BRIDGE

Number Eighty-seven February 2008

 Q PLUS 8.8
The very best Acol-playing Software available
SYSTEM
 8mb RAM
 CD-ROM
 Pentium
or equivalent
 Windows XP
or later

PROGRAMMER

HANS LEBER

FEATURES
 Friendly Interface (see above) FREE UPGRADE
 Hint Button – always at hand
A free upgrade from QPlus 8.5 to 8.8 will be
 Help Button – explains the features available to download from the QPlus website at
for bidding and card-play advice www.q-plus.com from the beginning of October
 Easy Windows Installation 2007. Those who prefer a CD may send their 8.5
disc, together with a cheque for £3.50.
 Comprehensive Manual
 Rubber, Duplicate and Teams Scoring
 Instant results for teams TRADE-IN SPECIAL
 1,500 pre-played hands for teams Trade-in your old or unwanted bridge software by
 2,300 pre-played hands for match-pointed pairs sending it, together with a cheque for £49, to the
Mail Order Office before 31 March 2008.
 Feed in your own deals
Order with confidence.
 Systems include: Acol, Standard American,
and several others or create your own.

 £79.95 including postage

Make your cheque payable to and send to: Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH

01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302

 CONTENTS
BRIDGE 2 QPlus 8.8
3 Bidding Quiz by Bernard Magee
BIDDING QUIZ
by Bernard Magee
4
5 Gentle Duplicates
Cut-out For m
Y ou are West in the
auctions below, play-
ing 'Standard Acol' with a
The Fjor ds and Scottish Islands weak notrump (12-14
8 Cr uise to the Mediter r anean points) and four-card
9 Bernard Magee says Ruff in the Shor t Hand majors. It is your turn to
Ryden Gr ange call.
10 Summer Cr uises On Boar d Discover y
Bisley, Sur rey (Answers on page 53)
12 Stephen Cashmore says
GU21 2TH Two Opening Hands Should Bid to Game
1. Dealer: West. Love All.

01483 489961 13 Latimer House Br idge Events

KQ
Fax 01483 797302 14 Staver ton Par k Br idge Weekends
 AJ
15 A Walk in the Winter by Countryman  Q843
e-mail: 16 Declarer Play  J9654
bridge@mrbridge.co.uk
17 Julian Pottage says Lead Par tner ’s Suit
West North East South
website: 18 Harold Schogger says Eight Ever, Nine Never ?
www.mrbridge.co.uk 19 Mar sham Cour t Br idge Weekends
20 Beach Hotel Br idge Weekends 2. Dealer: West. Love All.
All correspondence should
be addressed to Mr Bridge. 21 Under the Spotlight by Freddie North
K 10 9 7
22 Sally Brock Answer s Your Questions  9
Please ensure that all
25 Theobalds Par k Br idge Weekends  9842
letters, e-mails and faxes
26 Milton Hill House Br idge Events  AJ42
carry full postal addresses
and telephone numbers. 27 David Stevenson Answer s Your Questions West North East South
29 Defence Quiz by Julian Pottage Pass 1 1NT Pass
Managing Editor ?
30 EBU Pay-to-Play by Ned Paul
Mr Br idge 32 Mr Magee and Me by Linda Saunders
33 Declarer Play Quiz by Dave Huggett 3. Dealer: West. Game All.
Associate Editor

Q86
Julian Pottage 34 Andrew Kambites says Use the Rule of Four teen
 A763
35 Rubber / Chicago Br idge Events  54
Technical Br idge Etiquette
 AK64
Consultant: 36 More Acol Bidding Software
Tony Gor don 37 Derek Rimington says Overcall with a Good Suit West North East South
1NT 2 Dble Pass
38 Winter Cr uises On Boar d Discover y
Br idge Consultant: ?
40 Dave Huggett says Don’t Give a Ruff and Discar d
Bernar d Magee
41 Barony Castle Br idge Events
4. Dealer: West. N/S Vul.
QPlus and Software 42 The Olde Barn Hotel Br idge Events
7
Suppor t Line: 43 Reader s’ Letter s  KQJ9852

01483 485340 50 Holiday Diar y  95
52 Justin Corfield says Combine Your Chances  984
Weekend Events 53 Bidding Quiz Answer s by Bernard Magee West North East South
& Cr uises: 54 Global Insur ance 3 Pass 4 4

Leanor a Adds Single Tr ip Policy Booking For m ?

01483 485343 Br idge Club Director y For m
Megan Riccio 55 Declarer Play Quiz Answer s by David Huggett 5. Dealer: North. Love All.

01483 485341 56 Heather Dhondy says Use the Rule of Eleven
976
Jessica Galt  43
57 Defence Quiz Answer s by Julian Pottage
 A85

01483 485344 58 Donald Russell’s Taster Box Competition  QJ963
60 Scandinavian Cr uise
New Member s West North East South
& Address Changes: 1 1
Pass
The views expressed in this publication are not

01483 485342 necessarily those of the publisher or its Managing Editor.
?

Page 3
 NEW YEAR SOFTWARE QUIZ ANSWER HAPPY COUPLE
QPlus 8.8 and the Bernard
AK65 Stuart Adds, Leanora’s
Magee teaching  K J 10 husband just had to be an
programmes are always  AK64 accountant but we had great
talked up by me because  A 10 fun with all the different
they are the best. So user suggestions you posted in.
As dealer at game all,
friendly and helpful. The lucky winners are;
playing acol (12-14 NT),
Judging by the calls and what do you open with the Mrs J Simpson, Edinburgh.
letters already coming in, following hand? Dr M Box, Reading, Berks.
Declarer Play, Bernard Mrs C Betts, Wilmslow.
Sally Brock Mr R Bowyer, Birmingham.
Magee’s just published new
2NT. It would seem to be a Mrs D Oscar, Moseley.
program is his best yet. And
In the first issue of the New perfect example of the bid. I
the latest QPlus tested Mr P Dodson, Draycott.
Year, I usually make will be very interested if
against other acol-playing They each receive a Donald
mention of my bridgey partner makes any sort of
programmes wins – easily Russell taster box. Some of
resolutions which, by and slam try.
settling the occasional the other entries are on pages
large, I keep. This year,
run-in with the Office of Julian Pottage 58 and 59, together with a
most of these have already
Fair Trading. 2. If you open 2NT, photo Leanora and Stuart
been acted upon.
partner will (or at any rate en route from the church
The new play and defence ETIQUETTE should) play you for 20 to the reception.
quizzes introduced in the The guidelines on page 35 points. This is because
last issue are continued and have been formatted into an hands with 20 points are so
new writers have joined my A4 size page. This I have much more common than
team of contributors. All put up on my website, as those with 22. So, when you
have been asked to explain many clubs may wish to really have 22 points and
bridge maxims and sayings. download it and put it on they are good ones, it pays
their notice boards. to open 2. Since I want to
I have also featured letters
be in game here if partner
and comments that are short
GOOD LUCK has, say, two queens (not
and to the point on page 45. Each box contain 8 servings.
enough to raise 2NT to 3NT)
These I have nicknamed Simon Lucas has very I open 2. 2 Sirloin Steaks
“shorties”. I do hope that successfully managed the 2 Ribeye Steaks
readers will make good use Mr Bridge Mail Order Bernar d Magee
4 Rump Medallions
of the form facing page 6 Service since its move to 2NT. With 22 points and a
4 Fillet Medallions
provided for the purpose. Marlborough in 2004. balanced hand you fit neatly
in to the 20-22 range, Normal price
REFLECTION He is now setting up on his required for a 2NT opening. £54.87 including delivery.
own account to trade as
Your letters are beginning to Simon Lucas Bridge Although you have two tens, Special Pr ice
reflect a growing unease Supplies. I wish him well. these are not enough to £39.90 including deliver y.
with the EBU and its upgrade your hand.
strategy for 2010 onwards.
01467 629666 or visit
CLEARANCE www.donaldrussell.com/special
It is the very nature of SPONSORED QUIZ and quote special offer code:
printing that volume is all. The BRIDGE 86 winner of BRIDGE2.
Mr Bridge Luxury Cards are the weekend for two at The
made in considerable Olde Barn is Mrs Peverley BEGIN BRIDGE
quantities. To clear these, of Lutterworth, Leics. In addition to Acol Revision
I offer them unboxed, in at Staverton Park this Easter,
twelves, 6 red / 6 blue. NEW QUIZ I have a bridge for absolute
12 packs £8, 24 packs £17, As dealer at game all, playing beginners course. At the end
48 packs £32 and pro r ata. Acol (12-14 no-trump), what of the four-night beginners’
do you open with this hand? course, participants should be
The price includes postage. able to play in a Chicago /
Offer must close 8 February
AK986532 rubber drive and not feel out
I have asked Ned Paul,
or as stocks permit. Please  AK7 of place at a gentle duplicate.
pictured above, to clarify the
allow 14 days for delivery.  A
current situation by Staver ton Par k
 J
outlining the pros and cons Orders by post only please Easter – 20-24 March
of the new strategy for with cheques made payable Send your entry using the
bridge clubs. Read what he to Mr Bridge Mail Order, cut-out form before £299 inclusive
has to say and see how “Pay Wagon Yard, London Road, 20 February 2008. One 4 nights full board
to Play” will affect you and Marlborough, SN8 1LH entry per household, please. No single supplement
your club.
01672 519219. Consolation prizes vary.
01483 489961

Page 4
 REALLY GENTLE
The artificially low price for
my gentle duplicate events
has been made possible by GENTLE DUPLICATES
sponsors, well-wishers and 2008
participating hotels. STAVERTON PARK THE OLDE BARN
Gentle duplicate means just GENTLE Staverton, Daventry,
Northants, NN11 6JT
Toll Bar Road, Marston,
Lincolnshire, NG32 2HT
what it says – do give it a
try. You may discover, as I DUPLICATES
did years ago, a new form of
the game that suits you. FEBRUARY
ONLY £129 8 – 10 Theobalds Park £129
15 – 17 Staverton Park £129
(£139 at Marsham Court) 19 – 21 Marsham Court* £139
with no single supplement.
22 – 24 The Olde Barn £129
Two nights full board and
six sessions of duplicate MARCH
bridge (play in as many or 7 – 9 Harben House £129 THEOBALDS PARK HARBEN HOUSE
as few as you wish). Bulls Cross Ride, Cheshunt, Tickford Street, Newport Pagnell,
9 – 11 Marsham Court* £139
Hertfordshire, EN7 5HW Buckinghamshire, MK16 9EY
Numbers at these hosted 28 – 30 Theobalds Park £129
weekends are limited to a
maximum of 36 (9 tables). APRIL
There will be no tuition 11 – 13 Staverton Park £129
other than advice about the
13 – 15 Marsham Court* £139
mechanics of duplicate.
There will be no prizes. 18 – 20 Theobalds Park £129
25 – 27 The Olde Barn £129
These weekends are
designed for those who want MAY
to try duplicate, especially
9 – 11 Theobalds Park £129
those who are nervous. You
16 – 18 Staverton Park £129 Mr/Mrs/Miss .............................................................................
may bring experienced
friends but on the strict
understanding that the pace JUNE Address ......................................................................................

of play is for those who are 6 – 8 Staverton Park £129

...................................................................................................
taking their first hesitant 27 – 29 Theobalds Park £129
steps into the wonderful ........................................... Postcode ......................................
world of duplicate bridge. JULY
18 – 20 Staverton Park £129
..............................................................................................
IMPOSSIBLE?
25 – 27 Theobalds Park £129 Please book me for ........... places,

North AUGUST at Hotel ............................................................................................

KQ5 15 – 17 Staverton Park £129
 Void on dates......................................................................................
 654 SEPTEMBER
 AK98632
Single ....... Double ....... Twin ....... Sea View* (£30 supp) .........
26 – 28 Theobalds Park £129
West East Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking

J93
2 OCTOBER
 AK7632  9854 ...................................................................................................
17 – 19 Staverton Park £129
 K8  J 10 9 3 2 Please send payment in full of £129/£139* per person per place by
 J7  Q 10 5
24 – 26 Harben House £129 cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. A receipt will be sent with your booking
31 –2/11 Theobalds Park £129 confirmation. 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will
South
be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. Should

A 10 8 7 6 4
 Q J 10 NOVEMBER you require insurance, you should contact your own insurance broker.
*Marsham Court
 AQ7 7 – 9 Harben House £129
 4 21 – 23 Staverton Park £129
, Ryden Grange, Bisley, Surrey GU21 2TH
Contract 6
by South.
28 – 30 Theobalds Park £129
01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302
West leads A.
e-mail: leanora@mrbridge.co.uk
*Mid-week events. website: www.holidaybridge.com
Answer on page 6.

Page 5
 SOLUTION COVER STORY

North

KQ5
AT THE ROYAL KENZ  Void
 654

TUNISIA 2009 West

 AK98632
East

J93
2
Duplicate Holiday  AK7632  9854
 K8  J 10 9 3 2
 J7  Q 10 5
South

A 10 8 7 6 4
 Q J 10
This cartoon by Marguerite
 AQ7
Lihou needs a short bridge-
 4
related bubble caption for
Contract 6
by South.
the amusement of your
West leads A.
fellow readers. Please send
in your caption using the
cut-out page facing page 6.
Ruff A with
5.
Play A-K throwing J. The writer of the chosen
Play 2 and ruff with
A. entry will win a bridge
Play
4 to the
Q. weekend at Harben, our new
Play 3 throwing Q. venue at Newport Pagnell.
West can ruff but then has to
OBITS
lead
Sadly, I have to report that
1 A heart which declarer
last year, long standing Mr
ruffs in hand, then plays
Bridge supporter Sylvia
a trump to the King and
Hardman of Bath, died aged
cashes dummy’s good
82. She was a bridge teacher
clubs.
who will be greatly missed
2 A diamond to the Q and by her students, her large
declarer leads a trump to extended family and me.
the King as in 1.
John Gavens also died last
3 A trump to dummy and year, having been the
Two-week the clubs are good. collector of readers used
postage stamps for several
half-board holiday If West does not ruff, clubs
charities, latterly Guide
are lead until he has to ruff.
Dogs for the Blind. New
Bernard Magee and his Team arrangements will be made
TRUST ME to continue this work so
22 Feb – 8 Mar £699* The cut-out page opposite is don’t stop saving them.
multipurpose. Please use it
Raymond Brock, husband of
*per person half-board sharing a twin-bedded room and is to enter either of the two
our agony aunt, Sally, died
inclusive of bridge fees. Single supplement £5 per night. current competitions. It can
on New Year’s Day. See the
These prices are based on air travel from Gatwick to also be used to re-register
Monastir. Flights from other UK airports are available at a
obituary on page 24.
your details if you have not
supplement. All prices are firm only until 31 March 2008. done so in the last two or May they rest in peace.
Pay £70 per fortnight per person extra and have a pool- three years. You may also
facing room, tea & coffee making facilities, bath robe use it to enable friends or TUNISIA 2009
and a bowl of seasonal fruit. family to receive their own
Bernard Magee and his team
copy. In addition, you may
Both these holidays have been organised for by Tunisia First Limited ATOL 5933 will again be at the adults
working in association with Panorama Holidays ATOL 0782. have some “to the point”
only Royal Kenz Hotel next
comment you might choose
year. I am accepting
to share with other readers.
bookings at £699 per person,
DETAILS & BOOKINGS I will only use the data you sharing, until 31st March.

01483 489961 provide to write to you and
send you BRIDGE.
After this date the new
season’s price will apply.

Page 6
 If you have not contacted us in the last two years, please

enter your details in the box below to re-register:

Name (Dr Mr, Mrs, Miss).............................................................................................................................

Address ......................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................................

Postcode .............................................................Telephone.......................................................................

My bid for the Harben Hotel bidding quiz: ..................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................................

My suggestion for the cartoon bubble is: ....................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................................

If you have any comments, queries or points of interest, please use this panel and post them in: ...........

....................................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................................

Please send BRIDGE to the following enthusiasts:

Mr/Mrs/Miss............................................ Mr/Mrs/Miss............................................ Mr/Mrs/Miss............................................

Address .................................................. Address .................................................. Address ..................................................

............................................................... ............................................................... ...............................................................

..........................Postcode ..................... ..........................Postcode ..................... ..........................Postcode .....................

Mr/Mrs/Miss............................................ Mr/Mrs/Miss............................................ Mr/Mrs/Miss............................................

Address .................................................. Address .................................................. Address ..................................................

............................................................... ............................................................... ...............................................................

..........................Postcode ..................... ..........................Postcode ..................... ..........................Postcode .....................

Please complete all or part this form and return to

, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey, GU21 2TH.


BR87
 TRAVEL BERNARD MAGEE CHARITIES
INSURANCE ON DISCOVERY CHARITY
The adjacent dates are for
If you need travel insurance, 2008 the charity events that I have BRIDGE EVENTS
do have a close look at the been told about. If you
policy on offer on page 54 would like yours included, FEBRUARY 2008
and use the form on the do write in with full details 3 YORKSHIRE CANCER RESEARCH.
Leeds Bridge Club.
facing page if the price is and allow at least six months £12.50 inc refreshments.
right. Global Travel notice, if possible. Bridge
0113 2892995
Insurance will be making a players are busy people and 8 ARTHRITIS RESEARCH.
small payment for every fill their diaries well ahead. St. Ives. Village Hall. £13.00.
policy written and believe Lorna Baker
01480 462783
me, every little helps. CHRISTIANS
IN IRAQ MARCH 2008
MY CRUISE 7 ALZHEIMER’S RESEARCH. £13.00.
I am sponsoring a bridge day Village Hall, Hemingford Abbots.
Although I have visited the Bernard Magee is repeating out in support of Christians Pat Cole
01480 431574
Norwegian Fjords several his enormously successful in Iraq. Bernard Magee will 16 ROMSEY HOSPITAL.
times, I never tire of going 2007 seven night cruise from host the event and give the Crosfield Hall, Romsey. 2-8 PM.
back. For 2008, Mrs Bridge Harwich to Nice. The seminars.
Buffet supper provided. Bring
and I are taking a slightly your own wine. £40.00 per table.
itinerary of this short voyage
Chris Marchant
01794 522003
longer look and returning allows for a lot of bridge to Wednesday 2 Apr il 2008
18 ARTHRITIS RESEARCH.
from the fjords via the be mixed-in with sun- The Jubilee Hall, Bowling Club St Neots. £13.50.
Shetland Islands, worship and some Little Shore Lane, John Shaw
01480 475454
Invergordon and Leith, interesting ports of call. Bishops Waltham,
spending the day in £494 per person sharing with Southhampton. SO32 1ED. APRIL 2008
Edinburgh. I’m already an extra 5% off for 2 CHRISTIANS IN IRAQ. £30.
looking forward to it – for Discovery Club members. Reception (coffee/tea) Bishops Waltham. 11am-5pm.
details see the advertisement 10.30 to 11.15 Includes buffet lunch and two
Bernard is also doing the seminars from Bernard Magee.
on the facing page.
round trip from Harwich up Signals with Bernar d Margaret Cochrane

023 8069 4959
COACHED to the Fjords – another seven
night voyage, this one with Bufffet Lunch 18 CAMFED. £13.00.
Scottish travellers may the magical scenery of 12.45 to 2.15 Village Hall, Hemingford Abbots.
Sally Lawson
01353 662821
disembark at Leith to save Norway as the attraction.
their long journey back from Discar ds with Bernar d
MAY 2008
Harwich. Tea and Cakes 2 CHESHIRE HOMES.
Free transport is being approx 4pm Hartford Village Hall. £13.00.
provided from Scotland followed by Malcolm Howarth

01480 212910
down to Harwich which Any Questions
14 CHARITY BRIDGE.
could take some of the
Tickets £30 per per son. RAF Wyton. £14.00.
hassle and stress out of the Suki Pie
01480 890480

02380 694959
initial journey. 30 RFET – HUNTS & FENS. £13.00.
The entire proceeds will go Regional College Huntingdon.
SHARING SINGLES to Christians in Iraq. All Malcolm Howarth

01480 212910
I am matching up those costs have been sponsored.
singles willing to share a There will also be a small JULY 2008
twin-bedded cabin for the Chicago / rubber party on POST SAVING
11 MCMILLIAN NURSES.
2008 summer cruises on board hosted by Diana and Postal rates are always going Wicken Village Hall. £15.00.
board Discovery. Those Brian Holland. up, so buy your stamps from Liz Ambrose
01353 663179
interested should ring right Clive Goff who buys them at 20 SAWTRY CHURCH.
Later in the year, Bernard is
away. Willingness to share a public auction and sells them Sawtry Village Hall. £13.00.
hosting a fly-cruise holiday Pat Walters
01487 830674
cabin does help to keep at face value less 10%.
from Copenhagen to St
cruise fares down.
Petersburg sailing back to OCTOBER 2008
DISCOVERY AWARD Harwich. Those wishing to 24 CHESHIRE HOMES.
start the cruise in Harwich Hartford Village Hall. £13.00.
may do so, and cruise the Malcolm Howarth

01480 212910
fjords with Alex Davoud.
Prices for the joint cruise
NOVEMBER 2007
start from £1699 per person For further details ring him.
21 AIR AMBULANCE. £13.00.
sharing. A chance to see the
020 8422 4906. Village Hall, Hemingford Abbots.
glories of Norway and the Sheila Poval
01480 395394
Baltic all in one go.

Page 7
 Bernard Magee Says

Ruff in the
Short Hand
irstly, let me define ‘short hand’. You count ten tricks on top and have a

F When you are playing in a trump

contract, we call the hand
(declarer or dummy) with longer trumps




987
3
95432
chance of an eleventh from your club
suit. However, a 3-3 break is against the
odds, so you would like a surer way of
the long hand and the hand with the  A 10 5 2 making an overtrick. Whenever you are
shorter trumps the short hand.
Void
65432 looking for extra tricks, always consider
Some ruffs you aim for and some you  K976 N  Q 10 8 4 2 ruffing in the short hand.
W E
have forced upon you. The ones you aim  KQJ86 S  10 7
for either create extra tricks, or are worth  8643  7
extra tricks in their own right. Ruffs in
A K Q J 10
KQ7
the short hand are very often worth extra  AJ5  32
tricks in their own right:  A  A853
 KQJ9  Q765

986
32

987  A 10 8 7 N  KQ64
W E
 3 The play is simple if you focus on ruffing  Q J 10 6 S  974
 95432 in the short hand. You have eleven top  10 4  J983
 A 10 5 2 tricks and so need just two ruffs. Take the
A J 10 5 4
N
red aces, ruff a heart and come to hand  J95
W E with a trump, on which West shows out.  K2
S
Then ruff another heart, come to hand  AK2

A K Q J 10 with a club and finish drawing trumps.
 AJ5 Your good clubs win the last three tricks.
 A Eleven tricks have become thirteen by If you can ruff a heart in dummy, you
 KQJ9 ruffing twice in the short hand. Just one make your eleventh trick. Win the first
diamond ruff in the long hand and you diamond in hand and give up a heart.
Contract: 7
by South. Lead: K. would have lost control as East would Win the trump return in dummy and
have more trumps than you. Seldom will play another heart. Win the next trump
trumps break so badly, but you should in hand, ruff a heart in dummy and cross
Spades are trumps and your target is avoid needless ruffs in the long hand. to hand with a club to draw trumps.
thirteen tricks. You have a singleton in Here is a typical example of ruffing in The defenders could have stopped you
each hand, but you do not try to ruff in the short hand from a duplicate pairs: from making eleven tricks by leading a
both hands – generally you go for ruffs trump at trick one. Of course, as the
in the short hand. You start with five clubs broke 4-2, there was no extra trick
trump tricks but need more. Ruffing
KQ7 there. Once again, note that ruffing
hearts in the short hand is the way to do  32 diamonds in the long hand would not
this. Each time you ruff a heart you  A853 gain tricks.
make an extra trick as you still have five  Q765
trump tricks in your hand. N
Conclusion
How different the case is if you try to W E
S
ruff diamonds in the South hand. Now Ruffing in the short hand nearly always
instead of gaining a trick you are just
A J 10 5 4 gains a trick, so you should always look
making the same five trumps: only as  J95 for ways to do so in your plan. It is an
four top trump tricks and a ruff. Indeed,  K2 especially useful tactic in Pairs, where
not only do you not gain a trick, but you  AK2 making overtricks can be very
also shorten your trumps. This could important. There are so many deals on
prove disastrous as you can see from the Contract: 4
by South. Lead: Q. which making that extra ruff will move
full diagram. you up the scoreboard. 

Page 9
 Stephen Cashmore Says

Two Opening Hands

Should Bid to Game

onventional wisdom is that you Opposite 1 (or 1 if that is your style) Of course, we have all failed in 3NT on

C need about 25 points in your

combined hands to take the nine
tricks required for 3NT, 26-27 to make
from partner, you have an easy response
of 1. When he rebids 1NT, showing
15-16 points, you simply jump to 3NT
a combined 28 points, or a doomed 4
with 30 points. Just because we know
we should bid a game doesn’t mean we
four of a major suit (because you need to end proceedings. are going to make it! You just can’t
an extra trick), and 28-29 to make five of afford to wait for a 100% contract.
a minor suit (which entails taking two West North East South
extra tricks). 1 Pass ?
It follows that, if partner opens the
952
10 8
bidding with a value-showing bid, and Curiously, it is harder if partner kicks off  AQ8 N  K J 10 2
W E
you also have an opening hand, simple with 1, your best suit. 2 and 3 are  AQ2 S  KJ86
arithmetic puts you in the region of 25 out – they are non-forcing limit bids. 4  K 10 6 3  AJ5
points or more. You should therefore is also out – this is a pre-emptive bid,
ensure the partnership bids to game. showing something like:
Of course, this is not true if partner Here we see the combined cards for the
opens the bidding with something that first example. West opens 1, East
shows less than opening values – easy
J responds 1, West rebids 1NT and East
examples being a weak two bid or a  K 10 9 6 5 4 jumps to 3NT. This is all very sensible,
three-level pre-empt. You need a strong  Q752 but neither player has a spade stopper –
hand to think about going to game if  92 the defenders might very well take the
partner has advertised a weak hand. first five tricks. What went wrong? Well,
However, if partner makes a normal nothing really: East-West are unlucky
opening of, say, 1 or 1NT, and you too To bid your actual hand, you will, if you that their red-suit honours are duplicating
have an opening bid, game should be do not have a gadget like a Jacoby 2NT to each other – but that is hard to diagnose
“on the cards”. show a game-forcing raise, have to temp- in the auction. This is more typical:
Let’s say you pick up this ordinary orise with 2. You intend to bid 4 on the
looking selection: next round. The key thing is to make a bid
that ensures that there is a next round, not
QJ975
10 8
one that poor partner might pass.  AQ85 N  K J 10 2
W E

10 8  A2 S  KJ86
 K J 10 2 West North East South  10 6  AJ5
 KJ86 1
Pass ?
 AJ5
You also have a decision to make if Both members of the partnership have
partner starts with 1
. You cannot bid 13 points – enough for an opening bid –
First in hand, you would no doubt open 2, as that promises five hearts. You and game is excellent. You would expect
1NT. In fact, partner is first to speak and could bid an immediate 3NT, but that to reach 4 and make it losing two
opens 1 (something). Your first thought risks missing a 4-4 heart fit, not to spades and probably a club. Even the
should be that, as you have 13 points mention a possible slam if partner has inferior games of 4
and 3NT stand a
yourself, you must make sure that the the right hand. So, you try 2 again –a good chance of making. In 4
, you
bidding gets to game. bid to keep the auction open so that you might lose the same tricks as in 4. In
Here are some examples (you are can see what partner bids next. 3NT, you might well get away with
East): In all three cases, the key point is that losing two spades and two clubs.
you can see immediately that you should So, if you and partner have 25 (or
West North East South be bidding to game. You must therefore more) points, you should bid up to a
1 Pass 1 Pass make either a forcing bid, such as a game somewhere. Remember: opening
1NT Pass 3NT End change of suit, or bid game. points + opening points = bid game. 

Page 12
 PROGRAMME
This is the format for all
AT LATIMER duplicate weekends and AT LATIMER HOUSE
rarely varies.
HOUSE 2008 Latimer Road, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 1UG
FRIDAY
o Full-board o All rooms with
1500 Friday to Sunday en-suite facilities
Welcome Desk open
Afternoon Tea
o No single supplements o Venue non-smoking
o Use of indoor o Bidding quiz and
1745 to 1830 swimming pool two seminars
Welcome drinks
reception o Please note: there is no lift

1830 to 2000
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ BOOKING FORM _ _ _ _ _ _ _
DINNER
1-3 Feb (£209) Mr/Mrs/Miss .....................................................................
Endplay & Avoidance 2015 BRIDGE
SESSION 1
Bernard Magee Address...............................................................................
DUPLICATE PAIRS
22-24 Feb (£199) ............................................................................................
Leads & Defence SATURDAY
0800 to 0930 .........................................Postcode ..................................
7-9 Mar (£199) BREAKFAST
Doubles
......................................................................................
1000 to 1230
Ned Paul SEMINAR &
SUPERVISED PLAY Please book me for ........... places,
14-16 Mar (£199) of SET HANDS 1
Responding to 1NT (tea & coffee at 1100) Single ...... Double ...... Twin ...... Manor ......

4-6 Apr (£199) 1230 to 1330

COLD BUFFET at the Latimer House weekend of .....................................
Improvers* LUNCH
Declarer Play Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed,
1400 to 1645 but we will do our best to oblige)
Sandy Bell BRIDGE
SESSION 2 ...........................................................................................
25-27 Apr (£209) TEAMS of FOUR
Further into Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking
1815 to 2000
the Auction
DINNER ...........................................................................................
Bernard Magee
2015 BRIDGE Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place
19-21 Sep (£199) SESSION 3 by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with
DUPLICATE PAIRS your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment,
Sacrificing
28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be
Alex Davoud sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable.
SUNDAY Should you require insurance, you should contact your own
21-23 Nov (£209) insurance broker.
0800 to 0930
Suit Establishment BREAKFAST
New Topic
Bernard Magee 1000 to 1230
SEMINAR &
SUPERVISED PLAY
No Single of SET HANDS 2
(tea & coffee at 1100) Expiry: ............................ CVV.................... Issue No. ...............
Supplement (CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip)
1230 to 1400
Manor house rooms: CARVERY LUNCH
£50 supplement per room. , Ryden Grange, Bisley, Surrey GU21 2TH
1400 to 1645
*Improvers’ Weekends are BRIDGE
01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302
aimed at the novice player SESSION 4 e-mail: leanora@mrbridge.co.uk
and/or those picking up the DUPLICATE PAIRS
game after a long break. website: www.holidaybridge.com

Page 13
 WEEKENDS
AT STAVERTON PARK AT STAVERTON PARK
Staverton, Daventry, Northants, NN11 6JT Staverton, Daventry, Northants, NN11 6JT

o Full-board
Friday to Sunday
o All rooms with
en-suite facilities
2008
8-10 February (£199) 23-26 May (£249)
o No single supplements o Venue non-smoking Signals & Discards Bank Holiday (3 nights)
Ned Paul Chris Barrable
o Use of swimming o Bidding quiz and
pool and fitness suite two seminars
22-24 February (£199) 22-25 August (£249)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ BOOKING FORM _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Slams & Cue Bidding Bank Holiday (3 nights)
Alan Lamb Develop at Duplicate Pairs
Mr/Mrs/Miss ..................................................................... 3 Seminars - Chris Barrable
29 Feb-2 Mar (£199)
Address............................................................................... Stayman & Transfers 29-31 August (£199)
Improvers’ Weekend Losing Trick Count
............................................................................................ Mike Coggles Ned Paul

.........................................Postcode ..................................

......................................................................................

Please book me for ........... places,

Single ........... Double ........... Twin ...........

at the Staverton Park weekend of .....................................

20-24 March (£299) 12-14 Sept (£199)
EASTER (4 nights) Doubles
Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed,
4 seminars Crombie McNeil
but we will do our best to oblige)
6 bridge sessions
........................................................................................... Acol Revision 26-28 Sept (£209)*
Chris Barrable Game Tries
Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking
(New Topic)
........................................................................................... 18-20 April (£199) Bernard Magee
Leads and Defence
Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place
by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with John Wootton 10-12 October (£199)
your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, Leads and Defence
28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be 25-27 April (£199) Sandy Bell
sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. Doubles Improvers’ Weekend
Should you require insurance, you should contact your own
insurance broker. Sandy Bell
Improvers’ Weekend 31 Oct - 2 Nov (£199)
Hand Evaluation
2-5 May (£299)* Ned Paul
Bank Holiday (3 nights)
Develop at Duplicate Pairs 14-16 Nov (£209)*
3 Seminars Endplay and Avoidance
Expiry: ............................ CVV.................... Issue No. ...............
Bernard Magee Bernard Magee
(CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip)

All weekends are duplicate bridge. * denotes a large weekend with a relaxed
, Ryden Grange, Bisley, Surrey GU21 2TH section which plays at a slightly slower pace. Improvers’ Weekends are aimed
at the novice player and/or those picking up the game after a long break.

01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302
e-mail: leanora@mrbridge.co.uk DETAILS & BOOKINGS
website: www.holidaybridge.com

01483 489961
Page 14
 Seasonal Walks with Countryman

A Walk in Winter

T
his little piece of England, between, it was interesting to try to link
where the birds are singing, the animal and footprint together. The first Dealer South. N/S Vul.
sun is shining and the air one was not difficult because I saw that m 6
seriously intoxicating – it’s all too easy bloodthirsty little creature – a weasel – n Q
to fall under its magic spell and dream darting along the hedge-rows no doubt o K J 10 7 3
on, contentedly… in pursuit of its lunch. I don’t know p K Q 10 9 7 5
whether Cindy noticed it or not; she m AK97 m Q J 10 8 4 2
Early February may have considered it beneath her n 952 N n Void
W E
sniff! Other prints may have been o A98 S o 6542
It’s early February and winter has us rabbits and nearby, I think, perhaps a p A82 p 643
firmly in her grip. Hard frosts have fox. It was at this point that Cindy m 53
made the ground rock-solid and there is seemed suitably impressed and bounded n A K J 10 8 7 6 4 3
now a fair covering of snow, which has around with great enthusiasm, her nose o Q
enveloped everything in its path. The close to the ground. p J
scene is certainly picturesque, assisted
in no small degree by a misty sun that The Birds in Winter
seems to be involved in a private battle Every time we get a freak distribution at
to penetrate the haze. Up above, in a cluster of high trees, the the club, two things happen. The
rooks were very vociferous, I suspect computer comes in for some stick and
Cindy and the Snow they were mainly concerned with nest the traveller makes interesting reading!
repairs – a sort of make and mend
Cindy, my Golden Retriever, seems exercise in preparation for rearing their A Problem for South
impervious to climatic conditions. young in the next month or two.
While I wrap up well, she’s impatiently I can hear some lapwings not far This was the bidding at the table where
waiting to get started on her walkies, no away. Their peewit-peewit song is very my telephone caller sat South.
doubt thinking that all this extra clothes distinctive and I know they start nesting
performance is a complete waste of next month. One of their favourite spots West North East South
time. I can’t remember when Cindy last is the nearby marshy ground besides the 4n
experienced snow, or if she has seen it river. I remember once being concerned Dbl Pass 4m 5n
before, but I might have guessed – she by a plover, apparently with a damaged Dbl End
revelled in it! The way she bounded wing, but discovered later that this was
about, frolicking like a young lamb, was a well-known ploy – the distraction West’s first double showed high cards
in considerable contrast to my slipping display – to lead me away from its nest. and a preparedness to play in spades.
and sliding in an attempt to maintain a It wasn’t injured at all but its theatricals The second double was for penalties.
dignified and upright position. had the desired effect – very clever and West led the ace of spades and, on
Just before we left, the telephone rang most impressive. seeing dummy, switched meanly to a
and a friend from the bridge club trump so that declarer could make no
wanted to discuss a deal that had Freak Distribution at more than his original nine tricks.
occurred in the previous evening’s the Bridge Club Minus 500 was not a success, but
duplicate. I’ll tell you about it later on. equally it was not a complete bottom as
Since the snow provided clear Now, about that bridge deal that was the it had happened before.
footprints of animal movement, subject of my telephone call this South claimed that his pre-empt was
although somewhat few and far morning. exceptional and therefore he was

Page 15
 Winter continued
BERNARD MAGEE’S
entitled to bid again. The fact that North
couldn’t produce a single trick for him
was – well, unlucky. DECLARER
Exceptional Pre-empt PLAY Ready
Now
One has to have a little sympathy for
South because he did have a somewhat
unusual pre-empt. However, the guiding
principle that, once
pre-empt, you must leave all future
you
An Interactive CD
decisions to partner, is a good one. The
point is that your partner has a fair idea
of your hand while that is not the case 120 Hands in 10 Chapters
vice-versa. South was also surprised to
see that East-West, with their four
inescapable losers (two diamonds and
Special Introductory Extra Chapter on
two clubs), had on more than one the very basic Principles of Card Play
occasion managed to make 4m – did I
know what had happened?
 Suit Establishment in No-trumps
Four Losers?
 Suit Establishment in Suits
“Four inescapable losers” is not quite
accurate as good play makes one of  Hold-ups
those losers disappear. South leads the
ace of hearts, ruffed by declarer. After  Ruffing for Extra Tricks
two rounds of trumps declarer ducks a
diamond and ruffs the heart return. At  Entries in No-trumps
this point, declarer knows that South
started with nine hearts and two spades
 Delaying Drawing Trumps
so he cashes the minor-suit aces to
complete the count. Now dummy leads
the nine of hearts and, instead of ruffing  Using the Lead
it, declarer discards a club. South has
only hearts to play so dummy ruffs the  Trump Control
next trick while declarer ditches his last
club (the disappearing trick).  Endplays & Avoidance

The Disappearing Trick  Using the Bidding

There are still two diamonds to lose but

declarer is home with the loss of one
Each Chapter Includes
heart (on the third round) and those two
diamonds. The eight and two of clubs
are, or course, ruffed in the East hand.
2 play-through hands and
10 play hands with
following explanations
£69 95
Windows 98 or later, CD ROM
Pre-empt only Once

When we get home and while warming

ourselves in front of a welcoming fire, I
say to Cindy, ‘So you see, once you
Available from
embark on a pre-empt you must leave Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH
further decisions to partner’. She cocks
her head on one side and looks at me
01483 489961 Fax 01672 797302
with those lovely brown eyes which
seem to be saying, “I know that!” I

Page 16
 Julian Pottage Says

Lead
Partner’s Suit
hen you need to make the If you lead some other suit, it tends to be

W opening lead, you very often

want to start with the
question, ‘Did partner bid?’ If the
m
n
o
Q64
Q 10 8 5 2
10 6 5
W
N

S
E
because you have a very attractive lead
of your own. An ace-king holding or a
strong three-card sequence (e.g. K-Q-J)
answer is yes, you follow up with ‘Can I p 95 may well be enough. If you lead a suit
see a very good reason not to lead the bid by an opponent rather than partner,
suit?’ Normally there is none. you are almost certain (against a suit
These are some of the advantages of West North East South contract) to be leading a singleton.
leading partner’s suit: 1m 2p Being void in partner’s suit also excuses
Pass 2o Pass 3p you from leading it!
1 You are likely to be leading towards End The time when you treat partner’s bid
strength and away from weakness. as merely a suggestion occurs if you
2 To have bid, partner is likely to have Lead the four of spades. In an unbid suit, forced the situation – for instance if you
strength, which means that there will the lead from three to an honour is quite made a take-out double or a two-suited
be an entry to any winners you set up. rare – it is far from safe and risks overcall. Then partner’s bid implies
3 On some deals, partner will have bid causing confusion. In partner’s suit, it is length but not necessarily strength.
mainly to direct the lead – this quite a common occurrence – lead the I said earlier that an opposing bid in
applies to overcalls in particular. lowest card, not the top one. If, for no-trumps should not deter you from
4 The state of mind implied in such a example, declarer has K-J-x or A-J-x of leading partner’s suit. In one situation, it
selfless lead keeps partner happy. spades, this allows you to save the queen provides half an excuse – if partner bid
5 On the rare occasions when you lead to capture the jack later. the suit only once and it was not an
something else, partner can draw a overcall and you have a singleton in the
strong inference about your holding. suit, you may look at your hand and see
m 64 if you have a decent lead of your own.
n Q 10 N
W E
m 10 6 4 o KJ965 S
n Q 10 8 5 2 N p AQ95 m A64
W E
o K 10 5 S n J853 N
W E
p 95 o J 10 9 5 2 S
West North East South p 5
1o Pass 1m 2n
West North East South Pass 3n End
1m 2p 2NT West North East South
Pass 3NT End Lead the six of spades. While you, no 1p 1NT
doubt, have a better hand than partner End
Lead the nine of clubs. Partner has a better does and you may well have a better suit
suit than you do and more entries. Even as well, this is no reason to lead a Lead the jack of diamonds. For all you
Mollo’s Hideous Hog would lead a club diamond. By leading a spade to start know, the opponents have a 4-4 fit in
here. Do not allow the opposing no-trump with and waiting for a diamond to come clubs. South might even have a five-card
bids to deter you from leading a club. back, both of you are leading up to club suit. What is more, you have a fair
What card do you lead in partner’s strength – normally a good idea. five-card suit of your own and a sure
suit? Someone once said ‘the top card’. What would cause you to reject a lead entry.
This is not the right answer. Normal for of partner’s suit? If the opponents are in Remember, however, that I have
most partnerships is to lead the same as a suit contract and you hold the ace of included this last example by way of
you would in an unbid suit. Lead top of partner’s suit, you might try your luck exception. If you want to defeat as many
a sequence, second from a long bad suit, elsewhere rather than risk setting up the opposing contracts as you can and – just
fourth best from other long suits and the king in declarer’s hand. There is no hard as importantly – maintain partnership
higher card from a doubleton. and fast rule on this. harmony – lead partner’s suit. I

Page 17
 Harold Schogger Says

Eight Ever
Nine Never
his rule is mainly about what to ‘Nine Never’ says not to finesse with When you have to tackle the key suit

T do if you are missing the queen

and want to know whether to
finesse.
nine cards but the odds are closer.
In general, Q-x offside is slightly
more likely than Q-x-x onside, which is
head on, the bidding often provides the
best clue. If one of the opponents made
a two-suited overcall, he will be short in
why the rule says to go for the drop. So the other suits and the queens there are
do you play off the ace-king? likely to be in the other hand. Has there
m KJ65 I must tell you the bidding before you been an informative double? Informative
N answer. Suppose first that you opened is exactly what it can be!
W E
S
1n in fourth seat and that, with no
opposing bidding, you reached 4n. In
m A743 this case, you follow the rule and play m A742
for the drop. In fact the bidding was: n AK6
o KJ732
Do you play off the ace-king, hoping the West North East South p 6
queen falls in two rounds, or do you cash Pass Pass Pass 1n m 5 m Q 10 8
the ace in case of a bare queen and 1m 2n 3m 4n n 8543 W
N
E
n Q J 10 9
finesse on the second round? The key End o Q84 S o 10 5
situations are when West holds p J9542 p A K Q 10
Q-x-x or when East has Q-x. ‘Eight Ever The opponents have bid a lot with 14 m KJ963
Nine Never’ helps you decide. With points between them, especially if they n 72
eight cards between the two hands, you are vulnerable. They must have some o A96
should finesse the jack. When there are distributional values. In this case, you p 873
five cards missing and the suit breaks would cash only the heart ace, planning
3-2, obviously the queen will be in the to finesse on the second round. This
three-card holding three times for every works when the full deal is: West North East South
twice that it is in the doubleton. You 1o Double 1m
would need a very good reason to go Pass 3m Pass 4m
against the rule. What could that be? If m 98 End
there are sixteen points missing, East n KJ65
opened the bidding and West has turned o J 10 8 3 West leads a club. East wins with the
up with an ace, you would put East with p K62 queen and switches to the heart queen.
the queen and try to drop it. m AK764 m Q532 Having won this, you need to play the
n Q 10 9 W
N
E
n 2 trump suit. If you follow the maxim,
o 72 S o 964 ‘Nine Never’, you will play the spades
m 98 p 985 p Q J 10 7 4 from the top. Of course, you should not
n KJ65 m J 10 expect spades to break 2-2 because of
o J 10 8 3 n A8743 East’s take-out double. With this in
p K62 o AKQ5 mind, you cash the ace (in case of a bare
N
p A3 queen) and are happy to see West follow.
W E You finesse the jack next time as East’s
S
double said he had tolerance for all the
m J 10 If the finesse or drop decision is in a side unbid suits. The double also implies that
n A8743 suit, you might try some detective work East is short in diamonds. So, after
o AKQ5 in the other suits first. You might be able drawing the last trump, you finesse West
p A3 to establish that one opponent is long in for the diamond queen.
the key suit or that he needs the vital You have used the auction to find both
queen to justify his bidding. In such queens, one to reject the maxim and one
How do you play the trumps in 4n? cases, you can finesse him for it. to follow it. I

Page 18
 PROGRAMME
This is the format for all

MARSHAM duplicate events and AT MARSHAM COURT

rarely varies.

COURT East Cliff, Bournemouth, BH1 3AB

DAY 1
HOTEL 1500
o Full-board o All rooms with
en-suite facilities
Welcome Desk open
o No single
Afternoon Tea supplement o Venue non-smoking
1745 to 1830
Welcome drinks o Tuition with supervised play, bidding quiz
reception and two seminars

1830 to 2000 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ BOOKING FORM _ _ _ _ _ _ _

DINNER

2015 BRIDGE Please book me for ..... places,

SESSION 1
DUPLICATE PAIRS Single ..... Double ..... Twin ..... Sea View .......

DAY 2 for the Marsham Court date(s) of

0800 to 0930
BREAKFAST ............................................................................................

1000 to 1230 Mr/Mrs/Miss .....................................................................

Duplicate SEMINAR &
SUPERVISED PLAY
Mid-week of SET HANDS 1
Address...............................................................................
(tea & coffee at 1100)
Hosted by ............................................................................................
1230 to 1330
Chris Barrable COLD BUFFET
LUNCH
Postcode ..................................
....................................
and
Ann Pearson Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed,
1400 to 1645
but we will do our best to oblige)
BRIDGE
SESSION 2
2008 TEAMS of FOUR ...........................................................................................
Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking
1815 to 2000
DINNER
24-26 February ...........................................................................................
(Sunday-Tuesday) 2015 BRIDGE Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place
Stayman SESSION 3 by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with
DUPLICATE PAIRS your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment,
& Transfers
28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be
DAY 3 sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable.
Should you require insurance, you should contact your own
£199 0800 to 0930 insurance broker.
per person BREAKFAST
full board 1000 to 1230
SEMINAR &
No Single SUPERVISED PLAY
of SET HANDS 2
Supplement (tea & coffee at 1100)
Expiry: ............................ CVV.................... Issue No. ...............
1230 to 1400 (CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip)
Guaranteed COLD BUFFET
sea-facing views LUNCH , Ryden Grange, Bisley, Surrey GU21 2TH
£30 extra per room
1400 to 1645
01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302
Day Guests BRIDGE e-mail: leanora@mrbridge.co.uk
£115 per person SESSION 4
DUPLICATE PAIRS
website: www.holidaybridge.com

Page 19
 PROGRAMME
This is the format for all
AT THE BEACH HOTEL duplicate weekends and AT THE
rarely varies.
Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 3QJ BEACH
FRIDAY HOTEL
o Full-board o All rooms with
Friday to Sunday en-suite facilities 1500
Welcome Desk open
o No single supplement o Venue non-smoking Afternoon Tea

1745 to 1830
o Tuition with supervised play, bidding quiz and two
Welcome drinks
seminars (on duplicate weekends only)
reception
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ BOOKING FORM _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1830 to 2000
DINNER
Please book me for ..... places,
2015 BRIDGE
SESSION 1
Single ..... Double ..... Twin ..... Sea View ..... DUPLICATE PAIRS Duplicate
at the Beach Hotel weekend(s) of
SATURDAY Weekends
............................................................................................ 0800 to 0930 Hosted by
BREAKFAST Bernard Magee
Mr/Mrs/Miss .....................................................................
1000 to 1230
Address............................................................................... SEMINAR &
SUPERVISED PLAY 2008
............................................................................................ of SET HANDS 1
(tea & coffee at 1100)
25-27 January
Postcode ............................................................................ 1230 to 1330 Signals & Discards
COLD BUFFET

...................................................................................... LUNCH
Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, 1400 to 1645
8-10 February
but we will do our best to oblige) BRIDGE Further into
SESSION 2 the Auction
........................................................................................... TEAMS of FOUR
Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking 1815 to 2000 6-8 June
DINNER Doubles
...........................................................................................
Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place 2015 BRIDGE
by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with SESSION 3
DUPLICATE PAIRS
17-19 October
your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment,
Better Defence
28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be
sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. SUNDAY
Should you require insurance, you should contact your own
insurance broker. 0800 to 0930
5-7 December
BREAKFAST Game Tries
(New topic)
1000 to 1230
SEMINAR &
SUPERVISED PLAY £209
of SET HANDS 2 per person full board
Expiry: ............................ CVV.................... Issue No. ............... (tea & coffee at 1100)
(CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip)
1230 to 1400
CARVERY LUNCH No Single
, Ryden Grange, Bisley, Surrey GU21 2TH
Supplement

01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 1400 to 1645
BRIDGE Guaranteed
e-mail: leanora@mrbridge.co.uk SESSION 4 sea-facing views
website: www.holidaybridge.com DUPLICATE PAIRS £30 extra per room

Page 20
 It Happened That Way by Freddie North
2008 CRUISES
ON BOARD
DISCOVERY
Under the Spotlight St. Petersburg &
The Northern Capitals
15 days from 10 May
The Norwegian Fjords
oth North and South continued with 1n and then clubs, and if this card 8 days from 24 May

B had to make critical

decisions on the hand
below, which is now under
over 3p bid 3NT, which
ended the auction. It’s time to
look at the North-South cards.
happened to be singleton then
the right approach was to lead
small towards the king in
Bernard Magee
Fjords, Faroes,
Fire & Ice 1
12 days from 31 May
the spotlight. It is pairs, with dummy. However, declarer Tony Richards
North-South vulnerable. East reasoned that it was about Land of Midnight Sun
passes as dealer, South opens Dealer East. N/S Vul. twice as likely that East held a 11 days from 11 June
1p and West passes. First, m Q singleton club – the jack and Baltic Treasures
North had to decide what to n J72 the ten being the crucial cards 14 days from 21 June
respond holding: o Q J 10 9 – in which case it would be a Norwegian Fjords
p K9642 good idea to lead a low club & Scottish Islands
N
from dummy initially. So the 11 days from 4 July
m Q W
S
E
queen of spades won trick Ray Hutchinson
n J72 three and, on the two of clubs, Fjords, Faroes,
o Q J 10 9 m AK74 East played the jack, South Fire & Ice 2
p K9642 n AK86 the queen and West the ace. 12 days from 14 July
o 5 Regaining the lead at trick Derek Monk
p Q853 five, the moment of truth had North Cape, Arctic
We can narrow the choice arrived – how best to draw Circle & Eclipse
down to 1o or 3p. The trumps without further loss. 14 days from 25 July
Alison Nicolson
advantage of bidding 3p is One of the routes to 5p is as Let’s look at the full deal.
that it limits the hand and follows. Fjords & Fairytales
obstructs the opponents from 8 days from 07 August
Alex Davoud
entering the auction with a West North East South m Q
major suit at a convenient Pass 1p n J72 Baltic Capitals
11 days from14 August
level. As against that, North’s Pass 3p Pass 3n o Q J 10 9
Bernard Magee
chunky diamond suit may get Pass 3m Pass 4m p K9642
Baltic Explorer
lost in the wash. Let’s Pass 5p End m J9852 m 10 6 3
12 days from 24 August
continue the sequence after n 54 N n Q 10 9 3 Mike Coggles
W E
lp-3p. With East-West silent West led the diamond eight o 863 S
o AK742 Cruise to the Riviera
throughout, South rebid 3n and East tried to cash both top p A 10 7 p J 8 days from 4 September
and that left North in a further honours (whatever happened m AK74 Bernard Magee
quandary. At some tables, he to MUD?). Declarer ruffed n AK86 Italian Odyssey
raised to 4n on the grounds the second diamond and o 5 10 days from 11 September
that he had denied a four-card quietly cursed that the p Q853 Sandy Bell
heart suit with his initial partnership had missed 3NT, Adriatic
response so was entitled to which looked a rather more & Aegean Treasures
raise the major suit with secure contract. Anyway, the Declarer decided that, as he 13 days from 20 September
Tony Richards
three-card support. At other problem now was to avoid wanted the outstanding clubs
tables, North tried 3m over losing two club tricks. If that to be three-one, he would Black Sea Discovery 1
12 days from 02 October
3n (your guess as to what little obstacle could be assume them to be so. In any Alex Davoud
this means is as good as mine overcome, perhaps all would case, the Principle of
Black Sea Discovery 2
but at least it kept the ball not be lost. Of course, if the Restricted Choice strongly 12 days from 13 October
rolling!) and was promptly clubs were two-two there suggested that it was now
Aegean Odyssey
raised to 4m. At this point would be no problem but right to finesse West for the 12 days from 24 October
North quickly retired to 5p, South had to hope that this ten. So, a small club to Alison Nicolson
which became the final was not the case so that those dummy’s nine resolved all North African Treasures
contract, although 4NT declarers in 3NT ran into as further problems. Plus 600 13 days from 4 November
(natural) might have been a bumpy a ride as possible. was not the best score
BROCHURE & BOOKINGS
reasonable alternative. With East passing as dealer possible, but perhaps in the
When North decided to it was not too big a problem circumstances it was the best
01483 489961
respond 1o initially, South placing West with the ace of possible score! I

Page 21
 SALLY BROCK answers your questions

Defending
Against a
Better Minor
Q
Playing social bridge, two of keeping a 1NT overcall up to strength, West led the ace of clubs and the
our regular opponents play typically 15-17 or 15-18 points. For one contract went three light. Two
five-card majors with better thing, once an opponent has opened the questions please.
minor. They have confounded me on chance of game your way goes down –
several occasions by opening my especially when you have a balanced 1. Should I, as North, have bid 5m or
strongest suit (a minor) then bidding hand – so you have less to gain by 5p instead of 7NT?
one of the majors. We would have done entering the auction. For another, the 2. How would you have bid this misfit?
better playing in my minor than letting partner of the opening bidder will have Vic Rainbow, Lakenheath, Suffolk.
them make a score in their major. a good idea of his side’s combined

A
How do you defend against a ‘better strength and so will be in a position to What a freak! I am quite sure I
minor’ when opponents, playing five- double you if their side has the balance would have got too high too! I
card majors, open the longer of their of power. would like to abstain on your
minor suits (i.e. holding p x-x, o x-x-x first question as I would never have been
and no five-card major, they would ponm in this position. To start with South
open 1o)? If opponents open 1o and I should open with his longest suit. If I had

Q
have 12 to 14 HCP with A-K-x-x-x in This hand recently appeared a natural Acol 2o available I would open
diamonds and poor length in the at our weekly club meeting in that; otherwise I would choose 1o, even
other suits, what should I do? Mildenhall. Slams were bid at though the hand has too much playing
Should we change 1NT to show four of the five tables – going down. strength for a normal one-level opening.
12+ HCP and length in their minor? The remaining table bid 5o – making. With a freak like this, it is important to
Or is there a better strategy? My partner and I (playing Acol, Weak start by bidding one of your suits (if you
Mr A D Williams, Anglesey. NT, Gerber, RKCB) bid as follows: started, for example, with an Acol 2p,
Dealer South (Hand rotated for vigorous opposing bidding in spades

A
I agree it can be a problem convenience). would make life very difficult).
when you hold five cards or After a 2o opening, North should bid
more in the opponent’s 3m to show a solid suit, and South would
prepared minor. However, I have never m AKQJ86542 rebid 4n. After a 1o opening, North
found this a hurdle. Often it keeps me n Void should force with 2m and South would
out of an auction of which I want to be o Void rebid 3n. Then no doubt North rebids 3m
out. It usually works best just to wait for p K962 and South 4n. Now it’s a question of just
the next round. If the prepared minor N how conservative North might be.
opener has rebid no-trumps, then it will W
S
E I just popped into the next room and
most likely work well to pass when you asked my husband what he would bid
have a decent five-card suit to lead. If m Void after either of those auctions. He said he
opener raises responder’s suit then you n A J 10 9 8 6 would settle for 4m. I’m sure I would
can either bid your minor or make a o AKQJ873 have done more but he has better
take-out double, whichever seems more p Void judgement than I do and he would have
appropriate. Partner should realise that been right. I suppose 4m might go down
the most likely reason for you to pass on but it is unlikely. To start with the
the first round and bid later is that you South North defenders would have to lead a trump
have length in the suit opened and act 1n 1m and then clubs would have to lie
accordingly. 3o 4p (Gerber) unluckily for 4m to fail, though I do
There are very sound reasons for 4NT 7NT agree that 5o is the better game.

Page 22
 to add to her four she gave her
Sally Brock answers your questions continued partner the benefit of the doubt in
being able to get the contract down.
With less than four, she would have
taken the doubled contract out.) I

Q
My partner, sitting North, held Obviously we went wrong went down two tricks vulnerable -500.
the following hand in our somewhere in the bidding. North had six spades including the
duplicate at Ringwood (Tapton Presumably, North should have king and queen, ace of hearts and
Park, Chesterfield) Bridge Club. taken some further action. The bid ace and king of clubs. My partner
by East of 1n was misleading as he had a singleton spade, three hearts
had six hearts but only 6 or 7 points! to the queen, four diamonds to the
m AJ843 Liz Luffingham, Chichester. king, and five clubs to the queen. As
n 3 I had only one stopper in spades –
o

A
965 It is generally a much better the ace, I lost five spade tricks, a
p K875 idea to trust your partner than heart trick and two club tricks.
an opponent. At least if that My questions are:
trust is misplaced, you will know for
West North East South another time. 1. What is your view of North’s
Pass Pass 1o Dble Here South was very good for a double when many in that
1n ? simple overcall (I would have preferred position would bid 2m?
to double and then bid spades to show a 2. Should my partner have bid with
I shall be most obliged if you will say hand too strong to overcall in the first a singleton spade and five-four in
what you consider the correct bid here. place). Also perhaps he did not quite do the minors?
Maurice Harrison, Chesterfield. his hand justice with the 3m rebid over 3. Should South have bid after her
North’s 2o. But why did North not go partner’s double?

A
Many people would consider on to 4m? Partner must have good Ron Gibbons, Heathfield, East Sussex.
the choice to be between 2m and opening values and a strong six-card

A
3m or 2m and 1m. I would bid suit. What more does North need? First, I think it is normal to
4m, though this is a slightly aggressive I think bidding a slam, however, double 1NT with a decent hand
action. My hand just seems too good for would be difficult after South has even when holding a six-card
anything less. If partner has a 4-4-1-4 underbid his hand the first time. The suit, especially if the suit is semi-solid,
shape, he needs so little for game to be following would perhaps be a good i.e. you are likely to set it up with just
good, particularly if he doesn’t have too auction to slam: one lead. Why play in two of a major
much in hearts. Suppose he just has: when you could be defeating 1NT
mK-x-x-x nA-x-x-x ox pQ-J-x-x. That West North East South doubled? So it sounds to me as if
is only a 10-count and 4m is an excellent 1n Dble North’s double was OK.
contract. Pass 3o Pass 3m Second, I would generally remove
Pass 4p Pass 4o 1NT doubled with a five-card suit unless
ponm Pass 4n Pass 4NT I was pretty sure that our side had more
Pass 5n Pass 6m points than our opponents. So I would

Q
Help! What should the bidding End have bid 2p with your partner’s hand
have been on the hands below? (Stayman does not apply after the
The 3o response to the take-out double opponents have doubled 1NT). Even if
is a little bit of an underbid, but game in she had had a much stronger hand, if she
a minor needs a lot of extras. South’s 3m does not have a stopper in every suit,
m 72 must show at least five spades and be there is always the risk that the doubler
n A96 forcing – with a weaker hand, he would has a long suit. I remember a famous
o Q 10 9 5 4 have overcalled 1m on the first round. hand in a women’s trial where a player
p AQ6 The next three bids are cue-bids and redoubled 1NT with 15 points but a void
N enable South to use Blackwood. It is somewhere. She found that her
W E
S
very hard to bid the grand slam, though, opponent cashed the first eight cards in a
because how does South know about the suit while her side was cold for a grand
m AKQJ83 queen of diamonds? slam! In fact, the more high cards you
n 10 4 have, the more likely it is that the double
o AK2 ponm is based on tricks rather than points.
p 98 You haven’t told me anything about

Q
Playing West, I bid 1NT (12- South’s distribution. In general, I would
14 balanced). North doubled. pass the double with a balanced hand
West North East South My partner having 7 points and hope that partner can defeat 1NT
1n 1m passed. South with only 4 points more or less on his own. After all, if I
Pass 2o Pass 3m passed (She informed me later that run I might get doubled and lose a
End taking her partner to have 16 points sizeable minus anyway.

Page 23
 Sally Brock answers your questions continued
RAYMOND
BROCK
1936-2008
Q
We played this hand at our with excellent hearts and four-card
local golf club. I have re- diamond support, South should now bid
orientated the deal to make 4p, a cue-bid showing the ace of clubs
South declarer. while agreeing diamonds. North can
continue with a 4m cue-bid, which
should be enough to get South to leap to
m Void 6o, or maybe 6n at match-pointed pairs.
n A J 10 9 6 5
o K J 10 9 2 ponm
p KQ
m m

Q
K 10 7 5 3 AJ98 My partner opened 1NT
n 32 N n 84 (weak). I had eight points, five
W E
o A S o 765 spades and a void so bid 3m.
p J9543 p 10 8 7 6
m Q642
n KQ7 m K 10 9 6 4
o Q843 n Void
p A2 o K654
Following a brave battle with cancer,
the world of British bridge has lost
p Q973
one of its greatest players and
ambassadors, Raymond Brock. He
South North grew up in Manchester and for many
1NT 2p Partner with 12 points rebid 3NT. We years played with Roy Higson,
2m 4p went down, but a weak take-out would enjoying many successes. Probably his
4n End lead to 2m making. I felt a weak take- most famous partnership was with
out was inappropriate. Do you agree? Tony Forrester. Playing together for
South opened a 12-14 no-trump; West Mrs Margaret Page, by e-mail. the British team, they reached the
passed; North bid 2p, asking for 4-card final of the 1987 Bermuda Bowl. For
many years the leading masterpoint

A
majors – reply 2m. Our agreement was Hands with voids are very
holder in England, Raymond won the
that as clubs had not been bid, natur- difficult because until you Gold Cup no fewer than 7 times. He
ally 4p asked for aces. When South know that you have a fit for also played in more than 30 Camrose
showed only one ace, North assumed partner you do not know that the void is matches for England.
this was in spades and passed 4n. going to be useful at all. A certain During the 1980s and early 1990s,
We missed a slam. Could you amount of guesswork is called for. Raymond developed a squad of junior
explain how one could get into a While you are right in thinking that it players in Britain. This bore fruit with
slam? Nobody in the room bid a slam was quite possible that game was on with victories for Great Britain in the 1989
but several pairs made twelve tricks. your hand facing a weak no-trump, it was and 1995 Junior world championships
– he was non-playing captain both
We discussed ways after our evening just as likely that partner held only a
times.
session with other members. One of doubleton spade and lots of points in your Raymond served two spells as
our more experienced players void suit. My experience is that the latter Chairman of the British Bridge
suggested going straight to 5n leaving is more often the case. Sometimes when League, from 1986-1988 and from
the call of 6n to come from South. your partner does turn out to have a good 1990-1992. In addition, Raymond was
Doreen Savage, Doncaster. fit with you, the opponents will enter the a member of Portland Club Card
auction and give you a second chance. Committee, the body responsible for
the laws of rubber bridge.

A
I think the problem stems from I haven’t run your hand through any
North’s initial response. There test program but I would guess that the In the early 1990s, he married Sally.
Out went a diet of champagne,
is no reason to use Stayman odds would favour conservatism. Over a
smoked salmon, penguin biscuits and
when you have a void in one major and weak take-out your partner can bid on nicotine. Along came a rejuvenated
six cards in the other. North should have when he has four-card support and a man, with a family life, a son Toby and
started by showing his hearts, preferably maximum. This would lead to your a daughter Briony. He briefly worked
with a 2o transfer, but otherwise with a sometimes being able to bid the game as General Manager of the EBU. This
natural, forcing 3n. when it was a good contract. I brought with it a move to High
The continuation is easier if you play Wycombe where the family still live.
transfers, as new suits are forcing after Raymond stayed cheerful until the
Sally Brock is a multiple women’s end and it was typical that he asked
opener has completed the transfer. So world bridge champion and the for guests at his funeral to wear
after 2o, South bids 2n and North now editor of the magazine Bridge bright coloured clothes. J.P.
bids a natural, game-forcing 3o. Plus.
With a maximum (more or less) hand,

Page 24
 PROGRAMME
This is the format for all
AT duplicate weekends and AT THEOBALDS PARK
rarely varies.
Bulls Cross Ride, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, EN7 5HW
THEOBALDS
FRIDAY
PARK o Full-board o All rooms with
1500 Friday to Sunday en-suite facilities
Welcome Desk open
o No single supplement o Most bedrooms non-smoking
Afternoon Tea
o Use of jacuzzi, sauna o Bidding quiz
1745 to 1830 and fitness suite and two seminars
Welcome drinks
reception o The bridge room, the guest accommodation and
the restaurant are all located in a modern annexe
1830 to 2000
DINNER _ _ _ _ _ _ _ BOOKING FORM _ _ _ _ _ _ _
25-27 January 2015 BRIDGE
SESSION 1 Please book me for ..... places,
Improvers* DUPLICATE PAIRS
Take Out Doubles Single ..... Double ..... Twin .....
Ned Paul SATURDAY
for the Theobalds Park weekend(s) of ...............................
0800 to 0930
29 Feb-2 March BREAKFAST ............................................................................................
Losing Trick Count
1000 to 1230
SEMINAR & Mr/Mrs/Miss .....................................................................
11-13 April SUPERVISED PLAY
Thinking Defence of SET HANDS 1 Address...............................................................................
Alex Davoud (tea & coffee at 1100)
............................................................................................
1230 to 1330
5-7 September COLD BUFFET Postcode ..................................
....................................
Overcalls LUNCH
Alex Davoud Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed,
1400 to 1645
but we will do our best to oblige)
BRIDGE
3-5 October SESSION 2 ............................................................................................
TEAMS of FOUR
Leads and Defence Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking
Alison Nicolson 1815 to 2000
DINNER ............................................................................................
17-19 October 2015 BRIDGE Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place
Sacrificing SESSION 3 by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with
DUPLICATE PAIRS your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, 28
Ned Paul
days before the event, a programme and full details will be sent
together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. Should
14-16 November SUNDAY you require insurance, you should contact your own insurance
Signals and Discards broker.
0800 to 0930
Alan Lamb BREAKFAST

*Improvers’ Weekends are 1000 to 1230

aimed at the novice player SEMINAR &
and/or those picking up the SUPERVISED PLAY
game after a long break.
of SET HANDS 2
(tea & coffee at 1100) Expiry: ............................ CVV.................... Issue No. ...............
£199 (CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip)
1230 to 1400
per person
CARVERY LUNCH
full board , Ryden Grange, Bisley, Surrey GU21 2TH
1400 to 1645

01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302
No Single BRIDGE
SESSION 4 e-mail: leanora@mrbridge.co.uk
Supplement DUPLICATE PAIRS website: www.holidaybridge.com

Page 25
 PROGRAMME
This is the format for all
AT MILTON HILL HOUSE duplicate weekends and AT MILTON
rarely varies.
Steventon, Oxfordshire, OX13 6AF HILL
FRIDAY HOUSE
o Full-board o All rooms with
Friday to Sunday en-suite facilities 1500
Welcome Desk open
o No single supplement o Most rooms non-smoking Afternoon Tea

o Use of swimming pool, o Bidding quiz & two seminars 1745 to 1830
jacuzzi & mini gym (on duplicate weekends only) Welcome drinks
reception
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ BOOKING FORM _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1830 to 2000
DINNER
Please book me for ..... places,
2015 BRIDGE
SESSION 1 9-11 May 2008 (£199)
Single ..... Double ..... DUPLICATE PAIRS Hand Evaluation
Chris Barrable
at Milton Hill House weekend(s) of
SATURDAY 16-18 May (£199)
............................................................................................ 0800 to 0930 Leads and Defence
BREAKFAST Alan Lamb
Mr/Mrs/Miss .....................................................................
1000 to 1230 12-14 Sept (£199)
Address............................................................................... SEMINAR & Further into the Auction
SUPERVISED PLAY Derek Monk
............................................................................................ of SET HANDS 1
(tea & coffee at 1100) 19-21 Sept (£209)
Postcode ............................................................................ Landy & Dealing with 1NT
1230 to 1330 Bernard Magee
COLD BUFFET

...................................................................................... LUNCH 26-28 Sept (£199)
Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, Weak Twos
1400 to 1645
but we will do our best to oblige) Chris Barrable
BRIDGE
SESSION 2
........................................................................................... 10-12 Oct (£209)
TEAMS of FOUR
Signals & Discards
Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking 1815 to 2000 Bernard Magee
DINNER
........................................................................................... 31 Oct-2 Nov (£199)
Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place 2015 BRIDGE Stayman & Transfers
by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with SESSION 3 Improvers – Sandy Bell
your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, DUPLICATE PAIRS
28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be 7-9 Nov (£209)
Splinters & Cue-bids
sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. SUNDAY Bernard Magee
Should you require insurance, you should contact your own
insurance broker. 0800 to 0930
BREAKFAST 28-30 Nov (£209)
Thinking Defence
1000 to 1230 Bernard Magee
SEMINAR &
SUPERVISED PLAY No Single
of SET HANDS 2
Expiry: ............................ CVV.................... Issue No. ............... (tea & coffee at 1100) Supplement
(CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip)
1230 to 1400 Manor house rooms are
CARVERY LUNCH available at a supplement.
, Ryden Grange, Bisley, Surrey GU21 2TH The remaining bedrooms are

01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 1400 to 1645
BRIDGE
housed in a block about 25
yards away from the main
e-mail: leanora@mrbridge.co.uk SESSION 4
hotel reached via a covered
website: www.holidaybridge.com DUPLICATE PAIRS walkway.

Page 26
 DAVID STEVENSON answers questions on Bridge Laws

Where to Place
a Board During
Play

Q Q
When I am the declarer, I Playing duplicate as declarer, I was passed out, the penalty conceded
like to move the card trays had won a round of hearts in was often cheaper than the value of the
towards me to a position dummy and asked for ‘the opponents’ normal contract.
about six inches from the edge of the queen please’. Dummy selected the If partner wished to find out which
table. This leaves enough room to queen of clubs instead of the queen of type of hand one held, they bid 2p.
place the played cards between the hearts. As soon as I realised, I When the overcaller was ‘comic’,
boards and the edge of the table. explained that it was an error. I have they bid their ‘escape’ suit or when
The other day, the opening card was two associated questions: genuine, 2NT (3NT if maximum).
led and I dragged the boards towards Is a card wrongly selected by dummy I seem to remember both triumphs
me. The lady on my right, sitting in this way deemed to have been and disasters using this convention but
North, took the boards and placed them played? Had I been more precise about invariably a lot of fun. However, I am
back in the centre of the table. I stated the card that I wanted and dummy had told it is now ‘illegal’. Do you agree?
my wish to have the boards nearer to then selected a card incorrectly, would Arthur Field, Chichester, West Sussex.
me thus making good space for the this card be deemed to have been

A
dummy hand but she insisted that the played? If not, what would happen if Certainly not! You can check
boards stay in the centre of the table. the next player had played a card legality in the EBU Orange book,
Not wishing to be unpleasant, I did before the correction could be made? and ‘Mollo’ appears in the index.
nothing further. I suspect she was Derek Gittins, Farnham, Surrey. In truth, the answer is more complex
correct, albeit pedantic, but surely if the than that. First, you are confusing two

A
boards are to remain in the centre of the The Laws say that if dummy has conventions. The Gardener or Comic no-
table then is it likely that dummy will won the previous trick, you call trump was, as you describe, either a weak
be laid in a restricted area, especially if for the queen and dummy has the hand with a long suit, or a normal 1NT
there is a long suit. I wonder what queen of the suit previously played, that is overcall. The Mollo no-trump was always
constitutes the centre of the table. the card you have called for. In your case, weak, so in effect 1NT said you had a
Bryan C. Stephens, the heart queen was called for. weak jump overcall. This would fit well
East Preston, West Sussex. There is a Law covering what to do with playing Intermediate Jump overcalls.
when dummy plays the wrong card, so Both conventions are legal at Level 4,

A
Whatever the theory, in practice the Director should have read this out. so you can play them in events run by
players often move the board Briefly, dummy changes the card to the the EBU or WBU, and in most events
around, and generally com- correct card. Then the defenders may run by Counties or Areas. Since clubs
promise. Some do it because they like withdraw their cards without penalty, but and their events are usually Level 3, you
dummy closer to be able to see it better. these cards are unauthorised information could not play them there.
Some do it so they can reach dummy to to declarer. If you want to play them in a club,
play the cards, though of course they check with the club: some clubs allow
should not touch the cards. ponm Level 4 agreements, especially clubs
However, while most players are with more than one night: they usually

Q
tolerant, there is intolerance in the game I have just been reminded allow Level 4 on some nights at least.
and it is growing slightly. If someone that, many years ago, we used
demands it should be in the exact centre, to play a convention called the David Stevenson answers all queries
then that is what the Law says, so I am Mollo (or Comic?) No-trump. based on the facts supplied by the letter
afraid you should just accept it. As well as its usual meaning, a 1NT writer. Neither Mr Bridge nor David
[Law 7a: When a board is to be played overcall could be on a weak hand with Stevenson has any way of knowing
it is placed in the centre of the table until a 6-card suit. If doubled, one could whether those facts are correct or
complete.
play is completed.] simply escape into the long suit. If 1NT

Page 27
 David Stevenson on Bridge Laws continued East felt that North’s bid was illegal,
as he had received extra information.
South said he was only removing the
double card to get at the pass card, as
the cards in the front of the box were

Q
At my club recently, I was and left them there whilst considering all mixed up. This seems unlikely to
East (dealer West, love all) her next bid. This involved a transfer me, as the pass cards have the tab in
and the hands were: of her fingers to the rear section of the the middle and the double card has
box followed by a suit bid. the tab off to one side.
I said nothing until play was North said he thought his partner was
m Q 10 completed and then said to the nice going to bid 6o. I think this unlikely, as
n KJ84 lady that what she had done was South did not touch the bidding cards
o K J 10 7 6 possibly illegal and would she mind if at the back of the box. He also said that
p A6 I called the Director. He was playing a he was going to double anyway,
m KJ72 m A653 hand at another table but eventually regardless of his partner’s action.
n A 10 6 5 2 N n Q93 arrived. I described what had We called the Director, who was as it
W E
o 542 S o 8 happened and invited his comments. happens new to directing. He consulted
p 2 p K Q 10 8 4 He said nothing to the lady and another player, who is an experienced
m 984 required us to continue without offering Director. This Director said that, as
n 7 any comment. I quietly objected but he long as the player changed the double
o AQ93 simply returned to his table. card quickly enough, there was no
p J9753 At no time did I suggest a penalty illegal information passed. The double
because I was expecting the Director to was left in and East reserved his rights.
inform my lady opponent that As it turned out, three off doubled,
West passed, North opened 1NT. I wandering from one section of the box non-vulnerable, gave us an average. 6o
hesitated, went to get a card from the to the other section is undesirable as it vulnerable made at some tables and at
box, changed my mind and passed. may give unwitting information to her others 4m undoubled went two off.
After South passed, my partner West partner, or mislead her opponents etc. Whilst none of us thought that South
bid 2p (5-4 in the majors). Perhaps you would comment. had deliberately tried to pass inform-
The Director was summoned, who Keith Barton, Uplyme, Devon. ation, should North not have passed?
ruled that partner had fielded my Was East wrong to reserve his rights?

A
hesitation and should not bid. 1NT You did the right thing: you did What should the director have ruled?
by North was played and made, the not lecture your opponent, Anne May, Gourock.
only 1NT contract played by N/S in which is not your job; you

A
the whole room. The usual bid was merely reported the facts to the Director. If you receive unauthorised
either 2m or 3m to E/W. We got a At first sight it looks as though the information from partner you
bottom. Yes I was in error, but did Director could have handled it better. He must bend over backwards not
the punishment fit the crime? may have had a reason not to lecture to take advantage. However, that does
Len Freeman, Kilmarnock. your opponent. For instance, he may not mean that you may not double if you
have judged not to do so because of the have a hand clearly worth a double. To

A
West must avoid taking any lady’s inexperience. If that was the suggest North’s double was illegal
advantage from your hesitation, reason, I feel at least he should have before seeing his hand was just wrong.
which provided him with the explained his reasons to you. Players make mistakes all the time
unauthorised information that you were when they pull their cards out, and if the
close to a bid. This is just a bridge ponm error is a mechanical error, i.e. they
judgement. A good Director will poll pulled the wrong card out by mistake,

Q
some similar standard players to see A couple of weeks ago at the they can change them without penalty.
what they would do. So long as at least club, the following situation Are you sure that this is not what
three in ten of them would pass, it is arose. North /South, both very happened here?
reasonable to adjust it back to 1NT. experienced players, were vulnerable. If it did not happen that way, South may
The bidding went as follows: not change her double. Once the card is
ponm out of the box, she has made the call. If
South West North East she has not made it inadvertently, she may

Q
Last night, I played pairs at a 1n Pass 2o 2m not change it. So you should have called
local bridge club where two 3o 3m 4o 4m the Director at that point. I
directors share the Director’s Pass Pass 5o 5m
duties. Neither of them ever produces
the Laws of Duplicate Bridge book. At this point, South took the double David Stevenson is on the Laws
On this occasion, my LHO opened card from the bidding box, clearly seen and Ethics Committee of both the
the bidding with 1m. After my partner by West and East. After hesitating ever EBU and WBU. He is also an
passed, my RHO put her fingers into so slightly, he replaced it and pulled out EBU panel Tournament Director.
the front section of her bidding box a pass. West passed and North doubled.

Page 28
 DEFENCE AT HARBEN HOUSE
Tickford Street, Newport Pagnell, MK16 9EY

QUIZ Duplicate Weekends 2008

£209 per person full-board
with Bernard Magee

by Julian Pottage 9-11 May Splinters & Cue-bids

(Answers on page 57) 13-15 June Game Tries (New Topic)
11-13 July Stayman & Transfers
8-10 August Suit Establishment (New Topic)
Y ou are East in the defensive positions below. Each 1NT
opening by South shows 12-14 points and 2p in response
asks for 4-card majors (Stayman). It is your turn to play.
o Full-board
Friday to Sunday
o All rooms with
en-suite facilities
o No single supplement o Venue non-smoking
o Jacuzzi, sauna, o Lifts and easy access
1. m K 10 6 2 3. m 10 9 4 steam room and gym to bridge room
n 8 n 4
o Tuition with Supervised Play, bidding quiz and two seminars
o KJ63 o KQ54
p KJ42 p AK863
m Q874 m 75 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ BOOKING FORM _ _ _ _ _ _ _
N N
W E n AK3 W E n K 10 7 3
S o 10 7 4 S o A7 Please book me for ..... places,
p 763 p Q 10 7 4 2
Single ..... Double ..... Twin .....

West North East South West North East South at the Harben House weekend(s) of
1NT 1m
Pass 2p Pass 2n Pass 2p Pass 2n ............................................................................................
Pass 3NT End Pass 4m End
Mr/Mrs/Miss .....................................................................
Partner leads the five of Partner leads the jack of
hearts and you win with diamonds and you cap- Address...............................................................................
the king. Which card do ture the king with the ace.
you return? What do you return? ............................................................................................

Postcode ............................................................................

2. m KJ6 4. m Q764
......................................................................................

n 84 n K Q 10 4
Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed,
o AJ6 o 9
but we will do our best to oblige)
p KJ832 p A Q 10 3
m A 10 7 5 4 m KJ92 ...........................................................................................
N N
W E n A73 W E
n J932
S Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place
o 10 7 4 S o A752
by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with
p 76 p 7
your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment,
28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be
sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable.
West North East South West North East South Should you require insurance, you should contact your own
1NT 1NT insurance broker.
Pass 3NT End Pass 2p Pass 2o
Pass 3NT End , Ryden Grange, Bisley, Surrey GU21 2TH
Partner leads the five of
hearts and you win with Partner leads the o6 and

01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302
the ace. Which card do your ace wins. Which card e-mail: leanora@mrbridge.co.uk
you return? do you return? website: www.holidaybridge.com

Page 29
 he ‘Pay-to-Play’ proposals from

T the English Bridge Union (EBU)

have now been in the public
EBU Pay-to-Play. Wh
domain for fully six months. Much
discussion has taken place, not least in
BRIDGE, and decision time is fast Long-Standing Mr Bridge writer NE
drawing near. Mr Bridge has asked me
to do some ‘blue sky thinking’. My
guess is that the EBU Board will go
ahead with the changes, yet that a good  The EBU expects county What is not so Good
number of bridge clubs throughout associations to follow suit, The scheme brings with it extreme
England will be unhappy. Some of these dropping the annual fees their central control, invading the autonomy
clubs may decide not to continue members pay and setting their own of clubs. There is an element of
affiliation. What might the future hold Pay-to-Play fee. The EBU will compulsion about the scheme. One
for such unaffiliated clubs? collect this fee with the National county, Leicestershire, on its website,
Pay-to-Play fee and pay it to the describes this as ‘undemocratic and
The Proposals counties. unsavoury’. The list of benefits that the
Let me start by summing up the present EBU says that it will offer to clubs (see
state of the proposals: The Timetable BRIDGE 85) is overstated.
 Individual members will no longer Over the last couple of months, the The realistic chance that bridge will
pay a subscription to the EBU. EBU has asked counties to canvass have much impact on government is
 In its place, all affiliated clubs will clubs to see whether they broadly zero. Any move to have ‘mind sports’
pay a levy, on every session of support the proposals or not. The recognised by the Sports Council and
duplicate bridge, known as ‘Pay- counties have also gathered details on hence the National Lottery, died four
to-Play’. how many playing sessions the clubs years ago. At that time, the International
 Club subscription to the EBU will organise, how many people attend, and Olympic Committee dismissed the
continue. The proposed club hence the number of Pay-to-Play applications of bridge and chess to be in
affiliation fee is now £30 p.a. per payments that will be due. The EBU the Olympic programme and asked
club, irrespective of size. (The will use this data to set the first Pay-to- them not to re-apply. The 1937
EBU has dropped the idea of Play fee. Education Act, which bars the
different fees for clubs of different The draft final proposals from the recognition of non-physical activity as
sizes.) EBU’s ‘Membership Development sport, remains unaltered. Bridge is a
 Affiliated clubs will be required to Action Group’ are due in January this specialised activity and any hope of its
report electronically to the EBU so year (2008), and a meeting of the appearance in the National Curriculum,
that the latter can calculate and MDAG in February will finalise those as suggested in BRIDGE 86 by Sally
invoice the Pay-to-Play fee. proposals. From there they will go to Bugden, Vice-Chairman of the EBU,
 The Pay-to-Play fee will be in the the EBU Board for approval in March. must surely be a complete pipedream.
order of 40p per player in all club The approved final proposals will then Personally, I would rather see a greater
duplicates. The EBU has spent the go to the ‘shareholders’ of the EBU focus for schools on basic literacy!
last two months gathering data (county delegates) in May and an The EBU, if it goes ahead with the Pay-
from clubs to find out just how extraordinary general meeting of the to-Play scheme, will be taking a huge
many playing sessions take place, county delegates will take place on 4th risk. The current membership model,
so that they can decide on the right June 2008. This meeting will either while in decline, is by no means broken:
figure for the Pay-to-Play levy. accept or scrap the plan. If accepted, it membership fees, including county dues,
 Only Pay-to-Play duplicates will will take effect from April 2010. currently generate some £375,000 of
be eligible for Masterpoints. income for the EBU. Masterpoints
Affiliated clubs may choose not to What’s the Point produce another £235,000 out of a total
issue Masterpoints but will still By proposing these changes, the EBU EBU income of £1.6m. (Competition
pay the Pay-to-Play fee, at a rate of hopes to bring into membership the fees raise the bulk of the rest – some
roughly 10p per player less than many club bridge players who do not £619,000 in the year to March 2007). The
for Masterpoint duplicates. currently join the EBU. They will make Pay-to-Play fee will have to replace all
 Masterpoints will all be electronic administrative savings by having the revenue from membership fees and
and paper Masterpoints will be no electronic-only Masterpoints and Masterpoints from the outset.
more. smoother revenue collection throughout The EBU claims they do not intend to
 All players in Pay-to-Play games the year. The circulation of English raise more money with the new
will become ‘members’ of the Bridge will go up with the hope of structure but, if it works, there will be a
EBU and will receive copies of increased advertising revenue. Finally, large number of new members to
English Bridge and other benefits. the EBU hopes that higher membership service with magazines and so on.
There will be no registration fee. figures will make the organisation Indeed, with ‘free’ membership it is
The EBU has scrapped its original ‘more compelling in approaches to likely that there will be many new
idea of a one-off administration fee government, the media, and potential members whether they come in through
of £5. sponsors’. Pay-to-Play or not. Counties will also

Page 30
 withdraw, it would be natural for them to
here Do You Stand? form some kind of information
exchange, and maybe even form local
leagues for inter-club play. Indeed
county organisations may have to decide
ED PAUL is finding it hard to decide whether to recognise unaffiliated clubs
in some way simply to maintain an
overview of bridge in their area. Which
will be the first county to break ranks
need extra resources to service new the members would prefer tea, coffee and go down this route?
members, many of whom have yet to and biscuits, and an independent club Unaffiliated clubs will not have access
show any desire to play outside their rather than pay the Pay-to-Play charge. to EBU Masterpoints. A well-organised
clubs. The scheme does not hold out any A decision by a club to affiliate or not club with a good social ambience may
prospect of enhanced democracy – the affiliate could cause schism. A club that find that Masterpoints are not necessary.
EBU does not intend to give individual votes to leave will no longer issue Maybe even a non-EBU scheme will
members a vote over its affairs. Masterpoints, thereby upsetting those emerge. The Pay-to-Play fee of 40p per
members who are keen collectors. On session per player is quite a chunk of
Best Case Scenario the other hand, a vote to stay in will cash. Paid to an alternative Loyalty Card
The best case for the EBU is that bridge mean higher table money for all, and type of supplier this amount of money
players in England come to accept the inclusion willy-nilly in the Masterpoint might easily generate a new kind of
proposals and that criticism of the scheme of everyone in the club. Up to ‘Masterpoint’. Not only would you get
strategy will turn out to have been now, a majority of players in most clubs your promotions, but also ‘Masterpoints’
natural resistance to change. There will have not bothered with nor sought to would be worth something. Imagine
be a bit of residual muttering but we will collect them. being able to claim money off bridge
all pay up and swallow our doubts. The The one-size-fits-all nature of the books and software, discounts on bridge
EBU intends to ask each club to sign a proposals does not fit easily into the holidays, and even special offers from
contract, which amongst other things bridge landscape. Clubs exist for all outside commercial partners. The EBU
will specify the regulations for Pay-to- sorts of reasons. Some are purely social, could do these things of course, but
Play. The calls for more democracy will some for learning, only a minority are centralised organisations are not good at
have no more effect than calls for a flat-out competitive. The EBU seems to creating initiatives like this. If the
referendum on Europe do on our take no account of Chicago or rubber opportunity is there, an entrepreneur
national politicians. bridge, both still important in many with an eye to the main chance is likely
With its higher membership base, we bridge clubs. They also overlook that to move in first.
may suppose that the EBU can gain many people play bridge in their homes
commercial sponsors for an enlarged rather than at clubs. Marketing people Where Do I Stand?
competition programme and can make classify the likes of bridge as ‘Long Tail’ So where do I stand on all this? I
some impact on bridge in education. activities; only a small part of bridge is organise and instruct bridge for a living
Any clubs who opt out will quickly visibly organised; the rest is just a long and one of my clubs is currently in
realise the error of their ways and rejoin tail of social and occasional bridge. The membership of the EBU. I am self-
the new EBU. EBU needs to find ways of encouraging employed and although I write for Mr
the long tail, not cutting it off because it Bridge and host weekends, I do this on a
Clubs Assert Themselves produces little income. fee basis and it is just part of the mix that
A different scenario comes when clubs keeps me going. I like to think that all
realise it is they who deliver bridge to Life Outside the EBU that I do is good for bridge and helps
their members and not the EBU. Nothing Let us imagine then the scheme goes sustain the game in my area.
much will change for the clubs that ahead and some (many?) clubs choose to I have been a member of the EBU since
adopt Pay-to-Play, except that they will withdraw from the EBU. What are their the days of Dimmie Fleming, Harry
have to account to the EBU at between prospects? Clubs do not need the EBU Scully and Harold Franklin (remember
three and four times the current rate for for publicity. Any prospective player the old EBU Quarterly?). I feel very loyal
Masterpoints. Signing the EBU contract these days is likely to start with an to bridge and passionate about the
will also put the clubs in a Master- internet web search. You have moved to success of a strong national organisation.
Servant relationship with the EBU. This Little Dunting? Just put ‘Little Dunting I know and respect many of the EBU staff
will be with the EBU as master, when I Bridge Club’ into Google (or ask the and officers. However, I feel ill at ease
believe it should be the other way round. local librarian to do so) and you will with the Pay-to-Play proposals. I want to
Its proponents present Pay-to-Play as a soon be up and playing. The services that defend my club’s independence and the
levy on individuals – but the players do clubs need are all available from right of choice for my players. As I wrote
not analyse their table money – they just commercial suppliers. Dealing software, before, it is hard for instinctive
grumble when it goes up. scoring software, tables, boards, cards, centralisers to understand these doubts.
In practice, Pay-to-Play is a tax on other equipment, stationery, website I have not yet decided what to do. I
clubs and organisers. Some clubs might software, and so on are all easily suspect that I will be guided by ‘market
decide it is unfair, not only to collect the obtained from non-EBU sources. forces’, whatever produces the best
money but account for it as well. Maybe If a number of clubs in a county outcome for my clubs. Am I wrong? I

Page 31
 Mr Magee and Me . . .
A Passionate Affair
by Linda Saunders
s far as bridge is address of the Mr Bridge way and at £59.95 would encouragingly. In the early

A concerned, I have just

had my first birthday.
It was last autumn when I
magazine. Immediately I
sent off the slip asking to be
included on the mailing list.
cost round about a pound a
week. I had to wait several
days … because of a postal
days, it is true, he would
sometimes say: “There are
no points for that bid and
caught the bug and I doubt Already I had collected a strike, but within a week, the there is no comment.” For
if I shall ever recover my number of useful books on program came. This was the some reason, this would
former state of mind. I was bridge but more than start of my affair with Mr make me chuckle with glee
fortunate enough to find my anything else, I needed Magee. but try as I might these days,
way into a beginners’ class practice in bidding and I cannot prompt that
run by an accredited EBU playing the cards. I I had failed to find a teacher response. Usually, he says:
teacher: this was invaluable telephoned the Mr Bridge in the flesh, but this was ‘Excellent’ or ‘Fantastic’ and I
to me as it laid firm feel greatly encouraged!
foundations. Sadly, when the Clear explanations are given
course ended last spring, I at the end of each hand.
was the only one in the class
who had the time and I have to confess I simply
inclination to continue so I cannot get enough of him. I
was left out on a limb. We have just bought the second
had covered the basics so I in the Bidding series: ‘More
plucked up courage to Acol Bidding’ as well as the
wander into some local newly released ‘Declarer
clubs where I was given a Play’. Every morning, I spend
warm welcome. At that time, about half an hour in his
I was so nervous I could company, systematically
hardly hold the cards; my working through the
hands shook alarmingly. I programs. Of course, most
quickly realized just how people would not want to
pathetic my play was. I give up this amount of time
searched on-line for an but I am an addict. Realistic-
Improvers’ class and did ally, ten to fifteen minutes
drive many miles to attend each day would be sufficient
one memorable session. to improve one’s game.
Leaving home at 6.00 p.m.
and returning near to It occurs to me that these
midnight was a small price mail order line to ask for even better. This brilliant programs are not aimed just
to pay for the excellent advice on bridge software man would come at my at the beginner. There are
tuition I received that and was given excellent bidding (excuse the pun) at many people playing in
evening, but the class was advice. It was suggested midnight or in the early bridge clubs who have been
ending for the summer and that I tried the free download hours of the morning. I playing for years but do not
realistically, it was too far for of five games from Bernard started a notebook to record have the foggiest idea about
me to go on a regular basis. Magee’s Acol Bidding. my progress and have the lethal weapons available
I was well and truly stuck WOW! This was exactly what completed 190 of the 200 such as transfers, fourth suit
and quite disheartened. I needed. In July I placed a hands, many of them forcing, bidding the
telephone order and several times. His patience is opponents’ suit, cue bidding,
I persevered locally and one breathed a sigh of relief. The inexhaustible. ‘Try another splinters, and Key-card
afternoon, I was given the teaching I needed was on its bid’ he will say Blackwood.

Page 32
Mr Magee and Me . . .
A Passionate Affair DECLARER
continued
PLAY
Doubtless they enjoy the partner for the day had not
QUIZ
game but they are missing met Mr Magee so our
so much. I know that I have bidding was limited. by David Huggett
so much still to learn about I am the first to admit that I
(Answers on page 55)
bridge, but I am working make the most foolish
very slowly through the mistakes at the bridge table
second program hoping to but I try to learn from them
improve my game. It’s such
a brilliant game. And the
and not to fret. I absolutely
loathe inquests, preferring to Y ou are South as declarer playing teams or rubber bridge.
In each case, what is your play strategy?.
beauty of the computer concentrate on the game in
software is that I can work hand and I will never argue
through a hand, many times with a partner. Bridge is a 1. 3.
if necessary, in order to game and should be an m KQ6 m K84
grasp a point. enjoyable experience. n 762 n 65
o K J 10 5 o A K J 10 6
These days, I find I enjoy When I do play locally and I p A62 p 732
playing either on Bridge Club get stuck … I don’t panic. I
N N
Live which is affiliated to the think to myself: “What would W E W E
EBU, or teaching myself with Mr Magee say?” And S S

the help of Mr Magee, as because I have heard his

well as playing at local comments and advice so m A42 m A32
bridge clubs. Within Bridge many many times, I can n KJ3 n KQ3
Club Live, I have played with almost feel him looking over o A83 o 853
people from all over the my shoulder, prompting me p K843 p AK86
world: these include life to make the right move. The
masters and absolute only thing is … I cannot put
beginners. The coaching his advice into practice if my You are declarer in 3NT. You are declarer in 3NT.
corner sessions are partner is not aware of the West leads the n5 and West leads the n4 and
wonderful, hosted by signals. So if there is anyone East plays the ten. How East plays the jack. How
experienced players who out there in Kent, who do you plan the play? do you plan the play?
give freely of their time. shares my passion for Mr
Magee, perhaps they will be
I have not yet found a good enough to contact me.
regular face-to-face partner. There may be a fruitful 2. 4.
When I play, I usually find out partnership in the making. m J 10 9 6 m K862
pretty quickly that my n 754 n A
partner for the session has Of course, Mr Magee is o 63 o 764
not met Mr Magee. I doubtless spoken for in real p KQ83 p KQ765
recommend him constantly life so my passion for him N N
W E W E
and four friends have remains one-sided, but if S S
bought the first program so I ever I get to meet him, I shall
have high hopes that have to give him a hug. Now
together we shall improve at where did I put that Mr m AKQ72 m A J 10 9 3
the bridge table. Bridge magazine? I’m sure I n K8 n J2
saw a weekend away with o A 10 2 o Q85
Recently, I played in a Mr Magee advertised! But p J 10 7 p AJ2
competition for bridge then that’s absurd … he and
students. It mattered little to I are not even on first-name
me where we came in the terms. He need have no fear You are declarer in 4m and You are declarer in 4m.
rating, but the fact is that I because, actually, I am a West leads the oQ. How West leads the oA and
would never have had the very respectable woman do you plan the play? switches to the p4. How
courage to enter had it not and old enough to be his do you plan the play?
been for Mr Magee. My mother. I

Page 33
 Andrew Kambites Says

Do Not Bid a New

Suit at the Two Level
with Only Eight Points
our partner opens the bidding totally convincing because it is very rare This hand meets the Rule of Fourteen,

Y with 1n. How many points do

you need to respond?
There has always been a consensus
for the bidding to die at the one level
anyway. A better explanation is that, with
a weak hand you should strive hard to
but it would be blinkered to respond to
1n with 2o. You are forcing partner
to find a rebid and he is quite likely to
that with six points you shouldn’t pass. keep the bidding low. Nowadays, tactical have to rebid 2n. You could only pass
The logic is obvious. Opener can hold factors have pushed standards up, to the this, but your side would be in a very
up to nineteen points and you need extent that, in many countries (though silly contract if he has had to rebid 2n
twenty-five points for game, which not the UK) it is quite common to play a with five poor hearts. It is far more
means that passing with six points risks two-over-one response as game forcing. sensible to respond to 1n with 1NT –
missing game. People also recognise When the English Bridge Union keeping the bidding low with a poor
that, if you have shape and a good fit started the Bridge for All teaching hand and a misfit and giving opener the
then you might make game on far fewer scheme, it decided that, for anyone opportunity to pass. Certainly, he should
points. learning the game in England, it might pass rather than sign off in 2n if he has
be sensible if they learnt the same five hearts. Remember, unlike other no-
system so they would feel at ease trump bids that occur early in the
Hand A Hand B walking into a new club and playing auction, your 1NT response does not
m KJ9854 m 63 with a stranger. I would thus like to refer promise a balanced hand. I call it a
n 7 n 10 9 2 to Standard English, the version of the ‘dustbin bid’ because you throw into the
o 10 8 7 5 o 98 Acol bidding system associated with dustbin all the rubbish that doesn’t fit
p 32 p A K J 10 3 2 Bridge for All. This gives the criteria as anywhere else.
follows: You can bid at the two level It is worth considering just how
with ten (high card) points or even nine unbalanced a 1NT response might be. If
Most experienced players would if you have a very long suit. In practice, partner opens 1m, what should you
respond 1m to 1n with hand A. Not only nobody would object to responding 2p respond with hands C or D?
might 4m be possible, it might make to 1n if you held hand B. Your club suit
even with 1n due to go off! Responding has trick-taking potential far in excess of
1m could gain in some other way, such its eight high-card points. Moreover, Hand C Hand D
as improving the part-score. For your three-card heart support makes m Void m 74
example, the auction might proceed: 1n- your next action easy. If partner rebids n 96 n 6
1m-1NT-2m-End. 2n, you can happily pass; if partner o QJ7654 o AJ765
There has never been quite the same rebids 2o, you can happily give p K8432 p Q 10 6 4 3
consensus about what you need to preference to 2n. I can conveniently
change suit at the two level, e.g. 1n-2p. express these criteria in the Rule of
This is partly because factors other than Fourteen: add together your high-card Look at it this way. If partner opens 1m,
the desire to avoid missing game come points and the number of cards in your there are only two bids available to you
into the equation. You need to respond longest suit and if the total comes to at if you have six, seven or a poor,
with six points, yes, but what to respond least fourteen you can change suit at the misfitting eight points: 2m or 1NT. You
is open to discussion, and there are two level. can rule out 2m, so it has to be 1NT. Of
several possible criteria. It is not necessarily sensible to apply course, you could turn your nose up at
One possible yardstick is the the Rule of Fourteen indiscriminately. these hands and pass, but it is quite
traditional Acol requirement of nine Partner opens 1n and you hold: possible that 3NT or five-of-a-minor is
points (counting one length point for a easy for you, while 1m is going off!
five-card suit). The idea behind this is Bidding is so much easier if you are
that you need an extra trick for a two m Q84 prepared not to be too squeamish about
level contract, so it might be a good idea n 2 responding 1NT on hands like these.
to have an extra king (marginally under o J76532 Treat it as a dustbin bid, and you will
one thirteenth of the high card points in p AJ7 end up in far more playable low-level
the pack). I have never found this logic contracts. I

Page 34
 Bridge Etiquette RUBBER / CHICAGO 2008
On Arrival Hosted by Diana Holland
 Check whether you need to sign in.
 Check whether a particular table is reserved for the TD. 4-6 April The Beach Hotel £199
General 9-11 May The Olde Barn £199
 Turn off your mobile phone. (If it is absolutely vital you
22-24 August Theobalds Park £199
have it on, leave it on ‘vibrate’.)
 It is necessary to play quite quickly. The aim is to be able 22-25 August (3 nights) Theobalds Park £249
to play at least 21-24 boards in a session.
26-28 September The Beach Hotel £199
Each New Round
 Greet your new opponents as they arrive at your table.
Full-board – No Single Supplement
 Explain your system clearly and simply, if asked. Answer Please note there are no seminars or set hands on these weekends
any questions clearly.
 Sort and count your cards quickly, so that you can bid
promptly when it is your turn.
 Do not sort through your cards again when it is your
turn to bid.
 Do not ask what a bid means unless you are intending to
bid. Ask any questions when the auction is over.

The Play
 Do not put your bidding cards away until the initial lead The Olde Barn Hotel The Beach Hotel Theobalds Park
Marston, Lincs, NG32 2HT Worthing, BN11 3QJ Cheshunt, Herts, EN7 5HW
has been made.
 When you are making the initial lead, play your card
before you write down the contract or enter the details
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ BOOKING FORM _ _ _ _ _ _ _
in the Bridgemate. (Three people are waiting!)
 Place this card face down on the table first, to check Please book me for .... places, Single .... Double .... Twin ....
whether partner has any questions about the auction.
for the Rubber/Chicago weekend(s) of
 As dummy, lay out the cards before you write down the
contract or enter the details in the Bridgemate. And lay ............................................................................................
out the cards as quickly as possible. (Three people are
waiting!) Mr/Mrs/Miss .....................................................................
 As declarer, plan your campaign before you select a card
from dummy. Address...............................................................................
 As dummy, do not play the first card (even if it is a
singleton) until declarer has worked out his plan and ............................................................................................
called for it.
 As declarer, always call for the card you wish dummy to Postcode ............................................................................
play (unless dummy is away from the table or has a
disability, making the play of cards difficult).
......................................................................................
 As declarer, when you lead to a trick, wait for LHO to
play his card before calling a card from dummy. Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed)
 When making a claim, explain your intended line of play
clearly.
...........................................................................................
 When the hand has been completed, North should fill in Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place
the score on the traveller or Bridgemate quickly. East by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with
confirms it is correct. your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment,
28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be
On Completion of the Play sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable.
 Do not hold long post-mortems unless you are clearly Should you require insurance, you should contact your own
well ahead of the other tables. insurance broker.
 Do not touch other players’ cards – ask them to show you.
 North handles new boards. , Ryden Grange, Bisley, Surrey GU21 2TH
 Thank your opponents at the end of the round and move
01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302
quickly to your new table. e-mail: leanora@mrbridge.co.uk
Compiled by a new club member and sent to BRIDGE by the secretary. website: www.holidaybridge.com

Page 35
 MORE
ACOL BIDDING
The follow-up Interactive CD
by BERNARD MAGEE
200 More Hands in 10 Chapters
 Basics  Defence to 1NT
 Advanced Basics  Doubles

 Weak Twos  Two-suited Overcalls

 Strong Hands  Defences to Other Systems

 Defence to Weak Twos  Misfits and Distributional Hands

Includes
ACOL BIDDING
Analysis and Commentary on
200 Hands in 10 Chapters
the Play of the 200 hands, which
 Opening Bids  No-trump Openings
vary from the straightforward and Responses and Responses

to the very difficult.  Slams and  Opener’s and

Strong Openings Responder’s Rebids

 Support for Partner  Minors and Misfits

£89 95  Pre-empting  Doubles

 Overcalls  Competitive Auctions

Windows 98 or later, CD ROM

Still Available
Windows 98 or later, CD ROM £5995
Make your cheque payable to and send to: Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH

01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302

 Derek Rimington Says

Overcall with
a Good Suit
he primary objectives for suit In the sandwich seat – when both the

T overcalls are:

1 to direct the opening lead;

Hand 3
m KJ986
n 64
Hand 4
m QJ986
n 4
opponents are bidding but your partner
has passed – the need for a good suit is
extra strong. For one thing, there is a
2 to suggest a sacrifice; o A762 o 73 reduced chance that your side will buy
3 to crowd the opponents’ bidding, p 93 p AQ986 the contract. This adds to the need to bid
ideally to push them too high; a suit you want led. For another,
4 to reach a contract your way. knowing about each other’s hands, they
The range for a suit overcall at the one Hand 3 is a minimum overcall of 1m not are in a good position to penalise you.
level is extensive and you should count vulnerable if RHO has opened 1p
points for high cards and distribution. because it stops LHO from responding
Any six-card suit is suitable; with five 1n. Exchange the eight of spades for the Dealer: South. Love All.
cards, suit quality is more important queen and it becomes a sound overcall at m K94
than strength elsewhere in the hand. any vulnerability. n A852
Hand 4, with the two decent five-card o 86
suits, justifies an overcall of 1m over 1o. p QJ43
Hand 1 Hand 2 If you run into a penalty double, you m J5 m Q8762
m KJ984 m K7542 might escape into your second suit. n J 10 7 3 N n Q96
W E
n 62 n J6 Two-level overcalls normally require a o K 10 7 2 S o AQ3
o 53 o QJ6 good six-card suit such as Q-J-9-8-6-4 p 765 p 98
p AJ53 p KJ6 or better and the values for an opening m A 10 3
bid. A very strong five-card suit also n K4
qualifies if it obstructs the opponents. o J954
At love all, your right-hand opponent p A K 10 2
opens 1p. Hand 1 is worth an overcall
of 1m but hand 2, with more points, is Hand 5 Hand 6
not. The reason is that (1) has the jack of m K5 m 752 West North East South
spades to support the king and good n 62 n 62 1p
secondary cards in the nine and eight of o K42 o A72 Pass 1n 1m 1NT
spades. Also, 5332 hands are not as p AJ7654 p A K J 10 6 Pass 3NT End
powerful as 5422, especially if an
opponent has bid the four-card suit. With This was how the bidding went at one
hand 1, your length and the 1p opening If RHO opens 1m, pass with either of table in a Crockford’s match. Goaded by
make it likely partner is short in clubs, these hands if you are vulnerable. If not the overcall, West led the jack of spades.
increasing the chance of a spade fit. vulnerable, you can overcall 2p. Declarer won in dummy with the king
Vulnerability is an important factor – You would need a hand like hand 7 to and later finessed the ten of spades.
neither hand would be worth 1m if overcall at unfavourable vulnerability: Eight tricks had become nine.
vulnerable. Suit length is also most The overcall was particularly poor, as
important. Substitute the jack of hearts East has a good holding in the other
in hand 2 for the jack of spades and you Hand 7 unbid suit, diamonds.
can justify a 1m overcall, even if m K5 At the other table, the bidding was the
vulnerable, because of the six-card suit. n 62 same except East passed over 1n. After
Conscious competence is a valuable o 742 West led the two of diamonds, declarer
attribute when overcalling. The more p AKQ862 made only eight tricks.
favourable the vulnerability and the Now for my hobbyhorse – bidding is
more opposing bidding space you can more important than play! Even a near
consume, the greater the case for Here you have a very good suit and six beginner would make 3NT on a spade
making an overcall. likely tricks in your hand. lead but not on any other. I

Page 37
 Dave Huggett Says

Don’t Give a
Ruff and Discard
joy as declarer is ruffing losers Let’s change the deal ever so slightly:

A in one hand or the other – but

you just can’t on some deals …
m
n
o
K872
65
K96 m K872
p 7643 n 65
m K972 m 53 m 64 o K964
n Q5 n KQJ2 N n 98743 p A64
W E
o K86 o Q73 S o J84 m 53 m 64
p K643 p J982 p Q 10 5 n KQJ2 N n 98743
W E
m 5 m 10 8 3 m A Q J 10 9 o Q 10 3 S o 87
n AKJ42 N n 10 9 6 3 n A 10 p J982 p Q 10 5 3
W E
o 10 7 3 S o QJ52 o A 10 5 2 m A Q J 10 9
p J982 p Q 10 p AK n A 10
m AQJ64 o AJ52
n 87 p K7
o A94 South arrives in 6m and you lead the
p A75 king of hearts. Declarer wins, cashes
two top clubs from hand, goes over to The contract and lead are the same. If
dummy with the king of spades and ruffs again declarer wins the opening lead,
West North East South a club. He then draws the last trumps ruffs a club after drawing trumps and
1m and exits with the ten of hearts to your exits with a heart, there is a serious
Pass 3m Pass 4m jack. These cards remain: difference. These cards now remain:
End

With twenty-six points, you arrive in 4m m 87 m 87

but are sorry to see no way to obtain n Void n Void
useful ruffs anywhere. Success appears o K96 o K964
to hinge on a 3-3 club break, in which p 7 p Void
case you make five spades, two m Void m Void m Void m Void
diamonds and three clubs. A glance at n Q2 N n 987 n Q2 N n 987
W E W E
the diagram shows that this wish would o Q73 S o J84 o Q 10 3 S o 87
not come true – but just imagine that p J p Void p J p Q
West mistakenly starts with three rounds m QJ m QJ
of hearts. (Maybe West thought that n Void n Void
East’s three of hearts on the first round o A 10 5 2 o AJ52
showed an odd number, while East just p Void p Void
meant it as discouraging. These things
happen!) This would be a serious error
because declarer could ruff the third Can you see that, if you led another You as West are on lead. Here, while a
heart in dummy while discarding a heart declarer would be able to throw a diamond lead would let declarer pick up
losing club (or diamond) from hand. diamond from dummy whilst ruffing in the suit, a ruff and discard does him no
Allowing declarer a ruff and discard is a hand? Then he would have no diamond good – with at least three diamonds left
cardinal defensive sin. You should avoid losers! It would be just as fatal for you to in each hand, he will still have a
this at all costs – or nearly all costs, as lead a diamond as then declarer could diamond loser! So, it would be equally
we shall see later. pick up that suit without loss. safe to lead a heart or a club. This is
On the next deal, move to the West The only safe thing is for you to lead rather an exceptional case, however. The
seat and see how your refusal to give a your last club. Declarer can ruff in hand basic principle of never giving a ruff and
ruff and discard will break the contract: but will have a diamond to lose. discard is a sound one. I

Page 40
 PROGRAMME
This is the format for all

AT duplicate weekends and AT BARONY CASTLE

rarely varies.
Eddleston by Peebles, Peebleshire, Scotland, EH45 8QW
BARONY FRIDAY
CASTLE 1500
o Full-board o All rooms with
Friday to Sunday en-suite facilities
2008 Welcome Desk open
Afternoon Tea o No single supplement o Venue non-smoking
1745 to 1830
o Use of swimming o Bidding quiz
Welcome drinks
pool and fitness suite and two seminars
reception

1830 to 2000
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ BOOKING FORM _ _ _ _ _ _ _
DINNER
Please book me for ..... places,
2015 BRIDGE
SESSION 1
DUPLICATE PAIRS Single ..... Double ..... Twin .....

for the Barony Castle weekend(s) of .................................

SATURDAY
0800 to 0930 ............................................................................................
BREAKFAST

1000 to 1230 Mr/Mrs/Miss .....................................................................

1-3 February SEMINAR &
Leads & Defence SUPERVISED PLAY
LL
Address...............................................................................
DerekFUMonk
of SET HANDS 1
(tea & coffee at 1100)
............................................................................................
7-9 March 1230 to 1330
COLD BUFFET Postcode ..................................
....................................
Overcalls LUNCH
Chris Barrable Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed,
1400 to 1645 but we will do our best to oblige)
BRIDGE
24-26 October SESSION 2 ...........................................................................................
Doubles TEAMS of FOUR
Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking
Derek Monk 1815 to 2000
DINNER ...........................................................................................

7-9 November 2015 BRIDGE

Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place
by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with
Signals & Discards SESSION 3
your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment,
DUPLICATE PAIRS
Chris Barrable 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be
sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable.
SUNDAY Should you require insurance, you should contact your own
insurance broker.
0800 to 0930
BREAKFAST

1000 to 1230
SEMINAR &
SUPERVISED PLAY
of SET HANDS 2
(tea & coffee at 1100) Expiry: ............................ CVV.................... Issue No. ...............
(CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip)
£209 1230 to 1400
per person CARVERY LUNCH
full board , Ryden Grange, Bisley, Surrey GU21 2TH
1400 to 1645
BRIDGE

01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302
No Single SESSION 4 e-mail: leanora@mrbridge.co.uk
Supplement DUPLICATE PAIRS website: www.holidaybridge.com

Page 41
 PROGRAMME
This is the format for all
AT THE OLDE BARN duplicate weekends and
AT THE
rarely varies.
Toll Bar Road, Marston, Lincolnshire, NG32 2HT
FRIDAY
OLDE
o Full-board o All rooms with
1500
BARN
Friday to Sunday en-suite facilities
Welcome Desk open
o No single supplement o Venue non-smoking Afternoon Tea

1745 to 1830
o Use of swimming o Bidding quiz & two seminars
Welcome drinks
pool and fitness suite (on duplicate weekends only)
reception
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ BOOKING FORM _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1830 to 2000
DINNER
Please book me for ..... places,
2015 BRIDGE
SESSION 1
Single ..... Double ..... Twin ..... DUPLICATE PAIRS

for the Olde Barn weekend(s) of .......................................

SATURDAY
............................................................................................ 0800 to 0930
BREAKFAST
Mr/Mrs/Miss ..................................................................... 1000 to 1230
SEMINAR &
Address............................................................................... SUPERVISED PLAY
of SET HANDS 1 2008
(tea & coffee at 1100)
............................................................................................
1230 to 1330 14-16 Mar (£209)
Postcode ..................................
.................................... COLD BUFFET Declarer Play
LUNCH Bernard Magee
Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed,
but we will do our best to oblige) 1400 to 1645
BRIDGE
28-30 Mar (£199)
SESSION 2 Improvers*
...........................................................................................
TEAMS of FOUR Leads & Defence
Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking Ray Hutchinson
1815 to 2000
........................................................................................... DINNER
16-18 May (£199)
Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place Overcalls
2015 BRIDGE
by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with
your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment,
SESSION 3 Alison Nicolson
DUPLICATE PAIRS
28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be
sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. 24-26 Oct (£199)
Should you require insurance, you should contact your own SUNDAY Further into
insurance broker. the Auction
0800 to 0930
BREAKFAST Ray Hutchinson

1000 to 1230
SEMINAR &
No Single
SUPERVISED PLAY Supplement
of SET HANDS 2
Expiry: ............................ CVV.................... Issue No. ............... (tea & coffee at 1100) Room upgrades and
(CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip)
special B&B rates
1230 to 1400
for Sunday nights
CARVERY LUNCH
, Ryden Grange, Bisley, Surrey GU21 2TH are available.

01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 1400 to 1645
BRIDGE *Improvers’ Weekends are
e-mail: leanora@mrbridge.co.uk SESSION 4 aimed at the novice player
and/or those picking up the
website: www.holidaybridge.com DUPLICATE PAIRS game after a long break.

Page 42
READERS’
LETTERS
HAPPY READER your magazine that there is opponent doubled. Tactics occasions and not even
Seeing the number 86 on the bridge online, which is free. are not my strong point. received the courtesy of an
latest edition prompted me to Can you please give me Tony Hobson acknowledgement.
have a look to see just how details? Thank you so much (‘Old York’ on bbo), York. Eryl Edwards,
long I have happily been for your magazine, I really Wetherby, West Yorks.
receiving your magazine. do enjoy it. BRIDGE BASE What can readers
BRIDGE number 1 was in the Kath Moorhouse, In a recent issue, Sally Brock recommend?
summer of 1994 – only 30 Bingley, Yorks. recommended
pages – but even then it The best free site for dup- www.bridgebase.com for THANKS BERNARD
was an interesting read. licate bridge is Bridge Base weaker players as one of the I have written to you once
We do not play much now Online, which you can join best means of improving already about how good
but I do enjoy reading about via www.bridgebase.com. one’s play. It certainly seems More Acol Bidding is.
the game. Many things really Within Bridge Base, there are to be an extremely versatile The main thing I would
have not changed over the a number of groups and comprehensive site but now like to say is that I find I
years. There might be some including a British-based my wife and I are somewhat am making unusual bids
fancy bidding and a few new group called ‘Acol at BBO’. dismayed that the bidding when other people do not
ideas at the table, but there You can visit this website sections it has seem to cover seem to think of them. The
are still 13 cards in a suit. www.acolatbbo.org.uk but it only SAYC and not Acol. reason for this is completely
Playing 3NT today is much gives little information for the Your December issue due to Bernard Magee’s
the same now as when I prospective member. You can points out that it has its own teaching in More Acol
played and taught endless at least see the times of their group of Acol players, but so Bidding. He has given me so
years ago. tournaments. In any case, far we have not found any many ideas I cannot thank
Tony North-Graves, Norwich. you will need to become a lessons, etc that cover Acol. him enough. Another point is
member of BBO before you Have we missed something? my play has improved so
WE LOVE can join ‘Acol at BBO’. See Terry Arthur, Stamford, Lincs. much – thanks again,
YARBOROUGH also the following letters. Yes, you need to join the Acol Bernard.
Please forward my compli- group ‘acolatbbo’ – see also Sheila Gillan, Thornton
ments to Michael Scarrott for ACOL AT BBO the previous letter. Cleveleys, Lancs.
his beautifully whimsical Would it be possible for one
Christmas story about the of your writers (Stephen CLUB MANAGEMENT DECLARER PLAY
bridge club dogs, Yarborough Cashmore perhaps) to do a SOFTWARE I was very impressed with
and Blackwood (BRIDGE 86). feature on online play? I am the financial auditor Bernard’s latest Bridge
Much better than all the I play regularly on Bridge and a member of Wetherby Program, Declarer Play.
Scrooge/humbug type stories Base Online, where we have Bridge Club. We still prepare Although I teach bridge, I
printed elsewhere! our own Acol Club, and enter the accounts by hand. I was do not play very often, and
I hope Michael will put his free tourneys and attend wondering whether, from my card play is getting
stories in a book. I am sure regular teaching sessions your experience, you could ‘rusty’. I am sure that the
friends who play would be there. We even have our own suggest a computerised time that I spent familiarising
delighted to receive such a website acolatbbo.org.uk. accounting package, myself with the program had
light-hearted publication. My main problem concerns including membership an immediate effect. I
Judith Webb, Purbeck U3A the different scoring details, which we could look managed to achieve scores
‘Bridge for Fun’, Dorset. methods. It can be frustrating at and possibly use in the of 71% and 63% with different
to play a difficult game future. We have partners in the evening
BRIDGE ONLINE contract with care, only to get approximately 250 members. events immediately after my
I am no longer a member of a bad score, either because As a matter of interest, I have practise sessions!
the EBU so would like to play others made overtricks or e-mailed the EBU on this Tony Butcher,
bridge online. I have read in because a misguided subject on two or three Crowthorne, Berks.

Page 43
 player can score the bonus. It Bridge Companion (letters,
READERS’ LETTERS continued does not matter whether it is BRIDGE 86) is wending its
declarer, dummy or defender way to a lady in Scotland.
– but the cards must be held She tells me that she will use
BEGINNERS PLEASE EIGHT DEALS, in one hand. Normally you it to help teach her small
I have never played bridge FOUR RUBBERS score honours only in rubber bridge class at the local
but would like to learn how Mr D Solomons asks if bridge and not at duplicate. college.
to. Do you run beginners’ anyone can better a I have had subsequent
courses? sequence of five contracts in BENEFITS calls and even one from an
Mr A H L Anderson, a row of three no-trumps bid OF RUBBER old friend who wanted to say
Abergavenny, Gwent. and made. No, if he means I could hardly agree more hello and that he was sorry
Yes, the first is over the long by one declarer but, if by one with Norman Hart (Issue 86) that I was not playing any
Easter Holiday weekend this partnership, yes. on the need to revive rubber more.
year – see my editorial. My wife and I, while bridge, but for different Therefore, I am very
playing social bridge against reasons. I do not think his grateful to you and the
HOW CAN WE another couple, once bid and suggestion of established bridge players who are
IMPROVE? made 3NT on six consecutive bridge clubs in dedicated clearly all benefiting from
I am part of a small social deals. We made 4m on the buildings is necessarily your publication.
group of older folk who get seventh deal and 3NT again practical – the finance Louis Kramer,
together to play bridge. We on the eighth, making four involved, the fact that many Preston, Lancs.
are conscious that we are 700 point rubbers in eight older people do not drive any
playing at quite a low level, deals. more etc. Still, rubber bridge GRAND SLAM
but have no wish to join a There was nothing is probably the ideal I have a more remarkable
club. How can we improve knowingly odd about the transition from bridge story to tell from my 68 years
our play? shuffling or the dealing. We lessons to club playing. The experience of the game than
We read your magazine kept on getting about 26 pace is slower than Sam Goldman of Leeds told
and are baffled and points between us and most duplicate, and you can in Bridge 85.
astonished in equal of our auctions consisted of concentrate on the cards Back in probably the 1960s,
proportions. We read about just two bids. I kept the score instead of trying to work out my husband Lawrence and I
TDs and their problems and cards for a number of years how to fill in the initially were just playing rubber
are amazed. Mind you, we but nobody was interested, confusing paperwork and bridge with our neighbours
do all like the magazine, so they went in the bin. wondering what an arrow Phil and Pearl Duncan (now
even though we do not Shortly after this, the other switch might be. It is also running a small club in
understand some of it. husband gave up the game. less pressurised. Cardiff). Pearl went white
Our problem is that no two John Hinde, Esher, Surrey. My own club positively after a deal during the
books seem to say the same encourages newer players evening (not with new cards)
thing – about opening points, WHO SCORES with one afternoon of rubber and we gathered that she
responses etc. In addition, HONOURS? bridge and a second had a super hand so we
what are the different levels I wonder if you could clear afternoon for supervised advised her to bid as normal.
of conventions? Is there up something for me. At a play. These give newer She bid 7NT.
some basic level that we can bridge drive yesterday, one players the opportunity to Her hand had 37 points
all use and understand? of our four stated that any find their feet without having and the four-card suit was
So how can we improve? player could claim honours – the sky fall on their heads. spades! What is more, to
What would you – or your declarer, dummy or either of So take positive action and add insult to injury, Phil had
readers – recommend? There the defenders. I had always give more power to rubber the remaining three jacks!
must be other friendly little believed that to claim points bridge. Either you prefer it, as Top that one!
groups like us, who play for honours the hand holding Norman Hart does, or you Janet Miller, by e-mail.
grimly in two diamonds and them had to be on the enjoy it as I do and would like
make a surprising three declaring side. to stay with it for a bit before DICTATORS
overtricks. Kate Leonard, by email. moving on to duplicate. It is I personally feel that the
Ivor Williams, Your colleague was right. In a not about money, Norman. I endless EBU discussion is
Okehampton, Devon. trump contract, when honour am currently 7p ahead of an pointless. At the end of the
You may find the Mr Bridge cards are the five top trumps old adversary… and that is day the EBU will do whatever
2008 Bridge Players Diary – A-K-Q-J-10 – you score 100 real fun! they want to. They are in a
useful as it includes an Acol points above the line for Stella Burnett, by email. different world, they appear
summary by Ron Klinger and holding four of these cards to have no idea how a
a summary of the Laws and and 150 for all five. At no- A REAL COMMUNITY normal, average bridge club
Ethics. In addition, it contains trumps, the honours are the Just a note to tell you that really works.
scoring tables for duplicate four aces and, if you hold all through the good offices of John Riddleston,
and rubber. four, you score 150. Any your magazine my BBC Witnam, Essex.

Page 44
READERS’ LETTERS
continued SHORT AND TO THE POINT
Please publish some Occasionally could you I am very much a beginner at
inexpensive puzzle books. recognise that there is a this game, although aged 75.
RADIO FOUR
Mrs Plumridge, London W6. whole world out there that Mr H Walmsley,
The articles in the Christmas plays 5-card majors. Mr M
I would like to see the return Malmesbury, Wiltshire.
edition of BRIDGE certainly Jones, Canterbury.
of Dick Atkinson’s Baron. We love the commemorative
stirred up the media with
Mr J A Hall, Cranleigh, Thank you. I could never stamps you put on your
coverage in the Daily Nr Guilford, Surrey. repay you for your kindness, correspondence. Shirley
Telegraph, later picked up by so I’m asking God to. Anon. Paine, Barnstaple.
Who else will fight the EBU
the BBC Today programme. menace? Valerie Austin, Any chance of a weekend Please include something
Well done! Haywards Heath. venue in the North? for the absolute beginner!
May I make three further Mrs A Best, Northallerton. Kay Leedham, Oxford.
The EBU should not
observations? implement their proposals as What a splendid cartoonist Bridge should not become
1 Rubber v duplicate. By they may close many small Marguerite Lihou is – a extinct as it is far too good a
definition, duplicate does Bridge clubs. Joan Coombes, genius. Dr J Turner, Colliers game. Mr K Robinson,
require a club in order to Swanland, East Yorks. Wood, London. Camelford, Cornwall.
play. You can play rubber The EBU only want More Mac-friendly software The friendliness of BRIDGE
with as few as four ‘constructive ideas’. Those would be very welcome. shines through all the unkind
players for whatever which match their proposals. Ann Franklin, Rugby. words. Tony Mitchell,
Ivor Moore, Plymouth. Who needs the EBU when Shipston-on-Stour.
stakes they agree, any
time, any place. That is Perhaps Bridge is declining you have Mr Bridge? As a beginner I would
because of all the rules. Mr G Simpson, appreciate some articles
not to say either is the
Mrs Jessie Woodhouse, Stratford-upon-Avon. aimed at beginners. Gill
superior form. West Bridgeford. Why not place BRIDGE in the Coombs, Brockenhurst.
2 Regarding ‘personal
The drawback with modern waiting rooms of your local Thanks for mentioning
grooming’ (EBU dentist and GP’s surgery?
bridge is the overwhelming BridgeBase. Colin Moverley,
description, not mine!): burden of alerts etc. Mrs M Mr K Nuttall, Fishguard. Cheltenham, Glos.
surely a simple ‘dress Willis, Stonehouse, Glos. Always very instructive. Keep I am pleased to learn that
code applies’ notice at I am pleased to see your it coming! Mr J Chandler, the prize vouchers for the
clubs and competitions is magazine had been Hazlemere, Bucks. bridge courses are
all that you need. recognised in the national You make the EBU think hard transferable.
3 My observation (and some press. Mrs J G Griffith, about its role. Richard Bomi Kavarana, Tadworth.
years ago Tony Forrester Hazel Grove, Cheshire. Bardsley, Matlock, Derby. Less of the EBU. The whole
agreed with me) is that Good to see a weekend in We in North Yorkshire would matter has become extremely
the higher the level of Scotland! Kirsteen Stewart, welcome courses nearer to boring. Mrs C Maskew,
competition the worse are Auchencairn, Dalbeattie. home. Mrs C Phillips, Gunnislake, Cornwall.
the table manners, Can we have less of the EBU Northallerton, Yorkshire. I cringe when I read of people
pettiness and calling for rules rhetoric. Michael I am so pleased you have a ‘objecting’ to advertising.
Chapleo, Aberdeen. new venue in Cheshire. Mrs Eimear Dawson,
the director. Furthermore,
the complaints of A great treat every two Janis Forrest, Fleetwood. St Leonards-on-Sea.
months. Mr D Mumford, York. Looking forward to all of next Of the EBU, please, enough.
aggressiveness,
particularly towards newer I miss the The Baron. year’s issues already! Ms V Cleaver, Herefordshire.
Mr D Monteith, Suffolk. Joan Kelly, London NW11. As it comes free I don’t know
devotees, one sees more
in EBU clubs where the The two new quizzes are a You have replaced the EBU as how I can complain.
masterpoint rules very good idea. Mr A Grugan, a conduit for information. Mrs A Glover, Kilmarnock.
Weybridge, Surrey. Mr J Turner, Gloucester. No more histories of the
supreme, as established
players like to assert I really love the cover of your Some of your letters are quite origin of Bridge please.
Christmas issue. Anne Daly, unbelievably rude. Susan Wrener, Edgware,
themselves.
Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Mr S Fletcher, Stockport. Middlesex.
Bridge (like golf!) is a game
we should play for enjoyment
not punishment.
Chris Dicker, Tavistock, Devon. REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR POSTAGE
Postage stamps for sale at 90% of face-value
COMING SOON
Duplicate Bridge Rules (all mint with full gum)
Simplified. Is the up-date Values supplied in 100s, higher values available as well
ready yet? as 1st and 2nd class (eg 1st class: 100 x 30p + 100 x 4p)
Mr D Grammer, London N21.

/Fax 020 8422 4906
It will be published in July.

Page 45
 in 2000, when I went to the LOVELY COVER
READERS’ LETTERS continued card room to play bridge. I just want to thank you for
A gentleman from Preston your delightful Christmas
sat opposite me and said, ‘I greetings on the cover of the
100 NOT OUT would hold up all his aces don’t play Acol, only last magazine! Those three
We were interested to read in until the last two or three Culbertson.’ The hosts were kings really made me laugh
the Christmas edition (page cards! Derek and Barbara and the page now occupies
45) of Mrs Florence Hawkins, Please exclude my name Rimington. We played a prominent place in my
who was 100 years old on and address because people duplicate bridge, and my kitchen.
19th September. Here in in this small town would partner and I managed to As throughout the year
France, we also have a recognise him. finish in first place. It was with your splendid
member of our club who was Name & Address Supplied. surprisingly easy to come magazine, you have once
100 on 23rd November. She back after such a long time. again given me a lot of
plays duplicate bridge twice KEEPS ME IN TOUCH Ernie Hulme, Peterborough. pleasure. I hope you, your
a week without fail, and is a This is not so much a family and all your staff have
formidable opponent, never question, more a thank you! FLY PAPERS a most successful 2008!
losing her way around a Apart from a few The letter from Mr Jones of Anna Pinson,
hand. We celebrated with interruptions for reasons Solihull, telling about the Horley, Surrey.
cake and champagne in the outside my control, I have ‘sticky’ dealing of his wife
club. What a wonderful been an avid bridge player Pauline, reminds me of the TWO HANDS OF
advert for our great game. since I was not much more bridge games that my wife POSSIBLE INTEREST
Freda and Marc Nicholson, than a child. I am now 96 and I first started with my Firstly, LHO opened 1n and
France. years old. parents well over 30 years partner made a cue bid of
Unfortunately, I am much ago. My father used to hate 2n, showing a competitive
HOLDING UP less able to get out to bridge dealing sticky cards. He hand with spades and clubs.
For many years, I was a sessions these days. The would make a great fuss and RHO passed and I had a
Bridge Teacher. Reading the mind may still be sharp but describe the cards as ‘fly- problem! With a single small
letters about big hands the body is less forgiving of papers’. Any readers who spade, two small clubs,
reminded me of the time the passage of time! are as old as I am will know three small diamonds and a
when I noticed a nervous Fortunately, my BRIDGE what they were. We still use strong seven-card heart suit,
lady who looked more magazine continues to the expression in our family what should I do?
agitated than usual. The brighten my days. It gives me when the cards are After deliberation, I passed
class were having one or two such a lot of pleasure – you becoming old and tacky, and left partner in 2n
random deals at the end of have no idea! much to the amusement of without a trump in his hand!
the evening and, when I I would just like to say a our children. With the opponents’ hearts
went over to her, I found that very big ‘Thank you’ to all at We like the upgrade of splitting 4-2, he made the
she had opened 2NT with Mr Bridge. That the Qplus to Version 8.8. only making contract and
not 20 points but 30! Her magazine is free is an added John Newbold, gave us a clear top.
partner had some values so I bonus although I would Bournemouth. Secondly, RHO opened
shepherded her into 6NT. In willingly pay for it should it 1m, I passed, LHO responded
fact, only the king of spades become necessary. TRIVIALISING CHRIST 2o and that was passed out!
was out against her. The Vi Wintle, Newport, Gwent. This morning I received the The opener attempted to
gentleman on lead led – yes magazine BRIDGE 86, justify the unusual sequence
– the king of spades. CULBERTSON immediately tore it up, and by saying they should not
Occasionally you come Three friends and I in the RAF then had to piece it together have opened and sought to
across someone who will in 1951, who had never seen to find your address. rectify that error by passing
never make a bridge player bridge, let alone played it, Jesus Christ Himself was partner’s unlimited bid for
and I thought this man was were reading the 1930 born in Bethlehem and which they had a fit!
one. However, he enjoyed edition of Pears Cyclopaedia. placed in a manger. It You’ve guessed, with our
bridge for many years until One section described the completely belittles this fact balanced points giving good
his death. Bridge weekends, rudiments of the game of to make a pictorial pun of defence to the usual no-
bridge cruises the lot! My bridge. We decided to try it, this, with the Christ-Child trump contract, they made
assessment was right but he borrowed a book by represented by a card, even the only making contract to
was such a nice man that he Culbertson from the library, if it is a heart. give us a clear bottom.
rarely lacked a partner. When and learned the rudiments of Perhaps you could have Just a pair of average
I played with him, I was his system. used something with a hands then, which is what
careful to ask the subject of In 1955, we learned Acol. I Christmas tree or whatever, makes duplicate bridge so
the tutorial at his last bridge have never played or used the nativity scene in interesting!
weekend. If it was ‘Holding Culbertson since then, until its proper context. Mr K Lamdin
up your Ace,’ I knew he joining a cruise on the Aurora Mrs Hilda Carney, York. Clacton-on-Sea.

Page 46
 Tips for Better Bridge and higher than you can afford.
READERS’ LETTERS continued Better Hand Evaluation are Fifty years ago there was still
my ‘Books at Bedtime’ and plenty of sixpence-a-
that your Bidding Quiz is the hundred Rubber Bridge, but
SMALL WORLD duplicate bridge? I believe icing on the cake in the the young now won’t look at
How extraordinary that I many people would be BRIDGE magazine. Thank you it. However, in the
should be sending this to interested in this. for all your advice. meantime, a splendid new
Ryden Grange – a house I Mr R Hill, Fleet, Hants. Mr T Boulton, bridge game has sprung up:
knew well as a child, when it Barrow upon Humber. Chicago.
belonged to friends of ours in JUST SO At an excellent London
Hurstpierpoint. I wonder A few days ago after reading RUBBER FAN club where I have played
what became of the Grear your excellent article 6NT In today’s Sunday Telegraph three or four times, the
family who owned it then? requires 33 points, I was there is an article headed stakes vary from £1 to £100
Jane Polden, Chichester. playing a social game of ‘Bridge tables hit by outbreak a hundred, but the only
They moved to Norfolk. Bridge when my partner (the of unpleasantness’. Even at permitted conventions are
dealer) opened with 2NT. my club, which consists Stayman, Blackwood and
INAPPROPRIATE I had a nicely balanced largely of well-mannered common sense. No
hand with 13 points – a quick golden oldies, and where the transfers, no negative
bit of mental arithmetic. standard of play is high, bad doubles. (A lot of money is
Partner must have 20, 20 temper has increased made from penalty doubles
plus my 13 gives us at least markedly over the years. And of low-level contracts). I
33 – so here goes – ‘6NT,’ I no wonder. Some auctions believe that at another
said. My partner made a do not contain a single bid London (private) club, where
slight grimace but it was that means what it says, the stakes are £20 a
passed out and play began. except (possibly) the last one. hundred, not even Stayman
I don’t think supplying these The ace of spades was led. (I contributed a spoof bidding and Blackwood are
stamps in a selection One down and twelve to go. sequence to Bridge permitted.
package likely to be used But from then on it was Magazine, July 1995, and Not everyone may be
around Christmas time, and ‘roses all the way’ – partner two very good bridge players aware that Chicago rubbers
while the inquest is still open, collected one trick after took it seriously.) consist of four hands, after
is appropriate. another – until the final one The tournament director is which you change partners.
Audrey Mattingly, when my partner’s queen of called several times during a You can ‘cut in’ at any table
Englefield Green, Surrey. clubs fell under the king. session. Printed cards asking you fancy. The problem is, of
I have sent some Disaster! members to behave nicely course, that at most clubs
replacements for you. ‘Sorry, partner,’ I said – are placed on the table. you are not permitted to play
Those readers requiring apologising (quite Grown men have to endure for money. But prizes can be
discounted postage should unnecessarily as it ‘twelve-to-fourteen’ every few awarded, and bets can be
ring Clive Goff on transpired) ‘but I thought that minutes. The problem is, of made. Try it.

0208 422 4906. with my 13 points and your course, that the EBU omit the Mr J Merz, Norwich.
20 we might have made it.’ letter D. They are really the
CLUBS NOTE THE PS. ‘But I had only 19,’ was the English Duplicate Bridge SADLY NO MORE
Norman Hart doesn’t want to reply! I pointed out, as Union, and the Standard I really miss the old style
play Bridge, he just wants to politely as I could, that the English system propagated Daily Bridge Calendar.
gamble. It’s money and difference between the by them, and the similar Please bring it back.
masterpoints that bring out queen of clubs and the king system propagated by Bridge Robert Owen, Exeter.
the bad manners. was only one point – so that Magazine, are much too The publishers just stopped
Mrs Sims, if the opening bid had been complex. This is not to producing, but I do have
East Preston, Sussex. made on 20 point instead of mention the fact that at something in mind.
PS. Clubs voting on the EBU 19 we would have made it! (If higher levels pretty well
strategy should ensure we had had the king. . .) everything goes, leading to INTO WALES?
members have a secret A perfect vindication of half-hearted ‘explanations’ Hurrah – You have an event
ballot. your headline! during the auction, sour in Cheshire, though I have
Also an illustration of the comments afterwards, and no idea where Wychwood
ANY IDEAS point you make in your making the whole thing a Park is. Do you feel there
Is there a scoring method for published works that one feat of memory. would be no support for
just two tables that would should always – as far as Bridge is a game designed events in North Wales? There
provide a realistic possible – give one’s partner to be played for money. I am are many Bridge players in
comparative score for the accurate information – trust convinced that much the best this area.
four pairs as happens in is all. way to improve your game is Jean Sumner, Flintshire.
larger groups playing May I also say that your to play for stakes slightly Be assured I will look.

Page 47
 letter regarding the future of another studio, probably
READERS’ LETTERS continued bridge in this country. I asked London.
her what she was talking All this happened because
about and she said she of my letter that appeared in
MY PLEASURE something going with the would e-mail the article to your magazine and which
Thank you so much for older generation then the me, which she did. She went somehow managed to get
continuing to send me your younger will surely follow. on to say that the main itself into the Telegraph. Of
magazine. To some extent I The downside is that you reason she was ringing was course Tony Forrester should
feel rather guilty, because would have to pay for the to ask me if I would take part have been a part of this
now in my advanced years, I study but if handled properly in a live debate next morning debate as he’s England’s
play nowhere near as much I think the amount the on the Today Programme! number one player, but I did
bridge as I should like to and experts will want for helping Somewhat dazed, I said feel a little bit of an impostor.
have no need to purchase the older generation will be ‘yes of course’ and we Norman Hart,
further items. But I do enjoy minimal. proceeded to make Wheathampstead.
receiving and reading BRIDGE. I expect this to be torn up arrangements for me to be
Albert Edwards, and the death knoll of bridge picked up. She then dropped RUBBER BRIDGE
Borehamwood. to continue to ring. Please the second bombshell. ‘You Do you not recognise rubber
I will continue to post BRIDGE think about it. will be participating in a live bridge? There are no
to you until told to stop. Mr T O’Brine, studio discussion with Tony holidays where rubber bridge
Littlehampton, West Sussex. Forrester’. At this point I was is played. I would love to go
MEDICAL BENEFIT This has been done. Results beginning to think I was on a rubber bridge break,
OF BRIDGE of a study done in America dreaming or maybe but do not wish to play
The bridge authorities need were published in 2003 and someone was playing a duplicate. I am quite
to get top names in the showed that mental activities rather nasty prank on me. proficient at rubber bridge
medical profession to do a such as bridge greatly However, I rushed out and despite being 80 years old.
study as to the benefits that reduced the risk of dementia, bought a copy of the Sunday Pax Payton-Smart, Reading.
bridge brings to the older whereas physical exercise Telegraph and there it all See page 35 for details of
generation. Remembering did not. An earlier study in was on page 9. The excerpt our Rubber / Chicago breaks.
that everyone feels guilty 2000 from the University of was taken from my letter that
about older people but no California, Berkeley, showed appeared in BRIDGE 86. It OOPS!
one wants to be bothered that both the problem solving could still have been a prank My pc detects no errors in
with them. That is the truth. aspects of bridge and the but next morning, as the following rhyme; I think
The study will show the social interaction bridge promised, a car arrived the total count is 24, unless
enormous cost that could be involves had benefits to the outside my house at 7.20 am your readers know better!
saved by the NHS, this must immune system. to take me to the studio so it Aye have a spelling chequer,
be emphasised. As much In short, playing bridge was all perfectly genuine. It came with my pea see,
publicity as possible – TV, reduces the risk of Our live discussion went It plane lee Marx four my
papers, radio etc remember, developing illnesses like out at twenty past eight on revue,
everyone feels guilty. It also Alzheimer’s disease. At the Monday morning and I Miss takes aye can knot sea.
has to be done quickly – six time the studies received thought it went very well. Iran this poem threw it and,
months at most. All the costs widespread coverage all Tony and I had a good five As far as eye can tell,
will be shown as against the round the world and bridge minutes before we were Its letter perfect inn it’s weigh,
savings. My idea is for free received a positive publicity interrupted by John My chequer tolled me sew!
lessons – in old people’s boost. National bridge Humphreys with breaking Hugh Williams, Daventry.
homes, clubs, wherever, also authorities often refer to the news which was a shame Hugh is a proof reader for
transport to be subsidised to results of these studies in because we could easily BRIDGE. He was not given
clubs. There are many other their own publicity. have talked for 20 minutes or a chance to read his name
ways to encourage people. more. My other regret was misspelt in the last issue.
This would then be IT MADE MY DAY that I didn’t get to meet Tony Please accept my profuse
presented to the Health An amazing thing has Forrester because he was in apologies, Hugh. I
Secretary again with as happened to me. On the
much publicity as ever; this evening of Sunday December
should be slanted at the 2nd, I received a telephone Write to Mr Bridge at:
children of the ‘old uns’, call from a lady who Ryden Grange, Bisley, Surrey GU21 2TH
making them feel guilty as announced herself as the or e-mail letters@mrbridge.co.uk.
they do. producer of Radio 4’s Today E-mail correspondents are asked to include their
I think aiming at the programme. She said she name, full postal address and telephone number,
younger generation will fail, was calling about the article and to send no attachments.
there is too much going on in in the Sunday Telegraph that Letters may be edited for length and clarity.
the world but if you get printed an excerpt from my

Page 48
More Reaction
to the EBU
Proposals
ALLOWING ALL A SAY rank-and-file and allowing ideas of his own. neither need nor desire to
I am writing to thank you for them to be heard. The EBU has at least join any bridge club,
the brilliant Christmas issue Bob Rowlands, London W14. recognised that there is a affiliated or not.
(BRIDGE 86). As usual the national problem with the I would like to continue my
readers’ letters are a SERIOUS DEBATE way that our game of bridge membership of the EBU, but
mixture, some interesting, PLEASE is going and is trying to do it appears I shall be thrown
some boring, some I am one of the many of your something about it with this out.
mundane. What is important readers who admires discussion. While I do not Richard Ackland,
is that your magazine allows BRIDGE magazine and fully agree with all the Kenley, Surrey.
the rank and file to be contrasts it favourably with proposals, since I cannot
heard. You give them a the EBU’s own in-house come up with any better BULLIED INTO
voice. The other magazines publication, which has ideas, the last thing I would LEAVING
print very few letters and struggled in the past to want to do is to try and snuff I am Chairman of Anlaby
usually either mundane maintain the same levels of out sensible dialogue. Bridge Club near Hull. We
letters, or letters praising interest and professional David G Thackaberry, now are greatly reduced in
their magazine. By giving the presentation. As a member Westbury, Wiltshire. numbers and very few of the
rank and file a voice, in my of the EBU, I was delighted remaining members are, like
view you do more for bridge to see that Elena Jeronimidis NOT A CLUB me, members of the EBU.
than the EBU, who had agreed to become Many of your They will want us to resign
nowadays only seem to Editor of English Bridge. correspondents have from it. After so many years,
cater for the elite and the Indeed, we are already objected, with good cause, I feel this is a great pity.
regular tournament seeing evidence of to the notion that the Mrs Edna Hunter, North
attendees. improvement since she potential changes in EBU Ferriby, East Yorkshire.
The Christmas issue assumed the role. membership will compel
contained an article by Sally BRIDGE deserves praise for them, against their wishes, VOTES FOR ALL?
Bugden, which I have read its role in the continuing to become paying members Just a couple of questions
several times but I am none debate about the now of the EBU. I have the for the EBU about their
the wiser, merely confused. infamous ‘EBU proposals’. opposite problem! Extraordinary General
In contrast, the article by Don However, I read with some I am now an individual Meeting on June 4th – we all
Pearson was one of the dismay the letter on the member, a category that I know how important it is to
funniest (and wickedly and subject of the ‘Strategy for understand is to be no the EBU to get a fair
uncomfortably accurate) Newton Abbot Football more. So I will be excluded reflection on their proposals.
articles I have ever read. Universal’ in BRIDGE 86. It from membership unless I I am sure we do not want
I do not understand why treats the whole subject of join an affiliated club. At decisions taken based on
BRIDGE, which is free, is the proposals as some sort present, I have a choice of the online votes of 744
almost always a better read of joke and dismisses the three duplicate sessions per members!
than the other magazines, EBU’s efforts to improve the week each involving 7 to 12 In the light of this:
even though we pay for service that it offers to the tables. These are run 1 Will there be postal votes
them, either directly or game of bridge as a informally under the for all EBU members who
indirectly via our EBU sub. worthless exercise. It is such auspices of a sympathetic cannot attend?
Perhaps you should ask Sally a pity that the author, who is local bridge teacher. We do 2 As this decision will affect
Bugden. On second clearly blessed with a vivid not even regard ourselves as all non-EBU members of
thoughts, don’t bother. imagination and some a ‘club’. We just show up, affiliated clubs, will they
Keep up the good work. At literary talent, did not further pay our table money to meet too get a vote?
least somebody is standing the debate by putting the costs of hiring premises, Chris Nichols,
up for the turkeys – sorry, forward some worthwhile etc. and play. So I have Bude BC, Cornwall. I

Page 49
 Bridge H
Cruises and
Looking for a holiday, short break or a cruise? Why not choose one from our exte

FEBRUARY 2008 FEBRUARY cont MARCH cont APRIL cont

1– 3 Barony Castle 21 –19/3 Chile, Galapagos, 14 – 16 The Olde Barn 25 – 27 Latimer House
Peru and
20 – 24 Staverton Park 25 – 27 The Olde Barn
Ecuador
Easter (4 nights) Gentle Duplicate
22 – 24 Latimer House
25 – 27 Staverton Park
22 – 24 The Olde Barn Improvers
Gentle Duplicate 26 –10/5 Caribbean &
22 – 24 Staverton Park Atlantic Isles

24 – 9/3 Tunisia
MAY 2008
24 – 26 Marsham Court
2– 5 Staverton Park
The Olde Barn, Marston 29 – 2/3 Staverton Park Bank Holiday
Improvers (3 nights)
1– 3 Beach Hotel Marsham Court, Bournemouth 9 – 11 Harben House
Gentle Duplicate
9 – 11 Milton Hill House
1– 3 Latimer House 28 – 30 The Olde Barn 9 – 11 Theobalds Park
7 – 27 Antarctica Improvers Gentle Duplicate
and Chilean 28 – 30 Theobalds Park 9 – 11 The Olde Barn
Fjords Gentle Duplicate
8 – 10 Staverton Park 30 –15/4 Amazon Cruise
8 – 10 The Beach Hotel
8 – 10 Theobalds Park MV Discovery
APRIL 2008
Gentle Duplicate 4– 6 Latimer House
15 – 17 Staverton Park Improvers
Gentle Duplicate 29 – 2/3 Theobalds Park
4– 6 The Beach Hotel
19 – 21 Marsham Court Rubber Bridge
Gentle Duplicate MARCH 2008 11 – 13 Staverton Park
Gentle Duplicate
7– 9 Barony Castle Staverton Park, Daventry
11 – 13 Theobalds Park
7– 9 Harben House
Gentle Duplicate 11 – 13 Wychwood Park Rubber Bridge
7– 9 Latimer House 13 – 15 Marsham Court 10 – 24 Northern Capitals
Gentle Duplicate
9 – 11 Marsham Court 16 – 18 Milton Hill House
Gentle Duplicate 14 – 27 Amazon and
the Caribbean 16 – 18 Staverton Park
14 – 31 Cuba, Galapagos Gentle Duplicate
& Panama 18 – 20 Staverton Park 16 – 18 The Olde Barn
Canal
Latimer House, Chesham 18 – 20 Theobalds Park 23 – 26 Staverton Park
14 – 16 Latimer House Gentle Duplicate Bank Holiday
Holidays,
d Weekends
ensive list. Cruises are in blue, overseas holidays in green and UK breaks in black.

(3 nights) Gentle Duplicate (3 nights) Gentle Duplicate

MAY cont JULY 2008 AUGUST cont

OCTOBER 2008
4 – 14 Fjords & 22 – 24 Theobalds Park
Scottish Islands or 25 Rubber / Chicago 2 – 13 Black Sea I

11 – 13 Harben House 24 – 4/9 Baltic Explorer 3– 5 Harben House

14 – 25 Fjords, 29 – 31 Staverton Park 3– 5 Theobalds Park

Faroes, 10 – 12 Milton Hill House
Fire & Ice II SEPTEMBER 2008
18 – 20 Staverton Park
4 – 11 Riviera Cruise
Gentle Duplicate
5– 7 Theobalds Park
25 – 27 Theobalds Park
Port El Kantaoui, Tunisia 11 – 20 Italian
Odyssey
24 – 31 Norwegian 12 – 14 Milton Hill House
Fjords
12 – 14 Staverton Park
31 –11/6 Fjords, Faroes,
19 – 21 Latimer House
Fire & Ice I Theobalds Park, Cheshunt
19 – 21 Milton Hill House
JUNE 2008 20 –2/10 Adriatic &
10 – 12 Staverton Park
6– 8 The Beach Hotel Aegean
Barony Castle, Nr Peebles Improvers
Treasures
13 – 24 Black Sea
Gentle Duplicate 26 – 28 Milton Hill House Discovery II
25 – 7/8 Arctic Circle 26 – 28 Staverton Park 17 – 19 Staverton Park
& Eclipse 26 – 28 The Beach Hotel Gentle Duplicate
Rubber / Chicago 17 – 19 The Beach Hotel
AUGUST 2008 26 – 28 Theobalds Park 17 – 19 Theobalds Park
7 – 14 Fjords &
24 – 26 The Olde Barn
Fairytales
24 – 26 Barony Castle
7 – 24 Grand
Milton Hill House, Oxon
Scandinavia 24 – 26 Harben House
Gentle Duplicate
6– 8 Staverton Park 8 – 10 Harben House
24 – 26 Wychwood Park
Gentle Duplicate 14 – 24 Baltic Capitals
11 – 21 Midnight Sun 15 – 17 Staverton Park 24 –4/11 Aegean Odyssey

13 – 15 Harben House Gentle Duplicate 31 –2/11 Milton Hill House

Improvers
21 – 4/7 Baltic Treasures 22 – 25 Staverton Park The Beach Hotel, Worthing
Bank Holiday 31 –2/11 Staverton Park
27 – 29 Theobalds Park
 Justin Corfield Says

Combine
Your Chances
hen two or more lines of play In situations where you are able to However, there is yet another chance to

W are possible, it is not always

necessary to choose between
them. On a good day, you are able to try
combine your chances in more than one
suit, you often need to do things in the
right order. On this deal, if you were to
make the contract. Playing off the two
top diamonds and ruffing a diamond will
set up the nine of diamonds any time one
one suit and, if you find it unfavourably tackle spades before clubs, for example, defender began with oQ-J-10 exactly.
disposed, try another one instead! you would end up in the wrong hand to Granted, this is very unlikely, but it costs
Here is an example of what I mean: take a heart finesse if neither black suit you nothing to try. If you are able to add
cooperated. just two or three percent to the odds of
If you come to take the heart finesse, succeeding each time you declare a
m 64 which card should you lead from the hand, over a year that adds up – to a lot
n A J 10 5 South hand to take it? The nine of hearts of matchpoints, masterpoints, money or
o 73 is correct – you can continue with the whatever it is you play for.
p A K J 10 3 queen if it holds. (Give West nK-8-7-6
N
to see why you play this way). It would Combining All
W E be a shame to get this far only to fall at Your Chances
S
the last hurdle.
m A K J 10 9 Sometimes it is harder to spot where The line of play that caters for all of
n Q94 your extra chances are. Take this hand: your chances is to draw trumps and then
o A5 play three rounds of diamonds, ruffing
p 982 the third. If you are so lucky that the
m K2 oQ-J-10 have dropped, you can try the
n 643 clubs for an overtrick (and should buy a
West North East South o A942 lottery ticket). If the nine of diamonds is
1m p Q532 not established, try the pA-K-Q to see if
Pass 2p Pass 2m N
the clubs divide 3-3. If they do, you have
Pass 3n Pass 3NT W E 12 tricks. In practice West shows out on
S
End the third round. When neither of the
m AQJ843 minor suits cooperates, your last resort
West leads a low diamond against your n K2 is to try leading a heart up to the king,
3NT contract, unkindly removing your o K3 hoping the ace of hearts is onside.
only stopper there. Since the defenders p AK7
threaten to run the diamonds as soon as Make Your Own Luck
they get in, you will need to make nine
tricks without losing the lead. You have You reach 6m after an uncontested I once saw a hand where declarer, an
six tricks on top and potential for three auction. West leads a club. There are 11 expert, had a diamond suit consisting of
more in each of the other suits – so top winners. How many chances for a the singleton two opposite the ace, jack
which suit should you try? twelfth trick do you see? and three. He crossed to the ace of
The answer is to try them all! If the ace of hearts is with East, you diamonds and ruffed the three, bringing
Cash the pA-K first. If the club queen will be able to lead up to your king of down the oK-Q doubleton from one of
drops, you are home. If she doesn’t hearts to set up a twelfth trick. the defenders! (He was my teammate at
appear, cash the mA-K. If the queen of You have an extra chance, also, that the the time, thankfully). This play made his
spades drops, again you have your nine clubs divide 3-3. If they do, you will be 4m contract, and won us the match. Yes,
tricks. If neither queen appears, your last able to discard your possible second heart this is very, very lucky, but how many of
chance is to try the heart finesse. loser on dummy’s long club, making the us would even visualize this possibility?
This line of play is much more likely contract irrespective of where the ace of Look carefully for where your
to succeed than any that puts all of your hearts is. If they do not break kindly, you chances are, and then try to find a line of
eggs into one basket. Three chances are can fall back on the hearts – so you play that combines them all. The effort
much better than one! intend to play clubs before hearts. will be well worthwhile. I

Page 52
 ANSWERS TO THE BIDDING QUIZ ON
PAGE 3 by BERNARD MAGEE

difference); most importantly you should still West North East South
1. Dealer: West Love All. play Stayman. Bid 2p to find out if your 3n Pass 4n 4m
m KQ m A873 partner has four spades – if he does not, then ?
n AJ N n 9854 you would do best to rebid 2NT, inviting your
W E
o Q843 S o A75 partner to bid game in no-trumps (if he has a Pass. Ask yourself two things here – what
p J9654 p 32 maximum hand – 17-18 HCP). kind of hand have you shown by your bidding
so far, and what kind of hand has your
On this occasion, your partner replies 2m to
partner shown? Well you have shown a
West North East South show four spades and now, with a fit and a
seven-card heart suit and a weak hand – a
? singleton, you can jump to 4m.
perfect description!

1NT. This looks like a very simple problem and, What has your partner shown? You have no
in basic terms, it is – I am not balanced, I have 3. Dealer: West Game All. idea – he might have a pre-emptive hand, or
enough points to open the bidding, so I open m Q86 m A 10 3 he might have a very strong hand. Given that
N
my longest suit – 1p. Now remember one of n A763 W E n 92 you have neatly described your hand, don’t
the golden rules of Acol – plan your rebid. Say o 54 S o KQ982 you think you should leave any further
your partner responds 1-of-a-major, what are p AK64 p 10 8 7 bidding up to your partner?
you going to call next? Ouch! That is not so
Remember the golden rule – a pre-empter
easy – a 1NT rebid would show 15-17 points,
West North East South never bids again unless asked to. After your
and a 2o rebid would be a reverse and show
1NT 2o Double Pass pass, your partner doubles 4m and you take
a strong hand – your only choice is to rebid
? it two off. +500 is much better than –50, isn’t
2p. Opening 1p and rebidding 2p is surely
it?
not a satisfactory way of bidding this hand –
Pass. Bidding after you have opened the
the club suit is so horrible, and with honours in
weak notrump is simple – your partner knows
every suit, surely it is close enough to a
what you hold, so he is in charge. You should 5. Dealer: North Love All.
balanced hand? Look at the strength in the
only bid again if invited (or forced) to do so. m 976 m A K 10 8 2
short suits – quite often this is a sign that you
The next question is, what does his double n 43 N n J76
should be aiming for no-trumps. W E
mean? If he knows what you hold (12 –14 o A85 S o 97
Open 1NT and you solve your rebid problems points and a balanced hand) then, unless you p QJ963 p K82
– yes, you are telling a little lie about your are playing the double as part of a
shape, but it surely describes your hand convention, there is only one thing it can
West North East South
better than to open 1p and rebid 2p. Here mean – he wants to defend 2o doubled – that
1o 1m Pass
1NT would be the final contract, and is is, it is a Penalty Double.
?
certainly the best of a bad lot. It keeps you a
It is important to play penalty doubles over a
level lower and, if you make the same
weak notrump or you will never be able to 2m. How many cards do you need for an
number of tricks as in 2p, scores better.
penalise your opponents when necessary. This overcall? Five! Using this information allows
is a different situation to pre-emptive openings you to arrive at the most important aspect of
or overcalls of a suit. Basically, you play a take- this hand – you have a fit in spades – no need
2. Dealer: West Love All.
out double only when both players on your to look any further. The golden rule of
m K 10 9 7 m QJ63
side are free to compete. In this case, you were competitive bidding is to try to show support as
n 9 N n AQ3
W E not free to compete over 2o, because you have much as possible.
o 9842 S o K J 10 3
already defined your hand, which means the
p AJ42 p K7 You do not hold much strength but, with a little
double is for penalties and you should pass.
distribution, you should definitely bid 2m. It has
2o doubled will go three off and net 800 points
two effects – it tells your partner you have
West North East South (North had a good hand – six diamonds and 13
some help; just as important it makes life
Pass 1n 1NT Pass points – he was just unlucky).
difficult for your opponents.
?
These hands, where both sides can play at the
2p. Your partner has made a 1NT overcall, 4. Dealer: West N/S Vul. two- or three-level, are very common and it is
showing 15-18 points. With 8 HCP there is a m 7 m A654 desperately important to compete
chance for a game – not only that, but you n KQJ9852 N n A6 aggressively. On this particular hand, you
W E
might do better playing in a suit contract o 95 S o AK4 might actually go off in 2m, but your opponents
(spades). Respond to the 1NT overcall as you p 984 p J763 could make 3n; they were unable to bid it
would to a 1NT opening (noting the strength because of your aggressive bidding. I

Page 53
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Information Form

THE CLUB THE CONTACT

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THE BRIDGE

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Please return this form to Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH

 ANSWERS TO THE DECLARER PLAY QUIZ
ON PAGE 33 by DAVID HUGGETT
If things went very wrong, it would seem that It’s true that you have to play on diamonds but
1. m KQ6 you might lose two hearts, a diamond and a you must do everything in your power to
n 762 club to produce a one-trick defeat. Indeed, prevent East, the danger hand, from ever
o K J 10 5 you may well be able to do nothing about this gaining the lead.
p A62 if the cards lie very badly for you. Just
So resist the temptation to take any finesses
m 10 8 5 m J973 suppose that you win the first diamond and
and simply play out the ace-king of
n AQ954 N n 10 8 draw trumps. It looks natural to knock out the
W E diamonds. On a good day, the queen will
o 76 S o Q942 ace of clubs, and so it is. Of course, you would
drop doubleton from East. If West holds that
p 10 9 5 p QJ7 rather that West won the club trick I imagine.
card, well you just don’t care, because he
m A42 You know that he cannot lead hearts without
cannot lead hearts again without giving you
n KJ3 giving you a trick, whereas a heart lead from
another trick.
o A83 East through your king could prove awkward.
p K843 However, suppose West wins with the ace of
clubs and plays a diamond to his partner’s
4. m K862
king who then plays a heart! Again, you will
n A
You are in 3NT. West leads the five of hearts and be in trouble if the ace of hearts sits over your
o 764
East plays the ten. How do you plan the play? king. If East has the club ace and West the
p KQ765
heart ace, there is nothing you can do – but
It looks like West has led away from a suit m 5 m Q74
suppose West has both aces. In this case, it is
headed by the ace-queen. While it is fine for n Q 10 7 6 4 N n K9853
essential to stop East, the danger hand, from W E
you to win the first trick with the heart jack, o AKJ3 S o 10 9 2
gaining the lead. You can stop him from
you would be unhappy if East ever gained the p 943 p 10 8
gaining the lead in diamonds simply by
lead and played a heart through your now m A J 10 9 3
refusing to win the first trick!
vulnerable king. Start by counting your tricks. n J2
You have three spades, one heart already, o Q85
two diamonds and two clubs bringing the p AJ2
3. m K84
tally to eight. Holding the jack and ten of
n 65
diamonds, you are bound to come to another
o A K J 10 6
trick there. However, if you attack diamonds in You are in 4m. West leads the ace of
p 732
the ‘normal’ way and play a diamond to the diamonds and switches to the four of clubs.
m 976 m Q J 10 5
jack you would be in serious trouble if East How do you plan the play?
n A 10 8 4 2 N n J97
produced the queen. He would then play a W E
o 974 S o Q2 West switches after his partner discourages
heart through – the last thing you wanted!
p Q5 p J 10 9 4 the diamond lead but your queen of
Instead, enter dummy with a low spade and
m A32 diamonds is still very vulnerable to attack.
run the jack of diamonds. If it loses, you are
n KQ3
not in any trouble because West cannot Maybe the hand looks too easy – draw trumps
o 853
profitably attack hearts and you would have hopefully without losing one and then run the
p AK86
set up your ninth trick with the ten of clubs and you will come to twelve tricks!
diamonds. East here is the danger hand
Have you seen the danger? Suppose East
because it would be dangerous for you ever
You are in 3NT. West leads the four of hearts started with the guarded queen of spades.
to let him gain the lead.
and East plays the jack. How do you plan the Then, if you play trumps from the top, leaving
play? the queen out and attempt to run the clubs
East, the danger hand, might ruff early. If this
2. m J 10 9 6 Sometimes it’s right to hold up in these
happens, a diamond return will leave you
n 754 situations but not here. You know from the
with three diamond losers and a trump loser
o 63 lead that East holds at least three hearts so it
for one down. Although it might cost you an
p KQ83 would be impossible to sever communi-
overtrick or two, you can guard against this
m 853 m 4 cations in that suit given good defence. A
outcome by cashing the king of spades and
n A63 N
n Q J 10 9 2 quick tally of top tricks tells you that you have
W E taking a second-round trump finesse against
o QJ97 S o K854 seven. Since you need two extra tricks, you
East. It might lose to a doubleton queen with
p A42 p 965 must concentrate on diamonds. The need for
West, but you don’t care because your
m AKQ72 just two extra tricks means that you need only
diamond queen is now safe from attack.
n K8 four diamond tricks to fulfil your contract.
o A 10 2 Assume, just for the moment, that you can’t On all of this month’s deals, there has been a
p J 10 7 resist taking finesses and play a diamond to danger hand held by the opponents. Each
the ten at trick two. Then, if East wins and time, your aim has been to stop that hand
returns a heart, you might lose four tricks in from ever gaining the lead. This type of ploy is
You are in 4m and West leads the queen of that suit if West had started with an original very common in bridge. The usual name for it
diamonds. How do you plan the play? holding of five. is avoidance play. I

Page 55
 Heather Dhondy Says

Use the Rule

of Eleven
artner leads the seven of spades This is crucial to the defence since You will see from those examples that

P and dummy plays low. Which card

do you play as East?
partner has no entry except in spades.
Note that, if partner’s lead was second
highest from small cards, the rule of
the leader’s partner and declarer can
equally use the rule. Back now to East:

eleven does not work. Here it does not

1 m K52 matter. Whatever partner’s lead, it is safe 3 m 872
n Q8 to play the three since, in either case, he n KJ
o J974 will hold the eight. o AJ932
p AK42 p A87
m QJ87 m A 10 9 3 m A65 m Q J 10 9 4
n 10 6 2 N n J753 2 m 872 n 862 N n Q 10 5 3
W E W E
o 10 8 6 S o A2 n KQ o 864 S o K7
p Q65 p 10 9 8 o A942 p 9654 p J 10
m 64 p AQ87 m K3
n AK94 m 654 m K Q J 10 n A974
o KQ53 n 864 N n J 10 5 3 o Q 10 5
W E
p J73 o Q65 S o K 10 8 p KQ32
p J965 p 10 4
m A93
West North East South n A972 West North East South
1NT (12-14) o J73 1NT (12-14)
Pass 3NT End p K32 Pass 3NT End

The rule of eleven will help you to Partner leads the six of clubs, which
calculate the exact layout of the suit. West North East South goes to the ten and king. Declarer then
Note: the rule only applies when you are 1NT (12-14) runs the queen of diamonds to your
playing fourth-highest leads. How does Pass 3NT End king. You are faced with a similar
it work? Subtract the spot value of problem to the one declarer had last
partner’s lead from eleven and this will Put yourself in South’s seat as declarer. time. This time the lead is the six of
tell you how many higher cards in the West leads the five of clubs; dummy clubs instead of the five.
suit lie in the remaining three hands. plays the seven, East the ten and you the If you work through the rule of eleven,
Since you can see your own hand and king. Let’s use the rule of eleven to six from eleven leaves five. We have
dummy’s, you can work out how many discover the layout of this suit. seen three of the five on the first trick,
higher cards declarer holds. Five from eleven leaves six higher and you can see three more – the ace,
Let’s work through the example cards remaining between dummy, East eight, jack. Whoops! Has something
above. The spot value of partner’s lead is and your own hand. We have seen three gone wrong? The rule doesn’t work.
seven. Subtract this from eleven, as per of them contributed to the first trick – What can we deduce from this?
the rule, and you are left with four. and the remaining three are all in The only answer can be that the lead
Count the number of cards higher than dummy. Therefore East has no further was not fourth highest. What it could be
the seven that exist between dummy and high cards in the suit. It is safe, indeed is second highest from a suit headed by
your hand – the king in dummy, and necessary, to take a double finesse the nine-six.
your A-10-9 come to four. What this against the jack-nine to bring this suit in This tells you to give up on clubs.
means is that declarer holds no card for four tricks. Even if partner has an entry, you can
higher than the seven. You can play low On this occasion, you can be sure that never set up the suit in time. You must
and let partner win the trick! the lead is fourth highest. Why is this? switch to the queen of spades.
By leaving your partner on lead, he Looking at the three and two in your What a difference one small spot card
can continue playing the suit through own hand, you know that it cannot be makes – be glad that the rule of eleven
dummy to give you four spade tricks. second highest from four small. helped resolve the suit both times. I

Page 56
 ANSWERS TO THE DEFENCE QUIZ ON
PAGE 29 by JULIAN POTTAGE
Partner leads the five of hearts against 3NT While you have the clubs well held (and so
1. m K 10 6 2 and you win with the ace. Which card do you are not afraid of dummy’s length), a glance at
n 8 return? dummy’s heart holding tells you to get busy.
o KJ63
Again, partner’s lead and dummy’s heart If you return a diamond, declarer wins in
p KJ42
weakness make it attractive to return the suit. dummy, plays a heart to the ace and ruffs a
m J3 m Q874
For a spade switch (to your fourth-highest heart. Two top clubs follow, allowing your
n J9754 N n AK3
W E spade, the five) to work you would need opponent to discard a diamond, after which
o 952 S o 10 7 4
partner to hold the queen of spades and an comes a crossruff in the red suits. The
p A 10 8 p 763
entry. Prospects in hearts are much better. contract makes with an overtrick!
m A95
Partner could hold either the queen of hearts
n Q 10 6 2 You can stop this by switching to a trump at
and an entry or very good hearts.
o AQ8 trick two. This allows partner to take the ace
p Q95 As the cards lie, your side can make the first and play a second round. Now dummy makes
five tricks if you return a heart. The accepted one ruff instead of three and the contract fails.
rule, when you have two cards left, is to return The five is the normal trump to lead.
West North East South
the higher card, the seven.
1NT (12-14)
Pass 2p* Pass 2n Partner can win the return cheaply and put
4. m Q764
Pass 3NT End you back in with the ace of spades. Then you
n K Q 10 4
*Stayman, asking for 4-card majors can lead a third round of hearts to pick up
o 9
declarer’s holding. This gives your side four
p A Q 10 3
Defending against 3NT, you have correctly tricks in hearts as well as a spade.
m 10 8 3 m KJ92
won the first trick with the king of hearts, the
How does partner know to put you back in n 75 N n J932
lower of your touching honours. W E
rather than trying to run the hearts? The o KJ864 S o A752
In view of dummy, it is clear to continue answer (see 4) is that you would not return p J64 p 7
hearts. As declarer, you play high cards from the seven if you started with four hearts. m A5
the shorter holding to avoid blocking suits. n A86
You should do the same as a defender. By o Q 10 3
returning the ace of hearts, you put yourself in 3. m 10 9 4 p K9852
a position to lead a third round. n 4
o KQ54
One of two things is likely to happen. If West North East South
p AK863
partner’s hearts include the queen-jack or the 1NT (12-14)
m A63 m 75
queen-ten, declarer will have no stopper. In N Pass 2p* Pass 2o
n Q952 n K 10 7 3
this case, you run the first five tricks and beat W E Pass 3NT End
o J 10 9 6 S o A7
the contract even if partner has no aces. (I say *Stayman, asking for 4-card majors
p 95 p Q 10 7 4 2
five tricks because partner would hardly lead
m KQJ82
from a four-card suit after South bid hearts.) Partner leads the six of diamonds and your
n AJ86
ace wins. Which card do you return?
The other likely upshot is that declarer has the o 832
queen or J-10 of hearts and that your assault p J Partner has delighted you by leading one of
on the suit will dislodge this stopper. Then your four-card suits, not your singleton. In
partner, upon coming in with an ace, will run view of your help in the suit and dummy’s
West North East South
the rest of the hearts. Your side makes four weakness, you clearly intend to return a
1m
hearts and a club on the layout shown. diamond. Which card should you choose?
Pass 2p Pass 2n
Pass 4m End With a four-card holding in partner’s suit, you
should return your original fourth highest. In
2. m KJ6
Partner leads the jack of diamonds and you other words, you return the card you would
n 84
capture the king with the ace. What do you have led (assuming you decided to lead a
o AJ6
return? diamond), in this case the two. Partner will
p KJ832
capture the ten of diamonds with the jack
m 983 m A 10 7 5 4 You may wish to start by assessing whether to
and, reading your return as from a four-card
n KJ95 N n A73 return a diamond. Do you remember the
W E suit, lay down the king of diamonds. This
o 952 S o 10 7 4 bidding? South bid spades and then hearts.
allows your side to make the first five tricks.
p Q 10 4 p 76 This indicates a holding of at least five spades
m Q2 and four hearts, leaving only four cards in the Partner knows not to abandon diamonds and
n Q 10 6 2 minors. Since dummy has three top winners try putting you in with the ace of spades
o KQ83 there, your side can make nothing more in the because you would not return the two from
p A95 minors. If you return a diamond, it is basically A-7-2. You would return your higher remaining
a passive move. diamond if you had only two left. I

Page 57
 DONALD RUSSELL TAST
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TER BOX COMPETITION
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