BRIDGE

Number One Hundred and Ten October 2011

HISTORIC
ITALY
& THE
BEAUTY OF Venice

CROATIA
CROATIA
Split
Brac Korcula
Hvar
A Dubrovnik
ITALY dri
ati
Civitavecchia cS
Cruise to classical Rome
Pompeii ea
civilisations on board Sorrento
Aegean Odyssey on this Tyrrhenian
Sea
13-day fly-cruise from
Rome to Venice
Palermo
Sege�a NO SINGLE
Taormina Ionian
SICILY
Sea
SUPPLEMENT
Valle�a
MALTA MR BRIDGE
EXCLUSIVE
SAVINGS
See page 4

“ Join Tony and Jan Richards on a Voyage to Antiquity

from Rome on April 1, 2012. Excursions, dinner with wine,
scheduled return flights and gratuities on board are
all included from just £1,750pp.” .
Dubrovnik, Croatia
up
w
He TO
n £2
BO 00
Ok O
ed nBO
BY Ar
15 d
TH Cr
OC edi
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Be
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Minerva Alhambra, Spain Midnight Sun, Norway Hvar, Croatia

exceptional value Bridge cruising aboard Minerva

At Swan Hellenic we will always go further and delve that bit deeper. Our on board Guest Speakers and inclusive excursions
ashore take you behind civilisations both ancient and modern, with fascinating results. You will travel in country-house style
with around 350 other like-minded passengers. Choose to dine in the restaurant of your choice and in the company of your
friends and you will still be assured of exceptional value for money, including all tips on board and ashore. Travel with a truly
great British company, established in 1954, and enjoy an experience that will live with you forever.
All passengers who have booked and registered through will be eligible to partake in the late afternoon bridge sessions, held on days
when the ship is at sea. There is no bridge supplement as, like most of the excursions, it is included in the price. Mr Bridge actively encourages singles
to join the party and they will always be found a partner for a game.

Departs Cruise

SprinG 2012
25 Apr A ClAssiC spring 14 days from £2,155pp YOur VOYAGe
piraeus, Corinth Canal, itea, Katakolon, Argostoli, preveza, Kotor, Korcula, Dubrovnik, palermo,
Civitavecchia inCLudeS:
8 May A MeDiTerrAneAn MAsTerpieCe 15 days from £1,990pp • exclusive Mr Bridge drinks
Civitavecchia, portoferraio, nice, port Vendres, Mahon, Malaga, Cadiz, portimao, Vigo,
st. peter port, portsmouth parties*
22 May sT peTersBurg AnD The BAlTiC 16 days from £2,495pp • Travel in country-house style
portsmouth, Kiel Canal, rønne, Visby, stockholm, st petersburg, Tallinn, gdansk, Copenhagen, comfort with around 350
portsmouth like-minded passengers
Summer 2012 • Discover the history and
6 Jun TreAsures of The BriTish isles 15 days from £2,175pp culture of civilisations ancient
portsmouth, port of Tyne, edinburgh, scrabster, stornoway, Tobermory, oban, Anglesey,
Belfast, isles of scilly, Dartmouth, st peter port, portsmouth
and modern
20 Jun MiDsuMMer in norwAy 16 days from £2,450pp • enjoy a tailor-made
portsmouth, Bergen, Kristiansund, Tromsø, honningsvåg, Alta, Cruising Trollfjord, leknes, programme of inclusive
geiranger, Cruising Akrafjord, portsmouth escorted shore excursions
5 Jul A frenCh ACCenT 15 days from £2,150pp worth up to £500pp
portsmouth, Amsterdam, ostende, st Malo, Bordeaux, la rochelle, Belle Île, Brest,
st peter port, honfleur, portsmouth • Travel with eminent guest
19 Jul gArDens of The CelTiC fringe 14 days from £1,995pp speakers, who bring you
portsmouth, Dublin, portrush, Killybegs, glengarriff, Cork, isles of scilly, falmouth, closer to each destination
st peter port, rouen, portsmouth
• Dine in the restaurant of
1 Aug souTh To The MeDiTerrAneAn 15 days from £1,995pp your choice in the company
portsmouth, st peter port, la Coruña, oporto, Cadiz, Malaga, Cartagena, palma, Cagliari,
Trapani, Valletta of your friends
15 Aug VeniCe AnD The ADriATiC 15 days from £2,170pp • Be assured of exceptional
Valletta, Dubrovnik, Korcula, split, Trieste, Venice, pula, Kotor, sarande, itea, Corinth Canal, value for money, including
piraeus all tips on board and ashore
29 Aug helleniC highlighTs 15 days from £2,095pp
piraeus, souda Bay, gythion, nauplia, Delos, Mykonos, paros, Chios, symi, fethiye, Kusadasi,
• Travel with a British
istanbul company, established in
12 sep BlACK seA oDyssey 15 days from £2,550pp 1954
istanbul, samsun, Trabzon, Batumi, sochi, yalta, sevastopol, odessa, nessebur, izmir
To book or request a brochure call

01483 489 961

www.bridgecruises.co.uk
Fares shown are per person, based on two people sharing a category 12 inside cabin. Offers apply to new bookings only, are
capacity controlled, subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Fares shown include all applicable discounts
and are not combinable with any other offer. £200 onboard credit applies when booking a category 2 to 1 cabin; or £100
onboard credit when booking a category 8 to 3 cabin. Onboard credit offer is non-transferable and non-refundable. Booking
terms and conditions apply. *Only bookings made directly with Mr Bridge guarantee participation in the on board Mr Bridge
programme, subject to availability. Travel insurance not included. Swan Hellenic is a trading name of All Leisure Holidays
Limited ABTA W0392 ATOL 3897.
 FEATURES ADVERTISEMENTS

BRIDGE
Publisher and
4 Mr Bridge

10 Julian Pottage
Answers Your Questions
2 Summer 2012
on board mv Minerva

3 Mr Bridge
Mr Bridge
Premium
Playing Cards
Managing Editor
Quality
15 David Stevenson
Mr Bridge Answers Your Questions 4 Voyages to Antiquity
Cruise to Croatia
Cards
Ryden Grange
19 Prize Crossword 1
Knaphill, Surrey
by Sputnik 5 Egypt 2012
GU21 2TH
21 Bidding Quiz 6 Haslemere 2011 DVDs
( 01483 489961 by Bernard Magee
7 Mail Order Form
e-mail: 22 Bidding Quiz Answers
bridge@mrbridge.co.uk by Bernard Magee 8 Voyages of Discovery
2012 Summer Cruises
website: 23 Defence Quiz
by Julian Pottage 11 Bridge Event
www.mrbridge.co.uk
Booking Form
24 Defence Quiz Answers
Associate Editor by Julian Pottage 12 Cut-out Form
Julian Pottage
25 Declarer Play Quiz 14 Bernard Magee’s
Interactive Software
Technical Consultant by Dave Huggett
Tony Gordon 17 Duplicate Bridge
26 Declarer Play Answers
Rules Simplified Standard Faces
by David Huggett
Bridge Consultant with or without
19 Tunisia 2011/2012
Bernard Magee 27 Lead Quiz
by Andrew Kambites
bar codes.
Proof Readers
19 Haslemere 2012
Unboxed.
28 Lead Quiz Answers 20 Bridge Weekends
Tony Richards by Andrew Kambites with Bernard Magee
Danny Roth
29 Bernard Magee says 22 Bernard Magee’s
Hugh Williams Overtricks Matter
Richard Wheen Begin Bridge –
at Pairs Acol Version
Office Manager 32 Average Age 23 Mr Bridge Rubber/
Catrina Shackleton at Bridge Clubs Chicago Events
32 Readers’ Letters 25 Mr Bridge Christmas
Events & Cruises
and New Year
( 01483 489961 33 Little Voice Used Stamp
Jessica Galt Contributors 27 Mr Bridge Tutorial
Rachel Everett Bridge Breaks
35 Catch Up
Megan Riccio by Sally Brock 31 Voyages of Discovery 6 red / 6 blue
Clubs & Charities 36 Seven Days
Winter 2011/12 Cruises £19.95
by Sally Brock 33 Stamps
Maggie Axtell
maggie@mrbridge.co.uk 40 The A to Z of Bridge 34 Charity Bridge Events 30 red / 30 blue
E, F by Julian Pottage
38 Global
only £60
Address Changes 47 Prize Crossword 1 Travel Insurance
Elizabeth Bryan Solution
( 01483 485342 48 Voyages to Antiquity Available from
47 Guide to
The London
Ancient Egypt Cruise
Better Card Play
All correspondence should
be addressed to Mr Bridge.
reviewed by 48 QPlus 10 Bridge Centre
Sandra Landy Trade-in Offers
Please make sure that all
letters, e-mails and faxes ( 020 7486 8222
carry full postal addresses
and telephone numbers. The views expressed in this publication are not www.bridgeshop.com
necessarily those of the publisher or its Managing Editor.

Page 3
0921 Mr Bridge Italy ads_Layout 1 16/08/2011 17:34 Page 1

ANTIQUITY
CRUISES TO CLASSICAL CIVILISATIONS

HISTORIC ITALY
& THE BEAUTY OF CROATIA

The series of introductory

offers featuring Aegean
Odyssey has been well
received, especially by
those who want single
occupancy. Tony and Jan
Explore the fascinating history of Sicily, the palaces of Malta Richards will lead the
and the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum cover cruise from Imperial
BOOK NOW FOR SPECIAL FARES Rome to magical Venice.
NO SINGLE As usual, a programme of
Cruise from Rome to Venice aboard Aegean Venice CROATIA SUPPLEMENT excursions is included in
Split the fare. Highlights this
Odyssey and discover the architectural and Brac Korcula
ITALY Hvar Dubrovnik
artistic legacies of the classical civilisations Civitavecchia Rome time include Pompeii and
of the Mediterranean. Board the ship in an exclusive evening visit
Rome’s port of Civitavecchia and cruise to Sorrento Pompeii
Sorrento to visit Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Tyrrhenian
Sea
to St Mark’s Cathedral. See
Visit the monumental temples of Sicily and Palermo the adjacent advertisement.
Taormina Ionian
enjoy the natural beauty and historic cities SICILY Sea
of the Dalmatian Coast on our way to Valle�a MALTA
Venice on this remarkable cruise. BACK COVER
13-DAY FLY-CRUISE FROM ROME TO VENICE A shorter version of the
Cruise in comfort, relax in style DEPARTS APRIL 1, 2012
November holiday to the
Aegean Odyssey is a premium class ship that HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: Pompeii and Herculaneum;
has been especially refitted for cruising in the Norman Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel in Palermo
Red Sea is featured on the
Mediterranean. Carrying just 350 passengers, and Monreale Cathedral; the well-preserved Greek back cover. It enables me to
the atmosphere on board is relaxed with temples of Segesta; Graeco-Roman Theatre in Taormina; offer readers a lead-in price
plenty of passenger space, a choice of Dubrovnik, Split and island cruising in Croatia; tour of
Venice and exclusive evening visit to St Mark’s Cathedral. of £1350, with no single
restaurants (with open-seating dining) and
generously-sized accommodations, plus the MR BRIDGE FARES*
supplement. Travellers will
comfort and attentive service of boutique- Standard Inside £1,750pp Superior Outside from £2,350pp still enjoy an overnight
style cruising. Superior Inside from £1,950pp Deluxe Outside from £2,695pp stay in Luxor and visit
Standard Outside from £2,250pp Deluxe Balcony from £3,395pp
the Valley of the Kings,
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
still see the Pyramids in
FARES INCLUDE: Cairo, cruise the Suez
SIGHTSEEING EXCURSIONS AT ALL PORTS Canal, and savour a short
EXPERT ANTIQUITY LECTURE PROGRAMME
visit to Beirut before flying
WINE WITH DINNER & GRATUITIES ON BOARD
home from Cyprus.
EXCLUSIVE MR BRIDGE COCKTAIL PARTIES
SCHEDULED AIR & TRANSFERS
There is a supplement of £30 for those wishing BOOK EARLY – THIS SPECIAL OFFER 2012 DIARIES
to participate in the duplicate bridge programme IS SUBJECT TO LIMITED AVAILABILITY
or learn to play bridge. Singles are made especially There are two types.
welcome and a playing partner will always be found. CALL ON 01483 489961 Standard, whose covers are
Black, Navy, Light Blue,
Green, Red, Ivory, Maroon
and Tan. £6.75 each.
10093
VOYAGES TO ANTIQUITY Ten for £35 or pro rata.
The Luxury version has a
ABTA No.Y2206
www.voyagestoantiquity.com built-in ball point pen and
a soft kidrell cover. Choice
* Price is per person, single or double occupancy, and includes MR BRIDGE SPECIAL SAVING.
of Ruby Red, Bottle Green
The bridge programme is completely optional and Mr Bridge passengers can participate as much, or as little
as they wish. This offer is subject to availability, is capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time.
and new for 2012, Navy
Blue. £14.95 each.

Page 4
 better safe GUINEA PIGS JUST BRIDGE
With the new season just Some of you will have These events are £199
Mr Bridge
started, Club Insurance received an experimental per person full board, no
is coming up for renewal September issue of this prizes, no tuition, just
AT THE 5*
and if it isn’t, it should magazine. However, I will bridge. They are supported KIROSEIZ
be. Cover for the average continue to send BRIDGE by many who will have THREE
club is around £63 per bi-monthly to all who received tickets as prizes
annum from 1 November have re-registered. Further or at reduced rates. Future CORNERS,
each year. If your club experimental issues offers are continually being NA’AMA BAY
wants to start right away, will be sent randomly made by direct phone call,
a pro rata payment for the selected bridge players post or email. Please advise EGYPT 2012
weeks up to the annual from time to time. me if you would like to
A 5* spacious resort hotel
commencement will hear of these offers as I am
complex with a friendly
ensure you are covered. GOFF STAMPS trying to cover the whole
atmosphere situated 3km
of the United Kingdom. from the resort centre of
Over 400 clubs use the
It is not appropriate to Na’ama Bay and a 15 min-
Mr Bridge service.
publish them in BRIDGE ute courtesy bus ride from
To learn more, please ring
as they sell out so fast. the hotel’s private beach.
Simon at Moore Stephens.
( 020 7515 5270. Brook Waterloo,
Crowthorne, Berks.
RE-ASSURANCE 28-30 October 2011
Readers should be Conventional postage 4-6 November 2011
confident that their names, will never get cheaper, so 11-13 November 2011
addresses, phone numbers buying valid British stamps 27-29 January 2012
and email details are held below face value must be 3-5 February 2012
securely and are not sold, a bargain. It also helps Brook Beverley Arms,
traded or given to other support this publication. Beverley, East Yorks.
companies. If you have For Clive Goff’s unique
reason to believe otherwise, service, telephone him on: 4-6 November 2011
please tell me so the matter ( 020 8422 4906. Brook Tewkesbury Park,
may be investigated. Clive.goff@londonrugby.com Tewksbury, Glos.
Duplicate Bridge
If you are tired of junk 4-6 November 2011
WINTER SUN Bernard Magee
mail, send your details to:
Mailing Preference Service, 15-29 January 2012
Bernard Magee will once MY REWARD
Freepost, 29 LON 20771, again go to Na’ama Bay, from £1099*
London, W1E 0ZT. One of the most rewarding
Sharm-el-Sheik, in January
aspects of my job as All inclusive board
After three months, there where the bone-warming includes: buffet-style break-
publisher of BRIDGE is to
should be an improvement. sun will revive the spirit. fast, lunch, dinner, snacks
hear how pleased you are
Last year several in the served at selected times
to learn about the likes of
party enjoyed a set or between meals, ice cream
ADVERTISING Clive Goff’s Service and served in the afternoon and
two of tennis every day.
Donald Russell’s Beef. afternoon tea. An unlim-
BRIDGE is sent to you Pack your racquet.
The support of these ited amount of hot, soft and
free of charge, paid for by
companies is fundamental alcoholic drinks (excluding
advertisers and sponsors. BRIDGE & GOLF international brands and
to the success of this
If you really don’t like cocktails) served 10am to
Tony and Jan Richards magazine and why I try to
adverts, tell me and I will midnight.
will be at the Royal Kenz make it better and better.
cancel your subscription. *per person full-board sharing a
Hotel, Port El Kantoui, twin-bedded room and is inclusive
Bridge Weekly, my e-mag, is this coming November. YOU HELPED ME of bridge fees. Single supplement
£220 per fortnight. These prices are
paid for likewise. It cannot There are three first-
Well over 100 clubs sent based on air travel from Gatwick.
be written and edited class eighteen hole golf Flights from Manchester, Newcastle
in their average ages on and East Midlands are available at a
without proper advertising courses in the vicinity of
a chosen club night. The supplement.
and sponsorship. this delightful resort.
overall average was 72 years This holiday is arranged in conjunction
If adverts really are too In February, Bernard 8 months. Some clubs have with Thomas
ATOL1179.
Cook Holidays

intrusive, do please inform Magee will be going with asked not to be included
me and I will immediately his team, see page 19. in the list, which you will DETAILS & BOOKINGS
cancel your subscription. Bring your golf playing find squeezed into page 32.
mrbridge@mrbridge.co.uk friends with you. Thank you. ( 01483 489961

Page 5
 BETTER BRIDGE Q PLUS NEWS OLD POT BOILER
Bernard The Bernard Magee For those who already By popular request, the
Magee bridge seminars, staged have QPlus, here are a double dummy problems
at Haslemere Hall as part few more hands that I previously printed on tea
at of the 2011 Haslemere think you might enjoy. towels are being repeated
Haslemere Festival, proved to be a
2828/09 9460/16
for your interest and
really great success. amusement. The solution
Hall 2011 5390/11 2829/11
is in the next issue.
All the bridge happenings
DVDs have been filmed and edited
I should explain for those
without QPlus that every
to make a series of six
Six DVDs record the possible deal of 52 cards ♠ A Q 7
seminars from Haslemere. entertaining tutorial DVDs.
has a reference number. ♥ A K Q J
Each seminar is divided See the adjacent advert.
Put that number into the ♦ Q J 10 9 8 7
into two halves: designed
to look at subjects from program and hey presto, ♣ Void
two different perspectives. HASLEMERE 2012 the hand comes up on ♠ K J 10 8 6 ♠ 9 5 4 3 2
Book early – book now. your screen at the touch N
♥ 5 4 3 2 W E ♥ Void
1. Ruffing for
extra tricks
£25 For subject matter, see the of a button. Magic. ♦ Void S ♦ 6 5 4 3 2
This seminar deals with declar- advertisement on page ♣ K Q J 10 ♣ 4 3 2
er’s use of ruffing to generate ex-
tra tricks and then looks at how
19. All six seminars will Special QPlus trade-in
♠ Void
again be filmed in full. ♥ 10 9 8 7 6
the defenders might counteract deals on the back cover.
this. 74 mins. ♦ A K
♣ A 9 8 7 6 5
DISCOVERY
2. COMPETITIVE
AUCTIONS
£25 MINERVA NEWS Contract 7♥ by South.
This seminar focuses on I have made a recent visit to West leads the ♣K.
competitive auctions from the the ship to have a look at all This well-loved ship is
perspective of the overcalling the refurbishing. So pleased being taken into dry dock
side to start with and then from at the end of November
the perspective of the opening am I with the progress, For a full range of bridge
side in the second part. 86 mins. that I am planning to sail for a three month refit. tea towels, ring Art Screen
onboard at the end of Brochures are now available Print on ( 01287 637527.
3. MAKING THE MOST for the 2012/2013 sailings.
OF HIGH CARDS £25 April from Istanbul back www.artscreen.co.uk/
This seminar helps declarer to to Portsmouth. Fares are customizeArea/shop.html
use his high cards more carefully from £999 per person MAC FOR BRIDGE
and then looks at how defenders
sharing including the NEW TO SCOTLAND
should care for their precious If you’ve a Mac and want a
high cards. 83 minutes. onboard bridge. Single
play program, then Bridge
supplement only 25%.
Baron is for you. £63.
4. Identifying
£25
& BIDDING SLAMS There will be two separate
The first half of this seminar is
about identifying when a slam
bridge groups. One for yellow book
might be on – one of the hardest bridge before second
topics to teach, because as soon sitting, the other for bridge Duplicate Bridge Rules
as you announce the topic after first sitting dinner. Simplified, also known as
everybody is looking for slams. the Yellow Book, has been
The second half covers some of There will also be daily By popular demand,
the techniques used to bid slams. opportunities for tutorials reprinted and is now back
Bernard Magee will be
96 minutes. instead of excursions. in stock. £5.95 each. Club
hosting his first weekend
deal, 10 copies for £35.
5. PLAY & DEFENCE
£25 Bridge onboard will be in Scotland, 2-4 December
OF 1NT CONTRACTS this year at the Brook
This seminar looks at the most exclusive to the Mr Bridge
common and yet most feared of party. This cruise is to GOLDEN TWIN BOX Queensferry Hotel.The
contracts: 1NT. The first half celebrate my 25 years A pair of red/blue backed event will feature Signals
looks at declaring the contract
working as Mr Bridge. Mr Bridge Premium and Discards as the subject
and the second part puts us in
the defenders’ seats. 88 minutes. Quality Cards, in a gold- matter of his lectures and
coloured drop-lid box, of the supervised play.
6. DOUBLING & DEFENCE free
AGAINST DOUBLED£25 makes an ideal Christmas I have already e-mailed
In another spell of rampant gift. £10.95 per box.
CONTRACTS out news of this inaugural
The first half of this seminar re-organisation, I am Two boxes for just £20. event. You should book
explores penalty doubles and the clearing out the remains
second half discusses the defence right away to avoid any
of my stock of Freddie
against doubled contracts. THE FINAL DEAL disappointment.
88 minutes. North’s 70-page booklet,
Bidding. Just send two A murder mystery with All good wishes.
All 6 for £100 second-class stamps to a bridge slant by Len
See Mail Order Form on page 7.
cover postage and packing. Armstrong. £7.95. Mr Bridge

Page 6
✄

Mr Bridge MAIL ORDER
PLAY SOFTWARE TUTORIAL DVDs
QPlus 10 £86.00....... Ruffing for Extra Tricks £25.00.......
QPlus 9.1 (second hand) £62.00....... Competitive Auctions £25.00.......
Bridge Baron 21 Making the Most of High Cards £25.00.......
The latest version – Mac compatible £63.00....... Identifying & Bidding Slams £25.00.......
TUTORIAL SOFTWARE Play & Defence of 1NT Contracts £25.00.......
Begin Bridge – Acol Version £66.00....... Doubling & Defence
to Doubled Contracts £25.00.......
Acol Bidding £66.00.......
All 6 DVDs as a boxed set £100.00.......
More Acol Bidding £96.00.......
Declarer Play £76.00....... 2012 Bridge Players’ Diaries
Advanced Declarer Play £81.00....... Standard:
Defence £76.00....... Navy Blue ...... Light Blue ......
Ivory ...... Red ...... Tan ...... Green ......
SOFTWARE BUNDLE OFFERS Burgundy ...... Black ...... £6.95.......
Any two software pieces £120.00....... 10 or more each £3.50.......
Any three software pieces £175.00....... Luxury cover with ball point pen:
Ruby Red ...... Navy Blue...... Green ...... £14.95.......
BOOKS
Duplicate Bridge Rules Simplified £5.95....... LUXURY PLAYING CARDS
Better Hand Evaluation – Bernard Magee £14.00....... One red back / one blue back
in a gold-coloured drop-lid box £10.95.......
Bernard Magee’s Bridge Quiz Book £14.00.......
2 boxed pairs of luxury cards £20.00.......
Bernard Magee’s Quiz and Puzzle Book £14.00.......
10 refill packs (5 red / 5 blue) £20.00.......
Bernard Magee’s Tips for Better Bridge £14.00.......
The Final Deal (fiction) – Len Armstrong £7.95....... PENS
TABLES AND CHAIRS Multi-suited
Mr Bridge exclusive design black metal Ball-point Pens
chairs, padded back and seat
Boxed set of four
covered in black vinyl Set of four £199.00.......
£19.95.......
Mr Bridge exclusive black metal tables,
padded and covered in black vinyl £63.50....... Refills set of four £2.99.......

Prices are inclusive of VAT and postage to UK mainland. I enclose a cheque for £..........

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

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

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

Postcode................................................................................................. ( ...........................................................................................................

Expiry: .......................... CVV .......................... Issue No. .......................... (CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip)

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

( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop Fax 01483 797302

✄

Page 7
Inspiring Summer Cruises
Experience Voyages of Discovery’s Summer 2012 programme,
encompassing 15 captivating cruises around Northern Europe,
The Baltic, The Mediterranean & The Black Sea.
Next Summer, Discovery’s exciting cruise itinerary includes a National Trust cruise YOUR VOYAGE
around the British Isles, a three day stay in glorious St Petersburg, with the unique INCLUDES:
opportunity of spending a day in Moscow and, on the anniversary of D-Day, an
• Seminars and exclusive
inspirational journey of remembrance and discovery to the landing beaches of
Mr Bridge drinks parties*
Normandy, little-visited Heligoland in Germany and beautiful Amsterdam.
• Inspiring destinations
All passengers are eligible to attend the exclusive drinks parties. When • Comprehensive lecture and
Guest Speaker programme
Discovery is at sea there are morning seminars and afternoon bridge sessions. Those Mr
• All meals, entertainment and
Bridge passengers choosing to pay the £30 per bridge player supplement will be eligible gratuities on board included
for the evening duplicate after the first dinner sitting. The bridge programme is fully with no hidden extras
optional and you may participate as much or as little as you wish. Mr Bridge actively • Travel with around 650
encourages singles to join the party and they will always be found a partner for a game. like-minded passengers
• Free parking for no-fly cruises
• Flights from/to the UK for
fly-cruises (supplement applies for
Manchester)^
• Friendly and relaxed atmosphere
on board
• All prices on board in
British pounds
• Captain’s cocktail parties and
gala dinners
• All port and pre-paid
airport taxes

01483 489961 for brochures and bookings

 only O
UP
TO
£ 20 0
NBOA
R
CREDI D
when b T
ooked
15th O by
ctober

Discovery club members save an extra 5%

Summer 2012 No~fly cruises Bridge Hosts Fares From

BALTIC ICONS May 11, 2012 ~ 16 days

Portsmouth ~ IJmuiden (Amsterdam) ~ Copenhagen ~ Stockholm ~ Helsinki ~ St Petersburg (2 nights) ~Tallinn Gary £1,549pp
Warnemünde (Berlin) ~ Kiel Canal transit ~ Portsmouth Conrad
cabins
HERITAGE of the BRITISH ISLES May 26, 2012 ~ 11 days selling
Alison £1,639pp
Portsmouth ~ Isles of Scilly ~ Douglas ~ Belfast ~ Oban ~ Port of Tyne ~ Greenwich ~ Dover ~ Portsmouth fast Nicolson outside cabin

D-DAY, NORMANDY, DUNKIRK and BEYOND June 5, 2012 ~ 9 days Stan

£899pp
Portsmouth ~ Cherbourg ~ St Peter Port ~ Rouen (overnight) ~ Dunkirk ~ Heligoland ~ IJmuiden (Amsterdam) ~ Harwich Powell
SPITSBERGEN and the NORTH CAPE June 13, 2012 ~ 16 days Tony & Jan
£1,749pp
Harwich ~ Trondheim ~ Leknes ~ Honningsvåg ~ Magdalenafjord ~ Ny-Ålesund ~ Longyearbyen ~ Barentsburg ~ Tromsø ~ Bergen ~ Harwich Richards
BALTIC TREASURES June 28, 2012 ~ 15 days
Harwich ~ Kristiansand ~ Copenhagen ~ Tallinn ~ St Petersburg (2 nights) ~ Gdynia ~ Szczecin (Berlin) Crombie & Helen £1,649pp
Sassnitz ~ Kiel Canal transit ~ Harwich McNeil
NORDIC NATURAL WONDERS July 12, 2012 ~ 14 days Alex
£1,499pp
Harwich ~ Bergen ~ Flåm ~ Akureyri ~ Ísafjördjur ~ Grundarfjördur ~ Reykjavik ~ Tórshavn ~ Harwich Davoud
A NORDIC and WHITE SEA ADVENTURE July 25, 2012 ~ 20 days Gary
£2,199pp
Harwich ~ Bergen ~ Bodø ~ Murmansk ~ Solovetsky Islands (overnight) ~ Archangel ~ Kirkenes ~ Hammerfest ~ Trondheim ~ Ørsta ~ Florø ~ Harwich Conrad
AROUND BRITAIN and EDINBURGH TATTOO August 13, 2012 ~ 13 days Alex
£1,399pp
Harwich ~ St Peter Port ~ Fowey ~ Cobh ~ Galway ~ Killybegs ~ Oban ~ Portree ~ Scrabster ~ Kirkwall ~ Rosyth (Edinburgh) ~ Harwich Davoud
OSLO and the MAGIC of NORWAY August 25, 2012 ~ 10 days Alison
£1,049pp
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TIMELESS BALTIC September 3, 2012 ~ 15 days Tony & Jan
£1,599pp
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Summer 2012 Fly cruises

VOYAGE to the MEDITERRANEAN^ September 17, 2012 ~ 8 days Sandy
£699pp
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BLACK SEA EXPLORER^ October 19, 2012 ~ 12 days Sandy
£1,649pp
Istanbul ~ Trabzon ~ Sochi ~ Novorossiysk ~ Yalta ~ Sevastopol ~ Odessa ~ Nesebur ~ Istanbul Bell
EAST to the HOLY LAND and RED SEA October 30, 2012 ~ 16 days
Istanbul ~ Canakkale ~ Antalya ~ Haifa ~ Ashdod (Jerusalem) ~ Port Said ~ Suez Canal transit ~ Safaga (overnight) ~ Aqaba (overnight) Alex £1,999pp
Sharm el-Sheikh (overnight) Davoud

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Further combinations and grand voyages available ~ please call for details

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Fares shown are per person based on two people sharing lowest twin-bedded cabin category currently available, are subject to availability and include all applicable discounts, for new bookings only. Savings shown apply to guarantee fare, where a cabin number may not be allocated at time
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to be part of the Mr Bridge Group. *Those wishing to play evening bridge, please note that there is a bridge supplement of £30 per bridge player to be confirmed at the time of booking. Voyages of Discovery is a trading name of All Leisure Holidays Ltd.
 Julian Pottage answers your bridge questions

How do I
avoid defending
redoubled contracts?

Q A
Twice recently, I should retreat to 1NT. On the With the notable point of giving a signal.
have had prob- second, the doubler should exception of Zia and If you are playing reverse
lems with redou- retreat to 1♠. In each case, it Hamman, many top attitude, East plays the
bled contracts. In each looks as if the doubler read players use reverse signals three, which West easily
case, the bidding went: East’s pass to mean, ‘I would for both attitude and count reads as encouraging.
have left in 1♥ doubled.’ (the Americans call them  Suppose the layout in
West North East South You can play the pass as a upside down signals). the spade suit (a side suit
1♥ penalty pass, if you wish, You can correctly infer in a heart contract) is this:
Dbl Redbl End but the two members of from this that reverse  
the partnership need to be signals have a slight
The first time we held: playing it the same way. technical superiority, ♠ K 6 4
so the answer is yes. N
♣♦♥♠  When you have rubbish ♠ J 8 2 W E
S
♠ A Q 10 3
♠ A 8 2 ♠ 9 7 5 in a suit, you can usually

Q
♥ K 8 2 N ♥ A J 6 4 I used to play afford to part with any of ♠ 9 7 5
W E
♦ Q J 9 S ♦ 6 2 reverse atti- your spot cards. When,  
♣ A 8 5 4 ♣ 10 7 3 2 tude signals. however, you have a useful
If partner led the holding, you are far less Playing standard attitude
top of a sequence, a likely to want to part with and discarding on a heart,
The second time we held: small card would indi- a high spot card. This is East could encourage
cate that you liked the the case whether you are spades by discarding the ten.
lead (or had no better following suit or discarding.  Unfortunately, that will keep
♠ K Q 4 2 ♠ 10 9 8 suggestion to offer).  West leads the queen the defenders to two spade
♥ 7 3 N ♥ 8 6 4  When discarding, of spades against a heart tricks. With reverse attitude,
W E
♦ A 8 4 S ♦ 10 5 2 you played a small contract on this layout: East can encourage spades
♣ K 10 3 2 ♣ Q 8 5 4 card from the suit you   by discarding the three.
wanted led. On the few  Speaking from personal
occasions when you did ♠ K 6 4 experience, it is quite easy
Name and address supplied. not have a card low N
to switch from standard
enough for a signal, you ♠ Q J 8 7 2 W E ♠ 10 3 attitude to reverse attitude

A
S
If the bidding goes could discard a high (rather easier than switching
1♥-double-redouble- card from another suit, ♠ A 9 5 your opening no-trump
pass, it is usual to which partner could   range, for instance).
play that the pass simply usually work out. In some countries, like
says, ‘I have no strong Should I start play- Playing standard attitude, Norway, reverse attitude
preference – you pick a ing them again? East cannot afford to signals are popular
suit’ – the doubler then bids John Martin, Evanton, play the ten to encourage with many players.
again, normally a suit. Inverness (similar from because West would then You just need to find a
On your first hand, the Barbara Goodwin, Dinas, be unable to continue the partner willing to give it a
doubler is unusually flat and Pembrokeshire). suit safely, defeating the go.

Page 10
 Ask Julian continued 2♣. The 2♣ bid is consistent

BRIDGE 
with holding a Yarborough.
2NT is a strong candidate.
Bidding 2♦ would show a

Q BREAKS
We were play- hand that was planning to
ing Acol with leave in 1♦ doubled but it is
negative something of a grey area as
doubles here: to quite what else it shows.
With a stopper in hearts and ♦ Full-board ♦ Two seminars*
the diamonds well held, 2NT ♦ All rooms with ♦ Two supervised
♠ 8 7 seems to be the value bid. en-suite facilities play sessions*
♥ A 8 3 South would raise to 3NT. ♦ No single supplement ♦ Four duplicate sessions**
♦ K Q 10 7 5 Most probably, you would
♣ J 8 4 make 10 tricks in 3NT (you Please book ..... places for me at £....... per person,
would hold up the ♥A until
N
W E the third round, just losing Single .... Double .... Twin ....
S
two hearts and the ♦A).
♠ A K 9 2 Name of Hotel/Centre.............................................................
♥ J 2 ♣♦♥♠
♦ 4 2 Date(s) ....................................................................................

Q
♣ A K Q 10 3 I was fourth in
hand. My RHO Mr/Mrs/Miss .........................................................................
opened 3♦. I
Address...................................................................................
West North East South held 15 points with
1♣ five diamonds to the
................................................................................................
1♦ Pass Pass 1♠ ace and doubled. My
Pass 2♣ End partner was unsure Postcode .................................................................................
what to do, but passed.
How should the We collected 800. ( ...........................................................................................
bidding have gone?  Was our bid-
Mike Fairclough, ding correct? Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed,
Caldy, Wirral.  Maureen Jones by email. but we will do our best to oblige).
 

A A
The opening bid and These days, most ................................................................................................
initial pass (hoping to people play that a
defend 1♦ doubled) double of a pre-empt Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking.
seem impeccable. With extra is for takeout. Indeed, when
................................................................................................
values and the benefit of the English Bridge wanted to do
highest-ranking suit, South a debate about whether to
Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place by
could reopen with a double play it as takeout or pen- cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice for the balance will be sent
rather than 1♠. If North bids alties, they were unable with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment,
1♥ (or even 2♥), South can to find anyone to argue 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be sent
correct to spades without in favour of penalties. together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. Should you
raising the level. It is very  When you have length in require insurance, you should contact your own insurance broker.
unlikely that North is go- the suit opened, it is usually
ing to bid a high number of wrong to make a takeout
hearts, having been unable double. Your partner will
to bid even 1♥ over 1♦. normally take out the double,
On the actual layout, often into your shortest suit.
North will leave in the Unless you have agreed
double. Whether East that this is a penalty double, Expiry: ................................. CVV......................... Issue No....................
(CVV is the last 3 numbers on the signature strip)
will elect to pass out 1♦ you should pass smoothly
doubled is another matter. and hope that your partner Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH.
If East retreats to 1♥, reopens with a double.
South bids 1♠ and you  This time, you struck lucky ( 01483 489961
will surely reach 3NT. when your partner did not e-mail: jessica@mrbridge.co.uk
Once South elects to seem to understand your bid website: www.holidaybridge.com
reopen with 1♠, North has but you should not expect to *on tutorial weekends. **6 sessions on rubber & Just Bridge events.
to do a bit more than bid be so lucky again.

Page 11
 ✄
Ask Julian continued to lead out a trump or
If you have not contacted us recently, b) when declarer first
please enter your details in the box tackles trumps or c)
below to re-register: both? Please could you

Q
My right-hand- give an example?
opponent plays Paul Green by email.
in a no-trump

A
Name (Mr, Mrs, Miss)................................................... contract. I hold If you play suit-
A-K-J-10-x in an unbid preference signals
Address ................................................................ suit. What is the best in the trump suit,
lead? If RHO has bid my which as I have suggested
.............................................................................. suit, does this only a minority of players
affect my lead? do, you can play them
Postcode .............................................................. Frank Turner by email. both when leading and
when following suit.

A
Telephone ............................................................. If nobody has bid  Here is an example:
the suit, you should  
E-mail ................................................................... lead whichever card
your partner would take as ♠ A 10 9
a request to unblock (i.e. ♥ K
Please send BRIDGE to the following enthusiasts: drop the queen). By tradition, ♦ 9 7 5 4 3
this was the ace. Nowadays ♣ J 8 4 2
it is more common to play ♠ 7 4 2 ♠ J
Mr/Mrs/Miss.............................................................................. ‘strong tens and kings’, in ♥ Q 7 6 N ♥ A J 8 4 2
W E
which case the king is the ♦ A Q 10 2 S ♦ J 8 6
Address .................................................................................... strong lead. If you are not ♣ Q 9 5 ♣ 10 7 6 3
playing either the king or ♠ K Q 8 6 5 3
...................................................................................................
the ace as an unblocking ♥ 10 9 5 3
Postcode .................................. (............................................ lead, you should lead the ♦ K
ace, top of a sequence. ♣ A K
E-mail ....................................................................................... If RHO has bid the suit,  
you have to consider the
possibility that the shape West North East South
is 5224 round the table, 1♠
in which case you would Pass 2♠ Pass 3♥
Mr/Mrs/Miss.............................................................................. prefer the first lead to come Pass 4♠ End
from partner (the nine if it  
Address ....................................................................................
is your lucky day) in case With a view to playing safe
................................................................................................... declarer has Q-x-x-x. and possibly preventing
Whether you would ruffs in dummy, West leads
Postcode .................................. (............................................ lead another suit rather a trump. Since South has
depends upon your hand bid hearts, it is reasonable
E-mail .......................................................................................
and the bidding. to give suit preference
between the minors.
♣♦♥♠ West therefore leads
the seven of spades.

Q
Mr/Mrs/Miss..............................................................................
In BRIDGE 108, East soon gains the lead
you say, ‘Another with the ♥A and will want to
Address .................................................................................... (less common) put West on lead to play a
reason for starting with second round of trumps. 
................................................................................................... your middle trump is Reading the seven of
that you then have the spades as high, East leads
Postcode .................................. (............................................
option of leading the the higher minor, diamonds,
E-mail ....................................................................................... high or the low one which defeats the contract.
when you want to give If you swap West’s
a suit-preference signal minors, West would lead the
Please complete all or part of this form and return to on the opening lead.’ two of spades rather than the
Mr Bridge, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey, GU21 2TH.  Does this apply a) seven – again, East would
when the defence decide know what to do.
✄

Page 12
 Ask Julian continued check on aces later. If you double of a transfer (or making with 27-29 points
played in a tournament, Stayman) shows a hand with between the two hands, the
you would not find a single which you would have dou- 6-card suit notwithstanding.
pair using a 4♣ opening bled 1NT. Your initial double  I do not play a limit

Q
In this auction, as asking for aces. As you therefore seems fine, assum- 2NT response and you will
my first double found out, using 4♣ as an ing, of course, you have not find very few good players
is clearly for asking bid causes problems agreed with your partner who do. With 10-12, there
takeout, but what is when your long suit is clubs. that the double just shows is always something else
the second double? On this hand, you wanted hearts. Since your initial partner can bid – if her only
to know about other features double suggests 15+ points 4-card suit is diamonds, she
West North East South in partner’s hand besides and you actually have 20, can raise your diamonds; if
1♣ Pass 1♥ Dbl aces: whether she had the it seems reasonable to take her 4-card suit is anywhere
2♣ Pass 2♥ Dbl black queens or length in some further action. I would else, she can bid that.
one of the black suits. If she double again, which just
Name and address supplied. had five spades to the queen shows extra values, not spade ♣♦♥♠
and a small singleton club, length. 2NT is the alternative,

A Q
Since your first you would want to play in but that could go horribly If you open
double is for takeout, spades, not clubs. If she wrong if partner has nothing. 1♣ (could be a
the second double had both red suits held but natural club but
cannot be for penalties as no aces, you would want to ♣♦♥♠ more likely a balanced
you must have the same play in 3NT, which would hand out of range for

Q
hand as you had first probably outscore 5♣. I had 17 a 1NT opening and
time. The second double You should just have points with without a five-card
just shows extra values, started quietly with 1♣. six diamonds major), can responder
typically an ace more than When your hand is so and two doubletons. pass this holding
you needed for your initial shapely, this is most unlikely As dealer, I opened fewer than 6 points?
double, so about 17+. to end the auction. 1♦. My partner had Anna Bartlett, Luton.
10 points with the

A
♣♦♥♠ ♣♦♥♠ other suits stopped It is usual to play
and responded 2NT. a prepared 1♣

Q Q
Playing As East, I picked I wondered if there opening as not
matchpoint up this hand: might be a slam in forcing. However, as
pairs and diamonds and, as I responder, if you are short
Gerber, I held: was in a quandary as in clubs, you will strain to
to how to find out, I keep the bidding open.
♠ K J ended up rebidding 3♦.
♠ A K J 2 ♥ A 10 5 My partner passed, ♣♦♥♠
♥ 5 ♦ K Q 9 6 thinking it was a

Q
♦ 6 ♣ A K 7 3 weak bid. Should I Can you use
♣ A K J 8 6 3 2 have rebid 3NT? Stayman and
Molly Megson by email. transfers
The bidding was: on this auction?

A
I opened 4♣. My partner In traditional Acol,
responded 4♥ (one West North East South the 2NT response is West North East South
ace). Knowing that if I 1NT a limit bid, showing 1NT Dbl ?
rebid 5♣ partner would Pass 2♥1 ? 10-12 points and is not
take it as asking for 1
transfer forcing. If you rebid your own Anne Burnett by email.
kings, I went 6♣. This suit, that is not forcing – if you  

A
went one off. What I doubled, knowing that wish to create a force, you You can use your
should I have done? did not really fit the bill; need to bid a new suit. With normal system – but
Geoff Pritchard, Crewe. the opponents finished 17 points, you have to find only if that is what
in 2♠ – making. What another bid – assuming you you have agreed. If you

A
Playing a 4♣ is the correct call? have no second suit to show, bid 2♣ or 2♦ undiscussed,
opening as asking Belinda Amon by email. a raise to 3NT is in order. partner is going to think it is
for aces is most   It is unlikely that a slam is natural. ■

A
unwise. On the rare hands It is quite common,
when all you want to know when the opponents
E-mail your questions for Julian to:
about is aces, you can either are playing a weak julianpottage@mrbridge.co.uk
open 4NT or open 2♣ and no-trump, to play that the

Page 13
 BERNARD 
MAGEE’S
INTERACTIVE
TUTORIALS
ACOL MORE DECLARER PLAY ADVANCED
BIDDING (ADVANCED) DECLARER PLAY
l Suit
Establishment
ACOL BIDDING
l OpeningBids and in No-trumps l Making Overtricks
Responses l Basics l SuitEstablishment in No-trumps
l Slams
and Strong l Advanced in Suits l Making Overtricks
Openings Basics l Hold-ups in Suit Contracts
l Support for Partner l Weak Twos l Ruffing for Extra l Endplays

l Pre-empting l Strong Hands Tricks l Avoidance

£76
l Overcalls l Defence l Entries l Wrong

l No-trump £66 to Weak Twos in No- Contract £81

Openings l Defence trumps
£96
l Simple
and Responses to 1NT l Delaying Squeezes
l Opener’s
and l Doubles Drawing Trumps l Counting the Hand
Responder’s Rebids l Two-suited Overcalls l Using the Lead l TrumpReductions
l Minors and Misfits l Defences to l Trump Control & Coups
l Doubles Other Systems l Endplays
& l Playing
Doubled
l Competitive l Misfitsand Avoidance Contracts
Auctions Distributional Hands l Using the Bidding l Safety Plays

DEFENCE
l Lead vs No-trump Contracts l Attitude Signals
l Lead vs Suit Contracts l Discarding

l Partner of Leader vs No-trump Contracts l Defensive Plan £76

l Partner of Leader vs Suit Contracts l Stopping Declarer
l Count Signals l Counting the Hand

Sharpen your defence in the course of 20 introductory exercises and 120 complete deals

Make your cheque payable to Mr Bridge and send to: Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH
( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop Fax 01483 797302
System Requirements: Windows XP, Vista or 7, 8mb RAM, CD-ROM
 David Stevenson answers your questions on Laws and Ethics

If you Produce a Stop Card

Without Jumping,
What is the Ruling?

Q
Playing du- bid, the bid stands – it is not lead or have the card as a you should call the director,
plicate, using an insufficient bid; however, major penalty card). East’s who will insist that the player
bidding boxes, the use of the stop card is card is a major penalty shows them to you unless
the bidding started: unauthorised information card as well, being out of there is a valid reason.
to partner, though turn once West has led. When I play in clubs and
West North East South authorised to opponents. Of course, if declarer even in events, players
1♣ If your director thought refuses West’s lead out often ask an opponent if
Pass 1♠ 2NT1 they might not have reached of turn, East’s lead will they may see his cards; he
1
Unusual, minors the slam if the partner had stand unless declarer gives permission; the player
ignored the use of the stop requires a spade lead. takes the opponent’s cards
South bid ‘stop 3♥.’ card, he should have adjusted and looks at them. This
It was clear that South, the score to a game contract. ♣♦♥♠ is illegal because it often
despite the 2NT bid, leads to a fouled board.

Q
(maybe she had not no- ♣♦♥♠ If you want to
ticed it) thought she was see another ♣♦♥♠

Q
making a jump rebid With North as player’s hand at

Q
showing a strong hand. declarer, West the conclusion of play to Should I alert
Her partner noted the led a spade, East see whether a different our 3NT opening,
stop bid and they even- said, ‘It is not your lead,’ line of play might have which is strong,
tually reached a making and led a diamond. worked better, what holding the minor suits
slam. Had South not dis- The director was called is the procedure? and asks partner to
played the stop card, it to the table and ruled Roger Grimsdick (similar bid his longer minor?
is arguable whether they that West’s card was a from Iain Duncan, Norwich). Jerry Hathorn,
would have bid the slam. major penalty card and Sawston, Cambridge.

A
Having displayed that East’s diamond was You may not touch

A
the stop card incor- the legal lead. Declarer the cards of another Since your 3NT is not
rectly, what should complained that he player during or after a natural opening
have happened then? had lost some of his the play. Obviously, I am (not showing a big
What action if any options for penalising not counting when declarer balanced hand), you should
should her partner a lead out of turn. touches dummy’s cards, alert it and explain it fully if
have taken regard- John Dawe by email which is a special case. asked.
ing the knowledge he (similar from George After the play, if you wish
gained (was it unau- Pilcher, Deal, Kent). to see what another player
thorised information)? had, you ask him or her to

A
David Stevenson answers all
Jake Henry by email West led out of turn show you his or her cards.
queries based on the facts
(similar from Norman Scott, so declarer does Unless there is a valid
supplied by the letter writer.
Crook, Co. Durham). have the usual five reason, usually because
Neither Mr Bridge nor
mutually exclusive options you are running late, it is

A
David Stevenson has any way
When someone (accept the lead, choose ill-mannered of someone of knowing whether those
exhibits the stop card to be dummy, prohibit a to refuse to show them. If a facts are correct or complete.
before a non-jump spade lead, require a spade player refuses to show them,

Page 15
 Ask David continued gently added that this towards the ♦2 before not cash it and then I ap-
was what I had tried to my partner called for a plaud his ethics – but not in a
point out myself, as RHO card for the next trick. completely obvious situation.
re-adjusted her cards. He then paused and While I approve of his

Q
My RHO led There was no response called for the losing attempt to be very ethical,
the ♦10, which I or apology. RHO ♠5, thus allowing the I feel it was unnecessary
covered with the continued to play and contract to go off one on this occasion.
♦J. My LHO played the made the contract. and a bottom board.
♦2 before exclaiming, Name and address supplied. I asked, ‘What did you ♣♦♥♠
‘I pulled out the wrong do that for?’ He said,

A Q
card – I meant to play the Being rude to ‘because I didn’t want I appeared to
♦Q!’ The director ruled someone is against the opponents to think have picked up
that she could change the laws of the we were cheating.’ a balanced hand
the card to the ♦Q and game – and only one Opponents said, ‘You of 13 high-card points
that the ♦2 should be- person can apply those didn’t have to do that and duly opened 1NT.
come a penalty card. laws. If someone is rude, but we understood I then realised that my
Was this ruling right? you must call the director why you did.’ 4-3 in the red suits was
Enid Emanuel, immediately and tell him I was quite shocked. I in fact 0-7. The bidding
Ramsey, Huntingdon. what has happened. It makes felt accused of cheating went round to RHO, who
no difference whatever before the whole table bid 2♠; when I passed,

A
I am afraid it is time whether you are in the right but my husband said this became the final
your director learnt or the wrong; being rude is he was just honouring contract. Was I right
to read rulings from unacceptable. Since she was our partnership. in not bidding again
the law book. Once one rude to you and you took What do you think? after such a misleading
defender has placed a card no action, she will no doubt Justine Thompson by email. opening bid? (5♦ was on
in such a way that the other be rude to someone else our way.) Should I have

A
defender could see it, no unless she reads this first. I think your partner said something when
change is permissible. The Incidentally, since she was was over-sensitive I realised my mistake
two was therefore the played declarer, no penalty applies to the situation and before RHO had bid?
card and the queen should for the card she showed; it somewhat misguided. Chris Constable by email.
have been the penalty card. just goes back in her hand. Firstly, cheating is an

A
intended, knowledgeable You certainly should
♣♦♥♠ ♣♦♥♠ and serious breach of the say nothing whatever.
rules with intent to gain. You communicate

Q Q
My RHO (de- My partner (my Your suggested play is not at bridge by calls and plays,
clarer) thought husband) was in that. Although it is wrong not by remarks, so keep your
she had won 6♣. He had lost for dummy to take any sort comments and explanations
a trick and placed the one trick and ruffed two of active part in the play, for the end of the hand.
card upright and be- rounds of diamonds to playing an obvious card is However, you can bid what
gan to lead to the next set up my ♦2 as a winner. only a misdemeanour. you like. Over 2♠, I would
trick. My partner politely This was the position: Second, it is obvious that have bid something like 4♦
told her that he had in he would have got it right and left the other three to
fact won the trick. RHO without your suggestion. guess what I was doing.
then righted the played ♠ A 5 Thus, there is no need for
card, while also placing ♥ Void him to fall on his sword. ♣♦♥♠
in front of her the card ♦ 2 Note that it might be differ-

Q
she had been about to ♣ Void ent if there had been some How does one
lead to the next trick, as doubt. When a card is the alert when not
N
if it was a played card. W E thirteenth of a suit and eve- using bidding
S
I noticed this and tried ryone should know it is a win- boxes? Someone said 
to point out the error. ♠ 6 3 ner, dummies who attempt to you knock on the table.
Before I could finish, ♥ Void play it, or even say ‘dummy is D Wingrave by email.
my RHO forthrightly ♦ Void good’, are doing something

A
asked, ‘Will you shut ♣ 2 wrong: declarer may not What you say is
up?’ Shocked by such have realised it was a winner. correct. A notifying
rudeness, I kept quiet. At such a time, a director knock on the table is
LHO, (dummy), then My partner crossed to might rule the winner be not the official way of alerting,
pointed out the same the ♠A. Unfortunately, played, or an honest declar- though some people just say
error to her partner. I my hand moved er, like your husband, might ‘alert’.

Page 16
 Ask David continued mention of finessing. I had given wrong Your partner caused
She was holding two information; I said all the problems here,
low spades and the I thought it was a so it is very harsh that
one outstanding trump. transfer bid and acted everyone blamed you.

Q
I play a lot of When I contested her accordingly. He said I
rubber bridge, claim, she said, ‘Oh could not think and must ♣♦♥♠
when declarer yes the king is out – I give correct information.

Q
always plays dummy’s shall take a finesse.’ The director said I Playing weak
cards by touching them. Alan Mansell by email. might suffer penalties, twos in three
I like to do the same at depending on the result. suits and

A
duplicate and nobody Different procedures I failed to make the 2♣ as strong, South
has objected. Could apply for claims at contract and so matters opens 2♣ with this:
they have done so? rubber bridge and rested there. Did I do
Ben Lee, duplicate bridge. If this was anything wrong?
Wellington, Shropshire. rubber bridge, declarer John Olrog, ♠ A 6
plays on face up but may not Virginia Water, Surrey. ♥ 3

A
Touching dummy’s take an unproven finesse. ♦ A K J 9 8 7 6 4

A
cards is illegal at If it was duplicate, when I think your ♣ Q 10
duplicate bridge someone claims you should opponent’s and the
unless there is a solid do one of two things: director’s comments
reason, normally because either agree to the claim were unfair. If you agreed to What action should
dummy has left the table or call the director. Never play transfers, you agreed the director take if
to go to the toilet, bar, argue with the claimer. to play transfers and you the opponents claim
coffee machine or outside The director will decide have not given anyone that the hand does not
for a smoke. Sometimes, how many tricks to award wrong information. However, meet the opening bid
it might be because declarer, being as equitable you based your raise from minimum requirements?
dummy has a disability. as possible, but resolving 3♥ to 4♥ partly on your Chris Catchpole,
Players do not object in doubtful points against the uncertainty and you should Normandy Bridge Club,
many cases when opponents claimer. Unless the director probably have made that Somerset.
do not follow the rules. I have considers it obvious that uncertainty clearer. A better

A
always hated that obnoxious she will finesse again, he form of words might have If a player opens
term ‘Zero Tolerance’: to will not allow this claim. been, ‘We agreed to play a hand that is not
get the best out of bridge, If you play in a rubber transfers but I am not quite a legal opening as
players should have ‘Maxi bridge club with a host, sure whether this is one.’ an artificial strong two bid,
Tolerance’ for everything op- it is normal to call the Still, your wording did show the director investigates
ponents do apart from rude- host, who acts like a some doubt. As a director, to find out whether this is
ness: most opponents are director in duplicate. I would have been more the normal opening for
pretty tolerant but sadly not interested in your partner’s this pair on the hand.
all. If you played dummy’s ♣♦♥♠ actions not yours. I would Assuming it is, they are
cards when I was an op- have asked him why he bid playing an illegal method,

Q
ponent, I would say nothing With a new 2♥ and why he did not pass so he cancels the board
but neither would I like it. partner, we had 2♠. I might have adjusted and gives Average Minus
agreed to play the contract to 2♠ because to them, Average Plus to
♣♦♥♠ transfers, rather than he probably based his bid the opponents, unless the
his usual weak takeout. on unauthorised information opponents have already got

Q
As West, a When I opened 1NT, (your explanation). a score better than this.
defender, I to which my partner
had ♠K-x-x-x. responded 2♥, I said
North, dummy, had
♠A-Q-J-10. Early in the
that we had agreed to
play transfers and bid
DUPLICATE BRIDGE 
play, declarer played a
spade to the ten and my
2♠. My partner realised
he had bid wrongly and
RULES SIMPLIFIED
(otherwise known as the Yellow Book)
partner followed. At the promptly rebid 3♥. I
end of trick 10, when I had strong hearts in my only
still held K-x and dummy hand and, realising that
by John Rumbelow and
♠A-Q-J, declarer tabled he might have a weak revised by David Stevenson £5 95

her remaining three takeout bid, I bid 4♥.

cards and said the rest An opponent Available from Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961
are good without any challenged me saying

Page 17
 Ask David continued else? The first question I players there would alert switched to a diamond
would ask as a director is, intermediate or strong, away from his king had
‘Why did you bid 2♣?’ you would alert weak and he known that the ace-
Dependent on the answer, nobody would have the first queen was in dummy.

Q
On the deal I might allow the result to clue what was happening. Even though declarer
below, 2NT stand – or I might adjust by Quoting ‘Standard English’ (who held the ace of
doubled made. disallowing the 2NT bid, as an authority is unhelpful hearts) knew that dum-
The director allowed so ruling it as 2♠ doubled as well. The publication has my had sorted his hand
the result to stand. making not very many tricks. been around only a few years incorrectly, the direc-
Gaining by an incorrect and the system it advocates tor allowed the result to
bid seems unfair. ♣♦♥♠ is not as standard as its stand. Was this correct?
What do you think? name suggests. Many players Jackie Collins, Basingstoke.

Q
We play that would be unfamiliar with it.

A
the bidding The rules as to what No – it is an infrac-
♠ K 10 9 8 2 sequence 1NT is alertable are all in tion for dummy to
♥ Q J 9 7 – double – pass asks the Orange book. No put his cards down
♦ Void opener to redouble. natural jump overcall wrongly. Since there is no
♣ Q 8 7 6 Responder then either qualifies as extreme specific penalty, the gen-
♠ J N ♠ Q 7 6 5 passes (to play in 1NT enough for a ‘potentially eral Law 12A1 applies; if the
W E
♥ A 8 6 3 S ♥ 5 redoubled) or describes unexpected meaning’. defenders suffer damage,
♦ A K J 9 5 3 ♦ Q 8 7 2 his hand further. Does an adjustment is in order.
♣ 10 2 ♣ J 9 4 3 this pass need an alert? ♣♦♥♠
♠ A 4 3 Ronald Barker, ♣♦♥♠

Q
♥ K 10 4 2 Verwood, Dorset. South was

Q
♦ 10 6 4 playing in a Is it permissi-

A
♣ A K 5 Yes, forcing passes heart slam and ble to ask your
require an alert. dummy came down as: opponents what
their leads mean and
West North East South must they answer? For
Pass 1NT ♣♦♥♠ ♠ 2 example, if they say ‘4th
2♣1 Pass 2♠ Pass ♥ A K J 8 7 5 highest from longest

Q
2NT Dbl End The 2008 yellow ♦ Q 7 6 3 suit’ and they lead the
1
Alerted and explained as Landy book says that ♣ 7 3 ♠8 to 3NT, I can guess
(majors) weak jump over- it is from K-J-10 if I can
Michael Hall, Surrey. calls are not alertable. see A-Q-9. Is this fair?
Why is this when rule 5E1 West led a club. East Guy Arnoux by email.

A
You say that East in the orange book says won the first two tricks

A
thought they were ‘a bid is alertable if it with the ace-king of Yes, you can ask
playing Landy; was may have an unexpected clubs and switched to a them. Yes, they must
that actually the agreement? meaning’? The EBU diamond from K-10-9-x. answer. Card read-
If so, there is no misinforma- publication on Standard This ran round to the ing is a normal part of the
tion. It is fair to gain by an English states ‘a good queen. Declarer then game and thus fair. Some
incorrect bid: it is normal suit and opening values’, led a low trump to her people who answer, ‘fourth
bridge. When you make a surely making 5/9 points ace, which surprised the highest from longest suit,’
mistake, a lot of the time an unexpected meaning. defenders. Dummy then mean fourth highest from
the opponents gain and do Rodger Burnett, Evesham realised he had put the an honour. If you have any
not complain; occasion- (similar from Gordon ♦A in the wrong place. doubts, you can ask further.
ally they lose; that is life. Carr, Swanley, Kent). The defenders had not For example, if they lead
Nevertheless, there is a spotted the mistake the ♠8 and you hold A-Q-9, I

A
problem: why did West bid If alerting before because the ‘A’ of would expect it to be a short
2NT and not pass 2♠? He depended upon the the ace was visible but suit lead from a doubleton
has heard the explana- experience of each not the diamond symbol. or a tripleton – most people
tion, which is unauthorised individual player, it would East pointed out that lead the jack or ten from
information. It may depend be an incredible mess. For he would never have K-J-10-8. ■
on what he thinks he has example, in some clubs, you
shown by 2♣, or why he would find almost everyone
bid 2♣. Did he pull the plays weak jump overcalls. E-mail your questions on bridge laws to:
wrong card? Did he think This means, if it was up davidstevenson@mrbridge.co.uk
he was playing something to individual players, the

Page 18
 Bernard Mr Bridge
Magee
PRIZE CROSSWORD 1
set by Sputnik AT THE
at ROYAL KENZ
Haslemere TUNISIA
1 2 3 4 5
Hall 2012
Two-week
Haslemere, Surrey
6 7 8 9 half-board
duplicate
Tuesday 10 11 holidays
8 May 12

Morning Session: 13 14 15 16
£769*
11.00 – 12.30
Leads 17

18 19 20 21
Afternoon Session:
15.00 – 16.30
Losing Trick Count
22 23 24

Wednesday 25 26

9 May
ACROSS 25 Play in this and lose! (5)
Morning Session:
11.00 – 12.30 1 A card to threaten and 26 One hopes for lucky ones
Making a Plan squeeze (6) (6)
as Declarer 4 Nine of diamonds, DOWN
the _____ of Scotland (5) 2 After a misdefence, post-
Afternoon Session: 6 Twenty? Usually more (5) mortems _____ (5)
15.00 – 16.30
6-20 November 2011
Responding to 1NT 8 The game that Culbertson 3 A follower of British Golf available
learned to play in a bridge? (7) Tony & Jan Richards
Russian prison in the 4 A system to take you for a
early 20th C. (6) ride (3) 19 Feb – 4 March 2012
10 A way to say ‘no’ at the Golf available
5 Get a lift in the bidding (5)
Thursday card table (4) Bernard Magee
7 In which we intend
10 May 11 First in hand, perhaps (6) players will cope finally *per person half-board sharing
a twin-bedded room and is
12 One aspires to achieve (7)
inclusive of bridge fees. Single
Morning Session: this (3) 9 For everyone after amber supplement £6 per night. These
11.00 – 12.30 13 Ring of bells for the (5) prices are based on air travel
Signals and Discards from Gatwick to Enfidha. Flights
director? (6) 11 After the deal, before the from other UK airports are
15 React if under attack (6) bidding, hands should be available at a supplement. All
Afternoon Session: prices are firm until the end of
17 One to be found among _____ (7) October 2011. Prices for seven-
15.00 – 16.30 night stays (November only) are
the face cards (3) 14 Thoughts on sight of
Endplays available on application.
18 A play to ensure the dummy (5)
Pay £70 per fortnight per person
desired outcome (6) 16 What some make at the extra and have a pool-facing
20 Maybe a winner, but you table (7) room, tea & coffee making
£10 per ticket facilities, bath robe and a bowl of
got it in the neck in days 19 Leaving cards (5)
For advanced seasonal fruit.
long ago (4) 21 An extraordinary
booking, please call These holidays have been organised
22 Pass is the bid in which distribution (5)
Haslemere Hall for Mr Bridge by Tunisia First Limited,
help is provided (6) 23 Equality in play... ATOL 5933, working in association
Box Office with Thomas Cook Tour
24 Expression of frustration it’s capital to interest Operations Limited, ATOL 1179.
( 01428 642161 at such a little card? (5) enthusiasts (3)
Please note that all sessions Reprinted from Bridge 109. DETAILS & BOOKINGS
Solution and winners on page 47.
will be filmed. ( 01483 489961

Page 19
PROGRAMME

2011/12 BRIDGE EVENT

This is the format for
all Bernard Magee
hosted events.

FRIDAY
1500 Mr Bridge October 2011 MARCH 2012
Welcome Desk open
Afternoon Tea
21 - 23 Denham Grove 23 - 25 Chatsworth Hotel NEW
SEMINAR
1745 to 1830 £245 Game Tries £245 Squeezes
Welcome drinks
reception
November 2011 30 - 1/4 Blunsdon House
1830 to 2000 £245 Finding NEW
SEMINAR
DINNER
4 - 6 Inn on the Prom Slams
2015 BRIDGE 1
DUPLICATE PAIRS
£235 Hand Evaluation
11 - 13 Blunsdon House
SATURDAY £245 Suit
0800 to 0930 Establishment
BREAKFAST
18 - 20 Chatsworth Hotel NEW
SEMINAR
1000 to 1230 £245 Finding Slams
SEMINAR &
SUPERVISED PLAY 25 - 27 Denham Grove NEW
of SET HANDS SEMINAR

(tea & coffee at 1100)

£245 Squeezes
Denham Grove
Near Uxbridge UB9 5DU
1230 to 1330
COLD BUFFET
LUNCH
1400 to 1645 APRIL 2012
BRIDGE 2
TEAMS of FOUR
20 - 22 The Olde Barn Hotel
or FURTHER NEW

SUPERVISED PLAY £245 Squeezes SEMINAR

of SET HANDS
27 - 29 Inn on the Prom
1815 to 2000
DINNER £245 Losing
Brook Queensferry Hotel
2015 BRIDGE 3 Fife KY11 1HP Trick Count
DUPLICATE PAIRS

DECember 2011
SUNDAY
0800 to 0930 2 - 4 Brook
BREAKFAST Queensferry Hotel
1000 to 1230 £245 Signals and Discards
SEMINAR &
SUPERVISED PLAY
of SET HANDS JANUARY 2012
(tea & coffee at 1100)
6 - 8 Chatsworth Hotel The Olde Barn Hotel
1230 to 1400
CARVERY LUNCH £245 Leads and Defence Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT

1400 to 1645
BRIDGE 4
FURTHER
SUPERVISED PLAY
of SET HANDS or
Full Board - No Single Supplemen
DUPLICATE PAIRS

Page 20
 Bernard Magee’s

S with Bernard Magee Bidding Quiz

You are West in the
auctions below, playing
‘Standard Acol’ with a
weak no-trump (12-14
MAY 2012 points) and four-card
majors.
8 morning Haslemere Hall (Answers overleaf)
£10 Leads
8 afternoon Haslemere Hall 1. Dealer West. E/W Game.
£10 Losing
♠ J 7 6 4 3
Trick Count ♥ 7 N
W E
♦ A K J
S
9 morning Haslemere Hall Inn on the Prom ♣ Q 6 3 2
St Annes-on-Sea FY8 1LU
£10 Making a Plan

as Declarer
West North East South
9 afternoon Haslemere Hall October 2012 ?

£10 Responding to 1NT 5 - 7 Denham Grove

10 morning Haslemere Hall £245 Splinters 2. Dealer East. Game All.

£10 Signals and Discards and Cue-bids ♠ A 8 7 5

N
♥ J 3 2
W E
10 afternoon Haslemere Hall 12 - 14 Blunsdon House ♦ Q 10 7 4 S

£10 Endplays £245 Landy ♣ 7 3

Defence to 1NT
19 - 21 Chatsworth Hotel West North East South
1♣ Pass
£245 Signals and Discards
?

November 2012
3. Dealer West. Love All.
2 - 4 Blunsdon House ♠ A K Q 9 3
NEW N
£245 Squeezes SEMINAR ♥ A K Q 7 5
W E
♦ 2 S

Chatsworth Hotel
9 - 11 Inn on the Prom ♣ A Q
Worthing BN11 3DU £245 Declarer Play
16 - 18 Chatsworth Hotel NEW West North East South
June 2012 £245 Finding Slams SEMINAR 2♣ Pass 2♦ Pass
?
8 - 10 Blunsdon House 23 - 25 Denham Grove
£245 Playing Suit SEMINAR
NEW £245 Playing Suit NEW
SEMINAR
4. Dealer North. E/W Game.
Combinations Combinations

♠ K 9 4
♥ A 7 3 N
15 - 17 Chatsworth Hotel 30 - 2/12 Chatsworth Hotel W E
♦ K Q 9
£245 Doubles £245 Endplay & Avoidance S
♣ 10 7 5 3

nt - See booking form on page 11

West North East South
1♠ 2♦ Pass

Page 21
 Answers to Bernard Magee’s 
Bidding Quiz on page 21
West North East South lowing with either 2♥ or 2♠ (indeed any-
1. Dealer West. E/W Game. 1♣ Pass thing other than 2NT), you are forcing
♠ J 7 6 4 3 ♠ K 5 1♦ Pass 3♦ Pass your partner to bid to game; therefore,
♥ 7 N ♥ J 9 4 3 it is a choice between bidding 2♥ or 2♠.
W E
♦ A K J S
♦ 8 6 5 1♦. When responding to a 1-level open- Generally, you should bid two five-card
♣ Q 6 3 2 ♣ K J 7 5 ing, if you have more than one four-card suits in the same way in all sequences,
suit that you can show at the 1-level, bid especially when they are touching: bid
the lower ranking first. This gives room the higher suit first, this allows you to bid
West North East South for your partner to show another suit and the second suit on the next round to give
Pass 1♥ Pass 1♠ allows the partnership to find any fit. Re- partner the choice of your two suits at the
Pass 2♥ sponding 1♦ on this hand allows your same level. 2♠ followed by 3♥, instead of
partner to show a major if he has one, the more awkward 2♥ followed by 3♠.
Pass. You have eleven high card points helping you to find any fit you have. How-
and a five-card suit – should you open ever, if you respond 1♠ on this hand, your
the bidding? partner is stuck. He cannot bid 2♦ as that 4. Dealer North. E/W Game.
Generally, the answer depends on the would be a ‘reverse bid’ so he has either ♠ K 9 4 ♠ 3 2
strength of the suit. This is for two rea- to rebid 2♣ or tell a little lie and rebid ♥ A 7 3 N ♥ K 6 4
W E
sons. Firstly, is the suit likely to be worth an 1NT; either way, your partnership will not ♦ K Q 9 S ♦ A 10 8 7 6 2
extra point in the play? Secondly, if your find the diamond fit. If your partnership ♣ 10 7 5 3 ♣ A 8
opponents win the contract, will it make a follows my advice, you are not going to
reasonable suit for your partner to lead? miss a spade fit by responding 1♦. Since
The answer to both questions is no. Your you expect partner to open the major West North East South
spade suit is so poor that it does not merit with 4-4 in a major and a minor (and too 1♠ 2♦ Pass
an extra point, but the main theme of this many points to open 1NT), if you do have ?
hand is to see what can go wrong. If you a spade fit, partner will be unbalanced
pass correctly as opener, North opens 1♥, and so be rebidding 1♠ over 1♦. 3NT. Your partner has made a vulner-
his partner responds 1♠ and they finish in able two-level overcall in a minor suit
2♥. East leads one of the minors, a neu- – this should show 11+ points and a
tral ♦6 or an attacking ♣5. You will find 3. Dealer West. Love All. six-card suit, or a stronger hand with a
that your side makes three diamond tricks ♠ A K Q 9 3 ♠ 6 5 good five-card suit. Whenever you have
and one trick in each of the other suits ♥ A K Q 7 5 N ♥ 9 8 3 2 a fit for your partner’s minor with a good
W E
because South holds three queens. You ♦ 2 ♦ 7 6 5 high-card holding, you should contem-
S
would not want a spade lead. ♣ A Q ♣ 9 8 7 6 plate a no-trump contract. If your partner
has the weaker type of hand, you expect
to have eight tricks in your hand on a
2. Dealer East. Game All. West North East South likely spade lead: six diamonds, the ♠K
♠ A 8 7 5 ♠ K 3 2♣ Pass 2♦ Pass and the ♥A; that is without giving your
♥ J 3 2 N ♥ 8 6 ? partner any more than the ♦A. Bid 3NT:
W E
♦ Q 10 7 4 ♦ K J 8 5 it is very likely to make. Here, it makes
S
♣ 7 3 ♣ A K 8 6 4 2♠. First and foremost, you have no rea- ten tricks on a spade lead, or nine on any
son to jump – by opening 2♣ and fol- other. ■

BEGIN BRIDGE – ACOL VERSION
An Interactive Tutorial with Bernard Magee
Learn to play bridge from the very beginning with Britain’s best-known teacher
£66
System Requirements: Windows XP, Vista or 7, 8mb RAM, CD-ROM See Mail Order form on page 7.

Page 22
 Mr Bridge
DEFENCE RUBBER / CHICAGO
QUIZ
by Julian Pottage
(Answers overleaf)

Y ou are West in the defensive positions below. It is your

turn to play. Both sides are using Acol with a 12-14 1NT.

1. ♠ Q J 10 6 3. ♠ K843
♥ J 9 2 ♥ 10 8 7
♦ K 10 7 2 ♦ K852
♣ K 6 ♣ AJ Brook Waterloo, Crowthorne RG45 6DW
♠ K 2 ♠ Q 10 9 2
♥ 10 5 N
♥ 4 2 N hosted by Diana Holland
W E W E
♦ J 8 4 S
♦ 9 6 3 S
♣ 10 8 7 5 4 2 ♣ 10 6 5 2 17-19 February 2012
West North East South West North East South
Pass Pass 1♥ 1NT 1♥
Pass 2♣1 Pass 2♦ Pass 1♠ Pass 2♣
Pass 3NT End Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥
1
Stayman End

You lead the ♥10; the jack You lead the ♦6; the ten
wins as East plays the eight. draws the ace. Declarer plays
The ♠Q runs to your king. a club to the jack. Taking this
What do you lead next? with the king, partner plays
ace, king and a third trump.
What do you discard?

Ardington Hotel, Worthing BN11 3DZ

2. K96 4. ♠ K 9
♠
hosted by Sheila Rogers
♥ Q4 ♥ 9 8
♦ Q87 ♦ A K Q 8 4 2
♣ A8752 ♣ J 8 2 20-22 April 2012
♠ J 8 5 ♠ Q J 10 7


♥ K 10 6 5
♦ A K J
N
W E


♥ J 6 4 2
♦ 7 5
N
W E 3-5 August 2012
S S
♣ 9 6 3 ♣ A Q 4
23-25 November 2012
West North East South West North East South Please note there are no seminars
1♠ Pass or set hands at these events.
Pass 2♣ Pass 3♣ Pass 1♦ Pass 2♣
Pass 3♠ Pass 4♠ Pass 2♦ Pass 2♥
End Pass 3♣ End
£199 Full-board
You lead the ♦A-K. Part-
ner plays the two and then
You lead the ♠Q, cov-
ered by the king and ace. No Single Supplement
the ten; South plays the Partner switches to a club.
five and four. What do you Your queen wins. How
lead next? should you continue? Please see booking form on page 11.

Page 23
 Answers to Julian Pottage’s 
Defence Quiz on page 23
You lead the ♦A-K. Partner plays the two You lead the ♦6; the ten draws the ace.
1. ♠ Q J 10 6 and then the ten; South plays the five and Declarer plays a club to the jack. Taking
♥ J 9 2 four. What do you lead next? this with the king, partner plays ace, king
♦ K 10 7 2 The bidding and partner’s failure to and a third trump. What do you discard?
♣ K 6 play high-low in diamonds tell you that With four spades in dummy, your in-
♠ K 2 ♠ 9 7 5 4 no ruff in the suit is available. If you play stincts should tell you to keep all your
N
♥ 10 5 ♥ A K 8 4 3 a third round of diamonds, the queen will spades. If you throw a spade, declarer
W E
♦ J 8 4 S ♦ Q 3 win for sure. This seems rather pointless. might cash the ace-king and ruff a third
♣ 10 8 7 5 4 2 ♣ J 3 It is tempting to think, ‘a lead from the round to set up a winner in dummy. The
♠ A 8 3 king of hearts is very risky. Declarer may bidding tells you the position in clubs is
♥ Q 7 6 hold the ace, in which case dummy’s similar – South must have started with
♦ A 9 6 5 queen scores and I shall never make my four, meaning that you need to keep all of
♣ A Q 9 king.’ There are two reasons why this your clubs. You must discard a diamond;
thinking is wrong. Firstly, if declarer has the nine accords with Middle Up Down
the ace of hearts, your king is not making and is safe; the three is also effective.
West North East South anyway. Dummy’s fifth club will provide a
Pass Pass 1♥ 1NT discard for any heart loser declarer may
Pass 2♣1 Pass 2♦ have. Secondly, the ten of diamonds part- 4. ♠ K 9
Pass 3NT End ner played at trick two should be a suit- ♥ 9 8
1
Stayman preference signal (because you are not ♦ A K Q 8 4 2
going to want to play a third diamond). ♣ J 8 2
You lead the ♥10; the jack wins as East A high card asks for the higher of the re- ♠ Q J 10 7 ♠ A 8 5 2
N
plays the eight. The ♠Q runs to your king. maining side suits – a suit-preference sig- ♥ J 6 4 2 ♥ Q 7 5
W E
What do you lead next? nal never asks for a trump. As hearts rank ♦ 7 5 S ♦ J 10 9 3
You must not think, ‘partner was un- higher than clubs, the ten of diamonds is ♣ A Q 4 ♣ 7 5
able to beat the jack of hearts. I had bet- asking for a heart. If you want to show off, ♠ 6 4 3
ter try a club.’ The eight of hearts, though you can switch to the king of hearts. If you ♥ A K 10 3
not a winner, was encouraging. Partner prefer to cut partner some slack, you can ♦ 6
has ducked to maintain communications. switch to the five. Either way, two heart ♣ K 10 9 6 3
Play a second heart. tricks defeat the contract.

West North East South

2. ♠ K 9 6 3. ♠ K 8 4 3 Pass
♥ Q 4 ♥ 10 8 7 Pass 1♦ Pass 2♣
♦ Q 8 7 ♦ K 8 5 2 Pass 2♦ Pass 2♥
♣ A 8 7 5 2 ♣ A J Pass 3♣ End
♠ J 8 5 ♠ 10 2 ♠ Q 10 9 2 ♠ J 6 5
N N
♥ K 10 6 5 ♥ A 9 8 7 2 ♥ 4 2 ♥ A K 6 You lead the ♠Q, covered by the king
W E W E
♦ A K J S ♦ 10 9 6 3 2 ♦ 9 6 3 S ♦ Q J 10 4 and ace. Partner switches to a club. Your
♣ 9 6 3 ♣ 4 ♣ 10 6 5 2 ♣ K 8 4 queen wins. How should you continue?
♠ A Q 7 4 3 ♠ A 7 You know that declarer has four hearts.
♥ J 3 ♥ Q J 9 5 3 It is tempting, assuming partner has the
♦ 5 4 ♦ A 7 diamonds covered, to play the ace fol-
♣ K Q J 10 ♣ Q 9 7 3 lowed by another trump to stop any ruffs
in dummy. Unfortunately, if you do so,
declarer throws two spades on the dia-
West North East South West North East South monds and runs the nine of hearts. You
1♠ 1♥ make a heart, two clubs and a spade but
Pass 2♣ Pass 3♣ Pass 1♠ Pass 2♣ lose your second spade trick. You must
Pass 3♠ Pass 4♠ Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥ cash a spade while you can and only
End End then, draw dummy’s last two trumps. ■

Page 24
 DECLARER Mr Bridge
PLAY
Christmas &
QUIZ
by David Huggett
New Year 2011
(Answers overleaf)

Y ou are South as declarer playing teams or rubber bridge.

In each case, what is your play strategy?

1. ♠ 8 2 3. ♠ K 7 3
♥ 7 6 4 ♥ 10 9 6 2
♦ K Q 7 3 2 ♦ K J
♣ 8 5 4 ♣ A 8 6 2

N N

Denham Grove
W E W E
S S

♠ A K 7 3 ♠ A 8 2 Near Uxbridge, UB9 5DU

♥ A 9 2 ♥ Q J 8 4 3
♦ A 8 4 ♦ Q 10 6
♣ A K 3 ♣ K 7
24-27 December £355
You are declarer in 4♥ and
Just Bridge & Any Questions
You are declarer in 3NT West leads the ♠Q. How Jo Walch
and West leads the ♥K. do you plan the play?
How do you plan the play?

27-29 December £199

4. ♠ 8 6 2 Suit Establishment
2. ♠ A 6 5 4 ♥ K J 10 4
♥ A J 4 ♦ A 5 4 Alex Davoud
♦ 9 7 5 ♣ K 9 2
♣ K Q 2
N

N
W E 29 Dec – 1 Jan £355
S
W E
S Develop at Duplicate Pairs
♠ K J 3
♠ K Q 9 7 3 ♥ A 9 3 Crombie McNeil
♥ K Q 10 6 5 ♦ K 7 6 3
♦ A K ♣ A Q 5
♣ 3
( 01483 489961
You are declarer in 3NT e-mail: jessica@mrbridge.co.uk
You are declarer in 6♠ and and West leads the ♠5.
West leads the ♦Q. How East plays the ♠10. How website: www.holidaybridge.com
do you plan the play? do you plan the play?
Please call if you would like a sample copy of the programme

Page 25
 Answers to David Huggett’s 
Play Quiz on page 25
You are declarer in 6♠ and West leads will suffer a one-trick defeat.
1. ♠ 8 2 the ♦Q. How do you plan the play? It is imperative that you get rid of your
♥ 7 6 4 losing spade before tackling trumps,
♦ K Q 7 3 2 You have done well to bid the slam and so, with this in mind, you should lead
♣ 8 5 4 things are looking good with a likely the king of diamonds at trick two and
♠ J 6 ♠ Q 10 9 5 4 twelve tricks coming from five spades, follow up with another if they should
N
♥ K Q J 8 ♥ 10 5 3 five hearts and two diamonds. duck. Although they can lead another
W E
♦ J 10 9 5 S ♦ 6 Still, you have to be careful and not get spade, you can win and dispose of the
♣ J 7 6 ♣ Q 10 9 2 too carried away with the joy of having losing spade in dummy on the queen of
♠ A K 7 3 bid the slam. The only danger can come diamonds. Only after that, is it safe to
♥ A 9 2 if trumps break 4-0 – and if West holds lead trumps.
♦ A 8 4 the four-card suit, you can do nothing
♣ A K 3 about it.
Fortunately, if East started with four
spades, you can overcome this bad break 4. ♠ 8 6 2
You are declarer in 3NT and West leads by playing a low spade to the ace at trick ♥ K J 10 4
the ♥K. How do you plan the play? two. Suppose West discards. Then you ♦ A 5 4
lead a low spade from dummy and win ♣ K 9 2
There are eight tricks immediately with the king if East splits his honours. ♠ A Q 9 5 4 ♠ 10 7
available. Therefore, as you really need You re-enter dummy with a heart and ♥ 8 2 N ♥ Q 7 6 5
W E
to make only four diamond tricks, you lead another low spade. Whatever East ♦ 10 9 8 S ♦ Q J 2
can afford the luxury of ducking one – chooses to do, you can pick up the suit ♣ 10 7 3 ♣ J 8 6 4
but only if the defenders are unable to without loss. ♠ K J 3
cash enough winning tricks to defeat ♥ A 9 3
you. So duck the opening lead and the ♦ K 7 6 3
next one too. ♣ A Q 5
When you win the third round of hearts, 3. ♠ K 7 3
you can afford to duck a diamond if the ♥ 10 9 6 2
heart suit has broken kindly because all ♦ K J You are declarer in 3NT and West leads
you can possibly lose are three hearts ♣ A 8 6 2 the ♠5. East plays the ♠10. How do you
and a diamond. If the hearts break 5-2 ♠ Q J 10 6 ♠ 9 5 4 plan the play?
N
or worse, you must hope the diamonds ♥ A 5 ♥ K 7
W E
break 3-2 or it is East who has the four- ♦ 9 7 4 3 S ♦ A 8 5 2 You cannot afford to duck the opening
card suit when you can duck a round ♣ J 9 5 ♣ Q 10 4 3 lead because, if you do, you will never
after first cashing the ace. ♠ A 8 2 make a trick in spades, with West marked
♥ Q J 8 4 3 with the ace and the queen.
♦ Q 10 6 You will have eight tricks on top after
♣ K 7 winning the opening lead and a ninth
2. ♠ A 6 5 4 can surely come from the heart suit.
♥ A J 4 What you must not do is play a low heart
♦ 9 7 5 You are declarer in 4♥ and West leads to the jack at trick two because, if it loses,
♣ K Q 2 the ♠Q. How do you plan the play? East will fire back a spade and you are
♠ Void ♠ J 10 8 2 in danger of losing four spades and the
N
♥ 9 7 3 2 ♥ 8 While the contract is sound enough, West heart.
W E
♦ Q J 10 8 S ♦ 6 4 3 2 has started well by leading a spade. Sup- As you do not mind if West gains the
♣ A 10 8 6 4 ♣ J 9 7 5 pose you win in dummy and play a trump. lead – because if he does your king of
♠ K Q 9 7 3 Whoever takes that trick will play another spades is safe from attack – you should
♥ K Q 10 6 5 spade and then when you force out the cross to dummy in a minor and lead the
♦ A K other high trump, the opposition will be jack of hearts.
♣ 3 in a position to take a winning spade. As Whether it wins or not, you will have
they still have the ace of diamonds, you established your ninth trick. ■

Page 26
 Andrew Kambites’
Tutorial Bridge Breaks Lead Quiz
You are West in the
auctions below. It is your
DECEMBER 2011 lead. (Answers overleaf.)
2-4 The Ardington
£215 Game Tries
Ned Paul 1 ♠ A 9 4 3 2
♥ 9 8 7 N
W E
January 2012 ♦ 8 7 6 S
♣ 6 3
13-15 The Ardington
£245 Declarer Play
Sandy Bell
Ardington Hotel Staverton Park West North East South
Worthing BN11 3DZ 20-22 The Ardington Nr Daventry NN11 6JT
1NT
£245 Further
Pass 2NT Pass 3NT
into the Auction
OCTOBER 2011 MARCH continued End
Alex Davoud
14-16 The Ardington 30-1/4 The Ardington
£215 Losing Trick Count
FEBRUARY 2012 £245 Landy Defence to 1NT
Sandy Bell 10-12 The Ardington Ned Paul 2 ♠ J 5 4 3 2
£245 Take-out Doubles ♥ 9 8 7 N
14-16 The Olde Barn W E
Improvers APRIL 2012 ♦ 8 7 6 S
£199 Sacrificing
Ned Paul 27-29 Blunsdon House Hotel ♣ 6 3
Gary Conrad
24-26 The Ardington £245 Game Tries
28-30 Staverton Park
£245 Suit Alison Nicolson
£199 Better Defence West North East South
Establishment
Alex Davoud JUNE 2012 1NT
Gary Conrad
8-10 The Ardington Pass 2NT Pass 3NT
NOVEMBER 2011
£245 Endplay & Avoidance End
18-20 The Olde Barn Gary Conrad
£199 Endplay & Avoidance
Crombie McNeil SEPTEMBER 2012 3 ♠ J 5 4 3 2
18-20 Staverton Park N
28-30 The Ardington ♥ A 8 7
W E
£199 Stayman & Transfers £245 Leads & Defence ♦ A 7 6
S
Improvers Crombie McNeil ♣ 6 3
Stan Powell
25-27 The Ardington
OCTOBER 2012

£215 Take-out Doubles The Olde Barn Hotel 12-14 The Ardington West North East South

Improvers Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT £245 Losing Trick Count 1NT
Crombie McNeil Sandy Bell Pass 2NT Pass 3NT
End
MARCH 2012
9-11 The Ardington
£245 Hand Evaluation 4 ♠ A Q 10 7
Crombie McNeil ♥ 9 8 7 N
W E
9-11 Blunsdon House Hotel ♦ 8 7 6 S
£245 Signals and Discards ♣ 6 3 2
Alison Nicolson
23-25 The Ardington
The Olde Barn Hotel £245 Sacrificing Blunsdon House Hotel
West North East South
Marston, Lincs NG32 2HT Ned Paul Swindon SN26 7AS 1NT
Pass 2NT Pass 3NT
End
See booking form on page 11.

Page 27
 Answers to Andrew Kambites’ 
Lead Quiz on page 27
West North East South risk free. It can cost a trick as in hand
1. ♠ Q 6 1NT 2. If you take that risk, you should have
♥ J 3 2 Pass 2NT Pass 3NT reason to feel that you will get something
♦ K Q 10 4 End worthwhile back. Leading from length is
♣ K J 4 2 altogether more attractive if you have en-
♠ A 9 4 3 2 ♠ 10 7 5 While I cannot say that West is wrong tries that will allow you both to establish
N
♥ 9 8 7 ♥ A 6 5 to lead a spade, the prospects are not and cash your winners.
W E
♦ 8 7 6 S ♦ A 3 2 good. See what happens here. On the
♣ 6 3 ♣ Q 10 9 8 ♠3 lead, declarer will play low from
♠ K J 8 dummy and get to make a second spade
♥ K Q 10 4 trick. If East tries the ♠K, declarer simply 4. ♠ 5 4 3
♦ J 9 5 withholds his ♠A. Because West has no ♥ A J 2
♣ A 7 5 entry, the defenders can establish long ♦ K Q 10 4
spade tricks but never enjoy them. De- ♣ Q 9 4
clarer can drive out the two red aces and ♠ A Q 10 7 ♠ 9 6 2
N
West North East South make nine tricks. Note that West’s spade ♥ 9 8 7 ♥ 6 5 3
W E
1NT lead opened up a frozen suit and gave ♦ 8 7 6 S ♦ A 3 2
Pass 2NT Pass 3NT declarer his ninth trick. Since West has no ♣ 6 3 2 ♣ K J 10 8
End entries, I advise a passive lead, a heart ♠ K J 8
(the eight, second highest) rather than a ♥ K Q 10 4
It is a sound principle not to underlead diamond because with four hearts North ♦ J 9 5
side suit aces against suit contracts at might have used Stayman. ♣ A 7 5
trick 1. So often, you give an easy trick to
declarer’s king. The same does not ap-
ply in a no-trump contract; indeed, lead- 3. ♠ 9 7 West North East South
ing from a five-card suit like ♠A-9-4-3-2 ♥ K 10 3 1NT
gives excellent prospects. ♦ K Q 9 4 Pass 2NT Pass 3NT
West leads a fourth highest ♠3 to part- ♣ K J 4 2 End
ner’s ♠10. Declarer wins and plays a red ♠ J 5 4 3 2 ♠ K 10 6
N
suit to East’s ace. East returns the ♠7. ♥ A 8 7 ♥ 9 6 5 4 This may look similar to hand 1 when
W E
With four-card spades East would have ♦ A 7 6 S ♦ 8 2 leading from your ♠A gave you ‘excel-
returned his original fourth highest, so it ♣ 6 3 ♣ Q 10 9 8 lent prospects’. This time, if you lead your
looks as though East started with three (or ♠ A Q 8 longest suit (spades), you just present de-
maybe two) spades. West allows declarer ♥ Q J 2 clarer with his ninth trick. I would recom-
to win the second spade trick to preserve ♦ J 10 5 3 mend a passive heart lead (second high-
communications. When East regains the ♣ A 7 5 est eight). While this achieves nothing in
lead, another spade defeats 3NT. itself, declarer has only eight tricks and
will have to struggle for his ninth. East
West North East South will gain the lead with the ♦A and lead a
2. ♠ Q 7 1NT spade up to dummy’s weakness.
♥ J 10 3 Pass 2NT Pass 3NT Leading from a five-card suit against
♦ K Q 9 4 End no-trumps is far more attractive than lead-
♣ K J 4 2 ing from a four-card suit. Your chance of
♠ J 5 4 3 2 ♠ K 9 6 Although West has the same anaemic finding no opponent with four cards in the
N
♥ 9 8 7 ♥ A 6 5 4 spade suit as in hand 2, this time the two suit are higher because you are missing
W E
♦ 8 7 6 S ♦ A 2 outside entries make it obvious to lead only eight cards (rather than nine) – and
♣ 6 3 ♣ Q 10 9 8 the ♠3. Declarer has two spade stop- if you do succeed in setting up length win-
♠ A 10 8 pers but, as long as West perseveres with ners you will have two tricks to cash (rath-
♥ K Q 2 spades whenever he regains the lead, er than one). Note that, if you had a fifth
♦ J 10 5 3 this defeats the contract with three spade spade, a spade lead would give declarer
♣ A 7 5 tricks and the two red aces. a trick but a spade from East on winning
Note that underleading a jack is not the ♦A would beat 3NT. ■

Page 28
 Bernard Magee Says

Overtricks
Matter at Pairs

I
t can be difficult to persuade play- How much does this overtrick matter at maximum possible score overall is 22 x
ers of the importance of overtricks duplicate pairs? 20 (the ‘top’) = 440.
when playing Duplicate Pairs (nor- Here is the traveller for the board The scorer totals your matchpoints
mal club bridge). It is often just as im- played by 11 tables. Everybody finished and expresses them as a percentage of
portant to make an overtrick as it is to in 3NT. Nine declarers made ten tricks, the maximum. On the single board
make a contract itself. Have a go at this one made just nine tricks and one made above, pair 11 got 100%, whilst pair 4
first example and then I will analyse the 11 tricks. got 50% and Pair 1 got 0%.
traveller afterwards. There is so much to note from the
The contract and lead are routine: Match traveller. First of all, the fact that Pair 1
Pairs Tricks Score
points bid and made game was worth nothing.
1 9 600 0
They made +600, yet scored 0%.
♠ A 2 Your aim is not only to score points
♥ A Q J 2 10 630 10 but also to outscore everybody else. In
♦ 7 6 5 2 fact, consider Pair 1’s opponents: their
♣ K Q 7 3 3 10 630 10 score was -600, but that was the best
♠ 7 6 5 N ♠ J 10 9 8 any East-West pair managed so they got
4 10 630 10
♥ K 9 3 W E ♥ 10 8 5 2 100% for losing 600 points.
♦ Q 10 8 S ♦ K J 9 5 10 630 10 This is not easy to grasp for many
♣ J 10 9 8 ♣ 6 5 players. As you learn to take on board
♠ K Q 4 3 6 10 630 10 the nuances of the scoring, you will
♥ 7 6 4 understand that your aim is simply to
♦ A 4 3 7 10 630 10 beat everybody else. Pair 11’s brilliant
♣ A 4 2
8 10 630 10 declarer play in squeezing out one extra
trick showed only an extra 30 points on
Contract: 3NT. Lead: ♣J. 9 10 630 10 the scorecard but scored a ‘top’ on the
traveller. On many deals, you need to
10 10 630 10 try to put as much energy into making
Many declarers would be satisfied with overtricks as you do into making the
11 11 660 20
ten tricks when the heart finesse works contract itself.
– three spades, three clubs, three hearts Have a go at this easy 4♠ contract:
and the ace of diamonds. Not many travellers look as neat as this,
To beat the other pairs, you want an but I hope this exhibits the difference
eleventh trick, which you can make by overtricks make. The scorer, usually ♠ A 10 6
setting up dummy’s long diamond if using a computer, gives each pair that has ♥ 4
the suit breaks 3-3. You win the first played the board a matchpoint score. The ♦ A 7 6 5
club with the king and duck a diamond calculation for this is to give each pair ♣ A 9 8 4 3
in both hands. You win the next club two points for every pair they beat and ♠ 4 3 ♠ 5 2
N
with the ace, finesse in hearts and duck one point for any pair they equal. Pair ♥ K Q J 10 9 W E ♥ 8 7 6 5
another diamond. After this, you win 11 beat the other 10 pairs to get (10x2) ♦ J 10 4 2 S ♦ K Q 3
the third club in dummy, cross to the 20 points, the maximum possible score, ♣ 7 6 ♣ Q J 10 5
diamond ace and take another successful often called ‘a top’. Pairs 2-10 beat one ♠ K Q J 9 8 7
heart finesse. Finally, you cash the ace of pair and drew with eight others (1x2 + ♥ A 3 2
hearts and long diamond; the ace, king 8x1 = 10). Finally, Pair 1 did not manage ♦ 9 8
and queen of spades take care of the rest to beat anybody and so got 0. ♣ K 2
of the tricks. Players often ask how one arrives at a
At rubber bridge or IMP scoring, the percentage score: if you played 11 tables Contract: 4♠. Lead: ♥K.
overtrick would be of minimal value. of two-board rounds, (22 boards), your

Page 29
 to dummy, you need to play the king of
Overtricks Matter at Pairs continued clubs right away.
If East held ♣A-J-x, he might duck the
club, after which you would do best to
You have ten top tricks so making the This time, making twelve tricks play diamonds. In practice, East wins
contract is not difficult and in fact would have got you a reasonable score the club and continues with a spade,
making two overtricks is relatively 14/20 (70%) on the board, but making which you win and play a club to the
straightforward by ruffing two hearts only one overtrick scores very poorly queen: hoping for a 3-3 break or for one
in dummy: 4♠ +2 should get you a fair 5/20 (25%) and, once again, even though of the jack or ten to fall. When East’s jack
score, but it will not get you the top Pair 1 managed to make 4♠ and +620 does fall, you can develop the club suit
score. You cannot beat anyone who bids points they get 0 from the scorer. by leading the nine. West wins the club
6♠, but can you make 4♠ +3? The first two examples showed how, by this time and plays a third spade. You
When declaring a contract at duplicate making more overtricks, you outscore win this and take your tricks making
pairs, you need to explore every chance those in the same contract as you. Extra eight in total: three clubs, three spades
for extra tricks. This should always tricks to outscore players in different and the ace-king of hearts.
include any long suit you have. contracts can also be vital:
The club suit may well supply you a Match
Pairs Contract Tricks Score
thirteenth trick on this deal – it will be points
relatively easy to develop the suit with a Dealer East. Game All.
1 1NT by S 7 +90 0
3-3 break. ♠ 6
However, if clubs are 4-2, you need ♥ K 7 5 4 2 3♥ by N 9 +140 18
to check you have the entries. If you ♦ 10 9 3
need two ruffs to establish the suit, you ♣ Q 9 8 4 3 3 2♠ by E 7 +100 7
require three entries in all to be able ♠ 9 7 3 ♠ K 10 8 5 4 2
N 4 2♠ by E 7 +100 7
to make the winner at the end. You ♥ J 10 W E ♥ Q 9 6
have one entry in the suit and the ace ♦ K 6 5 2 S ♦ A 7 5 2♠ by E 7 +100 7
of diamonds, so you need to use one of ♣ 10 6 5 2 ♣ A J
your ruffing entries. This means you ♠ A Q J 6 2♠ by E 7 +100 7
have to develop clubs at the same time ♥ A 8 3 2
as ruffing hearts. ♦ Q J 8 4
7 2♠ by E 7 +100 7
All of your trumps are high so you ♣ K 7 8 2♠ by E 7 +100 7
can ruff quite safely. You win the heart,
ruff a heart, play the king of clubs, a club 9 2♠* by E 7 +200 20
to the ace and ruff a club. Then you ruff West North East South
another heart, cash the ace of spades, 1♠ 1NT 10 1NT by S 8 +120 15
ruff another club and draw trumps. End
11 1NT by S 8 +120 15
Finally, you cross to dummy’s ace of
diamonds and cash your winning club, You finish in 1NT and, when dummy
discarding your diamond loser. With a comes down, you are surprised to see Look at the difference between 1NT
bit of luck, 4♠+3 earns you a top. that your opponents have a nine-card just made and 1NT+1. You were quite
spade fit. Some will certainly play in 2♠ right to risk your contract in the quest
Match and perhaps some will play in hearts for an overtrick. The difference between
Pairs Tricks Score
points your way. It is not always easy to judge making 1NT exactly and going one off
what will happen in other contracts, but is very little: a bottom is a bottom. The
1 10 620 0
2♠ is likely to go one down for +100 to overtrick changed 0% in to 75%. It is no
2 11 650 5 your side. This means you aim to make surprise to see that the usual contract
at least eight tricks. You will see the was 2♠, though one enterprising North-
3 11 650 5 relevance of this as you make your plan. South doubled this to get an outright
You win the spade lead and, guessing top.
4 11 650 5
that the defenders are going to keep
5 11 650 5 leading spades, you count three spade Conclusion
tricks and two hearts. Two extra tricks
6 12 680 14 in diamonds will make your contract Knowing how the scoring works in
secure, but that is not your aim: you duplicate is not necessary to enjoy your
7 12 680 14 are aiming for at least eight tricks. This bridge. Having said that, if you want to
8 12 680 14 means you need to pursue three extra understand how valuable overtricks are,
tricks and the best chance for that is you need to try to understand a little
9 12 680 14 playing on clubs – you are putting about the scoring.
your 1NT contract at risk if things go If you find it too complicated or sim-
10 12 680 14 wrong, but it is surely worth it as the ply do not like arithmetic, you need to
traveller will show. You win the spade take my word for it: overtricks are ex-
11 13 710 20
lead cheaply and, with so few entries tremely important at Duplicate Pairs. ■

Page 30
 No Single
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 READERS’
Name of Club Average Age like some or all of my back
Aberaeron 75.00
Aboyne Community 69.01 numbers, they should call
Acolites 72.11
Alternative 67.01 on ( 01730 233530.
All Saints 73.11
Ampfield 72.02 Mrs T Erskine-Tulloch,

LETTERS
Andover 69.02 Petersfield, Hants.
Ampthill 68.04
Ardeer 71.02
Ashby 68.11
Beaumaris Duplicate 67.00 GOOD ADVICE
Bickerley Ringwood 81.06
Bradford on Avon Club Tue 72.03 Reference your readers letters
Bradford on Avon Club Wed 68.00 see BRIDGE 108, ‘Help
Brevion 66.07
Briarley 71.03 Please’ from Mr Chasmer,
Bridge at Dunscar 74.02
Burton Joyce 74.05 I pass on the advice given
Callander 72.05
Canvey Island Conservative 74.03 THE DEBATE GOES ON Pettet recommend that his to my late husband many
Cheam 74.00 To affiliate or not to club joins the EBU, but if he years ago by the late
City 75.03
Corsham 69.00 affiliate is not simply about is still in doubt why doesn’t David Lovedon of Preston.
Dalkeith 70.05
Danetre 67.08 masterpoints, which Ned he canvass opinions from Occasionally, he ran team
Dartmount & Distict 75.01
Deal Duplicate 73.05 Paul’s reply to a recent one or two clubs that have. events and for those who
Dinnington, Sheffield 67.03 query suggests. There is a Mr J Smith, Press Officer, were not familiar with the
Downham Market 71.01
Eccleshall 66.07 general principle that relates London Metropolitan format, he advised, ’Make
Esher Bowling Club 76.04
Fordingbridge 72.00 to being part of the official Bridge Association. certain of your contract, don’t
Fort Matilda 72.00
Fraserburgh 75.00 structure of the game and try for overtricks and don’t,
Godalming
Goring and Streatley
76.01
68.06
contributing to its regulation ANSWERS PLEASE whatever you do, double’.
Harkquin 65.04 and on-going development. The question by John Pettet Mrs J Gordon, Hexham.
Hartley Wintney 72.08
Hatton 70.08 We all enjoy the fruits in Reader’s Letters, BRIDGE
Heanor 69.06
Hexham 74.07 of past investment of time 108, was not fully answered. ANYONE THERE?
Iminster 72.08 and money by others and He asked specifically for My wife and I have been
Kingskerswell 70.01
Kingsley, Northampton 71.86 we should possibly feel information on the success using a worn out Fidelity
Knaves 71.01
Lawn, Swindon 67.05 a moral obligation to or otherwise of P2P – but Bridge Computer for
Lincoln (Eastgate) 72.11
Liversey 72.04 contribute to the future in did not get any. Could you many years – the type that
Lordshill 77.11 some small way. I would, find out the answers? uses magnetic cards. It
Lower Sunbury 75.00
Montrose 60.03 in particular, point to the Mr M Gurney, Chairman, is unfortunately nearing
Newmarket 70.50
Newport (IOW) 62.08 EBU youth programme that Holt Bridge Club, Norfolk. the end of its useful life
Nidd Valley 74.00
Oakfield 65.06 supports bridge in schools. and I am wondering if
Oakwood
Old Woking
73.06
72.02
County leagues is an issue WOULD YOU BELIEVE you know of any suitable
Phoenix (Rotherham) 70.06 that splits the membership We do not like the new replacement available? I
Plymouth 58.10
PM Bridge 71.00 of many clubs that debate format of your publication. know that software products
Priory, Cambridge 72.03
Richmondshire 69.04 affiliation. When a club As we cannot read the are popular but we prefer
Rossendale 73.08 disaffiliates, its county team solutions in an easy chair or the ‘old-fashioned’ idea
Rugby 65.11
Saddleworth 71.01 must find another club to in bed, we have cancelled. of actually using cards.
Saham Toney 72.05
Scunthorpe & District 68.09 represent and if they play a Thanks for past enjoyment. Mr R Cross,
Sedgley 75.05
Selsdon 68.02 limited amount of bridge, Mr J Douce, Coventry. Woodhall Spa, Lincs.
Silverton 72.10 that means changing clubs.
Simmons 69.08
Sole Bay Duplicate 76.07 Mike Bennett by email. SOLID PLUG SOLID GOLD
South Petherton 74.03
Southwell, Nottingham 74.00   We are a friendly duplicate Bernard Magee is to be
St John the Baptist, Newport 80.00
St Marks Surbiton 78.00 ASK AROUND bridge club and would applauded for his excellent
Sutton Coldfield U3A 74.00 Further to John Pettet’s welcome new members. We tip in Bridge Weekly 63.
Swanland Thursday 76.00
Tamworth 69.04 letter in BRIDGE 108, I meet every Monday evening Partner does not need to be
Tatsfield 70.00
Tawton 72.05 have a problem with the at 7.15pm at Doddridge reminded that his weak play
Thamesdown 70.03
The 2220 Club 73.60 tone of Ned Paul’s reply. Centre, St. James Road, has resulted in a poor score,
Thurnby 76.01 Ned is right in that there Northampton. Please contact especially across the table
Tiverton 68.00
Tonbridge 70.07 are a wide variety of games Geoff on ( 01604 713916. and opponents should not
Towcester, Northampton 64.09
Verwood 76.05 available in South London, have to tolerate the inevitable
U3A Bridge Group 72.05
W.A.M.D.S.A.D. 75.01 including his own, but it is SPRING CLEAROUT stress that such comments
Wadebridge 68.04 rather offensive to imply I have been having a spring cause. Many thanks to Mr
Waltham Forest 59.04
Warwick 71.02 that only non-affiliated clean and I am loath to throw Magee for reminding us that
Wendover Afternoon 72.04
Wendover 73.00 clubs, Ned’s in particular, away any back numbers of bridge would be a much
Westmeads Duplicate 76.08
West Horndon 70.06 have a special monopoly your hugely entertaining more enjoyable game if his
Whitenapp 73.05 on table manners and magazine, BRIDGE. I live wise words were followed.
Worksop Monday Club 69.09
Worth 66.00 good social atmosphere. in the Petersfield area. If Jim Parlour, Dibenden
Worthy Down 71.08
I would like to see Mr there is anybody who would Purlieu, Hants.

Page 32
READERS’ LETTERS Simply re-register. raised for ‘Little Voice’ so Used stamps have
continued been sent in from:
Have you got rid far to around £3,000.
of that dreadful Sally Mr C Bamberger, The Association of Wrens, London,
SW1. Mr G C Warren, Falmouth,
Brock column yet? 179 High Road,
Cornwall. B. O’Connor, Norwood
HOLIDAY BRIDGE No. She has a following. Trimley St Mary, Green. Mrs J Banks, Leeds.
When on holiday, we often What happened to IP11 0TN. Dr A Biswas, Nottingham.
Mr & Mrs P Norman, Woking.
go to the local bridge club. Countryman and his dog? Mrs M Morley-Pegge, London W2.
This year, we spent five Sadly, both died. LITTLE VOICE Mr F Lockyer, Bournemouth. Mrs G
nights on the Isle of Arran. What has happened to Thank you for your ongoing Shaw, Twickenham. Mrs Fitzgerald,
Cheshire. Mrs D Scott, London SW16.
We were pleased to see the delightful Old Baron? support of LUCIA and Mrs K Adamson, Oxton. Mr A Connel,
in the local paper that, in He is being resurrected. our partners in Ethiopia Dunmow. Mr G Jupp, Cambridgeshire.
Mr P Cobham, Weybridge. Mrs S
summer, bridge is played Finally, please tell through the stamp collection Paine, Barnstaple. Mrs D Ireland,
at the secondary school me where to send scheme. We very much Worthing. Mr & Mrs Potter, Burton
in Lamlash. We went and my used stamps? appreciate your regular on Trent. Mrs N Peckerell, Belper.
Mr & Mrs A Marley, Middlesbrough.
were made most welcome. See tail of adjacent letter. contributions to our projects. Mr M Spooner, Nottingham. Ms S
Elizabeth Calvert by email. Mr M Spooner, Jill Russell, On behalf Edwards, Swadlincote. Mrs B Wallace,
Kirkcaldy. Mrs M Stanton, Fareham.
Nottingham. of the LUCIA Trustees.
Mrs J Alexander, Bushey. Mrs J Davies,
WELL MET Leicester. Mr V Rainbow, Brandon.
Since recently making his PRIORITIES NEW CLUB Mr B Palmer, Hastings. Mrs D Lord,
Southampton. Ms S Deaker, Woking.
acquaintance, I have revised My sister was waiting with We have started a bridge Mrs B Marks, London N2. Mrs P
my opinion of Bernard my father to go to her group at Age Concern and Charteris-Black, Woking. Mr &
Mrs S English, Glasgow. Mr & Mrs
Magee and will be more wedding and she said, would welcome more players
G Andrews, Enfield. Mrs M Kaye,
tolerant of him telling me ‘Thank you Daddy for and beginners. We meet Watford. Mrs M Morland, Glasgow.
‘....you may need this card everything – especially every Tuesday 10am – 12 Mrs B Warnett, Ashford. Mrs E
Bowen, Southsea. Mrs K Tuck, Usk.
later...’ when using my driving the car and bridge’. noon at The Venton Centre, Mrs M Hewitt, Whitchurch. Mrs M
Declarer Play CD. I now Mrs J Miller, York Road, Northampton. Wightman, Bromsgrove. Mr J Gifford,
know what a nice guy he is. Shenfield, Essex. For further details, contact Oxted. Mrs D Kell, Goring by Sea.
Mr G Greenwell, Edinburgh. Mrs
Mr V Salmon, Kate ( 01604 629595. H Mitchell, Cranleigh.Mr J Hurry,
Potters Bar, Herts. SIMPLE REQUESTS Mrs Owens, Northampton. Orpington. Mrs K Lester, Newton le
Willows.
Please put my name back on
Please keep saving your used stamps to
THINGS HAPPEN the mailing list. I do so miss BRIDGE WEEKLY
support Little Voice in Addis Ababa.
I started to read your recent receiving your magazine, Delighted with the weekly
magazine, but I was called especially David Stevenson Hand Evaluation e-mails I
away. On my return, I and Julian Pottage and dare I have been receiving. Long is a matter of personal
found that my border collie ask for a re-run of the Baron. may they continue. They choice, not required by
had devoured it. Would Mrs C Norfolk, are a wonderful way of either, ‘the Laws or the
it be possible to replace Pyrford, Surrey. learning. Many thanks. general ethics’ of bridge.
it? My dog seems to have Two requests running – I’ll Mrs N A Wheelwright,  Law 79 states, ‘A player
enjoyed it but to date has restart him next month. Pulborough, West Sussex. must not knowingly accept
not divulged its contents. ... the score for a trick that
Salvatore Carlo, HOORAY CHANGE NEEDED his side did not win.’
Kilmarnock. This isn’t a question, it’s a Like Mr E Noble (BRIDGE Surely keeping silent
rave notice. I’m into chapter 108, Letters p35), I too was and taking credit for what
COMING SOON two of the Declarer Play CD. surprised to read David one knows was a revoke
Venues accessible by public It is unbelievably good. I Stevenson say that pointing violates that Law?
transport in the north of have found, in other areas out established revokes by John MacLeod,
England would be very as well as bridge, that most one’s self or one’s partner Wimbledon, SW19.
welcome. Many older bridge teaching CDs are terrible.
players no longer drive. On the other hand, yours is
Mrs C Watters, Skipton. a knockout and is one of the REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR POSTAGE
See North Queensferry, few programs that are worth
Postage stamps for sale at 90% of face-value,
near Edinburgh and their price...if not more.
all mint with full gum.
Beverley, East Yorkshire. Mr Bruce Evans,
Quotations for commercial quantities
Ontario, Canada.
available on request.
RE-REGISTRATION
AND OTHER MATTERS KEEP SENDING Values supplied in 100s, higher values available as well
Would you please start Herewith, a further useful as 1st and 2nd class (eg 1st class: 100x37p+100x5p)
sending your BRIDGE cheque, this time for (/Fax 020 8422 4906 e-mail: clive.goff@londonrugby.com
magazine again. £352 – bringing the total

Page 33
 READERS’ LETTERS (and I appreciate that you
continued
CHARITY BRIDGE EVENTS cannot please everyone)
I miss the walk with that
lovely Labrador as the
OCTOBER 2011 11 HEMINGFORD VILLAGE HALL & GOOD PRACTICE author discusses a hand.
ADDENBROOKES HOSPITAL
15 CHRISTIAN AID Yesterday you were kind Mr B Lupton,
CANCER UNIT.
Bridge event in Church Village Hall, Hemingford Abbots. enough to ring back Callington, Cornwall.
Rooms, Church Road, Preston, 10.00 for 10.30am. £14.00. to answer my question Sadly, my contributor died.
Weymouth. 1.45 for 2.00pm. Ann Tooher ( 01480 352789 regarding putting alternate
Julia Moore ( 01305 776138
juliamoore1@btinternet.com 12 FRIENDS OF WELCARE IN coloured playing cards in DOUBLE DUMMY
BROMLEY. Bridge afternoon. the duplicate boards: eg. Quite a few years ago, you
21 ST LAWRENCE CHURCH St George’s Church Hall, Bickley
Village Hall, Napton.
red cards in odd numbered published a series of puzzles
Park Road, Bickley. 2 to 5.30pm
10 for 10.30am. £6 per person, including tea/ boards and blue in even on tea towels. Might I suggest
£30 per pair includes hot lunch coffee with light refreshments. numbered boards. You respectfully that you publish
with wine and prizes. Gillian Scales explained there is no rule them once again for a new
Geoffrey Jerrom-Pugh ( 020 8663 3173
( 01926 815737
that this should be done, generation of readers?
16 NORFOLK HOSPICE however, it is interesting that Sidney Barratt,
21 VICTORIA SCHOOL’S Bridge drive at South Wootton
SPARKLE APPEAL
at least two Exeter clubs do London, E10.
Village Hall. 2pm. £7.50 per
Lytchett Matravers’ Village Hall, player including sumptuous tea.
this, primarily to reduce the I certainly shall.
Dorset. 2pm. The Fundraising Team likelihood of a mix-up.
£24 per table, includes prizes, ( 01485 542891 Oliver Amor, VIVA LA DIFFERENCE
raffle and afternoon tea. or ( 01553 671575
Stella Brake ( 01202 624224
Cullompton, Devon. In issue 108 of BRIDGE,
stellabrake@aol.com 18 BALSCOTE VILLAGE HALL Ned Paul writes about the
& RED CROSS BANBURY. CLUB PLUG ‘intellectual interest’ shown
28 CHESHIRE HOMES In the Brand New Village Hall.
Village Hall, Hartford, Hunts, The Riverside Bridge in different systems and at
2.15pm start  £9 inc. teas.
Cambs. 10 for 10.30am. £13.50.
David Stead ( 01295 730230
Club in Chiswick London, his club that...‘even strong
Malcolm Howarth well-known for its social club systems are tolerated’.
friendlybridge@gmail.com
( 01480 212910
atmosphere, is now offering I find the different systems
18 THE NATIONAL TRUST
28 OUR KINDERGARTEN IN BOSNIA new-style weekly fun fascinating, confounding
Bridge drive at Little Hallingbury
HERZEGOVINA
village hall. 1.15 for 1.30 start. bridge competitions on (when they work) and
Our Lady Queen of All Creation
Tickets £7.50. Tuesday evenings. The amusing (particularly when
RC Church, Rant Meadow,
Brenda Hope ( 01279 758414
Hemel Hempstead. emphasis is on enjoyment. there seem to be three
maggiesheils@hotmail.co.uk
9am tea/coffee. 9.45am bridge The club also offers Gentle systems being played at one
starts. Hot lunch. £15pp. 19 Ocular oncology equipment
Duplicate on Monday table). Indeed, I think the
Pat Henry ( 01442 391087 (eye cancer). Reynolds Institute,
Dorchester Road, Weymouth afternoons, as well as game is richer for them.
28 WESSEX CANCER TRUST supervised play sessions for Mr A Williams,
Dorset. Bridge starting at
SOUTHAMPTON GROUP
Rubber bridge at Highfield
2pm. £30 per table including beginners/intermediates Llanfairpwll, Anglesey.
afternoon tea.
Church Centre, Highfield Lane, on Monday evenings.
Gene Hill ( 01305786509
Southampton. 7pm for 7:15pm. No membership fee. SEATING
£6pp . Light refreshments. 24 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE Ring Malcolm on I have been unable to find
Gwen Pearce ( 02380 236145 ROTARY CLUB.
( 07957 577810.  rules on seating assignments
Outlane Golf Club.
31 RNLI. Bridge at Crowborough for duplicate bridge sessions.
12 for 12.30pm.
Beacon Golf Club. £26 per table.
Penny Eliot ( 01825 830006 £44 per table including lunch. GUINEA PIG Apart from accepted
Brian Noble ( 01484 427536 Today I received the practice which recommends
31 FRIENDS OF EAST SUSSEX
26 VILLAGE HALL September edition of BRIDGE that people with mobility
HOSPICE. Glyndebourne Opera
House, The Mildmay Hall. Hemingford Abbots. and sighed with relief as problems should be allowed
5.15pm Bridge Supper with 10 for 10.30am. £14.00. I have been meaning to to sit N/S, are there any other
champagne reception. Carol Ombler ( 01480 819307
write to ask to be kept rules that govern who should
Dianne Steele ( 01435 813630
on the mailing list. sit where – E/W or N/S?
DECEMBER 2011
I do enjoy reading the Mr G McRobbie,
NOVEMBER 2011 5 St Teresa’s HOSPICE, various articles although Broughton, Preston. ■
7 St Teresa’s HOSPICE DARLINGTON.
Bridge at St George’s Bridge Christmas party at St George’s
Centre, Darlington. 1.15pm. £5 Bridge Centre, Darlington. Write to Mr Bridge at:
to include bridge, tea and prizes. 1.15pm. Only £5 to include Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH
Christine Bainbridge festive tea and luxury prizes. or e-mail letters@mrbridge.co.uk
( 01325 469785 ( 01325 469785 E-mail correspondents are asked to include
their name, full postal address, telephone
E-mail your charity events: maggie@mrbridge.co.uk number and to send no attachments.
Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

Page 34
 Catching Up
by Sally Brock
I
n early July, we went up to Scotland station, one pump outside a general club at trick two; further suppose that
for the Peebles Summer Congress. store, it did not have any. They said West goes in correctly with the ace and
I have not played in this for many that it was about 40 miles further continues with a second spade. You
years (more than thirty); we have north to the next petrol station and cash the king of clubs and ruff a club,
an invitation to stay with Alan and we were doubtful that we would make then cross to the ace of hearts and cash
Monica, who live about an hour it, so we had to turn around and go 17 a spade (suppose they break 4-3). With
away from Peebles near Hawick in miles back to Newcastle Airport. You all this good stuff happening – the ace
the Scottish borders. After a lot of can imagine the slight hitch in our of clubs right and spades 4-3 – you
umming and aaghing, we decided harmonious partnership. Remember have now got back to the number of
to drive up. The trouble with going who said it was a bit early to fill up tricks you could have claimed at trick
on any form of public transport is when we were leaving Darlington? We one simply by drawing trumps and
that you are a bit stuck when you get arrived at Alan’s with 10 minutes to claiming.
there: either dependent on others for spare before we needed to leave for the If you think it through, all the
getting around, or having the extra trip to Peebles. alternatives – playing a club at trick
expense of hiring a car. We left High The Friday night saw the pairs’ two, playing spades immediately to
Wycombe on Thursday afternoon and qualifying round. Luckily, the pitch your club, or playing a diamond
stopped for the night with my friends standard was weak and more or less to try for a ruff in dummy – should
Carol and François in Nottingham. half the field qualified for the semi- never result in more than ten tricks
They bought a house in France fairly final. Neither of us played very well. and would often lead to fewer.
recently and have decided to sell their How would you play this hand at The answer then is: win the lead,
house in Nottingham; they rent a flat matchpoints? draw trumps and claim ten tricks.
there to release some capital, while still We had a great weekend, enjoying
retaining a base in England (where wonderful hospitality at Alan and
their younger son is at university). Dealer East. N/S Game. Monica’s idyllic mill conversion
I was keen to see their flat, which ♠ A K J 2 with the river at the bottom of their
overlooks the river at Trent Bridge. ♥ A 4 garden. Our bridge performance was
From one window, you can see one ♦ 2 moderate: sixth in the teams and
of the goals at the Nottingham Forest ♣ K J 7 6 5 2 third in the pairs. Still, it is good to be
football ground; from another, you ♠ 6 5 ♠ 10 9 8 7 4 playing bridge solely for the enjoyment
N
can see the replay screen of the Trent ♥ 6 3 2 W E
♥ 95 of the game, in pleasant surroundings
Bridge cricket ground. ♦ K J 7 6 3 S ♦ A Q 5 with nice people.
On Friday, we had lunch in ♣ A 10 8 ♣ Q 9 3 We left on that day and drove all the
Darlington with friends I have ♠ Q 3 way home, stopping at Shugborough
not seen for a while. David is my ♥ K Q J 10 8 7 near Stafford to take advantage of our
proofreader. He was one of Raymond’s ♦ 10 9 8 4 National Trust membership for lunch.
greatest friends (they once played a ♣ 4 The other significant event in this
Camrose match for Scotland when period was our family holiday in
they were both working there) and he Crete. This was the third year in a row
was our best man. Then it was onward At most tables, South opened a weak we have been away for a week with
and upward. 2♥ and North raised straight to game. my friend Debbie and her family. Her
At one stage, when Barry suggested West led the six of spades. eldest daughter Tess is the same age as
stopping to fill up with petrol, I said that At teams, you have ten top tricks: Briony. Then there is Beth, who has a
we had plenty and should wait a while. four spades and six heart tricks. birthday during the holiday each time
A small setback was to find ourselves However, it seems a bit feeble just to – this year she is twelve and Tom who,
driving across the Northumberland settle for this at matchpoints. Think at eight years-old, is very nearly the
hills getting progressively low on again… youngest person to have played in a
petrol. When we did find a petrol Suppose you win the lead and play a Young Chelsea Friday night pairs.

Page 35
 Seven Days
Catching Up continued

Toby and his friend Big Tom (he is not

particularly big, except in relation to
Little Tom) make up the party.
Two years ago, we went to a modest
by Sally Brock
establishment in northern France;
last year, it was Rye in East Sussex;
this year, the first idea was the Isle of
Wednesday only just over a month until we go to
Beijing.
Wight but somehow (something to Barry met us at the airport last night In the evening, Barry plays bridge,
do with Briony googling and coming and brought us home; we have a lot to and I go to a ‘girls only’ party in
up with the ideal place) we ended do today. Briony has an appointment Belsize Park. This is a bit scary as the
up in Crete. It was a bit of a pain to with the orthodontist (her braces only person I will know is the hostess.
get there: non-direct flight and a came off the day before we went to Maggie used to be the advertising
two-hour drive in the dark along Crete). Then I take her to Maidenhead manager for Bradt Travel Guides;
very windy roads. Fortunately, once station and put her on a train to Car- we have always got on well. I have a
we did, it was perfect. The villa was diff to stay with Gilly and Mel. From good time. The weather is lovely that
fabulous: just the right size for us there we go back to HW for my weekly evening; most of us cram into her
with five double bedrooms (mostly counselling session. After lunch, I get tiny garden, eating her delicious food
en-suite), wonderfully appointed in a the train into London where I am go- and drinking too much wine – and a
modern style, great view of the sea in ing to spend a few days while Briony is remarkably large number of people are
the middle distance, and a great pool. away (I can work nearly as well on my smoking. Although it is eighteen years
The beach at Makrygialos was perfect: laptop as I can on my home computer or so since I have stopped smoking,
soft sand, not too many people (sun nowadays). Lovely relaxing evening I have never minded other people
beds always available – usually free being looked after and cooked for. smoking around me – indeed, I have
provided you bought a drink from the found that I rather like smokers. I like
taverna behind), perfect sea – not too
deep and not too shallow, and water Thursday the generosity with which they treat
each other – I guess they are always so
sports (maybe not exactly cheap but First thing, I decide to investigate the delighted to find someone who shares
jet-skis were €20 compared with €50 Shepherd’s Bush branch of my local their habit.
in Malta). gym –  exercise is well overdue. I try
Our days consisted of getting up at
11ish (well, the others did – I am an
to persuade Barry to come with me,
without success. I fear he has wasted Friday
early bird and had taken work with his £300 for the second year running. In the evening, we play at the Young
me), generally chilling around the (Well, I suppose his membership did Chelsea. I sense that we do not really
pool and having some lunch, then come in handy when his block of flats do as well as we should in these Butler
going down to the beach at about four, was without hot water for a week and drives. We end up with a small plus.
ending with a drink, and then dinner he needed a shower.) I spend the rest This deal was not without interest.
in some beachside taverna. Every now of the morning pottering in the flat It seems to be fashionable these days
and then, someone suggested a daytrip and doing a bit of work. After lunch, to upgrade just about every 11-count
– perhaps on a boat to a local island – we go to get our Chinese visas sorted to a weak no-trump (and I must admit
but nobody could be bothered to get out. I had to wait until after the Crete I am partial to adding on a point for
up in time. ■ trip because they need my passport; A-J-10-x) but Barry decides to pass.

FOR NEW READERS AND ANYONE WHO MIGHT HAVE FORGOTTEN…

Sally Brock lives in High Wycombe with her teenage children Toby (17) and Briony (15), her husband
Raymond having died in early 2008. She now has a new partner, both at and away from the bridge
table, Barry Myers, a barrister who lives in Shepherd’s Bush. She works partly as a bridge professional,
occasionally playing for pay but more often writing (she is the bridge columnist for The Sunday Times)
and teaching online; the rest of the time she works on the production of travel guides – hence the
occasional reference to rather obscure countries. Sally has been a member of the British/English
women’s team on and off since 1979. These days, she partners Nicola Smith in these events.

Page 36
 Seven Days continued puts up the ace of hearts at trick one certainly recommend it if you are
and continues with the ten of hearts looking for something a bit different.
(surely the lowest of several touching
honours, and thus a suit-preference
signal for a club). West then discards Monday
Dealer South. E/W Game. his king of clubs. After that, declarer I drive out to Waltham Abbey for
♠ K 4 3 cannot make a third club trick without lunch to pick up the kids. Ben is at
♥ 4 3 losing the lead to East. work but we enjoy seeing Gemma and
♦ A 9 4 3 Usually, we go out to eat with friends Hayden. The children seem to have
♣ A Q 9 7 after the Butler drive; today, we have had a good time. We get home about
♠ Q 9 8 6 5 ♠ 7 to dash to Maidenhead station to pick two. Now the time has come to do
N
♥ 5 W E
♥ A Q J 10 8 7 6 Briony up from her Cardiff visit. some work: countries I am working on
♦ Q 10 6 2 S ♦ J 8 just now include Kyrgyzstan, Guyana
♣ K 6 4
♠ A J 10 2
♣ J 10 8
Saturday and Argentina. Then in the evening,
I catch up on several weeks’ worth of
♥ K 9 2 Briony has found herself a holiday job, Holby City and Casualty.
♦ K 7 5 waitressing in a shopping centre café.
♣ 5 3 2 Today is her first day – exciting. It
seems to go well. She likes the people Tuesday
she works with and she earned some After a much needed gym session (I
We play a weak no-trump and five- extra in tips. have decided to try reading Briony’s
card majors generally; in third seat, we We pick her up just after five and A-level English books in the gym on
play a strong no-trump and four-card head off around the M25 to visit Ben, my bike, so today it was A Streetcar
majors (partly because we do not like Gemma and grandson Hayden. Toby Named Desire – I am not entirely sure
to open a vulnerable weak no-trump and Briony are going to stay with them that a 15-year-old is going to be able
in third seat and partly because it is for a couple of days. Everyone is well to appreciate it fully), it is nose to the
nice to get majors in – perhaps on less – but it is potty training time. While grindstone.
than opening values – in third seat). I remember this as quite stressful, I have an online bridge session at ten
Therefore, I open 1♦. East overcalls perhaps modern methods will work with two new clients who live in Spain.
3♥, giving Barry a problem. Double or better than whatever I did with mine. Then a short break for lunch with
3NT? Double works well if partner has Barry and I stay for a cup of tea, leaving Briony before another session with
four spades or a heart stopper – but as food appears on the table. Richard and Gerry (they are going to
what happens if she does not? Barry On the way into London, we stop to play in the North American Nationals
knows that a lot of the time I have four eat at Adam’s Café – a regular winner in Toronto next week and want to get
spades I would open 1♠, so he opts for of the best budget food in London in some last-minute practice), this
3NT, the right choice this time. award. They would certainly get time with Barry too. We do well this
West leads the five of hearts and East my vote. We have a delicious North time. On one deal, I hold the West
plays the ten. From declarer’s point of African meal. I settle for three starters hand and Barry the East:
view the five is a clear singleton, so (I always like starters best) while Barry
Barry wins with the king; then, not has a lamb tagine.
wanting to risk immediate defeat, he ♠ 6 5 ♠ A K J 3
plays a spade to the king and a spade
back to his jack. West takes the queen Sunday

♥ A K 6 2 N
W E
♦ A J 7 6 3 S
♥ Q 10 8 7 3
♦ 4
and continues the suit. The contract Although it is a bright sunny day, it ♣ A 7 ♣ K 4 2
now depends on making three club does not tempt us out. I have work to
tricks without letting East in, so do (I seem to have so many holidays
Barry wins the spade and plays a club and days out that I have to work I open 1♦ and Barry responds 1♥. I
to dummy’s queen. He then plays a at weekends and evenings to get choose to raise to 3♥, which, in our
diamond to his king, cashes the ten things done), and Barry is in seventh style, is a slight underbid – I would
of spades and plays another club. heaven – test cricket, a grand prix, choose this with just about any decent
Had West played the king he would world swimming championships and hand and 5-4 distribution. Barry
have ducked; when West plays low, he athletics in the evening. moves with 3♠, I cue bid 4♣ and he
puts up the ace and continues with a In the evening, we meet Margaret tries to sign off in 4♥. Well, I cannot
club, setting up his ninth trick with and Martin for dinner, taking up a conceive of having a better hand so I
dummy’s nine. Top Table offer at a restaurant called leap straight to slam which is a pretty
Had West’s singleton heart been the Colony in Marylebone. I suppose you good contract, and makes in comfort.
two, the defenders might have had would call it Indian/British fusion. We are the only pair who bid it.
a better chance of success. Suppose Indian flavours but served in a more I shall look forward to hearing all
East, knowing it is pointless to duck, British way – delicious food. I would their table tales from Toronto. ■

Page 37
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239STI11
 A to Z of Bridge
compiled by Julian Pottage

E
from having to guess who holds the in England. It keeps masterpoint
queen. records for its members and organises
Before giving up the lead, you must National tournaments in England. It
play three rounds of clubs, ruffing the has a headquarters in Aylesbury and a
third, to eliminate the suit. Then, when staff of around 20.
you concede a spade, the defenders
will have no safe exit. ENTRY
EAST A card you can use to enter a particular
One of the positions at the bridge table. ENCOURAGING hand. In most cases, an entry is a
A term applied to a bid or a card that winner facing a low card, though
ECHO urges partner to bid on or to continue sometimes you can create an entry by
The play by a defender of an leading a suit. Any bid that is not a overtaking a high card or by ruffing.
unnecessarily high card on the first sign off, limit bid or a pre-emptive bid Entries are important for declarer
round of a suit followed by a lower is likely to be encouraging. Some limit and the defenders. The need to retain
card on the second round is an ‘echo’ bids are encouraging too. entries means that it is rarely right
(e.g. the seven followed by the two). In to begin the play by cashing all your
the UK, the more common term is a ENDPLAY side’s top winners.
‘peter’ or ‘high-low’; you usually use it A term used when an opponent is
as a signal to partner that you like the given the lead at a vital stage of the ENTRY KILLING PLAY
suit, or that you have an even number play and, with his subsequent lead, A defensive manoeuvre designed to
of cards in it. is forced to concede a trick or tricks destroy entries either in declarer’s
and is therefore ‘endplayed’. The vital hand, or in dummy. This may be via
ELIMINATION point is more likely to occur in the end a lead or by timing when you cover an
The process of removing neutral stage of the play, hence the name. For honour.
cards from defenders’ hands so that example:
they have no safe exit when they are
thrown in (given the lead). You can
Q J 10 6
bring about elimination by cashing ♥ 9 N
winners or ruffing losers. ♦ A 6 4
W E K752
S

N
♥ Q W E ♥ 8 A 9 8 3
S
♠ 7 5 ♦ K J ♦ 10 8
♥ A J 6
♦ K 10 7 4 2 ♥ J East, if trying to deny declarer a
♣ K 8 5 ♦ Q 4 second entry, should not cover any of
N
dummy’s honours, instead saving the
W E king to play on the six. This way, the
S
South, on play in no-trumps, needs ace is an entry but the nine is not.
♠ A 10 two of the last three tricks.
♥ K 10 2 If he leads a diamond, West will EQUALS
♦ A Q 9 8 6 3 win two tricks. Instead, he uses an A holding of cards in sequence at the
♣ A 9 ‘endplay’ by putting West on lead with start of play, or of the same value as
♥Q. West is now ‘endplayed’, forced to the play progresses, is a holding of
lead diamonds, conceding the last two ‘equals’.
As South, playing in 6♦, you receive tricks. For example, at the start of play the
a spade lead. You win with the ace queen and jack in a suit are equals;
and draw trumps. You want to make ENGLISH BRIDGE UNION once the jack has gone, the queen and
the opponents lead hearts, saving you Regulatory body for Duplicate Bridge ten become equals.

Page 40
 A to Z of Bridge continued If West leads low and East takes the ten any scoring errors.
with the ace, South can drop the king For example, if you think you have
to leave the queen as an established had a 55% session and the posted score
entry. shows you with 50%, it may be worth
ESCAPE MECHANISM your while to check the scores very
A bidding method used to locate the ESTABLISHED REVOKE carefully for possible errors.
safest fit after the opponents have A revoke becomes established (i.e. it
doubled for penalties. cannot be corrected) when one of the ETHICS
Often applied after the double of a offending side leads or plays to the The Proprieties of the game now form
weak or mini no-trump opening. For next trick. A revoke on the twelfth part of the actual Laws.
instance, some play that after 1NT- trick never becomes established. Bridge is a game in which players
double, responder redoubles with a Penalties apply to revokes and one should make an active effort to play in
single suited hand (and shows the should try hard to avoid making them. an ethical way. As far as you can, try
suit after opener’s forced 2♣) while an If partner shows out of a suit, you to make each bid and play in an even
immediate bid after the double would may enquire ‘having none?’ to check tempo. Avoid displaying any emotion
show the lower of two suits. that the play is not a revoke. This whether the play of the cards is more
An SOS redouble is another applies whether you are a defender or or less favourable than you expect.
example. dummy. Personal Ethics, also known as
Active Ethics, are the efforts that
ESCAPE SUIT ESTABLISHED SUIT many players make beyond what the
A suit held in reserve by a player A suit where a partnership holds all laws require. For example, you are
making a lead-directing or psychic the remaining high cards. not required to point out your own
bid. revokes; many players in fact do so
because their own ethical approach,
West North East South
J 10 6 i.e. their Personal Ethics, require it.
3♥ N
3♠ 4♥ 4NT 5♦ 7 W E Void ETIQUETTE
S
In general, good manners at the bridge
South wants a diamond lead against a Q 8 table. (For example, declarer thanks
spade contract and intends to retreat partner when dummy appears).
to hearts, the escape suit, if doubled in Be courteous to your opponents
5♦. A gambling 3NT is a systemic bid With the ace and king having gone, – remember they want to enjoy
with an escape suit. this is an established suit. the game too – and avoid taking a
disproportionate amount of the time
ESTABLISHED CARD ESTIMATE YOUR SCORE on your own bids and plays.
A card that has become a winner. Some players like to record on their If you play more slowly than anyone
scorecards an expected number of else does, this disrupts the movement
matchpoints or percentage on each and affects everyone’s enjoyment of

Q76 board as they play them. the game.
N
In the early rounds, you will base
W E
S
your estimate largely on general EVEN
bridge knowledge and the difficulty or 1 Term applied to an even division
J 10 otherwise of achieving the result. of the outstanding cards (3-3
As the rounds progress, the other is the even break with six
scores on the traveller will play a cards outstanding; 4-3 an even
After the ace and king have gone, the greater part in the estimate. distribution of seven).
queen will be an established card. Different methods are in use for 2 An even number of cards in a suit
estimating your score. Some players (2, 4, 6 etc.).
ESTABLISHED ENTRY score on a scale of 0-4; 0 for a bottom, 3 An even card is one with an even
A card that has become a winner and 1 for average minus, 2 for average, 3 number of pips (2, 4, 6 etc.).
that faces a low card for leading to it. for average plus and 4 for a top. Others
use a scale of 1-10. EXHAUST
One advantage of estimating your To draw all the outstanding cards in

Q 10 score is that towards the end of the a (trump) suit from a particular hand.
N
event, if you think your score is not
J 8 4 3 2
W E A976 good enough, you can vary your EXIT
S
tactics to obtain abnormal scores. To surrender the lead. The term
K 5 Another advantage is that knowing usually applies when you do not want
your estimated score can highlight the lead. For example:

Page 41
 F
A to Z of Bridge continued In this side suit, West might drop the
queen under the ace. This may dissuade
declarer from playing a second round
while any trumps are still out.

♥ 5 4 FALSE PREFERENCE
N
After partner has bid two suits,
♥ Q 10 9 6 W E ♥ Void FACE responder may choose to play in the
S
To turn a card so that its front is visible first suit bid despite the fact that he is
♥ A K J 3 to the other players. Unless you are the longer in the second.
dummy, facing a card usually means
that you are playing it. West North East South
You cash the ace of hearts and find 1♥ Pass
East now void. You then ‘exit’ with FACE-TO-FACE BRIDGE 1NT Pass 2♦ Pass
a low heart leaving West to return a Bridge played at a bridge table, where 2♥
heart into your tenace. you can see and or hear the other
players, as opposed to online bridge,
EXIT CARD where players connect via computer. ♠ A 10 8 5
A card used to exit in the hope of a ♥ Q 6
favourable return or a safe card with FACED LEAD ♦ Q 10 3
which to exit. In the above example, In duplicate bridge, the opening ♣ 9 7 5 3
your exit card is the three of hearts. lead must be made face down. This
is to allow partner to ask questions
EXPLANATION OF A CALL regarding the auction without West bids 2♥ rather than passing 2♦
If an opponent asks you to explain influencing the choice of lead. When for several reasons:
a call that your partner has made, these questions and replies are over, 1 If East has a good hand (one almost
you should explain the partnership the leader turns the lead over to make worth 3♦ over 1NT), game may be
agreement fully according to the it ‘faced’. on;
system you are playing. It is wrong to 2 If East has more hearts than
say what the call ought to mean, or to FACTORING diamonds, as is certainly possible, a
say how one proposes to interpret it. The process of adjusting a matchpoint 5-2 fit may play better than a 4-3 fit;
If the partnership has no agreement score. If, for example, some pairs have 3 At matchpoints, if both 2♦ and 2♥
(explicit or implicit) then you should played fewer boards than the rest of are making, the difference between
say so. You should not offer an the field then the scorer must factor 110 and 90 may be crucial.
explanation unless opponents ask. up their scores by the appropriate
fraction. Alternatively, the scorer may FARRINGTON, FRANK
EXPOSED CARD factor down the scores of the pairs Author of the first book of Duplicate
A card wrongly or inadvertently playing more boards. Expressing Bridge Movements, once considered
exposed during the auction or play. scores as a percentage (matchpoints the definitive work on the subject.
Penalties apply for cards exposed scored compared to matchpoints
during the auction or by a defender. available) is another way of factoring FEATURE
the scores. A holding in a suit, such as the ace,
EXPOSED HAND king, or maybe the queen, that is likely
1 The dummy is the exposed hand FALL OF THE CARDS to be important on the given hand.
(as opposed to declarer, the closed The disposition of the cards as If you and your partner agree a
hand). ordained by fate. minor suit below the level of 3NT, it is
2 Declarer or a defender may expose usual to play that bidding a new suit
their hand when making a claim. FALSE CARDING shows a feature (stopper) rather than
Deceptive play of a card in the hope length in the suit; e.g. 1♦-3♦-3♠ shows
EXTENDED STAYMAN that the opposition will misread the strength in spades (and by inference
After a 2♦ response to the 2♣ enquiry, holding in the suit. weakness in hearts).
a further enquiry bid of 3♦ asks about
three-card major suits. In reply, 3♥ FIELD
shows three hearts while 3♠ shows
A K 10 6 4 2 In a pairs’ event, the field is the players
three spades. N
at the other tables, in other words your
Some people play that opener has Q 3
W E J87 competitors. You will often see the
S
two further options, to bid 3NT with word field preceded by an adjective
2-2 in the majors or 4♣ with 3-3 in the 9 5 such as strong or weak to describe the
majors. strength of the competition.

Page 42
 A to Z of Bridge continued FINESSE partner’s long suits and low cards in
An attempt to win a trick with the his partner’s short suits.
lower ranking card when leading
towards a tenace. For example: FIT NON JUMP
FIELDING A PSYCHE This is a bid showing values in the
If a player makes a psychic bid and his suit bid as well as support for partner.
partner takes a subsequent action that
A Q It usually occurs after the bidder has
illegally takes into account that the N
already passed or taken some other
first player has psyched, he is ‘fielding’ K 7 6 5 W E J 10 9 8 4 action that precludes a purely natural
S
the psyche. To allow for a psyche is not interpretation of the bid.
in itself illegal, either if the subsequent 3 2
auction has exposed partner’s psyche, West North East South
or if the call that allows for the psyche Pass 1♠ 2♥ 3♠
is the normal action anyway. To ‘field’ If West has the king, this suit will yield 4♣
a psyche before it has been exposed by two tricks if South leads towards the
an abnormal action is illegal. tenace, playing the queen unless the Having turned down the easy chance
king appears. A finesse position arises to bid some number of clubs as dealer,
Auction 1 in a number of different forms, but all West can hardly mean 4♣ as showing
West North East South of them depend on the assumption just clubs. It shows values in clubs and
1♣ Dbl 1♠ Pass that a particular missing card or cards support for hearts. If North passes
2♣ lie in a certain hand. over 4♣, East normally corrects 4♣ to
4♥. If North bids 4♠, East can compete
Auction2 FIRST IN HAND further if holding a club fit or lead a
West North East South The dealer, the first player to have the club against 4♠ if not.
1♥ Pass 2♦ Pass opportunity to open the bidding.
Pass FIT SHOWING JUMP (FIT JUMP)
FISHBEIN CONVENTION This is a single jump, in a competitive
In auction 1, if West has four spades A rare convention that uses a bid of auction or by a passed hand, showing
and East does not, West has fielded the the next higher-ranking suit after length and strength in the suit bid and
psyche by failing to support spades. In an opposing three-level pre-emptive primary support for partner (nine or
auction 2, West’s pass of the forcing opening bid as a take-out request (e.g. more cards between the two suits). It
response exposes the psyche. East can 3♥-3♠). Sometimes wrongly called is forcing for one round.
legally proceed on the assumption that ‘Herbert’. The hand will normally con-
West has psyched. tain at least four cards in the suit bid. West North East South
Pass Pass 1♥ Pass
FIFTH ACE FISHBOWL 3♣
As the trump king is often as important Method of allowing an audience to
as an ace, especially when it comes to view tournament bridge. The players West North East South
bidding a slam, some conventions sit inside a large glass surround, 1♥ 1♠
(such as key-card Blackwood) treat the enabling the spectators to watch 3♣
king of trumps as the ‘fifth’ ace. without disturbing the players. The
use of a fishbowl is now rare. In the first auction, 3♣ cannot be a
FILM strong jump shift because West passed
A rare conventional defence to an FISHING CLUB as dealer. In the second auction, many
opening pre-emptive three level bid. This 1♣ opening does not promise pairs are happy to give up on the
The acronym stands for FIshbein and length in the suit – typically used with strong jump shift after the overcall
Lower Minor. Over an opening 3♦ or a mini or a weak no-trump. The idea and play this as a fit-showing jump. In
3♥ bid, Fishbein (the next suit up) is a is that by opening 1♣ you can be sure either auction, West might hold:
take-out request guaranteeing at least of being able to rebid 1NT over any
four cards in the major you bid, while change-of-suit response. The fishing
4♣ is for takeout denying four cards club differs from ‘better minor’ in that ♠ 7 5
in that major. Over an opening 3♣ or only 1♣ is a prepared bid. ♥ K 8 5 3
3♠ bid, the lower minor is a takeout ♦ 7 4
request. FIT ♣ A Q 10 6 3
1 The combined holding in a suit e.g.
FINAL BID K-8-7-3 facing Q-J-9-2 is a 4-4 fit.
The last bid, normally the bid before 2 The two hands of a partnership One benefit of the fit-showing jump
three consecutive passes end the are said to fit well if, for instance, is that it enables partner to judge
auction. one player has high cards in his whether a two-suit fit is present.

Page 43
 A to Z of Bridge continued to 2NT, few pairs use it in response suit of A-8-7-6 facing J-5-3-2, it would
to 1NT. Here is an example of the be a fix for you if it makes because one
convention in action: of you holds K-Q doubleton.

FIVE ACE BLACKWOOD FLAT BOARD

A version of Blackwood in which the ♠ A Q 9 5 3 ♠ K 10 4 In duplicate pairs, a deal on which all
king of the agreed trump suit counts ♥ A K 4 N ♥ Q 8 2 the contestants record the same result.
W E
as a fifth ace, also known as Keycard ♦ J 7 4 S ♦ 8 3 In teams, a deal on which both sides
Blackwood. In response to 4NT: ♣ A K ♣ J 8 6 3 2 record the same score or a score that
differs by only 10 is flat.
5♣ Shows zero or four aces
5♦ Shows one or five aces West East FLAT HAND
5♥ Shows two aces 2NT 3♣ A balanced hand, particularly the
5♠ Shows three aces 3♠ 4♠ 4-3-3-3 pattern.

Except that 5♦ might show five aces, FIVE OF A MAJOR OPENING FLINT CONVENTION
the responses are the same as those to This very rare opening shows an A convention invented by the English
normal Blackwood. eleven playing-trick hand missing player, Jeremy Flint, designed to allow
both top trump honours. Responder the partnership to play in three of a
FIVE-CARD MAJORS passes with neither top honour, raises major after an opening bid of 2NT.
Some systems require that you need to six with one of the two top honours, Immediate responses of 3♥ and 3♠ are
a five-card suit to open 1♥ or 1♠. and to seven with both top honours. natural and forcing, promising at least
Standard American, Precision and the five cards but 3♦ is an artificial request
standard system in many countries FIVE OR SEVEN DEAL for opener to bid 3♥. With long hearts
in continental Europe use five-card If the likely outcomes are that declarer and a weak hand, responder then
majors. makes either eleven tricks (a five-level passes; with long spades, he converts to
Responder can happily give a single contract) or thirteen, this is a five or 3♠. A development of the convention
raise from 1♥ to 2♥ or 1♠ to 2♠ with seven deal. allows the partnership to play in 4♣
three-card support. Opinions vary or 4♦ (responder converts 3♥ to 4♣
about the wisdom of making a jump or 4♦). Nowadays, transfer bids have
raise with the necessary values and ♠ K 10 5 rendered Flint almost obsolete.
three-card support for partner’s major. ♥ A Q 9 6 5 2
When playing five-card majors, you ♦ 8 5 FLITCH
often have to open 1♣ or 1♦ with fewer ♣ 7 2 A competition for married couples.
than four cards in the suit. Responder N
generally strains to show a four-card W E FLOGGER
S
major in response to 1♣ or 1♦ as A sheet recording the results of
otherwise the partnership might miss ♠ A Q J 9 7 6 previous rubbers.
a 4-4 major-suit fit. ♥ J 10 4
♦ A 10 FORCE
FIVE-CARD SPADES ♣ A J 1 To make a forcing bid e.g. 1♥-pass-
Some people play that you have to have 3♦
a five-card suit to open 1♠ but you can 2 To make an opponent ruff in order
open 1♥ with only four hearts. With Assuming the opening lead is a minor, to shorten trumps in one of their
such a method, the only hand shape a contract in one of the majors is likely hands – it is a common defensive
that may require a prepared opening to yield thirteen tricks if the heart manoeuvre.
in a minor is 4-3-3-3, where the four- finesse works but only eleven if it
card suit is spades. fails – in the latter case, the defenders FORCED BID
score the winner they set up at trick A bid that a player has an obligation
FIVE-CARD STAYMAN one as well as the ♥K. A grand slam is to make, usually because the system
After a 1NT or 2NT opening bid, 2♣ the best contract on this type of deal, played so requires. Forced bids are
or 3♣ asks partner to bid a five-card though this can be hard to diagnose in very rare in natural systems like Acol
major. The diamond response (2♦ or the auction. but do exist in relay systems.
3♦) denies the holding. If responder Forced passes are far more common.
has a four-card major, he bids it on the FIX or FIXED Suppose you open 1NT and partner
second round and opener will confirm A colloquialism meaning that a pair raises to 3NT. You are always going
a 4-4 major suit fit if one exists. has received a bad score through no to pass because you have already
In the UK, while it is quite common fault of its own. For example, if your described your hand and your partner
to play five-card Stayman in response opponents bid a slam with a trump has chosen the contract.

Page 44
 A to Z of Bridge continued West North East South West East
1♥ Pass 3♦ 3♠ 1♦ 2♣
Pass 4♠ Pass 2♠ 3♠
4♣ 4♥
FORCING DEFENCE After East’s strong response, it 4NT 5♥
A strategy whereby the defenders keep would be unthinkable to stop short 6♠
playing cards that declarer must ruff of game or allow the opponents to
until declarer runs out of trumps and play undoubled. Both West’s pass West’s 2♠ creates a game force,
the defenders gain control. over 3♠ and East’s pass over 4♠ are allowing East to make a simple raise
forcing. setting spades as trumps. If East had
2 Systems utilizing the opening call to jump to 4♠ over 2♠, it would be
♠ 9 8 6 2 of ‘Pass’ as a positive bid. Such hard for West, looking at three fast
♥ K 9 6 systems are legal only in very few heart losers, to explore for slam.
♦ 10 5 2 competitions and you are unlikely
♣ Q J 6 ever to encounter them. FORCING TWO BID
♠ Q J 10 3 ♠ A K 7 5 4 The use of an opening two-level bid
♥ 10 8 2 N ♥ J 7 4 3 FORCING SEQUENCE as an unconditional force. Playing it
♦ A 6 4 3 W E ♦ Void A bidding sequence, which by as a game force was a feature of the
S
♣ K 4 ♣ 8 7 5 2 partnership agreement, is forcing. Culbertson and Goren systems. In
♠ Void Acol, it is usual to play a strong two bid
♥ A Q 5 West North East South as forcing only for one round.
♦ K Q J 9 8 7 1♦ Pass 2♣ Pass
♣ A 10 9 3 2♠ FORFEIT
Cancellation of rights, as appropriate
West North East South under the Laws, after a misdemeanour.
South plays in 5♦. West leads a spade 1♦ Dbl Pass
at trick one and continues spades 2♦ FORWARD GOING
after getting in with the ♦A and ♣K. A description of an encouraging bid.
Having started with two trumps more It is usual to play the first sequence
than West, ruffing three times means as forcing to game and the second FOULED BOARD
that declarer ends up with one trump sequence as forcing to suit agreement. A board in which one or more cards
fewer and the contract fails. The partnership should keep open the have gone back into the wrong place,
bidding as long as necessary. meaning the next table cannot play
FORCING 1NT the board.
A convention whereby a response of FORCING TO GAME
1NT to an opening of one of a major is A forcing to game bid is a bid indicating FOUR-CARD MAJORS
forcing for one round. It is usual to use that both members of the partnership Systems that do not guarantee more
this in conjunction with the Precision should keep bidding until they reach than four cards in the suit when you
system or with game forcing two-over- game. open one of a major suit. Acol and Blue
one responses. After the forcing 1NT Once a game-forcing situation is Club are examples of systems utilizing
response, opener has to find a rebid in place, the partners can take the four-card majors.
even with a 5332 hand type, bidding a bidding slowly to explore for the best
three-card minor as necessary. contract, knowing that the other will FOUR DEAL BRIDGE
not drop the bidding short of game. This is another name for Chicago,
FORCING BID Examples of bids that create a forcing whereby a ‘rubber’ consists of
A bid that requires partner to make to game situation in Acol are: a jump exactly four deals with pre-assigned
at least one further bid. Forcing bids shift by opener or responder, opener’s vulnerabilities. In most rubber bridge
include a change of suit response to an reverse after a two-level response, playing clubs, four-deal bridge has
opening bid, an Acol 2♣ opening and fourth suit forcing at the three level, a replaced traditional rubber bridge.
a 4NT ace enquiry. 2♣ opening with a suit rebid. This benefits players waiting to cut
Here is an example of a forcing to in because rubbers finish more often.
FORCING PASS game bid in action: It also means that if you cut an
1 A forcing pass forces partner to unfavoured partner, you do not have
bid on or to double the opponents. to wait long for a change.
Often, when a player has to make ♠ K Q 9 4 ♠ A J 8 3
the decision between doubling a ♥ 7 4 3 N ♥ A 2 FOUR SUIT TRANSFERS
W E
sacrifice bid made by an opponent ♦ A K Q 7 3 S ♦ J 2 A method of showing length in any
and bidding on, he may pass and let ♣ K ♣ Q 10 7 3 2 suit by means of a transfer used in
his partner make the final decision. conjunction with simple red suit

Page 45
 A to Z of Bridge continued is more likely to wish to investigate FRAGMENT BID
further facing 1 key card than none. An unusual jump or double jump
bid showing a fit for partner’s suit, a
FOURTH-HIGHEST LEAD few cards in the suit bid and shortage
(Jacoby) transfers. After 1NT, The lead of the fourth highest card in elsewhere. In terms of concept, a
a suit. This lead is standard unless the fragment bid is very similar to a splinter,
2♦ = hearts suit contains no honour or contains an except that you are not bidding your
2♥ = spades honour sequence. From Q-10-6-5-3, shortest suit. Playing fragment bids,
2♠ = clubs you lead the five; from K-9-7-6-3-2, 1♠-2♦-2♠-4♣ suggests that responder
2NT = diamonds you lead the six; from J-8-4-2, you lead has a main suit of diamonds, spade
the two. By leading low, you keep your support and three or four clubs, hence
In the cases when responder shows a honours to capture those that declarer a heart shortage.
minor, opener has to choose whether holds and as entries. By leading
to complete the transfer by bidding specifically fourth highest, you help FREAK
responder’s suit or to bid the suit/ partner gauge your holding in the suit. A hand or complete deal with an
denomination below that. It is usual extremely abnormal distribution. The
to play one action as showing support FOURTH IN HAND traditional definition of a freak hand
for responder’s suit and the other The player who is fourth to call, i.e. the for an individual player is one with a
as denying it. As is the case with red player to the dealer’s right. void or two singletons.
suit transfers, responder may have a
weak hand (intending to pass opener’s FOURTH-SUIT FORCING FREE BID
transfer completion) or a strong hand. After a partnership has bid three suits, A ‘free bid’ is one that you make
it is unlikely that the fourth suit is the after your right hand opponent has
best fit. Therefore, you can usefully play overcalled your partner’s bid. The
♠ 9 4 ♠ 9 4 a bid of the fourth suit as an artificial overcall ensures that your partner
♥ 5 N ♥ A J 7 4 force, asking partner to describe his will have another chance to bid
W E
♦ J 10 6 2 S ♦ A hand further. The bid does not promise and therefore you have the option
♣ Q 9 8 7 4 2 ♣ A Q J 10 4 2 any particular holding in the bid suit. of passing. A ‘free bid’ in a suit will
Traditionally, fourth-suit forcing is normally show a better than minimum
forcing for one round only, though it suit or extra values.
On both hands, responder starts with is becoming quite common to play it as
2♠, showing clubs. On the first hand, forcing to game. West North East South
responder intends to play in 3♣. On 1♥ Pass 2♣ 2♦
the second hand, the rebid will be 3♥. 2♥
If you play four-suit transfers, you ♠ K J 9 4 3
cannot bid 2NT to show a balanced ♥ 9 5 3 Since West could pass over 2♦ knowing
hand wishing to invite game. The ♦ K 5 that East will have another call, 2♥
popular solution is to play non- ♣ A Q 9 shows either a six-card heart suit or
promissory Stayman, starting with 2♣ perhaps a very good five-card suit e.g.
on such hands. An alternative solution with 100 honours.
is to play that a 2♦ response is either West North East South
showing hearts or a balanced hand; 1♦ Pass FREE DOUBLE
with the balanced hand, responder has 1♠ Pass 2♣ Pass At rubber bridge, it refers to the double
to make a specific rebid, normally 2♠. ? of a game bid (or a partscore contract
which, if successful would make
FOUR NO-TRUMP CONVENTION No natural bid describes your hand: game whether doubled, undoubled or
Since 3NT suffices for game, one rarely 3NT is very risky without a stopper redoubled). It is not of course ‘free’ but
wants to play in 4NT. 4NT is usually a in the unbid suit; both 3♦ and 3♣ is likely to be less costly than doubling
conventional move towards a slam. The are underbids as well as overstating the opposition into game.
most common uses are variations of your support for partner; 3♠ is also an
the ace asking convention, Blackwood. underbid and overstates your spades. FREE FINESSE
The fourth suit bid of 2♥ is perfect. Term used to describe a finesse you
FOURTEEN THIRTY can take as declarer without losing the
(1430) RESPONSES FOXU trick should it fail.
Some users of Roman Keycard A rare conventional defence to an For example, in the first layout
Blackwood play, either always or in opening three level pre-emptive bid. below, when West leads low, you can
specific situations, that a 5♣ reply Fishbein applies sitting Over the finesse dummy’s jack. Should East
shows 1 or 4 key cards while 5♦ shows bidder and double (X) sitting Under, as produce the queen, you can capture it
0 or 3. The idea is that the 4NT bidder take out requests. with the ace.

Page 46
 A to Z of Bridge continued strength in the suit.
If West or East leads this Guide to Better Card Play (New Edition)
suit, North-South make by Ron Klinger, reviewed by Sandra Landy
three tricks. If North or Cassell in assoc. with Peter Crawley. ISBN 0-304-35769-3.
In the second layout, as- South leads the suit, East-
£14.99 from The London Bridge Centre
suming this is a side suit, West make a third-round
( 020 7486 8222 www.bridgeshop.com
you can finesse the queen winner.

F
when West leads it, knowing
that you can ruff if East pro- irst published twenty Has he a trump trick that you
duces the king.
A 10 5 years ago and winner of could promote? Every card
the Bridge Book of the should carry a message; does
N
W E
Q 7 4 J 8 6 3 Year in 1991, Klinger’s Guide that apply to the ♦2?

K J 2 AQ5
S
to Better Card Play has been
reissued to include recent
K 9 2
N
W E
N
W E
changes in bidding and de- ♠ Q 10 9
S S fensive methods. The bidding ♥ 10 7 5 2
methods are traditional Acol ♦ K
A 3 Void FRUIT MACHINE SWISS
(weak no-trump, 4-card ma- ♣ A K Q J 3
A convention for replying to jors) and no complicated bid- N
♠ 8 4 W E ♠ A K J 7 2
partner’s 1♥ or 1♠ opening ding. It is a text on card play ♥ J 8 6 S ♥ 3
FRIGID that has fallen into disuse. but most people will benefit ♦ J 10 9 7 2 ♦ Q 6 5 4
Slang term for a contract that It uses both 4♣ and 4♦ as from seeing the simple auc- ♣ 8 6 4 ♣ 9 7 2
is certain to make. ‘Cold’ and conventional raises of open- tions to the best contract. Its ♠ 6 5 3
‘Icy’ are similar terms. er’s major, both with four 200 pages cover declarer play ♥ A K Q 9 4
trumps, game values and and defence, with about 100 ♦ A 8 3
FROZEN SUIT two aces. The 4♣ bid shows pages on each. ♣ 10 5
A suit that is disadvanta- an extra feature: a third ace, As a teacher, I always found
geous to lead. Frozen suits a singleton or the king of suitable hands in this book to
commonly occur when each trumps. The 4♦ bid denies illustrate my lessons. In my West North East South
of the four players has some those extra features. ■ view, every teacher should 1♣ 1♠ 2♥
have a copy; I have two be- Pass 4♥ End
cause one lives with my as-
PRIZE CROSSWORD 1 – Solution sistant in case we need extra If partner had the ♦A, his
deals. The book is just as good best defence would be to ruff
to read on your own as each your spade trick and cash his
M E N A C E C U R S E of the 24 chapters includes diamond ace. If partner has
an explanation of the topic, a natural trump trick, it will
N C A A
exercises on the principles not matter what you do. Can
S C O R E B R I D G E discussed and many example you see how continuing with
U L N S R deals. a fourth heart could beat the
The appendix contains sets contract?
D E N Y D O P E N E R
of practice deals you can play Suppose partner’s hearts
T P A R E as a foursome. Each player are J-x-x – he does not have a
A P P E A L D E F E N D takes a pack of cards and a natural trump trick. However,
L A C E O
sheet of their hands to make if you lead a fourth spade,
up before bidding and playing you guarantee a trump trick
S A F E T Y R R U F F the deal. When you and your for the defence. You need no
N X E T R partner have played all the complicated manoeuvres, just
A S S I S T D E U C E hands as N/S, swap the sheets a bit of common sense – and
round so you can play E/W this is true of the whole book.
T I N A
and you have another 10 sets The chapters alternate be-
H A S T E B R E A K S of deals. tween improving your de-
Here is an example entitled clarer and your defensive play,
The winners, listed below, will receive a free ‘Consolidate your Defensive with exercises and quizzes to
place at a Brook Hotel Just Bridge Event: Play’. You are East. keep you alert. I really like
You win the first three spade this book and I could not find
Mr S Mattinson, Reading, Berks; tricks, partner discarding the even one error in the proof
Mr B Brown, Glasgow; ♦2 on the third round. How reading and analysis. Work
Mrs V Parkes, Sheffield, Yorks; do you read partner’s discard through it carefully and you
Mr Stoyle, Chalfont St Giles, Bucks; of the ♦2? Might he have the will become a much better
Mrs P Turner, Sandhurst, Bucks. ♦A? Does he want a club ruff? player and defender.

Page 47
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