BRIDGE

Number Ninety-three February 2009

Norwegian Discov ery Cruise

Join me in May or August on board Discov ery
 FEATURES

BRIDGE 3 Bidding Quiz

4
by Bernard Magee
43 Bidding Quiz Answers
by Bernard Magee
44 Andrew Kambites says
BIDDING QUIZ
by Bernard Magee

Publisher and
Managing Editor
Mr Bridge
8 David Stevenson
Answers Your Questions
Don’t Look for
Perfect Cards
45 Derek Rimington says
Y ou are West in the auc-
tions below, playing
'Standard Acol' with a weak
11 Bernard Magee says
Ryden Grange Don’t Make no-trump (12-14 points) and
Set Up Your
Knaphill, Surrey Side Suit Early Give Away Doubles four-card majors.
GU21 2TH 46 Harold Schogger says (Answers on page 43)
14 Heather Dhondy says
Cash Winners Lead Second Highest
( 01483 489961 from Bad Suits 1. Dealer West. Love All.
Before a Promotion
e-mail: 47 Defence Quiz Answers ♠ KQJ76
15 Julian Pottage
by Julian Pottage ™ A3
mrbridge@mrbridge.co.uk Answers Your Questions
© AQ4
19 Declarer Play Quiz
website: ♣ A J 10
by Dave Huggett ADVERTISEMENTS
www.mrbridge.co.uk 2 Singapore to West North East South
20 A Walk in Winter
by Countryman the Seychelles ?
Associate Editor on board Discovery
22 Defence Quiz
Julian Pottage by Julian Pottage 4 Tunisia 2009 2. Dealer East. Love All.
23 Dave Huggett says 5 Just Duplicate ♠ KQ76
Technical Consultant Switch to the 6 Tutorial Software & ™ 4
Tony Gordon Surrounding Card Mail Order Form © 765
♣ K8432
26 Good Practice for 7 Charity Bridge Events
Bridge Consultant Boards, Travellers 9 Beach Hotel West North East South
Bernard Magee and Curtain Cards Bridge Weekends 1♠ Pass
by Stan Powell ?
10 Staverton Park
Proof Readers 27 The Curse of Jutland Bridge Weekends
Danny Roth by Dick Atkinson 3. Dealer West. Love All.
12 Holiday Diary
Hugh Williams 28 Double Dummy Quiz ♠ KQ76
17 Wychwood Park
by Richard Wheen ™ K43
Freddie North Bridge Events
28 Little Voice Appeal © A76
Richard Wheen 18 The Olde Barn Hotel ♣ AQ2
Stamp Donations
Bridge Events
Software Support 29 Julian Pottage says West North East South
21 Marsham Court
Use the Rule of 22
( 01483 485345 Bridge Weekends 1♠ Pass 2♠ Pass
30 The Landy Convention ?
22 Christmas 2009
– Alvin not Sandra
Events & Cruises by Ned Paul 24 2009 Summer Cruises
4. Dealer West. E/W Vul.
( 01483 489961 31 Double Dummy Answer
On Board Discovery
♠ KQ83
Jessica Galt by Richard Wheen 31 Stamps ™ AK
Holly Cobbett 32 Raising with 31 QPlus 9.1 © A76
Rachel Everett 3-Card Support 32 Denham Grove ♣ J843
by Freddie North Bridge Weekends
West North East South
Club Directory 33 Justin Corfield says 36 Better Hand Evaluation 1♠ 2™ Pass 3™
maggie@mrbridge.co.uk Defer Decisions until 37 Blunsdon House Hotel ?
you Know the Layout Bridge Events
Address Changes 34 Readers’ Letters 38 Rubber/Chicago 5. Dealer West. Love All.
on the EBU P2P
( 01483 485342 Bridge Events ♠ AJ76
36 Readers’ Letters 40 Global Travel ™ A876
All correspondence should 39 Declarer Play Answers Insurance © KJ3
be addressed to Mr Bridge. by David Huggett 48 Norwegian Cruises ♣ 42
Please make sure that all 42 Cut-out Form on board Discovery
West North East South
letters, e-mails and faxes
carry full postal addresses 1NT Dbl 2♣ Pass
and telephone numbers. The views expressed in this publication are not ?
necessarily those of the publisher or its Managing Editor.

Page 3
 BIG BIRTHDAY
AT THE ROYAL KENZ
TUNISIA 2009
Seventy this month, so it’s
time to make plans for the
future of this publication.
Readers will be pleased to
learn that there is already
enough editorial material to
continue well into 2010. And
some of you have noticed
that the faces of the
contributors are getting
younger. Just as it should be.
However, it needs your
emails and letters to David
Stevenson and Julian Pottage
together with letters to my
office to stay lively, so do
Two-week half-board keep them coming.
duplicate holidays After completing each issue
of BRIDGE, my wife insists
22 Feb – 8 March £699* that I unwind. I have agreed
FULL
Bernard Magee to this new regime, if I can
take busman’s holidays. I
8 March – 22 March £699* will sail on board Discovery
on its short cruises up to the
Chris Barrable Norwegian Fjords in May
22 March – 5 April £699* and August when I hope to
enjoy the company of lots of
Ray Hutchinson
readers. See the back cover
for further details.
1 Nov – 15 Nov £699*
Tony Richards RENEWED OFFER
There are still obsolete
15 Nov – 29 Nov £749* copies of Duplicate Bridge
Bernard Magee Rules Simplified in use out
there. Send the cover and
*per person half-board sharing a twin-bedded room and is inclusive seven first class stamps and
of bridge fees. Single supplement £5 per night. These prices are
receive 2008 by return post.
based on air travel from Gatwick to Monastir. Flights from other
UK airports are available at a supplement. All prices are firm until Club offer. 10 copies £35.
31 October 2008. Prices for seven-night stays are available on
application.
DUPLICAT EBRIDGE
Pay £70 per fortnight per person extra and have a pool-facing
room, tea & coffee making facilities, bath robe and a bowl of
seasonal fruit.
These holidays have been organised for by Tunisia First Limited, ATOL 5933,
RULESSIMPLIFIED
working in association with Thomas Cook Tour Operations Limited, ATOL 1179. (otherwiseknownastheYellowBook)
by John Rumbelow and revised by David Stevenson
DETAILS & BOOKINGS NewEdition.Includes2008LawRevisions.
( 01483 489961 Availablefrom
Page 4
CLUB INSURANCE
Moore Stephens offer
insurance for clubs needing
cover from April.
Their Bridge Club Insurance
scheme runs for 12 months
from 1st November each
year. Those Bridge Clubs
who would like to join the
scheme in April will pay just
£39.30 until 31st October
provided they have less than
100 members and meet no
more than twice per week.
The charge is based on an
annual premium for this year
of £63.50. Provided the
membership and meeting
numbers and the standard
cover is sufficient for your
bridge club, please complete
the form on my web site and
send it to them with a
cheque for £39.30. For clubs
with more than 100
members or meeting more
than twice weekly, call
Moore Stephens on
( 020 7515 5270
or obtain a form directly
from them for your club.
DIRECTORS’
COURSES
David Stevenson is to host
weekends to train directors
for club bridge. The first two
such events to be held are at
Denham Grove, Uxbridge.
30 January – 1 February
13-15 February
£199
No single supplement
Please ring for details and to
confirm availability. Both
these courses will be for no
more than 24 people.
only
£5 95
( 01483 489961
 CRIB SHEET
Bernard Magee’s crib sheet
can be found on my website.
www.mrbridge.co.uk/library
QPLUS
The new 9.1 has been well
received. If you find yours
slow, go into configuration,
click playing-strength and
reset memory at 9 and level
at 27. That will speed it up.
If you have any other
problems, ring our software
helpline. Those with earlier
versions of QPlus may still
upgrade to 9.1 for only £32.
Just send your disc, booklet
and cheque.
PART EXCHANGE
Readers who would like to
try an earlier version of
QPlus may send in any make
of bridge software and
include a cheque for £20. I
will send a second-hand
version of series 8 or for
£10, a version of series 7.
You won’t be disappointed.
REPLACEMENTS
Some users of the Acol and
More Acol tutorials have
almost worn them out. Like
gramophone records, they
get scratched or cracked or
are not compatible with
new technology.
Replacement discs are now
available at £10 each. Just
send a cheque and the
offending disc to me at
Ryden Grange.
THE XXXX MUG
Makes a great gift for the
right person. £14.95 each.
J UST DUPLICATE
Following on from the
enormous success of Gentle
Duplicate Weekends, I am JUST DUPLICATE 2009
introducing Just Duplicate
Weekends. £150 per person
for the weekend, full board. MARSHAM COURT
Six sessions of social East Cliff, Bournemouth, BH1 3AB
duplicate. No prizes, no
master points, no seminars, 26-28 Apr (Sun-Tue) - £150
no tuition. Payment in full at
the time of booking, either 2-4 Jul (Thu-Sat) - £150
by card or cheque. See
23-25 Sep (Wed-Fri) - £150
adjacent advertisement.
BERNARD’S EXTRA
In addition to his short DENHAM GROVE
cruise from Harwich to Nice,
Uxbridge, Bucks UB9 5DU
Bernard has found time to
host a two-week cruise, 30 Jan-1 Feb (Fri-Sun) - £150
sailing 19 July on a round
trip from Harwich up to the 13-15 Feb (Fri-Sun) - £150
top of northern Russia and
back. Lots of days at sea,
means lots of bridge tuition,
lots of duplicate, just the Full-board – No Single Supplement
way lots of you like it.
Please note, there are no seminars or set hands on these weekends
Phone for details, brochures and payment should be made in full when booking.
and bookings.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ BOOKING FORM _ _ _ _ _ _ _
TUNISIA EXTRA
With Bernard Magee’s late Mr/Mrs/Miss .............................................................................
winter 2009 Tunisian group
Address ......................................................................................
sold out, I am taking
bookings for a November
...................................................................................................
fortnight with Bernard.
Seven night holidays are ........................................... Postcode ......................................
also an option.
( ..............................................................................................
POSTAGE SAVINGS
Please book me for ........... places,
Even after Christmas, postal
on dates......................................................................................
savings are always welcome.
Please support Clive Goff’s
Single ....... Double ....... Twin ....... Sea View*
unusual service.
( 0208 4224906 Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking
clive.goff@londonrugby.com
...................................................................................................
Unused postage stamps with
full gum at a discount. Please send payment in full per person per place. A receipt will be
sent with your booking confirmation. 28 days before the event, a
programme and full details will be sent together with a map.
Cancellations are not refundable. Should you require insurance,
you should contact your own insurance broker.. *£30 supplement
per room (Marsham Court only).
, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH
( 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302
e-mail: jessica@mrbridge.co.uk
website: www.holidaybridge.com
Page 5
 ( 01483 489961 TUTORIAL
PLAY SOFTWARE
QPlus 9.1 £80.00 .......
SOFTWARE
Trade-in any previous QPlus
Book & Disk and just send ONLY £32.00 .......
with Bernard Magee
TUTORIAL SOFTWARE
ACOL BIDDING DECLARER PLAY
Acol Bidding £60.00 .......
More Acol Bidding £90.00 ....... l Opening Bids and l Suit Establishment
Declarer Play £70.00 ....... Responses in No-trumps
Advanced Declarer Play £75.00 .......
l Slams and Strong l Suit Establishment in
BOOKS Openings Suits
Duplicate Bridge Rules Simplified £5.95 .......
l Support for Partner l Hold-ups
Hand Evaluation £14.00 .......
£70
2009 DIARIES l Pre-empting l Ruffing for
Standard Extra Tricks
l Overcalls
Ivory ..... Maroon ..... Cambridge Blue ..... £5.95 ....... £60 l Entries in No-trumps
l No-trump
SINGLE-SUITED BALL-POINT PENS
Openings l Delaying
Boxed Set and Responses Drawing Trumps
of Four
(Spade, l Opener’s and l Using the Lead
Heart, Responder’s Rebids
l Trump Control
Diamond,
Club) l Minors and Misfits
l Endplays &
£19.95 ....... l Doubles Avoidance
BONE CHINA MUG l Competitive Auctions l Using the Bidding
Bidding Sequence £14.95 .......

TEA TOWELS MORE ACOL ADVANCED

Tea Towels – Any four for only £17.00 ....... BIDDING DECLARER PLAY
We are Survivors £5.95 .......
Ten Commandments for Bridge Players £5.95 ....... l Basics l Making Overtricks
How to know you are growing older £5.95 .......
in No-trumps
l Advanced Basics
Ode to a Pill £5.95 ....... l Making Overtricks
Thoughts of an older person £5.95 ....... l Weak Twos in Suit Contracts
Bridge Traffic Signs £5.95 .......
l Strong hands l Endplays
£75
Life’s a game, but bridge is serious £5.95 .......
Recipe for a happy marriage £5.95 ....... l Defence to Weak l Avoidance
Twos
TIES l Wrong Contract
Bridge Players Ties. Red or Navy £11.95 ....... l Defence to 1NT
Bridge Players Novelty Tie (Big Cards) £11.95 ....... l Simple Squeezes
l Doubles
All prices are fully inclusive. I enclose a cheque for £............. l Counting the Hand
l Two-suited
Mr/Mrs/Miss ................................................................................................ l Trump Reductions &
Overcalls
Address.........................................................................................................
£90 Coups
l Defences to
...................................................................................................................... Other Systems l Playing Doubled
Contracts
Postcode ..............................................( ............................................. l Misfits and
Distributional Hands l Safety Plays
, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH.
www.mrbridge.co.uk
System Requirements: Windows XP or Vista, 8mb RAM, CD-ROM
 PICK AND MIX
Over the last weekend in
October I am staging an
event called Pick and Mix.
It will comprise the choice
of different seminars over
the two day period and the
opportunity to bolt-on an
extra night at both ends for
those who want it.
There will be a directors
course with David
Stevenson, five bridge
teachers, Cut-in
Rubber/Chicago bridge, Just
Duplicate, Gentle Duplicate
and some extra events and
performances as yet
unspecified.
Mrs Bridge and I will be up
at Staverton Park, not to
play bridge but to meet and
greet you. A veritable
jamboree. Basic two days
full board £215, extra days
£35 each full board.
GLOBAL TRAVEL
I am pleased to find space to
promote Global Travel
insurance. The policy
advertised should suit those
who are ill but whose
symptoms are under control.
Global Travel understand
and cater for this segment
of a growing market.
SINGLES
I try, with some success, to
match singles to share
cabins, to make cruising an
affordable option for those
on limited budgets.
Call ( 01483 489961 if
you are interested.
LITTLE VOICE
Thank you for all the stamps
you have sent in so far. Just
short of one million. Old,
new, rare, used and unused.
I have been able to give over
£200 to the orphanage in
Ethopia so far, with the
promise of more to come.
See page 28 for my thank
you list. Please keep saving
the stamps and ask friends to.
LEANORA
NEW ARRIVAL
Leanora Adds, my office
manager, on maternity leave,
has given birth to Felicity
Ann, pictured above, 8lbs
1oz. Mother and baby are
both doing well.
J OINT APPEAL
Once again, I am sponsoring
a bridge day out. This time
it is in joint support of
Christians in Iraq, who will
share the proceeds with
Little Voice. Bernard Magee
will host the event and give
the seminars.
Wednesday 15 April 2009
The Jubilee Hall,
Little Shore Lane,
Bishops Waltham,
Southampton, SO32 1ED.
Reception (coffee/tea)
10.30 to 11.15
Overcalls with Ber nar d
Bufffet Lunch
12.45 to 2.15
Discards with Bernard
Tea and Cakes
approx 4pm
followed by
Any Questions
Tickets £30 per per son.
( 023 8069 4959
The entire proceeds will be
shared by Christians in Iraq
and Little Voice. All costs
and merchandise have been
generously donated or
sponsored including the
raffle.
Page 7
CHARITY BRIDGE EVENTS
FEBRUARY 2009
19 WALTON & WEYBRIDGE
SAVE THE CHILDREN
Cobham Village Hall.
£28 per table. Includes tea.
Anne Carter ( 01932 244629
Margaret Pick ( 01372 842462
27 BRITISH RED CROSS – 2pm.
Holt Village Hall, nr Wimborne.
Isobel Smart ( 01202 841943
MARCH 2009
5 HOYLAKE & WEST KIRBY
MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT
Heswall Hall, Heswall.
Rubber bridge 7.00pm.
£52 per table. Includes supper.
Viv Fairclough ( 07794 271609
6 ST IVES INNER WHEEL NEW
TEENAGE CANCER WARD
Village Hall Hemingford Abbots
10am for 10.30. £13.00.
Pat Cole ( 01480 431574
11 PARKINSONS DISEASE SOCIETY
(HUNTS BRANCH)
Village Hall, Hemingford Abbots
10am for 10.30am.
John Davies ( 01480 497245
11 LINCOLNSHIRE BRITISH RED CROSS
& COLSTERWORTH VILLAGE HALL
10am-4.00pm. £14 per ticket.
Includes lunch.
Liz McCaig ( 01476 860018
17 ST NEOTS BOWLING CLUB (ARC)
10am for 10.30am £13.50.
John Shaw ( 01480 475454
21 LECHAMPTON VILLAGE HALL ROOF
10.30am-4pm. Includes coffee,
lunches and prizes. £12.50.
Maureen Peirce ( 01242 242405
26 FRIENDS OF FARLEIGH HOSPICE
Luncheon Bridge Drive. £16pp.
Julie Renvoize ( 01245 258067
28 BRIDGE DRIVE IN AID OF
ST MARY’S CHURCH.
2pm The Primary School Hall,
Swaffham Bulbeck. £8 per
person including a delicious tea.
Anne ( 01223 812395
or email datson@btconnect.com
APRIL 2009
15 JOINT APPEAL CHRISTIANS
IN IRAQ LITTLE VOICE
Bishop Waltham 11am–5pm
includes buffet lunch and two
seminars from Bernard Magee
£30 per person.
Margaret Cochrane
( 023 8069 4959
April continued
18 SWINDON CARES BRIDGE DRIVE
Arkells Brewery Swindon
With lunch at the Kingsdown
Inn, Tickets £15.
Margaret Bracher
( 01793 823026
24 NEEDINGWORTH CHURCH
Village Hall, Hemingford Abbots
10am for 10.30am £13.50.
Pauline Baily ( 01480 462879
26 HOSPISCARE
Exeter Golf & Country Club.
11am. Swiss Teams. Includes
salad platter, tea, coffee
& biscuits. £48 per team.
Carol Horgan ( 01392 875513
MAY 2009
1 CHESHIRE HOMES
Village Hall, Hartford, Hunts,
10am for 10.30am. £13.50.
Malcolm Howarth
( 01480 212910
8 CHARITY BRIDGE AT KIMBOLTON
To be advised.
29 RFET
Hunts & Fens Regional
College, Huntingdon.
10am for 10.30am. £13.50.
Malcolm Howarth
( 01480 212910
JUNE 2009
19 ST MARY’S CHURCH
EATON SOCON, ST NEOTS.
10am for 10.30am. £13.00.
Malcolm Howarth
( 01480 212910
SEPTEMBER 2009
18 ST MARY’S CHURCH, EATON
SOCON, ST NEOTS
10am for 10.30am. £13.00.
Malcolm Howarth
( 01480 212910
OCTOBER 2009
23 CHESHIRE HOMES
Village Hall, Hartford, Hunts.
10am for 10.30am. £13.50.
Malcolm Howarth
( 01480 212910
NOVEMBER 2009
27 EAST ANGLIA
CHILDRENS HOSPICE (EACH)
Village Hall, Hemingford Abbots.
10am for 10.30am. £14.50.
Sheila Paval ( 01480 395394

Q
Contract bid: 4♠,
made 9 tricks =
420. As scorer do
you accept the 420 or is it
minus one trick?
Kaye Raymond, Suffolk.
A
When the score
written down is
inconsistent, the
scorer will investigate if
possible, asking the two
pairs concerned, to get the
correct score. There is no
question of accepting the
number of tricks or the
written score except when
one has to.
Often it is impractical to
investigate such a score, as
when the scorer takes the
travellers home to score.
Another possibility is that
the players cannot agree. At
such times, if the score is
sensible, the scorer accepts
the written score, not the
result and number of tricks.
Of course, the scorer does
not accept stupid scores: if
everyone makes +630 except
one table where it says -630
and the result shown is
consistent with +630, he will
change it to +630.
♣©™♠
Q
1. Playing fourth-
highest leads, if I
half pull out my
fifth-highest card and push
it back, do I need to lead
it?
DAVID STEVENSON answers questions on Bridge Laws
2. If I half pull a bid out of
a bidding box but decide
better of it, may I change
it to a pass? When I did
this, my LHO accepted the
pass, said she thought I
had done something wrong
but she was not calling the
director.
E Clark,
Kings Langley, Herts.
A
1. A card counts as
played by a
defender when it
reaches a position where his
partner could see its face if
he was looking, or in the
case of an opening lead,
when it is face down on the
table. Until that time, you
may change it: from that
time on, you cannot.
Whether it was an accident
or a change of mind is not
relevant. The rules for
declarer are not the same.
2. When using a bidding
box, it is not a good thing to
change your mind, but until
a call is made, you may
change it. A call counts as
made when you have taken
the card out of the bidding
box, so you may change any
call if it did not come out of
the box. As in you case, it
sounds as though it did not,
you may change it. Your
change of mind is
unauthorised information for
partner though authorised
for opponents.
As for your LHO, it is
Page 8
Scoring
Incorrect
Travellers
poor practice to tell you
something is wrong but not
call the director. If it
happens again, I suggest that
you call the director yourself.
♣©™♠
Q
I had a hand with
11 points and six
spades. We were
playing weak twos and I
decided to open 2♠. I put
the ‘stop’ card on the table
but then realised I was a
bit strong. I wanted to
change to 1♠ but my LHO
said I could not do so.
Who was right?
Mrs E M Cox,
Radlett, Herts.
A
You can change a
mechanical error so
long as you do so
immediately you realise the
error and partner has not
called subsequently. This
was not a mechanical error:
you were intending to bid
2♠ when you reached for
the Stop card. A mechanical
error means when you
meant to bid 2♠ and pulled
out 2™ accidentally. Here,
you changed your mind
after taking out the Stop
card.
However, you can change
any call before you have
actually made it. When you
took the Stop card out, you
had not completed making
the call, so you can change
your mind. Similarly, if you
start to take a call out of
your box, but it did not get
out of the box, then you can
change it. Your LHO was
wrong when he said you
could not change it.
Of course, as in any
situation where the rules are
concerned, you should have
called the director. I am
surprised none of the four of
you called the director: this
only leads to arguments.
♣©™♠
Q
What is the law
regarding alerting
of redoubles? I am
thinking of 1NT-Dbl-Rdbl
and 1suit-Dbl-Rdbl.
Peter Jeffrey,
Wheathampstead, Herts.
A
If redouble shows a
strong hand, and
nothing else, it is
not alertable. All other
redoubles are alertable.
Some players alert a
redouble after an opening
one of a suit because it does
not show length in partner’s
suit, but there is no need: if
it is strong and not artificial,
you do not need to alert.
E-mail your questions
on bridge laws to:
davidstevenson@
mrbridge.co.uk
 Ask David continued
Q
I play rubber
bridge with a
group of friends. Is
it correct that the player
who shuffles the cards
should place them to their
partner’s left-hand side?
Paul Wootton, Nailsea.
A
No, that is not
correct. At rubber
bridge, the norm is
to use two packs of different
colours. After the cut at the
start of the rubber (which
may be for partners, or not if
playing fixed partnerships),
the person who picks the
highest card chooses which
pack he prefers.
Whenever a player is
dealing, his partner shuffles
the other pack, and leaves it
to his right, not to his
partner’s left. After the first
deal is over the new dealer
picks up the pack (which will
be on his left), he may give a
last shuffle (but in practice,
seldom does) and he passes it
to his right for cutting. His
right-hand opponent lifts the
top part of the deck off and
puts it towards the dealer.
The dealer completes the cut
and deals.
If you are not a fool quite,
place the cards upon your right!
♣©™♠
Q
I am thinking of
changing to the
Blue Club bidding
system (original version).
Can I play this in club
and/or EBU events? Where
can I find out?
Mike Harvey, Middlesex.
A
You can check in
the EBU orange
book, which you
can download from the EBU
web site. If you do not have
internet access, any affiliated
club or EBU member should
have a copy, which you may
be able to borrow.
The EBU stopped giving
permission to play systems AT THE BEACH HOTEL
many years ago because
hardly anyone plays systems Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 3QJ
in their original form. I can
tell you that the basics of Duplicate Weekends 2009
Blue Club as originally with Bernard Magee
defined – strong 1♣, natural
limited canapé 1©/™/♠ 30 Jan-1 Feb (£209) Leads & Defence
opening, natural 1NT with
6-8 Feb (£209) Declarer Play
special rules, intermediate
5-7 Jun (£235) Splinters & Cue Bids
2♣, strong 4441 2©, weak
2™/♠, natural 2NT, 12-14 Jun (£235) Overcalls
intermediate 3♣, pre-
emptive 3©/™/♠ and 2-4 Oct (£235) Stayman & Transfers
gambling 3NT – are all with Improver section
Level 2. This means you can 16-18 Oct (£235) Hand Evaluation
play them in any club,
holiday or novice event 4-6 Dec (£235) Signals & Discards
unless it has special
restrictions. © Full-board © All rooms with
Friday to Sunday en-suite facilities
♣©™♠
© No single supplement © Venue non-smoking
© Tuition with Supervised Play, bidding quiz and two seminars
Q
1. How does one
score the board
when several pairs _ _ _ _ _ _ _ BOOKING FORM _ _ _ _ _ _ _
have played it but one or
two have passed out the Please book me for ..... places,
board?
2. How does one score a Single ..... Double ..... Twin ..... Sea View* .....
board if one table has
failed to enter the score? at the Beach Hotel weekend(s) of ......................................
T C Keogh, Suffolk.
Mr/Mrs/Miss .....................................................................
A
Passed out is a score
of zero, so it beats Address...............................................................................
any minus score and
loses to any plus score. So a ............................................................................................
pass out scores 2 match
points for any score it beats, Postcode ............................................................................
ie any minus score, and 1
match point for each other ( ......................................................................................
pass out.
Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed)
If a table does not play a
board for any reason, you ..........................................................................................
give an average score, which
is half a top. You do the Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per
place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent
same if there is no score
with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final pay-
entered and there is no way ment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details
to check what happened, for will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refund-
example, if you scored after able. Should you require insurance, you should contact your
the players have gone home. own insurance broker. *£30 supplement per room.
There are various ways to
score the rest of the board. , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH
Easiest (though not the
fairest) is to score as normal ( 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302
but from a lowest score of 1 e-mail: jessica@mrbridge.co.uk
to a highest score of the website: www.holidaybridge.com
normal top minus 1.
Page 9
 Ask David continued My first instinct is to allow
the claim, since I think
careless players would make
AT STAVERTON PARK the contract. However, it is

Q
On the hand below better to poll others and rely
Staverton, Daventry, Northants, NN11 6JT
South played in on their views to decide.
23-25 Jan Suit Establishment - Bernard Magee £209 6♣. A heart lead
30 Jan-1 Feb Signals & Discards - Sandy Bell £199 went to East’s ace and a ♣©™♠
27 Feb-1 Mar Leads & Defence - Ned Paul £199 diamond came back.

Q
13-15 Mar Slam Bidding - Crombie McNeil £199 Declarer claimed the rest, 1. A player opened
saying that he would draw a pre-emptive 3♠
27-29 Mar Sacrificing - Bernard Magee £209
trumps and that his hand with 11 points,
3-5 Apr Further into the Auction - Ned Paul £199
would then be high. He which an opponent
25-27 Sep Declarer Play - Ray Hutchinson £199 made no mention of ruffing complained were too many.
16-18 Oct Take-out Doubles* - Alex Davoud £199 – if needed – a spade in Was the bid fair?
30 Oct-1 Nov PICK AND MIX WEEKEND from £199 dummy. One of the 2. Playing a weak no-
13-15 Nov Game Tries - Crombie McNeil £199 defenders held five spades trump (12-14), another
27-29 Nov Overcalls - Ned Paul £199 and disputed the claim. I player opened 1NT with 15
realise that the claim points. Was this correct?
*Improvers’ Weekends are aimed at the novice player and/or those
picking up the game after a long break. stands if it would take Charles Cane by e-mail.
irrational play to lose a
© Full-board © All rooms with

A
trick but not if careless There is no rule that
Friday to Sunday en-suite facilities
play would do so. How players need to play
© No single supplement © Venue non-smoking would you rule? agreements the
© Use of swimming © Bidding quiz and same way as others do. A
pool and fitness suite two seminars mistake some bridge
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ BOOKING FORM _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ♠ 85 teachers make is to fail to
™ 10 7 4 2 explain that you do not have
© 10 6 4 to play the game the way
Please book me for .... places, Single .... Double .... Twin ....
♣ 8732 they teach it. Too many
for the 2009 Staverton Park weekend(s) of ....................... players believe everyone
N
W
S
E should play the same way.
So if a player wants to pre-
............................................................................................
♠ AKQJ2 empt on 11 points, why not?
™ K The second case is
Mr/Mrs/Miss ..................................................................... © A different, since his opponent
♣ AKQ964 knows the agreement but the
Address............................................................................... player has deviated. That,
too, is legal: an agreement is
............................................................................................ David Gostyn, Eastbourne. an understanding between
partners, not a guarantee to

A
Postcode ..................................( .................................... This is a close
decision whether not
Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed) ruffing a spade, or
more likely drawing four
........................................................................................... rounds of trumps, is
Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking irrational or careless. I would
poll a number of players and
........................................................................................... judge the answer based on
Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place what they said.
by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with Some might suggest that
your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, declarer is very unlikely to
28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be keep playing trumps,
sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. however careless he is, once
Should you require insurance, you should contact your own both defenders have shown
insurance broker.
out. In that case, there will
be a trump in dummy if
, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH
trumps are 2-1, not if they
( 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 are 3-0. If West then follows
e-mail: jessica@mrbridge.co.uk to the fifth round of spades
website: www.holidaybridge.com and dummy still has a trump,
it would be clear to ruff.
opponents.
Only if this pair opens
regularly with 15 points does
this become a problem, since
now they are not playing
12 to 14; however, the
solution is simple, they
just say they are playing
12 to 15. n
David Stevenson answers
all queries based on the
facts as supplied by the
letter or e-mail writer.
Neither Mr Bridge nor
David Stevenson has any
way of knowing whether
those facts are correct or
complete.

Page 10

valuable method for setting up
A extra tricks is to use a long suit,
but it is very important to have
an entry to run this suit. With this in
mind, it can be wise to set up your side
suit before drawing all the trumps.
♠ A42
™ 763
© J52
♣ KQ93
♠ 765 ♠ 98
N
™ QJ98 W E ™ 10 5 2
© Q 10 8 S © K976
♣ 872 ♣ A654
♠ K Q J 10 3
™ AK4
© A43
♣ J 10
Contract: 4♠. Lead: ™Q.
You have eight top tricks and there
appear to be three easy extra tricks
available from clubs. However, if you
draw trumps first and then play clubs,
the defenders will take their ace on the
second round. Suddenly, you find that
your game is going one off because you
cannot reach dummy’s club winners.
Instead, you should establish your
club suit whilst keeping one trump in
dummy. You win the heart with the ace,
play the queen of spades followed by the
king. Then you play on clubs, the jack,
then the ten to the king. East wins the
second club, but you can win any return
and draw the last trump by leading to
dummy’s ace. This leaves you well
placed to take your two extra club
winners to make 4♠ with an overtrick.
Entries are one good reason to set up a
side suit early, but there are others.
Sometimes, you need to set up a side
suit while you have trumps as stoppers.
Have a go at this deal:
Bernard Magee Says
Set Up Your
Side Suit Early
♠
™
©
A 10
76
K32
♣ AQ8652
♠ 873 ♠ 52
N N
™ AJ54 W ™E K Q 10 9
© Q J 10 8 S © 9764
♣ 94 ♣ K 10 7
♠ KQJ964
™ 832
© A5
♣ J3
Contract: 4♠. Lead: ©Q.
You have nine top tricks and the best
place to look for extra tricks is in clubs.
(If you try to ruff a heart in dummy, you
have to give up the lead twice and the
defenders can lead a trump each time to
thwart you.) A long suit is so often the
solution and, as the maxim suggests, you
need to focus on the suit early. Here you
cannot afford to draw trumps because, if
the club finesse loses, the defenders will
make a club trick and three heart tricks.
The entry position is also a factor
because you will need to get back to the
clubs after drawing trumps.
Having made a plan, make sure that
you win the first diamond in hand with
the ace and then set about the club suit,
running the jack. East must take the king
at once or you have ten easy tricks
(indeed you can draw trumps and ruff
out the clubs to make all thirteen). If
East returns a diamond or a club, you
win, draw trumps and run the clubs,
making overtricks. If instead East shifts
to a heart, the defenders can make only
two hearts and a club before you regain
the lead. Either way, your contract makes.
Delaying the drawing of trumps is a
risk and you do it only with good reason,
such as to save entries or to set up or
reach a long suit.
Page 11
♠
™
©
A 10 9 8
76
542
♣ KQJ5
♠ 3 ♠ 762
™ A 10 9 W
™E
KQJ854
© J 10 9 8 S © Q76
♣ A8432 ♣ 9
♠ KQJ54
™ 32
© AK3
♣ 10 7 6
Contract: 4♠. Lead: ©J.
You have seven top tricks and can make
three extra tricks from clubs. You may
need an entry to dummy because, if
someone takes the ace on the third
round, you will not be able to reach
dummy in the club suit itself. However,
this time dummy has an extra trump, so
unless trumps break 4-0 (which they do
not!), you can draw trumps safely and
avoid the risk of an adverse club ruff.
Here, if you play clubs before trumps,
East can get a club ruff or two, beating
the contract. Instead, draw three rounds
of trumps and then knock out the ace of
clubs. West does hold up his ace until the
third round, but you can reach dummy
with a fourth round of trumps. You can
then discard a loser on the fourth club.
Conclusion
Long suits are very important in bridge.
It is vital that you address them straight
away: use the entry rule to decide whether
the suit is worth trying to establish and
then decide when to play it. So often,
you need to make these decisions at trick
one, to avoid wasting a precious entry.
Of course, you also have to be wary of
not drawing trumps: only delay if you
have a good reason. n
 Bridge H
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 Heather Dhondy Says

Cash Winners
Before a Promotion

onsider the defence to 4™ on the – and it seems likely that our spade trick

C following deal, from the East

seat. Partner leads the ten of
diamonds. Dummy covers and you win.
will also cash. Therefore, we need to
turn our attention to the fourth trick. If
partner has a trump winner (Q-x-x
3 ♠
™
©
KJ6
76532
Void
When you cash the ace of diamonds, perhaps), we can set the contract without ♣ J 10 9 7 4
partner shows a doubleton by following doing anything special; if not, a trump ♠ AQ8 ♠ 10 9 7 3 2
with the eight. What card do you now promotion is our only hope. Either way, ™ A K 10 8 N ™ Q9
W E
play? cashing the ace of spades is a good idea. © 962 S © K873
♣ 832 ♣ K5
♠ 54
1 ♠ KJ42 2 ♠ K84 ™ J4
™ 85 ™ 865 © A Q J 10 5 4
© KJ974 © QJ974 ♣ AQ6
♣ AK ♣ AK
♠ Q875 ♠ A 10 9 3 ♠ AJ75 ♠ Q 10 9 3 2
™ J 10 3 N ™ 76 ™ J 10 3 N ™ 9 West North East South
W E W E
© 10 8 S © AQ62 © A K 10 8 S © 62 1NT Pass 2™1 3©
♣ J654 ♣ 10 9 8 ♣ J6 ♣ 10 9 8 5 4 End 1
transfer to spades
♠ 6 ♠ 6
™ AKQ942 ™ AKQ742 Again, you cash a red ace-king and all
© 53 © 53 follow: East has Q-9; South J-4. This
♣ Q732 ♣ Q732 time, needing three more tricks, you
must lead the heart ten without cashing
your side ace. How do you know this?
West North East South West North East South Unless partner has two trump tricks or
1© Pass 1™ 1NT1 Pass 4™ an unlikely club winner and a trump
Pass 1♠ Pass 3™ End trick, you need a trump promotion. You
Pass 4™ End 12-14
1
probably cannot promote a trump trick
with one ruff, so you need partner to
Even if South’s trumps are A-K-Q-x-x-x, A similar looking problem – this time have a fast entry (the trump ace or king).
A-K-x-x-x-x-x or similar, you can try to you are in the West seat. You lead out the Even then, he needs to get you in to play
give partner a trump promotion now, but ace and king of diamonds, with both a fourth round of hearts. After his ruff
is there a danger? If declarer holds only partner and declarer following. If partner with the seven forces out the trump ten,
one spade, he will discard it on the third can help out with the nine of hearts, we partner will soon win the trump queen
round of diamonds – you will simply can score a trump promotion, so should with the king. He will put you in with a
have traded your spade trick for a trump you play a diamond now and hope? spade (your heart ten was a suit-
trick. It is imperative, on this deal, first Again, you must cash your ace of preference signal) and ruff the next heart
to cash the ace of spades, before giving spades first. If you do not and declarer with the trump eight to force out the
partner the trump promotion. holds a singleton spade, he will discard jack. Your nine will score.
How can you be sure that this is the it instead of overruffing partner’s nine. In conclusion, these are the elements to
right way to defend? Cash it first and your partner’s nine will consider. Firstly, is one ruff sufficient for
The opening lead has threatened to score you the promotion you need to a trump promotion? Secondly, might my
establish many winners in dummy, defeat the contract. winner disappear when declarer discards
which means that we will need to take Those problems were straightforward instead of ruffing? Thirdly (and this app-
our tricks quickly. We know that partner enough. Is it always right to cash your lies especially at teams or rubber bridge),
has no entry, so we will not be able to winners first? if I cash my winner, will a trump pro-
force a guess in spades. However, we do Study the following problem – you are motion defeat the contract? If the answers
know that the second diamond will cash defending from the West hand: are ‘yes’, cash your winner first. n

Page 14

Q A
What would you
call on this hand?
The player who
held it at the table passed.
♠ 854
♥ AKQJ
♦ 754
♣ 863
West North East South
1♦ 2♣
? A ‘Phoney Club’
Name and address supplied.
A
I would certainly not
pass. With 10 points
facing an opening
bid, you expect to be able to
make something your way.
Even if partner reopens,
which is by no means
certain, it will be hard to
catch up later.
To me, it looks very close
between double (for take-
out) and 2♥. While normally
a bid of 2♥ (or 2♠) here
would show a five-card suit,
I would be happy to treat a
suit with four honours as like
a five-card suit. The bigger
question is whether the hand
is good enough to bid 2♥,
bearing in mind that hearts
rank above diamonds
(meaning you cannot stop at
the two level). For one thing,
4333 types do not tend to
play well. For another, any
values partner has in clubs
seem poorly placed – and
Pre-empting
at the
Three Level
they will come under attack
at trick one if you declare a
heart contract. I give 10 out
of 10 to double, 6 or 7 to 2♥
but only about 2 for pass.
♣♦♥♠
Q
Please could you
explain what the
‘Phoney Club’ is?
Mrs Foster,
Kingswood, Surrey.
A
means that, when
you open 1♣, you
show either a genuine club
suit or a balanced hand out
of range (normally too
weak) to open 1NT. Since
you would pass a hand too
weak to open a weak no-
trump, the usual time to use
a phoney club is when you
are playing a strong no-
trump. The idea is to make
sure you always have a
sensible rebid.
♠ AQ73
♥ Q84
♦ K84
♣ Q94
If you open 1♠ and partner
responds 2♣ or 2♦, you will
have no sensible rebid. You
cannot rebid your four-card
spade suit. Nor (in standard
Acol) can you rebid 2NT
with only 13 points. With
Page 15
Ask Julian Pottage
just three-card support (not
to mention no ruffing
value), you would not feel
happy about raising
partner’s suit either. By
opening 1♣, you can rebid
1NT (showing 12-14 when
playing a strong no-trump)
if partner responds 1♦ or
1♥, or raise 1♠ to 2♠.
♣♦♥♠
Q
At love all, my
partner and I
(South) held the
following hands:
♠ 7
♥ Void
♦ A K J 10 6 4
♣ A K Q J 10 8
N
W
S
E bid. In either first or second
♠ 6543
♥ A J 10 7 4 3 2
♦ 7
♣ 7
East passed as dealer.
Rightly or wrongly, I
opened 3♥. West passed
and my partner bid 4♦.
Thinking partner was void
in hearts, I passed. We
missed game. Was I wrong
to open 3♥ on such a weak
hand? What should I have
rebid?
Pat Lewin,
Finchley, London.
The strength of the
hand is fine for pre-
empting. However,
there are other factors to
consider.
In second seat, it is 50-50
whether your left-hand
opponent or your partner
has the best hand at the
table. This means you need
to weigh up how suitable
your hand might be as
dummy even more than you
would in first seat.
Here, if partner has
spades, you would have a
huge dummy – four trumps,
the ace in your own suit
and two singletons on the
side. In any case, since you
have both majors, it is
unlikely that the bidding
will get too high before
you get another chance to
seat, I would pass with your
hand.
Once you have opened, a
change of suit response is
forcing – there is no need to
rescue a pre-empt.
Therefore, you should not
have passed 4♦. 4♥ is all
you can really say. North
would probably have rebid
5♣, after which you would
have to give preference to
5♦ on your singleton!
Knowing that your
diamonds are likely to be at
best two small and that you
are unlikely to hold the ace
of spades, partner should
pass 5♦.

Ask Julian continued
Q A
When might you
have to respond to
partner’s opening
in a three-card suit? I do
not think I have ever
done so.
Ken Wicks, Morden, Surrey.
A
You are right – this
is a rare event.
Normally, you bid
length rather than strength.
Sometimes, though, you can
be stuck. With hand A,
partner opens 1♣. With
hands B and C, partner
opens 1♠.
A the time. For me not
♠ 876
♥ 10 4
♦ AK8
♣ KQJ74
B C
♠ 876 ♠ QJ76
♥ A 10 4 2 ♥ K2
♦ A 10 4 ♦ 9643
♣ QJ4 ♣ AK8
With A, you cannot bid 3♣
(non-forcing limit raise) on
a hand this good. Nor do
you want to bid 3NT with
no stoppers in the majors.
You should respond 1♦.
With B, if you play 1♠-
2NT as a limit bid, you can
bid 2NT. If, as many players
do, you play 2NT as a
forcing spade raise (Jacoby)
or as a strong balanced hand
(Baron) then you cannot bid
2NT. Nor can you bid 3♠
with only three spades or 2♥
with only four hearts. This
leaves 2♣ (bid clubs unless
the diamonds are much
better).
With C, if you play 1♠-
2NT or 1♠-3NT as a strong
spade raise then that is what
you do. In the absence of
such methods, you need to
make a delayed game raise,
starting with two of a minor.
Since all the strength is in
clubs and you intend to play
in spades, 2♣ is the more
helpful and descriptive bid.
♣♦♥♠
Q
1. Partner opens
a weak no-trump.
Holding fewer
than 10 points and a five-
card major, what factors
determine whether you
pass or transfer?  Marc Smith, first seat at
2. At club level, is opening
a weak no-trump with any
five-card major too much
‘against the field’ to be
worth trying?
Paula Jasper, Rochdale.
A
1. I transfer
probably 90+% of
to transfer, the five-card suit
would need to be weak, the
doubleton strong and the
overall strength of the hand
sufficient to suggest 1NT is
likely to make.
2. Tactics are a difficult area.
I do not tend to worry too
much what the field plays.
For instance, if I went to
France or America, I would
still want to play a weak no-
trump. As on the previous
question, the quality of the
five-card major and the
strength of the doubleton are
key factors.
A B
♠ J8542 ♠ KQ954
♥ K95 ♥ AK2
♦ K 10 5 ♦ 75
♣ AQ ♣ 865
The first hand is as clear-cut
a 1NT opening as the second
is a 1♠ opening. If I had at
least two of the top three
honours or K-J-10 in the
five-card suit, I would
always open the major. Even
with only one top honour in
the major, if the doubleton is
a losing doubleton, again I
think I would always open
the major.
Page 16
Q
In English Bridge,
Frances Hinden
said that this was a
typical first-seat favourable
vulnerability 3♠ opening:
♠ Q 10 9 6 4 3
♥ 5
♦ J853
♣ 92
love all, would open 3♣
happily on this:
♠ 7
♥ 862
♦ J985
♣ Q9752
Am I out of touch with
modern thinking?
Name and address supplied.
A
I suspect that one or
two of the things
they said were a bit
tongue in cheek.
First or second in hand, I
(and most experts)
would expect to have a
seven-card suit to open 3♥
and 3♠. Non-vulnerable, I
might open 3♣ or 3♦ on
a six-card suit with two of
the top three honours.
Third in hand at favourable
vulnerability, you can take
certain liberties if your hand
is so weak that you know the
other side can make game, as
is the case on these hands. In
third seat, with only the
other side vulnerable, I
might well find a bid on
both. That said, any opening
I made on the second I
would regard as a psyche.
♣♦♥♠
Q
When the bidding
takes a tortuous
route and each
side competes to reach
game level, when, if ever, is
pass forcing? If a pass is
not forcing, should I double
if I am responder and have
two defensive tricks?
G Langham, London SW9.
1. If the bidding
takes a long and
tortuous route and it
is unclear which side can
make a contract, then forcing
passes do not apply.
2. It seems reasonable to
assume that an opening bid
contains two defensive
tricks. So, yes, if partner
opens, you have two tricks
yourself and the opponents
are up at the four level then
you might double expecting
to beat them. Of course,
sometimes the opponents
have unexpected freak
distribution and your
defensive tricks fail to
materialise, but if you never
double you are likely to lose
out in the long run.
♣♦♥♠
Q
What should I bid
with this hand,
playing basic Acol?
Partner opens 1♠ and the
next hand overcalls 2♥.
♠ 10 6 4
♥ Q7
♦ A84
♣ KQ864
Hugh Ball, Eastbourne,
West Sussex.
A
A take-out/negative
double seems the
best move. You do
not want to jump to 3♠ with
three-card support. Nor, with
Q-x in the overcalled suit, do
you want to bid 2NT. The
hand is a bit weak for 3♣, as
this ought to create a game
force.
If, as is quite likely,
partner rebids 2♠ after you
double, you can raise to 3♠.
You will then have described
your hand quite well – about
11 points and exactly three
spades.

Ask Julian continued
Q
On the following
hand, what
sequence would
you suggest to reach a
slam, there being no
opposition bidding?
Dealer North. E/W Vul.
♠ 10
♥ A 10 4 3
♦ AK72
♣ AJ72
N Alan Lamb
W
S
E ♣♦♥♠
♠ AQJ96532
♥ Q
♦ 963
♣ 9
Helen Evans by e-mail.
A
I am not sure you
would want to be in
a slam. There
appears to be a diamond
loser and, unless East has a
doubleton or singleton king
of spades, a trump loser as
well. This is my sequence:
North
1♦1
1NT3
3♥5
3NT
Pass7
1
Since the hand is good
enough to rebid 1NT over
the likely 1♠ response, 1♣ is
also possible. I prefer
1♦ because the diamonds are
stronger.
2
There is no need to pre-
empt when partner opens –
indeed, I do not play either
3♠ or 4♠ as natural here.
3
15-17, normally balanced. If
you rebid 2♣, partner will
assume 5-4 in the minors
and will not know your
strength. 1NT describes the
overall strength and nature
of the hand better.
4
Checkback– this asks for
further description and
promises at least game-invi-
tational values.
5
Maximum with four hearts AT WYCHWOOD PARK
– 16 points is mid range but
I like the three aces. The ten Weston, Crewe, Cheshire, CW2 5GP
of hearts is also a plus factor.
The auction is now game Duplicate Weekends 2009
forcing.
6
This is a mild slam try (or 3-5 April (£199) 23-25 October (£199)
South would have bid 4♠ Leads & Defence Signals & Discards
John Wootton John Wootton
over 1NT or over 3♥).
7
Having already shown a 17-19 April (£215) 20-22 November (£199)
maximum, the singleton Game Tries Improvers*
spade is a clear flaw for a Bernard Magee Stayman & Transfers
possible spade slam, so John Wootton
16-18 October (£199)
North passes. Hand Evaluation 27-29 November (£199)
Doubles – Alan Lamb
*Improvers’ Weekends are aimed at the novice player
and/or those picking up the game after a long break.
Q
I have always
understood that a
new suit at the ♦ Full-board ♦ All rooms with
three level is forcing. What en-suite facilities
♦ No single supplement
are your thoughts on ♦ Venue non-smoking
East’s final pass here? ♦ Use of jacuzzi, sauna,
steam room and gym ♦ Bidding quiz & two seminars
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ BOOKING FORM _ _ _ _ _ _ _
West East
♠ 76 ♠ Q854
♥ K7 ♥ QJ853 Please book me for ..... places,
♦ AQ875 ♦ J
♣ A K Q 10 ♣ 865 Single ..... Double ..... Twin .....
at the Wychwood Park weekends of .................................
1♦ 1♥
3♣ Pass
Mr/Mrs/Miss .....................................................................
South
Address...............................................................................
1♠2 Leny Sellers, Huddersfield.
2♣4 ............................................................................................
A
3♠ Yes, a jump shift
4♠6 rebid by opener is Postcode ............................................................................
forcing, as is almost
any new suit at the three level ( ......................................................................................
in a non-competitive auction.
East should rebid 3♥. It is Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed,
better to show the fifth heart but we will do our best to oblige)
rather than the spade stopper ..........................................................................................
(with 3NT) because there
may be a chance to show the Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per
spade stopper later. place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent
with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final pay-
Looking at the two hands,
ment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details
game prospects are poor. This will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refund-
is because both players are able. Should you require insurance, you should contact your
minimum for the bidding to own insurance broker.
date and there is no fit –
these things happen. While , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH
passing 3♣ may work on
this deal, it is likely to cost ( 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302
you in the long run as e-mail: jessica@mrbridge.co.uk
partner will lose trust in your website: www.holidaybridge.com
bidding.
Page 17

Ask Julian continued
AT THE OLDE BARN
Q
1. Please could
Toll Bar Road, Marston, Lincolnshire, NG32 2HT you explain what
the term ‘five-
Duplicate Weekends 2009 card majors’ means?
2. What do you think of
20-22 Feb (£199) 16-18 Oct (£199) the idea of making a take-
Slam Bidding - Ray Hutchinson Doubles – Alison Nicolson
out double with 12 or 13
13-15 Mar (£199) Improvers* 30 Oct - 1 Nov (£199) points but without a
Stayman & Transfers Declarer Play shortage in the suit
Ray Hutchinson Ray Hutchinson opened?
3-5 Apr (£199) 13-15 Nov (£199) Ken Wicks,
End Play & Avoidance Hand Evaluation Morden, Surrey.
Sandy Bell Ray Hutchinson
A
1. If you play that
9-11 Oct (£235) 27-29 Nov (£199)
an opening bid of
Leads & Defence Signals & Discards
Bernard Magee Ray Hutchinson
1♥ or 1♠ promises
at least five cards in the suit
*Improvers’ Weekends are aimed at the novice player opened, this is playing ‘five-
and/or those picking up the game after a long break.
card majors’. The Standard
♦ Full-board ♦ All rooms with American, standard French
♦ No single supplement en-suite facilities and Precision bidding
♦ Use of swimming ♦ Room upgrades available systems all use five-card
pool and fitness suite ♦ Bidding quiz & two seminars majors. However, Acol does
not. In Acol, you can open
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ BOOKING FORM _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1♥ or 1♠ on a four-card
suit.
Please book me for ..... places, 2. The famous Italian Blue
team believed in making
Single ..... Double ..... Twin ..... take-out doubles on weak
no-trump type hands even
at the Olde Barn weekends of ...........................................
without a shortage in the
Mr/Mrs/Miss ..................................................................... suit opened. They had some
success with the method –
Address............................................................................... mind you, they did tend to
play the dummy very well.
............................................................................................ I would not recommend
the method. It makes life
Postcode ............................................................................ hard for the doubler’s
partner if the doubler will
( ...................................................................................... often have a doubleton in an
unbid suit. It can also lead
Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, to some big penalties, as a
but we will do our best to oblige) balanced hand will not have
.......................................................................................... the playing strength of an
unbalanced hand, even if
Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per you find a fit. Indeed, just
place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent this weekend an opponent
with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final pay-
of mine made a take-out
ment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details
will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refund- double with a flat 13-count,
able. Should you require insurance, you should contact your leading to a contract of 3♠
own insurance broker. doubled down two, giving
us a nice top.
, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH Unless you have a hand
too strong to overcall 1NT,
( 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 I suggest you stick with
e-mail: jessica@mrbridge.co.uk reserving the double for
website: www.holidaybridge.com hands short in the suit
opened.
Page 18
Q
After the first
three players pass,
I understand that
the fourth player needs
14 points to open 1NT
no matter what the
vulnerability. Is this right?
Jeff Watts,
Bishops Waltham, Hants.
A
I have not come
across this
suggestion before.
The standard rule about
opening in fourth seat is to
open the bidding if your
high-card points added to
your spade length come to
15 or more: the Rule of 15.
Any balanced hand is going
to have at least two spades,
so 13 points will suffice. If
you have three spades, 12
points will do. Even with
only 12 points, the odds are
that you have the best hand
at the table. When you add
in that low-level contracts
are difficult to defend, a
1NT opening is often going
to work well.
♣♦♥♠
Q
How many points
does one need to
reply Stayman 2♣
to a weak 1NT?
P Warden, Southampton.
A
If you have the
right shape, you
can bid 2♣ without
any points at all. For
example, if your shape is
4-4-5-0 (i.e. four cards in
each major, five diamonds
and no clubs), you bid 2♣,
planning to pass any reply
by opener. In Acol, you can
also bid 2♣ on a weak hand
with at least 5-4 in the
majors: 1NT-2♣-2♦-2♥ and
1NT-2♣-2♦-2♠ are sign-off
sequences.
It is only when you have a
balanced hand or are short
in one of the majors that a
minimum point count
applies. You need enough to
invite game, in this case 11
points facing a 12-14 1NT.
 Opinions vary on whether
Ask Julian continued
the best way to express this
is by jumping to 4♥ or, if 4♥
would be a ‘fast arrival’ bid, DECLARER
Q
On the deal below, by giving simple preference

PLAY
North opened 1♦. to 3♥. Either way, you are
I replied 1♥, to likely to check on aces and
preserve bidding space finish in 6♥. 7♥ has play but,
until we had found the
right suit. North rebid 2♦.
needing a 3-2 break in both
red suits, is against the odds. QUIZ
It surprises me that most
pairs bid 6NT. The
♠ A 10 9 singletons in each hand by David Huggett
♥ J65 rather suggest playing in a (Answers on page 39)
♦ AK9762 suit. 6♥ looks a better
♣ 5 contract, with chances of an
overtrick if suits break
ou are South as declarer playing teams or rubber bridge.
W
N

S
E kindly and still the chance of
12 tricks if they do not.
Y In each case, what is your play strategy?

♠ K
♥ AKQ42 ♣♦♥♠ 1. 3.
♦ 43 ♠ 32 ♠ K87

Q
♣ AK963 How strong a hand ♥ 87652 ♥ J75
should the 2NT ♦ 764 ♦ A83
bid in this auction ♣ AJ5 ♣ J754
I now knew that I had to show? At the table, North N N
declare my full strength. had 16 points. W E W E
S S
Since asking for aces might
commit us to playing in West North East South ♠ A Q 10 8 7 4 ♠ AQJ9
diamonds, I bid 5♣. My 1♦ 1♠ ♥ A43 ♥ 3
partner then bid 5♦, which 2♥ 2NT ♦ AKQ ♦ K Q 10 7 5
I raised to 6♦. This made, Cynthia Howard, Reigate. ♣ 7 ♣ A92
but most other pairs

outscored us by bidding
6NT. How should we have
bid to 6NT?
Fraser Noon by e-mail.
A
Since a one-level
overcall does not You are declarer in 4♠ and You are declarer in 4♠ and
promise as much West leads the ♦J. How West leads the ♥2. East
strength as an opening bid, do you plan the play? wins with the ♥A and
bids of 1NT, 2NT and 3NT returns the ♥6. How do
you plan the play?

A
You were right to all require more points than
keep the bidding they would in response to an
low with your initial opening bid. I suggest about
response. 1♥ is forcing for 10-12 for 1NT, 13-14 for 2.
one round and shows 6 2NT and at least 15 for 3NT. ♠ A7642
points upwards. On the next It surprises me to learn ♥ 7643 4.
round, however, you had no that North held 16 points. To ♦ Q5 ♠ A875
need to jump. 3♣, a new suit open the bidding, East is ♣ K4 ♥ KJ9
at the three level and a high likely to have at least 11 N
♦ K65
reverse, would create a game (plus something for W E ♣ A96
S
force. You want to keep the distribution). For the two- N
bidding low because you level response, I would ♠ 3 W E
S
might belong in hearts, expect West to have 9 points ♥ A952
diamonds, clubs or no- or so in high cards. This ♦ A K J 10 2 ♠ 2
trumps. leaves only 4 points for ♣ A62 ♥ A Q 10 7 3
In the context of not South, which is far too little, ♦ AQJ8
having raised hearts even for an overcall. ♣ KJ3
previously, partner has a Someone psyched or You are declarer in 4♥
huge hand for hearts. overbid. n and West leads the ♠Q.
How do you plan the You are declarer in 7♥
play? and West leads the ♥2.
E-mail your questions for Julian to: How do you plan the play
julianpottage@mrbridge.co.uk (trumps are 3-2)?

Page 19
 Seasonal Walks with Countryman
A Walk
in Winter
T
his little piece of England,
where the birds are singing, the
sun shining and the air
seriously intoxicating – it is all too easy
to fall under its magic spell and dream
on, contentedly…
We are now getting towards the end of
February and perhaps the worst of the
winter weather is behind us. It can be a
very cold and cruel month but I sense
that spring is in the offing and, one day
soon, it will be enthralling us with its
presence.
Cold and Bracing Weather
Yes, it is cold today but the air is pure
and bracing and the sun is occasionally
winning the battle to remind us that it is
still around. One creature, who never
seems to be concerned about climatic
conditions, is my beautiful Golden
Retriever, Cindy. I think she would be
highly disappointed if I did not take her
out in a hurricane or a blizzard. Cold,
heat, rain, snow, it all seems the same to
her. Walkies are the highlight of her day
and nothing, but nothing, must interfere
with this doggy form of Utopia.
Interrupted by the Telephone
Having received a wet-nose nudge to
remind me that it is time we were on our
way, there is a hiatus; the telephone
rings.
‘We’d better answer it,’ I say to Cindy.
‘You never know, we might have won
the lottery.’ Cindy looks unconvinced
but I pick up the phone anyway.
The caller is Pauline, an enthusiastic
improver who regards me as her bridge As Cindy and I make our way across
guru and seeks advice frequently if sodden fields, I feel glad that this
something crops up that bothers her. It particular part of the country is not
seems that she was defending as West in under water because, only a short
the following situation. distance ahead, the low-lying meadows
are looking more like a huge lake than
grassland. Still, we can skirt round them
Dealer South. Game All. Pairs. and at least observe the beneficiaries.
Dummy As if by magic, a number of birds have
♠ AJ3 found their way to the temporary
♥ Q73 aquatic haven. It is easy to recognise
♦ J 10 9 6 3 mute swans and mallards but some of
♣ K2 the other birds I do not know. Of course,
West during the winter months, many of our
♠ 642 summer migrants have departed for
N
♥ KJ94 W E warmer climes; migration also works
♦ A8 S the other way when many visitors from
♣ Q J 10 9 overseas grace us with their presence.
I do recognise lapwings, or green
plovers, which are circling overhead
West North East South and seem to be complaining bitterly
1NT* about something. Maybe they are
Pass 2NT Pass 3NT annoyed that one of their nesting areas
End is under water.
*12-14 Time to get back to Pauline’s problem
– here is the full deal:
Pauline led the queen of clubs, which
declarer’s ace won. Declarer now
played the king of diamonds and, when ♠ AJ3
Pauline ducked this, he continued with ♥ Q73
the queen of diamonds. How, upon ♦ J 10 9 6 3
winning with the ace, should West ♣ K2
continue? We will come back to ♠ 642 ♠ 10 8 7
Pauline’s problem a little later. ♥ KJ94 N ♥ A52
W E
On leaving the house, I notice that the ♦ A8 S ♦ 7542
winter heliotrope, which has provided ♣ Q J 10 9 ♣ 863
such spectacular pale lilac blooms for a ♠ KQ95
short while, has already started to die ♥ 10 8 6
off. Any coloured plants at this time of ♦ KQ
year are a bonus and it seems a shame ♣ A754
that this flower has such a short life.
Page 20
 Winter continued
2009
3-5 Feb £199 AT MARSHAM COURT
(Tue-Thu)
Pauline told me that she Slam Bidding East Cliff, Bournemouth, BH1 3AB
played a second club to clear Chris Barrable
the suit but nothing could Duplicate Bridge Breaks 2009
prevent declarer from 1-3 Mar £199
scoring four diamonds, four (Sun-Tue) ♦ Full-board
spades and two clubs for Declarer Play
♦ All rooms with
+630. However, at one or Chris Barrable
en-suite facilities
two tables, 3NT had gone
down; she could not see how 3-5 Mar £199 ♦ Venue non-smoking
this was possible. (Tue-Thu) ♦ No single
Further into the Auction supplement
Detective Work Chris Barrable
♦ Tuition with Supervised
Although playing a second 26-28 Apr £150 Play, bidding quiz and two
club may seem like a normal (Sun-Tue) seminars except on Just
reaction, a little detective Just Duplicate Duplicate events
work would lead to a very Crombie McNeil
different conclusion. The _ _ _ _ _ _ _ BOOKING FORM _ _ _ _ _ _ _
clue is in the bidding; 1-3 Jun £199
remember, South accepted (Mon-Wed)
his partner’s invitation to go Doubles
Please book me for ..... places, Day Guests (£115pp) ......
on to game and is therefore Gary Conrad
likely to hold fourteen Single ..... Double ..... Twin ..... Sea View* .....
2-4 Jul £150
points. That probably leaves
(Thu-Sat)
just four points for East. at the Marsham Court date(s) of .......................................
Just Duplicate
They cannot be in the minors
and are unlikely to be in 17-19 Jul £199 Mr/Mrs/Miss .....................................................................
spades, but the ace of hearts (Fri-Sun)
is a lively contender. Stayman and Transfers
Having got this far, and Address...............................................................................
Ned Paul
decided that a heart switch is
essential, West has one more ............................................................................................
22-24 Jul £199
hurdle to negotiate. It is not (Wed-Fri)
good enough to play the Signals and Discards ............................................................................................
(normal) fourth-highest heart Alison Nicolson
– it must be the jack to Postcode ............................................................................
capture the queen and pick 23-25 Sep £150
up declarer’s possible ten on (Wed-Fri) ( ......................................................................................
the way back. Four heart Just Duplicate
tricks plus the ace of Crombie McNeil Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed,
diamonds means contract one but we will do our best to oblige)
down and two very happy 30 Oct-1 Nov £235
defenders! (Fri-Sun) ..........................................................................................
Bernard Magee Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per
Making the Right place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent
Switch with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final pay-
ment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details
Home once more, and having will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refund-
dried a rather wet and able. Should you require insurance, you should contact your
own insurance broker. *£30 supplement per room.
bedraggled Cindy, I say to
her, ‘You see, Pauline should
have switched, but it is no , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH
use unless she switches to
the right card.’ Cindy wags ( 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302
her tail encouragingly; it is e-mail: jessica@mrbridge.co.uk
amazing what this dog website: www.holidaybridge.com
understands... n

Page 21
 CHRISTMAS and
NEW YEAR 2009
DEFENCE
♦ Full-board ♦ All rooms with
en-suite facilities
QUIZ
♦ No single supplement
♦ Room upgrades available
♦ Use of swimming by Julian Pottage
pool and fitness suite ♦ Extra Quizzes and Games (Answers on page 47)

Extra nights available on request ou are East in the defensive positions below. It is your turn
Y to play.

THE OLDE BARN

1. ♠ J742 3. ♠ K87
Toll Bar Road, Marston, Lincolnshire, NG32 2HT ♥ 984 ♥ AQ72
♦ K ♦ J
24-27 December ♣ AKQ82 ♣ AK832
from £395 ♠ Q95 ♠ AQ2
N N
W E ♥ 7 W E ♥ 10 6 5 4
27-29 December S
♦ A876 S
♦ K963
from £199 ♣ J 10 6 5 3 ♣ 75

29-31 December
from £199 West North East South West North East South
1♥ 1♣ Pass 1♠
Pass 2♣ Pass 2♥ Pass 2♥ Pass 2♠
DENHAM GROVE Pass 4♥ End Pass 4♠ End

Tilehouse Lane, Denham, Buckinghamshire, UB9 5DU Partner leads the three of Partner leads the queen of
diamonds to the king and clubs. Dummy wins with
24-27 December ace. What do you return? the ace and leads the dia-
from £395 mond jack. Do you play
your king? If not, why not?
27-29 December 2. ♠ 8732
from £199 ♥ 8
♦ Q76 4. ♠ K542
29 Dec-1 Jan ♣ AK832 ♥ 10 9 8
♠ AK954 ♦ K6
from £355
N ♥ 10 7 6 ♣ Q 10 4 2
W E
S ♦ A8 ♠ 10 8 7 6
Eight executive rooms*. N
♣ Q 10 6 W E ♥ A53
Half the bedrooms are on the ground floor. S ♦ A7
Please advise if you require a ground-floor room.
♣ J963

Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per West North East South
place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent Pass Pass 1♠ 2♦
with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final pay- 2♠ 3♦ Pass 4♦ West North East South
ment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details Pass 5♦ End 1♥
will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refund- Pass 1♠ Pass 2NT
able. Should you require insurance, you should contact your Partner leads the jack of Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥
own insurance broker. *£50 supplement per room.
spades. You win with the End
king as South drops the
, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH queen. How do you con- Partner leads the queen of
( 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 tinue? diamonds to the king and
e-mail: jessica@mrbridge.co.uk ace. What do you return?

website: www.holidaybridge.com

Page 22
 Dave Huggett Says

Switch to the
Surrounding Card
defensive switch round to a bit the diamond suit still guarded. If you play the two, declarer may well

A of strength is a special art. You

may need to lead exactly the
right card.
Now try switching to the queen of
diamonds. We call this a surrounding
card as your queen and ten are above
play low, restricting your side to two
tricks only in the suit. Now try leading
the jack. Whatever declarer does, he will
and below dummy’s jack. If declarer lose four tricks and the contract!
plays the king, partner can return the suit Sometimes the opening leader may
♠ Q J 10 7 when he gains the lead; if instead need to find the killing switch.
♥ 75 declarer plays low, you continue with
♦ J82 the three to stay in contact with partner.
♣ AQJ7 Either way, you make three diamond ♠ AJ3
♠ K3 ♠ 96542 tricks. Of course, if West has the king, ♥ AJ5
♥ Q J 10 8 6 2 N ♥ 9 you run four tricks in the suit at once! ♦ AK75
W E
♦ 765 S
♦ A Q 10 3 You played the queen on that deal as ♣ 985
♣ 62 ♣ K83 the queen and the ten surrounded the ♠ K 10 8 2 ♠ 974
♠ A8 jack. You were happy to let declarer ♥ Q 10 8 2 N ♥ K743
♥ AK43 make one diamond but not two. At ♦ 10 4 3 W E ♦ J86
S
♦ K94 times, some drastic action is in order: ♣ AQ ♣ 632
♣ 10 9 5 4 ♠ Q65
♥ 96
♠ 75 ♦ Q92
West North East South ♥ 10 6 ♣ K J 10 7 4
1NT1 ♦ K Q 10 9 7 3
Pass 2♣ Pass 2♥ ♣ 875
Pass 2NT Pass 3NT ♠ J 10 9 8 ♠ 632 West North East South
End ♥ A754 N ♥ KJ92 1♦ Pass 1NT
1
12-14 ♦ 82 W E ♦ A4 Pass 2NT Pass 3NT
S
♣ 942 ♣ J 10 6 3 End
Despite the bidding, West leads the ♠ AKQ4
queen of hearts, which runs to the king. ♥ Q83 You elect to lead the spade two and are
Declarer advances the ten of clubs and ♦ J65 sorry to see this go round to the queen.
dummy plays low, as do you, East. A ♣ AKQ After a diamond to dummy, declarer
second club goes to the queen and your runs the club nine to your queen, as East
king. You spot that partner has played plays the two. What do you do now?
high-low, signalling an even number. West North East South A 1NT response to 1♦ nearly always
From the auction, you place South 2NT shows clubs and partner’s count signal
with 14 points and partner with a six- Pass 3NT End suggests that South has ♣K-J-x-x-x. If
count. As you know three are in hearts, declarer started with the king of hearts,
he must hold a king somewhere – and Partner leads the jack of spades, which there seems no hope, so put partner with
this can only be in spades or diamonds. you play as showing his highest card in that card. Again, a heart shift is in order.
You also have a near count of the hand! the suit. Declarer wins and plays the jack What happens if you lead a wooden
Partner has two spades at most, six of diamonds followed by the six. You win two of hearts? Declarer ducks in dummy
hearts and surely two clubs, leaving the second round but note that partner has forcing your partner to win with the king
three or four diamonds. So a diamond played high-low to show a doubleton. and giving him a double stopper. So play
switch looks best. If, though, you lead You know that partner cannot have two the ten instead. You know from the
your fourth best and declarer has the aces, but he needs to have one or declarer bidding that partner has at least three
king, he may well let it run to dummy’s has easily enough tricks for his contract. hearts. So long as one of them is the
jack. Then he can knock out the king of As your clubs are weak, a heart switch king, declarer will lose three heart tricks
spades and come to ten easy tricks with looks right. Which heart do you lead? and two clubs for a one-trick defeat. n

Page 23

T
he laws of bridge have been set
out to make the game fairer and
more enjoyable. They need to be
followed by everyone for a session to
run smoothly. There are also a number
of rules or proprieties that supplement
the laws. Some of the laws and rules are
summarised below.
Boards
Under Law 7A, the board being played
must stay on the table during the
bidding and play of the hand. There are
two main reasons for this. Firstly, it
helps form a physical barrier making it
less likely that the hands will get mixed
up, and there is less likelihood of cards
being put back in the wrong slot.
Secondly, it shows the vulnerability and
dealer. Two fewer things to have to
remember when playing a hand!
Trav ellers
At the end of the play it is North’s job to
take the traveller from the board and fill
in the score. Everybody at the table
should help check this. The score
should be entered on the traveller before
anyone fills in their personal scorecard
and people should not start talking
about the hand, or anything else, until
this has been done. (Again this is
history and good practice rather than the
law). Travellers should never be
removed from a board without the
opposition being present or the
director’s permission. Note this means
that, if you sit out, you have no right to
remove any traveller from a board.
Occasionally people will write ‘Sit Out’
or something similar next to their pair
number. This shows not only that they
have abused the above Law, but is also
extremely irritating for the scorer.
Actually this is a bit harsh; when
manual scoring was common, people
were often encouraged to write ‘Sit out’
Good Practice for
Boards, Travellers
and Curtain Cards
by Stan Powell
on the traveller, but with computer
scoring it is not necessary. Just one
example of how the game is evolving.
With modern computer scoring, the
person putting in the scores simply
inputs the points won or lost on a hand.
So if a hand is scored as:
NS EW Contract By Tricks NS+ EW+
1 4 2S E 9 110
it is the 110 that will be entered. The
fact that nine tricks in spades should be
140 may not even be picked up, but
even if it is, the advice given at TD
training courses is that it is the points
score entered that the scorer has to use,
unless he can verify what actually
happened at the table or unless it is
completely obvious: for example in a
row of +650s he could change a +450 to
+650. Of course, the effect of this can
be even more dramatic if someone
enters a score in the wrong column.
The biggest problem arises if a score
is entered on the wrong line. This is
because it throws out all the scores
entered below that score. The most
common reason for this is forgetting to
arrow switch. If you do enter a score on
the wrong line, please annotate the score
sheet very clearly so that the scorer spots
what has happened immediately. If you
enter a score on the wrong line, it can
take ages to sort out what has happened,
which is why you will be penalised. If
you play a board the wrong way round,
but draw the director’s or scorer’s
attention to what has happened, there is
usually no penalty.
Curtain Cards
Curtain cards are a peculiarly English
concept. There is a general feeling now
that they cause more trouble than they
are worth, which is why they are being
used less and less often. They are not
Page 26
mentioned directly in the laws, but the
following is good practice if your club
does decide to use them.
Curtain cards have one main use. This
is to maintain a record of a hand, so that
if the cards get mixed up the hands can
be re-created.
The curtain card forms part of a
player’s hand and no player may touch
another player’s cards or their curtain
card. If you do need to see anyone else’s
hand or curtain card, the correct
procedure is to ask them to show it to
you. As well as being against the rules
(Law 66D), it is considered extremely
rude to grab partner’s curtain card after
a hand.
When the players return their cards to
the board, the curtain card should be
placed on top of the cards so that
everyone can easily see that it is the
correct card for the hand.
Curtain cards should never be
removed from a board without the
opposition being present or the
director’s permission. The most likely
reason for the latter is if you sit out
round one, it is normal to sort the hands
and fill out the curtain card. Note, in
other situations you are not allowed to
remove the curtain cards from the
boards you are sitting out. Of course, in
this situation, some people like to look
at the hands and discuss them. If you do
this, remember that if the board is
fouled the penalties are quite severe.
All of the above can be incorporated
in a club’s Supplementary Regulations
(Law 80F).
My thanks to John Pain, of the EBU,
for his advice in the preparation of this
article. n
Stan Powell sometimes helps on
Mr Bridge holidays, and regards his
main achievement in bridge as the fact
that his wife still wants to partner him!
 The Curse
of Jutland
by Dick Atkinson

M
y uncle, the seventh Baron
von Münchausen, came to
stay with us for a couple of
weeks when, in his eighties, he had
decided to go into partial retirement.
Somehow, twenty years on, the question
of his leaving has never arisen. I have to
admit that, in one way, I have profited
immensely from his experience. He has
a depth of imagination and perception at
the bridge table that one can hope to
emulate only in a very small way.
When I helped him unpack his
luggage, he gave me the task of hanging
various trophies on the wall of his
bedroom, such as a remarkably fine pair
of mounted unicorn heads. Perhaps I
should have guessed then that his stay
would be a protracted one.
The Baron’s Trophies
Among the trophies was a heavy gilt
frame, containing a rich green velvet
background, on which reposed an Eight
of Diamonds. I ventured to ask him its
history. ‘Ah yes, my boy. The Curse of
Jutland!’
‘Surely you mean Sc–’
‘Jutland!’ he repeated firmly. ‘I have
always loved the Eight of Diamonds.
Look closely at him and you will see a
ghostly figure ‘8’ traced out among the
pips.’ I looked and he was right! Strange
I had never noticed before. ‘Oh yes
indeed, a tricky little card. Now you see
him, now you don’t...’
Very Restricted Teams
He explained that he had taken this card
from a pack used some years ago in the
final of the Almanach da Gotha Very
Restricted Teams. Going into the last
eight boards, the Danish Royal Family
had a solid lead of 3,350, playing Total
Point Scoring in those days.
Looking for Swings
The Baron had looked all session for a
chance to engineer major swings.
Inevitably, there were half a dozen
miserably uninteresting boards, with no
sign even of a game among them, or
even the likelihood of a single trick
difference. Then came this:
♠ AK8
♥ 86532
♦ 9873
♣ 9
♠ Q J 10 4 3 ♠ 97652
♥ J 10 9
W
N
E
♥ 74
♦ 10 6 4 2 S ♦ Void
♣ 6 ♣ K75432
♠ Void
♥ AKQ
♦ AKQJ5
♣ A Q J 10 8
The Baron’s charming partner in the
North seat, a Hessian Princess,
responded 2♥ to his natural 2♦ opener,
and followed with 4♦ over his 3♣ rebid.
It seemed likely that 7♦ or 7♥ would be
reached in the other room.
Tactically Correct Call
The Baron had to hope they would be
defeated by bad breaks – but, on the
other hand, if he bid only 6♥ when
thirteen tricks were there, no chance of
a recovery on the last board would
remain. For those reasons, the tactically
correct call, he decided, was 7NT.
The ♠Q lead was won on table and
everything looked promising. The
fourth round of diamonds would
provide entry for three winners in the
majors.
Overcoming the Bad
Diamond Break
The Baron called for ‘The seven of
diamonds please, Your Royal Highness,’
and received the bad news without a
flicker of emotion. He took the ace of
diamonds, followed by the king of
diamonds: ‘The three of diamonds,
please.’ A moment later he called for
‘The eight of diamonds, please – Oh,
I’m sorry! I mean the eight of hearts, of
course!’ West, who had played his six of
diamonds, looked at the Baron’s card
and noticed that it was indeed the queen
of hearts, and not the queen of
diamonds that the Baron had led him to
expect. The Baron cashed two more
hearts, then led his small diamond to the
eight at the next trick, West contributing
his penalty card helplessly and that was
that.
Grand Slam in Diamonds
‘They bid the grand in diamonds in the
other room,’ the Baron chuckled. ‘Of
course, my line doesn’t work in that
strain ... It wasn’t over yet, though, as
there was still a board to play. You may
find it hard to believe, but I pulled off
the Vanishing Eight of Diamonds Coup
yet again – two boards in a row, against
the same opponents!’
I found that very hard to believe, but
my Uncle quickly sketched this layout
from his encyclopaedic memory:

Page 27

DOUBLE
DUMMY
PROBLEM
by Richard W heen
(Answer on page 31)
♠ A983
♥ 32
♦ Void
♣ Void
♠ K 10 4 ♠ QJ
♥ QJ N ♥ K 10
W E
♦ 2 S ♦ Void
♣ Void ♣ 97
♠ 76
♥ A
♦ Void
♣ 10 8 6
lubs are trumps and South is
C on lead as declarer, needing to
make five of the remaining six tricks.
How is this possible?
The following have kindly donated
stamps for the Little Voice Appeal:
Mrs P Ward, Nuneaton. Mrs M Stanton,
Fareham. Mrs T Gillett, Lymington. Mr H
Klocek, SW19. Mr G Datson, Bulbeck. Mrs
R James, Bridgend. Mr W B Shepherd,
Devizes. Mrs P M Kenwood, Glamorgan.
Mrs A Fletcher, Limpsfield Chart. Mrs E
Freeman, Sleaford. Mrs Jupp, March. Mrs V
Harrison, Sevenoaks. Mrs S Paine,
Barnstaple. Mrs E M Hallas Hill, Storrington.
Mrs H Bagwell, Wilmington. Mrs S Beaney,
Rayleigh. Mrs K A Sayer, Ticehurst. Mrs J
Clark, Havant. Mrs S E Kivland, Hastings.
Miss A Alford, Tuell Down, Nr Lamerton.
Mrs Gadiner, Buckden. Mr D H Cohen,
Stockport. Mrs L Yates, Skipton. Mrs I
Duncan, Dundee. Mr & Mrs C Dirckze,
SW15. Mrs A Carrick, Wirral. Mrs H
Bennett, Bristol. Mrs M Allan, Banchory. Mrs
D Dickinson, Cuddington. Mrs A Blaikie,
Lee on Solent. Mrs P Ramsden, Sedbergh.
Mrs B Leith, Perth. Mrs J M Stammers, Great
Bookham. Mrs K Jones, Swansea. Mrs M
Davies, W13. Mrs Measures, Wimborne. Mr
S E Heath, Orsett Heath. Mr & Mrs T Rofer,
Chinley. Mr Dumbleton, Woking. Ms A
McHardy, Oxford. Mrs J H Chiari, Poole.
Mrs S Cartledge, Upminster. Mrs N Pickerell,
Belper. Mr J G Paton, West Mosley. Mrs M
Wetherly, Shropshire. Mrs R A Watson,
Wetherby. Mrs B Thompson, Brough. Mrs A
Bannister, Wetherby. Mrs E Elderton, Milton
Keynes. Mrs H Roberts, Wirral. Thank You.
The Curse of Jutland
con tin ued
♠ Q J 10
♥ 9875
♦ J 10 9 8 3 2
♣ Void
♠ 854 ♠ 97632
♥ J 10 6 4 3 N ♥ Void
W E
♦ AQ S ♦ K764
♣ 975 ♣ 8643
♠ AK
♥ AKQ2
♦ 5
♣ A K Q J 10 2
‘I opened 2♣, natural and Game
Forcing in Culbertson and was
delighted when my bewitching little
partner responded 2♦, though I think a
negative 2NT was technically correct.
My 4NT led to the depressing
admission that she had no ace, so I had
to settle for 6NT. After a spade lead, the
play was automatic and I made thirteen
tricks.’
I couldn’t conceive how that could be
so, nor could I see how the eight of
diamonds could have anything to do
with the outcome. I remained quiet as
long as I could, but he waited me out.
‘All right, Uncle Leo. At which trick did
you play the eight of diamonds?’
‘Tricks, you mean. I played it the first
time at trick two.’
‘You discarded it on a club?’
‘No, no! That would be a legitimate
play and the card would remain played.’
‘I don’t quite understand ...’
‘Good Lord, boy, can’t you see that
six clubs and six hearts are probably
solid unless the heart suit breaks badly?
And that I can’t afford, since we need
huge swings. Therefore I require a
squeeze, for which I require a diamond
menace.’
How to Create a Squeeze
‘But you –’
‘So I created one. I called for the
eight of diamonds at trick two, as if I
had kept the lead on the table. East
understandably objected to my attempt
to finagle a non-existent dummy entry
twice in a row! I fell back on my own
hand, cashing all my black winners. No
power on earth, far less any signal
devised by man, could ever convince
Page 28
West that I did not have K-x of
diamonds, so he retained the jack, ten
and six of hearts and the ace and queen
of diamonds.’ He smiled deliciously at
the memory.
‘A ‘psychic swindle’! Unfortunately
His Serene Highness ripped the eight of
diamonds into shreds and flung it in my
face, but I recovered this one from the
previous deal.’
‘Surely you have only twelve tr –’
‘You are forgetting my heart entry to
the third spade winner.’
‘The lie of the cards was rather
fortunate ...’
‘Nonsense. Either player may hold
the ace-queen of diamonds and either
may hold the heart length. The squeeze
works against each possibility. We
retained the trophy, of course, but by the
narrowest of margins, scoring three
thousand, three hundred and ninety on
the last two boards! The small slam in
clubs in the other room failed on the bad
heart break, exactly as planned.’
Honours?
I did a quick calculation: 2,220+100,
and 1,020+50 ... It was 3,390 all right,
but . . . ‘What about the honours?’
‘Honours?’
‘One hundred for honours in
diamonds, and one hundred and fifty in
clubs. You score honours at Total
Points.’
His eyes flickered swiftly, though
whether in an effort of memory or of
calculation I couldn’t tell.
‘Ah, yes – yes. Quite so. The . . . the
er . . . the club slam was doubled –
Lightner – for a heart lead. A small
heart was led to ensure a diamond
return. A second heart ruff meant the
contract was, in fact, two down
doubled, minus three hundred.’
His mathematics, unlike his morals,
could not be faulted. ‘I still think your
opponents were incredibly unlucky,’ I
persisted.
‘Not a bit of it,’ he replied. ‘Sheer bad
bridge. At over one thousand up with
one board to play it was only necessary
to bid a safe game on the deal. They
threw it away!’ n
This Baron story was previously
published in BRIDGE 40 and is
here to satisfy popular demand.

ome seventy years ago,
S Culbertson and Goren vied for the
position as the leading authority
on the game. The former believed in
valuing hands using honour tricks, while
the latter believed in the 4-3-2-1 point
count. We all know, from how we value
our hands today, who won that battle.
Even so, honour tricks did not die
completely. A close relation, the quick
trick, came to the fore. In Acol, a key
benchmark for an artificial 2♣ opening
is five quick tricks in a powerful game-
going hand.
Quick tricks are slightly less generous
(and simpler!) than honour tricks. The
scale for quick tricks is as follows:
2 quick tricks: A-K in a suit
1.5 quick tricks: A-Q in a suit
1 quick trick: A or K-Q in a suit
0.5 quick tricks: K in a suit
Quick tricks, by their nature, tend to
be of use whatever the trump suit is.
They make tricks if the opponents pick
the trump suit and are useful in dummy.
They also reflect the fact that honours in
combination are worth more than
scattered honours and that the 4-3-2-1
count tends to undervalue aces and
overvalue jacks.
Hand A Hand B
♠ QJ64 ♠ AK64
♥ QJ5 ♥ KQ5
♦ QJ5 ♦ 952
♣ QJ5 ♣ 852
Even without quick tricks, I hope you
can see the difference between these two
hands. Hand A should be an automatic
pass as dealer, while B is an equally clear
opening. Both hands have a poor 4-3-3-3
shape and both have 12 points in high
cards. What sets them apart is their quick
tricks. Hand A has none, while B has
three (two in spades and one in hearts).
Julian Pottage Says
Use the
Rule of 22
Suppose partner has a bust. With hand
A, you may well make only one trick –
your Q-J-x in whatever suit the other
side chooses as trumps. With hand B,
you are likely to make three tricks no
matter what the trump suit is.
Just about whatever hand your partner
holds, hand A will yield fewer tricks
than hand B. In the suits in which your
Q-J-x holdings face length, you might
run into an opposing ruff. In the suits in
which these holdings face a shortage,
your high cards will be useless as your
partner could ruff anyway. If you play in
no-trumps, again Q-J-x is a poor
holding. You cannot hold up with this
type of holding. Nor can you run tricks
quickly. All ways on, hand B has a
higher and surer potential than A.
That was an extreme example. On a
normal type of hand, you may need to
use the Rule of 22 to decide whether the
hand is good enough for an opening bid.
What do you count in looking for this
magical figure of 22? You count your
points in high cards, the length of your
two longest suits and your quick tricks.
You then add these together. One name
for this method is the HLQT count,
where H stands for high cards, L for
length and QT for quick tricks.
Hand C Hand D
♠ KJ9432 ♠ AJ9432
♥ QJ542 ♥ A9542
♦ Void ♦ Void
♣ Q5 ♣ 95
What is the HLQT for hand C? If you
count the club holding generously as
two points, it comes to 20.5. This is 9
points in high cards, 11 cards in the two
longest suits and 0.5 quick tricks.
What is the HLQT for hand D? It is
22: 9 in high cards, 11 cards in the
longest suits and 2 quick tricks.
Page 29
The HLQT counts tell you that hand D is
a clear-cut opening even if you are
vulnerable, while hand C falls short of
the requirement.
Ron Klinger, who is as synonymous
with HLQT as Harrison-Gray is with the
losing trick count, suggests a slight
relaxation when non-vulnerable. If you
have a suitable opening bid and rebid,
you can then open with an HLQT of
21.5 or even 21. You can open a fraction
lighter because partner is less likely to
press for game and, if you go down, you
do so at 50 a time.
Hand E Hand F
♠ KQJ94 ♠ J964
♥ 965 ♥ K 10 8 5 2
♦ A 10 5 2 ♦ AQ
♣ 5 ♣ 95
Both E and F have an HLQT of 21: 10
points in high cards, 9 cards in the two
longest suits and two quick tricks. With
E, feel free to open 1♠ non-vulnerable.
You have an easy rebid of 2♦ over 2♣ or
you can raise a response of 2♦ or 2♥.
Moreover, if the deal belongs to the
opponents, you are happy with a spade
lead. A shaded opening has far less to
commend it on hand F. For one thing,
you are quite likely to have to rebid your
moderate five-card suit. For another, the
hand simply has less playing strength.
Hand E has seven losers (one spade,
three hearts, two diamonds and one
club) while F has seven and a half losers
(three spades, two hearts, two clubs and
a half in diamonds).
Yes, counting quick tricks takes a tiny
bit of extra mental effort. It is a case of
the more you put in the more you get
out. The more angles from which you
view your hand, the better the chance
you will assess it accurately. For close
opening bids, follow the Rule of 22. n

T
his article is about the Landy
convention. Landy is a defensive
method against 1NT. A bid of
2♣, when the opponents have opened
1NT, shows not clubs but both major
suits, at least 5-4. After your 2♣
overcall, partner can help choose which
of the major suits is the more suitable.
There are many similar conventions
for countering 1NT – but Landy was the
first on the block and is one of the
easiest to play. Bernard Magee has
written a previous article about Landy
which you can find online in the Mr
Bridge library. A point to note is that, if
there were one universally recognised
effective defence to 1NT, ‘everyone’
would play it. The diversity of
conventions available is tribute to the
challenge posed by the 1NT opening
bid.
The Landy convention takes its name
from its creator, Alvin Landy of the
USA. We have our own famous Landy
in Britain, Sandra, who was the number
one woman player in the world for ages,
racking up two World and five European
Championships along the way. The two
are not in any way related.
Strictly speaking, Sandra has no
conventions named after her, but
tournament players joke about Sandra’s
forward bidding. When faced with a
difficult decision as to whether to invite
partner to bid a game or to take courage
and bid it oneself, one solution is make
a bid that partner will treat as a ‘Game
Try’. With a suitable hand for the
bidding so far, partner will bid game;
with a minimum, partner will pass and
matters will rest in a part-score. Sandra
rarely likes to play in part-scores when
game is in the air; so the ‘Sandra Landy
Game Try’ is just to bash ahead, bid the
game and then try to make it.
Back to the real Landy convention –
one of the benefits of opening the
bidding with 1NT is the obstructive
Conventions and Conventioners with Ned Paul
The Landy
Convention –
Alvin Not Sandra
effect on the other side. Defensive bids
have to start at the two level and there is
no certainty that the two defenders will
have enough strength to find a safe
contract. Yet pass 1NT tamely every
time and watch the bad boards rack up.
The generally accepted strength for
competing against 1NT is between 11
and 15 high card points and a five-card
or longer suit. A very long suit would
allow you to compete on a bit less. With
a balanced hand when you yourself
would have opened 1NT just pass – if
you can make seven tricks, declarer is
going down – and with a hand
containing 16 or more points, it is
usually best to start with a double. A
double is the bridge-legal equivalent of
thumping the table and declaiming ‘I
have a better hand than the opening 1NT
bidder’. The 1NT side are then on the
back foot and may have their own woes
in finding a safe haven.
The easiest defence to 1NT is
‘natural’ – if you want to compete and
have a long suit you bid it. For instance,
playing a natural defence to 1NT, bid
2♣ with the following hand:
♠ K73
♥ Q2
♦ J7
♣ A J 10 7 6 5
With such methods, frustration occurs
when you pick up a hand like this:
♠ QJ874
♥ K 10 9 7 2
♦ A5
♣ 4
With this hand, clearly you would rather
play than defend. Unfortunately, if you
Page 30
are playing a natural defence to 1NT,
you have to guess which suit to bid. You
bid hearts and, if your luck is out,
partner has a singleton and three spades;
or try spades and this time, partner will
have poor spades and good hearts.
Frustration is worse against a strong 1NT
– now declarer with 15-17points is all
too likely to make 1NT when you have a
playable contract – but in which suit?
Landy introduced his idea in the
1950s. He expected its main use to be
against the strong no-trump prevalent in
America and, in its originally published
version, the two majors were at least
5-5. All conventions come at a cost; the
cost of using the Landy 2♣ is that you
can no longer bid 2♣ naturally. This is a
higher potential cost than that involved
in giving up the 2♣ natural response to
1NT to play Stayman; Landy accepted
this as he expected the frequency and
size of gains to outweigh the occasional
loss of the natural 2♣ overcall.
Landy proved effective in tournament
play and the original requirements were
soon relaxed to allow players to use the
bid more frequently. The normal
requirement today is ‘at least nine cards
in the majors’ and this should mean 5-4
or 4-5. Partnerships with a penchant for
life in the fast lane may even lower the
requirement to at least 4-4 – in my
opinion this puts too much strain on
partnership trust.
Partner’s actions, if you use Landy, are
not standardised, but Bernard Magee
recommends using 2♦ as a relay to get
partner to bid their better (normally
longer) major. 2♥ or 2♠ after partner’s
Landy bid show at least three cards in
the suit bid with no real interest in the
other suit; and jumps to 3♥ or 3♠ show
4+ cards and a 10pt or 8-loser hand.
Jumps to game are stronger again –
typically one loser less.
Here is an example of Landy in
operation taken from Bernard’s article:

Conventions continued
West East
♠ 3 ♠ A K 10 6 2
♥ AK54 ♥ QJ987
♦ Q853 ♦ 9
♣ 7632 ♣ 85
West North East South
1NT 2♣ Pass
3♥ Pass 4♥ End
Using natural overcalls, East
would probably call 2♠ and
play there in the wrong con-
tract. Playing the convention,
West jumps to 3♥ over 2♣
and they reach the good heart
game. Declarer should play
to establish dummy’s spades.
Alvin Landy was born in
1905 and was one of the out-
standing American and World
personalities of bridge. Born
in Cleveland, he graduated in
Law. After serving in WWII,
he joined the American
Contract Bridge League (the
North American equivalent of
the EBU) as a tournament
director and in 1948 became
the ACBL Business Manager
and Executive Secretary.
Landy founded the ACBL
Charity Foundation, which
raises hundreds of thousands
of dollars yearly and became
an honorary member of the
ACBL in 1957. He helped
found the World Bridge
Federation and was one of its
original officers – from 1958
to 1966, he was Secretary-
Treasurer. As a player, he
won several major North
American titles and was the
24th player to achieve the
rank of Life Master in the
ACBL Master Point system
(there have now been tens of
thousands). Alvin Landy died
unexpectedly in 1967 while
still in office as the ACBL’s
top executive. He was missed
throughout American bridge,
but the convention that bears
his name keeps his memory
alive. n
Q
DOUBLE DUMMY SOLUTION
PLUS
by Richard Wheen
9.1 (Problem on page 28)
The very best followed by a spade to the ace
Acol-playing ♠ A983 (another enthusiast for the
Software available ♥ 32 ‘cash your aces before they
♦ Void disappear’ school of bridge).
♣ Void He now led the remaining
♠ K 10 4 ♠ QJ heart from dummy, ruffing it
♥ QJ N
W E
♥ K 10 with the six of clubs (had he
S
♦ 2 ♦ Void never learnt that ruffing in the
♣ Void ♣ 97 long trump hand does not
♠ 76 create extra tricks?). Then
♥ A partner got off lead with his
♦ Void other spade. I saw now that,
FEATURES
♣ 10 8 6 whether East or West won this
l The Usual Friendly Interface
trick, South must make his
(see above)
last two trumps (if East plays
l Hint and Help Buttons –
always at hand S o there we were, lost in the
middle of nowhere, where
the hand of man had never yet
his seven of clubs on the
penultimate trick, South plays
his eight; otherwise he plays
l Easy Windows Installation
set foot; we were up a gum the ten). This sort of finesse,
l Comprehensive Manual
tree without a paddle, on an without being able to lead the
l Rubber, Duplicate expedition to find, so far in suit in question, goes
and Teams Scoring
vain, the elusive (and perhaps apparently by the name of a
l Instant results playing illusory) six-toed sloth. trump coup.
in teams mode At the end of another day’s The technique, which I
l 2,500 pre-played hands for futile hike, we got out the gin discovered subsequently is
teams and the cards. On our very first quite common in actual play
l 2,000 pre-played hands for deal my partner, South, had (though way beyond me to
match-pointed pairs including arrived at the above position, engineer), requires two
1,000 new hands needing five of the remaining things. Declarer must shorten
Check your pairs percentage tricks in his club contract. his trumps to the same length
W
NE West he knew to have no more as East’s and then ensure that
and ranking
clubs, so East appeared to be anyone other than himself is
W Systems include: several ver-
NE going to make a trump trick, in on lead to the penultimate
sions of Acol, including
Bernard Magee’s system, addition to the spade trick due trick.
Standard American or to him or his partner. As As I congratulated my
create your own. dummy, I moved round to look partner on his fine play, a six-
over my partner’s shoulder. I toed sloth crept into our camp
l £80 including postage saw his problem and site. He looked at us as if to
suggested he concede one say that he saw better bridge
SYSTEM
down to save time. regularly in his mother-in-
l 8mb RAM Partner totally ignored me law’s kitchen and thus made
l CD-ROM (as is the custom of my bridge his way into the zoological
l Pentium or
partners) and proceeded to books, travelogues and this
equivalent cash his ace of hearts, article.
l Windows XP or Vista
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Make your cheque payable
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Page 31

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email: jessica@mrbridge.co.uk
website: www.holidaybridge.com
It Happened That Way by Freddie North
Raising with
3-Card Support
ere is a small bidding
H problem for you.
Playing Acol with a
12-14 no-trump (pairs) your
side only is vulnerable. You
deal as North and hold:
♠ 54
♥ AKQ9
♦ J 10 6 5
♣ KQJ
You open proceedings with the
impeccable choice of 1♥. East
comes in with 2♦ and your
partner counters with 2♠. West
passes and no doubt you rebid
an equally impeccable 2NT.
The opposition have shot their
bolt but your partner is there
again with 3♣. What do you do
now? This has been the
bidding so far:
West North East South
1♥ 2♦ 2♠
Pass 2NT Pass 3♣
Pass ? Pass 5♠
Not easy, is it? One is naturally
reluctant to support partner’s
second suit with only three
cards as a seven-card trump fit
is often undesirable. However,
there are exceptions and this
may be one of them, especially
in view of the superb quality of
the suit: K-Q-J. I recall many
years ago when playing rubber
bridge with the late Jeremy
Flint: he actually jumped to 6♣
(my second suit) with
something like ♣K-Q-10; I
held ♣A-J-9-7 and the slam
was icy. Furthermore, no other
slam was makeable.
Impressive judgement, no
Page 32
doubt, so is this a similar case? much hinged on the outcome.
Time to look at the full deal
and note that, luckily, South is
holding five clubs. Well, I
East won the first trick,
putting up the queen to drop the
nine and switched shrewdly to
suppose that was always a a trump, won by dummy’s jack;
hopeful possibility. obviously he trusted declarer to
have no more than a singleton
diamond. Declarer’s initial idea
Dealer North. N/S Vul. was to set up the spade suit but,
♠ 54 when a low spade felled East’s
♥ AKQ9 queen, it was time to consider
♦ J 10 6 5 plan B.
♣ KQJ After a club to dummy’s
♠ 10 8 7 2 ♠ Q queen came the jack of
♥ 7 5 4 2 W N E ♥ J 10 8 3 diamonds, covered by the king
♦ 874 S
♦ AKQ32 and ruffed by declarer as West
♣ 86 ♣ 10 9 5 followed with the four.
♠ AKJ963 Declarer entered dummy once
♥ 6 more with the king of clubs;
♦ 9 then the ten of diamonds
♣ A7432 forced East’s ace, ruffed in
hand with the ace of trumps.
West followed, this time, with
This was the full auction: the all-illuminating eight,
leaving dummy’s six of
West North East South diamonds a master. The king
1♥ 2♦ 2♠ and jack of spades took care of
Pass 2NT Pass 3♣ dummy’s heart loser and
Pass 4♣ Pass 4NT* dummy was now high with
Pass 6♣ three top hearts and that vital
End six of diamonds. The slam was
*Roman Key-Card Blackwood home with three clubs, two
ruffs in the closed hand, one
North’s response to 4NT – with diamond and six tricks from
clubs the agreed trump suit – the majors.
showed two of the five If, for whatever reason, East
‘aces’(the ace of hearts and the decides not to intervene,
king of clubs) plus the queen of declarer will have an easy ride
clubs. East had grabbed the in either spades or clubs on any
opportunity to bid his lead except a diamond as his
diamonds in case partner was diamond loser will go away on
on lead and West duly obliged a top heart. As against that, a
with the seven of diamonds. diamond lead without the
Thus, North-South had reached overcall will give South most
the only possible making slam. trouble – and, with only one
Now would declarer succeed? unbid suit in the mix, West
Most South players played in may not require Sat-Nav
4♠ scoring 650 or 680, assistance to find it. Tricky
depending on the lead, so game, this bridge! n
 Justin Corfield Says
Defer Decisions
until you Know
the Layout
hen the success of a contract Since East would rarely raise 1♥ to 2♥
W requires you to guess a suit
correctly, it is often best to
defer that guess until you have found out
with only a queen and a jack, he surely
has the ace of diamonds, making a
diamond to the jack the right play.
as much as possible about the deal. The information is all there for you, so
Something may turn up to transform long as you take the trouble to get it.
your ‘guess’ into a sure thing. Before we move on, notice a trap for
Take this hand: the unwary. What would happen if you
ducked the first round of hearts? West
might switch to a low diamond, forcing
♠ KJ53 you to guess the suit before you were
♥ A84 ready. Don’t give him the chance.
♦ KJ2 Finding out where the defenders’ high
♣ 742 card points are is not the only way that
N
you can improve your guesses.
W E Look at this next hand:
S
♠ AQ7642
♥ 32 ♠ KJ742
♦ 54 ♥ K752
♣ KQJ ♦ 4
♣ K 10 3
N
West North East South W E
S
1♥ Pass 2♥ 2♠
Pass 4♠ End ♠ AQ653
♥ A4
West leads the king of hearts against ♦ A52
your contract of 4♠. How will you ♣ AJ2
guess the diamonds?
The right answer, strangely enough, is
that you shouldn’t be guessing in A bidding sequence best forgotten lands
diamonds at all. you in an awkward 7♠ contract. West
Try the effect of drawing trumps and leads a diamond. How will you guess the
knocking out the ace of clubs. Do you clubs?
see how this should help you with the With any luck, you won’t have to.
diamond suit? Say you take the ace of diamonds and
Suppose, first, that East turns up with draw trumps. It can’t hurt then to ruff
the ace of clubs. He cannot now hold the two diamonds in dummy and two hearts
ace of diamonds as well (because that in your hand, just to see if any helpful
would leave West with just 8 points for information turns up. Someone short in
his opening bid) – so a diamond to the other suits may have the club queen.
king is the right play. If a hand like this appears in a book,
If West proves to have the ace of East will invariably follow to all three
clubs, the opposite logic applies. What rounds of spades, before West kindly
does East have for his 2♥ raise? West’s shows out on the second round of hearts,
initial lead shows the ♥K-Q and West whilst everybody follows to three
has turned up with the ace of clubs. rounds of diamonds.
Page 33
If the play proceeds that way, it would
be clear that East started with a 3-6-3-1
or 3-6-4-0 shape. Declarer could cash
the ace of clubs and then run the jack
with complete confidence.
A Partial Count
In the real world, things don’t often go
that way. Still, there is nothing to lose by
finding out what you can. Suppose East
follows to two trumps and that, when
you crossruff the red suits, East turns up
with five hearts and West two, all
following to three diamonds. At least
this gives you a partial count.
In this scenario, you know East started
with a 2-5-3-3, 2-5-4-2, 2-5-5-1 or
maybe 2-5-6-0 shape. Put another way,
East started with at most three clubs,
while West started with at least four.
Where initially you had a straight guess
in clubs, you now have a clear indication
to play West for the missing queen.
Revealing Bidding
Some auctions lend themselves to this
technique. For example if an opponent
passes his partner’s opening bid, he must
have only 0-5 points. (If he then shows
up with an ace, you can place the
remaining high cards surely).
Similarly, if one of your opponents
opens 1NT, keep an eye on how many
points they produce. Before you know it,
‘guesses’ will turn into sure things.
Overcalls like the unusual 2NT or a
Michaels cue-bid show at least 5-5 in
two suits and are thus revealing. You can
get a complete count quickly by finding
out the distribution of the overcaller’s
short suits.
In all cases, delay making any guesses
until you know as much as possible. The
defenders’ distribution, or their points,
or a combination of both may tip you off
as to the winning play. ■

READERS’
LETTERS ON
THE EBU P2P
REVELATION
Sandra Landy wrote, in
August, about the grass roots
concerns relating to the EBU
Pay to Play strategy. Sadly, we
have two parallel perceptions
which seem more likely to
diverge than converge. Firstly,
the EBU central view that
there was long consultation
which ended with a
democratic decision in June.
Secondly, the ordinary club
members’ view that they
were not consulted and that
there was no debate.
There is no dispute that
proposals were on the EBU
website and published in
English Bridge. I understand
that various working papers
were also available online
(which excluded about 15%
of EBU members). These
were strictly the notification of
formative proposals on which
EBU members could
comment. It is not revealed
how many did and how
many people the quoted
large number of e-mails
actually represent. Neither
does it take account of the
large number of non-
electronic members who
could be approximately 10 to
20% of members.
Similarly, database hits
may be counted but not the
lower figure of actual
numbers of members
making ‘calls’ or which way
they would vote when all the
information is available. The
result of looking at these
figures is an exaggerated
view with no real gauge of
how many people they
represent.
It is understood that the
board insisted that all
consultation should be
through County Associations
who would act as
co-ordinators for 39 postal
centres. There was one
questionnaire addressed to
clubs relating to numbers of
sessions, EBU membership,
non-EBU membership and
seeking opinions (delivered
and returned via County
Associations). These were
almost certainly answered by
club committee members
and then, possibly, just one
officer per club.
Universal Membership of
the EBU (for all members of
affiliated clubs) is now
revealed as the driving
consideration. All other
submissions of support for
Pay to Play fade into cover
stories. It is true that, in a
perfect world of solid
principles, it would be nice if
all players of bridge in
England were members of
the EBU and felt they were
supporting and in turn were
supported by Headquarters.
But this is not the case nor is
it the case in any other sport
or activity: it starts only at
superior competitive levels.
It is an absolute obsession to
demand that they should be
and totally unrealistic.
It is estimated that, for
every EBU affiliated club
player, there are at least four
other players. This should be
a wonderful marketing
Page 34
opportunity in a very
competitive leisure time
market place.
Clubs accept non-EBU
members as members and
visitors. It is in their interest
and no one has the right to
interfere (apart from the
terms of heats of national
competitions). Hopefully, they
will enjoy club duplicate
(played in a polite/pleasant
atmosphere) develop their
skills and wish to play at a
higher level.
Universal Membership
aims to ‘net’ club members
who, for various reasons,
choose not to be members of
the EBU. They may modify
their position with
encouragement but the
British resent any hint of
compulsion. There is a total
blindness to the reasons,
valid or invalid, and to the
likely consequences. Votes at
clubs include equally those of
non-EBU members. At small
clubs, including those being
established following courses
of lessons, EBU members are
the majority. The Pay to Play
strategy will reduce the
number of affiliated clubs:
probably by 10 to 20% of
mostly small clubs, many of
these serving rural
communities. It is very foolish
to agree that the EBU can
tolerate such a large loss. No
business can afford to lose
such a proportion of its
market. And for what? The
principle of Universal
Membership. The threat is
real: on a show of hands at
the AGM of a club of 70
members, 70% were against
and only 30% for Play to Pay.
This was a surprise
suggesting that a 20% loss
may be a low estimate.
One may ask why ‘they’ do
not support the EBU. It is an
excellent organisation with
hard working people
supporting the game and
helping members. It is very
much appreciated but it must
be right to challenge a
decision, without malice in
either direction, particularly if
it will do more harm than
good.
Sandra is right to draw
attention to the lack of
debate and the need for the
‘small people’ (the majority
of members and potential
members) to have the
mechanism to make their
views clear to board
members and the Chairman.
We need open
communication channels and
further encouragement to
ensure that happens.
Brian Copping by e-mail.
HARDLY STRAIGHT
May I remind Mr Stocken of
the first ever mention of a
perceived need of change by
the EBU, appearing in the
December 2006 EBU
magazine (ie less than two
years ago) in which he said –
‘Of more relevance, however,
is that the EBU is – and
always has been –
essentially a tournament-
driven organisation, with a
disproportionate amount of
its efforts and its money
devoted to catering for at
most a fifth of its
membership’. He later went
on to say – ‘We want people
to join the EBU not because
they have to but because
they want to’.
Note that no mention was
made of a proposed P2P
scheme and that, in fact, the
first time that this scheme
was made aware to the EBU
membership was through its
house journal, English Bridge,
in August 2007, not much
over just one year ago!
As far as I am aware,
nothing has happened in
that time that has had any
effect on the club bridge-
playing population in
persuading people to want
to join the EBU – in fact quite
the contrary.
Mr J Jackson, Hull.
EBU LETTERS
continued
CONSULTATION?
I was not consulted about
P2P by anyone. I found out
about it from the internet.
When I did, I wrote to one
county chairman about it (a
county that voted in favour) –
but my e-mail was not
answered. From my perusal
of various county websites on
this subject at the time, it
seemed to me that some
took the matter seriously and
others had done little to
promote discussion – or
certainly they did little by
electronic means. This leads
me to wonder what level of
consultation really took
place? What level of
discussion actually took
place in many clubs (if
indeed any in some)?
I had severe misgivings
about the EBU prior to this
matter, sufficient that I
actively do not want to be a
member. Now I find that my
membership is to be
enforced and I am to pay
through the nose for the
‘privilege’. Needless to say I
am less than pleased. I
certainly do not find it
‘democratic’ that I have to
fund something I have
actively chosen not to fund
without my say so.
If P2P would actually do
some good, I might
grudgingly go quietly. But,
though described as the ‘way
forward’, who or what is it a
way forward for? What will it
actually produce? As far as I
can see it will produce a
computerised list of existing
players, but, since it is
supposedly revenue neutral,
no new players and,
probably, lessen the number
of players when some leave
their clubs or clubs disaffiliate
entirely. Far from the ‘way
forward’ this is a recipe for
disaster and the scheme
should be stopped before the
EBU destroys the game
completely or goes bust in
the attempt (given that they
are proposing to spend a six
figure sum of cash that they
don’t actually have as liquid
assets of what, is, after all,
bridge players’ money to
produce this piece of paper,
while not creating any new
revenue-producing players
and actually losing some
existing revenue-producing
clubs).
It beggars belief that
anyone in their right mind
voted for this! Indeed it
beggars belief that the EBU
should have proposed it in
the first place.
Nick Warren by e-mail.
CLEARER OVERVIEW
Am I the only person to be
upset, not just by the split
among bridge players
resulting from the attitudes to
the EBU’s Pay to Play (P2P)
proposals, but by the poor
quality of the justification and
objections put forward by the
respective sides?
It seems to me that the
EBU should have set out
clearly how it sees its roles,
what functions it performs
currently – and will perform –
to fulfil its roles, how its
members benefit, what
income this will require (and
from what sources) together
with how it will control its
costs. It should have then
explained why it proposes
that P2P is the fairest way to
seek finance from its
members to pay for it. At the
same time, it should have
reviewed its procedures to
ensure the basis of voting
represented its members
fairly and was seen to be
appropriate.
On the other hand, it also
seems to me that it is
incumbent on the members
to try to support the EBU
rather than responding
selfishly that the proposals
will cost them more (if indeed
they do) and thus opting out
of paying anything at all,
thereby leaving others to
discharge the entire bill for
the benefits we all gain from
having a national
organisation.
Even at this stage, it should
not be too late for the EBU,
once the first year’s costings
are done, to advise us all
what the initial amount of the
levy per session will be (and
what proportion of the current
membership they are
assuming will join) and, at
that time, to set out the
reasons why these merit
support from all bridge
players – I suggest along the
lines I have set out – and
finally to review how the
membership is to be asked to
approve the final proposals.
To accommodate this, I
suggest the EBU prepares a
further clear paper, together
with a summary, setting out
the principal points to enable
those who simply want an
overview to gain this, with
fuller, detailed background in
the main document for those
who want to read more.
Tim Friedman, Leeds. ■

IT’S STILL NOT TOO LATE says Sandra Landy

My previous article had a
huge and largely favourable
response from Mr Bridge
readers, for which I thank you
all. There has been no
comment from the EBU, who
seem to have ignored all that
has been said and are
pressing ahead with
implementing P2P. Final
plans, contracts, finance – on
every topic, the full details are
not yet available.
The whole project is being
rushed through and time has
not been allowed to consider
what is being proposed as an
integrated whole. Even the
EBU shareholders have had
no discussion time – after
they had decided which way
to vote, each county was
allowed just one minute to
make comments.
Members have not seen
the detailed proposals. Clubs
are being asked if they will
sign a contract they haven’t
yet seen. This contract will
commit them to at least 15
months membership of P2P,
even if they withdraw after a
few weeks. We are being
rushed to take decisions
without knowing the full
implications or any idea of
the rationale.
I strongly recommend to
all clubs, whether in favour
of P2P or not, that they
refuse to sign anything, or
even give a tentative
commitment, until their
sceptics at least understand
the proposed arrangements.

Page 35

READERS’
LETTERS
GREETINGS 2009
Every good wish to you and
your ‘database’.
Mrs Vera Shepppard,
Wroughton, Wilts.
BAD HABITS
I am glad that Mrs Jones
(BRIDGE 92) has written
about the practice of a
player’s displaying a card
towards the centre of the
table before setting it down.
There are some pairs at a
club where I play who do this
regularly when defending.
They will usually set the cards
down in a normal
fashion. Then a player will
hold one lightly between her
first and second fingers at an
angle towards her partner
and hold it there for a while
whilst looking longingly into
her partner’s eyes as if
saying, ‘Oh, partner, please,
please see my signal’. This is
often accompanied by
tapping the table a couple of
times with the card before
setting it down. It’s really
rather pathetic.
Jim Greer, London, SW16.
THANK YOU
GUERNSEY
Yes, the Guernsey bridge
club is very welcoming, as
Mr Dyer (BRIDGE 91) found. A
partner was found for me
one day in May last year,
and we had an enjoyable
evening. Even better – my car
had broken down the first
day on the island, and I was
offered a lift in a member’s
car, there and back.
Tony Betts, Northallerton.
LAWFUL
I concur with Mr L Miles of
Cuddington. (BRIDGE 91).
Some years ago, we
decided to obey the laws
and not to re-deal at
Grange-over-Sands Bridge
Club. Despite the odd ‘I
came to play cards, not to sit
for seven minutes’ mutter, we
realised that those who play
weak twos, mini no-trumps,
multi two diamonds, light suit
openings or who are just
foolish should have their say.
No hand was passed out
completely (we usually have
10 to 12 tables) for 2,000
deals. Then a year or so ago
it happened. Nobody said ‘I
told you so, we should be
re-dealing’.
Now, after 3,000 or so
deals, we await a second
throw-in, but I doubt a
revolution when it occurs.
Geoff Maskall, Cumbria.
WEAK MAN
Mrs (name supplied) has
missed her Christmas issue
of BRIDGE. She kicked and
screamed, so I gave her
mine. Please send me a
replacement.
Mr M Thomas, Leicester.
Yes, certainly, but she really
should have re-registered.
LIVERPOOL START
Why is it that potentially five
million people in the North-
West catchment area have to
travel 300 miles to
Southampton or across
country, with considerable
difficultly, to a little port called
Harwich? I would be
Page 36
interested in cruising with
you but only if my journey
starts from here. The
Merseyside Docks and
Harbour Board will readily
affirm we have the facilities.
Mr S Godwin, Chidwell.
Sorry, it’s ouside my control.
NORTHERN MOVE
Thanks for your magazine.
Not often you receive
something for free that is
really useful and fun! I read it
right through and really enjoy
the quizzes. Back in the 90s,
we moved to County Durham
in the North-East. Being a
Southerner from Kent, I felt a
real stranger at first. I
decided to join the local
bridge club at Wolsingham in
Weardale.
Being a total innocent in
the ways of clubs (having
been taught the rudiments of
rubber bridge by a nice old
lady in Kent) I walked in and
asked to join. Ray Potter, our
chairman, asked if I had a
partner – which, of course, I
hadn’t. With great kindness,
the members took it in turn to
sit out, while I was
accommodated in the
evening’s bridge. I explained
I was a novice as I took my
seat at each table. ‘That’s all
right, pet,’ replied one of the
players ‘we don’t mind
playing with nuns!’ The club
wit, Alan Wilson, eventually
became my regular bridge
partner and we had an
amusing few years as a
playing pair until, sadly, he
died. I now play with Bill
Snowsell, as quiet and
encouraging a partner as I
could wish for.
I wanted to say how much
I appreciate that first
introduction to what is a
really friendly and
encouraging club. It also
marked my introduction to
the people of the North-East,
who made me so welcome.
Thank you all.
Linda Pitt, Co. Durham.
Better Hand
Evaluation
Bernard Magee
Introduction
Better Hand Evaluation is
aimed at helping reader s to add
greater accur acy to their
bidding. It deals with auctions
in which you and your partner,
against silent opponents, can
fully descr ibe your hands to
each other and, by evaluating
them accur ately, find the best
final contr act. The emphasis of
all good, accur ate bidding is on
hand evaluation.
Ther e are two gener al types of
auction: a) A fit is found and b)
No fit is found.
When you do not have a fit, you
are aiming to descr ibe the
str ength of your hand as soon
as possible, most often using
no-tr ump bids. This book
begins by discussing balanced
hand bidding in Acol, as it is
ver y impor tant that both
member s of a par tner ship have
an accur ate knowledge of how
to show hands of different
str engths.
When a fit is found, ther e is
much r e-evaluation of the hand
to be done; point count, though
still impor tant, needs to be
evaluated along with
distr ibution. The best way of
reaching an accur ate
assessment is to use the Losing
Tr ick Count; this is an
impor tant method of hand
evaluation and takes up a
number of chapter s.
Finally, we move on to different
for ms of evaluation including
game tr ies and splinter bids.
You can never know enough
methods of hand evaluation;
the mor e you learn, the better
you get at judging your hand.
Although the Losing Tr ick
Count is mor e easily used in
tandem with your par tner, a
lar ge propor tion of the ideas in
this book can be used by an
individual. For example,
evaluating your hand to be
wor th an extr a point is going to
help anyone you partner – as
long as you get it r ight!
£14 inc. postage
from Ryden Grange,
Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH
( 01483 489961
READERS’ LETTERS
continued
BRIDGE FOR TWO
Can you or any of your
readers remind us of how
Honeymoon Bridge is
played? We used to play
about sixty years ago but
have not done so since.
Lorna Roberts by email.
GOOD QUESTION
My club pays a subscription
to the EBU but for what I’m
not sure.
Mrs E Barnett, Buckingham.
I am sure the EBU does a lot
for the game. Perhaps
readers will tell me about it.
SYSTEM CHANGE
My wife is a beginner and,
because she kept raising me
with only three of my bid suit,
we now play five-card
majors, a prepared club and
a strong no-trump.
You never seem to play
this, preferring a weak no-
trump in all your quizzes. I
believe that you should show
more variety in your articles.
Rodney Bennett, Enfield.
Most players in Britain learn
and play a weak no-trump.
HOLIDAY PLANS
I am looking for a fortnight’s
holiday playing bridge in
October 2009 in Europe.
Some of the existing firms
are getting too expensive.
Perhaps you might consider
running one.
Mr R Butcher, Holybourne.
Try Tunisia. Since the recent
devaluation, Europe is bound
to cost more.
ADVICE
Scrap the preaching and
stick to the humour and fun.
I am sure it will make more
money for you.
Bob Bladen, Beadnell,
Northumberland.
If I only wanted the money,
I would do something else.
IDEAL STARTER
I see from reading some of
the letters in your publication,
BRIDGE, (and in particular the
letter from Mrs N Morgan of
Bicester who requires a
primer) that I have the ideal
answer. Duplicate Weekends 2009
I have available a limited
with Bernard Magee (£235 per person)
quantity of my book: Bridge.
The Right Path. As this
publication was quoted as 19-21 June
being a ‘best seller’ and is Suit
priced at only £4.50, plus
50p postage, and suitable for Establishment
all learners, I thought it might
be of interest. 6-8 November
Readers may order direct Game
by phone or letter.
Freddie North, 14 Hammy Way,
Tries
Shoreham-by-Sea,
West Sussex, BN43 6GG. ♦ Full-board ♦ All rooms with
( 01273 464204. Friday to Sunday en-suite facilities
♦ No single supplement ♦ Nine hole golf course
IMPROVING ♦ Tuition with Supervised Play, bidding quiz and two seminars
BEGINNER
Writing as an improving
beginner, even if my partners BOOKING FORM
may not always (if ever)
agree, I read with horror so Please book me for ..... places at Blunsdon House Hotel,
many of your letters dealing The Ridge, Blunsdon, Swindon, SN26 7AS.
with problems encountered
weekend(s) .........................................................................
at bridge clubs. Indeed, the
more one reads of Single ..... Double ..... Twin .....
unpleasant behaviour,
frequent references to the Mr/Mrs/Miss .....................................................................
director, challenges to the
rightfulness, wrongfulness or Address...............................................................................
sportsmanship in particular
situations at the table, the ............................................................................................
more one determines never
Postcode ............................................................................
to set foot in these
Machiavellian places. Do
( ......................................................................................
your correspondents reflect a
general malaise which puts Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed)
off a good deal of potential
members, or, in fact, are ..........................................................................................
most bridge clubs beacons Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per
of sweetness and light? place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent
I have never yet been inside with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final pay-
ment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details
such intimidating places but
will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refund-
perhaps your correspondents able. Should you require insurance, you should contact your
will spring to their defence. own insurance broker.
Mr J Neville Sheard,
Holmfirth. , Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH
You truly don’t know what
you are missing. That’s why
( 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302
I launched Gentle Duplicate e-mail: jessica@mrbridge.co.uk
weekends last year and Just website: www.holidaybridge.com
Duplicate wekends this.
Page 37
 READERS’ LETTERS
continued
RUBBER / CHICAGO 2009
ARE THERE ANY
Hosted by Diana Holland MORE OUT THERE?
In response to Miss Cook in
1-3 April (Wed-Fri) Marsham Court £199 the ‘shorties’ column (BRIDGE
92) regarding under-thirties
24-26 April (Fri-Sun) The Beach Hotel £199 readers, I have often
wondered the same thing.
11-13 Sep (Fri-Sun) The Beach Hotel £199
Answer: at least one – I’m 24.
30 Sep-2 Oct (Wed-Fri) Marsham Court £199 Karl Turner, Chesterfield.
Full-board – No Single Supplement THREE HANDED
Cut for deal 1st, 2nd, 3rd. The
Please note there are no seminars or set hands on these weekends
dealer deals five hands, four
containing twelve cards, and
one only four cards (all
unseen). All three pick up a
hand and the fourth hand is
open for all to see. That is the
dummy. The dealer then bids
what he thinks he can make,
at this stage there are no
Marsham Court The Beach Hotel partners, remember there
East Cliff, Bournemouth, BH1 3AB Worthing, BN11 3QJ
are still four cards unseen.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ BOOKING FORM _ _ _ _ _ _ _ He may say four hearts. The
bidding goes round. There
could well be another bid
Please book me for .... places, Single .... Double .... Twin ....
and the bidding goes on and
for the Rubber/Chicago weekend(s) of on until all pass or double.
When the final contract is
............................................................................................ agreed, the declarer picks up
the unseen four cards and
Mr/Mrs/Miss ..................................................................... they go into his/her hand,
the declarer then gives a
Address...............................................................................
card from his/her enlarged
hand, one to each player
............................................................................................
and one to dummy. Then the
Postcode ............................................................................ play starts; declarer has the
dummy; the other two are
( ...................................................................................... now partners They share the
points if he goes down. Each
Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed) hand is a separate entity.
We play 2p a hundred. A
...........................................................................................
lot of fun and skill. Then the
Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place 2nd dealer deals and we are
by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice will be sent with
off again. Not for the timid!
your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment,
28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be Jack Herman, Elstree, Herts.
sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable.
Should you require insurance, you should contact your own
insurance broker. Write to Mr Bridge at:
Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH
, Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH or e-mail letters@mrbridge.co.uk.
( 01483 489961 Fax 01483 797302 E-mail correspondents are asked to include their
name, full postal address and telephone number,
e-mail: jessica@mrbridge.co.uk and to send no attachments.
website: www.holidaybridge.com Letters may be edited for length and clarity.
Page 38
MISSING LINK
With the aim of improving my
bridge, I bought a Pro Bridge
500 Saitek computer game.
When I opened the box the
instructions were missing.
I wonder if some kind reader
who has such a game would
photocopy their instructions
for me?
Mrs Joan Kimber,
( 0118 9471319.
OVERKILL
I enclose a card which
caused quite a diversion
while playing bridge with
friends the other night. I
opened a new tin of
Mr Bridge playing cards
and they were duly shuffled
and dealt.
One player had 14 cards so
we assumed that one of the
other players had only 12.
Eventually we did a recount,
we checked the colour of the
back of all the cards to make
sure we hadn’t mixed a blue
card in by mistake. Eventually
we discovered that two of the
players had a jack of spades.
Problem solved, but has this
happened before?
Mrs P Huxtable, Betchworth.
Short answer. No.
COME IN ANDY
I was looking through some
of my photos of the 1950s
and came across some of
an old Canadian friend,
Andy Beer.
He was a rather good
bridge player, certainly better
than me, and as far as I
could remember had settled
in the Maidstone
area of Kent.
David Solly by email. ■
 ANSWERS TO THE DECLARER PLAY QUIZ
ON PAGE 19 by DAVID HUGGETT
You are declarer in 4♥ and West leads the able to make as many hearts as the
1. ♠ 32 ♠Q. How do you plan the play? defenders have left – the contract will go
♥ 87652 crashing down.
Three no-trumps would have proved an easy
♦ 764
make but you can do nothing about that now. Now suppose you refuse to ruff the second
♣ AJ5
Playing in hearts allows you to gain an extra heart and the third one too if they continue the
♠ K ♠ J965
trick by ruffing a club in dummy. Indeed, so suit, but instead throw two low clubs. Then
♥ KJ9 N ♥ Q 10
W E you can, which means that with no losers any fourth round of hearts you can safely ruff
♦ J 10 9 3 2 S ♦ 85
outside of the trump suit you can afford to low in dummy – remember you know from
♣ Q 10 8 4 ♣ K9632
lose three trumps. the lead of the heart two that West has no
♠ A Q 10 8 7 4
more than four hearts, which means East
♥ A43 Suppose you duck a heart at trick two, ruff the
cannot possibly be in a position to overruff.
♦ AKQ spade return and play the ace of trumps. That
Now you can draw trumps in four rounds,
♣ 7 would be fine with a 3-2 break but consider
cash the king of diamonds and cross to the
the possibility that one defender started with
ace. When West shows out on the second
four trumps. Now even if you abandon
diamond, you have a marked finesse against
You are declarer in 4♠ and West leads the ♦J. trumps at this point and try to cash outside
East’s jack and ten tricks are yours.
How do you plan the play? winners, the defender with four trumps will
ruff, draw the remaining trumps you have in
With five tricks outside trumps, the objective
hand and cash a spade or two. It would be
should be plain – to lose no more than one
even worse to play ace and another heart at 4. ♠ A875
trump trick. You can get to dummy only once
tricks two and three. The sure-fire way to ♥ KJ9
so it might seem that you have two choices.
succeed against all but a 5-0 break is to cash ♦ K65
One, play a low trump to the ten, hoping that
the ace of hearts at trick two and then play ♣ A96
it wins or that it forces the king. Two, play a
winners. Someone will ruff, but all the ♠ Q 10 6 3 ♠ KJ94
low trump to the queen hoping that the king
defenders will make are three trump tricks. ♥ 862 N ♥ 54
is on your right. If your choice of finesse fails, W E
♦ 10 7 3 S ♦ 942
you can hope that next time the ace will bring
♣ Q 10 4 ♣ 8752
down the other high honour.
3. ♠ K87 ♠ 2
There is no great reason to play one way ♥ J75 ♥ A Q 10 7 3
rather than the other but you can improve ♦ A83 ♦ AQJ8
upon a random choice by playing the ace of ♣ J754 ♣ KJ3
trumps first. Some of the time, this will fell a ♠ 10 6 4 3 ♠ 52
singleton king or jack on your left. If so, you ♥ K 10 8 2 N ♥ AQ964
W E
can the cross to dummy and play a trump to ♦ 9 S ♦ J642 You are declarer in 7♥ and West leads the ♥2.
the eight. If all follow low under the ace, all ♣ K863 ♣ Q 10 How do you plan the play (trumps are 3-2)?
you have really lost is an overtrick if East has ♠ AQJ9
You have done well to bid the grand slam, but
K-J doubleton. You would go across to ♥ 3
it looks on the surface as thought the fate of
dummy, lead the remaining trump and hope ♦ K Q 10 7 5
the contract depends upon the position of the
that you guess right if East plays low. ♣ A92
queen of clubs. However, there is a way to a
Cashing the ace first also reduces the chance much greater chance of success, which relies
of losing a ruff, eg if West has three trumps on little more than a 3-2 trump break. Win the
You are declarer in 4♠ and West leads the ♥2.
with the king and East a singleton diamond. lead in dummy, cash the ace of spades and
East wins with the ♥A and returns the ♥6.
then ruff a spade high. Enter dummy with a
How do you plan the play?
trump – noting the good break – and ruff
This hand is quite straightforward yet many another spade. Re-enter dummy with a
2. ♠ A7642
people would go astray. Assuming you can diamond and ruff the last spade with your last
♥ 7643
make five diamond tricks with careful play, trump. Finally, you can reach dummy with a
♦ Q5
you have the luxury of having ten tricks ‘on club. You then discard the losing jack of clubs
♣ K4
top’ but that heart lead may prove quite on dummy’s trump, which draws the
♠ Q J 10 9 5 ♠ K8
devastating. outstanding one in the process.
♥ KQJ8 N ♥ 10
W E
♦ 9 S ♦ 87643 Suppose you ruff the heart return from East This clever type of play is called a dummy
♣ J87 ♣ Q 10 9 5 3 and attempt to draw trumps. That would be reversal because we are much more
♠ 3 fine with a 3-3 break, but the odds favour an programmed to take ruffs in dummy, not in
♥ A952 uneven break, in which case one defender hand.
♦ A K J 10 2 will remain with the only trump.
All the hands this month relate to clever
♣ A62
As soon as he ruffs a diamond, he will be manipulation of the trump suit. ■

Page 39
 GLOBAL TRAVEL INSURANCE
Amelia House, Crescent Road, Worthing West Sussex, BN11 1RL. ( 01903 203933 Fax 01903 211106
Email enquiries@globaltravelinsurance.co.uk Website www.globaltravelinsurance.co.uk
SUMMARY OF COVER
The following represent the Significant and Key Features of the policy
including Exclusions and Limitations that apply per person.
A full copy of the policy document is available on request.
CANCELLATION & CURTAILMENT up to £1,500
If you have to cancel or cut short your trip due to illness, injury, redundancy, jury service, the police
requiring you to remain at or return to your home due to serious damage to your home, you are
covered against loss of travel and accommodation costs.
Policy Excess
Standard Policy Excess £50.
For persons aged 61 to 70 years the excess is increased to £100.
For persons aged 71 to 90 years the excess is increased to £150.
See section headed Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions for increased excesses
applicable to claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions.
PERSONAL ACCIDENT up to £15,000
A cash sum for accidental injury resulting in death, loss of sight, loss of limb or permanent total
disablement. No Policy Excess.
MEDICAL AND OTHER EXPENSES up to £5,000,000
Including LIFELINE 24 HOUR WORLDWIDE MEDICAL EMERGENCY SERVICE
(a) The cost of hospital and other emergency medical expenses incurred abroad, including
additional accommodation and repatriation expenses. Limit £250 for emergency dental treatment
and £5,000 burial/cremation/transfer of remains. Limit £1,000 for transfer of remains to your home if
you die in the UK.
Policy Excess £75 unless travelling within North or Central America or the Caribbean when
increased to £150.
For persons aged 61 to 70 years the excess is increased to £150 unless travelling within
North or Central America or the Caribbean when increased to £500.
For persons aged 71 to 90 years the excess is increased to £300 unless travelling within
North or Central America or the Caribbean when increased to £1,000.
See section headed Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions for increased excesses
applicable to claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions.
(b) HOSPITAL BENEFIT up to £300
An additional benefit of £15 per day for each day you spend in hospital abroad as an in-patient.
No Policy Excess.
PERSONAL LUGGAGE, MONEY & VALUABLES up to £2,000
Covers accidental loss, theft or damage to your personal luggage subject to a limit of £200 for any
one article, pair or set and an overall limit of £200 for valuables such as cameras, Jewellery, furs,
etc. Luggage and valuables limited to £1500. Delayed luggage, up to £75. Policy Excess £50.
Money, travel tickets and travellers cheques are covered up to £500 against accidental loss or theft
(cash limit £250). Policy Excess £50.
No cover is provided for loss or theft of unattended property, valuables or money or for loss or theft
not reported to the Police within 24 hours of discovery.
PASSPORT EXPENSES up to £200
If you lose your passport or it is stolen whilst abroad, you are covered for additional travel and
accommodation costs incurred in obtaining a replacement. No Policy Excess.
DELAYED DEPARTURE up to £1,500
If your outward or return trip is delayed for more than 12 hours at the final departure point to/from
UK due to adverse weather conditions, mechanical breakdown or industrial action, you are entitled
to either (a) £20 for the first 12 hours and £10 for each further 12 hours delay up to a maximum of
£60, or (b) the cost of the trip (up to £1,500) if you elect to cancel after 12 hours delay on the outward
trip from the UK. Policy Excess £50 (b) only.
MISSED DEPARTURE up to £500
Additional travel and accommodation expenses incurred to enable you to reach your overseas
destination if you arrive too late at your final UK outward departure point due to failure of the vehicle
in which you are travelling to deliver you to the departure point caused by adverse weather, strike,
industrial action, mechanical breakdown or accident to the vehicle. No Policy Excess.
PERSONAL LIABILITY up to £2,000,000
Covers your legal liability for injury or damage to other people or their property, including legal
expenses (subject to the laws of England and Wales). Policy Excess £250.
LEGAL EXPENSES up to £25,000
To enable you to pursue your rights against a third party following injury. No Policy Excess.
MEMBER OF THE
MAIN EXCLUSIONS AND CONDITIONS
The following represents only the main exclusions. The policy document sets out
all of the conditions and exclusions. A copy of the full policy wording is available
on request in writing prior to application.
MAIN HEALTH EXCLUSIONS:
Insurers will not pay for claims arising
1. Where you or any person upon whose health the trip depends are undergoing tests for the
presence of a medical condition receiving or on a waiting list for or have knowledge of the need
for treatment at a hospital or nursing home.
2. From any terminal illness suffered by you or any person upon whose health the trip depends.
3. From any reoccurrence of any psychiatric disorder, anxiety state and/or depression suffered by
you or any person upon whose health the trip depends.
4. From pregnancy or childbirth.
5. If you are travelling against the advice of a medical practitioner or for the purpose of obtaining
medical treatment abroad.
6. From any medical condition for which you or any person upon whose health the Trip
depends has within 12 months prior to the date of booking of each Trip (for Cancellation)
or the date of departure of each Trip (other sections) been diagnosed with a medical
condition or have received treatment in a hospital.
OTHER GENERAL EXCLUSIONS
Claims arising from
1. Winter sports, any hazardous pursuits, any work of a non sedentary nature.
2. Self-inflicted injury or illness, suicide, alcoholism or drug abuse, sexual disease.
3. War, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities or warlike operations, civil war, rebellion,
Terrorism, revolution, insurrection, civil commotion, military or usurped power but this
exclusion shall not apply to losses under Section 3 – Medical Expenses unless such losses
are caused by nuclear, chemical or biological attack, or the disturbances were already taking
place at the beginning of any Trip.
4. Failure or fear of failure or inability of any equipment or any computer program.
5. Consequential loss of any kind.
6. Bankruptcy / liquidation of any tour operator, travel agent, airline, transportation company or
accommodation supplier.
7. Travelling to countries or regions where the FCO or WHO has advised against travel.
8. Your failure to contact the Medical Screening Line if travelling in North or Central America or the
Caribbean.
POLICY EXCESSES:
The amount of each claim for which insurers will not pay and for which you are responsible. The
excess as noted in the policy summary applies to each and every claim per insured person under
each section where an excess applies.
Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions
If you are traveling to North or Central America or the Caribbean you must first contact
the Medical Screening Line in order to establish whether we can provide cover for your
trip. If you are accepted then the following levels of excess will apply and you will receive
written confirmation that you are covered for the trip. The number to call is:
0870 9063142
Unless you are traveling to North or Central America or the Caribbean, there is no need
to advise us of your pre existing medical conditions.
Provision for the acceptance of pre existing medical conditions has been made by the
application of increased excesses in the event of claims arising.
For claims arising from the any of your pre-existing medical conditions, other than those that are
specifically excluded, the excess is further increased as follows:
Under the Cancellation & Curtailment section – double the normal excess.
Under the Medical & Other Expenses section –
For persons aged 60 years or less the excess is increased to £500 unless travelling within
North or Central America or the Caribbean when increased to £1,000.
For persons aged 61 to 70 years the excess is increased to £1,000 unless travelling within
North or Central America or the Caribbean when increased to £2,000.
For persons aged 71 to 90 years the excess is increased to £1,500 unless travelling within
North or Central America or the Caribbean when increased to £3,000.
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England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, including all islands comprising the British
Isles (except the Channel Islands and the Republic of Ireland).
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Area 1 and Continental Europe west of the Ural mountain range, all countries bordering the
Mediterranean Sea (except Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Libya & Syria), the Channel Islands and the
Republic of Ireland, Iceland, Madeira, The Canaries and The Azores.
3. Worldwide excluding North America
Areas 1 & 2 and All countries outside of the above (except the continent of North America, countries
comprising Central America and the Caribbean Islands).
4. Worldwide including North America
Areas 1,2 & 3 and The United States of America, Mexico and other countries comprising Central
America, Canada, Cuba and the Caribbean Islands.
 SCHEDULE OF PREMIUMS

✄
Valid for policies issued up to 31/3/09 and for travel up to 31/12/09.
Areas 1 & 2 - Applicable per person up to age 90 years on the date of return to the UK.
Areas 3 & 4 - Applicable per person up to age 80 years on the date of return to the UK.
Single Trip
1 - 3 days
Area 1
£11.70
Area 2
£17.90
Area 3
£37.60
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£54.20
Travel Insurance
4 & 5 days £14.10 £22.60 £47.30 £68.10 Suitable for individual round trips up to 4 months duration
that start and finish in the UK arranged by
6 -10 days £16.40 £30.40 £64.10 £91.80
11-17 days £18.80 £33.30 £71.30 £102.70 Global Travel Insurance
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Please FULLY complete the following in BLOCK CAPITALS.
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All age adjustments apply to the age on the date of return to the UK Details of the Applicant
The following adjustments apply ONLY to trips in excess of 31 days
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Street Name
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their dependant children under the age of 16 traveling with the adults residing
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Sports & Activities – Contact us for a quotation as we can cover a wide range
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Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd are authorised and regulated by the
Financial Services Authority and our status can be checked on the FSA Register
by visiting www.fsa.gov.uk/register or by contacting the FSA on 0845 606 1234. Introducer Mr Bridge
This insurance is underwritten by AXA Insurance UK plc. Registered in England
No. 78950. Registered address: 5 Old Broad Street, London EC2N 1AD. AXA Geographical Area - See Premium Panel
Insurance UK plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. (1,2,3 or 4)
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to meet our liabilities you may be entitled to compensation under the Financial
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INSURANCE PRODUCT SUITABILITY 2 £

This insurance is suitable for persons whose Demands and Needs are those of a 3
traveller whose: £
1 Individual round trip starts and finishes in the UK and is of no more than 4
months duration. 4 £
2 Age is 90 years or less and is normally a resident of the United Kingdom.
As this leaflet contains the Key Features of the cover provided, it constitutes
5 £
provision of a statement of demands and needs.
If you would like more information or are unsure of any details contained herein,
you should ask Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd for further advice. 6 £

INSURANCE PRODUCT DISCLOSURE Credit/Debit Card Details TOTAL PREMIUM £

Cancellation Rights Card No

This is your insurance summary. A full policy wording will be sent to you on receipt
of your application form and the required premium. Please read it carefully to
ensure it meets your requirements. Start Date End Date Issue No
If the cover does not meet your requirements, please notify us within 14 days of
receiving your policy documents and return all your documents for a refund of your Security Code
premium. If, during this 14-day period, you have travelled, made a claim or intend
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services. Please note that your cancellation rights are no longer valid after this
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Claims be the basis of the Contract of Insurance. I agree that Insurers may exchange
Claims are handled by Towergate Chase Parkinson, PO Box 416, West Byfleet, information with other Insurers or their agents. I have read and understood the
Surrey KT14 7LF who act on behalf of the Insurers and not the customer in terms and conditions of the insurance, with which all persons above are in
relation to any claim. The telephone number is 0870 906 3144. agreement and for whom I am authorized to sign.
Applicable Law
You and we are free to choose the laws applicable to this policy. As we are based Signed ............................................................. Date.......................
in England, we propose to apply the laws of England and Wales and by
The form MUST be signed by one of the persons to be insured on behalf of all persons to be insured.
purchasing this policy, you have agreed to this.
For essential travel advice and tips visit the Foreign Office website, Recommended by
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www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo or call 020 7008 0232.

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

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

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

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Please send a Bridge Club Directory / Teacher Questionnaire to:

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BR93
 ANSWERS TO THE BIDDING QUIZ ON
PAGE 3 by BERNARD MAGEE

Remember, with a fit you can add on for Pass.

1. Dealer West. Love All. shortage. Many players would want to make a bid on
♠ KQJ76 ♠ 854 this hand – 17 points including two aces and
Those of you who counted your losers and
♥ A3 N ♥ KQ4 two kings.
W E overbid (4♠) fell foul of another rule – ‘Beware
♦ AQ4 S ♦ 9765
a hand without aces.’ Generally you should However, do not forget that you have a partner.
♣ A J 10 ♣ 986
add half a loser if your hand is aceless (a He passed on the first round, which is
whole loser if you have no kings either). With something that should make you wary. Since
seven and a half losers, you look at the South has some values as well as North, he is
West North East South
general texture of the hand: search for jacks, likely to have between 0 and 4 points; if he does
?
tens and nines – seeing none you should have more, he could bid on the second round,
settle for 3♠, which is the limit of the hand. perhaps showing delayed support for spades.
2NT.
Even adding a point for the fifth spade, you It is up to your partner to try hard for you, but
are a point short of the 23 expected for a 2♣ if you are a good team, you will trust him and
3. Dealer West. Love All.
opening. Still, if you cannot find another not punish him for having such a bad hand –
♠ KQ76 ♠ A984
suitable opening, I suppose you might tell that too many players would take further action on
♥ K43 N ♥ Q62
small lie! Fortunately, there is another very W E this West hand and be disappointed with the
♦ A76 S ♦ 854
suitable opening. It is not 2♠ – the idea of a end result!
♣ AQ2 ♣ K76
strong two bid is to suggest that the hand will
While 17 points is certainly a strong hand in
play best with the suit as trumps – it should
terms of high-card points, without the
really be a hand with some distribution –
West North East South distribution to back it up, the hand has
ideally a six-card suit but, if a five-card suit, a
1♠ Pass 2♠ Pass relatively little playing strength with no suit of
singleton alongside. Here, you have a
? any quality or length, you should subside
balanced hand: one doubleton; you have
quietly. As you can see, partner has very little
high cards in all the suits and generally the
2NT. and any further bidding from your side would
hand looks right for no-trumps. 2NT describes
With the flattest hand you could have, you have been calamitous.
the hand neatly: 20-22 points with a
should devalue your hand – I like to take a
balanced hand. Your partner can still ask for
point off when I have a 4-3-3-3 hand because
major suits by using Stayman, though on this
its playing potential is so poor. Even so, with 5. Dealer West. Love All.
hand he would simply raise to 3NT. With the
18 HCP, you have to try for game. ♠ AJ76 ♠ 43
all round strength of your hand, 3NT is a N
♥ A876 ♥ 52
better contract than 4♠. Your partnership has agreed spades as W E
♦ KJ3 S ♦ Q52
trumps, yes, but that should not stop you from
♣ 42 ♣ J 10 9 8 7 6
rebidding 2NT to show your strength and flat
2. Dealer East. Love All. shape. Your partner can choose between four
♠ KQ76 ♠ A J 10 5 4 possible contracts: 2NT, 3NT, 3♠ or 4♠, but
West North East South
♥ 4 N ♥ AJ6 usually he will opt for spades if he has four-
W E 1NT Dbl 2♣ Pass
♦ 765 S ♦ 982 card support.
?
♣ K8432 ♣ Q6
On this occasion, with his horribly flat
maximum, he would raise to 3NT even with Pass.
four spades. With no ruffing values in either When there is any interference over a 1NT
West North East South
hand, 3NT is certainly the best contract. opening ‘systems are off’ – especially when
1♠ Pass
they double, you need all your bids to be able
?
to escape. Your partner’s 2♣ is simply saying:
4. Dealer West. E/W Vul. ‘I think we will be safer in 2♣ than we will be
3♠.
♠ KQ83 ♠ 76 in 1NT’: you have described your hand neatly
The first rule when responding to partner with N
♥ AK W E
♥ 42 (12-14 balanced) and he is making the final
a weak hand is – if you have support for his
♦ A76 S ♦ J8542 decision. You do not have to think: just pass. I
major, raise the suit. It is so important to show
♣ J843 ♣ Q952 know your hand does not look suitable, but
your support straight away with a weak hand
you have to trust your partner, and how right
because you will make it more difficult for
he was – 2♣ is OK: probably one off, but 1NT
your opponents to enter the bidding.
West North East South would be awful – with no chance of making
So you are bidding spades, but at what level? 1♠ 2♥ Pass 3♥ any clubs, you would be lucky to make more
8 HCP + 3 (singleton) = 11 points – bid 3♠. ? than four tricks. ■

Page 43

ave you ever heard of Barry
H Crane? If you had lived in
America in the 1980s, it would
have been very hard not to have heard of
Barry Crane, famous film producer and
the victim of a headline-grabbing
murder. Barry was also a remarkably
successful duplicate pairs player.
When someone asked him about the
secret of his success, he said, ‘I don’t
play the ‘if’ game, neither do my
partners.’ So what does this mean?
At rubber bridge or teams-of-four, it is
quite legitimate to stake the odd
overtrick to maximise your chances of
beating the contract. Suppose you can
say, ‘If my partner holds the ace of
spades, we can beat this contract. If not,
there is no hope.’ In this case, so long as
the bidding and play to date make it
possible, you place partner with the ace
of spades. Of course, much of the time
partner won’t have the ace of spades and
all you succeed in doing is giving away
a cheap overtrick. This hardly matters at
teams or rubber bridge, but at duplicate
pairs it can be just as damaging as letting
through the contract.
The same approach applies in the
bidding, but now it is just as relevant to
teams-of-four (IMPs) or rubber bridge.
Suppose you pick up:
♠ AQ754
♥ 8
♦ KJ754
♣ Q2
You open 1♠ and partner raises to 2♠.
You know all about fitting cards. If
partner’s 2♠ raise includes the queen of
diamonds then it plugs a gap and makes
your suit solid except for the ace. If he
holds the king of spades, that plugs
another hole. The king of clubs would
go nicely with your queen.
Andrew Kambites Says
Don’t Look for
Perfect Cards
Your fertile imagination starts to build This is a truly awful eleven points: only
up a picture of the combined hands: one four-card suit, no aces, three
isolated queens and no useful tens or
nines. Yes, it is (just about) possible to
♠ K962 construct a hand for partner to make
♥ 9532 3NT reasonable. How many times,
♦ Q 10 though, are you prepared to go off in a
♣ K53 gruesome game contract to avoid
N
missing one that makes? Pass 1NT, get
W E plenty of tops or plus scores and don’t
S
worry about the occasional bottom.
♠ AQ754 I will finish with possibly the most
♥ 8 dispiriting of all the outcomes of playing
♦ KJ754 the if game, going one off in a freely bid
♣ Q2 5♥ or 5♠. You open 1♠ and partner
raises to 4♠. You hold:
Partner has only eight points but 4♠ is
excellent. Of course, in real life, you ♠ AQ6542
make a trial bid of 3♦ only to find ♥ KQ4
partner actually has: ♦ A54
♣ 8
♠ 9632
♥ KQ9 4♠ is pre-emptive, but you realise that if
♦ 632 partner has hand A below then you can
♣ KJ7 make 6♠. So you use Blackwood, but
unfortunately partner has hand B and,
when the defenders lead a diamond,
This time he has nine points, most of even 5♠ fails.
them useless. You hope he signs off
because of his poor diamonds and still
need lots of luck to make even 3♠. Hand A Hand B
Do you see what I mean by the ‘if’ ♠ K9873 ♠ K9873
game? If partner has the king of spades ♥ A52 ♥ 2
and if he has the queen of diamonds and ♦ 2 ♦ 76
if he has the king of clubs – most of the ♣ 9765 ♣ KJ732
time he doesn’t have these cards.
I think that the same applies to many
flat eleven-point hands facing a weak You have bid freely to 5♠ and find that
1NT. Partner opens 1NT. You hold: ten tricks are the limit. Do you not feel
slightly sick? Playing in 5♠ rather than
4♠ can only lose or break even. In the
♠ KQ4 example above, you had no guarantee of
♥ Q732 success at the five level so you should
♦ Q86 not have ventured past the safety of 4♠.
♣ Q42 The maxim is this: Don’t look for a
perfect fit! Don’t play the ‘if’ game. ■
Page 44
 Derek Rimington Says

Don’t Make Give

Away Doubles

here are many types of give-away This takes us neatly to our next example. Doubling at a low level can carry added

T doubles – some reveal high cards

and some distribution – and some
of these I might describe more aptly as
While the classic losing result of a give-
away double is that it enables declarer to
make an otherwise failing contract,
risk. You might turn a part-score into
game. Here is a prime example.

gift-away. other things can happen. This deal is

A common type of give-away double from the 2007 English open teams’ trials: Dealer East. Love All.
discloses a bad trump break. Here is an ♠ Q2
example from rubber bridge: ♥ Q9763
Dealer South. Love All. ♦ Q J 10
♠ QJ62 ♣ J52
Dealer South. Love All. ♥ 10 ♠ AJ86 ♠ 7
N
♠ Q9 ♦ A K 10 5 4 ♥ 8542 W E
♥ K J 10
♥ 854 ♣ QJ3 ♦ A7 S ♦ 8654
♦ J6542 ♠ 10 9 7 5 4 ♠ 83 ♣ A63 ♣ K 10 9 8 4
N
♣ AQ2 ♥ 2 W E ♥ 8654 ♠ K 10 9 5 4 3
S
♠ 10 8 7 6 3 ♠ 2 ♦ J963 ♦ 872 ♥ A
N
♥ Q632 W E
♥ A K 10 9 7 ♣ 10 5 2 ♣ AK96 ♦ K932
♦ K 10 S ♦ Q983 ♠ AK ♣ Q7
♣ 54 ♣ 973 ♥ AKQJ973
♠ AKJ54 ♦ Q
♥ J ♣ 874 West North East South
♦ A7 Pass 1♠
♣ K J 10 8 6 Pass 1NT Pass 2♠
West North East South Dbl End
1♥1
West North East South Pass 2♦ Pass 3♥2 Without the double, declarer would
1♣ Pass 3NT Pass 4NT3 surely win the heart lead and play a
Pass 1♦ 1♥ 1♠ Pass 6NT Dbl 7♥4 spade to the queen. On the second round
Pass 2♣ Pass 2♠ Pass Pass Dbl End of spades, East discards the ten of clubs
Pass 3♠ Pass 4♠ as West wins the ten with the jack.
Dbl End 1
South, lady international Heather Dhondy Reading the ten of clubs as encouraging
and her partner, were not playing Acol two- but seeing no rush to cash club winners,
West led the two of hearts, taken by the bids or Benjamin. West can shift to ace and a low diamond.
king. East continued with the ace. South 2
This was game forcing after the two-level West can then take the next trump, put
paused as he knew that West must have response. East in with a club and score a diamond
long spades for the double. He elected to 3
Quantitative; this did not ask for aces. ruff for down one.
ruff and play on clubs. West ruffed the 4
South realised that East must hold two cer- The double, however, was a warning
third round and tried to continue the tain tricks, which as good as told her that he to South, who led the ten of spades at
forcing game by leading the queen of held the ace-king of one of the minors. Since trick two. Whether West won, covered or
hearts. South simply discarded the seven East was on lead to 6NT but would not be on ducked, he would make two trump
of diamonds and thereby regained trump lead to 7♥, she went for the chance that 13 tricks. Unfortunately, as one of those
control because dummy could ruff the tricks would be available on the wrong lead. tricks was now a slow one, he could not
fourth round of hearts. score a productive ruff as well. The
I would like to mention another point. West had a three-way guess and led a contract thus made. West had conceded
If North-South’s spades had not been spade. North-South made 1,770 instead 470 due to careless talk. The lesson here
good enough to withstand the bad break, of losing 50 in 6NT undoubled. This was is like a World War II slogan: ‘Careless
they could have retreated to 5♣. a greedy, give-away double. doubles cost contracts.’ ■

Page 45
 Harold Schogger Says

Lead Second Highest

from Bad Suits

hether you lead against a no- In general, a low card such as a two,

W trump or suit contract, partner

will often want to know the
strength of your suit. To signify whether
your suit is rubbish or has potential you
lead second highest from bad suits.
Let us first deal with second highest
against suit contracts.
(a) 9-7-5-4, 9-6-3 or 9-8-5-4-3
(b) 9-7 or 9-2
Partner may want to know whether you
have led from holdings (a) or (b).
In examples (a) when you lead from
this suit, you are leading for safety
reasons. You want to tell your partner
that there is little future in the suit.
In the holdings in (b), if you want to
lead the suit, you want partner to know
that you can ruff the third round.
Years ago, everyone learnt to lead top
of a doubleton and top of nothing. If we
continue with this, partner will never
really know whether we can ruff the third
round or are making a safe lead. With the
old system, we would lead the nine in all
the examples in both (a) and (b). You
avoid this doubt if you lead Second
highest from Bad Suits. In this case, you
will lead the seven, six and eight
respectively in the holdings in (a) above.
When you have a doubleton you lead the
nine and follow with a low one, as with
the holdings in example (b).
What do you play next with three cards
or more? With three, play upwards (to
say you do not have a doubleton). With
more, some play a lower card (to play a
longer suit differently to a tripleton); I
still prefer to play upwards so partner
knows not to try to give me a ruff.
In the next example, North opens 1NT
and South jumps to 4♠. West leads a sec-
ond highest six of clubs. After winning
the first trick, East cashes a second club,
on which West plays the eight,
confirming at least a three-card suit.
♠
♥
♦
A6
A 10 6 4
J 10 7 5
three or four suggests a fourth-highest
lead whereas an eight, seven or six
suggests second highest from a bad suit.
♣ K J 10 Another clue is that, if you try to use the
♠ 10 5 ♠ 98 Rule of 11 and it fails, then partner has
♥ J83 N ♥ Q975 led second highest.
W E
♦ AQ43 S ♦ 986
♣ 8642 ♣ AQ73
♠ KQJ7432 ♠ KQ83
♥ K2 ♥ AJ2
♦ K2 ♦ 763
♣ 95 ♣ Q J 10
♠ 964 ♠ 10 5 2
♥ K7 N ♥ 853
W E
Now East is in a position to see there is ♦ A 10 5 S ♦ QJ842
no future in playing more clubs ♣ 87643 ♣ A9
woodenly. He finds the vital diamond ♠ AJ7
switch to defeat the contract by one. ♥ Q 10 9 6 4
Without the ‘second from bad suit’ ♦ K9
lead, East would be in a dilemma. ♣ K52
Now let us deal with second highest
against no-trump contracts. In general,
you lead from your longest suit trying to West leads the seven of clubs against
establish tricks for the defence. 3NT. If the seven is not significant, East
might win and return the suit. This lets
(c) A-Q-7-5-4 or K-9-6-5-4 declarer wrap up eleven tricks.
(d) 9-7-6-5-2 or 8-6-4-2 With ‘Second from Bad Suits’, East
reads the lead as from a bad suit (the
Holdings (c) have more future than (d). If seven cannot be from K-8-7-x-x). If
you lead from a (d) suit, partner is going South holds the club king, there is no
to need to give you a great deal of help in future in clubs and a shift is in order.
the suit (two honours or more). In the Looking at dummy, he rejects the
better (c) holdings, as much as a jack majors and leads the diamond queen.
may be enough to get the suit going. The defenders should take five diamonds
So that partner knows you have led and a club to set the contract by two.
from a good suit with an honour or two Second-highest leads also help at trick
as in the examples in (c), you lead fourth one. As one would not lead from
highest. If you have a ‘horrid’ suit A-Q-8-6, especially in a suit contract,
without a single honour, as in (d), you East ducks here when West leads the six:
lead ‘second highest from bad suits’ –
suits that are at best nine high.
If partner leads from a bad suit and ♠ J 10 9
you have little for him in the suit, then it N
may be clear to you to switch and look ♠ 8642 W E ♠ K753
S
for a better suit to establish.
How can you read the lead? The ♠ AQ ■
bidding is one clue. There are others.

Page 46
 ANSWERS TO THE DEFENCE QUIZ ON
PAGE 22 by JULIAN POTTAGE
Since the bidding tells you that South cannot king and jack of hearts. Obviously, you would
1. ♠ J742 have a second spade, a switch seems in order. prefer partner to make the first trump lead.
♥ 984 Then you can make the queen, cash the ace
If partner has the ace of hearts, a heart switch
♦ K and play a third round, removing all of
will defeat the contract for sure. However, the
♣ AKQ82 dummy’s trumps.
ace of hearts is unlikely to run away. There is
♠ 10 6 3 ♠ Q95
N no rush to play the suit. Most likely, South has Since you want partner to gain the lead and
♥ AQ5 W E ♥ 7
the ace of hearts. With the ace of hearts on the position looks hopeless if South holds the
♦ Q9532 S ♦ A876
your left and a singleton heart on your right, ace of diamonds, you should not play the king
♣ 97 ♣ J 10 6 5 3
you can guess what will happen if you defend on the first round. After partner wins the first
♠ AK8
passively. Declarer will cash the ace of hearts diamond and your side has played three
♥ K J 10 6 3 2
and proceed to ruff several hearts in dummy. rounds of trumps, the contract fails. Indeed
♦ J 10 4
declarer has only eight tricks and will need to
♣ 4 This time you cannot stop dummy from
knock out your king of diamonds for a ninth.
scoring any ruffs. The best you can do is to
play the ace followed by another diamond.
West North East South This restricts your opponent to a single heart
4. ♠ K542
1♥ ruff. One ruff, the ace of hearts, the ace-king
♥ 10 9 8
Pass 2♣ Pass 2♥ of clubs and six trump tricks comes to a total
♦ K6
Pass 4♥ End of ten – which suits you just fine.
♣ Q 10 4 2
Yes, if partner shows out on the first round of ♠ Q93 ♠ 10 8 7 6
Partner leads the three of diamonds to the N
diamonds, meaning that South has eight, you ♥ 74 ♥ A53
king and ace. What do you return? W E
would change tack. You would have to hope ♦ QJ9532 S ♦ A7
Although dummy is quite weak in spades, a that partner holds the ace of hearts and ♣ 87 ♣ J963
spade return is unlikely to be best. South must switch to the suit. ♠ AJ
have at least one of the ace and king. You ♥ KQJ62
cannot achieve much with a spade switch. ♦ 10 8 4
Unless partner is void (rather unlikely), a club 3. ♠ K87 ♣ AK5
switch will achieve little either. ♥ AQ72
♦ J
Given that dummy is now out of diamonds, by
♣ AK832 West North East South
far the most attractive return is a trump.
♠ 65 ♠ AQ2 1♥
Partner wins with the queen, cashes the ace N
♥ J8 ♥ 10 6 5 4 Pass 1♠ Pass 2NT
and plays a third round. After this, declarer W E
♦ A874 S ♦ K963 Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥
cannot ruff any diamonds in dummy.
♣ Q J 10 9 6 ♣ 75 End
♠ J 10 9 4 3
♥ K93 Partner leads the queen of diamonds to the
2. ♠ 8732
♦ Q 10 5 2 king and ace. What do you return?
♥ 8
♣ 4
♦ Q76 Unless partner has a seven-card suit, it looks
♣ AK832 as if declarer intends to ruff a diamond in
♠ J 10 6 ♠ AK954 dummy. In an effort to prevent this, your first
West North East South
♥ KJ542 N ♥ 10 7 6 instinct may be to play ace and another
W E 1♣ Pass 1♠
♦ 9 S
♦ A8 trump. What happens if you do that?
Pass 2♥ Pass 2♠
♣ J975 ♣ Q 10 6
Pass 4♠ End Declarer wins the second round of trumps in
♠ Q
dummy and plays a diamond to the eight.
♥ AQ93
Partner leads the queen of clubs. Dummy Your partner wins with nine but has no trump
♦ K J 10 5 4 3 2
wins with the ace and leads the diamond to play. Declarer makes ten tricks by way of
♣ 4
jack. Do you play your king? If not, why not? two spades, four hearts, three clubs and a ruff.

Once again, dummy has a singleton in one of A better idea is to switch to a low trump. Let
West North East South the side suits together with three trumps. As us say that declarer wins in dummy and leads
Pass Pass 1♠ 2♦ on the two previous examples, the winning a diamond to the eight. This time, partner can
2♠ 3♦ Pass 4♦ defensive technique is to draw dummy’s win and play a second round of trumps. You
Pass 5♦ End trumps. However, here it will make a big win and play a third round. This kills the ruff
difference which defender leads a trump. If and leaves your opponent reliant on luck in
Partner leads the jack of spades. You win with you do, you can play at most two rounds of the black suits for a tenth trick. With the jack of
the king as South drops the queen. How do the suit. Two may not be enough if declarer clubs well guarded and the spade finesse
you continue? has the queen and ten of diamonds or the wrong, the contract fails. ■

Page 47