan Fisher

12 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Dealer North. All Vul.
♠J
♥ KQ4
♦ AK9
♣ KQJ874
♠ 85 N ♠ AK 9 7 6
♥ J653 ♥ A 10 7
♦ J7 W E ♦ 632
♣ A9 5 3 2 S ♣ 10 6
♠ Q 10 4 3 2
♥ 982
♦ Q 10 8 5 4
♣—
Open Room
West North East South
Padon Cooke Naqvi Allerton
– 1♣ Pass 1♠
Pass 3NT All Pass

When East mysteriously declined to overcall 1♠ South was able to bid the suit and North jumped
to 3NT to show a strong club suit.
East led the ace of spades and when West followed with the eight he catastrophically switched
to the ace of hearts and a heart. Declarer could win and force out the ace of clubs for +600.
If East switches to the seven of hearts then West will return a heart when in with the ace of
clubs and the defenders will score two hearts, two spades and a club.
Closed Room
West North East South
Osborne Schwartz Hinden Fisher
– 1♣ 1♠ Pass
Pass Double Pass 2♦
Pass 3♣ All Pass

East led the king of spades and switched to the ten of clubs. When declarer pitched a spade West
followed with the two and declarer won with the jack and continued with the king of clubs. West
ducked that, won the next club and with East discarding the nine of spades, switched to the six
of hearts.
(When dummy has a worthless holding in the suit you are attacking many players lead fourth-
best with a high honour, otherwise leading second highest.)
East took declarer’s queen with the ace and had only to return a heart to ensure the demise of
the contract. When she tried to cash the ace of spades declarer could ruff and play a club. West
won and played a heart, but declarer could win, daw the last trump and claim,+110 but 10 IMPs
to Hinden.

13 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Dealer East. None Vul.
♠ KQ4
♥ KQ95
♦ Q52
♣ K 10 2
♠ A 10 9 8 7 6 N ♠ 52
♥ J3 ♥ 842
♦K W E ♦ AJ 9 6 4 3
♣ QJ96 S ♣ 83
♠ J3
♥ A 10 7 6
♦ 10 8 7
♣ A754
Open Room
West North East South
Padon Cooke Naqvi Allerton
– – Pass Pass
2♦* 2NT Pass 3NT
All Pass

Facing a passed partner West opted for a tactical multi rather than 1♠. When North overcalled
South did not bother to look for a heart fit.
East led the six of diamonds and when West produced the king declarer must have feared the
worst. When West switched to the six of spades the situation was clear and declarer won with
dummy’s jack and played a heart to the queen and a heart back to dummy’s ace. When the jack
appeared it was clear that West was 6-2-1-4 so declarer played a club, no doubt intending to put
in the ten.
However, West went in with the queen and declarer won and only now played off the last two
hearts. On the first of these West parted with a spade. On the second he fatally threw another
spade. Now declarer could play a spade and when West won and returned a spade declarer could
win and return the ten of clubs to endplay West.
If West throws a club, declarer will be forced to try a low club from dummy, but West wins
with the jack, cashes the ace of spades and then exits with his last club to endplay whichever hand
declarer chooses to win in.
I’m surprised West got this wrong, as by this stage it is pretty clear who has what.
You may have spotted that declarer mistimed the play.
Cashing two more hearts before playing a club forces West to pitch two spades. Then a club to
the queen and king is followed by the king of spades. If West wins and exits with a spade declarer
wins and plays the ten of clubs. West can win and cash a spade, but must then lead into dummy’s
club tenace.

14 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Closed Room
West North East South
Osborne Schwartz Hinden Fisher
– – 2♦ Pass
Pass 2NT Pass 3♣*
Pass 3♦* Pass 3♠*
Double 4♥ All Pass
3♣ Puppet Stayman
3♦ No five-card major, at least one four-card major
3♠ Hearts
East led the five of spades and West took the ace and returned the seven (perhaps the ten, suggest-
ing a useful card in diamonds would be better). Declarer won with the king, drew trumps ending
in hand, cashed the queen of spades pitching a diamond and exited with the five of diamonds.
East, who had already been confronted with a number of defensive problems, got this one
wrong by going in with the jack. West was forced to win with the king and tried exiting with a
spade. Declarer pitched a club, ruffed in dummy, played the ten of diamonds and claimed.
+420 was good for an IMP – declarer must have hoped for more.
Hinden won the set 11-7 to lead 35-19.
You can replay deals 9-16 at: http://tinyurl.com/nhmxd3g
On the opening deal of the penultimate set North held ♠64 ♥A74 ♦Q8762 ♣KQ6 at Love All and
Osborne opened 1♦ and rebid 1NT over his partner’s 1♠. When East led a club dummy tabled
♠Q1085 ♥Q2 ♦KJ9 ♣J985. Everything was friendly and declarer emerged with nine tricks, +150.
They threw it in the other room, so Hinden added 4 IMPs.
Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ J52
♥ J97
♦ A87
♣ K862
♠ KQ98643 N ♠—
♥ 85 ♥ K642
♦ Q92 W E ♦ K 10 6 5 4
♣5 S ♣ QJ94
♠ A 10 7
♥ A Q 10 3
♦ J3
♣ A 10 7 3
Open Room
West North East South
Olanski Osborne Vainikonis Hinden
– – 1♦ Double
2♠* All Pass

When East opened West’s 2♠ promised the equivalent of a weak two in spades.
That left North to choose between a conservative Pass, a Double or 3♣. He opted for the low

15 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
road by passing. Declarer lost two spades, two hearts, a diamond, a diamond ruff and a club to
finish two down, -100.
Closed Room
West North East South
Cooke Schwartz Allerton Fisher
– – Pass 1NT
2♠ Double* Pass 3♥
Pass 3♠* Pass 3NT
All Pass
Double Take out
3♠ Asking for a stopper
West led the queen of spades and declarer won with the ace as East pitched the four of diamonds.
A club to the king was followed by the nine of hearts. When that held declarer continued with
the jack and took all his heart tricks before playing the ten of spades. West won and switched to
the two of diamonds and when declarer ducked in dummy East won with the queen and tried
the queen of clubs. Declarer could duck that and subsequently take the club finesse for an over-
trick. +630 gave Vitas 11 IMPs.
Dealer North. N/S Vul.
♠ Q4
♥ A85
♦ AJ974
♣ J84
♠8 N ♠ A K J 10 7
♥ J 10 ♥ Q942
♦ K 10 5 W E ♦ 83
♣ KQ109532 S ♣ A7
♠ 96532
♥ K763
♦ Q62
♣6
Open Room
West North East South
Olanski Osborne Vainikonis Hinden
– 1♦ 1♠ Pass
Pass Double Pass 2♥
3♣ All Pass

North led the four of clubs and declarer won in hand, cashed dummy’s top spades pitching a heart
and then took the ace of clubs followed by the jack of spades, North ruffing as declarer got rid of
his second heart. Nine tricks were in the bag, +110.

16 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Closed Room
West North East South
Cooke Schwartz Allerton Fisher
– 1♦ 1♠ Pass
2♣ Pass 2♥ Pass
3♣ Pass 3♦* Double
3NT All Pass

North led the four of diamonds and declarer took South’s queen with the king and played a club
to the ace. He ended up with 12 tricks, +490 and 9 well-deserved IMPs.
Dealer East. E/W Vul.
♠ Q54
♥ 10 8 3 2
♦ AK
♣ K852
♠ A J 10 9 3 N ♠8
♥ K94 ♥ AQ 7 6
♦ Q763 W E ♦ 9854
♣A S ♣ 10 9 7 6
♠ K762
♥ J5
♦ J 10 2
♣ QJ43
Open Room
West North East South
Olanski Osborne Vainikonis Hinden
– – Pass Pass
1♠ All Pass

North led the ace of diamonds and continued with the king before switching to the eight of
hearts. Declarer put up dummy’s ace and ran the eight of spades to North’s queen. He took the
heart return in hand and played ace of spades, ten of spades, pitching a diamond and a club from
dummy. South won and tried the jack of diamonds but declarer won and claimed the rest, +140.
Beer card aficionados will observe that declarer’s last winner was the seven of diamonds.
Closed Room
West North East South
Cooke Schwartz Allerton Fisher
– – Pass Pass
1♠ Double Pass 1NT
All Pass

A diamond lead would have put the defenders one step ahead, but naturally West led the jack of
spades and declarer won with the king and played the three of clubs. When West’s ace appeared
the defenders had no way to prevent declarer taking seven tricks, +90 and 6 IMPs.

17 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Dealer West. None Vul.
♠ J32
♥ 842
♦ KQ964
♣ KQ
♠ Q964 N ♠ 10
♥ KQ96 ♥A
♦2 W E ♦ AJ 8 5 3
♣ J543 S ♣ A 10 8 7 6 2
♠ AK875
♥ J 10 7 5 3
♦ 10 7
♣9
Open Room
West North East South
Olanski Osborne Vainikonis Hinden
Pass 1♦ 2♣ Double*
3♣ Pass 5♣ Double
All Pass

South led the king of spades and switched to her trump. Declarer won with the ace, unblocked
the ace of hearts, cashed the ace of diamonds, ruffed a diamond, pitched a couple of diamonds
on the top hearts and claimed, +550.
Closed Room
West North East South
Cooke Schwartz Allerton Fisher
Pass Pass 1♣* 1♠
Double* 2♥* 2NT* 3♠
All Pass
1♣ Could be a doubleton, might have five diamonds
2♥ Spade raise
2NT Good/bad 2NT, weaker than bidding three of a suit
If West had bid 4♣ East might have gone on to game, but West was still not sure that his partner
had real clubs. Perhaps he might have doubled 3♠?
The defenders collected a diamond, a club, three hearts, a diamond ruff and a trump, which
adds up to three down, -150, but 9 IMPs to Vitas which meant the match was tied at 47 across
going into the final set.
Remember, Hinden was unbeaten, so even if they lost they could claim the extra boards.
You can replay deals 17-24 at: http://tinyurl.com/qj7jcbw
After a flat part-score N/S held ♠KQ8 ♥AJ763 ♦A10 ♣Q73 opposite ♠A7 ♥K9 ♦KQ4 ♣A109542.
Both pairs reached 6♣ and with the ♣K singleton onside they took all the tricks.
Both teams reached a so-so 3NT that went two down and then Vitas took the lead when Aller-
ton opened 1♣ on ♠K86 ♥A62 ♦Q62 ♣Q942 and his partner responded 1NT with ♠1093 ♥K83
♦743 ♣K1086 which ended the auction.
North led the queen of hearts from ♠J742 ♥QJ94 ♦AJ10 ♣J3 and when declarer failed to
locate the jack of clubs he finished four down, -200, while N/S made 1NT +1 at the other table.

18 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Dealer North. All Vul.
♠ A K Q J 10 3
♥ QJ
♦ J95
♣ A8
♠— N ♠ 9542
♥ K98752 ♥ A 10 6 4 3
♦ A Q 10 W E ♦ 76
♣ KJ74 S ♣ Q2
♠ 874
♥—
♦ K8432
♣ 10 9 6 5 3
Open Room
West North East South
Olanski Osborne Padon Hinden
– 1♠ Pass 1NT
2♥ 3♠ 4♥ 4♠
5♥ Pass Pass 5♠
All Pass

East led the ace of hearts and declarer ruffed in dummy, played a club to the ace and a club. East
won and switched to the seven of diamonds and West won and rather than cash the ace of dia-
monds tried for a trump promotion by playing a third club. Declarer ruffed with the ten of spades,
ruffed a heart and could draw trumps and give up a diamond for ten tricks, -100.
Could E/W have found a route to 6♥?
I doubt it, but West could have bid 4NT over 4♠, suggesting values in both minors along with
a hand that expected to make 5♥ (whereas a direct 5♥ might be construed as sacrificial). Might
East, envisaging a spade void in partner’s hand, have drawn the right inference?
Closed Room
West North East South
Cooke Schwartz Allerton Fisher
– 1♠ Pass 1NT*
2♥ 3NT 4♥ 4♠
5♥ Pass Pass 5♠
Double All Pass
1NT Semi-forcing
East led the ace of hearts and declarer ruffed, played a spade to the ten (West pitching the two of
hearts) ruffed a heart, played a club to the ace, drew trumps and played one more spade. At this
point, West, down to ♥8 ♦AQ10 ♣KJ had only to discard his heart or the ten of diamonds to be
sure of +500, but he opted for the jack of clubs. Declarer could exit with a club and although West
could exit with a heart declarer could ruff and endplay West with a diamond, escaping for -200.
That gave Hinden 3 IMPs and the lead by one.

19 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Dealer East. None Vul.
♠ AK95
♥ A9642
♦ 43
♣ 98
♠ J84 N ♠ 10 7 3
♥ Q 10 7 5 ♥ KJ
♦ J8 W E ♦ K Q 10 2
♣ K765 S ♣ A4 3 2
♠ Q62
♥ 83
♦ A9765
♣ Q J 10
Open Room
West North East South
Olanski Osborne Padon Hinden
– – 1♦ Pass
1♥ 1♠ Pass 2♠
All Pass

Taking a leaf from Mike Lawrence’s book North overcalled on his four-card suit.
East led the king of diamonds and declarer won with dummy’s ace and played the ten of clubs.
East won with the ace, and realising his partner must have either the jack of diamonds or a sin-
gleton, exited with the two of diamonds.
West won with the jack, cashed the king of clubs and continued with a third club to dummy’s
queen. Declarer pitched a heart, played a heart to the ace and exited with a heart. When East
played the ten of diamonds West ruffed with the jack of spades and declarer overruffed and played
a heart. East ruffed in with the seven of spades but declarer overuffed with dummy’s queen and
played a diamond.
If West ruffed declarer would overruff, cash the ace of spades and play a heart, so he tried dis-
carding a club. Declarer ruffed and played a heart. East could ruff in front of dummy but that
left declarer with two master trumps, +110.
The third club was a mistake. If West exits with a trump declarer will run it to dummy’s queen
and duck a heart. He ruffs East’s diamond return and plays ace of hearts and a heart, but East ruffs
in front of dummy and plays a fourth diamond enabling West to discard his last heart, ensuring
one more trick for the defence.
Closed Room
West North East South
Cooke Schwartz Allerton Fisher
– – 1♦ Pass
1♥ Pass 1NT All Pass

South elected to lead the two of spades and North won with the king and returned the five. South
won with the queen and belatedly switched to the queen of clubs. Declarer won with the ace,
played a diamond to the jack and a diamond to the queen and ace.
South exited with his remaining spade and North took two tricks in the suit (declarer throwing

20 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
a club from each hand) and then returned the nine of clubs.
At this point the play record ceases and declarer is credited with making 1NT. No doubt he
won the club in dummy, played a heart to the king, cashed two diamonds and exited with a heart,
forcing North to surrender the last trick to dummy, +90 and 5 IMPs to Hinden.
However, North could have thwarted this plan by going up with the ace of hearts on the first
round of the suit and then returning a heart. Either North scores a heart trick or South’s jack of
clubs is resurrected.
To avoid this declarer should win the first round of clubs with dummy’s king.
To complete the picture, leading the queen of clubs at trick one would have made life very easy
for the defenders.
The penultimate deal was a normal 3NT that was defeated by bad breaks.
Dealer West. E/W Vul.
♠ K83
♥ AK75
♦ 10 7 4
♣ A65
♠ 10 9 7 6 5 N ♠2
♥ Q96 ♥ J 10 3 2
♦3 W E ♦ KJ65
♣ Q J 10 8 S ♣ K 9 73
♠ AQJ4
♥ 84
♦ AQ982
♣ 42
Open Room
West North East South
Olanski Osborne Padon Hinden
Pass 1♣ Pass 1♠*
Pass 1NT Pass 2♣*
Pass 2♦ Pass 2♠
Pass 3♥ Pass 3♠
Pass 4♦ Pass 4♠*
Pass 5♣* Pass 5♦
All Pass

Victor Silverstone offered this explanation for the bidding:

1♠ Transfer to diamonds
2♣ Relay, forcing 2♦
2♠ Natural
3♥ Natural
4♠ Cue-bid
5♣ Cue-bid
East led the two of hearts and declarer won with the king and ran the seven of diamonds. When
it held it was easy to pick up the suit and claim +420.
The situation was clear – Vitas needed to bid a slam to take the match into overtime.

21 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Closed Room
West North East South
Cooke Schwartz Allerton Fisher
Pass 1♣ Pass 1♠
Pass 1NT Pass 3NT
All Pass

N/S were playing Walsh, but that convention (which bypasses diamonds when responder is too
weak to force to game over 1♣) would not normally be applied here.
Here too East led a heart and declarer won and ran the seven of diamonds – +490 and 2 IMPs.
In a match where both sides had missed a number of opportunities Hinden had prevailed 55-51.
The Spring Fours is rightly regarded as a tough event to win. To do it and remain undefeated
is a fine achievement – to do so playing four-handed is exceptional.
You can replay deals 25-32 at: http://tinyurl.com/ow8wnkj

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22 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine



EBU SUMMER MEETING

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23 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
BUMBLEPUPPY DAYS by Julian Laderman
Reviewed by Richard Fleet

T his is a bridge book with a difference. There are only three hands included (and one of
these appears twice) and none of them are bridge hands. In spite of the lack of hands, or
maybe because of it, this is the most interesting book that I have read in a long time.
Julian Laderman is an American professor of mathematics who is a keen bridge player and
writer. His book details the evolution of bridge from whist, and even before, through the earliest
form of “bridge whist”, which became popular at the end of the nineteenth century, to the game
that we know today.
The book is written in a self-deprecating, ironic style which I would have thought more charac-
teristic of a British author than an American (Eddie Kantar is a laudable exception to the general
rule). The author has gone to considerable trouble to research his sources and has made a com-
prehensive on-line bibliography available.
I had previously been unaware of all the antecedents to bridge. Laderman notes that all the key
features that differentiated bridge (in its earliest form) from whist were known in other games of
the whist family. The most important of these features were: the ability to play in no-trumps; a
form of bidding; and the display of a dummy hand (until the late 1870s, generally spelt dumby).
The key difference was that bridge incorporated all of these features, as well as the ability to increase
the stakes for which the game was played by doubling and redoubling – in the original form of
bridge whist, there was no limit.
I thoroughly recommend this book to all readers, not merely to those sad few who, like your
reviewer, are interested in the history of the game. The standard of the research and quality of
the writing are both extremely high. However, there is one surprising omission: there is no men-
tion at all of the major development that occurred in organized bridge in 1932 – in this year, the
first official international bridge event was held, the inaugural European Championship. Perhaps
cynically, I suspect that this might be because this was not an American initiative. Although the
book mentions developments in other parts of the world, the history of the game in the twenti-
eth century (the author’s stopping point is 1948) is overwhelmingly that of bridge in the USA.
For the benefit of those readers who have not seen it, this is the famous James Clay Vienna
Coup hand first published in 1864. The original version did not specify the spot cards and the
ones shown below are as specified in George Coffin’s Endplays in Bridge.

♠ AQ
♥2
♦ AQ7643
♣ AKQ3
♠ 987542 N ♠ K6
♥ 84 ♥ 10 9 7 6 5
♦ K9 W E ♦ J 10 8
♣ J 10 9 S ♣ 865
♠ J 10 3
♥ AKQJ3
♦ 52
♣ 742

24 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
Playing whist, the task is to make all 13 tricks with clubs as trumps and North on lead. North plays
three rounds of trumps and, at double-dummy, continues with a fourth round. East is squeezed
in three suits: a spade or diamond discard is immediately fatal so he has to relinquish a heart. The
ace of spades is now cashed (the Vienna Coup) and five rounds of hearts finish East off.
This magazine gets a mention. Laderman notes that the publication of Bridge Magazine was
suspended during World War II and did not resume until January 1949. He mentions the claim
of George F Hervey (who contributed to the first edition of what was then Auction Bridge Mag-
azine in May 1926) that one dummy copy was produced every year during the war in order to
maintain continuity of publication, opining that such copies “probably never existed”.
Hervey made this statement in The Bridge Player’s Bedside Book published in 1964 but this was
not the first time that the claim had been made. Ewart Kempson wrote in his March 1963 Edito-
rial that “Bridge Magazine was suspended during the war on account of the acute paper shortage,
but the continuity was maintained and the name preserved by printing one copy every month”.
I have discussed this with the Editor in the past and his view is that it was very likely a psyche
on Kempson’s part. Whilst this is obviously not impossible, and it seems unlikely that, if such
copies existed, there was no mention of them until 1963, it is an appealing prospect that they
were printed (and maybe someone still has them): is any reader able to shed light on the matter?

Solution to Non-Prize Problem

This deal is from the 1999 China Cup, a precursor in bridge to the current Sport Accord
World Mind Games. It was an invitation event run by the Chinese Bridge Association for
teams representing China, North America, Europe and a World Stars team in Open and
Womens bridge.
Declarer in Four Spades was Geir Helgemo for the World Stars. As you would like to ruff
two hearts it is best to try for the clubs to break or the diamond finesse to work. If so you
should start on the clubs.
Helgemo won the opening lead, played ace of clubs and a club ruff, heart ruff, club ruff. The
clubs proved to be 3-3 so now he ruffed his last heart, cashed the spade ace, and played a win-
ning club discarding a diamond. Later he entered dummy with the ♦K and played another
winning club discarding a second diamond. The defence could make three trump tricks but
that was all. The full layout was:
♠ AJ3
♥5
♦ KJ4
♣ A 10 9 8 6 5
♠ Q5 N ♠ K96
♥ K9872 ♥ Q J 10 4
♦ 986 W E ♦ Q 10 7
♣ K74 S ♣ QJ3
♠ 10 8 7 4 2
♥ A63
♦ A532
♣2

25 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine



26 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
A Letter From Sharm El Sheikh
Our Layout Editor reports on the African Bridge Federation Championships

W here in France is Sharm El Sheikh? I hear you cry. As I explained to my grandson “It is
in Egypt, where the Mummys come from.” Slightly confused young grandson proudly
announced “Papi is going to make Mummy a caramel cake.” Hopefully he is now disa-
bused of that notion and understands that at the beginning of May I took off to Sharm El Sheikh
to produce the bulletins for the Eighth African Bridge Federation Championships. These would
not only decide the champions of Africa in the Open, Women and Seniors categories but two
places in each category were available in Chennai for the Bermuda Bowl, Venice Cup and the
d’Orsi Trophy, so there was lots to play for. Incidentally talking of grandchildren, a certain royal
personage had a granddaughter delivered the same day day as I was delivered of a granddaughter,
surely a favourable omen for her. Well done Niki and Christopher.
This is the start of a few bridge travels for your layout editor. At the beginning of June he is off
to the Middle East again, this time Amman in Jordan for the BFAME Championships. In July he
will be popping up at the Inaugural Dublin Summer Congress followed in August by the Sum-
mer Congress in La Baule (finally somewhere in France), well worth a visit as there is €50,000 in
prizes plus additional cash prizes for overseas players. Then as the year draws to a close, a second
visit to Madeira beckons for their International Festival at the beginning of November.
Sharm El Sheikh is a resort on the South Eastern tip of South Sinai Egyptian peninsular at the
Northern-most point of the Red Sea. Normal highs are round 28-31 Celsius at the beginning of
May. This year, however temperatures are breaching 35 and not falling below 25 overnight, not
quite the same as Vaupillon. I had always assumed it to be flat desert but it is surprisingly moun-
tainous, not that I had much chance to leave the resort. The first match started at 9.45 in the
morning and the final match was scheduled to end at 8.00 in the evening and then the bulletin
has to be finalised and printed. The resort hotel in which I stayed is a few hundred metres from
the Red Sea and has its own pool complex. The various hotels surround ‘Soho Square’ where there
is a giant stage with free entertainment every night and many places for ‘refreshment’ and inter-
national restaurants. My room was all of two minutes walk from the playing area and my desk.
Several teams did not come to Egypt, some said it was the perceived security situation. I personally
felt safer there than most other
parts of the globe and the wel-
come from the Egyptian Bridge
Federation was warm and hos-
pitable; those who did not come
missed out.
I shall concentrate on the
Open event as this was where
there was most competition.
Four teams were contesting for
two places in Chennai: Egypt,
South Africa, Tunisia and a
young team from Botswana.
It was played as a quintuple
Round Robin, three twenty-
board matches each day View from my office - an editor’s life is a hard one

27 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Round Robin 1
Egypt vs South Africa
For the first match both teams are anxious to get a good start and the layout editor is hoping for a
quiet set to ease him into the reporting process. See if you think he had an easy time. We started
immediately with a swing –
Board 1. Dealer North. None Vul.
♠ AK4
♥ A4
♦ 10 9 6 5 2
♣ 752
♠ 10 3 N ♠ Q86
♥ Q985 ♥ 10 7 6 3
♦ AK 7 4 W E ♦ Q83
♣ J 10 3 S ♣ A8 4
♠ J9752
♥ KJ2
♦J
♣ KQ96
With an eleven-count opposite another eleven-count would the protagonists reach the sub 50%
game. The Egyptian North/South showed they had not come to play in part-scores
Open Room
West North East South
Grunder El-Ahmedy Kaprey Fattah
– 1♦ Pass 1♠
Pass 2♠ Pass 4♠
All Pass

On the lead of the ace of diamonds declarer had only to find the club ace onside for his contract.
Closed Room
West North East South
Noshy Fick Ahmed Stephens
– 1♣ Pass 1♥*
Pass 1♠* Pass 2♣
Pass 2♦ Pass 2♠
All Pass

Here South responded to the systemic 1♣ with a transfer to spades. Neither partner deemed
themselves strong enough to try for game and so subsided in a part-score and made the same ten
tricks but lost 6 IMPs.

28 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 2. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ AQ65
♥ 54
♦ K Q 10 9 5
♣ 10 4
♠ 32 N ♠ 10 4
♥ Q 10 6 2 ♥ J9
♦ A7 4 2 W E ♦ J6
♣ Q92 S ♣ AK J 8 7 6 3
♠ KJ987
♥ AK873
♦ 83
♣5
Open Room
West North East South
Grunder El-Ahmedy Kaprey Fattah
– – 3♣ Pass
4♣ All Pass

Here East’s pre-empt with West’s support managed to silence North/South who are cold for a
spade game - another eleven-count opposite an eleven-count. I confess that with the South hand
I would have entered the fray – you are not dealt two five card majors to sit there and say noth-
ing. The defence lost a trick in the play so the contract drifted one off for -50.
Closed Room
West North East South
Noshy Fick Ahmed Stephens
– – 3NT Pass
5♣ Pass Pass Double
Pass 5♠ All Pass

Here East was more aggressive with an opening 3NT and West tried to crowd the opposition. It
had the opposite effect for South now sprung back to life with a double and North elected to try
for game and was rewarded when 5♠ came home without declarer having to break into a sweat.
Board 3. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
♠ Q 10 5 4 2
♥ J42
♦ K 10 7
♣ 83
♠ AK N ♠ 9876
♥ AQ 6 ♥ K7
♦ AQ 9 8 6 W E ♦ J542
♣ A6 2 S ♣ Q J 10
♠ J3
♥ 10 9 8 5 3
♦3
♣ K9754
29 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine
 Intermediate
Egypt gained an overtrick IMP when they made 3NT+3 after North led a club. Neither pair made
any effort towards bidding the excellent slam – this was to become a theme of this set about good
and bad slams and whether they were bid and whether they could, or should, be made.
Board 4. Dealer West. All Vul.
♠ K83
♥ AQJ86
♦ AK92
♣A
♠J N ♠ A 10 6 5 2
♥ 10 2 ♥ 753
♦ Q J 10 8 7 5 W E ♦3
♣ J876 S ♣ 10 9 5 3
♠ Q974
♥ K94
♦ 64
♣ KQ42
Open Room
West North East South
Grunder El-Ahmedy Kaprey Fattah
Pass 1♥ Pass 2♥
Pass 2♠ Pass 3♠
Pass 6♥ All Pass

Looking at the North South cards in isolation you most definitely want to be in 6♥ but the
unkind spade break means that the slam is slated to be defeated, and after East led his ace that
was the result.
Closed Room
West North East South
Noshy Fick Ahmed Stephens
Pass 1♥ Pass 2♥
Pass 2♠ Pass 4♥
Pass 4NT Pass 5♣*
Pass 5♥* All Pass

How or why North/South stayed out of the slam is a mystery to me and my fellow viewers in
the VuGraph, however justice was about to be wreaked when East made the lead of his single-
ton diamond. Declarer made the fatal mistake of not unblocking the clubs and drawing trumps,
a manoeuvre I was taught at my mother’s knee (I was a short child) and when declarer played a
spade the defence started a crossruff and declarer swiftly went from a possible +1 to -2 and a loss
of three IMPs and the need to wipe the egg from his face.

30 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 7. Dealer South. All Vul.
♠2
♥ 10 7 6 3 2
♦ Q53
♣ KQ32
♠ J 10 9 6 5 N ♠ AQ
♥ AJ 4 ♥ KQ9
♦ AJ 9 4 W E ♦ K 10 8 7 6
♣A S ♣ J74
♠ K8743
♥ 85
♦2
♣ 10 9 8 6 5
Open Room
West North East South
Grunder El-Ahmedy Kaprey Fattah
– – – Pass
1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass
3♦ Pass 3♥* Pass
4♣* Double Pass Pass
Redouble* Pass 4♦* Pass
4♠* Pass 5♣* Pass
6♦ All Pass
4♦ Keycard Blackwood
4♠ 0 or 3 keycards
5♣ queen ask
Closed Room
West North East South
Noshy Fick Ahmed Stephens
– – – Pass
1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass
3♦ Pass 3♥ Pass
4♣ Double Pass Pass
Redouble Pass 4NT Pass
5♦ Pass 5♥ Pass
5♠ Pass 6♦ All Pass

Another excellent slam which both pairs were good enough to bid. Unfortunately the cards did not
cooperate. With neither declarer having the gift of second sight the contract failed at both tables.

31 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 9. Dealer North. E/W Vul.
♠ AK86
♥ J 10 3
♦ J75
♣ 10 7 3
♠ J542 N ♠ Q 10 9 7 3
♥ A9 ♥ 864
♦ A8 6 2 W E ♦ Q 10
♣ KJ5 S ♣ 984
♠—
♥ KQ752
♦ K943
♣ AQ62
Open Room
West North East South
Grunder El-Ahmedy Kaprey Fattah
– Pass Pass 1♥
Double 2♦ Pass 4♥
All Pass

West was eager to get his name into the bulletin as he chose the spectacular lead of the jack of
clubs, unfortunately this was not the time for heroics, any card, other than a club would have left
declarer with no resource given accurate defence.
Closed Room
West North East South
Noshy Fick Ahmed Stephens
– Pass Pass 1♥
Double 2♦ Pass 4♥
All Pass

And indeed in the Closed Room. Voila! The Egyptian defender led a small spade and declarer
failed by two tricks, so eleven IMPs to Egypt.
Board 12. Dealer West. N/S Vul.
♠ Q8
♥Q
♦ J5432
♣ AJ654
♠ A9 3 N ♠ 62
♥ A5 2 ♥ K J 10 9 7 6 3
♦ AK W E ♦6
♣ KQ732 S ♣ 10 9 8
♠ K J 10 7 5 4
♥ 84
♦ Q 10 9 8 7
♣—

32 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Open Room ♠ Q8
♥ Q
West North East South ♦ J5432
Grunder El-Ahmedy Kaprey Fattah ♣ AJ654
2NT Pass 3♦* Pass ♠ A9 3 N ♠ 62
3♥ Pass 4♥ All Pass ♥ A5 2 ♥ KJ109763
♦ AK W E ♦ 6
♣ KQ732 S ♣ 10 9 8
Closed Room
♠ K J 10 7 5 4
West North East South ♥ 84
Noshy Fick Ahmed Stephens ♦ Q 10 9 8 7
♣ —
2NT Pass 4♦* Pass
4♥ All Pass

Both teams subsided in 4♥. Again apart from the way that the dealer arranged the club suit, you
would have wanted to be in 6♥, so were both teams lucky in avoiding the slam? Well that depends,
if East is the declarer then the contract can always be made. Let us assume that South kicks off
with a spade then declarer wins in dummy, cashes the ace and king of diamonds discarding a
spade from hand, ruffs a spade and then cashes the ace and king of trumps. Now he leads a club
towards the queen, what is North to do? If he takes the trick he either gives a ruff and discard or
has to lead a club into the tenace, so he ducks but now declarer plucks a second arrow from his
quiver and leads the spade nine discarding a club from hand. It is now South’s turn to be discom-
fited, he has to return a pointed card which declarer ruffs in dummy and parts with the losing
club. A pretty play problem as you will have seen last month.
Board 14. Dealer East. None Vul.
♠ J62
♥ KJ742
♦ J54
♣ 10 8
♠ AK 9 4 N ♠ 10 8 7 3
♥A ♥ Q 10
♦ AQ 3 W E ♦ K 10 9 7
♣ AK 7 5 3 S ♣ Q94
♠ Q5
♥ 98653
♦ 862
♣ J62
Open Room
West North East South
Grunder El-Ahmedy Kaprey Fattah
– – Pass Pass
2♣* Pass 2♦* Pass
2♥* Pass 2♠* Pass
2NT* Pass 3♣* Pass
3♦* Pass 3♥* Pass
3♠ Pass 4♦* Pass
4♥* Double 4♠* Pass
6♠ All Pass

33 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
2♥ was Kokish, 2♠ a forced reply and 2NT showed a ♠ J62
strong balanced hand. Puppet Stayman with 3♣ followed ♥ KJ742
and West showed a four-card major. and East admitted ♦ J54
♣ 10 8
to four spades. After cue-bidding 4♦ East denied a heart ♠ A K 9 4 ♠ 10 8 7 3
control with his 4♠ bid. ♥A
N
♥ Q 10
♦ AQ 3 W E ♦ K 10 9 7
Closed Room ♣ AK 7 5 3 S ♣ Q94
West North East South ♠ Q5
♥ 98653
Noshy Fick Ahmed Stephens ♦ 862
– – Pass Pass ♣ J62
2♣* Pass 2♦* Pass
3♣ Pass 3♦ Pass
3♠ Pass 4♣ Pass
4♦ Pass 4♠ Pass
6♣ All Pass

Both teams bid adequately but as you will no doubt notice there are three grand slams possible,
7♣, 7NT and 7♦, in the first two you trivially squeeze North between his third spade and the king
of hearts. In 7♦ you need to ruff a heart high and then take a finesse against the jack of diamonds
Board 15. Dealer South. N/S Vul.
♠ KJ3
♥ J542
♦—
♣ KQ9654
♠ A2 N ♠ 654
♥ 9873 ♥ Q6
♦ K J 10 5 4 W E ♦ A9 8 6 2
♣ J8 S ♣ A 10 2
♠ Q 10 9 8 7
♥ A K 10
♦ Q73
♣ 73
Open Room
West North East South
Grunder El-Ahmedy Kaprey Fattah
– – – Pass
Pass 1♣ 1♦ 1♠
3♦ All Pass

Having noted the aggressive bidding behaviour of the players I was surprised when South passed
initially and then went quietly over 3♦ after his partner had opened the bidding. Declarer made
his contract for the loss of a spade, two hearts and a club. South must have thought a few IMPs
were going astray when it becomes apparent that North/South are cold for eleven tricks in spades.

34 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Closed Room
West North East South
Noshy Fick Ahmed Stephens
– – – Pass
Pass 3♣ Pass Pass
3♦ Pass Pass 3♠
All Pass

Here North managed to pre-empt his partner out of any chance of finding the game but West’s
intervention allowed South to venture a spade bid which closed the auction. Declarer lost his way
a little but made nine tricks for 140 and six IMPs.
Board 16. Dealer West. E/W Vul.
♠ K764
♥ 754
♦ 64
♣ J754
♠ 10 5 2 N ♠ J98
♥3 ♥ Q 10
♦ J853 W E ♦ Q 10 7 2
♣ AQ 9 6 2 S ♣ K 10 8 3
♠ AQ3
♥ AKJ9862
♦ AK9
♣—
Another grand slam. Would either pair bid it?
Open Room
West North East South
Grunder El-Ahmedy Kaprey Fattah
Pass Pass Pass 2♣*
Pass 2♦* Pass 2♥*
Pass 2♠* Pass 3♥
Pass 4♠* Pass 5♦*
Pass 6♥ All Pass
Mr Kokish made another appearance (he was quite busy today) in the bidding. Surely the 4♠ bid
showed at least three hearts and a spade control, if that is the case then maybe South is worth a
bit more. Would the South Africans fare any better?
Closed Room
West North East South
Noshy Fick Ahmed Stephens
Pass Pass Pass 2♣*
Double Pass Pass 2♥
Pass 4♥ Pass 4♠
Pass 5♥ Pass 6♣*
Pass 6♦* Pass 6♥
All Pass

35 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
After West’s intervention, North never seemed to manage to show his spade control and South
was unwilling to go beyond the six-level. (Did North miss the chance to make one of S. J. Simon’s
Master Bids when he failed to jump to 7♥ over South’s 6♣? Editor.)
Board 18. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ 764
♥ Q9
♦ J 10 8 7 2
♣ J97
♠ KQJ N ♠ A8 5 2
♥ A5 ♥ J 10 4 3 2
♦6 W E ♦ AK
♣ AK Q 6 5 4 3 S ♣ 10 8
♠ 10 9 3
♥ K876
♦ Q9543
♣2
Yet another grand slam. The Great Shuffler had been very busy today
Open Room
West North East South
Grunder El-Ahmedy Kaprey Fattah
– – 1♥ Pass
2♣ Pass 2NT Pass
3♣ Pass 3NT Pass
4♣* Pass 4♠* Pass
5♦* Pass 7♣ Pass
7NT All Pass
4♣ Minorwood
4♠ 2 aces no queen of trumps
5♦ Asking for kings
A controlled auction from the South African pair. 5♦ was king ask as 4NT and 5♣ would be to
play. If East had not denied the trump queen then 5♦ would have been the queen ask.
Closed Room
West North East South
Noshy Fick Ahmed Stephens
– – 1♥ Pass
2♣ Pass 2♥ Pass
3♣ Pass 3NT Pass
4♣ Pass 4♦ Pass
4NT Pass 5♥ Pass
5NT Pass 7♣ Pass
7NT

A basically similar auction to above that used ‘normal’ Blackwood. In both cases the lead was a
club and playing the hand meant winning the first trick and putting your cards on the table.

36 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 19. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
♠ A62
♥ K 10 5
♦ Q 10 7 4
♣ AK6
♠ K 10 7 4 N ♠ QJ853
♥ AQ 9 7 ♥ 862
♦ J63 W E ♦ 52
♣ J3 S ♣ 10 9 4
♠9
♥ J43
♦ AK98
♣ Q8752
Open Room
West North East South
Grunder El-Ahmedy Kaprey Fattah
– – – Pass
Pass 1NT Pass 3♣*
Pass 3♦ Pass 3♠*
Pass 5♦ All Pass

It looks as if 3♣ showed the minors and 3♠ was a shortage.

Closed Room
West North East South
Noshy Fick Ahmed Stephens
– – – Pass
Pass 1NT Pass 3♠*
Pass 5♦ All Pass

3♠ looks like either a shortage or minor-suit Stayman.

The penultimate hand of the set and another slam and again it proved too difficult for the con-
testants. With the hearts so nicely placed almost any play by declarer netted twelve tricks. At this
point the teams were level.
On the last board the South African East/West bid a vulnerable 4♥ with four top tricks against
them in one hand and so were doubled for -200, while at the other table the strong hand attempted
to enter the auction and was two light in a vulnerable part-score and so lost nine IMPs on the
deal allowing Egypt to run out 32-23 winners.
In the other match in the Open, Tunisia and Botswana traded heavy blows with Tunisia win-
ning by 101-53.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/pln4axb

37 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Rounds 2 and 3
In Rounds 2 and 3 there were some interesting hands, we start with Board 2 in Round 2,
Board 2. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠A
♥ J985
♦ AQ865
♣ AK8
♠ KQ832 N ♠ J 10 9 6 4
♥ Q 10 2 ♥ AK 7 6 3
♦ 10 2 W E ♦K
♣ 732 S ♣ 10 6
♠ 75
♥4
♦ J9743
♣ QJ954
As you can see if your name was Leonard Helman you would make a small slam in either minor.
The question on this deal was whether North/South could reach a minor-suit game and if so could
East/West find the sacrifice in spades. In the South Africa – Tunisia encounter, Tunisia sacrificed
in 5♠ and were doubled, three off when North/South found their heart ruff.
In the other room, South led the queen of clubs which held the trick and unaccountably switched
to a trump. North took his ace and cashed the club ace and continued with the king. Here the con-
tract was only 4♠ and fortuitously not doubled as now East claimed the remainder of the tricks, I
cannot see any way that East would actually have taken the remainder of the tricks but that is what
the BBO record states, so that was 14 IMPs out, so the claim was worth 4 IMPs. In the Botswana –
Egypt match, Egypt were doubled in 4♠ and were two light, in the other room North/South only
reached 4♣ so there was no need for East/West to take any action, so Botswana gained 4 IMPs.
Board 12. Dealer West. N/S Vul.
♠ Q73
♥ 984
♦6
♣ KJ8765
♠ KJ N ♠ 10 9 8 5 4
♥ A Q J 10 3 ♥ 762
♦ 10 9 8 4 W E ♦ K32
♣ A4 S ♣ Q2
♠ A62
♥ K5
♦ AQJ75
♣ 10 9 3
This hand illustrates the misery of defence; the Egyptian South became declarer in a club contract.
What is West to lead? He chose the ten of diamonds and had the ignominy of being on lead again
after the second round of trumps and facing the same dilemma. He stuck to his guns with another
diamond lead and declarer finished up with eleven tricks, as is always the case if South is declarer
(West’s best shot is to take the ace of clubs at trick two and exit with a club, hoping declarer finesses.

38 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Editor). At this point in the session Botswana were leading Egypt by 22 – 12. The South African
declarer was unlucky enough to be seated in the North position and his contract of 4♣ was fated
to fail by one trick trick because East was able to lead a heart. West played three rounds, went in
with the ace of clubs and played a fourth heart promoting East’s queen. A difference of two tricks.
Board 14. Dealer East. None Vul.
♠2
♥ Q9864
♦ K 10 7 6 2
♣ J4
♠ 84 N ♠ AK Q 9 7 6
♥ AK J 3 2 ♥ 10
♦3 W E ♦ A9 8 4
♣ 10 9 7 6 5 S ♣ K8
♠ J 10 5 3
♥ 75
♦ QJ5
♣ AQ32
4♠ by East was the contract at all four tables. Careful analysis reveals that it should always fail on
a trump lead and always make on any other lead. In reality it was somewhat different, the non-
trump lead succeeded most of the time. Let’s take the obvious diamond lead, declarer wins and
immediately ruffs a diamond and cashes a high heart honour. He should return to hand by ruffing
a heart rather than cashing another top heart. With this approach he can ruff another diamond and
then attempt to cash the heart honour discarding his fourth diamond. If this is ruffed you do not
care as now all your trumps are good and you have ten tricks two aces, two ruffs and six trumps
in your hand. When all the declarers failed the test by cashing a second heart and attempting to
ruff another round, one was fortunate as when the heart was overruffed the defence continued
correctly with a trump. Declarer cashed all his trumps and exited with a diamond, South having
to play the jack but North blotted his copybook when he failed to overtake and thus South was
forced to lead away from his club ace giving away the contract.
Board 16. Dealer West. E/W Vul.
♠ KJ86
♥ 95
♦ KJ874
♣ A9
♠ A Q 10 3 N ♠ 942
♥ J764 ♥ K 10 8 3 2
♦2 W E ♦ A 10 9
♣ Q 10 7 3 S ♣ 84
♠ 75
♥ AQ
♦ Q653
♣ KJ652
Here North/South must avoid 3NT and play in 5♦. A feat no-one managed to achieve. The edi-
tor of Bridge Magazine, Mark Horton, has a saying ”If partner opens the bidding and you have
an opening hand, do not stop short of game.” In the two cases where North/South discovered

39 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
diamonds to be their best bet they rested at the three-level, in the other two cases South became
declarer in 3NT after North opened 1♦. What to lead? The answer is a heart. Should one select
that? Obviously with all four hands on show one can make a very good case for the heart lead and
I can honestly say it is what I would have led. I would certainly not have tried my singleton dia-
mond as one defender did and I don’t like the spade lead, it is too likely to give something serious
away and if one does have a lot of spade tricks there must surely be another chance to cash them.
That leaves hearts and clubs, and I prefer a heart as South has denied a four-card suit. I leave it
to the reader to decide if I have been influenced by the sight of all four hands or whether on this
occasion I was actually right.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/oshzbee
Round 3
Round 3 was less exciting and most deals were not too instructive, but towards the end one
appeared that demonstrated that there are three types of bridge player – those who can count
and those who can’t.
Board 19. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
♠ AJ3
♥ 9873
♦ 752
♣ J54
♠ K 10 9 2 N ♠ Q85
♥ AK Q 4 ♥ 10 5
♦ 10 W E ♦ KQJ863
♣ Q863 S ♣ K9
♠ 764
♥ J62
♦ A94
♣ A 10 7 2
After West opened with 1♣ and East bid diamonds West became declarer in 3NT. North did not
find the optimum start when he led the ace of spades and continued with the jack, however declarer
came to his rescue. After that lead I can count three spade tricks, three heart tricks, a club trick
and thus I deduce, Watson, that two diamond tricks will suffice. In an attempt to keep entries to
dummy declarer won in hand and proffered the ten of diamonds, and had he performed the sim-
ple arithmetic described above he would have overtaken and continued diamonds from the top.
When the ten held the trick he crossed to dummy with a spade and continued with a high dia-
mond, South hopped up with his ace and put a heart on the green baize. Declarer continued his
fall from grace when he played a high card, when playing low would have given him two chances
to reach dummy. Now his contract hinged on the position of the club ace and justice was served
when it proved to be offside.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/os3kq2n
Round 4
In Round 4 our finessing friend tells us there four slams makeable, would our intrepid contest-
ants match him?

40 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 2. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ A Q J 10 6 3
♥ AKQJ5
♦3
♣5
♠ 982 N ♠ K74
♥ 872 ♥ 10 9 6 3
♦ QJ62 W E ♦ K 10 8 5
♣ J 10 6 S ♣ Q8
♠5
♥4
♦ A974
♣ AK97432
As you can see 6♠ is a simple proposition and two pairs reached that spot. Tunisia for unknown
reasons remained at the five-level and South Africa had a whoopsy and played in 6NT which was
not a success after a diamond lead. I trust you have spotted that 7♥ is lay down; if a trump is led
then you draw trumps and cash the ace and king of clubs and then ruff them good whilst you
still have an entry with the ace of diamonds. If a trump is not led then a ruffing finesse of spades
gets you home, I am surprised nobody bid it.
Board 10. Dealer East. All Vul.
♠ K Q 10
♥ AJ5
♦ J 10 9 7 3
♣ 10 5
♠ 82 N ♠ 753
♥ Q864 ♥ 10 9 7 3
♦ Q842 W E ♦ AK 6
♣ J43 S ♣ Q72
♠ AJ964
♥ K2
♦5
♣ AK986
I have not fully analysed this hand but I believe 6♠ makes if one of the black suits behaves nicely;
again two pairs bid and made it and two pairs rested in game. The Egyptians had a nice simple
auction to get them to the slam.
West North East South
Grunder Noshy Kaprey Baher
– – Pass 1♠
Pass 1NT* Pass 2♣
Pass 4♠ Pass 4NT
Pass 5♠ Pass 6♠
All Pass

1NT was forcing for one round, North showed his maximum and when South discovered he
held two keycards and the trump queen did not hesitate to bid the slam. After two rounds of
diamonds declarer ruffs, crosses to dummy with a trump and then plays three rounds of clubs in
case the suit is 4-2.

41 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 13. Dealer North. All Vul.
♠5
♥ A 10 9 5 4
♦ AJ
♣ A Q 10 3 2
♠ 9843 N ♠ K Q J 10 6
♥ Q3 ♥J
♦ 83 W E ♦ K Q 10 6 4
♣ J9854 S ♣ K7
♠ A72
♥ K8762
♦ 9752
♣6
In the South Africa – Egypt match North opened with 1♥ which East overcalled with 2♥ show-
ing spades and a minor. The auction continued to 6♥, whereupon East led the king of spades.
Declarer won and drew trumps in two rounds. There was great debate in the VuGraph as to the
best line for declarer, with the benefit of seeing all four hands ace and another club gets you home
easily. If you know which minor East has then the correct line is easy to find but as you are miss-
ing seven cards in both minors it is a fifty-fifty proposition as to the minor-suit distribution. So
what is the best play.
The finesse against the club king will win half the time.
Ace and another club wins when East has king doubleton or when West started with king or
jack doubleton.
That adds up to seventeen chances out of forty-two. So statistically the finesse is a much bet-
ter chance. Unlucky this time as declarer played with the odds which cost South Africa a 26 IMP
swing. But maybe not so unlucky as subsequent investigation shows that the 2♥ bid showed spe-
cifically spades and diamonds! Now declarer can play to ruff four clubs in dummy? He still retains
the additional chance that East has the club king.
Board 18. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ K97
♥ J764
♦ KQ92
♣ J3
♠ A Q 10 5 2 N ♠ J863
♥Q ♥ A3
♦ A7 4 W E ♦J
♣ A6 5 2 S ♣ K Q 10 9 8 7
♠4
♥ K 10 9 8 5 2
♦ 10 8 6 5 3
♣4
In Botswana – Tunisia both rooms bid the slam whereas in the South Africa – Egypt match both
pairs failed the test. In all cases East opened the bidding and then supported West’s spade bid. I
think West must make a sizeable effort as not only does he have controls in every suit, also his
trumps are longer and stronger than his initial response promised.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/o5whjo5

42 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Tunisia – South Africa
Round 5
In Round 4 South Africa had lost to Egypt – most of the points going on a slam hand and were
in need of a good result – things did not start well.
Board 2. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ Q 10 8 7 6 5
♥ K 10 7 6
♦ 10 3
♣ 10
♠4 N ♠ KJ93
♥A ♥ 542
♦ J87542 W E ♦ AK
♣ KJ842 S ♣ AQ 7 5
♠ A2
♥ QJ983
♦ Q96
♣ 963
Open Room
West North East South
Grunder Ghodhbane Kaprey Fourati
– – 1NT Pass
2NT* Pass 3♣* Pass
4♣ Pass 4♠ Pass
5♦ All Pass

At this table 2NT was a transfer to diamonds, East showed he liked the suit, with AK not unrea-
sonable. I cannot tell from the convention card whether 4♣ was a cue-bid or another suit but
one would have thought that he would cue-bid in hearts at the three-level. If it was a suit is 4♠
a cue-bid agreeing clubs or diamonds, whatever the bids meant the consensus of opinion in the
crowded VuGraph was perhaps that West should have tried 6♣ as ‘pick-a-slam’.
Closed Room
West North East South
Trabelsi Stephens Rebai Fick
– – 1NT Pass
2NT* Pass 3♣ Pass
3♥* Pass 6♣ All Pass
3♥ cue-bid
The Tunisian convention card is blank as to the meaning of 2NT, but whatever it meant it got
them to the correct slam with the minimum of fuss. There was nothing to the play and 11 IMPs
to Tunisia.

43 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 5. Dealer North. N/S Vul.
♠ 954
♥ A987
♦ 10 9 8
♣ Q95
♠ AK 3 N ♠ J 10 7 6 2
♥— ♥ J65
♦ AK 6 5 4 3 2 W E ♦ QJ
♣ KJ2 S ♣ A 10 4
♠ Q8
♥ K Q 10 4 3 2
♦7
♣ 8763
Open Room
West North East South
Grunder Ghodhbane Kaprey Fourati
– Pass Pass 2♥
Double Pass 4♠ Pass
6♠ All Pass
A straightforward and simple auction, although 6♦ is much safer.
Closed Room
West North East South
Trabelsi Stephens Rebai Fick
– Pass Pass 2♥
Double Pass 3♠ Pass
4♥ Pass 5♠ Pass
6♠ All Pass

A slightly more convoluted route but the slam was not

going to be missed. I am a little surprised that neither
West investigated further as if that queen of diamonds
was the queen of spades the grand would be a fair bet.
Have you noticed that if you are playing in spades
you might as well be in the grand slam as on a heart
lead even the small slam will fail if the spade queen is
not doubleton?

Robert Stephens

44 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 8. Dealer West. None Vul.
♠8
♥—
♦ AKJ96
♣ A J 10 7 5 4 3
♠ Q43 N ♠ K 10 9 6
♥ A J 10 7 4 ♥ KQ5
♦ 752 W E ♦ Q 10 8 4
♣ Q8 S ♣ 62
♠ AJ752
♥ 98632
♦3
♣ K9
Open Room
West North East South
Grunder Ghodhbane Kaprey Fourati
Pass 1♣ Pass 1♠
Pass 2♦ Pass 2♥*
Double 3♣ Pass 3NT
Pass 5♣ All Pass
2♥ Fourth Suit Forcing
Closed Room
West North East South
Trabelsi Stephens Rebai Fick
Pass 1♣ Pass 1♥*
Double 2♦ 2♥ 5♣
All Pass
1♥ Transfer to spades
Neither team managed to reach the club slam, which with the diamonds 4-3 is a relatively sim-
ple affair. Both auctions seem slightly precipitous – not allowing room for further exploration.
Excluding an overtrick IMP in the first half of the match there was no other swing except that
on Board 2.
On Board 11 Tunisia took back 5 IMPs when they stayed in a part-score but the opposition
pushed on to an unmakeable game.

45 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 12. Dealer West. N/S Vul.
♠ Q62
♥ AK7643
♦K
♣ K72
♠ J94 N ♠ A 10 7
♥ J 10 5 2 ♥ 98
♦ 9642 W E ♦7
♣ 10 8 S ♣ AQ J 9 5 4 3
♠ K853
♥Q
♦ A Q J 10 8 5 3
♣6
Open Room
West North East South
Grunder Ghodhbane Kaprey Fourati
Pass 1♥ 2♣ Double
Pass 3♥ Pass 5♦
All Pass

South bid what he thought he could make and make it he did. (If West leads a club and East wins
and switches to a trump then declarer will be a trick short. Editor)
Closed Room
West North East South
Trabelsi Stephens Rebai Fick
Pass 1♥ 2♣ 2♦
Pass 2♥ 5♣ Double
All Pass

This time South expressed his opinion as to unilateral action by East and gained another 5 IMPs
when the contract failed by four tricks, losing two tricks in each major and one in each minor.

46 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 17. Dealer North. None Vul.
♠ 93
♥ Q97
♦ 9873
♣ K 10 9 6
♠ AK 6 2 N ♠ QJ74
♥ 10 3 ♥ AK J 8 6 5 2
♦ AJ 5 4 W E ♦—
♣ AQ 3 S ♣ 54
♠ 10 8 5
♥4
♦ K Q 10 6 2
♣ J872
Open Room
West North East South
Grunder Ghodhbane Kaprey Fourati
– Pass 1♥ Pass
1♠ Pass 4♦* Double
Redouble* Pass 4♥ Pass
4NT* Pass 5♣* Pass
5♦* Pass 5♥* Pass
5NT* Pass 6♥* Pass
6♠ All Pass
4♦ Splinter
Redble 1st round control
4NT Keycard
5♣ 1 or 4 Keycards
5♦ trump queen?
5♥ Yes and heart king
5NT any other kings?
6♥ No, but heart feature
Closed Room
West North East South
Trabelsi Stephens Rebai Fick
– Pass 1♥ Pass
1♠ Pass 4♦* Pass
4NT* Pass 6♦* Pass
6♥ All Pass
6♦ diamond void and one keycard
Neither room found the route to 7♠, not the world’s best grand slam but we have all been in worse.
The slam is roughly 50% likely to make. The team from Botswana was the only team to bid it.
The South Africans had a couple of part-score swings and a hand with a couple of doubled
undertricks leaving then winners 28-12 or 13.81-6.19 VPs.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/qd33w98

47 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Tunisia v. Egypt
Round 6
After a couple of minor part-score swings we have:
Board 3. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
♠ A5
♥ A 10 9 5 3
♦ 8654
♣ 87
♠ 72 N ♠ KJ983
♥ J876 ♥—
♦ AK W E ♦ Q J 10 3 2
♣ AQ 9 6 5 S ♣ KJ3
♠ Q 10 6 4
♥ KQ42
♦ 97
♣ 10 4 2
Open Room
West North East South
Sherif Trabelsi Ahmady Rebaie
– – – Pass
1♣ 1♥ 1♠ 2♥
Pass Pass 3♦ 3♥
Pass Pass 4♣ Pass
4♥ Pass 5♣ All Pass

4♥ was asking partner to choose the best game. There was discussion on BBO and many thought he
would try 5♦; but fortunately he decided on 5♣ as 5♦ has no chance after a heart lead. North led the
heart ace which declarer ruffed in dummy. He came to hand with a diamond and immediately led a
spade; if North hops up with his ace to lead a trump to curtail the heart ruffs declarer has an entry to
cash the long diamonds after he has drawn trumps so wisely he ducked. The additional advantage of
ducking was that it gave declarer a chance to misguess the spade situation, which unfortunately for
Sherif he did when he selected the jack of spades, now declarer was without resource and drifted two
off for -200.
Closed Room
West North East South
Mestiri Hussein Bellazreg Abdel Fattah
– – – Pass
1♣ 1♥ 1♠ 3♥
Pass Pass 4♦ Pass
5♣ All Pass
The same contract as in the Closed Room with similar interference from North/South. Again the
lead was the ace of hearts, ruffed in dummy and followed by a diamond to hand. And yet again
declarer tackled the spade suit, but this time he got it right by putting up the king. Another dia-
mond to hand was followed by a heart ruff. Declarer led a master diamond from the table and

48 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
South ruffed and he was overruffed. Another heart was ruffed in dummy and followed by a top
diamond. South again tried a ruff but he was overuffed and declarer had his contract with three
heart ruffs, a spade trick, two diamonds and the five trumps in his hand for a 13 IMP swing.
Board 5. Dealer North. N/S Vul.
♠ 8652
♥ 10 7 3
♦ KQ84
♣ J5
♠ 73 N ♠J
♥ KQ96 ♥ AJ 8 5 2
♦ 52 W E ♦ A 10 9
♣ K 10 8 7 6 S ♣ Q432
♠ A K Q 10 9 4
♥4
♦ J763
♣ A9
Open Room
West North East South
Sherif Trabelsi Ahmady Rebaie
– Pass 1♥ 1♠
2NT 3♠ Pass 4♠
All Pass
As a certain Mr. Meckstroth is wont to say “When partner freely supports your six-card major,
bid game.” And obviously the dictum has reached Tunisia. No problems in the play and +620.
Closed Room
West North East South
Mestiri Hussein Bellazreg Abdel Fattah
– Pass 1♥ 1♠
3♣* 3♠ 4♥ 4♠
Pass Pass 5♥ Pass
Pass Double All Pass
3♣ Fit jump
After West’s fit jump it was much easier for East to bid 5♥ which proved to be a good sacrifice as
he lost the obvious three tricks and gained 11 IMPs.

49 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 11. Dealer South. None Vul.
♠ A763
♥ Q 10 7
♦ 873
♣ Q32
♠ K9842 N ♠ J 10 5
♥5 ♥ J43
♦ A Q J 10 6 W E ♦ 952
♣ 76 S ♣ K J 10 9
♠Q
♥ AK9862
♦ K4
♣ A854
Open Room
West North East South
Sherif Trabelsi Ahmady Rebaie
– – – 1♥
2♥* 3♥ Pass 4♥
All Pass
2♥ spades and diamonds
South had not forgot Mr Meckstoth’s advice and again advanced to a major-suit game, but this
time to no avail as when West led the seven of clubs the writing was on the wall and with all the
minor-suit honours badly placed he finished two down.
Closed Room
West North East South
Mestiri Hussein Bellazreg Abdel Fattah
– – – 1♥
3♣* 3♥ 3♠ 4♥
3♣ Spades and diamonds
Having heard his partner’s spade support West tried the unsuccessful lead of a small spade which
declarer ran to his queen. This saved one trick, but could declarer save the other, probably not,
but could the defenders come to his aid? Declarer crossed to trump queen and cashed the ace of
spades discarding a diamond. He came to hand with a club and tried a small club towards the
queen which lost to East’s king who now fell from grace by not leading a trump; when he tried a
diamond and now declarer was able to ruff his losing club in dummy and bring home the con-
tract along with eleven much-needed IMPs for Egypt.

50 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 18. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ K 10
♥ Q32
♦ A Q 10 8 7 5 4
♣2
♠ QJ87 N ♠ 952
♥ J 10 9 ♥ A8 7 6 5
♦K W E ♦ J63
♣ K 10 9 5 4 S ♣ A7
♠ A643
♥ K4
♦ 92
♣ QJ863
Open Room
West North East South
Sherif Trabelsi Ahmady Rebaie
1♣ 1♦ 1♥ Double
Pass 3♦ Pass 3NT
Pass Pass Double Pass
Pass 4♦ All Pass

East led the ace of clubs and continued with a small spade which declarer took in dummy with
the ace. A low diamond gathered the king from West and was taken with the ace. Declarer now
went astray, he needs to ruff a heart in dummy and so should attack the heart suit; if East wins
a heart trick and leads a trump to prevent the ruff he is giving up his trump trick; but declarer
cashed the queen of trumps and so went one off for -100.
Closed Room
West North East South
Mestiri Hussein Bellazreg Abdel Fattah
– – Pass Pass
Pass 1♦ Pass 1♠
Pass 2♦ Pass Pass
3♣ 3♦ Pass 3NT
Pass Pass Double All Pass

After what can best be described as an entertaining auction West led the four of clubs which East
took with the ace and returned the seven to the jack, king and a diamond discard from dummy.
West made the apparently obvious play of the jack of hearts ducked to the king in hand but now
declarer is in control as he led a diamond towards dummy and played three rounds to establish
the suit. He was now home free as he had five diamonds, two spades and a trick in each of the
rounded suits. When West won the second trick he needed to switch to a spade honour; which
disrupts declarer’s timing and communication. (This type of play is discussed in detail in The Rodwell
Files. Editor) It is interesting to play it out and see, of course had the defence started with hearts
there would never have been a chance for declarer. The defence lost their way discarding on the
long diamonds and declarer managed a doubled vulnerable overtrick for +950 and 14 IMPS and
the lead for the first time in the match.

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 Intermediate
After nineteen boards there had been no slam, in all the other sessions we had had slams a go-go
Board 20. Dealer West. All Vul.
♠ J832
♥6
♦ AK62
♣ KJ93
♠7 N ♠ 9654
♥ KQ9543 ♥ A7 2
♦ 10 5 W E ♦ J97
♣ 7654 S ♣ Q 10 2
♠ A K Q 10
♥ J 10 8
♦ Q843
♣ A8
Open Room
West North East South
Sherif Trabelsi Ahmady Rebaie
2♦* Pass 2NT* Double
3♣* Double 3♥ Double
Pass 4♠ All Pass
2♦ Multi
2NT Forcing
3♣ Weak with hearts
According to the convention card after a weak Multi 2NT is forcing but it gives no further infor-
mation. After the East/West barrage it appears difficult for North/South to reach the six-level,
South has certainly shown strength and North’s hand is not without virtue, would 4♥ better
describe his hand? I leave the reader to ponder the question.
Closed Room
West North East South
Mestiri Hussein Bellazreg Abdel Fattah
Pass 1♣ Pass 1♦
2♥ 3♦ Pass 3♥
Pass 4♥ Pass 4NT
Pass 5♥ Pass 6♦
All Pass

When West failed to open with a weak two-bid North/South had a relatively easy run, but sur-
prisingly neither of them managed to mention their spade suit and so reached the slightly inferior
diamond slam. After a spade lead declarer cashed ace and king of clubs and ruffed one and when
the queen appeared drew trumps and claimed. Twelve IMPs and Egypt had come from behind
to win 52-37 or 13.61-6.39 VPs.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/pqufhqj

52 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Tunisia v. Egypt, Women
Round 7
With the end of the triangular matches the Women were playing normal Round Robin matches
and as such were now going to appear on VuGraph.
A feature of the sessions was the preponderance of slam hands, by the time we got to Board
2 a slam appeared, would our ladies be up to the task and would there be another avalanche of
high-level contracts?
Board 2. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ K Q J 10 3 2
♥ A K 10 8
♦6
♣ AK
♠ 876 N ♠ 95
♥ 6432 ♥ J95
♦ AK 5 3 W E ♦ Q987
♣ 65 S ♣ 9432
♠ A4
♥ Q7
♦ J 10 4 2
♣ Q J 10 8 7
Open Room
West North East South
Ferdous Badawi Sfar Hamdy
– – Pass Pass
Pass 2♣ Pass 2♦
Double 2♠ Pass 3♣
Pass 3♥ Pass 3♠
Pass 4NT Pass 5♦
Pass 6♠ All Pass

A controlled auction which got to the right spot. There was nothing to the play and declarer took
her twelve tricks after a diamond had been cashed on the initial lead.
Closed Room
West North East South
Homsy Sallami Maud Baccar
– – Pass Pass
Pass 2♦* Pass 2♠*
Pass 6♠ All Pass

The Tunisian ladies’ system is based on the French five-card majors, so 2♦ was game-forcing and
2♠ showed a major-suit ace. North knowing that a grand slam was not possible bid what she
thought she could make and her judgement proved correct.

53 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 5. Dealer North. N/S Vul.
♠ KQ9742
♥ QJ94
♦K
♣ 96
♠ A6 5 N ♠ 10 8
♥ K876 ♥ 10 5 2
♦ A6 2 W E ♦ 95
♣ 843 S ♣ KQJ752
♠ J3
♥ A3
♦ Q J 10 8 7 4 3
♣ A 10
Open Room
West North East South
Ferdous Badawi Sfar Hamdy
– 1♠ Pass 2♦
Pass 2♠ 3♣ 3♦
4♣ 4♥ Pass 4♠
Pass Pass 5♣ Double
All Pass

Some might say that East had been fortunate enough to have muddied the waters for North/South
and that to battle on with her somewhat anaemic hand was a bridge too far, and so it proved,
especially as she lost a trick in the play and was down four for -800.
Closed Room
West North East South
Homsy Sallami Maud Baccar
– 1♠ 2♣ 2♦
2♠ Double Pass Pass
Redouble Pass 3♣ 4♦
All Pass

Assuming North’s double of 2♠ demonstrated quality in her trump suit then perhaps South
should bid 3♠ rather than persevere with her diamonds. 4♦ went peacefully one off for -100 and
14 IMPs, bidding 3♠ would have saved two IMPs.
Now we are back in slam territory but neither pair attained the six-level.

54 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 7. Dealer South. All Vul.
♠K
♥ K6
♦ AK83
♣ AQJ964
♠ A8 4 2 N ♠ Q J 10 7 6 3
♥ J 10 8 5 4 ♥ Q7
♦ 94 W E ♦2
♣ 10 5 S ♣ K873
♠ 95
♥ A932
♦ Q J 10 7 6 5
♣2
Open Room
West North East South
Ferdous Badawi Sfar Hamdy
– – – Pass
Pass 1♣ 2♠ Double
3♠ 4♦ Pass 5♦
All Pass

Closed Room
West North East South
Homsy Sallami Maud Baccar
– – – Pass
Pass 1♣ 2♠ Double
3♠ 4♦ Pass 5♦
All Pass

You have just enough entries to ruff out the clubs

and the ruffing finesse also brings home the contract.
Now we move from a small slam to a grand.

Maud Khouri

55 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 8. Dealer West. None Vul.
♠ Q974
♥ KJ4
♦ 843
♣ 10 9 2
♠ 10 6 5 N ♠8
♥ 762 ♥ 93
♦ Q65 W E ♦ J 10 7 2
♣ A8 6 4 S ♣ KQJ753
♠ AKJ32
♥ A Q 10 8 5
♦ AK9
♣—
Open Room
West North East South
Ferdous Badawi Sfar Hamdy
Pass Pass 3♣ 4♣
5♣ Pass Pass Double
All Pass

I will concede that East/West’s barrage did not help the cause but North’s hand has values, espe-
cially as she knows partner is probably void in clubs and so you are playing with a thirty-point
deck and you have 20% of them. Makes North’s hand sound a lot better put that way. So Egypt
collected 500.
Closed Room
West North East South
Homsy Sallami Maud Baccar
Pass Pass 1♣ 2♦*
Pass 2♠ Pass 4♣
Double 4♠ All Pass

2♦ was the majors and North showed more spades than hearts, and South made an effort with
4♣, if 4♠ shows a weaker hand than passing I think North should have kept quiet as she has three
honour cards in her partner’s suits. I would still have made one more effort with the South cards
and hopefully would have got as far as the small slam. Declarer made all the tricks for +510 so
the board was just a boring push.

56 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 10. Dealer East. All Vul.
♠ QJ864
♥ 10 9 2
♦ K864
♣2
♠ K 10 5 N ♠7
♥ AK 8 7 ♥ J54
♦ AQ W E ♦ J 10 9 7 3
♣ AQ J 3 S ♣ K986
♠ A932
♥ Q63
♦ 52
♣ 10 7 5 4
Open Room
West North East South
Ferdous Badawi Sfar Hamdy
– – Pass Pass
2♦* Pass 2♥* Pass
2NT Pass 3♦ Pass
3NT All Pass

Closed Room
West North East South
Homsy Sallami Maud Baccar
– – Pass Pass
2♣* Pass 2♦* Pass
2NT Pass 3♣* Pass
3♦* Pass 3NT* All Pass

In both rooms the queen of spades was led to the ace

and then continued with West ducking the next spade
and taking the third round. Patrick Jourdain, President
of the International Bridge Press Association, always
says in these circumstances run your long suit. Whilst a
four-four club fit does not seem as though it could do
much damage why not cash them finishing in dummy.
North immediately comes under pressure, if she discards
a spade then you can duck a heart, if not then you have
a choice of plays depending on how you read the dis-
cards, certainly a better line than crossing to the king of
clubs and taking a losing diamond finesse.

Nessrine Hamdy

57 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 18. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ Q J 10 5 4
♥ 74
♦ A3
♣ J975
♠8 N ♠ A9 6 3 2
♥ AJ 9 8 2 ♥ 10 5
♦ KQ9765 W E ♦ 10 8
♣K S ♣ 10 6 3 2
♠ K7
♥ KQ63
♦ J42
♣ AQ84
Open Room
West North East South
Ferdous Badawi Sfar Hamdy
– – Pass 1NT
2♥ 3♥* Pass 3NT
4♦ Pass 4♥ Double
All Pass
3♥ transfer to spades
On a club lead the contract is destined for three off, but not unreasonably the defence started
with the queen of spades, taken in dummy with the ace, then the ten of diamonds covered by the
jack, queen and ace saw North continue with the jack of spades, ruffed by declarer, who crossed
to dummy with a small diamond to the eight. Time to tackle the trump suit, and the ten was led
from dummy, covered by the queen and taken by the ace. Declarer exited with a medium trump
to South’s king. South was now at the crossroads, she could cash the club ace and take the con-
tract three off or lead any other card and declarer is home. As you may have guessed South played
a diamond and declarer gratefully brought her contract home.
Closed Room
West North East South
Homsy Sallami Maud Baccar
– – Pass 1NT
2♥ 2NT* Pass 3♣
3♦ 3♠ Pass 4♠
Pass Pass Double All Pass

After a Lebensohl auction the contract soared to 4♠ promptly doubled by East who led the ten
of hearts which was covered by the king and taken by West, who returned the jack for dummy’s
queen. Declarer called for dummy’s king of spades taken by East with the ace, and the switch to
the ten of diamonds was covered by the jack, queen and ace. Declarer tried the queen of spades
and learned the bad news about the trump situation. She cashed the jack and ten and then essayed
the club finesse and now her world collapsed and she finished three down for -800.
At the death Egypt had won by 31-24 or 11.83-8.17 in VPs.

58 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
South Africa v. Tunisia
Round 8
The matches between these two teams were critical for their hopes to visit the Indian sub-conti-
nent, more so for South Africa as they had had a poor result against Egypt in the afternoon.
Board 4. Dealer West. All Vul.
♠ 963
♥ 10 7 6
♦ K J 10 8 5
♣ 64
♠ 10 4 N ♠ K875
♥ A8 4 ♥ J953
♦ A7 W E ♦ Q432
♣ A Q J 10 9 8 S ♣2
♠ AQJ2
♥ KQ2
♦ 96
♣ K753
Open Room
West North East South
Rebai Fick Bellazre Stephens
1NT Pass 2♣* Pass
2♦ Pass Pass Double
All Pass

After a non-forcing Stayman sequence, the merits of which we shall discuss shortly, South doubled
2♦ for takeout and North converted it to penalties. North/South minded their work in defence
and declarer could not avoid going down two for -500. I must confess that I would have bid 3♣
with West’s hand – I can guarantee seven tricks with clubs as trumps but then I can’t guarantee
we will not get eight tricks with diamonds as the trump suit, so you pays yer money and takes
yer choice. Back to East’s original Stayman enquiry. If you are not going to invite game if partner
discloses a four-card major then why use Stayman? You have over half the pack between you, and
as you are short in clubs, simple arithmetic says partner will have four or more points in that suit
well over half the time and equally pertinent is that now that David Bird has written a book on
no-trump leads if you do not mention a major they will almost always start with one.
Closed Room
West North East South
Grunder Ghodhbane Kaprey Fourati
1♣ Pass 1♥ Double
Redouble* Pass Pass 1NT
Double 2♦ Pass Pass
3♣ Pass 3♥ All Pass

The defence started with a diamond ducked to North’s king, who correctly returned a spade to
South’s jack. South continued with another diamond, perforce won by dummy’s ace, and declarer

59 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
ducked a spade to South’s queen. Assuming perfect play by declarer there is only one card in the
South hand to take declarer two light and mildly counter-intuitively it is the ace of spades, I will
not go into all the possible ways this works but I urge the readers to examine it at their leisure. As
it was South did not find that defence and declarer’s play was not perfect so the contract failed by
two tricks nevertheless and that was seven IMPs for South Africa
Board 5. Dealer North. N/S Vul.
♠ A9
♥ Q3
♦ KJ63
♣ 97532
♠ K542 N ♠—
♥ 762 ♥ 10 9 8
♦ 852 W E ♦ A Q 10 9 4
♣ KQ8 S ♣ A J 10 6 4
♠ Q J 10 8 7 6 3
♥ AKJ54
♦7
♣—
Open Room
West North East South
Rebai Fick Bellazre Stephens
– Pass 1♦ 3♦*
Double Pass Pass 3♠
Double All Pass

South’s 3♦ was one of those leaping things showing the majors. I think West endplayed himself
with his first double, what was he to do after South’s 3♠? His solution of another double will not
be voted the most successful bid of the championships as it resulted in 1130 away after two over-
tricks were made.
Closed Room
West North East South
Grunder Ghodhbane Kaprey Fourati
– Pass 1♦ 2♦*
Pass 2NT Pass 3♠
Pass 4♠ Pass 5♣
Pass 5♥ Pass 5♠
Pass 6♠ All Pass

South’s 2♦ showed the majors and after North showed values and a diamond stop the slam was
reached. On a good day West has the singleton or doubleton king of spades, but today was not a
good day and so the slam failed and there were sixteen IMPs in the ‘out’ column.

60 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 8. Dealer West. None Vul.
♠ A K 10 5
♥ K J 10 2
♦5
♣ Q752
♠ 942 N ♠ 8763
♥ A7 ♥—
♦ Q64 W E ♦ A K J 10 8 7 3
♣ J 10 8 4 3 S ♣ K6
♠ QJ
♥ Q986543
♦ 92
♣ A9
Open Room
West North East South
Rebai Fick Bellazre Stephens
Pass 1♣ 1♦ Double*
2♦ 3♥ 5♦ 6♥
Double All Pass

Was South just a little greedy here? He needs some specific cards in the North hand for the slam
to be above 50% and as a certain Mr. Hamman says “Don’t play me for the perfect hand, I never
have it” and so it was this time that the perfect hand did not appear and that was -100.
Closed Room
West North East South
Grunder Ghodhbane Kaprey Fourati
Pass 1♣ 4♦ 4♥
5♦ 5♥ All Pass

At this table everyone was more restrained, and South found himself in the par contract for +450
and eleven IMPs.

61 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 11. Dealer South. None Vul.
♠ 643
♥ K Q 10
♦ 10 9 8
♣ AQ53
♠ 98 N ♠ A Q J 10 7
♥ 93 ♥ A7 6 5
♦ KJ5 W E ♦ A6
♣ K J 10 7 6 2 S ♣ 94
♠ K52
♥ J842
♦ Q7432
♣8
Open Room
West North East South
Rebai Fick Bellazre Stephens
– – – Pass
Pass 1♣ 1♠ Double*
Pass 2♥ 2♠ All Pass

North was in a bit of a fix after South’s negative double, partly of his own making from opening a
turgid eleven count and chose 2♥ as the least evil bid. East soldiered on apparently aware that his
partner has something good up his sleeve. South started with his singleton club taken by North
with his queen who returned a small trump; and it may surprise you to know that the play of the
seven restricts declarer to eight tricks but playing an honour will gain him an overtrick. The rest
of the defence was less than perfect and declarer finished up with ten tricks in spite of playing the
seven of trumps at trick two.
Closed Room
West North East South
Grunder Ghodhbane Kaprey Fourati
– – – Pass
Pass 1♣ 1♠ Pass
1NT Pass 2♥ Pass
2♠ Pass 2NT Pass
3NT Pass Pass Double
All Pass

Unfortunately for East/West they had just got too high and South also surmised that was the sit-
uation and pulled out his red card. There was little West could do and North/South took their
preordained six tricks for two off, -300 and ten IMPs out and Tunisia were ahead for the first
time in the match.

62 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine


Board 13. Dealer North. All Vul.
♠ J9864
♥ J 10 8 6 4
♦ Q2
♣Q
♠ KQ N ♠ A 10 7 5 2
♥ KQ9 ♥ A7 5
♦ A9 8 5 W E ♦ K43
♣ K932 S ♣ 10 4
♠3
♥ 32
♦ J 10 7 6
♣ AJ8765
Open Room
West North East South
Rebai Fick Bellazre Stephens
– Pass Pass 3♣
3NT Pass 4NT All Pass

When I was taught to play bridge we were told we needed 32/33 points for a small slam in no-
trumps, I am sure inflation has probably reduced that nowadays but maybe by not too much.
The question I pose to East is would his partner have bid 3NT with a 21 count or would he have
doubled first and then bid 3NT? East is definitely believing that West would not bid 3NT with a
seventeen count, so at least one of them is at fault. Declarer won the queen of clubs lead, unblocked
the spades, played three rounds of hearts ending in dummy, cashed the ace of spades pitching a
diamond and played a club. South won and exited with a diamond and now all declarer had to
do was play three rounds of the suit which would have ensured a trick for the nine of clubs.
When he overlooked this possibility he was one down.
Closed Room
West North East South
Grunder Ghodhbane Kaprey Fourati
– Pass Pass 3♣
Pass Pass 3♠ Pass
3NT All Pass

Here West did not rate his hand at all and passed but East was made of sterner stuff and entered
the fray with his major. Now West felt entitled to show his values and bid the obvious game, just
making for +600 and 12 IMPS and South Africa back in the lead.

63 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 14. Dealer East. None Vul.
♠ J976
♥ AK963
♦ J6
♣ K4
♠ A8 2 N ♠ K Q 10 5 4 3
♥ Q85 ♥ J7
♦ Q982 W E ♦ A K 10
♣ 10 9 3 S ♣ 62
♠—
♥ 10 4 2
♦ 7543
♣ AQJ875
Open Room
West North East South
Rebai Fick Bellazre Stephens
– – 1♠ Pass
2♠ 3♥ 4♠ 5♣*
Pass 5♥ All Pass

I think the comment on BBO could best sum up North’s intervention “North’s 3♥ would not be
to everyone’s liking”. The upshot was that South showed that he had heart support and a decent
club suit but they were already in phantom sacrifice land and the contract lost its three obvious
tricks for -50.
Closed Room
West North East South
Grunder Ghodhbane Kaprey Fourati
– – 1♠ 2♣
2♠ 3♥ Pass Pass
Double Pass 3♠ Pass
Pass Double All Pass

The requirements for a two-level overcall seem to diminish on a daily basis, soon twelve cards
will suffice. The result of South’s ‘bold’ (feel free to substitute a different adjective if you wish)
intervention was that North with a twelve-count and four of the opposing trumps expressed his
opinion with a red card. This was not to be a success. With perfect defence the contract will just
make but as is nearly always the case things went from bad to worse and the defence lost a trick
in the play so chalked up -630, a non-too frequent non-vulnerable score and another ten IMPs
for South Africa.
The only other notable swing was a part-score contract of 2♦ on Board 19 where one declarer
failed by three tricks but the other declarer failed by four, but he was doubled.
At last a set without a makeable slam.
At the final whistle South Africa had won by 72-32 or 17.56-2.44 VPs.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/o99nqw3

64 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Tunisia v. Egypt, Seniors
Round 9
On Board 1 Tunisia lost six IMPs when the Egyptian North made a ‘tiger’ double of a game con-
tract and it failed by two tricks, but the contract was not doubled in the other room. On Board
2 the Tunisians landed in a slam missing two top tricks – we will not intrude on private grief but
just say that was another fourteen IMPs out.
Board 3. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
♠ A Q J 10 6
♥ A3
♦K
♣ A K 10 5 4
♠ 53 N ♠ 842
♥ J64 ♥ Q 10 8 5 2
♦ A 10 6 5 3 W E ♦ Q9874
♣ 872 S ♣—
♠ K97
♥ K97
♦ J2
♣ QJ963
Open Room
West North East South
Chahed Wahdan Daghmour Askalani
– – – Pass
Pass 2♣* Pass 2♦*
Pass 2♠ Pass 3♠
Pass 4♣* Pass 4♥*
Pass 6♠ All Pass

Here East/West had learned very little about the North/South hands and East chose to lead a
heart and so declarer took his twelve tricks.
Closed Room
West North East South
Khalil Fakhfakh Kamel Mestiri
– – – Pass
Pass 1♠ Pass 2♠
Pass 3♣ Pass 4♠
Pass 4NT* Pass 5♦*
Pass 6♠ All Pass

Though East had not gained enough information to know definitively what to lead but he found
the excellent choice of a diamond. The spotlight now fell on West – could he find the club switch?
Yes was the answer; he knew North had some clubs so he was not false carding from a long dia-
mond suit, a heart does not look inviting, a club might find East with the king or if it is your
lucky day North’s club suit might be a five-carder and yes, it was West’s lucky day, one down and
another fourteen IMPs to Egypt.

65 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 7. Dealer South. All Vul.
♠ Q 10 5 2
♥ K954
♦ J9
♣ A72
♠ J76 N ♠ K3
♥ Q8762 ♥ A J 10 3
♦ AK Q 4 W E ♦ 10 6 5 3 2
♣Q S ♣ 96
♠ A984
♥—
♦ 87
♣ K J 10 8 5 4 3
Open Room
West North East South
Chahed Wahdan Daghmour Askalani
– – – Pass
1♥ Pass 2♥ 3♣
3♦ Pass 4♥ All Pass

Some would view East’s raise to 2♥ as a trifle conservative but when partner showed a diamond
suit the double fit goaded him into game. North led his partner’s suit, the deuce. South made the
imaginative play of the eight and West won a surprising trick with the queen, I must confess to
not seeing any downside in playing the king, but what do I know? Now declarer had no prob-
lem in making his contract in spite of the 4-0 trump break He always could have made it but it
would have required careful and accurate play.
Closed Room
West North East South
Khalil Fakhfakh Kamel Mestiri
– – – Pass
1♥ Pass 3♣* Double
4♥ 4♠ Pass Pass
Double All Pass

After East’s Bergen raise South doubled, I thought to ostensibly show his club suit but North had
other ideas and was correct – I could find no further information from the sparse convention card.
East started with the ace of hearts which was ruffed in dummy. The ace of trumps was cashed and
a small trump was advanced from dummy and the moment of truth had arrived – queen or ten,
the odds would seem to favour the queen, we have seen four points in the East hand, he is limited
to more or less four more points which makes the king three to one on to be with West - today the
statistical gods are not with us, alas East turns up with the king and you are now one down. The
good news is that is is a cheap sacrifice against Four Hearts and the result is ten IMPs to Tunisia.

66 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 18. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ K 10 2
♥ 842
♦ 10 8 5
♣ 9874
♠ A6 N ♠ 83
♥ A 10 6 5 ♥ KQJ97
♦6 W E ♦ Q972
♣ K J 10 6 3 2 S ♣ AQ
♠ QJ9754
♥3
♦ AKJ43
♣5
Open Room
West North East South
Chahed Wahdan Daghmour Askalani
– – 1♥ 2♥*
4♥ All Pass

South’s Michaels intervention robbed West of some bidding space but I think his bid of 4♥ is
pusillanimous, he has controls in every suit, that ‘magic’ ninth trump, I don’t know what methods
were available to him but some effort must be made. I place the fault of not reaching the slam in
the West camp and I am unanimous in that.
Closed Room
West North East South
Khalil Fakhfakh Kamel Mestiri
– – 1♥ 1♠
4♦* Pass 4♥ Pass
4♠* Double 5♣* Pass
6♥ All Pass

Here West was made of sterner stuff and continued to explore even after East declined to con-
tinue. When East showed a club control West realised the full potential of his hand and bid the
slam – well done. There was nothing to the play – so eleven IMPs.

67 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
Board 19. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
♠ 753
♥ J763
♦ A932
♣ Q4
♠ AQ J 4 2 N ♠ K98
♥K ♥ AQ 5 4 2
♦ KQ64 W E ♦ J87
♣ A 10 2 S ♣ 73
♠ 10 6
♥ 10 9 8
♦ 10 5
♣ KJ9865
Open Room
West North East South
Chahed Wahdan Daghmour Askalani
– – – Pass
1♠ Pass 2♥ Pass
3♦ Pass 4♠ Pass
4NT* Pass 5♥* Pass
6♠ All Pass

A good solid bidding sequence and the slam was bid, careful play brought the slam home
comfortably.
Closed Room
West North East South
Khalil Fakhfakh Kamel Mestiri
– – – Pass
1♠ Pass 2♠ Pass
4♠ All Pass

According to the convention card 2♠ is eight to ten points. Assuming West has some sort of game
try available maybe he should use it and if it is accepted he could explore further and if not he
can rest comfortably in game. As it was it gave Tunisia thirteen IMPs.
At the end of the match Egypt had run out winners 93-25 or 20-0 VPs.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/o8c3h8m

68 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
Tunisia v. South Africa, Women
Round 11
With Egypt sitting pretty at the top of the rankings it was important to both these teams to get a
good result to increase their chance of an entry in the Venice Cup. A big win might be sufficient to
give a team momentum for the last four matches and a bad loss might be a psychological blow to
the defeated team. It was, as football pundits are fond of saying – “A game of two halves”. Neither
team gave of their best – maybe nerves knowing that this was a make-or-break match had some
effect. It was also the last match of the day and one of the South African Ladies was a trifle poorly.
We shall start at the very beginning, a very good place to start.
Board 1. Dealer North. None Vul.
♠ 10 7 5
♥ 943
♦ KJ4
♣ 7652
♠ AQ 9 8 3 N ♠ K64
♥ KJ2 ♥ Q 10 7 6 5
♦3 W E ♦ 10 9 6 5
♣ KQ84 S ♣J
♠ J2
♥ A8
♦ AQ872
♣ A 10 9 3
Open Room
West North East South
Kaminer Baccar Ashberg Sellami
– Pass Pass 1♦
1♠ Pass 2♠ 3♣
All Pass

Not the best result for South Africa on the first board. After the 3♣ bid West’s very good hand
becomes even better, she would have made the overcall without the king and jack of hearts and now
her club honours are worth more than before, in effect you made an overcall and then discover you
have two extra aces – if that was the case you would certainly continue. Imagine East has just the king
of spades and the queen of hearts and you will certainly have a play for game. At teams you need to
be aggressive at bidding game, if you only bid when game is certain you will not and cannot win.
Closed Room
West North East South
Najet Narunsky Ferdaous Swiel
– Pass Pass 1♦
1♠ Pass 2♠ 3♣
3♦* Double 3♠ 4♦
4♠ All Pass

Here we had a much more aggressive auction from both pairs with the par contract being reached.
Eight IMPs to Egypt.

69 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
South Africa lost a vulnerable game swing on Board 5 when the declarers chose two different
lines of play.
Board 7. Dealer South. All Vul.
♠J
♥ KQ843
♦K
♣ Q98732
♠ KQ863 N ♠ A9 7 5 4
♥ J2 ♥ A7 6
♦ J 10 8 6 2 W E ♦ A4
♣J S ♣ A K 10
♠ 10 2
♥ 10 9 5
♦ Q9753
♣ 654
Open Room
West North East South
Kaminer Baccar Ashberg Sellami
– – – Pass
Pass 1♥ 1♠ Pass
2♥* Pass 4♠ All Pass

East had obviously taken her ‘timid’ pills, especially as West’s 2♥ showed a sound raise to 3♠. I do
not know whether systemically East can initially double but at my table the bidding would have
gone Double – 4♠ – 6♠ with a slight worry there may be a play for seven.
Closed Room
West North East South
Najet Narunsky Ferdaous Swiel
– – – Pass
Pass 2♥* Double Pass
4♠ Pass 5♠ Pass
6♠ All Pass

After North’s two-suited opening bid the auction basically followed my suggestion and that net-
ted Egypt thirteen IMPs
At the halfway stage the Egyptians led 41 - 6.

The South African Womens Team

70 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
Board 12. Dealer West. N/S Vul.
♠9
♥ A5
♦ K 10 8 6 5 3
♣ J543
♠ K J 10 7 5 4 N ♠ 82
♥ J98 ♥ K 10 7 6 4 2
♦ A2 W E ♦ 974
♣ A2 S ♣ 87
♠ AQ63
♥ Q3
♦ QJ
♣ K Q 10 9 6
Open Room
West North East South
Kaminer Baccar Ashberg Sellami
1♠ Pass Pass Double
2♠ 3♦ Pass 3NT
All Pass

A slightly optimistic contract that was bound to fail after repeated spade leads by West. The con-
tract duly failed by two tricks -200.
Closed Room
West North East South
Najet Narunsky Ferdaous Swiel
1♠ Pass Pass Double
2♠ 3♦ Pass 3NT
All Pass

An identical auction to the other room. West com-

menced with the jack of spades to the queen, and
declarer tried the diamond queen, immediately taken
by West’s ace who continued with a high spade which
South ducked. West now for some inexplicable rea-
son cashed the ace of clubs rather than continuing
spades – from -2 to +1 with one card. Eleven IMPs
to South Africa.
The comeback had started.
On board 13 South Africa had a six IMP swing
when Egypt attempted game and South Africa rested
in a part-score.

Jocelyn Ashberg

71 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
Board 17. Dealer North. None Vul.
♠ Q 10 7 3
♥ Q43
♦ J 10 8 5
♣ A3
♠ AK J 9 5 N ♠ 86
♥5 ♥ AJ 9 6 2
♦ AQ 2 W E ♦ K96
♣ 8652 S ♣ KJ4
♠ 42
♥ K 10 8 7
♦ 743
♣ Q 10 9 7
Open Room
West North East South
Kaminer Baccar Ashberg Sellami
– Pass 1♥ Pass
1♠ Pass 1NT Pas
2♦* Pass 2♥ Pass
2♠ Pass 2NT Pass
3NT All Pass
2♦ Artificial game force
With the spades 4-2 offside after a club lead and continuation declarer had no resource and drifted
two off.
Closed Room
West North East South
Najet Narunsky Ferdaous Swiel
– Pass 1♥ Pass
1♠ Pass 1NT Pass
3♣ Pass 3NT All Pass

A reasonable contract after a reasonable auction. South started with a small club and North took
the ace and returned the suit. Declarer tried the jack, but South won and persevered with a third
club.. Here endeth the defence as North inexplicably discarded a spade. Call me old-fashioned
(“You’re old-fashioned” I hear you all cry) but you would have needed a crowbar to get a spade
out of me at this stage. Another eleven IMPs to South Africa.

72 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
Board 19. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
♠ 9852
♥ KQ7542
♦6
♣ AQ
♠ 64 N ♠ K J 10
♥9 ♥ J 10 8
♦ J10875432 W E ♦ AK Q
♣ 85 S ♣ K J 10 4
♠ AQ73
♥ A63
♦9
♣ 97632
Open Room
West North East South
Kaminer Baccar Ashberg Sellami
– – – Pass
3♦ 3♥ 5♦ 5♥
Double All Pass

West’s strong pre-empt posed North/South the perennial problems and they decided to bid on in
spite of well-known advice about the five-level. Bristling with defensive tricks West doubled to pre-
vent her partner carrying on. The contract lost the three obvious tricks and so failed by one trick.
Closed Room
West North East South
Najet Narunsky Ferdaous Swiel
– – – Pass
Pass 1♥ Double 2♦*
Pass 4♥ All Pass

With insufficient diamonds to pre-empt West passed. South’s 2♦ was a Drury variant and North
cheerfully bid the game. There was considerable discussion in the VuGraph auditorium as to
whether East would concede a ruff and discard at trick two by continuing with a second diamond
honour. The crowds were disappointed as they were looking forward to the expression on East’s
face if partner had turned up with an undisclosed eight-carder. Declarer minded her work and
took ten tricks and another eleven IMPs.
At the end Tunisia scraped home by one IMP, so they probably have bragging rights for the next
match. Both teams would need to up their game if they were to take that coveted second place.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/pddnqm4

73 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
Tunisia v. Egypt
Round 12
The previous day South African team climbed towards the apparently unassailable Egyptian team.
If Egypt did not keep their eye on the ball then there was a chance of an upset.
Board 3. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
♠ AQ98742
♥ QJ87
♦3
♣6
♠5 N ♠J
♥ 963 ♥ AK 5 4 2
♦ J74 W E ♦ Q 10
♣ A J 10 9 7 2 S ♣ KQ843
♠ K 10 6 3
♥ 10
♦ AK98652
♣5
Open Room
West North East South
Sherif Mestiri El-Ahmady Bellazreg
– – – 3♦
Pass Pass 4♣* Pass
5♣ All Pass

South’s pre-empt had the effect of inhibiting a spade contract and after East’s bid showing clubs
and hearts West effectively shut the door on North/South. 5♣ was two off but a good save against
the spade game.
Closed Room
West North East South
Fourati Hussein Ghodhbane Abdelfattah
– – – 1♦
Pass 1♠ Double 4♠
Pass 4NT* Pass 5♥
Pass 5♠ All Pass

A much more assertive auction by North/South, the 1♦ bid gets my vote as I suspect it would
on most bidding panels. The result was a good spade game contract and six early IMPs to Egypt.

74 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
Board 6. Dealer East. E/W Vul.
♠ J 10 9 8 4
♥ 10 5 3 2
♦ A6
♣ KQ
♠ AQ 5 N ♠ K76
♥ KQ7 ♥A
♦ J 10 9 8 5 4 W E ♦ 732
♣A S ♣ J98742
♠ 32
♥ J9864
♦ KQ
♣ 10 6 5 3
Open Room
West North East South
Sherif Mestiri El-Ahmady Bellazreg
– – Pass Pass
1♦ 1♠ 1NT Pass
3NT All Pass

After East showed his spade stop West had no hesitation in bidding the no-trump game. With
the diamonds 2-2 and the blockage in the club suit declarer has ten tricks however one disap-
peared in the play so +600
Closed Room
West North East South
Fourati Hussein Ghodhbane Abdelfattah
– – Pass Pass
1NT Pass 2♠ Pass
3♣ Pass 3♠* Pass
4♥* Pass 5♣ All Pass

As always when you try something a little off-centre a car crash occurs, as here when West decided
to open an off-shape 1NT. After the 2♠ transfer I got a little lost as to the meaning of all the bids
as the convention card was sadly lacking in detail. The result was a hopeless contract that failed
by two tricks and presented Egypt with thirteen IMPs.

The Tunisian Open Team

75 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
Board 7. Dealer South. All Vul.
♠ 932
♥ KQJ862
♦ Q76
♣3
♠ 10 8 7 6 N ♠ AK J 5 4
♥9 ♥ 73
♦ J4 W E ♦ K9853
♣ KJ7654 S ♣Q
♠Q
♥ A 10 5 4
♦ A 10 2
♣ A 10 9 8 2
Open Room
West North East South
Sherif Mestiri El-Ahmady Bellazreg
– – – 1♣
Pass 1♥ 1♠ 3♥
4♠ 5♥ All Pass

West pushed North to the five-level. East led the spade ace and switched to a small trump won
by declarer who then played a club to the ace and a small one back towards hand which he ruffed
with the deuce and that was gratefully overruffed by the seven – whoops another solid one goes
the way of all flesh. -100 instead of +650.
Closed Room
West North East South
Fourati Hussein Ghodhbane Abdelfattah
– – – 1♣
Pass 1♥ 1♠ 2♥
2♠ 4♥ 4♠ Double
All Pass

South decided to take the money on offer. In theory it was

200 but when declarer tried to cash the king of clubs before
drawing all the trumps North ruffed in and that was one
of declarer’s tricks disappearing into the ether and so he
ended -2 for -500 and that was twelve IMPs out instead
of ten IMPs in.

Walid El-Ahmady

76 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
Board 10. Dealer East. All Vul.
♠ 963
♥ 9643
♦5
♣ KJ763
♠ K4 N ♠ J872
♥ AK J 2 ♥ 85
♦ AQ 3 W E ♦ K J 10 9 8 6 2
♣ AQ 4 2 S ♣—
♠ A Q 10 5
♥ Q 10 7
♦ 74
♣ 10 9 8 5
Open Room
West North East South
Sherif Mestiri El-Ahmady Bellazreg
– – Pass Pass
2♣* Pass 2♦* Pass
2NT Pass 6♦ All Pass

A broadsword rather than a rapier from East but nonetheless effective. The contract depended
on the position of the ace of spades, ‘Fortune favours the brave’ so they say and it did this time.
Closed Room
West North East South
Fourati Hussein Ghodhbane Abdelfattah
– – Pass Pass
2♦* Pass 2♥* Pass
2NT Pass 3♣* Pass
3♥ Pass 3NT All Pass

At this table East did not take such a rosy view of his hand and subsided in 3NT when his part-
ner could not show a spade suit and so another twelve IMPs to Egypt.

The youthful and engaging Botswana Team

77 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
Board 13. Dealer North. All Vul.
♠ 10
♥ K4
♦ AJ743
♣ K9762
♠ A5 3 2 N ♠ J7
♥J ♥ Q 10 8 7 5
♦ KQ6 W E ♦ 10 9 8
♣ Q J 10 8 5 S ♣ A4 3
♠ KQ9864
♥ A9632
♦ 52
♣—
Open Room
West North East South
Sherif Mestiri El-Ahmady Bellazreg
– 1♦ Pass 1♠
Pass 2♣ Pass 3♥
Pass 3NT Pass 4♠
All Pass

Dummy’s precious ten of spades along with the jack doubleton in the East hand made the contract
relatively straightforward, especially as the king and queen of diamonds are also nicely positioned.
You could not place the defenders’ cards much better. Declarer played impeccably and made an
overtrick +650.
Closed Room
West North East South
Fourati Hussein Ghodhbane Abdelfattah
– 1♦ Pass 1♠
Pass 2♣ Pass 2♥
Pass 3♣ Pass 3♥
Pass 4♥ All Pass

I do not know if South had a 3♥ bid available to him to better describe his hand; one must be
charitable and assume not. The consequence was that they played in their 5-2 fit rather than their
6-1 fit. Declarer lost control of the hand after a club lead and he lost six tricks for three off and
fourteen IMPs out.
We will not intrude on the private grief that was Board 18 when the Egyptian defenders stead-
fastly refused to set up their spade tricks to break a 3NT contract whereas in the other room the
defence was more alive and that was ten IMPs back to Tunisia.

78 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
Board 19. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
♠ 73
♥ J6
♦ K87642
♣ 10 5 4
♠ KJ8642 N ♠9
♥5 ♥ Q 10 8 7 4 3 2
♦ J 10 W E ♦ 93
♣ K863 S ♣ AQ 9
♠ A Q 10 5
♥ AK9
♦ AQ5
♣ J72
Open Room
West North East South
Sherif Mestiri El-Ahmady Bellazreg
– – – 2NT
Pass Pass 3♥ All Pass

Whether you bid or pass on the North hand is a personal matter and I would not decry either
option, but I do decry the second pass. You have a minimum of 23 points between you. I would
double and let partner decide what to do. South started with the top hearts and with fatally exited
with a third one, handing declarer the contract.
Closed Room
West North East South
Fourati Hussein Ghodhbane Abdelfattah
– – – 2NT
Pass 3♣* Pass 3♦
Pass 3NT All Pass

I am not sure about the 3♣ bid but I suspect it was little bit psychic to inhibit a major-suit lead,
but whatever it was declarer had enough tricks and actually succeeded in making ten for a score
of 430 and 11 IMPs.
Egypt had won by 69 – 30 or 17,44 – 2,56 VPs and consolidated their position at the head of
the table.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/pnwm55e

79 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
A Mish Mash
From the final three rounds here are some hands that I found interesting, instructional or amusing.
Firstly Round 13.
Board 6. Dealer East. E/W Vul.
♠—
♥ A Q J 10 3
♦ Q 10 5 3 2
♣ J32
♠ KQ987432 N ♠ AJ 5
♥ 865 ♥ 74
♦— W E ♦ AJ 7
♣ 97 S ♣ A 10 8 6 4
♠ 10 6
♥ K92
♦ K9864
♣ KQ5
The par result on this hand is 6♦x -1 and it occurred four out the eight times the board was played.
If East upgrades his three aces, five-card suit and solitary ten to a 15-17 no-trump then North/
South will have a much harder time to get into the auction, however when East opened 1♣ many
Souths overcalled 1♦ and now it was easy for them to take the save.
Board 12. Dealer West. N/S Vul.
♠ K87532
♥ AJ985
♦—
♣ Q8
♠ AJ N ♠ Q 10 9 6
♥ KQ7 ♥ 10 4
♦ AJ 3 2 W E ♦ K 10 9 6
♣ 10 7 4 3 S ♣ AJ 9
♠4
♥ 632
♦ Q8754
♣ K652
Back to a recurrent theme that being able to count to nine will gain you many points. At one
table East/West reached 3NT after North had shown a major two-suiter. North led a small spade
and West started well by taking it with the ace and playing back the jack to dummy’s queen. He
then cashed the king of diamonds and discovered the 5-0 break. It is now that he should count
to nine, three spades, one heart, four diamonds and one club. North can only possibly take three
spades so continue with a spade and if North ducks establish your heart trick and if he takes it
the worst he can is lead a club, if it is an honour you play the ace and if it is a small one you duck.
If South wins the club; he either leads into your club tenace or establishes a heart for you. At the
table declarer rashly decided to cash out his diamonds (establishing a long diamond for South) and
then to establish his heart trick before his third spade trick. North won with the ace and fired back
the jack of hearts and now declarer was unable to create his third spade trick and went one down.

80 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
Board 14. Dealer East. None Vul.
♠ A Q 10 9 7
♥ K2
♦ AK43
♣ 32
♠ K4 N ♠ 632
♥ J854 ♥ 93
♦ 10 8 6 W E ♦ QJ975
♣ K 10 8 4 S ♣ Q95
♠ J85
♥ A Q 10 7 6
♦2
♣ AJ76
One of the two slam hands in the set.
Only two pairs managed it and two pairs even played in a part-score. I do not see what the
problem with the hand is, the bidding is likely to start 1♥-1♠-2♣-2♦-2♠ and now North can do
some exploration. South has the perfect shape and should cooperate even though minimum and
the slam should be reached. Interesting to note is that after a club lead 7♠ is nearly as likely as 6♠.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/qfhnxb2

Round 14.
Board 15. Dealer South. N/S Vul.
♠ 64
♥9
♦ J 10 9 6 5 2
♣ K 10 6 2
♠ Q 10 3 2 N ♠ AK 8 7
♥ AK 6 ♥ J 10 8 7 5 3 2
♦ AK Q 3 W E ♦—
♣ J8 S ♣ Q3
♠ J95
♥ Q4
♦ 874
♣ A9754
The most frequent result was 6♥ -1. The South African ladies were the only pair to make the slam,
mainly because it was played by West and now it is more difficult for North to find the club lead.
In nearly every case West showed a strong balanced hand and East just bludgeoned into 6♥. My
theory is that if you have decided that you are bidding the slam willy-nilly and you have a weak-
ness in a suit then make psychic cue-bid in that suit. It costs you nothing and may gain. From
my huge statistical study it has worked two times out of three.

81 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
Board 16. Dealer West. E/W Vul.
♠A
♥ KQ873
♦ A J 10 9 6
♣ A9
♠ J76 N ♠ KQ832
♥ AJ 9 6 ♥ 10 4 2
♦ 74 W E ♦3
♣ QJ42 S ♣ 7653
♠ 10 9 5 4
♥5
♦ KQ852
♣ K 10 8
Another slam hand, in all four matches one table bid it and the other did not. The Botswanan
team gained a swing against Egypt on this board by bidding the slam. Again I find it difficult to
understand why the slam was not reached more often. At some tables the auction commenced
1♥-1♠-2♦-4♦ and North with four loser hand sluggishly bid 5♦ and then South had nothing
more to say; having had no chance to show his important card the king of clubs.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/p8p4xdj

Round 15.
The final round – this was mainly of interest for the Womens match as it would determine who
went to Chennai. Tunisia could do nothing as they had a Bye this round, South Africa could
afford a small loss to Egypt and still qualify. The Great Shuffler in the sky provided some distri-
butional hands early on.
Board 1. Dealer North. None Vul.
♠—
♥ 97
♦ A K J 10 7 6 4 3
♣ K 10 4
♠ AK 9 4 3 N ♠ J76
♥ K J 10 8 5 3 ♥ A6 4 2
♦— W E ♦ 9852
♣ Q2 S ♣ 63
♠ Q 10 8 5 2
♥Q
♦Q
♣ AJ9875
There were connection problems for BBO early on and the bidding came through as 2♦x by North
and after a club lead she made all the tricks for +680. It transpired later that North had opened
5♦ and after two passes West doubled and East passed and that resulted in -750. This netted 8
IMPs for South Africa as it was the same contract in the other room but not doubled and East
cashed her heart ace.

82 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
Board 4. Dealer West. All Vul.
♠ AKQ93
♥ 10 8 7 6
♦ A 10 7
♣6
♠ 87 N ♠ J 10 5
♥ Q3 ♥ AK J 9 5 4
♦— W E ♦ K84
♣ AKQJ108543 S ♣9
♠ 642
♥2
♦ QJ96532
♣ 72
Open Room
West North East South
Homsy Marunsky Maud Swiel
3NT* Pass 4♣ 4♦
5♣ 5♦ Double All Pass

Another nine-carder.
What about South’s vulnerable bid, a candidate for bravest bid of the year? I suspect her heart
was in her mouth when partner raised and she was then promptly doubled. West commenced
with the king of clubs and followed up with the queen of hearts overtaken by the king. East per-
severed with the heart ace and South ruffed this and played her remaining small club and ruffed
it with the seven of diamonds and was overruffed by the eight – ruffing with the ten would have
cost nothing and gained lots. So now it was -500 as opposed to -200 and a 3 IMP gain rather
than nine. Would those six IMPs come back to haunt South Africa?
Closed Room
West North East South
Kenny Philippe Lipshitz Soliman
1♣ 1♠ 2♥ Pass
5♣ All Pass

At this table West chose not to pre-empt and South could find no way bring her diamonds to the
party and so West was allowed to play peacefully in 5♣. (Why anyone would fail to open 5♣ is a
mystery. Editor)

83 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
Board 11. Dealer South. None Vul.
♠ 98
♥ 85
♦ A82
♣ AKQ954
♠ KQ N ♠ AJ 7 6
♥ K 10 6 ♥ AQ J 4
♦ K97653 W E ♦ 10
♣ 87 S ♣ J632
♠ 10 5 4 3 2
♥ 9732
♦ QJ4
♣ 10
Open Room
West North East South
Homsy Marunsky Maud Swiel
– – – Pass
1♦ 2♣ Double* Pass
2♦ Pass 3♣* Pass
3♦ Pass 3NT All Pass

Once North cashed the ace king and queen of clubs declarer had a simple nine tricks. If she only
cashes two top clubs and then exits in a major declarer still gets home by cashing eight major-suit
winners coming down to ♦Kxx in hand and ♦x ♣Jx in dummy and North has to discard from
Ax in both suits. Whichever suit she chooses to throw declarer simply plays that suit and North
then has to concede the ninth trick in the other suit.
Closed Room
West North East South
Kenny Philippe Lipshitz Soliman
– – – Pass
1♦ 2♣ Double* Pass
2♦ Pass 3♣* Pass
3♥ Pass 4♥ All Pass

East knew her partner had three hearts and no club stop and decided to play game in a Moysian
heart fit. With the trumps splitting 4-2 declarer had little chance and failed by one trick. That
was ten IMPs to Egypt who now took the lead for the first time.
Board 13 saw the lead change again when the Egyptian North responded 1NT with an eleven
count and her partner made no forward move with her fourteen count. The South Africans were
made of sterner stuff and bid and made 3NT.
South Africa gained some small part-score swings to lead by thirteen IMPs when….

84 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
Board 19. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
♠ J54
♥ K Q 10 4
♦ K62
♣ AK2
♠ 32 N ♠ Q9
♥ A7 5 ♥ 92
♦ 10 8 7 4 W E ♦ Q53
♣ J 10 9 6 S ♣ Q87543
♠ A K 10 8 7 6
♥ J863
♦ AJ9
♣—
Open Room
West North East South
Homsy Marunsky Maud Swiel
– – – 1♠
Pass 2♣ Pass 2♥
Pass 4♥ All Pass

A conservative approach by North and so the slam was not bid, of course had it been bid you
find spade queen trebleton offside. Not the best slam in the world but ‘a good slam’ according to
Hamman. Would they bid it in the other room?
Closed Room
West North East South
Kenny Philippe Lipshitz Soliman
– – – 1♠
Pass 2♣* Pass 2♥
Pass 3♥ Pass 3♠
Pass 4♣ Pass 4♦
Pass 4NT Pass 5NT
Pass 6♥ All Pass

The answer was yes and the contract did not test declarer. Ten IMPs to Egypt and the lead reduced
to two IMPs – a game swing on the last board could see South Africa missing out.
On the last board both rooms reached 3NT. The South African declarer adopted a superior
line and made her contract whilst Egypt failed. Twelve IMPs to South Africa and a ‘comfortable’
win and a ticket to Chennai.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/okz28f7

85 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
Egypt had a clean sweep in all three events.
In the Open and in the Women, South Africa took the second berth in Chennai, whilst in the
Seniors Tunisia took the second spot.

The Egytian Open Team

The Egyptian Women Team

The Egyptian Senior Team

86 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 VIDEO OF THE MONTH 3

Tromsø - where great minds meet

This month’s video page takes a look at the European Open Bridge Championships,
which is currently taking place in Tromsø, Norway (27 June - 11 July 2015)

The European Open Bridge Championships includes players from 40 different countries with
representatives from all 8 of the World Bridge Federation's Zones.

The host country, Norway, is supporting the tournament in spectacular fashion. In the Mixed Teams
127 Norwegian squads will set out in search of the title. Remarkably 29 teams from the USA have made
the journey towards the arctic circle to seek out a European title.

It is the same story in the Open Teams, where Norway has 113 entries, way more than England and the
USA who are both fielding 20 teams.

In the Women's Teams Norway have 29 squads, while China has an incredible 12. With 25 outfits in the
Senior Teams Norway must be hoping to pull off an 'impregnable quadrilateral'.

It's the same story in the Pairs Championships, with Norway having 139 duo's in the Mixed Pairs, 140
in the Open, 30 in the Women's and 40 in the Seniors.

In this year's Championships, the Daily Bulletins will only be available online. we have been looking
at a suggestion from Francesca Canali (the layout Editor and Photographer in Tromsø) which might
revolutionise the way in which material is presented in the future.

If you would like a sneak preview go to: www.frachannels.com

Click the image below to play the video (running time: 6 minutes) Click the image below to play the video (running time: 2 minutes)

87 July 2015 Bridge Magazine



65ème Festival International de Bridge de

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

88 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

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90 July 2015 Bridge Magazine

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

F or two consecutive weeks the Tin Man had finished below the Lion and there was no way
that he was going to allow the run to extend to three. Dorothy was unperturbed, partly
due to her more relaxed nature, and partly because she had been away on holiday when
the unmentionable events had taken place. Indeed, she was rather amused at his discomfiture.
In the first week of her absence the Tin Man had played with Dorothy’s Uncle Henry, practis-
ing for their upcoming outing together in the annual men versus ladies match. If the purpose of
practice is to identify areas which needed work then it was a great success, giving the Tin Man an
unaccustomed interest in the bottom quarter of the result sheet: 44.8% was not a good score in
anyone’s book and even the Lion and the Scarecrow had been higher with 49.2%.
In the second week the Tin Man had played with the Mayor of Munchkinland. Bumptious,
self-important and unwilling to listen to reason, was how they both described their partner after
the event. With the Scarecrow absent with a nasty head cold, the Lion had played with an adoring
but moderately competent Munchkin. Filled with courage by his partner’s unquestioning con-
fidence, and helped by the absence of some of the stronger players, the Lion cut a swathe round
the room. As hand after hand failed on unlucky breaks the Lion’s ‘sound’ judgement was justified
time and again as they powered to an unstoppable 65%.
Now Dorothy had returned and she stood in front of the notice board looking at the results
of the previous few weeks. The Tin Man joined her: ‘Sometimes one feels that the score would
make more sense if it was the other way up,’ he observed. Dorothy decided not to mention that
inverting the order would not have changed the Tin Man and the Mayor’s position, coming as
they had right in the middle of the field.
With the Scarecrow recovered, both regular partnerships were restored and they faced each
other in the first round. The Tin Man and Dorothy sat North and South, respectively. The Lion
was West and the Scarecrow East.
Dealer South. All Vul.
♠ Q8
♥ A Q 10 5
♦ K74
♣ Q854
♠ 10 9 2 N ♠ KJ754
♥ 9642 ♥ KJ87
♦ 965 W E ♦2
♣ K 10 3 S ♣ A7 2
♠ A63
♥3
♦ A Q J 10 8 3
♣ J96
As they sorted their cards the Lion announced ‘We are experimenting with weak no-trump and
four-card Majors tonight.’

91 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
‘How brave of you,’ said the Tin Man. ‘We’ve been ♠ Q8
playing that for years.’ ♥ A Q 10 5
‘Well perhaps you should have the courage to try some- ♦ K74
thing different once in a while,’ the Lion muttered. ♣ Q854
♠ 10 9 2 N ♠ KJ754
Dorothy interrupted their discussion by opening One ♥ 9 6 4 2 ♥ KJ87
Diamond. The Tin Man responded One Heart and the ♦ 9 6 5 W E ♦ 2
Scarecrow overcalled One Spade. Dorothy rebid Two ♣ K 10 3 S ♣ A7 2
Diamonds. The Tin Man felt 3NT was the most likely ♠ A 6 3
contract but he wanted help in spades. He bid Two ♥ 3
♦ A Q J 10 8 3
Spades. Dorothy obliged with 2NT and the Tin Man ♣ J96
raised her to 3NT.
The Lion led the ♠10. Dorothy ducked twice then won the ace on the third round. Obviously
she could take six diamond tricks and the ♥A to get to eight tricks. The heart finesse seemed
unlikely to win, but there was no need to commit herself at this stage. She rattled off her dia-
monds and the Scarecrow felt himself under growing pressure. His first problem was that he wasn’t
entirely sure how many diamonds Dorothy had. He had been expecting five on the strength of
her Two Diamond rebid. Perhaps it was a comment on Dorothy’s declarer play that in her hands
it felt like more. His first three discards weren’t too painful. He could afford two small hearts and
a club. That brought him down to:
♠ 54
♥ KJ
♦—
♣ A7
For his fourth discard he chose his second small club. The last diamond came as a nasty surprise.
He felt that if he agonised then threw the ♥J Dorothy would be bound to drop his king. He
threw one of his spade winners, hoping that Dorothy would try the heart finesse for her ninth
trick. However, she read the position correctly, playing a club to his ace. He was able to take one
spade trick then had to lead into dummy’s ♥AQ.
‘Well played, though poorly bid,’ said the Tin Man. Well, any compliment from him was
worth getting, thought Dorothy, although she was at a loss to explain the criticism. ‘Go on then,
explain,’ she said.
‘What made you think the no-trump contract would be better played from your side? If you
bid Three Spades over my Two Spade cue-bid you will allow me to right side the contract.’
Meanwhile, the Lion had been considering the defence. ‘Aaargh! Bare your king of hearts early,
as if you don’t care about the suit. Then Dorothy might finesse to you, or if she tries to end-play
you, you’ll have the tricks to cash to beat her! You must plan your discards in advance in these
situations!’
The Scarecrow blushed. He had no answer to that. The Tin Man, however, had. ‘Why give
declarer any chance to make the contract when it is cold off? Having scored two tricks at the start
the defence needs three more tricks to beat the contract. The sure way to do that is to keep los-
ers and throw winners away!’
He paused waiting for them all to ask him to explain. Dorothy, who had after all played the
hand, did not need to. ‘What he means is that I can’t make it if you throw away your spade win-
ners. If you do we will come down to…’ she quickly scribbled the position down on the back of
her scorecard.

92 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
♠—
♥ AQ
♦—
♣ Q8
♠— N ♠—
♥ 96 ♥ KJ
♦— W E ♦—
♣ K 10 S ♣ A7
♠—
♥3
♦—
♣ J96
‘Whatever I do you will come to two club tricks and the king of hearts.’
The Tin Man’s chair creaked slightly as he shifted uncomfortably. ‘Quite so.’ The Lion raised
his eyes to the ceiling. ‘My partner’s probably now made a mental note that he must in future
throw winners away on the run of declarer’s long suit. At least I can take comfort that he doesn’t
remember anything by the time he reaches the next table!’
They took out their cards for the second board. For ease of reading, the hand is rotated ninety
degrees, making the Scarecrow South.
Dealer South. None Vul.
♠ KJ73
♥ A J 10 7 6
♦8
♣ K32
♠ Q94 N ♠ 10 8 6 5 2
♥ K3 ♥ 82
♦ AK 9 7 6 2 W E ♦ 10 3
♣ QJ S ♣ 8764
♠A
♥ Q954
♦ QJ54
♣ A 10 9 5
The Scarecrow, looked at his hand with a feeling of pleasure; a chance to open a four-card major
at last. He bid One Heart and Dorothy overcalled Two Diamonds. The Lion bid Two Spades. He
intended to show his heart support later, if necessary. In the meantime there was a chance that
the Scarecrow would raise spades, right-siding the contract. If not, at least he would learn some-
thing more about his partner’s hand.
The Tin Man passed and the Scarecrow had a problem. Since they were playing a weak no-
trump he felt sure that a no-trump rebid would promise a stronger hand. While 2NT seemed in
many ways the most descriptive bid available to him the Lion was sure to notice he was several
points short. He had heard of something called “fast arrival”. It was something to do with over-
bidding on a weak hand. That could be the solution to his problem. Seeing it as the least of all
evils he decided to rebid 3NT.
Something worrying then happened. The Lion went into a long trance, and then emerged with
4NT. Perhaps the Lion hadn’t heard of fast arrival? Perhaps one was supposed to bid 3NT more
quickly to get the message across? This time he passed as rapidly as he could. In a state of shock

93 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
and absolute panic, he prepared himself firstly to play ♠ KJ73
the hand, and secondly for the onslaught that would ♥ A J 10 7 6
surely follow at the end. ♦ 8
The auction had been ♣ K32
♠ Q94 N ♠ 10 8 6 5 2
West North East South ♥ K3 ♥ 82
♦ AK 9 7 6 2 W E ♦ 10 3
Dorothy Lion Tin Man Scarecrow S
♣ QJ ♣ 8764
– – – 1♥ ♠ A
2♦ 2♠ Pass 3NT ♥ Q954
Pass 4NT All Pass ♦ QJ54
♣ A 10 9 5
Dorothy led a small diamond and the Lion put his hand
down with an angry growl.
Even the Scarecrow could see that Four Hearts was secure, and would even probably make
eleven tricks if the heart finesse worked. Meanwhile, if it lost then even 3NT might not make, let
alone 4NT. He won the Tin Man’s ten with his queen, took a deep breath and placed the queen
of hearts on the table. That scored. A second round of hearts drew the king and the first hurdle
had been overcome. He now had ten tricks, but still probably a match-points bottom unless peo-
ple were going down in slam. He ran off his remaining hearts and noted that the Tin Man threw
a spade, a club and a diamond. He himself threw a diamond on the last heart. Dorothy threw
three diamonds. They were now down to:
♠ KJ73
♥—
♦—
♣ K32
♠ Q94 N ♠ 10 8 6 5
♥— ♥—
♦ AK W E ♦—
♣ QJ S ♣ 874
♠A
♥—
♦ J5
♣ A 10 9 5
The Tin Man’s club discard gave him some hope of extra tricks. He cashed the ♣K then paused for
breath when Dorothy dropped the queen. This, he knew from his books, was a restricted choice
situation. He would finesse the ♣9, cross to the ♠K, then repeat the finesse. Suddenly he saw the
fatal flaw in his logic – he had no small spade to lead to the king.
Ears burning with shame, he played a second club to the ace. When the jack dropped he cashed
the ten and nine of clubs, expecting to concede two diamonds. However, Dorothy was having dif-
ficulty deciding what to discard. Clearly the opposition bidding had gone badly wrong, but the
Scarecrow had to have the ace of spades to even have an opening bid. It was therefore essential to
hold ♠ Qxx as her last three cards. That would at least give the Scarecrow a choice as to whether
to finesse or not at trick twelve. Hoping that the Tin Man held the ♦J she threw the king and ace.
The Scarecrow looked in amazement. He was sure he had held the queen of diamonds earlier
in this hand, or was it the last one? Yes, it was this hand! How could a good player like Dorothy
make such a silly error as this? He cashed the ♦J and noticed that no-one else had any of that
suit. That meant his ♦5 was also a winner. To his astonishment, he found he had won all thir-
teen tricks and scored a surprising +520. The Scarecrow felt very humble. He supposed that if he

94 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
hadn’t blocked the spades he would have made fourteen.
‘Very good,’ came the Tin Man’s grating voice. ‘How inventive to allow declarer to play that
diamond suit for three tricks and no loser.’ Dorothy could tell that he would be irritable for the
rest of the night and silently wished that she was back on holiday.
At the end of the session the Lion was checking over the frequencies. His face brightened as
he saw the scores for the second board. ‘Nobody bid that slam, he announced. ‘It was a good job
you made thirteen though. Two Wests went for 500 in diamond part-scores so you just pipped
them.’ The two of them left happy with a healthy 54%, happier than Dorothy and the Tin Man
with their 58%. Not content with having overcome the Lion, the Tin Man was now moaning
about a third consecutive score below 60%.

Test Your
Defence
with Julian Pottage Solutions on page 107
♠ 9873 ♠ 84
1 ♥ AQ 2 ♥ Q83
♦ 10 7 6 4 3 ♦ K Q 10 4
♣ Q 10 ♣ 7543
♠ J4 N ♠ J5 N
♥ 8 ♥ A6 5
♦ AJ 9 5 W E ♦ A9 5 W E
♣ AK 8 7 5 2 S ♣ J 10 9 6 2 S
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
– – – 1♠ – – – 1♠
2♣ 3♠ Pass 4♠ Pass 1NT Pass 4♠
All Pass All Pass
You lead the ace and king of clubs, on which partner You lead the jack of clubs: three, ace, queen. Declarer
plays the three (standard) and then the nine, South the wins the club return with the king and leads a low dia-
four and jack. What is your plan? mond. What is your plan?

95 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine



96 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine



97 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

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

The London League

T he London and Home Counties Championship League for the Duveen Shield came into
being late in 1935. From the beginning, it attracted an exceptionally strong entry with
virtually all the capital’s top players taking part.
As was normal in those days, matches were scored by aggregate (with honours counting) on a
win/loss basis. The first year’s competition was very tight with three of the six teams tied at the top
with three wins. The tie was split in favour of Richard Lederer’s team which had the best overall
aggregate score. However, had Colonel George Walshe won his match against Mrs Alice Gordon
Evers, instead of losing by 50 aggregate points – he would have had four wins and the trophy.
This month’s hand comes from the 1936/37 season and was reported anonymously – though
very probably by Terence Reese who was the assistant editor at the time – in the January 1937
edition of British Bridge World. S J “Skid” Simon was faced with the following problem:
♠ 10 6
♥ AK 4 3
♦ KQ962
♣ AK
Simon sat fourth-in-hand at adverse vulnerability. Willie Rose dealt and opened 1♠, Maurice Har-
rison-Gray passed and Richard Lederer responded 2♦ (non-forcing in Lederer’s system, though
unlikely to be passed). Simon decided to pass and had another decision when Rose’s 2♠ rebid
was passed round to him.
It should be borne in mind that the Lederer system sanctioned light opening bids when the
distribution was favourable and that the possibility of a psyche could not be ruled out. Rightly or
wrongly, Simon decided to double (described as ill-judged in the BBW report), Gray responded
3♣ and Lederer doubled to end the auction.
The full layout was as follows (the duplicated sixes and missing three of clubs are as per the
original report) and it will be seen that Simon was right to reopen. East would probably have
made 2♠ (yes, it can be beaten – Deep Finesse suggests a club lead with North returning a small
heart (!) – though I suspect that in practice it would make) whilst 3NT is cold for North-South.
♠ 10 6
♥ AK43
♦ KQ962
♣ AK
♠J N ♠ KQ97542
♥ 82 ♥ QJ97
♦ A8 7 4 3 W E ♦—
♣ QJ962 S ♣ 75
♠ A83
♥ 10 6 5
♦ J 10 5
♣ 10 8 6 4

98 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 General Interest
It strikes me that Rose’s decision to pass the double can best be described as brave: unless his
partner led a diamond, his hand was likely to be valueless in defence. Indeed, as was entirely pre-
dictable, Lederer led the jack of spades.
Looking at all four hands, it is all too easy. Win the opening lead, cash the top trumps and
play diamonds – declarer wins nine of the first ten tricks leaving West with three master trumps
at the end.
However, Gray was not playing double-dummy. Very reasonably, and assuming that the spades
were probably 6-2, he decided to duck trick one and the roof fell in. Once the cross-ruff had fin-
ished, he was left with five tricks, for 1,100 to East-West; at aggregate scoring, this was catastrophic.
At the other table, Iain Macleod (for the benefit of younger readers, a future Chancellor of
the Exchequer) opened 3♠ with the East cards. Leslie Dodds and Jack Marx passed and Samuel
Kosky bid 3NT. No, this was not a Zia-like speculation, but a take-out request. We will never
know whether Dodds would have passed since Macleod, breaking one of the cardinal rules for a
pre-emptor, bid 4♠: Dodds doubled, led a normal-looking jack of diamonds and duly scored 300.
The swing to Lederer on this board was 1,400, more than their winning margin of 840.
The same hands were played in another London League match. At one table, Niel Furse per-
petrated the same sequence as Macleod with exactly the same result.
At the other, Herbert Newmark opened 4♠, which seems the best choice (Rose could not, under
his system, choose to open at either the three- or the four-level, so it was 1♠ or a pass). In the pass-
out seat, Col Walshe elected to reopen with 4NT, which strikes me as a minority choice. Jordanis
Pavlides responded 5♣ and Abe Wolfers doubled; Walshe ran to 5♦ and this was also doubled. This
contract played better than one might anticipate and Walshe finished one down, for a 500 swing
to Wolfers. The final margin in this match was very similar to the other, Wolfers winning by 870.

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99 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

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100 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

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101 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate

The Abbot’s Brilliant Switch

David Bird

T he Witchdoctor and Mbozi had produced some disappointing boards in recent encounters
and the Abbot made the decision to bench then for the big match against China. ‘In my
youth I read a few books on Chinese philosophy’ he explained to the Witchdoctor. ‘You
don’t understand the oriental mind like I do. The benefit will show on our eventual scorecard
against them, I can assure you.’
In the first half of the match, the Abbot and the Parrot faced the studious looking pair of Shi
and Chen.
Weimin Chen looked aghast at the Parrot perched on the East chair. ‘Nándào tāmen ràng
dòngwù zài jiûdiàn?’ he exclaimed.
‘English, ENGLISH!’ squawked the Parrot.
Xiaofeng Shi blinked. ‘You are playing?’ he asked.
The Parrot rolled his eyes at this foolish question. Had these players had never seen a parrot
playing bridge before?

UPPER BHUMPOPO v CHINA

Play was soon under way and a slam was reached on this early board:
Board 2. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ 73
♥ K75
♦ AQ6
♣ AK872
♠ 984 N ♠ 65
♥ Q J 10 6 3 ♥ 9842
♦ J54 W E ♦ K 10 7
♣ J9 S ♣ Q 10 5 4
♠ A K Q J 10 2
♥A
♦ 9832
♣ 63
West North East South
The Weimin The Xiaofeng
Abbot Chen Parrot Shi
– – Pass 1♠
Pass 2♣ Pass 3♠
Pass 4NT Pass 5♣
Pass 6♠ All Pass

The Abbot led the queen of hearts, won in the South hand, and Xiaofeng Shi drew trumps in three
rounds. Eleven top tricks were on view and an extra club trick would bring the total to twelve. The
ace of diamonds was the only certain side entry to dummy. How could the slam be made against
a 4-2 club break if the diamond king was offside?

102 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Xiaofeng Shi played dummy’s two top clubs, the jack falling from West on the second round.
These cards were still to be played:
♠—
♥K
♦ AQ6
♣ 872
♠— N ♠—
♥ J 10 6 3 ♥ 98
♦ J54 W E ♦ K 10 7
♣— S ♣ Q 10
♠ J 10 2
♥—
♦ 9832
♣—
‘Club two.’ said Shi, the Parrot false-carding the queen on the trick.
The declarer did not rush to play from his hand. If clubs were breaking 3-3, he could ruff this
trick and record an overtrick. However, it seemed that he could guarantee the contract by discard-
ing a diamond instead. With a casual flick of the fingers, Shi played the ♦2 from his hand. The
Abbot discarded a heart and the Parrot was left with no good return. A heart would give declarer
an extra entry to dummy, allowing him to establish the thirteenth club. Playing the queen of
clubs would also set up dummy’s last club and a diamond return would be into dummy’s tenace.
The defence was at an end.
With swift motions of his beak, the Parrot returned his cards to the board by way of conceding
the contract. A diamond lead would have beaten it. Still, when was the last time that the Abbot had
found a killing lead? Not when he held a sequence of honours in another suit – that was for sure.
The Abbot leaned forward to peer through the screen. ‘There was nothing you could do,’ he
informed his partner.
Meanwhile at the other table, Mrs Okoku had just arrived in 3NT:
Board 4. Dealer West. Both Vul.
♠ A4
♥ J 10 8 4
♦ KQ53
♣ KQ7
♠ KJ873 N ♠ 10 6
♥ A3 ♥ 9762
♦ AJ W E ♦ 10 9 8 6
♣ J642 S ♣ 983
♠ Q952
♥ KQ5
♦ 742
♣ A 10 5
West North East South
Haojun Miss Zheng Jun Mrs
Wang Nabooba Lian Okoku
1♠ Double Pass 2NT
Pass 3NT All Pass

103 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Haojun Wang, the senior member of the team, led the ♠7. Miss Nabooba laid out the dummy
and sat back in her chair to watch proceedings.
‘Yes, thank you, partner,’ said Mrs Okoku, who was splendidly regaled in a yellow silk concoc-
tion of her own making. Knowing that silk was highly respected in the Orient, she had delayed
wearing this piece of finery until the match against China. Now, there were only four tricks on
top – five if she ran the lead to her hand. She could establish three more tricks by setting up the
heart suit, but West would then be able to knock out the ace of spades. He would then have five
tricks to cash and she would not have time to make a diamond trick.
It seemed to Mrs Okoku that West would have led an honour if his spades were headed by the
KJ10. East was therefore likely to hold one of the honours, either singleton or doubleton. ‘Play
the ace, please,’ she said.
East followed with the ♠6 and Mrs Okoku called for a low heart on the next trick. West won
the king with his ace and continued with a low spade to East’s ten, which was allowed to win.
East could not continue the suit and Mrs Okoku still held a spade stopper. Nothing could pre-
vent her from adding two diamond tricks to the total, leading the suit twice towards dummy, and
the game was made.
Not overjoyed at the quality of his opponent’s play, Haojun Wang peered through the gap in
the screen. ‘Tā zěnme néng dǎ dé zhème hǎo?’ he asked, his partner responding with a shrug of
the shoulders.
‘You mind speakin’ in English?’ enquired Mrs Okoku. ‘Not too much to ask, is it?’
Back at the other table, the Abbot found himself on lead once more:
Board 9. Dealer North. E/W Vul.
♠ AK6
♥ K64
♦ A K 10 9 4 2
♣2
♠ 9542 N ♠3
♥ Q975 ♥ A J 10 2
♦6 W E ♦ Q87
♣ Q 10 5 4 S ♣ KJ986
♠ Q J 10 8 7
♥ 83
♦ J53
♣ A73
West North East South
The Weimin The Xiaofeng
Abbot Chen Parrot Shi
– 1♦ Pass 1♠
Pass 3♦ Pass 3♠
Pass 4♠ All Pass

The Abbot led the ♣4, the Parrot playing the king. Before playing to the first trick, Xiaofeng Shi
paused to consider his prospects. Suppose he won with the ace, ruffed a club high and drew trumps.
He would then need the diamond suit to come in for no losers. Suppose instead that he ran the
jack of diamonds after drawing trumps and this lost to the queen. East would be able to reach his
partner’s hand with a club and a heart switch might then beat the contract. He could afford to lose
one heart, one diamond and one club. Perhaps it might work well to duck the first round of clubs!

104 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
When the club king was allowed to win, the Parrot continued with another club. Shi ruffed
this with dummy’s ace and drew trumps in four rounds. Since he still had the ace of clubs to
guard that suit, it was now appropriate to run the jack of diamonds into the safe hand. The Par-
rot won the trick and could do no better than cash the ace of hearts to deny declarer an overtrick.
Ten tricks were made.
‘Is a heart lead any better?’ asked the Abbot.
‘High club lead work well,’ declared Xiaofeng Shi. ‘Then cannot duck first round or you switch to heart.’
The Abbot was not entertained by this gratuitous piece of information. Who on God’s earth
would lead an honour from that club holding? Did they expect him to stand on his head and jug-
gle six balls in the air at the same time?
The match was nearing its end when Mrs Okoku arrived in a spade game on this deal:
Board 18. Dealer East. North-South Vul.
♠ KQ643
♥6
♦ J 10 5
♣ A732
♠ J 10 8 2 N ♠9
♥ A 10 7 2 ♥ KJ983
♦2 W E ♦ 9863
♣ KQJ9 S ♣ 864
♠ A75
♥ Q54
♦ AKQ74
♣ 10 5
West North East South
Haojun Miss Zheng Jun Mrs
Wang Nabooba Lian Okoku
– – Pass 1NT
Pass 2♥ Pass 2♠
Pass 3♣ Pass 3♠
Pass 4♠ All Pass

Not interested in a diamond ruff when he held a likely trump trick, the sparse-haired Haojun
Wang led the ♣K. Mrs Okoku won with dummy’s ace and played a trump to the ace, the defend-
ers following with the 9 and 2.
When Mrs Okoku led another trump, West followed with the jack. She inspected this card sus-
piciously. If trumps were 3-2, she could win with dummy’s king, draw the last trump and claim
an easy overtrick. If instead West had started with ♠J1082, she would need to lose a trump trick
while she still had a trump in her hand to protect herself in the club suit. Mrs Okoku recalled
the old saying, passed down the generations back home. ‘If you keep taking risks in the jungle,
one day the lion will pounce.’ Yes, best to play safe. ‘Play the four-spot, partner,’ she instructed.
East did indeed show out on this trick and Mrs Okoku’s smart safety play landed the contract.
West had no effective continuation and declarer was able to draw the remaining trumps when
she regained the lead.
The Abbot was fairly happy with the way the match had gone but it was annoying that he
hadn’t yet been granted the opportunity for a brilliant play of some sort – not one that he could
see, anyway. This was the deal before them:

105 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Board 19. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
♠ 753
♥ A62
♦ A K 10 9 7
♣ 65
♠J N ♠ Q 10 9 2
♥ KJ9875 ♥ 10
♦4 W E ♦ QJ853
♣ K Q 10 9 2 S ♣ 843
♠ AK864
♥ Q43
♦ 62
♣ AJ7
West North East South
The Weimin The Xiaofeng
Abbot Chen Parrot Shi
– – – 1♠
2♠ Double 3♣ Pass
Pass 4♠ All Pass

The Abbot, whose Michaels Cue-bid had shown hearts and a minor, led the king of clubs against
Four Spades. The Parrot played a discouraging ♣3 and Xiaofeng Shi ducked in the South hand.
The Abbot paused to digest this development. Another club was out of the question. Was this the
occasion he had been waiting for – an opportunity for a brilliant play that he could talk about for
the rest of his life? The Witchdoctor would doubtless go berserk if the play misfired, but perhaps
it was right to switch to the king of hearts. This might remove a key entry to dummy if declarer
needed to establish the diamond suit with a ruff or two. Even if the Parrot held good diamonds
and the suit could not be established, a switch to the king of hearts might prevent declarer from
scoring the low trumps in his hand. Who was it who first uttered the famous maxim ‘Carpe diem’?
Catullus, was it, or Horace? Whoever it was, perhaps he was right.
With the air of an executioner reaching for a lever, the Abbot spun the king of hearts onto the
table. ‘Ace,’ said Xiaofeng Shi.
The Chinese declarer continued with the ace and king of trumps, discovering the 4-1 break.
Without the Abbot’s king of hearts switch, he could have recovered the situation by ruffing a club
in dummy and three diamonds in his hand. The club ruff and the ace of hearts would have pro-
vided the necessary entries for the diamond ruffs. As it was, the contract could no longer be made.
Weimin Chen was not happy with the way his partner had played the board. ‘Yíngdé jùlèbù de
wángpái!’ he exclaimed.
Although far from fluent in Chinese, the Parrot could guess what the North player was saying.
If declarer had won the first trick with the ace of clubs and played the two top trumps, he could
have recovered. After the ace and king of diamonds followed by a diamond ruff, he could have
exited with the jack of clubs. West would have no trump to play and declarer could then score
all the low trumps at his disposal to make the contract.
The round-robin match drew to a close. The Witchdoctor and Mbozi, who had been watching
another match in the VuGraph theatre, arrived in time to witness the comparison.
‘Plus 620,’ said Mrs Okoku when they came to Board 19.
‘And plus 100!’ exclaimed the Abbot. ‘One of my better efforts, I fancy. A switch to the king
of hearts killed a key entry to dummy.’

106 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
The final result was a historic win by 17 IMPs for the Upper Bhumpopo team.
Mrs Okoku smiled happily at the Abbot. ‘Good set for you and the Parrot,’ she declared.
The Abbot’s exhilaration was tempered by tiredness. ‘You and the lads will play the next one
against Canada,’ he declared. ‘It’s a comfortable chair, a coffee and a sandwich for me.’
The Parrot fluttered onto the Abbot’s shoulder. ‘Don’t forget me,’ he said.
The Abbot looked round warmly at his partner. ‘I have a packet of your favourite birdseed in
my pocket,’ he informed him. ‘I brought it all the way from Africa, just in case we ever had any-
thing to celebrate. Mr Tudu’s Patented Mix of Seeds, Nuts and Dried Tropical Fruit.’
The Parrot rocked backwards and forwards in anticipation of this splendid feast. ‘Better than
all this curry rubbish!’ he exclaimed.

Solutions to “Test Your Defence”

with Julian Pottage See page 95

♠ ♠
1 ♥
9873
AQ 2 ♥
84
Q83
♦ 10 7 6 4 3 ♦ K Q 10 4
♣ Q 10 ♣ 7543
♠ J4 N ♠ Q6 ♠ J5 N ♠ K7
♥ 8 ♥ 965432 ♥ A6 5 ♥ 10 9 7 4 2
♦ AJ 9 5 W E ♦ 82 ♦ A9 5 W E ♦ 8762
♣ AK 8 7 5 2 S ♣ 963 ♣ J 10 9 6 2 S ♣ A8
♠ A K 10 5 2 ♠ A Q 10 9 6 3 2
♥ K J 10 7 ♥ KJ
♦ KQ ♦ J3
♣ J4 ♣ KQ

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

– – – 1♠ – – – 1♠
2♣ 3♠ Pass 4♠ Pass 1NT Pass 4♠
All Pass All Pass
You lead the ace and king of clubs, on which partner You lead the jack of clubs: three, ace, queen. Declarer
plays the three (standard) and then the nine, South the wins the club return with the king and leads a low dia-
four and jack. What is your plan? mond. What is your plan?
Partner’s upward play in clubs strongly suggests a three- Your immediate decision is whether to grab the first
card holding. Playing a third round would therefore round of diamonds. With no chance for partner to sig-
concede a ruff and discard, which is unappealing. nal, it is a guess whether declarer has two diamonds or
Since you can see from dummy that any diamond losers one. It seems to make sense to win just in case.
declarer has are not running away, you can forget about East follows with the seven of diamonds, indicating an
cashing the ace of diamonds. You would much rather even number. In case declarer has two losing hearts, it
someone else leads the suit in case declarer has K-x. must be right to cash the ace of hearts next. If partner
If partner holds the king of hearts, the contract is going encourages, you will know what to do.
to fail whatever you do. Nevertheless, it makes sense to In practice, partner discourages hearts, playing the two.
lead a heart in the hope of a ruff. Can you still see a chance to beat the contract?
In real life, partner holds neither the ♥K nor a diamond While declarer’s early diamond play may be an attempt
honour. You need to resort to a little treachery. You need to set up or steal a diamond trick, another possible
to pretend that your ♠J is bare, dropping it smoothly motive for the play is a desire to reach dummy to take a
under the ♠A. If declarer follows restricted choice and trump finesse. If partner has the king of spades, a trump
tries crossing back to dummy with a heart to finesse in promotion is in the air. You can play a third round of
trumps, you will score the setting trick with a heart ruff. clubs in the hope partner ruffs with the king. You should
lead low to make it clear that you want partner to ruff.

107 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
PARTNERSHIP PROFILE
In this issue, the Editor takes a look the final of the 2015 Vanderbilt Trophy.

The final of the 2015 Vanderbilt in New Orleans was between Lavazza, (Zia Mahmood, Agustin
Madala, Giorgio Duboin and Norberto Bocchi) and Diamond (Eric Greco, Geoff Hampson, Marc
Jacobus and Eddie Wold John Diamond and Brian Platnick).
Apart from a scare in Round 2 when Diamond had to come from behind to defeat Chinese
Ladies Red, these two teams had cruised into the final with a series of easy victories, securing a
concession from their quarter-final opponents and winning their semi-finals by huge margins.
When Diamond took the first of the four sets 51-11 it looked as if the writing was on the wall,
but Lavazza recovered a little ground, winning the second session 23-14 to trail 34-65.

The Hands
(This month all the deals were played at IMPs.)
Hand 1. Dealer West. None Vul.
♠ A9 7 N ♠ K J 10 8 5 2
♥ Q842 ♥—
♦ 10 9 5 2 W E ♦ J8
♣ 10 4 S ♣ KQJ52
North opens a Precision 2♣ and South bids 4♥
West North East South
Duboin Jacobus Zia Wold
Pass 2♣* 2♠ 4♥
All Pass

South’s 4♥ was based on ♠Q63 ♥A1097653 ♦KQ3 ♣-, a near perfect mesh with partner’s ♠4
♥KJ ♦A764 ♣A98763.
West led the ace of spades and switched to the four of clubs, but declarer could pitch one spade
on the ace of clubs and ruff the other for eleven tricks, +450.
There is no case for West to bid 4♠ over 4♥. The only way E/W can get to 4♠ is if East doubles
4♥, but that strikes me as very risky. I’ll ask Zia next time I see him.
West North East South
Hampson Bocchi Greco Madala
Pass 1♣* 1♠ 2♦*
2♠ 3♣ 4♠ Pass*
Pass Double All Pass
1♣ 2+♣, can be 3352
2♦ Transfer to hearts
South’s Pass said ‘I want to double 4♠‘ while a double would have been a normal Pass.
I think the idea of using this reverse Forcing Pass emanates from the fertile mind of Eric Rodwell.
South led the ace of hearts and declarer ruffed and after some thought cashed the king of spades
and then played a spade to the nine, claiming when it held.
In theory South found the only lead to give declarer a chance, but suppose he starts with the

108 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
king of diamonds and that holds the trick. If he continues with the queen North must overtake
and give South a club ruff.
If you know the famous Garozzo-Forquet hand, which I have mentioned before, there is some
risk that North might play a third round of diamonds.
Whatever, Diamond had 14 IMPs, which almost cancelled out the 16 Lavazza had scored over
the previous seven deals.
Recommended auction: (2♣)-2♠-(4♥)-Pass-(Pass)-Double-(Pass)-4♠
I’m not sure I would be prepared to defend this auction in a court of law, but I don’t see any
other route to 4♠ after the 2♣ opening.
Marks: 4♠10.
Running score: Diamond 10 (14) Lavazza 0 (0)
Hand 2. Dealer North. E/W Vul.
♠ A7 4 N ♠ KQ86
♥ K9 ♥ A J 10 8 7
♦ 92 W E ♦ KJ
♣ K 10 7 5 4 2 S ♣ AQ
West East
Duboin Zia
– 2NT
4♥* 4♠*
5♥* 6♣
Pass
4♥ Transfer to clubs with slam interest
4♠ RKCB for clubs
5♥ 2 keys, no ♣Q
South led the jack of spades and declarer won with the king, unblocked the clubs, crossed to
dummy with the king of hearts, drew the outstanding trump (pitching a heart) played a heart
to the ace and the jack of hearts, which saw South, who had started with ♠J105 ♥Q42 ♦10873
♣983, contribute the queen.
In due course declarer recorded +1390.
West East
Hampson Greco
– 2NT
3♣* 4♣*
4NT* Pass
3♣ Stayman
4♣ Maximum, 4♥+4♠
4NT 5(+)♣, slam interest
South led the seven of diamonds and when North put in the queen declarer won with the king
and eventually emerged with all the tricks, +720, but 12 IMPs to Lavazza.
Recommended auction: 2NT-3♠*-3NT*-4♥*-4♠*-5♥*-6♣
This sequence is predicated on the following methods:
2NT 3♠
3NT 4♣ 5+♣, 4+♦
4♦ 5+♦, 4+♣

109 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
4♥ 6+♣, slam try
4♠ 6+♦, slam try
4NT 5+♣, 5+♦,non forcing
5♣ to play but can be raised, stronger than a direct 5♣
5♦ to play but can be raised, stronger than a direct 5♦
5NT 5+♣, 5+♦, forcing
4♠ asks for key cards à la Zia.
6♣ played by East is clearly a very good contract with many chances.
Marks: 6♣(E) 10, 6NT(E) 9, 6♣(W) 8, 6NT(W) 7, 5♣/4NT(E) 5,4NT(W) 4.
Running score: Diamond 15 (14) Lavazza 10 (12)
Hand 3. Dealer West. N/S Vul.
♠ Q5 N ♠ 10 8
♥ A K 10 5 ♥ QJ
♦ AQ 3 W E ♦ J 10 7 5 4 2
♣ KQJ5 S ♣ 10 8 4
West East
Duboin Zia
2NT 3NT
Pass

North, holding ♠AK76 ♥8632 ♦9 ♣A732, led the ace of spades on which South played the four
(from ♠J9432). He continued with the six of spades and declarer won with the queen, crossed to
the jack of hearts and ran the jack of diamonds. When it held he repeated the finesse, cashed the
ace of diamonds, crossed to dummy with the queen of hearts and cashed three more diamonds
for +400
West East
1♣* 1♦*
2NT 3NT
Pass
1♣ 17+ balanced or 16+
1♦ 0-7
A 2NT opening would be 19-20/21, so it looks as if West upgraded his hand. (The Kaplan-Rubens
Hand Evaluator rates it at 20.80.)
North led the ace of spades and when South followed with the two he continued with the king
for a rapid two down and 11 IMPs.
Recommended auction: I think you would have to be playing a relay system to have a chance of
avoiding 3NT on this deal (1♣*-1♦*-1♥*-1♠*-1NT-2NT*-3♦*) but as you can see you can still
score IMPs even if your methods result in a poor contract.
Marks: 3♦ 10, 4♦ 7, 3NT 4.
Running score: Diamond 19 (14) Lavazza 14 (23)

110 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Hand 4. Dealer East. E/W Vul.
♠ 10 9 7 2 N ♠ KJ54
♥ A9 7 5 4 ♥ KQ2
♦ J5 W E ♦ K 10 8
♣ K5 S ♣ QJ2
West East
Jacobus Wold
– 1NT
2♣* 2♠
3♠ Pass
1NT 14-16.
South held ♠A3 ♥106 ♦A973 ♣A9643 and led the ace of clubs, followed by the ace of diamonds.
Declarer could play trumps for one loser, +170.
West East
Bocchi Madala
– 1NT*
2♣* 2♠
4♠ Pass
1NT (14) 15-17.
South led the ace of diamonds then the ace of clubs, but this time those same ten tricks trans-
lated into +620 and 10 IMPs.
Lavazza had taken the third set 66-19 to go into the last 15 deals with a 16 IMP cushion.
Recommended auction: If I remember correctly, the odds for bidding a vulnerable game should
be 37.5%. At a rough guess, this one is around 3%.
If you would like to learn a little more about this topic go to:
http://bridgewinners.com/article/view/vulnerability-and-competing-for-the-part-score/
Marks: 2♠ 10, 1NT 8, 3♠ 7, 4♠ 2.
Running score: Diamond 26 (14) Lavazza 16 (33)
Hand 5. Dealer North. E/W Vul.
♠ A Q 10 4 2 N ♠ K8
♥ Q5 ♥ 10
♦ KQJ6 W E ♦ A9 5
♣ Q2 S ♣ K976543
West North East South
Hampson Bocchi Greco Madala
– Pass 2♣* 4♥
Double Pass 5♣ All Pass

South led the jack of spades and declarer won with dummy’s queen and played the two of clubs.
North held ♠9765 ♥A2 ♦10732 ♣AJ10 and was caught by Morton’s Fork (slightly unusually
in the trump suit). If he ducked declarer could win and then play to discard his losing heart on
a spade (or even a diamond) whereas his actual play of the ace of clubs meant declarer had only
one trump loser, +600.

111 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
West North East South
Duboin Wold Zia Jacobus
– Pass 1♣ 4♥
Double Pass 5♣ All Pass

South led the eight of diamonds and declarer won in hand with the nine and played the king of
spades and a spade to the ace. South played the jack on this trick, so there was every reason for
declarer to abandon the suit and play the two of clubs. However, he tried a third spade pitching
a heart and South’s ruff meant the contract was one down, 12 IMPs to Diamond, cancelling out
a slam swing they had lost on the opening deal of the set.
Recommended auction: I can’t improve on Zia-Duboin, but I can guess to lead a heart at trick
one, ending all declarer’s hopes.
Marks: 5♣10 4♠/4♥ 5, 7♠ 2.
Running score: Diamond 36 (26) Lavazza 26 (33)
Hand 6. Dealer South. None Vul.
♠ K J 10 9 8 3 ♠A
♥ 95 N ♥ AQ J 4 2
♦ K 10 W E ♦ AQ 2
♣ AJ 9 S ♣ Q 10 6 4
West North East South
Hampson Bocchi Greco Madala
– – – Pass
1♠ Pass 2♥ Pass
2♠ Pass 2NT Pass
3NT Pass 4NT Pass
6♠ All Pass
1♠ 10-15
2♥ Game forcing
North, with ♠Q65 ♥1063 ♦76543 ♣83 led the three of diamonds and declarer won with dum-
my’s queen, unblocked the ace of spades, came to hand with a diamond, and played king of spades,
spade. South had followed with the two, four and seven of spades, which might (or might not)
have had some suit-preference connotations. When North exited with the three of hearts declarer
elected to finesse dummy’s queen and was one down.
West North East South
Duboin Wold Zia Jacobus
– – – Pass
1♠ Pass 2♥ Pass
2♠ Pass 2NT Pass
3♠ Pass 4♣* Double
4♠ All Pass

As soon as the auction was over Zia asked why there had been no redouble or 4♦ bid from North.
Duboin apologised to his partner – he had not seen South’s double. Had he done so he would have
redoubled to show his first-round club control when 6♠ would have been reached and, thanks to
South’s tell-tale double, have been made.

112 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Having missed the double why West did not bid 4♦ in any event is a mystery.
North led the eight of clubs and it did not take declarer long to rack up twelve tricks. He must
have been pleased to discover they were worth 11 IMPs.
Had 6♠ been made those IMPs would have gone in the opposite direction and the teams
would have been separated by just 2 IMPs. As it was, Lavazza had a little breathing space – and
the boards were running out.
Recommended auction: Hampson-Greco is fine and so is Duboin-Zia, up to the point where
East bid 4♣. If South does not double I think West has to bid 4♦, when East will settle for 6♠.
Marks: 6♠/6NT (E)10, 6NT (W) 8, 4♠ 5.
Running score: Diamond 46 (26) Lavazza 31 (44)
Hand 7. Dealer North. All Vul.
♠ Q964 N ♠ 10 3
♥ A2 ♥ KQJ743
♦ A 10 3 W E ♦ KQ2
♣ 10 6 5 4 S ♣ QJ
South overcalls 1♠
West North East South
Hampson Bocchi Greco Madala
– Pass 1♥ 1♠
1NT Pass 2♥ All Pass

South led the ace of spades and switched to the nine of clubs. When North played three rounds
of the suit declarer pitched his losing spade and was +140.
West North East South
Duboin Wold Zia Jacobus
– Pass 1♥ 1♠
1NT Pass 2♥ Pass
2♠* Pass 3NT All Pass

The BBO operator described this as ‘an incredible sequence to an apparently unbeatable game.’
Not really – 2♠ clearly showed a maximum for 1NT (and perhaps implied some useful card in
hearts) after which Zia, with his slightly ‘soft’ values, went for the nine trick game.
Barnet Shenkin was closer to the mark with his comment, ‘nice bidding’.
North, looking at ♠J8 ♥965 ♦975 ♣AK832 led the three of clubs and declarer took his ten
tricks, +630 and 10 IMPs.
Recommended auction: Duboin-Zia was a perfecto.
Marks: 3NT 10, 2♥/2NT 6, 4♥ 1.
Running score: Diamond 52 (26) Lavazza 41 (54)
Hand 8 Dealer South. None Vul.
♠ 43 N ♠ AK Q J 5
♥ K 10 ♥ 872
♦ AQ 5 W E ♦ 93
♣ KQJ954 S ♣ A 10 7
South opens 3♦

113 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
West North East South
Madala Hampson Bocchi Greco
– – – 3♦
3NT Pass 6NT All Pass

North, with ♠9862 ♥AQJ965 ♦7 ♣32 led his diamond and declarer claimed +1020.
West North East Pass
Jacobus Duboin Wold Zia
– – – 3♦
3NT Pass 4♦* Pass
4♠ All Pass
4♦ Transfer to spades
West can have all sorts of hands for a 3NT overcall, but even so East’s failure to bid on over 4♠
is surprising.
North led his diamond, +510, but another 11 IMPs to Lavazza.
Recommended auction: Bocchi adopted a practical approach with his jump to 6NT, but West
would have made the same bid with the ace of hearts instead of the king, so perhaps one should
take a slower route.
Perhaps something like (3♦)-3NT-4♥*-4♠-5♣*-5♦-5NT*-6NT where after transferring to
spades and cue-bidding in clubs East bids 5NT to deny the ♥A and ask West to pick a slam.
Marks: 6NT/6♣ 10, 6♠(W) 9, 4NT/5♣/4♠ 5.
Running score: Diamond 57 (26) Lavazza 51 (65)
Diamond won the bidding battle, but Lavazza scored where it mattered on their way to secur-
ing the Vanderbilt Trophy.
You can play through the deals mentioned in this article. Just follow the links:
Hands 1, 2, 3 & 4: http://tinyurl.com/p6xso3x
Hands 5, 6, 7 & 8: http://tinyurl.com/nvzmdgr

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114 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
MVP
Katie Thorpe reports on the sensational climax to the 2015 Canadian Senior Championships.

T he CARRUTHERS team (John Carruthers/Joey Silver, Michal Roche/John Rayner, Marty

Kirr/Katie Thorpe) was feeling pretty confident going into the final of the 2015 Canadian
Senior Teams Championship. We’d won 10 of 11 matches in the qualifying round robin
and had our semi-final opponents withdraw after three quarters. In the first quarter of the
final against HEINO (Peter Herold/Ken Scholes, Gerry McCully/James Galand), we built a
29-IMP lead. However … over the next 30 boards, we turned that 29-IMP lead into a 34-IMP
deficit. In the fourth quarter, a few IMPs went both ways until, with three boards remaining
in the match, we were still down 30 at 130-100. Then:
(The board numbers do not match those on the BBO play record because we started play on
Board 23 and finished with Board 22 at both tables, playing them in the order 23-30, then 16-22.)
Board 58. Dealer West. Both Vul.
♠ J5
♥ AJ9432
♦3
♣ 10 8 7 6
♠ Q43 N ♠ 10 6 2
♥ K8 ♥ Q 10 7
♦ J 10 4 W E ♦ AK 9 8 7 5
♣ AJ 5 4 3 S ♣K
♠ AK987
♥ 65
♦ Q62
♣ Q92
West North East South
Kirr Scholes Thorpe Herold
Pass Pass 1♦ 1♠
2♣ Pass 2♦ All Pass

In mildly-swinging, state-of-the-match mode, my partner, Marty Kirr, went low and passed me out
in Two Diamonds. Peter Herold, South, led out three rounds of spades, giving Kenny Scholes a
ruff. When that turned out to be from a singleton trump, I still had the queen of diamonds and ace
of hearts to lose, but I could ruff my third heart in the dummy after one high trump, for plus 90.
At the other table …
West North East South
Galand Silver McCully Carruthers
1NT* Pass 3NT All Pass
1NT 11-13
Silver led a fourth-best four of hearts. Galand won that with his eight and tried the ace and king
of diamonds. When they failed to break, he led a third round of the suit. In with the queen of dia-
monds (Silver obligingly discarding the three and two of hearts), Carruthers shifted to the seven

115 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
of spades. Declarer played the three, offering a mild insult to South, who would have shifted to
the jack of spades if he had held that card (insulted by experts as Robert Sheehan would have said.
Editor). That meant seven tricks for the defence, down three, minus 300, for a 9-IMP gain.
(As an aside, suppose you reached 3NT in a situation where you knew you were in need of a swing?
Then after a heart lead you might elect to run the jack of diamonds at trick two. If declarer had done
that here, attempting to cover a similar move at the other table then South would win and doubtless
switch to a spade. Now declarer would need to draw the correct inference. Editor)
HEINO 130 – CARRUTHERS 109
Board 59. Dealer North. N/S Vul.
♠9
♥ KQ976
♦ 76
♣ 98532
♠ AK 6 4 3 N ♠ 10 7 5
♥ J 10 ♥ A8 5 3
♦ A8 5 W E ♦ J 10 9 4 2
♣ AQ 7 S ♣K
♠ QJ82
♥ 42
♦ KQ3
♣ J 10 6 4
West North East South
Galand Silver McCully Carruthers
– Pass Pass Pass
1♣* Pass 2♦* Pass
2♠ Pass 4♠ All Pass
1♣ Precision: 16+ HCP
2♦ 8+ HCP, 5+ diamonds
Silver led the king of hearts. Galand won with dummy’s ace and led the jack of diamonds, cov-
ered by the king and ace. When declarer then led out the ace and king of spades and a diamond,
he was one down, losing two spades, one heart and one diamond. Plus 50 to North/South.
At our table …
West North East South
Kirr Scholes Thorpe Herold
– Pass Pass Pass
1♠ Pass 2♠ Pass
2NT* Pass 3♣* Pass
3♦* Pass 3♥* Pass
4♠ All Pass
2NT Game-try; asks for the cheapest suit in which you’d accept a game try
3♣ Would accept a help-suit try in clubs
3♦ What about diamonds
3♥ Not necessarily in diamonds, but would accept a heart try
The same king of hearts was led, again won with dummy’s ace. Kirr, however, led the deuce of
diamonds from dummy, inducing Herold to play the three. When the eight won the trick, Kirr

116 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
perked up. He led out the two high trumps, getting the bad news there, crossed to dummy with
the king of clubs and came back to hand with the ace of diamonds. The ace and queen of clubs
were played to discard hearts from the dummy to leave this ending:
♠—
♥ Q976
♦—
♣8
♠ 643 N ♠ 10
♥J ♥8
♦5 W E ♦ J 10 9
♣— S ♣—
♠ QJ
♥4
♦K
♣J
When Kirr played the jack of hearts to North’s queen, Scholes found himself with only hearts and
clubs remaining. The ensuing ruff-sluff allowed Kirr to get rid of his losing diamond from hand
while ruffing in the dummy with the ten of spades, to make his contract. Plus 420 to East/West.
That seemed like a minor miracle. The major miracle was still to come.
HEINO 130 – CARRUTHERS 119
Board 60. Dealer East. E/W Vul.
♠ 10 7 6
♥ J65
♦ 10 9 5 4 2
♣ 10 4
♠ A8 N ♠ KQ53
♥ A9 8 2 ♥ 43
♦ AK J 7 W E ♦ Q86
♣ QJ7 S ♣ AK 3 2
♠ J942
♥ K Q 10 7
♦3
♣ 9865
West North East South
Galand Silver McCully Carruthers
– – 1NT* Pass
2♣ Pass 2♠ Pass
6NT All Pass
1NT 14-16
McCully claimed 12 tricks for plus 1440 as soon as the dummy appeared.
I was told after the match that Michael Roche, who was sitting out, approached John Carru-
thers and Joey Silver, who had finished play, with his iPad, on which he had been watching the
match on BBO.
“They’ve got one board to play and we’re down 9 IMPs,” Michael told his teammates.
(BBO had the score incorrect – we were down 11 IMPs at that point.)

117 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
“Then we have no chance,” JC replied, “they bid six no-trump at our table and had 12 tricks
on top with no hope of a thirteenth except on a squeeze, which does not work because Joey has
the jack of hearts to guard the suit.”
“But they can make seven clubs,” Michael pointed out.
JC took a second look. “But there’s no way to bid it,” he responded.
Michael closed his iPad. “I can’t watch,” he said.
Marty Kirr’s visualization skills are second to none. This was our auction …
West North East South
Kirr Scholes Thorpe Herold
– – 1♣ Pass
1♦* Pass 1♠* Pass
2♥* Pass 3♦* Pass
3♥* Pass 3♠* Pass
4NT* Pass 5♣* Pass
5♥* Pass 6♣* Pass
7♣* Pass Pass Pass
1♦ Four-card suits up the line unless weak. With a one-bid hand, diamonds can be
bypassed to bid a major.
1♠ Promises at least 4 clubs
2♥ 4th-suit forcing
3♦ Natural, usually 3-card support unless 4=1=4=4 or 4=0=4=5
3♥ Values in hearts
3♠ Spade concentration
4NT RKCB for diamonds
5♣ 1 or 4 key cards
5♥ Queen ask
6♣. Queen of diamonds and king of clubs
7♣ Choice of grand slams
Marty reasoned that my Three Spades bid, show-
ing a concentration there, must contain the
king-queen of the suit as, otherwise, I’d have
bid 3NT after he’d shown values in hearts. Then
when I showed the queen of diamonds, he vis-
ualized a losing heart, if I had one (I could have
been any of 4-2-3-4; 4-1-3-5; 4-1-4-4; or 4-0-4-5),
being discarded on the fourth diamond. A spade
ruff in his hand would provide the thirteenth
trick if I had only four clubs. Thus seven clubs.
I’d have converted to Seven Diamonds with
4-1-4-4 .
Exactly as Marty visualized, I arranged to ruff
a spade in dummy and discard my losing heart
on the fourth round of diamonds for plus 2140.
That was 12 IMPs to us.
CARRUTHERS 131 – HEINO 130
John Carruthers posing with Miss World
in Bali in 2013 - JC is on the left.

118 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
During the victory celebration after the match, the team was unanimous in declaring Marty Kirr
our “Most Valuable Player”. However, passing Two Diamonds, making Four Spades and bidding
Seven Clubs were not the only great feats performed by Marty in that last 15 boards. Early on in
the quarter …
Board 49. Dealer East. Both Vul.
♠ A J 10 7 6
♥ 72
♦ J 10 7
♣ J76
♠ Q543 N ♠ K9
♥ 10 8 6 4 ♥ 953
♦ 942 W E ♦ 863
♣ K3 S ♣ AQ 9 5 4
♠ 82
♥ AKQJ
♦ AKQ5
♣ 10 8 2
West North East South
Galand Silver McCully Carruthers
– – Pass 1♣*
Pass 1♥* Pass 1NT*
Pass 2♠ Pass 2NT
Pass 3NT All Pass
1♣ Strong: 17+ unbalanced/18+ balanced
1♥ Game-forcing, 8+ HCP, 0-2 controls, any distribution
1NT 18-19 balanced
Galand led the nine of diamonds and Carruthers claimed nine tricks. Plus 600 to North/South.
At our table:
West North East South
Kirr Scholes Thorpe Herold
– – Pass 1♦
Pass 1♠ Pass 2NT
Pass 3♥* Pass 3♠
Pass 3NT All Pass
3♥ Transfer to spades
Kirr had a bit more information to work with. He knew South had diamonds, 18-19 HCP, no
spade fit, and probably good hearts (no double by me). So, by now (or perhaps earlier), you’ve
guessed he led the king of clubs. Twelve IMPs to us.
I don’t remember ever seeing anything like this: one player being directly responsible (okay, he
had a little help from partner, teammates and opponents) for 31 IMPs gained over the last three
boards of a match to win by 1 IMP. Marty Kirr was indeed our MVP.

119 July 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
your trip as you see fit.
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

www.blackfish-bridge.com

120 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine


All-Inclusive Package
Vienna for Connoisseurs, August 23-29, 2015

Package includes 2,180 Euro per person

♣ 6 nights in a ‘classic’ double room in ♣ All travel information as well as advice
the 4-star boutique hotel ‘Altstadt on individual exploration and shop-
Vienna’, including an extensive break- ping
fast buffet and afternoon tea with ♣ Round-trip transportation to all
homemade cakes activities in a private bus or taxi
♣ Small groups with a maximum of ♣ Surprise gift
28 persons, guaranteed departures
from ten travelers
♣ Personal welcome from the tour Not included or optional
guide services
♣ Professional and individual assistance
throughout the journey ♣ Individual travel to Vienna
♣ Sightseeing tours and entrance fees ♣ Garage space for your car
♣ Guided tours in German and English ♣ Transfer to/from the airport or train
♣ Lunch and dinner in Vienna‘s top station
restaurants ♣ Single room supplement (55 Euro/
♣ Team and pair tournaments in Vienna’s night for a ‘classic’ double room)
two bridge clubs, with partners ♣ Drinks at lunch and dinner at the For questions about the program
guaranteed and an award ceremony bridge tournaments (drinks at the schedule and the activities offered, con-
♣ Optional participation in a bidding coffee house and vintage tram ride are tact us at office@blackfish-bridge.com.
challenge included) Travel can be booked through our partners
HTS-Reisen.
HTS-Reisen will gladly organize garage space at the hotel (approximately 25 Euro/day)
or an airport transfer.

Register by email: The booking and payment for the rements with respect to religious, More detailed information about
tour is handled by our partners HTS- cultural or medical restrictions. We the activities and your hosts is
office@blackfish-bridge.com Reisen (please use the keyword “Vi- will be happy to assist you. available on our website.
enna for Connoisseurs”):
Deadline: April 30, 2015 For questions about the program www.blackfish-bridge.com
Ms. Katharina Brauner schedule and the activities offered,
Immediately upon receiving your HTS-Reisen contact us directly at We look forward to an unforgettable
registration, our travel partners Liechtensteinstr. 107, 1090 Wien time with you in Vienna!
HTS-Reisen will contact you to Tel. +43 1 3198553 office@blackfish-bridge.com
provide all application forms as well E-Mail: reisen@hts-reisen.at
as information on the payment terms
and cancellation policy. For more
information, please visit our web-
On the form that you’ll receive by
email from us upon registration, Bridge
site: please indicate if you are vegetari-
an/vegan, suffer from food allergies Tournaments in Viennese bridge clubs
www.blackfisch-bridge.com or have any special dietary requi- Partners guaranteed
Bidding challenge

Contact & Imprint

Margit Schwarz and Doris Fischer
Fine Dining
Isbarygasse 20 A/3, 1140 Vienna, Austria Exquisite Viennese cuisine
E-Mail: office@blackfish-bridge.com Unique locations
Telephone: Margit Schwarz +43 699 19459411 Traditional Viennese coffee house
Doris Fischer
Doris Fischer +43 676 5443493

HTS Reisen
Katharina Brauner
Liechtensteinstraße 107, 1090 Veinna, Austria
Culture
E-Mail: reisen@hts-reisen.at Special city walking tours
Telephone: +43 1 3198553 www.hts-reisen.at Exclusive sightseeing
Margit Schwarz Vintage tram ride

BLACK BRIDGE
www.blackfish-bridge.com

121 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate

MARKS & COMMENTS

Set 293 conducted by Alan Mould

Firstly this month a warm welcome to our newest pan-

ellist, ex-pat and South African resident Tim Cope.
Tim left England for South Africa in 1981. Before
leaving he had a chance to win a Gold Cup, represent
Junior England and manage what is now TGR’s bridge THE BIDS & MARKS
club in London (for those not in the know TGR stands Bid Marks No. of Votes
for “The Great Rose” after Irving Rose). Since being 1. Pass 10 14
in South Africa, he has represented that country over 3NT 8 4
20 times (reaching the semis of the Bermuda Bowl Double 7 1
Three Spades 3 0
in 2007 and the quarters in 2. Pass 10 10
2004). He has won 14 South 3NT 9 9
African National titles. He 2NT 7 0
works for a law firm in Cape Three Hearts 3 0
Three Spades 2 0
Town, but bridge remains his Two Spades 1 0
main passion – these days pre- 3. Pass 10 12
ferring as much to coach and Three Hearts 7 3
3NT 6 2
captain rather than play. Wel- Five Clubs 6 1
come Tim. Double 5 1
We have a small but perfectly formed panel of 19 Four Clubs 1 0
Four Hearts 1 0
this month which gives me a bit of a chance to witter 4. Pass 10 14
on. Sadly it wasn’t much of a set this month – all but Three Hearts 7 3
two problems had clear majorities and the other two One Heart 6 2
Two Hearts 2 0
the top bid scored 10 and 9 votes out of 19 so sorry Four Hearts 1 0
about that for your first set Tim – I will try and do 5. Four Spades 10 9
better next month. It would have been a very good set Double 9 8
3NT 8 2
for Br. Anthony though, David Bird’s creation of the Three Spades 4 0
monk from the silent order who therefore always has to 6. Pass 10 13
pass. Pass was the clear majority on five problems out 3NT 8 6
Four Clubs 1 0
of eight! It is a pity Paul Bowyer is absent this month Five Clubs 1 0
as he would have been in his element . Double 0 0
Hands 1, 2 and 3 this month come from a NICKO 7. Four Spades 10 10
match I played in, hand 4 (as several panelists recog- Four Diamonds 8 2
5NT 8 2
nised) is from the recent US trials, hand 5 was sent Six Clubs 8 3
to me by reader Martin Cantor and comes from the Four Hearts 6 2
German bridge teams trophy, hands 6 and 7 come Five Clubs 2 0
Five Hearts 1 0
from reader Alan Jones of Manchester and are from Six Hearts 1 0
an online game, and finally hand 8 was sent to me 8. 4NT 10 7
by panellist John Matheson. An unusual set in that Four Spades 9 5
Four Diamonds 7 1
we don’t have a hand sent in by Marc Smith . OK Pass 6 3
on with the show. 6NT 6 2
Five Spades 5 1
5NT 4 0
Four Clubs 1 0
Six Spades 1 0

122 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
PROBLEM 1 Colour me chicken.
Brock: Pass. OK. They got me!
IMPs. Dealer North. E/W Vul. Kokish: Pass. As East did not overcall, he will not
have a fair five-card suit and whatever our part-
♠ AK 8 3 nership deems an acceptable minimum. So even
♥ KJ9 if we buy enough strength to give us hope for the
♦ Q3 vulnerable game bonus, where will the tricks come
♣ KJ62 from? Sure, we might keep South off lead to neu-
West North East South tralize a club threat, but we have a heavy bias for
– 1♣* Pass 3♣ defence and I suspect a simulation would confirm
? our best chance for a long-term plus is to remain
1♣ Could be three (N/S are playing five-card silent. Our short-term 11 IMP losses, however, are
majors, better minor, strong NT)
3♣ Pre-emptive not predictable.
Bid Marks No. of Votes Lawrence: Pass. Can’t imagine a bid. Please don’t
Pass 10 14 tell me East has ♠Qxxxx ♥Qxx ♦Kxxx ♣x
3NT 8 4 OK I won’t.
Double 7 1 Sime: Pass. There cannot be many hands where
Three Spades 3 0 partner does not re-open and we miss game. I trust
Great! We have a 17-count and the opponents are at that our enlightened team mates are playing simi-
the three-level in one of our suits. Yes we could have lar methods. Or has my counterpart been given an
game on but (a) which one and (b) how do we get easy double of a weak 1NT?
there? There is also the matter that partner has not Your counterpart was me and I was given the option
overcalled One Club. OK she is at red, but these days of doubling a strong NT (funny how often 14-counts
no one bothers much about what colour the board are weak in one room and strong in the other). With
is. All this persuades three-quarters of the panel to go this pile of junk I wimped out.
quietly – some think it clear and some with misgiv- Matheson: Pass. Assuming partner plays light over-
ings it has to be said: calls he is unlikely, being short in clubs, to have 8+
Robson: Pass. Clear for me. The hand with the points.  It is possible he is 4-4-4-1 8-10, but even
shortage should act. then game is not certain.  Three Clubs is pre-emp-
Green: Pass. A clear action for me. I could go for tive, but some agree that it is enough to sustain
a huge number by bidding and if we have a game 3NT opposite 18-19. If that is the case even more
on then I expect partner to re-open. reason to go quietly.
Greco: Pass. When you’re fixed you’re fixed. If part- Smith: Pass. At first glance, it looks clear to Dou-
ner couldn’t bid over One Club with short clubs ble, but what are we hoping to achieve? On the
then they must not have a great hand so I don’t see odd occasion when partner jumps to game in his
bidding with so much in clubs. Partner is still live five-card Major, we’ll have done the right thing,
to balance. but how likely is that? Isn’t it far more likely that
And so say many others about partner balancing: he will have something like ♠xxx ♥Qxxx ♦Jxxxx
Alder: Pass. If North-South are psyching, they got ♣x? Whichever red suit he chooses, we’ll have
me – unless partner can balance with a double. turned a likely small plus into a probably small but
Our freshman is with the majority: possibly large minus. Even if he has a fifth heart
Cope: Pass. Let us picture partner with a random rather than the fifth diamond, we still rate to go
4-4-4-1 shape with insufficient values to bid on minus at the three -evel when defending would
the first round – opposite most hands game (or be better. Even if we do find partner with a decent
even a part-score) will be a bleak prospect unless hand, say ♠Qxx ♥Qxxx ♦AJxxx ♣x, is there not
they are top of the range for their pass. So I hope a danger that a double will see him carry us past
to collect the odd 50 or 100 and go plus. If part- the most likely game contract of 3NT? Hamman’s
ner is top of the range, the auction is not over just Rule anyone? Sure, either Double or 3NT could
because I pass. be right, but even when one of those is the win-
Cannell: Pass. Partner holds 0-1 clubs and could ner we have to guess which, so passing seems like
not enter the auction after the One Club opening. the best option.
I am not wandering into this minefield Vulnerable. Apteker: Pass. I probably need partner to be able
to make a balancing double or bid for this to have

123 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
play in game. I could bid a very unilateral 3NT but Bid Marks No. of Votes
it is more likely to turn a plus into a minus if part- Pass 10 10
ner does not have the values to reopen. 3NT 9 9
On to the unilateral 3NTers: 2NT 7 0
Silver: 3NT. Holding these clubs, the only way this Three Hearts 3 0
hand pulls its full weight on offence is in NTs, and Three Spades 2 0
since Pour Moi passing is not an option I’ll take a Two Spades 1 0
stab at 3NT. A two horse race and I am rather surprised at the win-
It must be something in the water in Canada as ner. With these heart pips is it so clear to pass Two
Joey is joined by: Hearts doubled? The majority of the panel think so:
Carruthers: 3NT. Good to know that opener prob- Robson: Pass. I must say I consider this automatic.
ably has a weak notrump. Sime: Pass. Non-vulnerable overcallers should not
Adam is not too confident: enjoy immunity. Even in our four card major base
Zmudzinski: 3NT. And a couple of hundreds for partner ought to bid Two Spades with a minimum
them. 3-1-(4-5). As he doesn’t have that hand, the penalty
Teramoto: 3NT. This may be an overbid but dou- ought to be worthwhile.
ble does not solve the problem. Brock: Pass. I’ll go for a penalty. Let’s hope partner
Which brings us to the lone doubler and the first in isn’t 2-1-5-5 but even if he is it might still go off.
a fine selection of predictions from panelists this month: Cope: Pass. Whilst 3NT will probably make, I can
Bird: Double. My first inclination was to Pass, but surely guarantee 300, expect 500 and hope for 800
this will hardly coincide with the views of your on this hand. Opposite a barren dummy declarer
testosterone-fuelled panel. To avoid an embarrass- will be playing out of hand every time they win a
ing ‘And finally, much to my surprise, there was trick which will not be that often.
one panellist who...’, I will have to risk a double. Kokish: Pass. Perhaps only +300 against +430 but
Don’t blame me if the result is an 800 in the minus the possibility of landing in the wrong game or level
column. if we bid makes taking the money slightly more
Bobbly Wolff also passed but sadly he had misread attractive. And why won’t they go for 500? They’re
the question and thought we had opened One Club. not all Canadian two-level overcallers, are they?
I have thus left his bid as Pass but have not put in This one certainly wasn’t!
the comment. Lawrence: Pass. Down three, even four, is possible.
The One Club opener has the expected weak NT and Today’s overcalls don’t match yesterday’s standards.
the Three Club bidder held ♠xx ♥xx ♦Jxx ♣Q10xxxx. Where have I seen a comment like that before?
Partner held ♠Qxx ♥A10xxx ♦109xxx ♣-. As you Greco: Pass. Risky yes, but I don’t know how well
can see everything was as friendly as it could possi- 3NT will play and I like my prospects against Two
bly be and 11 tricks rolls home in hearts except on a Hearts doubled unless partner has a real freak hand
trump lead. Even 3NT makes. So tell me dear readers with no hearts.
is this a One Heart overcall for you at red? If not do Surely that isn’t very likely as a passed hand? He
you balance over Three Clubs? At the table my team could just bid a suit at the three level safe in the knowl-
gained 2 IMPs from +200 against 1NT versus -150 edge that he was a passed hand.
against Three Clubs. Silver: Pass. If we are cold for 3NT, Pass should
produce a big number, and if game ain’t cold, Pass
PROBLEM 2 will produce a smaller number. However I am sure
of one thing: unlike 3NT, Pass will guarantee a plus.
IMPs. Dealer East. None Vul Zmudzinski: Pass. 70%. 3NT–30% but I play
♠ AQ 9 4 3 negative free bids.
♥ AJ 4 2 Carruthers: Pass. I might try 3NT, but that might
♦ 86 warn North off a heart lead, which may not be to
our advantage.
♣ AK The last two comments bring us to the only other
West North East South alternative bid made by the panel:
– – Pass Pass Matheson: 3NT. With such poor heart pips I pre-
1♠ 2♥ Double Pass fer to declare. A common result I think is that Two
? Hearts doubled gets us 300, whilst 3NT gets us

124 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
400/430. Only 3/4 imps, but if my guess is cor- obviously going off the defence need to take great care
rect this frequent occurrence will nullify the occa- to beat it more than one. If the defence attempt to cash
sional big loss- 3NT going down and Two Hearts two club tricks at any point (as happened at the table)
doubled minus two. A close decision, but bidding declarer is out for one off.
3NT gives us declarer’s advantage.
Some think it clear and Marc gives us the next fine PROBLEM 3
panel prediction:
Smith: 3NT. What are the alternatives? Defend- IMPs. Dealer North. N/S Vul
ing with this trump holding under the bidder just ♠ AQ 6
invites uncomfortable explanations when we reu- ♥—
nite with our teammates. 2NT is non-forcing and ♦ Q95
would suggest a minimum opening bid, ie Jx of ♣ AK Q J 8 7 3
clubs rather than AK. Ergo, 3NT. Rather a damp
West North East South
squib IMHO.
– 2♥* Pass 3♣*
It is a curious fact that some are bidding 3NT for
?
+400/430 and some are worried about Two Hearts 2♥ Natural and weak
doubled making: 3♣ Natural and forcing one round
Green: 3NT. Very close between this and Pass. If Bid Marks No. of Votes
partner has a singleton spade it will be right to pass Pass 10 12
the double but if he has a singleton heart then two Three Hearts 7 3
hearts doubled could be hairy for the defence. 3NT 6 2
Wolff: 3NT. Many will pass which may well get Five Clubs 6 1
500, but against a good declarer 100 or 300 is more Double 5 1
likely and what about partner holding: 2 and 1 in Four Clubs 1 0
the majors and something like: Axxxx, QJxxx in the Four Hearts 1 0
minors.  I will judge Pass worth about 85%.  And OK we all know South is having a little joke – just
since the penalty for being wrong with pass may be grateful that (a) the vulnerability is as it is and
be -470 but only -50 for bidding 3NT. (b) Three Clubs is forcing. The problem is what do
Alder: 3NT. It is this or Pass; I will go for declar- we do about it? The classic way to bid with length
er’s advantage. and strength in the opponents’ suit is to pass now and
Apteker: 3NT. Pass is tempting with all these sharp bid it later and 12 of the panel see no reason at all
cards and length in the overcaller’s suit but I am to deviate from that plan. Our newbie sums up the
under the bidder and expect to beat it at most by arguments well:
three tricks. On a bad day it could even make. In Cope: Pass. South has chosen a good time to psy-
3NT, with the ♥J, I should be able to stop the play che with a big heart fit. My job is to try to tell part-
of hearts after a first round duck of the K or Q lead. ner that I have a strong hand with real clubs. If I
Cannell: 3NT. If I rebid 2NT here that would be start by bidding clubs, partner may assume I have
around 15-17 HCP, so I will attempt game with a powerful two-suiter. If I start with a double and
my 18 HCP. Yes, it would be better if I held the then bid clubs partner will assume I am cue-bid-
♥9 instead of the two or four. But, maybe partner ding. Fortunately 3♣ was forcing, so if I pass and
will help with a spade honour then bid 5♣ I think partner will get this one right.
Bird: 3NT. I am expecting close to a 10-count for Robson: Pass. For now. South may have picked a
partner’s double at this level, so 3NT should have good moment, but the pass-then-bid-clubs route
good play. ‘Why not defend in that case?’ It could should be a psyche-exposer
be right, I suppose. I look forward to the other pan- Greco: Pass. Am I looking at this right? They make
ellists’ comments. a forcing bid in my solid seven-card suit (yep). If
Teramoto: 3NT. Pass is also possible. I double now I don’t see how to get back to clubs.
Partner held ♠10x ♥x ♦KQJx ♦QJxxxx and the Bird: Pass. If there is some reason for not passing
overcaller ♠Kxx ♥KQ109xx ♦xxx ♣x so 3NT was at this stage, it escapes me. I will probably bid Five
cold unless the defence hit on a diamond lead and Clubs on the next round.
continuation to lock out the clubs which is no mean Brock: Pass. Is this some sort of ethical problem?
feat (even then declarer can run the ♠10 and make No not at all.
the hand). Meanwhile whilst Two Hearts doubled is

125 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Smith: Pass. South is presumably messing around Regrettably, we may end in 3NT, making, but not
with a fistful of hearts, but whilst we know that finding our slam.
making it clear to partner is not so easy. Double Matheson: Three Hearts. I think South is psyching
and Four Clubs both show spades and diamonds. with a big heart fit, but partner could still have a
Does Three Hearts ask for a heart stopper? If so, heart guard.   If partner has no heart guard it might
AND you are certain that partner will think so too, get murky eg (Two Hearts) Pass (Three Clubs) Three
that’s a reasonable option. Of course, it is doubt- Hearts (Pass) Three Spades (Four Hearts) if I now
ful if South will let you play 3NT anyway, and if bid Five Clubs partner might think it is a cue with
you then bid Five Clubs over Four Hearts will it be a big diamond hand. To play in Five Clubs it might
obvious that it is natural? Passing and bidding Five be clearer to Pass initially and bid Five Clubs on the
Clubs on the next round seems the route most likely second round, but that gives up on 3NT.
to avoid an accident, but I’ll be interested to hear OK back to the passers:
what the rest of the panel think. Good problem. Sime: Pass. My first instinct was double. However,
Zmudzinski: Pass. Double is for take out, Three the auction would probably go (Pass)-Three Dia-
Hearts is Michaels so what else? monds/Spades-(Four Hearts)- ?. What would Five
Green: Pass. I expect to pass and then bid Five Clubs mean now? A cue bid I would imagine.
Clubs in order to clarify the position for partner. Another reason for passing is that we obtain infor-
I think a direct Five Clubs should also be natural mation from North’s bid.
but this is probably undiscussed. Three Hearts after Kokish: Pass. If South is worried about our poten-
Three Clubs would be Michaels, not a stopper ask. tial in clubs, things are probably good for our side
Funny you should mention that. Is it? Let’s ask the so we’ll have time to do what we like without fear
people who bid it: of buying a poor dummy. The only downside in
Carruthers: Three Hearts. South is a comedian is passing is the vulnerability, which might – wrongly
he? If I double, it will go Pass-Pass-Three Hearts – convince East that I am saving when I bid later.
and then where will I be? As it is, I hope partner I’m not that kind of guy and she knows it.
takes this similarly to a direct Three Hearts, ask- Wolff: Pass. And, of course bid Five Clubs over a
ing for a stop, and not spades and diamonds, with Four Heart contract passed around to me; Four
which I could bid Four Diamonds. Clubs over a Three Heart contract passed around to
Lawrence: Three Hearts. Asking for a heart stopper. me unless I think chicanery is in the mix then 3NT.
Double would be takeout. Four Clubs would be Alder: Pass. I am confident South is psyching, but I
some kind of takeout barring an agreement which do not see how to expose him at the moment, short
our moderator would have told us about. South of bidding five or six clubs. Let’s see what happens.
has found a good moment for his Three Club bid. 3NT would be an imaginative effort.
I think so too but two brave Canadians (did I men-
tion there must be something in the water!) are up for it
Silver: 3NT. I am not a big fan of passing and let-
ting the villians get together on the auction with
no interference from me. So I have to guess what
South is up to; it seems only fair that he guesses
YOUNG CHELSEA what I am up to, and should it go all pass, why not
let North guess what to lead? (ain’t poker fun?)
BRIDGE CLUB Cannell: 3NT. Very funny!  If I pass and attempt
to enter the auction later we will be poorly placed.
One of the World’s Great Bridge Clubs South is intending to impede our progress with the
Duplicate every weekday evening club psyche, and then some number of hearts next.
I will try Hamman’s Rule #1 to see what happens.
Partner may save us from ourselves somewhere along
Tel: 020 7373 1665 the line – ie. heart stopper / bidding his own suit /
www.ycbc.co.uk doubling them if they bid Four Hearts / etc.
We have two lone bids. This one I at least understand:
Teramoto: Five Clubs. Three Clubs must be a psy-
che with a heart fit.
Whereas this one I don’t:

126 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Apteker: Double. Exposing the psyche and show- pre-empting, with so much defence and so little
ing clubs and a strong hand (well the rest of the offence Pass seems clear (I’ll go further, pre-empt-
panel think it is takeout Alon). I will follow up with ing on this hand would be an obscenity).
a takeout double over Three Hearts or Four Hearts Scottish straight talking:
from South. If I were to pass and then double Four Matheson: Pass . I normally bid, even with four
Hearts, partner may think it is for penalties. cards in the other major, but this has too many
South did of course have a heart fit but wanted a negatives for One Heart/Two Hearts/Three Hearts/
club lead against anything we bid as he held ♠xxx Four Hearts.
♥AK10xxx ♦Jxxx ♣-. It would have been a bit of a English irony:
surprise to his partner who would have led his single- Bird: Pass. It is tempting to open Three Hearts, with
ton club to see partner show out! Our partner held only around three flaws in the bid. An opening of
♠K10xxx ♥x ♦Ax ♣xxxxx so seven of either black One Heart does not appeal either. I am happy to
suit was cold. I suppose partner might raise after Pass wait and listen before making some well-judged
and then Five Clubs from us. At the table the two move on the next round.
contracts were Five Clubs and Four Spades. Polish contentment:
Zmudzinski: Pass. Three Hearts–bad suit, three
PROBLEM 4 outside kings, One Heart–not strong enough. Good
set for me–many “passes”.
IMPs. Dealer West. N/S Vul And Canadian whimsy:
♠ K 10 7 3 Kokish: Pass. My late friend Stephen Howard
♥ 10 9 8 6 4 3 2 Labins lived by the credo that stiff kings were meant
♦K to bid notrump and this hand would surely have
♣K appealed to him as a 1NT or 2NT opening. In an
unrelated but somewhat similar vein, TGZ (The
West North East South
Great Zia) advocates pre-empting with as many
?
doubleton queens on the side as possible, the more
Bid Marks No. of Votes likely you are to make them on defense. Nonethe-
Pass 10 14 less, I will bide my time and see whether we belong
Three Hearts 7 3 in spades before I pick a number of hearts. Colour
One Heart 6 2 me principled.
Two Hearts 2 0 And that folks wins this month’s comment of the
Four Hearts 1 0 month.
For the fourth consecutive problem Pass is the majority Robson: Pass. Normally hate to miss an opportu-
bid – will this never end? We don’t have an opening nity to describe my hand but hardly here.
bid even in these devalued days, we have good distri- Teramoto: Pass. This is no good for a heart pre-
bution but a horrible honour structure that screams empt with four good spades and stiff kings, and I
defence rather than offence and four good spades on don’t have enough for a One Heart opening.
the side all of which mitigates against a pre-empt. So Well you do, say:
what is left but a Pass and that is the view of three Sime: One Heart. My fan won’t be impressed if I
quarters of the panel. pass again. Pre-empting is tempting at these col-
Carruthers: Pass. A pre-empt is not mandatory just ours. I don’t mind a side four card major, or points
because you have a long suit. outside my suit, but not both. So One Heart and
Indeed not – these days you don’t even need a long apologise to partner if it works out badly.
suit… Greco: One Heart. I don’t like passing hands like
Cannell: Pass. This particular holding does not con- these. I think One Heart is the best start with this
form to my idea of any level opening. Listen and awkward hand as I don’t want to bury the spades
hope to learn something feels right. by preempting where I could be cold for a spade
Cope: Pass. No other bid fits even close. Not going grand slam and be passed out in a heart pre-empt
to be that much easier later in the auction either, opposite a void.
but at least I did not start with a distortion. Back to the passers:
Canadian forthrightness: Apteker: Pass. Let’s wait and hear from everyone else.
Silver: Pass. Neither the quality nor the quantity I cannot pre-empt with such poor suit quality and
of my high cards are enough for a one bid. As for four spades for fear of missing a better fit or game

127 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
in the other major. I also have too much defense to Bid Marks No. of Votes
pre-empt but not enough to open One Heart. Four Spades 10 9
Green: Pass. All actions are flawed but my second Double 9 8
choice would be One Heart. Three Hearts is absurd 3NT 8 2
and you are too strong for Two Hearts. Three Spades 4 0
So on to the absurd Three Hearts bidders: This is the second hand on this set where the panel have
Brock: Three Hearts. I don’t really have strong feel- surprised me. We have to guess what to do when this
ings as anything could be right. But I like to bid a pre-empt is floated to us. I was expecting a stampede
lot when I’m at favourable and make them guess. for 3NT with plenty of comments like:
Smith: Three Hearts.. All pre-empts are a gamble, Brock: 3NT. Hamman’s rule.
but the odds are 2:1 that one of the opponents Apart from Sally there is:
has the good hand rather than partner. If partner Cannell: 3NT. A very difficult choice – for me
has ♠AQxxx ♥x ♦Axx ♣Axxx then so be it – let’s anyway. This is between Four Spades and 3NT as
hope we can at least make Four Hearts! This is just Double and then spades should be slightly better.
a matter of style/philosophy and I would expect Since I have two checks in clubs I will try for the
much more support from this side of the Pond nine-trick game as opposed to the ten-trick game.
than the other. And, blame Bob Hamman if I am wrong. 
2-1 Marc but only from a sample of three. How- And that folks is it! If you weren’t going to bid 3NT
ever Bobby is very firmly in your camp: then Double followed by Three Spades shows a good
Wolff: Three Hearts. I’m not much for discipline hand. Is that where this hand is at? Yes says eight of
trumping solid pre-emption and over the course the panel – the most surprising of which to me is the
of so many years have only become more that way Koach, full of whimsy again:
since well timed pre-emptive bidding (meaning Kokish: Double. While I was thinking about the
where others fear to tread) have brought consist- merits of Four Spades, Three Spades and 3NT, my
ently well over average scores home to roost. Second bridge-expert wife whispered double in my ear,
choice would be a nose-holding One Heart and no knowing my antipathy toward that option with
one including moi, likes that action. But pass, NO strongish one-suiters. Our methods are a bit dif-
and leave that for the loser next door. ferent here: Four Clubs = ♥+♠; Four Diamonds
The final word to the two who know: = some strong one-suiter; 4M=5+M & 5+♦. This
Lawrence: Pass. This was a One Heart bid in the doesn’t feel like Four Diamonds (or a standard Four
US trials last week. Worked well. Spades) while 3NT needs both diamond help and
Alder: Pass. I know this deal. In the U.S. open time to use spades, and Three Spades is an under-
trial, Joe Grue opened One Heart playing Meck- bid even for me. OK, darling, you talked me into
well Light. Curtis Cheek raised to Two Hearts, 8-10 double because hearts might be the right strain for
points, Grue invited game with Three Hearts, and game. How would I cope without you?
Cheek bid four, which made for a game swing. Apteker: Double. I have too much to merely make a
Unless playing strong club, I would pass this hand. Three Spade bid in pass out seat but not enough to
And even then, I might pass. jump to Four Spades although I do not need much
Partner held ♠Qx ♥Axx ♦Axxx ♣Jxxx so game was from partner to make. I will bid Three Spades over
easy. At the other table this hand did what the panel Three Diamonds or Three Hearts or will convert
did – Pass and wait and see….. he is still waiting. Four Hearts to Four Spades.
Joey has more or less the same plan with a varia-
PROBLEM 5 tion if partner bids Four Hearts:
Silver: Double. With spades not good enough to
IMPs. Dealer North. None Vul jump to game with, a hand too strong for Three
♠ K J 10 9 6 3 Spades, and with 3NT being too terminal and lack-
♥ AQ J ing in flexibility I’ll settle for an old fashioned take-
♦ J7 out double. Intending to bid Three Spades over
♣ AK Three Hearts, Four Spades over Four Diamonds
and of course Pass over Four Hearts.
West North East South
Sime: Double. A double then Three Spades over
– 3♣ Pass Pass
Three Diamonds or Three Hearts looks right, assum-
?
ing that shows extra values. I will probably miss

128 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
3NT, but if Four Hearts or Six Spades is the spot Smith: Four Spades. What else? I want to play in
we should be OK. If double then Three Spades does game, so Three Spades is not an option. 3NT may
not show extras I have to bid Four Spades. be the best contract, but to get there I have either to
Green: Double. No decision on this round, but bid it now or double and bid it over partner’s Three
I will have a choice to make on the next round if Diamond/Heart response, and neither of those par-
partner bids Three Diamonds or Three Hearts. ticularly appeals. I could double, but to what end
Zmudzinski: Double. Three Spades is an underbid. since I don’t really want to suggest an alternative
It sure is! suit. Close to unanimous.
Teramoto: Double. Double then Three Spades Exactly 50% is not close to unanimous, but a sig-
shows a good hand. I am too good for Three Spades. nificant improvement on your last prediction Marc .
Wolff: Double. As a temporary compromise None of the panel will get a plus score on this hand.
between a conservative Three Spades, and two mis- Partner held ♠Qxxx ♥Kx ♦xxxx ♣xxx whereas the
directional bids (for different reasons) of 3NT and Three Club opener is ♠Ax ♥x ♦Qxx ♣Qxxxxxx. So
Four Spades. spades played by you with get a heart lead and collect
Well I have to say I am surprised, but exactly half the heart ruff whereas spades played by partner will
the panel go for the Four Spade bid. Tim gives a full get a top diamond lead and it should not be too diffi-
set of reasons: cult to switch to a heart, both defences holding spades
Cope: Four Spades. By process of elimination. Bid- to nine tricks.
ding Three Spades is too much of an underbid. Bid-
ding 3NT is unilateral and a gamble. Doubling PROBLEM 6
and bidding Three Spades is almost right but does
not give full weight to my ♠109. A strong jump IMPs. Dealer East. E/W Vul
feels just right. ♠ 73
Matheson: Four Spades. A slight stretch, but I play ♥ A K 10 7 2
double followed by a new suit as strong and flex- ♦ A5
ible. If I double and partner bids Three Hearts then ♣ 8743
Three Spades by me is typically a strong (non-forc-
West North East South
ing) 5-3-4-1. With this shape and such strong sec-
– – 1♣* 3♥
ondary spades I don’t wish to imply flexibility.
?
A partnership with: 1♣ BM standard so always at least 4 clubs and usu-
Robson: Four Spades. Too heavy for Three Spades ally five. Only four clubs if 3-3-3-4 or (3-2)-4-4 and
and I hate to double with a single suiter. If I double 15-19 HCP
then bid spades, I have a flexible two/three suiter Bid Marks No. of Votes
type.  Pass 10 13
Lawrence: Four Spades. Double followed by Three 3NT 8 6
Spades implies five spades. Double followed by Four Four Clubs 1 0
Spades suggests more. Five Clubs 1 0
A number of the Four Spade bidders mention other OK this wasn’t much of a problem! I wondered if the
options: panel would be concerned about the vulnerability and
Greco: Four Spades. I am way too strong to just our club fit sufficiently to eschew the penalty (assuming
bid Three Spades so this seems like the most down partner finds a takeout double of Three Hearts) and
the middle choice although 3NT and Double could head for our game. Nah! The combined difficulty of
also work. perhaps not having a game or not finding the correct
Alder: Four Spades. If 3NT is the winner, tant pis. one plus the real possibility of Three Hearts Doubled
Bird: Four Spades. To bid just Three Spades, par- going for 800 or more persuade almost three quarters
ticularly in the protective seat, would be a serious of the panel to do the obvious – Pass and hope partner
underbid. If 3NT happens to be the winning effort... can double. Alon and Marc state the case well:
sorry, I was not up to it. Apteker: Pass. I will pass partner’s anticipated reo-
Carruthers: Four Spades. If I must lose the lead pening double which I expect to defeat by at least
twice before setting up spades, 3NT may be defeated three tricks and probably more. While slam may
on repeated club leads, whilst Four Spades may still be on, the AK won’t be pulling their weight and
be in the game. And if I have only one spade to lose, could be wasted in a club contract. If partner bids
Four Spades still looks good. Three Spades or Four Clubs, I will cue to show a

129 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
good hand with support that wanted to trap pass. does not double he will surely bid, either way I will
Smith: Pass. With my heart values not pulling their know what to do. (of course if my imagination is
weight offensively opposite a likely shortage, is even lacking and my OX does pass I cannot envision a
game certain? ♠Jxx ♥x ♦KQxx ♣KQJxx is a sound game our way)
enough opening bid and we can make nothing, for Alder: Pass. I will hope partner can double on the
example. Assuming we can make game (and that we way out. Second choice, 3NT; and maybe that
get to the right one), the penalty from Three Hearts should be my first choice.
Doubled is still likely to score better. Defending is Which brings us to the only other bid the panel
only likely to be the wrong option when we have make:
an easy slam in clubs, and I can hardly underwrite Cannell: 3NT. Hamman’s month! If partner
that at this stage. removes we will play some number of clubs.
Cope: Pass. Partner may have the perfect cards for Partner will rarely move over 3NT I would have
Six Clubs, or 3NT may be the only makeable game, thought.
but I prefer not to deal in “maybes” and will just take Brock: 3NT. Seems wrong to try for a penalty at
the money when partner re-opens with a double. this vulnerability with my club length.
Fair enough! Carruthers: 3NT. Had I any assurance that part-
Robson: Pass. Salivating. ner would re-open with double, I’d pass, but ace-
Greco: Pass. If I can’t trap pass with this hand then king, ace is too much to hold for that assurance to
when can I? be forthcoming.
Teramoto: Pass. I want to defend Three Hearts Wolff: 3NT. But pass with a partner who firmly
doubled so I wait for partner’s double. believes in a reopening takeout Double with short-
Green: Pass. This one is clear for me, there is no ness in the opponent’s suit. To make 3NT I might
certainty of Five Clubs making (partner could be very well need at least five club tricks from partner.
4-1-4-4 shape) or even making a slam and Three Zmudzinski: 3NT. But only today. I would pass
Hearts looks to be 800 most of the time. at the table. Well judged pre-empt. If partner dou-
Bird: Pass. I am not one of those who claim that bles and I pass we can easily miss the slam. If I bid
‘partner should always double with shortage in the 3NT we can easily go down.
overcaller’s suit’, regardless of the level of the bid- Kokish: 3NT. Extra dangerous because North
ding. Here, though, the odds seem good that part- might not have a heart to lead and randomly make a
ner will double and this offers us the best chance better lead for the defence. Tempting to pass and try
of a big score. for an adequate penalty, but our vulnerability works
Sime: Pass. Non-vulnerable overcallers should not both ways and he won’t strain to reopen double with
enjoy immunity. If we cannot pull the trigger, we both imperfect shape and a minimum. This feels
will be exposed to all sorts of villainy. Partner doesn’t wrong to me and I fear that Professor Mould will
have to double, but he is obliged to bid with short show us that Five Clubs was our dream destination.
hearts. I’ve been promoted! Sadly I have lost the hand oppo-
Talk to David! site but I do remember that the winner was to pass
Lawrence: Pass. Not sure we have a game so I’m and partner will reopen on his 3-1-4-5 shape. 3NT
willing to look for a big penalty should East be is cold if and only if you can persuade North not to
able to reopen. If he passes, + 200 may be a good lead from ♠AKQxxx 
enough result.
John sounds a tiny note of caution: PROBLEM 7
Matheson: Pass Partner will usually double, which
I intend to pass. If RHO has only 5 hearts, I have IMPs. Dealer North. None Vul.
seen this several times, partner might have three ♠ AJ 9 3
hearts and pass. We just have to occasionally pay ♥ J6
off to the wild men. ♦ A Q 10 6
I agree – you cannot go around designing your bid- ♣ KJ9
ding on the assumption that the opponents are mad
West North East South
on every hand.
— Pass 1♥ 1♠
Silver: Pass. Hard to imagine partner passing with
Double 3♠ 4♣ Pass
heart shortness no matter what he holds (hard to
?
imagine partner not having heart shortness). If he

130 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
Bid Marks No. of Votes clubs he expects me to have. Furthermore, he might
Four Spades 10 10 have a sixth heart that he suppressed because of his
Four Diamonds 8 2 suitability for clubs; indeed he might well be 0-6-
5NT 8 2 3-4 or 0-6-2-5 rather than 0-5-3-5. It’s going to be
Six Clubs 8 3 tough to stay out of Six Clubs regardless, whether I
Four Hearts 6 2 bid Four Spades or something else, but sometimes
Five Clubs 2 0 he can do something useful if I leave him enough
Five Hearts 1 0 room. I confess that I won’t pass Five Clubs.
Six Hearts 1 0 But as can be seen is also driving slam, as is Mike
We doubled One Spade because we felt we were a lit- Lawrence: Four Spades. Expect we are cold for Six
tle strong for 3NT and the auction has now taken a Clubs but seven might be on. Wish I had a fourth
rather surprising turn with North leaping to Three club. Perhaps partner can take over. He could bid
Spades and partner having enough to bid at the four- this way with ♠- ♥AK843 ♦K43 ♣AQ872. Add the
level. What to do about all this? Half the panel choose jack of diamonds and Seven Clubs is worth bidding.
to bid Four Spades – clearly a cue for clubs. Might require guessing where the 10 of clubs is.
Cope: Four Spades. Partner’s Four Club bid is Apteker: Four Spades. I expect partner to have at
probably based more on extra shape than extra least 5-5 in the rounded suits in a 0-5-3-5 or 0-6-
values – would we not be bidding Four Clubs on 2-5 shape hand. Prospects for slam are excellent
♠–♥Q109xx ♦Kxx ♣AQxxx. ? If partner has bet- with diamonds and clubs well placed over South.
ter than this, they can bid Six Clubs over the Four Green: Four Spades. Cue bid, I could bid 5NT as
Spades slam try. pick a slam (in case partner holds six hearts and
This is a good point – since partner s extremely likely four clubs) but I don’t think I’m worth a drive, I do
to be void in spades they will bid with fewer values however have a 16-count so I think I should show
than otherwise. This also means our ace of spades is some signs of life
not as good as it might be. Which brings us to the 5NT bidders:
Teramoto: Four Spades. This shows a good hand Alder: 5NT. Do I take the low road or the high
with a club fit. road? As you can see, I am going Grande Corniche
Wolff: Four Spades. Easy here but a tough choice (The Grande Corniche is the highest and most glam-
whether to raise partner’s Five Clubs bid to six. ourous of the three Corniche roads which run from
Probably not! However I do not usually overbid Nice in France to Menton. Grace Kelly drove along
with a cue bid here and so expect partner to play it in the Hitchcock film ‘To Catch a Thief ’) with a
me for what I have, minus a fourth club. choice-of-slams 5NT. (If you tell me that this is the
Some are unhappy about our first round double, grand slam force in BM Standard, I will have to
perhaps unsurprisingly. control-bid four spades and confusion will forever
Sime: Four Spades. I will assume 5-5 and announce reign). Could I have responded three notrumps on
a good hand. However, I am a little concerned that the first round to show a balanced game-force with
partner will expect four clubs after my earlier dou- spades held? If so, I should have done that, even if
ble. A slightly heavy 3NT would have been a bet- I am a point heavy.
ter description. Robson: 5NT. Pick a slam. Great hand will play
Matheson: Four Spades. I am heading to at least slam, Six Clubs if partner is 5-5, otherwise Six
Six Clubs. I would have bid a very heavy 3NT on Hearts or even Six Diamonds is he’s 1-5-3-4. He
1st round. I like to keep it simple can choose. Four Spades will be the plurality answer
That seems inconsistent from both of our Scots – if but will it achieve much?
you would have bid 3NT last time how can this be a Sorry Andrew but I do not see that partner can possi-
slam drive now? bly be 1-5-3-4 – surely that is a double of Three Spades,
Carruthers: Four Spades. I don’t particularly like it as is 0-5-4-4 shape. Surely partner is 5-5 or 6-4.
but I like anything else even less. Perhaps I should Three panelists think they have heard enough to
have bid 3NT last time? place the contract:
Eric would have found a different bid last time: Smith: Six Clubs. Sure, I could cue-bid Four Spades
Kokish: Four Spades. Well, who knows, really? I now, but to what end? Would I really expect part-
don’t like the negative double and would have pre- ner to bid something other than Five Clubs with
ferred two Diamonds. Now we don’t know how ♠x ♥AKQxx ♦Kx ♣Qxxxx? No doubt someone
much of East’s Four Clubs is predicated on the on the panel will claim that 4NT is some kind of

131 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
invitational Five Club bid and, whilst perhaps it Greco: Four Hearts. Tough hand. Partner is going
should be, it isn’t in BMS 2015. So, I bid what I to stretch here to bid with short spades.  They may
think we can make have something like ♠x ♥AQ10xx ♦xxx ♣AQxx. If
Zmudzinski: Six Clubs. Four Clubs showed shape they had more than this they might well have dou-
not strength. Four Diamonds – Four Hearts – 4NT bled or bid more than Four Clubs (Isn’t that hand a
leads nowhere. We cannot have a grand: two key- double anyway?). Four Hearts seems like our most
cards are missing–no way he has them. He could likely game at this point and while we might have
have ♠- ♣Qxxxx ♦KJx ♣AQxxx but I am in a slam I have no real way to find out..
hurry . Given that a number of panellists were driving
Bird: Six Clubs. Twelve tricks are not certain, of slam and all but these two were making slam tries I
course, but they are very likely. Partner had the have downgraded the Four Heart bid. Partner held
chance to double with a good hand and only four ♠- ♥AKxxx ♦Jxx ♣A108xx and with the diamond
clubs, so I am expecting five clubs opposite. I don’t finesse right Six Clubs was easy.
see how bidding Four Diamonds is going to assist us.
Adam and David mention Four Diamonds and PROBLEM 8
that is the choice of two panelists. Are you certain in
your partnerships readers that Four Diamonds is a cue? IMPs. Dealer East. E/W Vul
If partner has promised 5-5 or 6-4 it really ought to ♠ AQ 9 8 4 2
be, but would you be on firm ground? ♥ Q6
Brock: Four Diamonds. Partner must have five ♦K
clubs (otherwise double). I’m happy to cue-bid. ♣ AK 8 7
Silver: Four Diamonds. With East showing a lot of
West North East South
offence and distribution time to start cue-bidding
– – 1NT* Pass
and inferentially setting clubs as trumps (surely on
2♥* Pass 2♠* Pass
this auction he is showing five or more clubs) so
3♣* Pass 3NT Pass
he will know what is trumps when I next bid 4NT.
?
Does this necessarily set clubs? Could this not be just 1NT 12-14
a good hand on the way to Four Hearts? 2♥ Transfer
Talking of Four Hearts two panellists shut up shop 2♠ Denies four spades
with that bid: 3♣ Natural and FG
Cannell: Four Hearts. Partner does not guarantee a Bid Marks No. of Votes
fifth club just because of the Four Club advance–as 4NT 10 7
I suggested four-plus clubs with my negative double. Four Spades 9 5
Since this is “Hamman’s Month” – why didn’t we Four Diamonds 7 1
bid 3NT last round? LOL There should be some Pass 6 3
foul breaks here, so slam in either rounded suit may 6NT 6 2
prove problematic. Five Spades 5 1
5NT 4 0
Four Clubs 1 0
CARD TABLES Six Spades 1 0
A straightforward question of evaluation and obvi-
FOR SALE ously a tricky one since the panel come up with no less
Refurbished old tables standard size than six bids and this is the only problem that does not
with new green baize top have an overall majority. If we start with the extremes
three panellists note that we haven’t got a good fit plus
£29 each a maximum of 32 points plus clearly every suit double
Will deliver within reasonable distance stopped so what is wrong with exactly where we are:
Lawrence: Pass. Partner’s 3NT bid is a turnoff. No
DANNY ROTH fit that he wishes to show. My red honours make
47 Bearing Way, CHIGWELL, 3NT a lock.
ESSEX IG7 4NB
Cope: Pass. Partner has denied three spades or four
clubs so opposite a doubleton spade a slam rates
020 8501 1643 tel/fax dannyroth@btinternet.com
to be no better than 68% when perfect cards are

132 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
held. If we are not looking for slam then it is just doubleton spade. Of course that rises to about 90%
the question of the safer game at IMPs and if part- once the hand has appeared in this feature.
ner’s spade holding is xx, and we hit a bad break Hmmm…. really must put in some failing slams 
offside 3NT looks safer with my red-suit values. Silver: 4NT. On this auction my OX should not
My 6th Pass of the session from someone who nor- only be influenced by the quantity of his points,
mally likes to call. but also by the quality (ie of his black cards fit
And indeed equals Paul Bowyer’s record – well with mine).
done Tim! Brock: 4NT. He’ll know that a small doubleton
Wolff: Pass. With 4NT worth about 70%. My part- spade is bad news.
ners are more likely to start out with a good 11 Robson: 4NT. Might depend on xx opposite
rather than even a medium 14 so that helps me ♠AQ98xx
be consistent, but as in many hands this set, the Matheson: 4NT   I am close to 5NT (pick a slam). 
choices are close. Even though spades will often be our main source
At the other end of the spectrum we have: of tricks 6NT might be better than Six Spades eg
Smith: 6NT. It now sounds as though partner holds ♠Kx ♥KJ10x ♦AQJx ♣xxx, so I don’t want to over-
only a doubleton spade. Since I do not believe he emphasise the spades.
would bid 3NT without a high diamond, it is hard Whereas the following do want to bid spades again.
to construct a hand for him where spades is best. Alder: Four Spades. This has to be a mild slam-
There are plenty of combination (eg. ♠xx ♥KJ10xx try; otherwise, I would have bid four spades on the
♦AQx ♣QJx) where notrumps is clearly right. 5NT second round or Four Hearts (Texas) on the first
(pick a slam) is a possibility (Yes I am rather sur- round. Does partner have ♠Kx ♥KJ10x ♦AJ10x
prised that no one at all chose that). Conceivably, ♣xxx or ♠xx ♥AKxx ♦AQxx ♣xxx? If partner has
clubs could be best, although again he would need two low spades, I am just under 50% to play the
good holdings in both red suits to bid 3NT with suit for one loser. Now ask the readers what is the
clubs as good as QJxx, in which case my red hon- right play in the suit!
ours should prove useful in notrumps. I am sure all our sophisticated readers know how
Bird: 6NT. Yes, it’s possible that Six Spades or Six to play that combination 
Clubs (or even some grand slam) may be a better Apteker: Four Spades. A slam try for spades given
contract, but it’s difficult to determine the matter. that responder would have merely transferred to
On such deals the bees all head for the hive marked spades and rebid Four Spades with no higher inter-
‘6NT’; so do the Birds. est. Responder does not have enough to drive to
Well these bees and birds don’t, though the 10 marks slam e.g. ♠xx ♥AJxx ♦AQxx ♣Qxx, and needs to
go to the seven panellists who do make a slam try in enlist opener’s cooperation. I considered Four Dia-
NTs: monds which could be a cue-bid for spades because
Kokish: 4NT. Perhaps Four Spades, a clear 6-4 with a club try, responder could rebid Four Clubs
slam try, is enough, but the red honours and trick but it could also be construed as a fragment with
source are going to be useful in notrump and East 5-0-3-5 (but not 5-0-4-4 as responder would have
is sure to value the ♠K and ♣Q highly if he has bid Three Diamonds and then Four Clubs) and
those cards. With concern about a red suit he would slam interest.
have bid the other one over Three Clubs, so I’m not Green: Four Spades. This shows a slam try, else why
worried about being in an inferior strain. Level is introduce the clubs. I need a lot from partner to
the main issue. make a slam (keycards mainly) and if he is loaded in
Cannell: 4NT. Quantitative. I like my control- the reds then Four Spades should be high enough. 
rich hand despite the fact that partner only has two Teramoto: Four Spades. This is non-forcing but
spades. If the spades are king doubleton and part- shows slam interest with 6-4 shape. I hope he can
ner has 13+ to 14 HCP slam will have a reasonable judge whether to bid slam or not.
play. I considered a Four Diamond advance after Zmudzinski: Four Spades. 30 HCP doesn’t force
3NT, but that doesn’t seem to address the problem us to bid a slam.
in the long run. So, I will toss the ball back to part- Several panelists mentioned bids in other suits –
ner’s court, and let him have a say in the matter. Eric goes for Four Diamonds
Sime: 4NT. Transfer (the last mistake to partner). Greco: Four Diamonds. Hopefully partner will take
At this stage I would guess that slam is likely to this as a cue for spades rather than a natural bid
make opposite about 50% of 1NT openers with a (might you not be patterning out with 5-1-3-4 shape?)

133 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

 Intermediate
but either way I have to make some strong slam try with Six Spades a close second. Partner will bid it given
rather than just bidding Four Spades or forcing to any chance. Since the panel view is to make a slam
slam as I don’t need much for slam to be good. At try I have demoted both the Pass and the 6NT bid.
least partner can retry with Four Hearts over this With so many clear majorities this month minority
bid allowing me to bid Four Spades to clarify my bids have been marked down a bit as they were out of
intentions (maybe). synch with the panel view. Top of the tree is Andrew
Finally we have John who takes over Iain’s mantle Robson on 78, followed by Ben Green and Eric Kok-
of moaning about the methods: ish one point behind. One point further behind on 76
Carruthers: Five Spades. Must you continue to are Phillip Alder, John Matheson and Tim Cope on
saddle us with the strategically-inept method of his first set. Still a real opportunity for the readers to
transfers in conjunction with the weak notrump? outscore the entire panel. Oh yes and Brother Anthony
Presumably partner has two spades and three clubs would have scored 56!
with bolsters in the red suits. If he has an honour in
spades, slam may be decent, but if he has two low,
slam will prove nigh-impossible. Knowledge of my
sixth spade may enable him to bid slam.
This seems to me to be the worst of all worlds! It
is easy to see that if partner has two low spades Five
Spades might go down when other strains were cold for
game (or maybe even slam – how about ♠xx ♥KJ10xx
♦AQx ♣QJx where 6NT is more or less cold on a non-
spade lead and Five Spades needs trumps for one loser).
This hand actually came up in a strong NT system
so I have moved a couple of the red honours around
to make responder slightly stronger and opener slightly
weaker. Partner had the equivalent of ♠K10 ♥Kxxx
♦AQJxx ♣xx and ought to have bid Three Diamonds
over Three Clubs – not that that makes our life any
easier! As can be seen 6NT is where you want to be
Andrew Robson
SET 293 – THE PANEL’S BIDS & MARKS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Total
Andrew Robson England Pass Pass Pass Pass 4♠ Pass 5NT 4NT 78
Ben Green England Pass 3NT Pass Pass Double Pass 4♠ 4♠ 77
Eric Kokish Canada Pass Pass Pass Pass Double 3NT 4♠ 4NT 77
Phillip Alder USA Pass 3NT Pass Pass 4♠ Pass 5NT 4♠ 76
Tim Cope South Africa Pass Pass Pass Pass 4♠ Pass 4♠ Pass 76
John Matheson Scotland Pass 3NT 3♥ Pass 4♠ Pass 4♠ 4NT 76
Iain Sime Scotland Pass Pass Pass 1♥ Double Pass 4♠ 4NT 75
Mike Lawrence USA Pass Pass 3♥ Pass 4♠ Pass 4♠ Pass 73
Alon Apteker South Africa Pass 3NT Double Pass Double Pass 4♠ 4♠ 72
Adam Zmudzinski Poland 3NT Pass Pass Pass Double 3NT 6♣ 4♠ 72
Sally Brock England Pass Pass Pass 3♥ 3NT 3NT 4♦ 4NT 71
Joey Silver Canada 3NT Pass 3NT Pass Double Pass 4♦ 4NT 71
Tadashi Teramoto Japan 3NT 3NT 5♣ Pass Double Pass 4♠ 4♠ 71
David Bird England Double 3NT Pass Pass 4♠ Pass 6♣ 6NT 70
Eric Greco USA Pass Pass Pass 1♥ 4♠ Pass 4♥ 4♦ 69
Bobby Wolff USA Pass 3NT Pass 3♥ Double 3NT 4♠ Pass 69
John Carruthers Canada 3NT Pass 3♥ Pass 4♠ 3NT 4♠ 5♠ 68
Marc Smith England Pass 3NT Pass 3♥ 4♠ Pass 6♣ 6NT 68
Drew Cannell Canada Pass 3NT 3NT Pass 3NT 3NT 4♥ 4NT 67

134 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine



Bidding Competition – Set 294

Open to all – Free Entry

PROBLEM 1 Basic System

Pairs. Dealer North. N/S Vul. Natural, 4-card majors with a major bid before a minor (clubs before
♠ 8732 West North East South diamonds and hearts before spades), limit raises in uncontested
♥ A 10 8 5 — 2♥* Double Pass auctions, weak no-trump, weak 2, 2 and 2 (5–9, 6-card suit) with
♦ K ? a 2NT relay asking for a high-card feature.
♣ QJ87 No-trump bidding: After 1NT 12–14, 2 = Stayman, 2/2 =
2♥ Natural and weak transfers, 2 = a raise to 2NT or a balanced slam try, 2NT = minor-
suit sign-off or slam try with both minors (continue with major-suit
PROBLEM 2 shortage).
1NT rebid = 15–17 with a 2 enquiry encompassing all forcing
IMPs. Dealer West. N/S Vul. sequences. Jump 2NT rebid = 18–19. Non-jump 2NT rebid = game-
♠ 10 3 West North East South forcing. 3NT rebid = running suit.
♥ — 1♦ 3♣* 3♥ Pass After 2NT, 20-22, 3 = Stayman, 3/3 = transfers, 3 = slam try
♦ AQ87542 ? with both minors.
♣ AQ82 Initial response: Jump shifts are either single-suited or two-suited
3♣ Natural and weak with opener’s suit.
Baron 2NT (16+) after 1/1. 2NT after 1/1 = game-forcing with
PROBLEM 3 4+ card support (simple continuations natural, jumps splinters).
IMPs. Dealer West. E/W Vul. Continuations: Reverses are forcing for one round after a 1-level
♠ Q42 West North East South response (preference to the first suit and 2NT are the only non-forcing
♥ 765 Pass Pass 1♥ 3♠ continuations, rebid of responder’s suit is 1-round force, game-forcing
♦ 85 Pass Pass Double Pass otherwise). All high reverses are game-forcing. Change of suit forcing
♣ A9874 ? for one round after a 2-level response. Jumps when a bid of the
suit one level lower is forcing are splinters, as are 4-level responses
PROBLEM 4 in a lower-ranking suit to 1/1. 4th suit = game-forcing. When
responder’s suit is raised a return to opener’s suit is forcing.
IMPs. Dealer East. E/W Vul.
Slam bidding: Roman Keycard Blackwood. Gerber (only immediately
♠ KJ852 West North East South after 1NT and 2NT). Cue-bids are generally first-round ahead of
♥ K — — Pass 1♥ second.
♦ K7 1♠ 2♥ 2♠ 4♥ Competition: Responsive and competitive Doubles through 3,
♣ AJ652 ? negative Doubles through 3 – after that Doubles are value showing,
not penalties.
PROBLEM 5 Cue-bids in competitive auctions show value raises in partner’s suit
IMPs. Dealer North. E/W Vul. whilst raises are pre-emptive. Fit-jumps after opponents overcall or
♠ K J 10 8 7 West North East South takeout Double. Double jumps are splinter.
♥ K965 — 2♥* Double 5♥ Lebensohl applies after interference over our 1NT (through
♦ 10 8 5 ? 2NT shows a stopper).
♣ 5 Overcalls: In response to an overcall: UCB = 3 trumps, jumps = fit
2♥ Natural and weak jumps, jump cue = 4-card raise, change of suit = constructive, non-
forcing.
PROBLEM 6 Weak jump overcalls, intermediate in 4th. Michaels cue-bids.
IMPs. Dealer South. E/W Vul. Defences: Against all pre-empts, takeout Doubles.
Over their 1NT, 2 = majors, 2NT = minors or game-forcing 2-suiter.
♠ A 10 8 6 5 West North East South Over a strong 1, natural, Double = majors, 1NT = minors, Pass then
♥ 87 — — — 1♥ bid is strong.
♦ Q 10 4 1♠ Double Pass Pass Send stamped addressed envelope to Chess & Bridge Ltd for WBF style
♣ AJ8 ? Convention Card
PROBLEM 7
IMPs. Dealer North. None Vul.
How to enter
♠ A West North East South
Send your chosen bid in each of the eight sequences opposite,
♥ 82 — 3♥ 4♠ Pass
preferably by email, to John Carruthers at: marksandcomments@
♦ K532 ?
sympatico.ca. Alternatively, you can enter by post, to: John Carruthers,
♣ AKJ873 1322 Patricia Blvd., Kingsville ON N9Y 2R4, Canada. Entries must be
received by the 31st July. Include your name, address and telephone
PROBLEM 8 number. Please quote the month, competition and value of your prize
when ordering Master Point Press books.
Pairs. Dealer North. None Vul.
♠ AKQ9742
PRIZES
West North East South
♥ — — 1♣ Pass 1♥
♦ A 10 8 5 3
1st £50 Master Point Press books
?
♣ A
2nd £25 Master Point Press books
3rd £15 Master Point Press books
4th £10 Master Point Press books
Grand Prix
In addition there is an annual Grand Prix with Master Point Press
prizes of £100, £50 and £35. Only scores of 50 and over will count
and the maximum score is 400. Each contestant’s Grand Prix total is
their five best scores over the year (January–December).

135 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine


WEST Bid these hands with those on the following
Hands for the page with your favourite partner; then turn to
July 2015 Partnership Profile Partnership Bidding inside to see how your score
compares to that of the experts
Hand 1. Dealer West. None Vul. Hand 5. Dealer North. E/W Vul.
♠ A97 ♠ A Q 10 4 2
♥ Q842 ♥ Q5
♦ 10 9 5 2 ♦ KQJ6
♣ 10 4 ♣ Q2
North opens a Precision 2♣ and South bids 4♥ Hand 6. Dealer South. None Vul.
Hand 2. Dealer North. E/W Vul. ♠ K J 10 9 8 3
♠ A74 ♥ 95
♥ K9 ♦ K 10
♦ 92 ♣ AJ9
♣ K 10 7 5 4 2 Hand 7. Dealer North. All Vul.
Hand 3. Dealer West. N/S Vul. ♠ Q964
♠ Q5 ♥ A2
♥ A K 10 5 ♦ A 10 3
♦ AQ3 ♣ 10 6 5 4
♣ KQJ5 Hand 8 Dealer South. None Vul.
Hand 4. Dealer East. E/W Vul. ♠ 43
♠ 10 9 7 2 ♥ K 10
♥ A9754 ♦ AQ5
♦ J5 ♣ KQJ954
♣ K5 South opens 3♦

BIDDING COMPETITION Why not enter a bridge hand or bidding problem of your
own for use in BRIDGE Magazine?
SET 294
♠
(for the June Competition) ♥
My answers are (the Adjudicator)
♦
1. ♣
♠ ♠
2. ♥ ♥
3. ♦ ♦
♣ ♣
4. ♠
5.
♥
♦
6. ♣
7. WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
8.

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

Entries must be received by

31st July 2015.

136 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

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

Hand 1. Dealer West. None Vul. Hand 5. Dealer North. E/W Vul.
♠ K J 10 8 5 2 ♠ K8
♥ — ♥ 10
♦ J8 ♦ A95
♣ KQJ52 ♣ K976543
North opens a Precision 2♣ and South bids 4♥ Hand 6. Dealer South. None Vul.
Hand 2. Dealer North. E/W Vul. ♠ A
♠ KQ86 ♥ AQJ42
♥ A J 10 8 7 ♦ AQ2
♦ KJ ♣ Q 10 6 4
♣ AQ Hand 7. Dealer North. All Vul.
Hand 3. Dealer West. N/S Vul. ♠ 10 3
♠ 10 8 ♥ KQJ743
♥ QJ ♦ KQ2
♦ J 10 7 5 4 2 ♣ QJ
♣ 10 8 4 Hand 8 Dealer South. None Vul.
Hand 4. Dealer East. E/W Vul. ♠ AKQJ5
♠ KJ54 ♥ 872
♥ KQ2 ♦ 93
♦ K 10 8 ♣ A 10 7
♣ QJ2 South opens 3♦

BIDDING COMPETITION
Set 292 Top Scores Other Good Scores: 1= Graham Johnson 369
73 Meic Goodyear, Bill Linton, Andy Poole, 1= Norman Massey 369
Prize winners should quote the month,
competition and value of their prize when Alan Sant 3 Stuart Nelson 367
placing an order for Master Point Press 72 Jeff Callaghan 4 Mike Perkins 365
books. Prize winners can refer to the list of 71 Michael Kaye, George Willett 5 Kresten Kristensen 358
MPP titles on the inside back cover of the 6 Alan Sant 357
70 Kresten Kristensen, Brian McDowell
current issue of Bridge Magazine. 7= Nigel Guthrie 356
69 Bill Gordon, Stuart Nelson, Ray Stubbs
Nigel Guthrie takes top spot with an 7= Peter Hawkes 356
excellent 77. Nigel wins ₤50 worth of 68 Chris Bickerdike, Stanko Kruzic, Tony
Poole, Mike Ralph 9= Meic Goodyear 355
Master Point Press books from Chess
and Bridge. Just one back on 76 is Pyers 67 Graham Johnson 9= Bill Gordon 355
Pennant (₤25 worth), then Norman 66 Tony Burt, Michael Prior 11 Frank Turton 354
Massey, Martin Turner and Frank 65 Malcolm Copley, Nigel Osmer, Olga 12 Michael Kaye 353
Turton on 74. The randow draw awarded 13 Chris Bickerdike 352
the prizes to Norman (₤15 worth) and Shadyro
14 Olga Shadyro 351
Frank (₤10 worth).
Grand Prix Standings 15= Harald Bletz 350
after Set 292 15= Ray Stubbs 350
Halfway in the Grand Prix! Remember 17= Axel Johannsson 348
that only your top five scores of the year 17= Tony Poole 348
count at the end and that not all entrants 19= Malcolm Copley 347
have five scores as yet. Keep entering to 19= Pyers Pennant 347
improve your score, or even start now. 19= Mike Ralph 347

137 July 2015 BRIDGE Magazine

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MasterPoint Press October 2014_Layout 1 08/10/2014 15:56 Page 1

BOOKS FROM MASTER POINT PRESS

Master Point Press are the world’s leading bridge book publisher and winner of many bridge publishing awards. A list of Masterpoint
titles can be found below - for full details on each of these titles please visit www.bridgeshop.com. Recent releases are highlighted in
bold. Please note, winners of the Bidding Competition do not get the 10% Subscriber discount when redeeming their prize
VOUCHERS and a deduction will also be made to cover the cost of postage. For further details please call 020 7288 1305

Deadly Endplay (fiction) Allen, Ken £12.95 Complete Book Takeout Doubles (2nd ed.) Lawrence, Mike £15.95
Shades of Grey (fiction) Allen, Ken £11.95 Falsecards (New Edition) Lawrence, Mike £14.95
I Love This Game Auken, Sabine £12.50 Encyclopedia of Card Play Techniques Levé, Guy £21.95
25 Bridge Myths Exposed Bird, David £10.50 Bridge Squeezes Complete Love, Clyde. E £14.95
Bridge Endplays for Everyone Bird, David £12.95 Bridge, Probability and Information MacKinnon, Robert F. £12.95
Bridge Squeezes for Everyone Bird, David £11.95 Win the Bermuda Bowl with Me Meckstroth & Smith £11.50
Clever Plays in the Trump Suit Bird, David £12.95 The Setting Trick McCance, Ian £11.95
Defensive Signaling at Bridge Bird, David £11.95 Competitive Bidding in the 21st Century Miles, Marshall £11.50
Off-Road Declarer Play Bird, David £11.95 Inferences at Bridge Miles, Marshall £11.50
Somehow We Landed in 6NT Bird, David £12.95 It's Your Call Miles, Marshall £12.95
Winning Notrump Leads Bird & Anthias £10.95 Modern Constructive Bidding Miles, Marshall £11.95
Winning Suit Contract Leads Bird & Anthias £10.95 My System: The Unbalanced Diamond Miles, Marshall £11.95
Leading Questions in Bridge Brock, Sally £11.95 Bridge in the Menagerie Mollo, Victor £13.95
Bridge at the Edge Brogeland, Boye & Bird, David £13.95 Card Play Technique Mollo & Gardener £14.95
Bridge Crosswords Chen, Jeff £7.95 Diamonds are the Hog’s Best Friend Mollo, Victor £13.95
Following the Law Cohen, Larry £9.95 Swings and Arrows Mollo, Victor £13.95
Larry Cohen's Bidding Challenge Cohen, Larry £9.95 The Hog Takes to Precision Mollo, Victor £11.95
To Bid or Not To Bid Cohen, Larry £11.50 Kickback: Slam Bidding at Bridge Munger, Robert £7.95
Death in Duplicate Coplea, Carole £13.95 First Book of Play Problems O’Connor, Patrick £10.95
Standard Bidding with SAYC Downey, Ned & Ellen Pomer £11.95 Second Book of Play Problems O’Connor, Patrick £10.95
Bridge with Bells and Whistles Dufresne, MA & Ellingsen, M £11.95 Bridge Behind Bars (fiction) Pottage & Smith £12.95
A Modern Approach to Two-Over-One Eichenbaum, Ken £8.95 Clues from the Bidding Pottage, Julian £10.95
Winners, Losers and Cover Cards Eichenbaum, Ken £8.95 Defend These Hands with Me Pottage, Julian £11.50
Can You Win The USBC Team Trials Felmy, Matthias £13.95 Play or Defend? Pottage, Julian £8.95
I Shot My Bridge Partner (fiction) Granovetter, Matthew £9.50 Defend or Declare? Pottage, Julian £11.95
Murder at the Bridge Table (fiction) Granovetter, Matthew £9.50 Deadly Hold-Up Priebe, Jim £11.95
Bridge Conventions in Depth Granovetter & Granovetter £13.95 Double Elimination: A Bridge Mystery Priebe, Jim £11.95
Bridge Master Vs Bridge Amateur Horton, Mark £11.95 Matchpoint Defense Priebe, Jim £11.95
Misplay These Hands with Me Horton, Mark £11.95 Takeout Double: A Bridge Mystery Priebe, Jim £11.50
The Hands of Time Horton, Mark £10.50 Thinking on Defense Priebe, Jim £9.95
The Mysterious Multi Horton, Mark £12.95 Positive Declarer Play in Bridge Reese & Pottage £10.50
Duplicate Bridge at Home Horton & Gittelman £12.95 Positive Defense in Bridge Reese & Pottage £10.50
The Bridge Magicians Horton & Kielbasinski £11.50 The Extra Edge in Play Reese & Pottage £10.95
For Love or Money Horton & Senior £12.95 Modified Italian Canapé System Rexford, Ken £8.95
The Rabbi’s Rules Horton, Mark £12.95 New Frontiers for Strong Forcing Openings Rexford, Ken £8.95
Building a Bidding System Hughes, Roy £11.50 Overcalling Opponent's 1NT Rexford, Ken £6.95
Canada’s Bridge Warriors Hughes, Roy £15.95 Really Unusual Notrump (R.U.N.T.) Rexford, Ken £7.95
Card by Card Hughes, Roy £11.50 Variable Key Card Blackwood Rexford, Ken £8.95
Fantunes Revealed Jacobs, Bill £9.95 Breaking the Bridge Rules Rigal, Barry £12.95
One Trick at a TIme Jackson, Jim £11.95 Rodwell Files: Secrets of a champion Rodwell, Eric £17.95
Polish Club International Jassem,Krzysztof £10.95 How Good is Your Bridge Roth, Danny £11.95
Patrick Jourdain’s Problem Corner Jourdain, Patrick £12.95 Bridge on a Shoestring Schoenborn, Michael £13.95
Advanced Bridge Defense Kantar, Eddie £13.95 25 Bridge Conventions You Should Know Seagram & Smith £10.50
Classic Kantar Kantar, Eddie £9.50 25 More Conventions You Should Know Seagram & Bird £10.50
Defensive Tips for Bad Card Holders Kantar, Eddie £14.95 25 Ways to Be a Better Defender Seagram & Bird £10.50
Kantar on Kontract Kantar, Eddie £10.50 25 Ways to Compete in the Bidding Seagram & Smith £10.50
Modern Bridge Defense Kantar, Eddie £13.95 25 Ways to Take More Tricks as Declarer Seagram & Bird £10.50
Roman Keycard Blackwood - 5th ed. Kantar, Eddie £13.95 Declarer Play at Bridge: A Quizbook Seagram & Bird £9.95
Topics in Declarer Play Kantar, Eddie £13.95 Defensive Play Quizbook: A Quizbook Seagram & Bird £9.95
Improve Your Bidding Judgment Kimelman, Neil £12.95 Planning the Play of a Bridge Hand Seagram & Bird £12.95
The Thin Line Kimelman, Neil £12.95 Pocket Guide to Defensive Play Seagram & Bird £6.95
365 Winning Bridge Tips Kleinman, Danny £13.95 Scotland’s Senior Moment Smith & Adamson £13.95
Human Bridge Errors Kleinman & Straguzzi £10.50 Becoming a Bridge Expert Stewart, Frank £13.95
A Bridge to Inspired Declarer Play Laderman, Julian £12.95 Frank Stewart's Bridge Club Stewart, Frank £10.50
A Bridge to Simple Squeezes Laderman, Julian £11.95 How to Play Bridge with your Spouse Tevkolsky, Roselyn £9.95
Bumblepuppy Days Laderman, Julian £14.95 Bridge at the Breakfast Table Thurston, Paul £1.50
Still Not Finding Squeezes? Laderman, Julian £7.95 25 Steps to Learning 2/1 Thurston, Paul £10.50
25 Conventions for ACOL Players Landry & Horton £11.95 North of the Master Solvers’ Club Vine, Frank £11.95
Complete Book on Overcalls (2nd ed.) Lawrence, Mike £13.95 Bridge at the Enigma Club Winkler, Peter £11.95
Complete Book on Passed Hand Bidding Lawrence, Mike £13.95 The Lone Wolff Wollf, Bobby £15.95