F and Smooth: Julian Pottage's Double Dummy Problem

BRIDGE
Number: 213 September 2020
Julian Pottage’s Double Dummy Problem
FF AND SMOOT

RU
H
♠ A J 2
♥ 10 9 8 7 6
♦ Q
♣ 5 4 3 2
♠ K 10 9 ♠ 8 7
♥ Void W N E
♥ 5 4 3 2
♦ A J 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 S ♦ 10
♣ Void ♣ K J 10 9 8 7
♠ Q 6 5 4 3
♥ A K Q J
♦ K
♣ A Q 6
Contract 6♥ by South
Lead: ♦A
BRIDGE is ceasing publication.

The last issue will be number 216 - December 2020.
This Double Dummy problem can also be found on page 5 of this issue.
See page 5 for more information.
The answer will be published on page 4 next month.
Sally Brock Looks At Your Slam Bidding
Sally’s Slam Clinic

Where did we go wrong? West opened only 3♥ – a slightly West North East South
conservative choice at favourable Pass 1♥ Pass 1♠
This month’s deal was sent in by Geoff vulnerability with an 8-card suit. After Pass 2♠ Pass 2NT*
Simpson: a 4♥ opening it is harder. Pass 3♣ Pass 4♣
North is perhaps more likely to Pass 4♦* Pass 4NT*
double than bid 4♠ and over either Pass 5♣* Pass 5♦*
Dealer West. N/S Game. double or 4♠. Pass 5NT* Pass 7NT
♠ A 10 9 6 3 All South can really do is cross his All Pass
♥ 9 fingers and jump to 6♦. * alerted bids – see text for explanations
♦ A J 8 5
♣ A Q 9 This was an excellent auction to the
♠ 5 4 ♠ Q J 8 7 2 Slam of the month top spot. The first two bids are clear
♥ K J 8 7 5 4 3 2 N ♥ Q (though some slightly old-fashioned
W E
♦ 2
S
♦ 10 This month’s number one slam deal souls who still play strong jump shifts
♣ 10 6 ♣ K 8 5 4 3 2 comes from an online match in might have started with 2♠ as South).
♠ K Australia: The first main issue is whether North
♥ A 10 6 bids 2♣ or 2♠. Generally, with a weak
♦ K Q 9 7 6 4 3 hand North should raise immediately,
♣ J 7 Dealer West. Love All. but with extras should start with 2♣
♠ 9 4 2 – but exactly where you draw the line
♥ A J 4 3 2 is a matter of personal interpretation.
At the table the players bid: ♦ A I like the simple raise. South’s 2NT
♣ K Q 10 8 is generally played as forcing these
West North East South ♠ 10 6 ♠ 8 3 days, and North’s 3♣ shows the actual
3♥ 3♠ Pass 4♦ ♥ Q 10 6 N ♥ 9 8 7 5 distribution. This makes it easy for
W E
Pass 4♥ Pass 4NT ♦ J 9 8 6 3 2 S ♦ K Q 10 4 South to raise to 4♣, North to cue-
Pass 5♣ Pass 7♦ ♣ 7 6 ♣ 9 4 3 bid and South to use RKCB for clubs.
All Pass ♠ A K Q J 7 5 North then shows three key cards and
♥ K South asks for the ♣Q, which North
After North shows enthusiasm for ♦ 7 5 shows with 5NT. That is enough for
diamonds (with the 4♥ cue-bid), ♣ A J 5 2 South to be able to count thirteen
South can risk 4NT and, on hearing tricks in no-trumps. Note that if South
of three key cards opposite, can bid had not held the ♥K he would have
the grand slam. His club loser will The hand was discussed in a been able to bid 7♠ instead – since
go on North’s ♠A, and he should be Bridgewinners forum by Barbara the 3♣ bid showed a 3-5-1-4 shape, he
able to ruff two hearts in the dummy. Travis. would be able to count on a diamond
North-South were lucky that The bidding was: ruff in dummy. n
Page 2 BRIDGE September 2020

BRIDGE
The Mr Bridge Monthly Magazine
Features this month include:
1 September Double Dummy Bridge Problem
by Julian Pottage
ADVERTISERS’
3
INDEX
Clive Goff ’s Stamps
Ryden Grange, Knaphill,
Surrey, GU21 2TH 2 Sally's Slam Clinic 4
Severance Tea Towel
8
Q Plus 15
( 01483 489961 4 August Double Dummy Bridge Problem Answer 8
Duplicate Bridge Rules
bridge@mrbridge.co.uk by Julian Pottage Simplified
www.mrbridge.co.uk 16 Acol Bidding with
shop: mrbridge.co.uk/shop 4 Mr Bridge Bernard Magee
6 David Stevenson Answers Your Bridge Questions 16 2021 Luxury Diaries
Publisher/Managing Editor 18 Clive Goff ’s Stamps
Mr Bridge 7 Bidding Quiz by Bernard Magee 34 Double Dummy Tea
Towels
Associate Editor 9 Defence Quiz by Julian Pottage
35 Little Voice
Julian Pottage
julian@mrbridge.co.uk 9 Declarer Play Quiz by David Huggett 38 Declarer Play with
Bernard Magee
Bridge Consultant 10 Catching Up with Sally Brock 43 Defence with Bernard
Bernard Magee Magee
10 Seven Days by Sally Brock
bernardmagee 43 Bridge Mix
@mrbridge.co.uk 13 Slam Bidding. Part 2 by Andrew Kambites 45 Advanced Acol Bidding
with Bernard Magee
Cartoons & Illustrations 17 Simple Take-Out Doubles. Part 3 by Sally Brock
47 Advanced Declarer Play
Marguerite Lihou 19 Simple Take-Out Doubles. Part 3 Quiz by Sally Brock with Bernard Magee
www.margueritelihou.co.uk 49 Five Card Majors with
19 Slam Bidding. Part 2 Quiz by Andrew Kambites Bernard Magee
Technical Consultant
50 Mr Bridge Playing Cards
Tony Gordon 20 Readers' Letters
51 Begin Bridge with
Typesetting 21 Bridge Glossary – J by Julian Pottage Bernard Magee
Jessica Galt 52 Exploring the Capitals
jessica@mrbridge.co.uk
22 Bridge Glossary – K by Julian Pottage of the Baltic
with Fred. Olsen
Proof Reading Team
23 Bridge Glossary – L by Julian Pottage
Catrina Shackleton 28 Bridge Glossary – M by Julian Pottage
Julian Pottage REDUCE THE
Mark Rixon 31 Bridge Glossary – N by Julian Pottage
COST OF YOUR
Mike Orriel 33 Slam Bidding. Part 2 Quiz Answers POSTAGE
Richard Wheen British postage stamps
by Andrew Kambites
Clubs & Charities for sale at 90% of face-
35 Declarer Play Quiz Answers by David Huggett value, all mint and with
Maggie Axtell
maggie@mrbridge.co.uk full gum. Quotations for
36 The Diaries Of Wendy Wensum commercial quantities
Events, Holidays & Cruises are available on request.
37 Appeals Committees by David Stevenson
( 01483 489961 Values supplied in 100s,
Jessica Galt 39 Defence Quiz Answers by Julian Pottage higher values available, as
jessica@mrbridge.co.uk well as 1st and 2nd class.
40 Maid Marian's Treat by David Bird
Megan Riccio ( 020 8422 4906
megan@mrbridge.co.uk 42 Julian Pottage Answers Your Bridge Questions or 07719 753767
Emily Hawkins
emily@mrbridge.co.uk 43 Simple Take-Out Doubles. Part 3 Quiz Answers 8 clive.goff@london
by Sally Brock rugby.com
Customer Services
Catrina Shackleton 45 Bidding Quiz Answers (1-3) by Bernard Magee
catrina@mrbridge.co.uk
47 Bidding Quiz Answers (4-6) by Bernard Magee
Printed in the UK by
The Magazine 49 Bidding Quiz Answers (7-9) by Bernard Magee
Printing Company
www.magprint.co.uk 51 Bidding Quiz Answers (10-12) by Bernard Magee
BRIDGE September 2020 Page 3

DEAR READER
RA
SEVE NCE
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♦ 6 5 4 3 2
♣ J 10 2
♠ K 10 7 ♠ J
♥ 2 N ♥ J 8 7 6
The time has come for me to take off my hat and retire.
♦ 9 8 7 W E
S
♦ A Q J 10
♣ A Q 9 5 4 3 ♣ K 8 7 6 Publication of BRIDGE will continue until issue 216,
♠ Q 9 6 5 4 3 2 Christmas 2020. My holidays and events will run as
♥ A 9 5 4 3 advertised on my website. No more will be added to my
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Subscribers to BRIDGE will be contacted with regards
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bridge in person for the last few months and it may be
SEVERANCE many more before we can return to playing together

again. When that time comes, instead of organising the
The Solution to August’s events for everyone, I can be sat with you, enjoying your
company and playing bridge, who knows?
Double Dummy Bridge Problem
One of my sons, Bernard Magee, has recently set up an
1. Win the heart with a picture card in dummy online subscription-based bridge service which I hope
you will enjoy and benefit from.
2. Lead a club honour from dummy, which East does
best to cover, obliging you to ruff All that remains is for me to say a huge thank you to my
3. Lead the ♠Q, which West does best to cover; you loyal office staff who have worked for me over the years,
capture the ♠K with the ♠A always ready to please and assist. Thank you too, to the
4. Lead dummy’s remaining club honour and discard writers who have made BRIDGE the great read that it is
the ♦K today. Thank you also to my wonderful team of bridge
5. Ruff the return and lead a low spade, which West wins hosts and helpers, who have gone above and beyond,
6. Ruff the return and cash the ♠9 to finish drawing always striving to exceed your expectations and of
trumps course to all of you who have attended my programme
7. Cross to dummy’s remaining heart picture and run of bridge weekends and overseas holidays.
the ♥10 I have really enjoyed my time as your Mr Bridge and I
8. Assuming the lead is still in dummy, ruff something have loved having you all with me on my journey.
to hand to take the last two tricks with the ♥A and then
All good wishes
the ♥9
If you do not get rid of the ♦K by losing a club to West,

East will get in with the ♦A to give West a heart ruff. n

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please ( 01483 489961 and advise which of the
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David Stevenson Answers Your Bridge Questions
Can I Tell An Opponent

To Bid Differently?
Q
I have an interesting people complain when an weak? They didn’t. So alerting doubles and doubles
hand from today’s opponent bids in a way that we called the director of 1NT, 2NT or 3NT are for
Stratford-upon- they would not but unless at the end of the session penalties, or require an alert.
Avon Bridge Club online they have been misinformed who gave us an average
session. Hand 16. they have no valid complaint instead of a near bottom. ♣♦♥♠
The bidding was: and to tell the opponent Name and address supplied.
Q
he must bid differently is I have played a
A
West North East South completely unacceptable. A non-forcing change little bit online
2♠ Pass Pass 3♣ of suit response is as needs must. I
3♦ 3NT ♣♦♥♠ alertable in all events presumed that the laws of
in England and Wales (and bridge would apply in the
Q
I was North. West had As the expert I am pretty sure in Scotland, same way (where possible).
previously opened in such matters, Republic of Ireland and In the normal game
a weak 2♥ with five could you please Northern Ireland as well), one is not allowed aides-
hearts and a 12 count. provide us with guidance whether online or face to mémoire? Essentially not
I ended up in 3NT and on a hand that cropped face. Online, of course, they allowed to consult one’s
because of the bidding up on BBO on Tuesday? should also explain why they own convention card?
played it wrongly but The bidding went: are alerting by writing non Playing online, although
cannot make it anyway. forcing in the Explain box. no one would know, is
Do I just put it down to bad West North East South Sometimes, as here, it permitted to look at
luck, or should I tell West 1♦ 2♣ 2♥ Pass opponents explain why they your convention card?
to start bidding correctly? Pass Pass do something as though I ask, because I presumed
West’s hand was: that proves something. It you should not, but I read
We, as defenders, expected does not, of course, since in the EBU magazine that
the 2♥ bid to be forcing you have no reason to Simon Cocheme commented
♠ A 9 7 3 2 for one round and so suppose they play this way. on the fact that it was easy
♥ A Q didn’t compete further and to play a new convention
♦ J 10 9 7 5 defended accordingly. ♣♦♥♠ online as it was written
♣ 8 2♥ made plus 1. down and you did not
Q
It turned out that the 2♥ Please could need to remember it.
bid was made on just 4 you confirm Name and address supplied.
Name and address supplied. points with a poor 7-card that a double
A
heart suit. Our opponents of 1NT in the following There need to be
A
Whether it was bad later said that they double sequence is alertable if it certain adjustments
luck, bad bidding on all strong hands after an is a take-out of ♣/♦/♥/♠. to the laws when
or anything else is overcall – and so new suits 1♣/♦/♥/♠-Pass-1NT-X. playing online and there are
not for me to answer. But are not forcing for one round Name and address supplied. regulations covering them.
bridge is a competitive and can be quite weak. One of the EBU regulations
A
game and some people My question is simply It is alertable. While is that you are permitted
follow the rules of bidding are they required to it is normal to aides-mémoire. So it is
far more closely than others announce or alert the fact play it for take-out legal to consult something
do. Both approaches get that the 2♥ bid is non- the EBU wanted a simple when playing online.
their successes. Many forcing and potentially unambiguous rule for Continued on page 8...u

Bernard Magee’s
Acol Bidding Quiz
This month we are dealing with hand evaluation as the auction progresses.
You are West in the auctions below, playing ‘Standard Acol’ with a weak no-trump
(12-14 points) and four-card majors. It is your turn to call.
1. Dealer West. Love All. 4. Dealer East. Love All. 7. Dealer West. Game All. 10. Dealer West. Game All.
♠ A 9 8 ♠ A 7 6 5 ♠ Q 2 ♠ Q 4 3
N N N N
♥ A 2 ♥ K 4 2 ♥ A K 8 7 6 ♥ K 9 8 7 6
W E W E W E W E
♦ 8 7 6 S ♦ Q J S ♦ K 9 6 5 4 S ♦ A Q J 2 S
♣ A K 8 7 5 ♣ 9 8 6 5 ♣ 7 ♣ 7
West North East South West North East South West North East South West North East South
1♣ 1♠ Pass Pass 1♥ Pass 1♥ 2♠* 3♣ 3♠ 1♥ 1♠ 2♣ 2♠
? 1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass ? Pass Pass 3♥ Pass
? * weak jump overcall ?
2. Dealer West. Love All. 5. Dealer East. Love All. . Dealer West. Game All.
8 11. Dealer West. Game All.
♠ A 9 8 ♠ A 7 6 5 ♠ 7 ♠ Q 3
N N N N
♥ A 2 ♥ K 4 2 ♥ A K 8 7 6 ♥ K J 8 7 6
W E W E W E W E
♦ 8 7 6 S
♦ 9 8 6 5 S
♦ K 9 6 5 4 S
♦ Q 2 S
♣ A K 8 7 5 ♣ Q J ♣ Q 2 ♣ K Q 8 7

1♣ 1♥ Pass Pass 1♥ Pass 1♥ 2♠* 3♣ 3♠ 1♥ 1NT Dbl 2♠
? 1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass ? Pass Pass 3♣ Pass
? * weak jump overcall ?
3. Dealer West. Love All. 6. Dealer East. Love All. 9. Dealer West. Love All. 12. Dealer West. Game All.
♠ A 9 8 ♠ A 8 7 6 5 ♠ 4 ♠ A Q J
N N N N
♥ A 2 W E
♥ 7 2 W E
♥ A K 8 3 2 W E
♥ Q 2 W E
♦ K 7 6 S ♦ A Q 6 5 S ♦ Q J 9 S ♦ Q 10 7 S
♣ A K 8 7 5 ♣ 6 5 ♣ K Q 7 6 ♣ K Q 10 9 7
1♣ 1♠ Pass Pass 1♥ Pass 1♥ Pass 1♠ Dbl 1♣ Pass 1♥ 1♠
? 1♠ Pass 2♣ Pass ? ?
?
My Answers: My Answers: My Answers: My Answers:
1........................................... 4........................................... 7........................................... 10..........................................
2........................................... 5........................................... 8........................................... 11..........................................
3........................................... 6........................................... 9........................................... 12..........................................
Answers on page 45 Answers on page 47 Answers on page 49 Answers on page 51

Q

PLUS
15 Q
t...Continued from page 6.
I was very
surprised when I
read your reply to
you agree, I think you should
retract your answer in the
next edition of BRIDGE.
Damien Byron,
Club Manager,
True, but that is what would
happen. It is impractical
as well as unnecessary.
The authorities have
decided sensibly that
Still
Derek Adams of Cardiff in New Melville BC, Edinburgh. third hand should not
Only
the July issue of BRIDGE be disadvantaged and
£99
A
concerning following suit It is certainly not this is much better than
including
p&p
with a singleton at trick one. unethical to play the alternatives.
In your reply you say it is slowly in a position
The very best Acol- an accepted principle that where the authorities have ♣♦♥♠
playing software the third person to play at decided sensibly and with
Q
available. trick one can stop and take logic you are allowed to think I’ve been having
as long as they need to think about the whole hand. If a number of
Features include: about the whole hand. we followed your rules then discussions with
Well yes, but, the third opening leader is allowed to my partners about what
• a friendly interface
person can play his card in think before playing a card, constitutes 2♣/Benji. It
• a hint button - always at
hand & a help button - tempo like everybody else without any inferences being seems that you can use
explains the features for and then leave his card face available therefrom, declarer it for semi pre-emptive
bidding and card play up on the table if he needs is allowed to think before hands, as long as the suit
advice to have a good think. As you playing a card from dummy, is not clubs, provided
• Easy Windows installation know perfectly well, nobody without any inferences being that you don’t declare the
• Rubber bridge, duplicate can play to the next trick available therefrom, but third hand as strong if it has
and teams scoring until all the players have player is not. If declarer has less than 15 or 16 points.
• Feed in your own deals turned their cards face down. A-x-x in dummy and x in I thought I’d email as I
• Create your own system I have never heard of hand in a suit contract, would used to play with Mr Bridge
• Pre-programmed systems your ‘principle’ and I have you suggest that he is not at Chobham back in the
include Acol, Standard been playing bridge for 48 allowed to think at trick one 80s and recall him psyching
American and many more
years. Having said that I before playing his ace? Of an Acol 2♣ bid in front of
• Instant results for teams have played at many EBU course he is allowed to do so. me when I had 25 points.
• 5,000 hands to play at tournaments at Brighton, Your suggestion of “playing Steve Roberts,
teams of four
Bournemouth, Scarborough a card in tempo like everyone Ferndown, Dorset.
• 4,500 hands to play at
and Harrogate not to else and then leave his
A
matchpointed pairs.
mention many in Scotland card face up on the table” It is permissible to
For Windows XP, where I now live. In fact is wrong since it is not like play a 2♣ opening
Vista, 7, 8 or 10. I have played against everyone else: opening as either strong or
you at Peebles at least leader and declarer do not distributionally strong with
NEW - Q Plus 15 once in recent years.
So, I for one think you
have to play in tempo.
Furthermore, you know
diamonds, hearts or spades.
But the important thing is
includes Android are wrong despite your what happens. Declarer plays that it must be described
compatibility eminent credentials as a TD a card, turns his card over, accurately. It must not be
and bridge player. I think it leads to the next trick and the described as strong: it
is unethical to play slowly next person follows and they must not be described as
when holding a singleton then tell him to turn his card Benjamin. Just describe it as
TRADE IN no matter what the trick. If face down. They should not? it is exactly. n
Q Plus 15 just £50
if you have any old
bridge software. Call
Email your questions for David to:
for details. davidstevenson@mrbridge.co.uk
Please include your postal address
Mr Bridge Limited
Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Was DUPLICATE BRIDGE RULES Available from
Surrey GU21 2TH SIMPLIFIED Mr Bridge Limited
£595
( 01483 489961 by David Stevenson
Now (otherwise known as the Yellow Book)
( 01483 489961
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£4 40
FULLY REVISED IN 2017
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DEFENCE QUIZ
DECLARER

by Julian Pottage

(Answers on page 39)

PLAY
Y
ou are West in the defensive positions below playing
matchpoint pairs with both sides vulnerable. While you
usually aim to beat the contract, you may also need to
QUIZ
consider the risk of conceding overtricks.
by David Huggett
Y
1. ♠ 9 6 4 3. ♠ K 10 8 6 5 4 ou are South as declarer playing rubber bridge or teams,
♥ Q ♥ 10 8 7 aiming to make your contract. In each case what is your
♦ Q J 10 7 6 4 ♦ K Q 10 play strategy?
♣ A K 2 ♣ Q
♠ K 10 8 7 2 ♠ A 7 2
♥ J 9 4 3 N ♥ J 9 4 3 N
W E W E
♦ K 8 S
♦ A 8 S
1. ♠ 7 3. ♠ Q J 10 9 7 6 5
♣ 10 4 ♣ A 8 4 3 ♥ A 9 8 2 ♥ K 6 5
♦ Q 10 8 6 ♦ Void
♣ A K 9 3 ♣ J 10 9
West North East South West North East South
N N
1♦ Pass 1♥ 1NT1
W E W E
Pass 2♦ Pass 3NT Pass 2♥ Pass 3♠3
2
S S
All Pass Pass 4♠ All Pass
1
12-14 ♠ A 3 ♠ A K 8 3
You lead the ♠7: ♠4, ♠Q 2
Five or more spades ♥ Q 7 3 ♥ 7 4 3
and ♠A. Declarer leads low 3
Minimum with four-card ♦ A K 5 4 2 ♦ Q 8
to the ♣A and calls for the support ♣ 7 6 5 ♣ A K 8 7
♦Q, on which go the ♦5 and
♦2. What is your plan? You lead the ♥3, covered by
You are declarer in 3NT. You are declarer in 4♠. West
the ♥7, ♥Q and ♥A. Now
West leads the ♠Q. How do leads the ♦J. How do you
declarer leads the ♠J. What you plan the play? plan the play?
is your plan?
2. ♠ 8 6 4. ♠ A K 8 2. ♠ K 8 2 4. ♠ J 6 5
♥ A K Q 10 ♥ K 7 ♥ K 6 5 2 ♥ 2
♦ Q J 10 7 4 3 ♦ J 10 9 8 4 ♦ Q 6 4 ♦ Q 10 9 8 2
♣ J ♣ J 10 7 ♣ A 9 8 ♣ K Q 4 2
N
♠ K 9 7 3 2 ♠ 7 4 2
W E N N
N
♥ 9 4 3 S ♥ J 9 3 W E W E
W E
♦ K 8 ♦ A Q S S S
♣ 10 7 4 ♣ A Q 9 4 3
♠ A J 10 5 4 ♠ A 9 8 2
♥ A 7 ♥ A 9 8 5
West North East South West North East South ♦ A K 5 ♦ A 3
1NT1 Pass 1NT1 ♣ K Q 6 ♣ A J 6
Pass 2♣ Pass 2♦2 Pass 3NT All Pass
Pass 3NT All Pass 1
12-14
You are declarer in 6NT. You are declarer in 3NT.
1
12-14
West leads the ♦J. How do West leads the ♥3. How do
2
No four-card major you plan the play? you plan the play?
You lead the ♠3, covered by You lead the ♣4: ♣J, ♣8 and
the ♠6, ♠J and ♠Q. Declarer ♣2. Declarer calls for the ♦J,
now leads the ♦2. What is on which go the ♦3, ♦2 and
your plan? ♦Q. What is your plan?

Catching Up
with Sally Brock
L
ife trundles on. I played in an online tournament with Tom. Apart from one half-set I thought we played pretty well but we
seemed to do badly. It was strange to play like that. I didn’t know who our teammates were, and we didn’t go through the
hands afterwards. It was all very anonymous, but I did enjoy playing with Tom.
The third Lockdown League finished. We lost our first few matches and were struggling against relegation for most of it, but
in the end we managed to stay up in the First Division. The Young Chelsea Super League finished too. This has been going on
since well before the Lockdown. We played a few matches across the table, but then moved to playing online. We were doing
quite well for most of the season but could never close the gap between us and the de Botton team who won comfortably.
With the easing of the Lockdown we have been seeing friends. We had dinner in the Sheehans’ garden, and lunch with
Gilly in hers. Unfortunately, it is all we can do to fit two people onto my balcony, so I won’t be able to reciprocate until we are
allowed to entertain in each other’s houses.
Briony and I went shopping in Westfield, which is within walking distance of my flat. About half the shops were open –
most had sales – and we had fun, but it was quiet. One of Briony’s passions in life is pick’n’mix – those rather revolting sweets
that look like fried eggs etc – and that was open, so she was a happy girl.
I had a birthday. We were going to have a picnic in Hyde Park but the weather was so bad that we postponed it for a couple
of days. Still, it was fun when we actually did it. Briony and I spent a day making some nice stuff: blue cheese and asparagus
mini-quiches, fried chicken, crudités, sausages, prosciutto with melon. I like cooking for other people and haven’t been doing
much of it recently.
I am happy enough to walk reasonable distances, and enjoy driving my car with the roof off now the weather is good, but I
really don’t like the idea of public transport – especially the underground. I can imagine using buses again, but I think it will
be a long time before I travel by tube. n
Seven Days
by Sally Brock
David Burn if he could write me a till the evening. A good time to start
MONDAY script for that and he duly obliges (he writing articles. I also decide to have
is such a nice man). So for the whole a really good tidy of my bits and
First up today is my weekly session two hours I open a weak no-trump, pieces of fabric. I have a tendency to
with my Austrian friend Jovi. We vary Debbie doubles, David makes some spread into every space available. But
who we play with and today it is my escape noise and Kath is in the hot I colour-sort it all, and then put it
friend Karen who is in Sydney and seat. They seem to find it helpful – I into neat envelopes. I am desperately
Gilly in Wales – quite an international shall probably regret it when they next awaiting a new sewing machine. These
flavour. This time I play with Karen play against me. are very difficult to get hold of in the
against Gilly and Jovi. As always it is Then it is the first Lockdown League Lockdown. I found one online on the
good fun with some decent bridge. match of the new season. I play with Kitchen Aid website (arrived at via
The hands were not so interesting, but Barry, with Heather and Joe in the googling sewing machines). After a
there were a couple of back-to-back other room. For a change we win few days I had not had confirmation
hands where each side went for 1100 comfortably – by 16 IMPs. so went back to the website and
after intervention over 1NT. Nothing In the evening I have a Charlie they didn’t sell sewing machines. I
ventured … Bigham’s fish pie in front of the TV contacted PayPal but they said they
Then it is lunchtime and afterwards with Briony. At the moment we are couldn’t do anything until it had
my weekly session with Debbie – every watching New Amsterdam. failed to arrive. Eventually, it did (fail
other week her partner Kath joins us to arrive) and they took the money,
too. This week she has specially asked
if we could work on dealing with TUESDAY but PayPal paid me back. I’m hoping
this attempt will be more successful.
hands where their side doubles a weak I start with the first of my two weekly Fingers crossed. I’m at a bit of a loose
NT and the opponents run. I asked sessions with Fawzi. Then I am free end without one.

In the evening we play against I really like the Marks & Spencer in After East upgrades her hand to a
Graham and Frances – probably my Oxford Street (for some reason hugely 2NT opening (I agree – A-J-10-x-x is
favourite semi-social practice of the better than other M&S stores I go to). I undervalued at 5 HCP) West raises to
week. We get through a lot of hands buy some summer clothes and then we 3NT and my partner takes advantage
and are able to discuss anything that go to Selfridges to look for Birkenstock of the favourable vulnerability to show
crops up without anyone getting upset sandals which is what Briony is after – a single-suited major. I bid 4♥ (to play
or defensive. in the end they seem pretty good and facing hearts), doubled by West. On
This deal would perhaps have won cheaper than I thought so I buy a pair most opening leads this would have
me a prize for the best-ever dummy. too. Then it’s back home for an online gone three down for a small profit to
practice with Sabine and Roy. They are us; but West chooses a club and so I
in Copenhagen and their life is more can make a loser-on-loser play to
Dealer East. Love All. or less back to normal. In the evening escape for two down and a 7 IMP gain.
♠ K 10 9 7 6 3 I play Lockdown League with Frank – I discard a spade on the club, setting
♥ A 8 6 and it is not a success – we must try up a trick for my ♣K (my eighth trick).
♦ 10 6 5 harder. Then it’s back to the TV show In the evening we have our second
♣ 5 New Amsterdam. round match in the Midsummer Swiss
♠ A Q J 8 5 ♠ 4 Teams. Thankfully, it goes better than
N
♥ 5 4
♦ 9 7 4 S
W E
♥
♦ 8
K Q J 10 7 3 2
THURSDAY the first one, which we lost by a wide
margin. We win this by slightly more
♣ 7 6 4 ♣ A Q J 2 My early morning lesson is cancelled, than we lost the other, so we are above
♠ 2 so I can get up in a more leisurely average. Afterwards we get a drink
♥ 9 fashion (ie two cups of tea instead of and go through the hands with Paul
♦ A K Q J 3 2 one; sit on my balcony and finish my and Claire.
♣ K 10 9 8 3 book before having my shower). Then
I have a whole lot of ironing to do (in
front of New Amsterdam), and some FRIDAY
West North East South bridge articles to write before playing A quiet morning, with a short Zoom
3NT* 5♦ online with Fiona against Maggie and with my old school friends. Then I
Dbl All Pass Heather. walk to meet Margaret for lunch,
* see text Fiona and I have the agreement that stopping off at a couple of places on
however the bidding goes if we bid Kensington High Street on the way.
East’s 3NT opening shows a strong over an opposing no-trump bid, we We get a cup of tea from the restaurant
4♥ or 4♠ opening. Partner assays 5♦ use the same defence as we do after stall and settle down to talk about this
with his good playing strength, and a 1NT opening, ie 2♣ = majors, 2♦ = and that. After a while Debbie joins
West’s double closes proceedings. We one major, 2♥/♠ = that major with a us too. A nice interlude. Then I walk
are playing with a Skype connection minor. This doesn’t come up often at home, swearing at those Birkenstocks
open and as expected I get an extra high levels, but it does this week: that are giving me blisters. Then at
loud 'Thank you, partner' as I put the 4.30 I have my weekly session with my
dummy down. What would you lead Dublin women – always something to
from that West hand? It is tempting to Dealer East. E/W Game. look forward to. As soon as that’s over
lead a heart but, expecting to have the ♠ 10 4 2 I need to rush off to Chris and Binkie’s
balance of points, a trump would have ♥ A 10 7 6 4 3 2 where I’m meeting Barry, first to play
been a better idea. After a heart lead ♦ 9 6 3 in the Lockdown League, and then to
my partner has no problem in setting ♣ Void have a barbecue. I am expecting to
up his club suit and is soon writing ♠ Q 7 6 ♠ A K J walk but Briony comes home (from
down +550. It would have been a ♥ K J N ♥ Q 9 8 shopping in Bicester Village) and
W E
different story after a trump lead, and ♦ 10 8 5 4 S ♦ K J offers me a lift. My rucksack is heavy
trump continuation when West gets in ♣ Q 9 5 2 ♣ A J 10 7 6 with a couple of bottles of wine so I
with the ♠A. ♠ 9 8 5 3 accept gladly. We do pretty well at the
♥ 5 bridge and even better at the barbecue.
WEDNESDAY

♦ A Q 7 2
♣ K 8 4 3
Though it does rain a little, we walk
home, working off some of those
I have an online session with Sue at calories.
9.45, but after that we dash off in the
car to go shopping in Oxford Street. It
is a pleasure as there are sales in all the
West North East South
2NT Pass
SATURDAY
shops but hardly any people – when 3NT 4♦ Pass 4♥ I somehow sleep very badly, but need
you go normally it is hard to know Dbl All Pass to get up early for a practice session
who are tourists and who are not. with Fee, against Hanna and Siyu. u

Seven Days by Sally Brock, continued...

t Afterwards we hang loose for so looking at the hand now, I am
the rest of the day until playing in a surprised that Barry (West) didn’t Dealer West. Game All.
self-made mini-tournament in the open 2♦ before Karen (North) could. ♠ 7 6 4 3 2
evening. We play with four pairs: eight Her opening shows a weak two in ♥ A 4
boards against each other pair. We either major, usually only a 5-card ♦ 2
Skype at the same time and then again suit. I think she probably has hearts, ♣ A J 8 5 3
at the end to go through the hands. so decide to pass and hope to double ♠ J 10 ♠ K
It is great fun and not very serious – for take-out later … which I do. Barry ♥ Q 10 7 3 N ♥ J 9 8 5
W E
generally all accompanied with glasses has no problem with that and passes ♦ A K 8 5 3 S ♦ Q J 9
of wine. This week the hands were not content, and now Karen knows she is ♣ K Q ♣ 10 9 7 4 2
that interesting, though, so I have in trouble. She hopes it will play better ♠ A Q 9 8 5
nothing further to report. in diamonds, but must have been ♥ K 6 2
very unhappy when I double that and ♦ 10 7 6 4
SUNDAY her partner removes back to hearts

(perhaps he should have made an SOS
♣ 6
My good friend Karen McCallum is redouble – which would have led to a

an expert in pre-emptive bidding, so better spot in spades). Barry leads the West North East South
it is good to ‘catch her speeding’ on ♥K, which declarer wins to play a club 1NT Pass Pass 2♠
this deal from our friendly Sunday from the dummy. I bravely duck this Pass 4♠ All Pass
morning practice (she is living in so partner wins with the queen and
Sydney at the moment so there is not draws the rest of the trumps. Barry When the ♠K is singleton onside,
a big window of opportunity to play then leads a diamond through the and the ♣J establishes easily as a
against her time-wise). dummy, and I cash three diamonds trick, twelve tricks are there. Barry
and three clubs. Declarer is a bit shell- apologised for not making a slam try
shocked after this and goes wrong in a (not that I would have accepted). In the
Dealer West. Love All. two-card ending so I manage to make other room South passes 1NT out in
♠ K 4 trick 13 with the ♠Q. All declarer my seat so we gain 10 IMPs for missing
♥ A 8 6 3 2 makes is the ace of trumps! 2000 for this ‘slam’. It is not as dangerous as it
♦ Q 10 9 8 us and 17 IMPs! looks to bid on a fairly weak hand in
♣ 9 6 In the afternoon I have a one- the pass-out seat after a strong no-
♠ J 3 ♠ Q 9 7 6 hour teaching session with a Dublin trump. And the upside is that you don’t
N
♥ K Q J 10 9
W E
♥ 5 quartet. One of the original Friday have to defend after partner inevitably
♦ 6 5 3 2 S ♦ A K J 4 afternoon foursome has treated her leads your singleton. Although we lose
♣ Q 2 ♣ A K J 5 husband to a set of four lessons as a a game swing on the final board, we
♠ A 10 8 5 2 birthday present. Great fun as usual. still win the match by 7 IMPs.
♥ 7 4 Then in the evening we go to dinner The evening goes from strength
♦ 7 with David and Frances. It is so good to strength (delicious food and
♣ 10 8 7 4 3 to be able to entertain in person – even excellent company), after which I
if numbers are limited. We start by drop Barry home and go back to my
playing a Lockdown League match place as I have an appointment with
West North East South (our opponents wanted to play our an osteopath near me at 8am. I have
Pass 2♦ Pass 2♥ Monday evening match on Sunday – previously found osteopaths to be
Pass Pass Dbl Pass and as David is in our team, it seemed magicians when it comes to making
Pass 3♦ Dbl 3♥ OK to oblige). Barry is an irrepressible aching shoulders and backs better
Dbl All Pass optimist when it comes to bidding almost instantly – let’s hope this one is
slams. He was worried that we had as good. n
We actually play similar methods, missed one on this deal:

About Bidding Judgement by Andrew Kambites
Slam Bidding
Part 2
W
hy do you play bridge? figure. Of course, there is nothing more Contract: 6NT Contract: 6♠
No doubt some of you frustrating than to bid a slam which North South North South
would place the social unluckily fails on a finesse only to find 1NT 1NT
side high on your list: good company, that your opponents had a bidding 6NT 2♣ 2♠
forming friendships. But what are misunderstanding and languished 6♠
your objectives when you have the in a part-score. Simply playing in
cards in your hands? Some players game would have gained you lots of At first sight, 6NT in Layout A looks like
yearn excitement (particularly junior IMPs. As it is, you lose IMPs to their as close to 50% as you could imagine.
players). Bidding a good slam that incompetence. Playing against all but You need to find the position of the
nobody else gets to certainly brings a the best opposition I would rather avoid ♠Q. In practice, it is better than that.
thrill. Here I need to issue a word of a genuinely 50% slam. The bidding has given nothing away.
caution. It is easy to look at the bridge If you are playing pairs, bidding a West is faced with a blind lead. He is
column in your newspaper and see a 50% slam assumes that the whole field highly unlikely to lead away from the
report of a beautifully bid slam. What will be in game or slam. In practice ♠Q but some of the time he will have a
you don’t see is write ups of all the there is always somebody in a silly number of small cards in several suits
poor and failing slams bid by the same contract so in the same way as it pays and he will have no reason to think
pair. to avoid 50% games in pairs so it pays that leading a spade will compromise
There is nothing wrong with playing to avoid 50% slams. At least that keeps his partner’s ♠Q. And what if he
bridge for excitement if that gives you ahead of pairs who have played in chooses to lead a rubbish club? You
you maximum enjoyment. However a part-score after a misunderstanding can reason that if he had rubbish clubs
in my articles on judgement I will be or got a negative score by bidding to a and rubbish spades he might have
concentrating on those who want to silly contract. chosen to lead a spade so this is some
hone their judgement to achieve the So how do you judge if a slam is 50% indication that he might have the ♠Q.
best results that they can. I remember or better? It can be hard even with the This is certainly not conclusive but
one of the juniors I used to teach sight of all four hands, so how on earth it does raise the practical chances of
describing my bridge as boring. I can you work it out when you cannot 6NT above 50%. Please don’t ask me
took it as a compliment. Yes, I played see partner’s hand? Look at Layouts A to put a figure on it. This doesn’t lend
percentage bridge. I was aggressive and B. How good do you think these itself to mathematical percentages.
and took risks in the competitive slams are? Layout B is very hard to judge. Your
auction because it is winning bridge to first impression might be that this is
push opponents into error. In contrast, an excellent slam requiring only a 3-2
in the uncontested auction I tried to Layout A Layout B trump break (which is 68%). What
bid only games and slams that satisfied ♠ A J 8 ♠ K Q 3 2 you must also consider is the danger
the mathematical odds. ♥ A K Q ♥ A K 7 of a club ruff before you get a chance
♦ J 10 7 6 ♦ 7 to draw trumps. What if West leads a
Bidding Small Slams ♣ A Q J ♣ K Q 5 4 3 singleton club to his partner’s ♣A? Or
In theory you should aim to bid a what if West chooses to lead the ♣A
small slam if you have a 50% or greater N N
and continues clubs at trick 2, giving
W E W E
chance of success. Let us see what S S
East a ruff? This certainly brings the
assumptions are involved with this. practical odds of this slam below 68%,
If you are playing teams, it assumes ♠ K 10 2 ♠ A 7 6 4 but please don’t ask me to calculate
that your opponents are in a sensible ♥ J 7 3 ♥ Q 6 a precise percentage. Even if I could
contract. If you are playing a high ♦ K Q 9 2 ♦ A Q 8 come up with a figure by putting a wet
standard match where you can be ♣ K 8 7 ♣ J 10 6 2 towel around my head and dredging up
confident of this then 50% is a sensible memories of my 50 year old maths u

t degree, it won’t help at the table. than 50% because occasionally the Bidding Grand Slams
Personally, I find people who can defenders will find a diamond ruff. When it comes to bidding grand slams,
calculate percentages to two decimal It is worth commenting that the following hand which occurred in
points as impressive but irrelevant. knowing that his side had all the a county match tells a precautionary
Please note that I have given you missing honour cards except an ace tale.
two examples where the bidding and the ♠K North could have taken
is extremely short and simple and a different approach. 6NT avoids the
carries no meaningful information possibility of a ruff and looks exactly ♠ A J 7 5 ♠ K Q 8 6 2
N
about other suits. In real life often 50%. Certainly, 6NT is a better ♥ A 9 8 7 W E ♥ K Q J
pairs have complex and revealing contract than 6♠, and the reason is not ♦ A K S ♦ 5 2
auctions on the way to a slam, making the extra 10 points. ♣ 7 4 3 ♣ A 5 2
such calculations even harder. Of course if North/South were
So how can you judge in real playing ordinary Blackwood rather
life? Judgement is key but you have than Key Card Blackwood the fact West East
some aids, in particular Key Card that the vital ♠K was missing would 1♥ 1♠
Blackwood. not have surfaced. It is highly likely 3♠ 4♣
that if you are playing duplicate 4♦ 4NT
pairs that many of the pairs will bid 5♠ 5NT
Layout C Layout D 6♠. Thus whether you get a near top 6♦ 7♠
♠ A Q 10 6 ♠ A K Q 8 2 or a near bottom is down to chance.
♥ A Q J ♥ 7 There is nothing you can do except 4♣ and 4♦ were cue bids, showing
♦ K Q 7 3 ♦ A Q J 7 6 5 console yourself with the thought that the aces in the suit bid. East then bid
♣ K 8 ♣ 4 avoiding slams that are slightly worse his version of Blackwood and found
than 50% will gain over time. out that West had all the missing aces
N N
W E W E
If you know that a small slam is at and one king. East assumed West had
S S best on a finesse then don’t bid the five hearts as well as four spades and
slam. thought he could count 13 tricks: 5
♠ J 9 8 7 ♠ J 9 7 3 In Layout D North starts with a spades, 5 hearts, the two minor-suit
♥ K 7 ♥ A K transfer bid of 2♥, showing five spades. aces and whichever minor-suit king
♦ J 10 9 6 ♦ 10 3 2 South is expected to bid 2♠ but instead West had. The trouble is that West did
♣ A Q J ♣ K Q 9 2 he jumps to 3♠. This is called ‘breaking not have five hearts and there were
the transfer’ and shows 4-card spade only 12 tricks available with no chance
support. Now North is only interested of a thirteenth. How costly was that?
North South North South in three cards, the ♥A, ♣A and ♦K. Key Look at the maths.
1NT 1NT Card Blackwood shows that South has East/West (vulnerable) took back
2♣ 2♠ 2♥ 3♠ just one ace, so one is missing. What -100 to their teammates. Their
4NT 5♦ 4NT 5♦ should North do now? Well South teammates were really optimistic.
5♠ 6♠ has 12-14 points and his ace accounts The other team had missed slam
for only four of them. North cannot completely and they had high hopes of
In Layout C when South opens 1NT find out about South’s other points so a substantial gain. Unfortunately -100
North knows that his side has at he is left guessing but it seems that if and -680 totalled -780 and a loss of 13
least 33 points. He chooses to use South has the ♦K the slam is likely to IMPs. If our East/West had contented
Stayman and finds a 4-4 spade fit. be laydown (disregarding an unlikely themselves with a small slam then
With opponents having at most seven diamond ruff at trick 1) whereas if +1430 and -680 would have come to
points it is impossible that two aces are South doesn’t have the ♦K the slam +750 and a gain of 13 IMPs. A huge
missing but North has at his disposal a is theoretically on a finesse. North is swing of 26 IMPs.
better weapon than simple Blackwood. guided by the following principle: And suppose the grand slam had
He has agreed with his partner that If you know that a small slam is at succeeded. Our East/West would have
in this sequence 4NT is Key Card worst on a finesse then bid the slam. scored +2210. +2210 and -710 comes to
Blackwood where the ♠K counts as Note that North seems to be unlucky +1500 which is 17 IMPs. In practice,
an ace. The 5♦ response to 4NT shows because South has all the side-suit bidding the grand slam stood to gain
that South has only one key card so kings except the one he wants, so 6♠ is only 4 IMPs when opponents missed
North realises that an ace and the on the diamond finesse if the defenders the slam completely and when the
♠K are both missing. The implication cash the ♣A at trick 1; fortunately, it grand slam failed it cost 26 IMPs. Not
is that South must have every other is laydown if they don’t cash the ♣A very good odds. How demoralising.
missing honour card. Therefore 6♠ is because declarer can cash the ♥A-K, I am aware that many readers play
at best on a finesse for the ♠K. North discarding North’s losing club. The only duplicate pairs but the same
therefore signs off in 5♠. Note that the practical odds of making this slam are logic applies. You have just 31 points
spade slam is in practice a little worse well over 50%. between the two hands. Inevitably

some pairs will miss slam completely. So most of the hands that partner Blackwood and finds South has the
You might as well make sure of could hold make 7♥ an excellent ♠A. North could try asking for kings
outscoring them. contract. The worst scenario is that but he finds South has none. I would
It is easy to adopt a very negative the grand slam is on the club finesse. not even bother about asking for
attitude towards bidding grand I cannot realistically find out but kings. I would jump to 7♠ once I was
slams. When feeling cynical I adopt these odds for a grand slam are good reassured that South has the ♠A.
the following attitude towards grand enough, particularly since surely So watch out for '5 or 7 hands' and
slams: everybody will bid the small slam. also for 'four or six hands' when it is
If I am going to be declarer then I To bid a grand slam the odds you highly undesirable to stop at the five
only bid a grand slam if I can count 13 need are substantially more than level.
tricks. If partner is going to be declarer 50%. If in doubt, content yourself
I only bid a grand slam if I can count with a small slam. Taking The Bidding
15 tricks. Above Game Level
In truth, I will try to be a bit If you bid to 4♥ or 4♠ and need a
more positive than that. Suppose a 5 or 7 hands finesse for your contract, sometimes
rather frisky partner (who plays for Sometimes there is a different factor to it will succeed and sometimes it will
the England under 20 team) is not consider. With the sight of both hands fail. That is an occupational hazard of
vulnerable and opens 3♥. what contract would you choose for playing bridge. Sound advice is to look
I hold Hand E. Layout K? for a slam above game level only if you
judge that the chances of making a
slam are substantially better than the
Hand E Layout K risks of going off at the five level, but
♠ A 9 7 5 ♠ K Q 6 5 I tend to be more cautious than that.
♥ A K 4 3 ♥ A 2 Consider the following North hands
♦ Void ♦ A Q J 10 9 6 after the sequence below.
♣ A K J 10 9 ♣ A
N
Hand L Hand M
W E
Partner could hold any of these hands: S ♠ Q J 7 ♠ Q J 7
♥ A Q J 3 ♥ A Q J 3
♠ A J 10 9 4 3 ♦ 2 ♦ 7
Hand F Hand G ♥ 7 4 3 ♣ 9 8 7 3 2 ♣ K Q J 8 7
♠ 8 2 ♠ 8 2 ♦ 7 3
♥ Q J 10 9 8 7 2 ♥ Q J 10 9 8 7 2 ♣ 6 2
♦ 7 4 ♦ 7 4 2 West North East South
♣ 8 2 ♣ 8 1♥
At first sight it looks unlikely that 7♠ is 3♠ ?
the best spot; after all it is at best on the
Hand H Hand J diamond finesse. Thinking positively, North would have bid 4♥, under
♠ 8 ♠ 8 if the diamond finesse works you pressure, with Hand L so North felt
♥ Q J 10 9 8 7 2 ♥ Q J 10 9 8 7 2 will easily make 13 tricks, setting up obliged to do more with Hand M and
♦ 7 4 ♦ 7 4 dummy’s diamonds to discard your bid 5♥ (or perhaps bid 4NT and stop
♣ Q 8 2 ♣ 8 4 2 heart losers. But now consider what in 5♥ when two aces were missing).
happens if the diamond finesse fails. South has the ♠K doubleton. West
On a club lead you will still make 12 cashed the ♠A, gave East a spade ruff
With Hands F and G 7♥ is very good. tricks, but on a heart lead you will and East cashed the ♣A to beat 5♥. 4♥
With Hand F there appears to be a be held to 11 tricks as East takes the from the North Hand M would have
spade loser but he can ruff a couple of ♦K and cashes a heart. So on a heart been an underbid but it would have
clubs in his hand and dummy’s fifth lead you will make either 11 or 13 been my choice. The five level was not
club is likely to be good. Equally if the tricks, never exactly 12. It is called a safe, especially in view of the expected
leader’s partner has five clubs he will ‘5 or 7 hand’ because you will make bad breaks after an opponent’s pre-
be able to take a ruffing finesse for the either 5♠ or 7♠. If that is the case, 6♠ empt.
♣Q. cannot be the optimum contract. If No doubt you are used to bidding
If partner has Hand H, making 7♥ you are going to bid a slam, you might game and feeling a slight tang of
is trivial. Only with Hand J is 7♥ a bit as well reap the full reward when the disappointment when a necessary
of a dubious spot. You would have to diamond finesse works. So how might finesse fails, but now suppose you
draw trumps, cash the ♣A (in case of a the bidding go? South might open a voluntarily bypass your major suit
singleton ♣Q offside) and then having weak 2♠, showing 5-9 points and a game, taking the bidding to the five
returned to hand finesse for the ♣Q. 6-card suit. North uses his version of level in the search for a slam. u

t I would suggest that if you need a Auction 1 Auction 2
BERNARD finesse for 5♥ or 5♠ and it fails your West East West East
frustration will be far greater. Indeed 1♠ 3♠ 1♠ 3♠
MAGEE’S I know of no more demoralising result 4NT 5♣ 4♣ 4♠
INTERACTIVE in bridge than to go off in a freely bid

5♥ or 5♠.
5♠ Pass Pass
TUTORIAL CD If you can make a slam try below In one room (Auction 1) West saw
game, maybe by making a cue bid, no reason not to use his version of
allowing you to bail out below the Blackwood. This seems sensible
ACOL BIDDING five level that has a lot to commend it. enough, after all only rarely will East
Blackwood always takes the bidding have no key cards so the five level is
above 4♥ or 4♠. likely to be safe. West was unlucky.
I would also use these hands to North had the ♠K and 5♠ was one off.
illustrate another important principle. In the other room (Auction 2) a more
If opponents pre-empt, your priority thoughtful West decided to cue bid the
is to find the best game, not investigate ♣A. He fully expected East to cue bid a
MAC borderline slams. First, their pre- red ace after which he also intended to
or Windows empt makes it harder to investigate a use Blackwood. As it was, East could
slam properly. Second, even if you do only reply 4♠, denying a red-suit ace.
bid to a theoretically good slam, the This meant there was no point in West
pre-empt makes bad breaks far more going beyond game, leading to a well-
likely. A slam requiring a 3-2 trump deserved game swing.
break is excellent if there has been no In slam bidding Blackwood
opposition bidding. By contrast, if one certainly has its place. Cue bidding
opponent has opened 3♠ then 6♥ by also has its place and is underused by
your side needing trumps to break 3-2 club players. Blackwood takes control,
is not nearly as good. asking partner questions and making
Throughout 200 deals split the decisions. Cue bidding starts a
into ten chapters, Bernard Cue bidding below discussion with partner. It enables you
evaluates your bids, praising game level to make a mild slam try. As you see, it
the correct ones and If you want to avoid getting to the five also can allow you to keep the bidding
discussing the wrong ones. level, it is very helpful if you can make lower.
slam tries below game and still bailout I suppose some of you will shrug
l Opening Bids
and Responses £66 in 4♥ or 4♠. The following hand comes
from a county match.
your shoulders at this example, saying
that you would play 4♣ as Gerber
l Slams and
Strong Openings
£46 so there is no danger of the bidding
getting too high. Of course this hand
♠ A Q 9 5 4 3 ♠ J 7 6 2 demonstrates why many players like
l Support for Partner
♥ 9 N ♥ K Q 8 6 Gerber. I do not play Gerber here
l Pre-empting ♦ 10 S
W E
♦ K Q 5 because I don’t want to lose the huge
l Overcalls ♣ A K Q J 7 ♣ 8 3 advantages of cue bidding. n
The Slam Bidding Quiz is on page 19.
l No-trump Openings
and Responses
Mr Bridge 2021 diaries

l Opener’s and
Responder’s Rebids
l Minors and Misfits
l Doubles
Only £14.95 each
l Competitive Auctions or 10 for £55 & pro rata.
With a ball-point pen and
Operating system requirements:
Windows or Mac OS 10.08 -10.14 soft Kidrell cover in a choice
Mr Bridge Limited of colours; navy blue, ruby
( 01483 489961 red, bottle green.
( 01483 489961

About Doubles by Sally Brock
Simple Take-Out Doubles

Part 3
I
n the last two months we have has doubled with 10 or 11 HCP and at all. In this situation the ‘blueprint’
looked at the simple take-out diamond shortage, that will be high for a minimum take-out double is a
double of a natural one of a suit. enough. weak no-trump with at least 3-3 in
This month there are a few new the majors. This doesn’t mean that
situations to consider. you can’t double if you are 4-4-4-1,
Hand C Hand D but does mean that partner should
. Is there any difference
a ♠ K Q 10 4 ♠ K J 4 be rather cautious in responding in a
if the double is in fourth ♥ A 4 ♥ Q 4 3 4-card suit.
seat? ♦ 8 7 3 ♦ A J 10 3 Imagine that the bidding has gone:
If the bidding starts, for example, ♣ K 5 4 2 ♣ Q 8 7 1♣–Dbl–Pass–? (where 1♣ could show
1♠–Pass–Pass, a double is still for take- fewer than three clubs):
out, but because we don’t want to be
easy opponents and let our opposition You would have doubled on Hand C
play at the one level, if you are short on the first round if your opponent Hand E Hand F
in the suit opened you can double had opened 1♥. By jumping to 2♠ ♠ A Q 4 3 ♠ A Q 10 5 4
with fewer than opening values, say you show a chunky 4-card suit and ♥ K 10 4 ♥ K 10 4
9+. Because of this the values needed minimum opening values. ♦ J 7 6 3 ♦ J 6 3
for a jump response increase by about Hand D is too strong for 1NT, even ♣ 4 2 ♣ 7 2
3 HCP. This principle is sometimes after a fourth-in-hand double, so bid
referred to as ‘transferring a king’ or 2NT showing 13-14 HCP. If you had
even ‘transferring an ace’. The other more, you would have overcalled 1NT; With Hand E you would jump to 2♠ if
thing to keep in mind is that partner if you had less, you would have settled partner doubled a natural 1♣ but here
has not overcalled, so he cannot have for 1NT. 1♠ is fine. Remember that if partner
a decent 5-card suit and a hand that had opened a weak NT (which is his
could have overcalled at the one level. b. The opponents open a most likely hand) you would not have
Suppose the bidding goes: 1♦–Pass– short club bid at all.
Pass–Dbl. What would you respond One of the biggest changes in English With Hand F you should bid 2♠.
holding: club and tournament bridge since I This is usually a 5-card suit after this
started to play is that a lot of people type of double (as partner has not
have changed from traditional Acol suggested holding more than three
Hand A Hand B to a more American strong no-trump, spades).
♠ Q 10 6 5 ♠ K J 4 5-card major style. (I think they are
♥ A 5 ♥ Q 4 3 misguided – but that is the subject of
♦ A 5 4 ♦ A J 10 3 another article.) Playing this style a 1♣ Hand G Hand H
♣ 8 7 3 2 ♣ 8 7 3 opening is often ‘prepared’ or ‘short’. ♠ Q 6 2 ♠ K 10 4 3
Some people play ‘better minor’ (where ♥ A 2 ♥ A Q J 6 2
1♣ always shows at least three) while ♦ J 5 3 ♦ K 3
With Hand A you would respond others prefer ‘short club’ (where 1♣ is ♣ 10 9 8 5 3 ♣ 6 2
2♠ if partner had doubled in direct opened with all weak NT hands so can
position, but if he doubles in fourth be a doubleton – or even a singleton
seat it is enough to bid a simple 1♠. if 4-4-4-1 – and may even have five Just because opener’s clubs might not
You would expect partner to bid again diamonds). If opponents are playing be real, does not mean they are never
with 15 points or more. that a 1♣ opening might be on a real, so you should not pass the double
With Hand B you would bid 2NT if doubleton, it doesn’t really make sense with such a poor 5-card suit.
partner had doubled in direct seat, but for the take-out double to show short You do not have enough to respond
here a simple 1NT is right. If partner clubs since they might not have clubs 1NT with Hand G, so bid 1♦ instead.u

t You are unlikely to come to much so just bid it. If partner ends up on lead of RHO’s suit, you can bid it naturally
harm. against a heart contract you would like – just in case. Suppose the bidding has
Hand H is worth a cue-bid, 2♣, as him to lead a spade. gone: 1♦–Dbl–1♠–?, what would you
before. If partner responds 2♦ you Hand J is worth a bid but you’d bid holding:
can bid 2♥, which forces him to make rather not have to guess which minor
another bid (if you have agreed to play to bid. Instead, you should double,
the modern style where this is not asking partner to bid his/her best Hand M Hand N
forcing, then you would have to bid minor. ♠ 7 6 3 ♠ Q 10 3
3♥); if he responds in a major, raise ♥ A Q 6 5 2 ♥ J 4
him to game. ♦ 6 5 ♦ K J 10 3
Hand K Hand L ♣ 7 6 3 ♣ Q J 5 4
c) The opponents bid more ♠ 5 4 ♠ J 6 5 2
So far we have only looked at situations ♥ 9 3 2 ♥ 6 5 2
where an opponent opens, we double ♦ 7 6 2 ♦ A K 4 Hand M is a clear 2♥ bid. It may seem
and the next hand passes. In practice, ♣ K Q 10 6 5 ♣ Q J 10 a bit aggressive to bid at the two level
that is quite rare. More often than not with only 6 HCP, but partner should
responder bids something over the have enough that you have nearly
double. Should that happen, the main Hand K is on the thin side, but you half the points, more or less. If the
difference is that it is now not necessary have a good 5-card suit which you opponents bid further in spades, you
for the partner of the doubler to bid would like partner to lead, so take a would welcome a heart lead.
at all. Most bids are unchanged but risk and bid 3♣. Partner should not On Hand N bid 1NT with your
a simple bid obviously shows some take you too seriously. 5♣ is a long balanced 10 HCP. Remember that
values whereas if responder had passed way off, so he should be cautious about partner should have spade length and
it might have shown no values at all. doing too much bidding. maybe diamond shortage so it is more
Hand L is difficult. You do have important that you have diamonds
i) Responder raises opener four spades, but they are of very poor well stopped rather than spades.
Now the opponents have found a fit, it quality. Your hand is worth a jump to
is more likely that we have a fit and it 3♠ but you don’t want to do that with
is therefore safer for us to bid. Bear in such a poor suit. It is best to start with Hand O Hand P
mind, however, that partner is going a double. Partner will probably bid a ♠ A 3 2 ♠ Q J 10 5 4
to be on lead if the opponents buy the minor because he will not expect you ♥ J 4 3 2 ♥ A 2
contract, so do not bid on a poor hand to have four spades. But then you bid ♦ 7 2 ♦ J 5 4
unless you are happy for partner to lead 3♠. This tells him that you have four ♣ K J 6 3 ♣ 8 7 2
your suit. Generally speaking, if your spades but a hand with invitational
opponents have opened and raised a values. He can pass, raise, or bid a
major, you should feel free to bid the minor if he has only three spades. Hand O is certainly worth a bid but
other major – if you have decent values you don’t want to suggest a heart
without the other major, you can ii) Responder bids a new suit lead, or even strongly suggest a heart
double asking partner to choose a suit. The fashion has changed over the years. contract. Double 1♠ (take-out in the
You would generally have both minors When I was a young player (over 40 modern style as explained above) and
to double. If instead your opponents years ago), it was normal for a double be happy with whatever partner bids.
have opened and raised a minor, with after, say, 1♥–Dbl–1♠, to be a penalty If your RHO had passed you would
one major then bid it, but with both double, showing a 4-card spade suit. have jumped to 2♠ with Hand P. Just
majors (or neither) then start with a This was because a lot of people used because he bid 1♠ is no reason for you
double and partner will bid a 4-card to psyche in this situation, and it was to be silent. Remember that partner
major. important not to be talked out of should have at least three spades unless
So, suppose the bidding goes: 1♥– your best fit. These days psyching has he has significant extra values, so 2♠
Dbl–2♥–? largely gone out of fashion, and now it should be an OK partscore, even on a
What would you bid with: is more normal to play a double in a 4-1 (or occasionally a 5-0) break.
similar way to that described above, ie Next month we will look at take-out
as take-out. However, if you have five doubles over higher opening bids. n
Hand I Hand J
♠ K Q 10 3 ♠ 8 7 2
♥ 9 8 2 ♥ 3 2
REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR POSTAGE
♦ J 3 ♦ K Q 10 2 British postage stamps for sale at 90% of face-value, all mint and with full gum.
♣ 8 7 3 2 ♣ A 10 4 3 Quotations for commercial quantities are available on request.
Values supplied in 100s, higher values available, as well as 1st and 2nd class.
( 020 8422 4906 or 07719753767 8 clive.goff@londonrugby.com
Hand I has a chunky 4-card spade suit,

Sally Brock's Simple

Slam Bidding
Take-Out Doubles
Part 2 Quiz

Part 3 Quiz
(Answers on page 43) by Andrew Kambites
What do you bid on the following
hands with the auctions given?
The vulnerability and scoring 1 You are East, vulnerable against not. 3 You are East, vulnerable against not.
method should not affect your What do you bid after this start to the What do you bid after this start to
answers. auction? the auction? If you choose Key Card
Blackwood, say what you will do:
Hand 1 Hand 2 i) If no key cards are missing.
♠ K J 9 8 ♠ 6 2 Hand 1A Hand 1B ii) If one key card is missing.
♥ A 7 2 ♥ A Q 6 3 ♠ A J 8 5 4 3 2 ♠ A Q J 5 4 3 2
♦ Q 6 3 2 ♦ K 10 2 ♥ 2 ♥ 2
♣ 8 2 ♣ Q 7 5 4 ♦ K 6 5 ♦ K 6 5 Hand 3A Hand 3B Hand 3C
♣ 7 3 ♣ K 3 ♠ J 7 3 2 ♠ J 7 3 2 ♠ K Q 6 4 3
♥ 6 ♥ 6 ♥ 3
West North East South ♦ A J 7 3 2 ♦ A K J 7 2 ♦ A K J 5 3
1♥ Hand 1C ♣ 7 3 2 ♣ A 7 2 ♣ A K
Pass Pass Dbl Pass ♠ A Q J 5 4 3 2
? ♥ 2
♦ A 6 5 West North East South
♣ A 2 1♠ 4♥ ?
Hand 3 Hand 4
♠ A Q 2 ♠ Q 4 4 You are East, vulnerable against not.
♥ 8 7 3 2 ♥ 10 4 3 West North East South What do you bid after this start to
♦ K 10 2 ♦ K Q J 10 4 3 1♣ 4♥ ? the auction? If you choose Key Card
♣ Q 10 4 ♣ A Q Blackwood, say what you will do:
i) If no key cards are missing.
2 You are East, vulnerable against not. ii) If one key card is missing.
West North East South What do you bid after this start to
1♣* Dbl Pass the auction? If you choose Key Card
? Blackwood, say what you will do: Hand 4A Hand 4B Hand 4C
*May be short i) If no key cards are missing. ♠ K 10 8 7 ♠ K 10 8 7 ♠ 10 5 4 3
ii) If one key card is missing. ♥ A 4 3 ♥ 8 4 3 ♥ A 4 3 2
♦ 9 6 ♦ K 6 ♦ A Q 3
Hand 5 Hand 6 ♣ A 9 6 5 ♣ A 9 6 5 ♣ J 2
♠ K J 10 3 2 ♠ 8 6 Hand 2A Hand 2B Hand 2C
♥ 5 4 2 ♥ A 6 2 ♠ A K 7 5 4 3 ♠ A K 7 5 4 3 ♠ A K Q 4 3 2
♦ Q 2 ♦ K 10 4 3 ♥ J 6 4 ♥ Q 6 4 ♥ 8 West East
♣ 6 5 2 ♣ Q 10 5 3 ♦ K Q 3 ♦ A 3 ♦ A K Q 1♠ 3♠
♣ 4 ♣ A 3 ♣ A K J 4♦* ?
* First-round control
1♥ Dbl 2♥ West North East South
? 4♥ Pass ?

READERS’ website soon and I shall
probably subscribe to that
too and maybe that makes
me “sufficiently wealthy”.
and my mind is sufficiently
flexible to cope with and
enjoy the differences. Indeed,
I’m pleased Bernard will be
LETTERS
I do not feel it. After all playing Strong NT and 5
to subscribe to both is card majors this Friday. Even
probably the same cost as if one doesn’t care to play a
one pint of beer and a small system, one will on occasion
glass of wine per week. be playing against it.
Bridge is a great game Yes, it is possible that
CLARIFICATION THEN. It is a free country. and should be nurtured. Both 70% of Bernard’s audience
One of the letters in the Secondly – To compare Andrew and Bernard in their is female. I suspect this is a
June issue of BRIDGE Bernard with Andrew Robson different ways encourage function of the demographic
referred to Andrew Robson’s is invidious. I have followed people (of all sexes!) to and that the same is true of
system whereby 1NT (within Andrew Robson for years play the game and to get Andrew’s, as it is of every
range) is always opened and have learned a huge better. More power to their bridge club I have played in.
with a 5-card major. amount from him. I have collective elbows I say. I am not alone in being
It was not made clear that subscribed to Mr Bridge also Bob Carrick, immensely grateful to
the reason for this is that he for years but this is the first a Very Grumpy Old Man, Bernard and his team (and I
teaches ’repeats’ whereby time I have participated in by email. include all of the Mr Bridge
a rebid of an opening suit Bernard Magee’s coaching. team) for helping us survive
promises a 6-card suit (as I have also learned a lot. Of VALUE FOR MONEY this lockdown with our sanity
when playing 5-card majors) course Andrew and Bernard’s The reason I and the many more or less intact, having
Another interesting aspect teaching is not identical, I others had no hesitation had a lot of fun with him.
of the Robson teaching would not expect it to be. taking ‘an enormous leap Lesley Colligan by email.
(I discover in lockdown) is his Also, to be a good teacher, of faith’ and signing up
attitude towards a ‘reverse’ you do not necessarily to Bernard’s new website COUNTER BALANCE
bid that would suggest have to be one of the best is that never in the many I have just received issue
a minimum 16 points. players in the world. (21 in my case) years 212. I am at a complete
Robson would favour Thirdly – even more during which we have had loss to understand why the
the value of showing a 5-4 ridiculous is the statement “As dealings with Mr Bridge magazine saw fit to publish
shape even with less than a man, I feel I am not in the have we been let down. Gavin Wilson’s mean-spirited
16 points even though a target segment”. I really do Be it magazines, literature, comments about Bernard
‘reverse’ bid had been made. not understand this statement seminars, weekends or Magee. It was bad enough to
Readers may have a view at all or why it is relevant. cruises, everything has read it on the online forum,
on the subject of ‘reverse’ Fourthly – “I feel a re-think fulfilled or exceeded but who on earth made
bids that could be of interest. of the strategy is needed”. expectations. If I have ever the editorial decision to
Mike Gurney, I wonder what strategy had difficulty with anything, publish it in BRIDGE without
Holt Bridge Club, he is recommending? A for example installing a CD, also presenting a more
Hempstead, Norfolk. free service no doubt. the patient help from the balanced review of BMB?
My view is as follows. I office has been exemplary. I thought it smacked of sour
GRUMPY OLD MAN think Bernard has done I subscribe to and admire grapes from start to finish.
As I get older, I am sure I a great job during lock Andrew Robson too. Andrew I will not be renewing
get grumpier but I could down (and has raised a charges £9.59 per month for my subscription to BRIDGE
not believe what I read significant amount for providing 7 recorded sessions and I am very happy to be
in the August issue of charity – not mentioned by of about 5 minutes per week. subscribing to the Bernard
BRIDGE, under Readers’ the correspondent) and I Bernard charges £13.99 Magee Bridge website.
Letters – Double Dose 1. wish him the very best of per month for 2 sessions of David Wilcox by email.
This really got me cross. luck with his new website. about 50 minutes and one of The decision for the inclusion
Firstly – To sign up to His aim to get more people nearly 120 minutes per week, of Gavin Wilson’s letter
Bernard’s new website to play and enjoy bridge and plus set hands, a forum and was entirely my own. Ed.
at £11.99 was not “an be part of a “community” is a private facebook group,
enormous leap of faith”. It is admirable. I have already most of which have live SEE NEXT ISSUE
a ridiculous comment. Also; played with two new people interactivity with Bernard. I greatly enjoy Julian
“Bernard has provided an on BBO with the set hands Yes, there are slight Pottage’s tea towel problems.
admirable free service for and have thoroughly differences in their approach Could he perhaps explain
many of us but that doesn’t enjoyed the experience. to Acol bidding, but there is his cryptic titles please?
mean ….. we will gladly fork Andrew Robson is, I think, not just the one Acol system; Michael Wood,
out £11.99”. WELL DON’T coming out with a new it’s more of an approach, Cambridge. n

A to Z of Bridge
A to Z of Bridge
compiled by Julian Pottage
J
Without the information that West JOURNALIST LEADS
is short in spades, meaning that the A little used system of opening leads
hands fit very well, it would be hard as follows:
for East to envisage a slam.
Against no trumps:
JACOBY TRANSFER BIDS Ace from a strong holding
Invented by Oswald Jacoby, a response (eg A-K-J-x or A-K-10-x).
JACOBY of 2♦ (2♥) over an opening 1NT King from a weaker holding.
TWO NO-TRUMP RESPONSE shows at least five cards in hearts Queen from Q-J-x
A conventional response to opening (spades). Opener then bids the suit or a weak K-Q-x holding.
bids of 1♥ or 1♠, showing game values that responder has shown. You can Jack from J-10, but no higher honour.
or better and primary trump support, make the transfer bid either with a 10 from an interior sequence
now popular with tournament players. weak hand (planning to pass when (eg A-J-10-x or K-10-9-x).
A common system of opener’s rebids is opener completes the transfer) or with 9 from 10-9-x.
as follows: a variety of stronger hands. Lowest from a suit headed by an
honour (but not one of the above
• 3♣/3♦/3 of unbid major honour combinations).
singleton in suit bid Hand 1 Hand 2 Second highest from suits
• 3 of agreed major waiting, ♠ 7 5 ♠ Q 10 7 5 3 without an honour.
unsuitable for other actions ♥ Q 10 7 5 3 ♥ K 9 3
• 3NT only four cards in ♦ 9 5 ♦ A Q 2 Against a suit contract:
the major ♣ A 9 5 2 ♣ 7 4 Lower of two touching honours.
• 4 of new suit pronounced Third and fifth from an honour
two-suiter (good five-card or non-touching honours.
suit on the side) With the first hand, you respond 2♦ Top of nothing.
• 4 agreed suit minimum, and then pass 2♥.
no slam interest On the second hand, you respond JUMP BID
2♥ and then rebid in no-trumps (2NT Any bid at a level higher than necessary
The two big advantages of the method if 1NT was weak, 3NT if 1NT was to show the denomination eg 1♥-3♦ or
are: strong). 1♣-Pass-2♠.
You can find out a singleton in
opener’s hand (like a splinter). JETTISON JUMP OVERCALL
By agreeing the trump suit at a low To discard a high honour (usually ace A single jump bid made as an
level and creating a game-forcing or king), often to create an entry for overcall eg 1♠(South)-3♦(West) or
situation, the partners can exchange partner or to unblock a suit. 1♣(South)-2♥(West). Traditionally a
cue bids without having to go beyond jump overcall showed a strong hand
game. (similar to opening one of a suit and
♦ J 10 9 4 2 rebidding three of it) but it is becoming
increasingly popular to play weak
N
♠ 9 ♠ 7 4 2 ♦ Q 6 W E ♦ K 7 jump overcalls (similar in strength to
S
♥ K J 7 4 3 N ♥ A Q 10 2 a weak two opening).
W E
♦ A 7 3 2 S ♦ K 6 ♦ A 8 5 3
♣ A 7 3 ♣ K Q 10 4 JUMP PREFERENCE
To return partner to his original suit
If East is keen for West to gain the lead at the same time making a jump bid.
West East (perhaps West has some established Jump preference is encouraging and
1♥ 2NT winners in another suit), he could shows at least three-card support for
3♠ 4NT discard the ♦K or dump it under the the suit bid (exactly three-card support
♦A. if it is a major). For example: u

t either a very good suit or support for JUNK
♠ A Q 7 5 opener’s suit or a semi-balanced hand A worthless hand or suit.
♥ J 9 5 with stoppers in the unbid suits. By
K
♦ K J 8 4 a passed hand, a jump shift promises
♣ 8 2 near opening values, a fair suit and
primary support for opener. Example
hands for the sequence given are:
If partner opens 1♥ and rebids 2♣
over your 1♠ response, you give jump
preference to 3♥. If partner opens 1♦ Hand 1 Hand 2
and rebids 2♣ over your 1♠ response, ♠ K Q J 10 9 3 ♠ A K 8 5 4 KEY CARD BLACKWOOD
again you give jump preference, this ♥ A 5 ♥ 5 4 An improved version of Blackwood,
time to 3♦. ♦ 8 4 ♦ A Q 8 5 also known as Five Ace Blackwood, in
♣ A J 4 ♣ K 4 which the king of trumps counts the
JUMP RAISE same as an ace. The king of trumps
A bid in the suit partner has just bid and the four aces are all ‘key cards’.
at more than a minimum level eg JUMP SHIFT REBID Replies to 4NT are almost the same as
1♠-Pass-3♠ or 1♦-Pass-1♥-Pass-3♥. A A single jump in a new suit by opener with ordinary Blackwood:
jump raise normally shows primary eg 1♥-Pass-1♠-Pass-3♦. The bid is
support and more playing strength normally forcing to at least game. You 5♣ Zero or four key cards
than a single raise. Example hands for should have at least five cards in your 5♦ One or five key cards
the above sequences are: first suit, at least four cards in your 5♥ Two key cards
second and close to the maximum 5♠ Three key cards
values for a one-level opening. Possible If there is a subsequent 5NT enquiry,
Hand 1 Hand 2 hands for this sequence are: the king of trumps does not count as
♠ 10 9 4 2 ♠ 9 4 a king but the queen of trumps does.
♥ A K J 2 ♥ A K J 2
♦ Q 9 2 ♦ A Q 8 5 2 Hand 1 Hand 2 KIBITZER
♣ 7 4 ♣ J 2 ♠ 5 ♠ K J 4 An onlooker at bridge or other games.
♥ A K 10 4 2 ♥ A Q 9 6 4 The word is derived from the
♦ A K J 7 4 ♦ A K Q 2 German-Yiddish generic term for
JUMP SHIFT ♣ K 2 ♣ 5 a northern European wader, most
A single jump in a new suit by usually a lapwing. See the adjacent
responder eg 1♦-Pass-2♠. The bid illustration by Marguerite Lihou.
is normally forcing to at least game JUNIOR
unless made by a passed hand. In the In international competition, a player KILL
modern style, responder usually has under the age of 25. To remove the entries to a hand and
thus render it worthless.
KISS
Acronym for ‘Keep It Simple, Stupid’.
KISS OF DEATH
A penalty of 200 points on a partscore
deal at duplicate, usually a disastrous
result almost certainly being worse
than any contract that the opposition
could make.
KITCHEN BRIDGE
Social bridge played using very basic,
natural bidding methods.
KNAVE
An old name for the fourth-highest
ranking card in a suit. Since the king
has a ‘K’ on it, it would cause confusion
for this card to do so too, so the jack is
the name now.

KNOCK On this auction, East’s Kock-Werner Portland Club, The European Bridge
1. At rubber bridge, this is a slang redouble asks West to bid again. East League, The American Contract
term for ‘Pass’. is going to have a singleton or void in Bridge League and The World Bridge
2. At duplicate, when partner makes clubs and at least five cards in each Federation.
a conventional bid, you might tap major.
on the table ‘knock’ to alert the LAWS OF DUPLICATE
L
opponents. CONTRACT BRIDGE
The international code for the playing
KNOCK OUT of duplicate bridge. The World Bridge
To force an opponent to play a master Federation, in association with the
card (eg ‘To knock out the ace’). In a same bodies as the Laws of Contract
no-trump contract, it is common for Bridge, promulgates the laws. The
each side to knock out its opponents' LANDY latest revision was in 2017 (published
high cards early in the play. A conventional defence to a 1NT in Britain by the English Bridge Union
opener whereby 2♣ shows at least 5-4 in conjunction with The Portland
in the majors. In reply, partner usually Club).
♠ K shows preference between the majors
♥ K Q J 10 2 or, with equal length, bids an artificial LAW OF TOTAL TRICKS
♦ A 6 5 4 2♦, asking for the overcaller’s longer This theory asserts that the number
♣ 7 6 5 major. For example: of tricks available to both sides if they
♠ Q 10 8 6 5 ♠ J 7 4 2 play in their best fit is equal to the total
N
♥ A 5 4 W E
♥ 9 8 6 3 number of trumps in both sides’ best
♦ 9 8 S ♦ K 10 2 ♠ Q 9 5 ♠ K J 8 4 2 trump fit. Suppose there is a nine-card
♣ K 9 3 ♣ J 10 ♥ 10 6 3 N ♥ Q J 8 4 heart fit for North-South and an eight-
W E
♠ A 9 3 ♦ K Q 5 S ♦ A 4 2 card diamond fit for East-West. This
♥ 7 ♣ J 8 7 2 ♣ 5 totals seventeen trumps. Therefore, if,
♦ Q J 7 3 on best play and best defence, North-
♣ A Q 8 4 2 South can make ten tricks in hearts,
West North East South East-West should be able to take seven
1NT 2♣* Pass tricks in diamonds. With the same
South plays in 3NT. West leads the ♠6, 2♦ Pass 2♠ End fits, if North-South could make nine
which ‘knocks out’ the ♠K. Declarer *Landy tricks, East-West should make eight
plays on hearts, leading high cards tricks and so on.
from dummy to ‘knock out’ West’s LATE PAIR You can use this information in
ace. The defenders then play a second Various duplicate movements make deciding how to bid on competitive
and (if South ducks) a third round of provision for a pair arriving after the auctions.
spades to knock out South’s ♠A. start of a session, but its admission is For example:
at the discretion of the director.
KNOCK-OUT TOURNAMENT
Head-to-head competition for teams LATE PLAY ♠ 7 5
of four with the losers of each match Completion of a board not played ♥ 9 4 2 N
W E
eliminated. during the allotted time. ♦ K 9 6 5 S
♣ K 8 5 2
KOCK-WERNER REDOUBLE LAWS AND ETHICS
An SOS redouble named after its COMMITTEE (OF THE EBU)
Swedish inventors, which asks partner The Committee of the English Bridge West North East South
to choose another suit when the Union established in accordance 1♥
opponents have doubled. The principle with the Union’s Constitution to be Pass 2♥ 3♦ 4♥
is that at low level you should be responsible for licensing arrangements ?
content to play in any making doubled for systems and conventions, and to
contract and so would not want to deal with all matters concerned with It is likely (though not certain) that
redouble in a natural sense and allow the Laws and Ethics of duplicate the opponents have a nine-card heart
the opponents to escape into some bridge in England. fit. You expect partner to hold six
other contract. diamonds for the three-level overcall,
LAWS OF CONTRACT BRIDGE giving your side a ten-card diamond
West North East South The international code last revised in fit. With nineteen total trumps, you
1♦ 2014 in accordance with the rules for expect nineteen total tricks. Therefore,
2♣ Pass Pass Dbl playing rubber bridge. Four bodies if 4♥ is making ten tricks, you expect
Pass Pass Rdbl jointly promulgate the laws: The 5♦ to be down two. This tells you u

t that it would be a mistake to bid LEAD-INHIBITING BIDS in the hope or knowledge of leading
5♦ if you are vulnerable against not. A psychic bid of a suit not held in up to partner’s honours in the suit.
You do not want to concede 500 to strength, hoping to discourage the For example (with North as the
stop the opponents from making 420. opposition from leading the suit. dummy):
At other vulnerabilities, if you can
make nine tricks (when 4♥ is making)
or eleven (when 5♦ is), you are likely ♠ A K J 4 ♠ A Q 2
to show a profit by bidding 5♦. ♥ A K Q 8 5 2 ♥ 8 5 2
♦ Void N ♠ 7 4 3
W E
LAYDOWN ♣ 10 5 2 S ♥ 7 4 3
Term for a contract that is so certain
that declarer could claim after the
initial lead. You open 1♥ and partner raises to 3♥. East, on lead with no definitive
The technical bid is 3♠, giving partner information to guide him, should
LAYOUT a chance to cue bid 4♣. The lead- lead a heart. Any honours West has
The placement of the cards. inhibiting bid is 4♣, feigning strength in hearts will be useful over South’s
(or shortage) in clubs. holding whereas it will be hard work
LEAD to establish a spade trick in view of
The initial card played to a trick. On LEAD OUT OF TURN North’s strong spades.
the first trick, the player to the left of A lead from the wrong hand (ie an
declarer leads. Thereafter, the player initial lead by any player other than LEADING FROM HONOURS
who won the preceding trick leads. declarer’s LHO or a subsequent lead by The standard leads from honour
The other players have a duty to follow any player other than the one who won combinations are:
suit, if they can, to the suit led. the preceding trick). The laws apply. Ace from A-K (but king from A-K
doubleton),
LEAD-DIRECTING BID LEAD THROUGH The higher of two touching honours,
A bid made suggesting an initial lead A player who leads to a trick leads Top of a doubleton,
in that suit. For example: through the player on his left. So South Low (eg fourth highest) from other
could lead through West. combinations.
♠ 8 5 3 LEAD THROUGH STRENGTH Notes:

♥ 7 4 N In general, a player sitting in front of 1 Some players prefer to lead the king
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♦ A K Q 6 4 S dummy and unsure which suit to lead, from A-K.
♣ 8 5 3 should lead through dummy’s stronger 2 Against a suit contract, it is usual
holding, in the hope or knowledge of not to underlead an ace.
leading up to partner’s honours in the 3 Against a no-trump contract,
West North East South suit. For example (with North as the the lead of an honour usually
Pass Pass dummy): guarantees the possession of at least
1♦ three honour cards unless the lead
is from a short suit. From a long
Expecting that North-South will buy ♠ A Q 2 suit headed by just two (touching)
the contract in one of the majors, West ♥ 8 5 2 honours, the standard lead is a low
opens light in third seat to suggest a ♠ 7 4 3 N card (eg fourth highest).
diamond lead. ♥ 7 4 3 W E
S
LEAP
LEAD-DIRECTING DOUBLE A jump bid often used to describe a
A double of a conventional or cue bid to West, on lead with no definitive jump to the probable final contract,
suggest a lead of that suit. For example: information to guide him, should lead inviting partner to pass at his first
a spade. opportunity eg the final bid in the
West North East South If for example East has K-J-x in each sequence 1♦-1♠-1NT-4♠.
2NT Pass 3♥* Dbl major, the king-jack will be well placed
*transfer to spades in spades, over North’s ace-queen, LEAPING MICHAELS
but useless in hearts under South’s A conventional way of showing a two-
South’s double asks for a heart lead. holding. suited hand after a weak opposing
Since it is unclear whether the final bid. A jump in a minor that shows the
contract will be in spades or no- LEAD UP TO WEAKNESS minor bid and the unbid major.
trumps, South needs length (normally In general, a player sitting over For example:
at least five cards) and strength in dummy, and unsure which suit to lead,
hearts for the double. should lead up to dummy’s weakness

West North East South LENGTH
2♥1 Hand 1 Hand 2 The number of cards held in a
4♣ ♠ 7 4 ♠ Q 9 6 5 3 2 particular suit.
1
weak ♥ 9 6 ♥ 8 4
♦ K Q 9 7 5 2 ♦ A 6 LEVEL
West’s 4♣ shows at least five clubs ♣ J 9 3 ♣ K 10 2 1. This is the number of tricks above
and at least five spades. East usually the book (six tricks) that a player
corrects to 4♠ or raises to 5♣. West names in the bidding. For example,
might hold: On both hands, you bid 2NT over the bids of 2♣ or 2♦ are bids at the two
intervening 2♥. On the first hand, you level, while contracts of 5♥ or 5♠
intend to convert 3♣ to 3♦, which will are contracts at the five level.
♠ A Q 9 5 2 ask partner to pass. On the second, 2. A way of categorising which
♥ 3 N you intend to rebid 3♠ to invite game. conventions are legal in a particular
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♦ 4 S
Responder may also use the type of competition, with the more
♣ A Q 10 6 4 2 convention on balanced hands to show complex conventions only allowed
or deny a stopper in the suit overcalled in higher-level competitions.
or to show or deny four cards in the
Playing Leaping Michaels, a cue bid of other major. The most logical system LHO
the suit opened (3♥ in this example) (though perhaps not the most widely Abbreviation for Left-Hand Opponent
would ask for a stopper rather than played) is: eg West is South’s LHO, North is
denote a two-suited hand. West’s LHO.
3NT direct Stopper in suit
LEAVE IN overcalled and no LIE OF THE CARDS
To pass and, especially, to pass a interest in other major A reference to the position of the
penalty double by partner. Cue bid No stopper in suit or cards around the table eg ‘I could not
interest in other major succeed on that lie of the cards’.
LEBENSOHL CONVENTION 2NT and Stopper and interest in
A convention to improve definition, then 3NT other major LIGHT
originally used when partner opens 2NT then No stopper but To be light means to go down in a
1NT and the next player overcalls in a cue bid interest in other major contract.
suit at the two-level. To bid light means to bid with values
The basis of the convention is the Many pairs who play Lebensohl also below the acceptable range.
use of a bid of 2NT as a conventional use it after the opponents open a weak
request for opener to bid 3♣. This two and partner doubles for take-out. LIGHTNER DOUBLE
then creates an extra echelon of bids A double of a freely bid slam by the
— direct bids, and bids after the West North East South player not on lead to the first trick and
Lebensohl 2NT. 2♥ Dbl Pass that calls for an unusual lead. The suit
One sequence shows game-going ? called for is normally dummy’s main
values (traditionally the direct bid) side suit and often shows (against a
whilst the other is employed on suit slam) a void in the suit or (against
competitive hands (or invitational Hand 1 Hand 2 a no-trump slam) two fast winners in
hands if a competitive bid in the ♠ 9 5 ♠ 9 5 the suit.
suit was available at the two-level). ♥ 10 6 5 ♥ 10 6 5
By agreement, a double may show ♦ K J 8 4 2 ♦ K J 8 4 2
a traditional penalty double or may ♣ J 7 3 ♣ A J 7 ♠ 7 5 3
show a raise to 2NT. ♥ 10 7 5 4 2 N
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For example if your partner opens ♦ Void S
1NT and the next hand overcalls 2♥: With the first hand, you have little ♣ A 8 5 3 2
interest in game and so bid 2NT,
2♠ Natural, competitive Lebensohl, on the way to 3♦. On the
2NT Asks opener to bid 3♣; second you want to show positive West North East South
usually weak with values without going past 3NT. You do 1♠ Pass 3♦
a minor or invitational this by bidding 3♦ directly. Pass 3♠ Pass 4NT
with spades Pass 5♥ Pass 6♠
3♣/3♦/3♠ Game-forcing LEG Dbl
Colloquial term for a game in a rubber.
On a diamond lead, you expect to
defeat the slam with a diamond ruff
and the ♣A. u

t LOCAL POINTS break: West wins the second round
LIMIT BID Points issued by the home bridge of trumps and leads a third round of
A bid that defines a player’s hand unions such as the English Bridge hearts, reducing your trumps to fewer
accurately in terms of both strength Union and affiliated bodies such as than his.
and distribution, for example, an clubs and county associations for Instead, you should throw a diamond
opening of 1NT, or the 2♠ bid in the success in club sessions, county events at trick two – it is a loser anyway.
sequence: 1♠-Pass-2♣-Pass-2♠. and certain tournaments. 100 local
points are equivalent to one master LONG SUIT
LIMIT RAISE point. A suit with four or usually more cards
A raise of partner’s suit in which you in the same hand.
bid the full value of your hand on the LOCKED (IN OR OUT OF HAND)
assumption that partner has the lower To be unable to get the lead in or out LOOSE DIAMOND
range of values for his bid. It is not of dummy or declarer’s hand without An arrangement to open 1♦ without a
forcing. loss. As declarer, you want to avoid genuine diamond suit. This is common
For example: such a position. with variations of the Precision
system.
West North East South LONG CARDS
1♥ Pass 3♥ Cards left in a suit when the other LOSE THE LEAD
players’ cards in the suit have gone. The gaining of the lead by an opponent,
East’s 3♥ is a limit raise, indicating For example, if you have A-K-Q-7-3 whether by design, by force, or by
four hearts and about 11 points or 8 and the suit breaks 5-3-3-2 round the accident.
losers. table, you can cash the A-K-Q to leave
the seven and three as long cards. LOSER
LIMIT RESPONSE A card that you expect neither to win
A response that defines the shape and LONG HAND nor contribute to winning a trick. For
strength of the responder’s hand, eg The hand with the greater length in a example, if you have a doubleton 6-4
1♠-Pass-2♠. particular suit, especially the trump of clubs and partner has neither the
Limit responses are usually raises suit. ace nor the king of clubs, the six and
and no-trump bids. As a rule, ruffing in the long trump four of clubs are losers.
hand does not generate extra trump
LINE tricks. Nevertheless, you may wish to LOSER ON LOSER
1 The horizontal line dividing a ruff in the long hand to interrupt the (See also: Losing Trick Count)
rubber bridge score sheet, hence run of an opponent’s suit, to set up To discard one losing card on
the expressions ‘above the line’ dummy’s suit or to prepare the way for another, as illustrated in the following
relating to penalties, overtricks and a throw in or squeeze. examples:
bonuses, and ‘below the line’ for You must take particular care about
tricks bid and made. ruffing in the long hand if the long
2 The sequence of play that declarer hand has only four trumps or if a ♠ K J 10 9
takes (as in ‘the best line of play’). defender is likely to have four trumps: ♥ A Q J 10
3 When (typically) players bid four- ♦ J 5
card suits in ascending order, they ♣ 5 4 3
are bidding ‘up the line’. ♠ Q 2 ♠ 4 3 ♠ 2
♥ 10 2 ♥ 9 8 7 N ♥ K 6 5 3
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LITTLE SLAM ♦ A 7 6 5 4 2 ♦ K Q 10 3 2 S ♦ 9 8 7 6 4
Another term for small slam – a ♣ A J 5 ♣ A Q 2 ♣ J 10 9
contract to make twelve tricks. ♠ A 8 6 5 ♠ 7 4 ♠ A Q 8 7 6 5
♥ A 5 4 N ♥ Q J 9 8 7 6 3 ♥ 4 2
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LMX ♦ Q 9 8 S ♦ K 10 ♦ A
A conventional defence to an opening ♣ 9 6 3 ♣ 7 4 ♣ K 8 7 6
three bid whereby a bid in the lower ♠ K J 10 9 3
minor (LM ie 3♦ over 3♣ and 4♣ over ♥ K
3♦/3♥/3♠) is used as a take-out request ♦ J 3 As South, you play in 4♠ and receive
immediately after the opening bid and ♣ K Q 10 8 2 the lead of the ♦K. If East obtains the
a double (X) is used in the fourth seat. lead with the ♥K, there is the danger
Very few pairs use this defence any of three club losers in addition to a
more, preferring a simple take-out As South, you play in 4♠ after East heart loser.
double in both second and fourth seat. has pre-empted in hearts. West leads Therefore, after drawing trumps
ace and another heart. If you ruff, you ending in dummy, you play dummy’s
will go down on the normal 4-2 trump ♦J (you can presume from the lead

that West holds the ♦Q) and discard when the loser on loser play is good LOVE SCORE
a losing heart. declarer technique. Neither side vulnerable and, in rubber
You can then establish heart tricks bridge, no partscore.
by taking a ruffing finesse into the safe LOSING TRICK COUNT
hand. A method of evaluating the playing LOW CARD
strength of a hand, for trump Any card other than an honour card
contracts, based on the number of and sometimes denoted by an ‘x’ on
♠ 8 7 expected losers. hand records. Low cards, though they
♥ J 3 2 You count the number of losers as often do not win tricks in their own
♦ A 6 5 4 3 2 follows: With three or more cards, the right (unless they are trumps) have a
♣ 7 4 number of losers in a suit is normally number of useful purposes. They can
♠ K 10 9 ♠ Q J 6 5 3 2 equal to the number of missing high guard your honour guards, they can
♥ 5 4 N
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♥ 8 7 6 honours (the ace, king and queen) eg enable you to reach partner’s hand
♦ K Q 10 8 S ♦ J 9 A-x-x counts as two losers, K-Q-x or and, when you are defending, they can
♣ Q 10 5 2 ♣ 9 6 K-Q-x-x count as one loser. be good cards with which to signal.
♠ A 4 With a doubleton, the queen
♥ A K Q 10 9 normally counts as a small card in the LOW REVERSE
♦ 7 above calculation, and similarly with A rebid by opener in a higher-
♣ A K J 8 3 any singleton, other than the ace, the ranking new suit at the two-level.
suit counts as one loser. This bid is normally forcing for one
Exceptions to the above are that round if the response was at the one
Playing in 6♥, you receive the lead of Q-x-x counts as two and a half losers, level and forcing to game if it was
the ♦K. If you try to ruff the third or A-Q doubleton as half a loser. at the two level. For a low reverse, it
fourth round of clubs low, you will is usual to have significantly better
incur an overruff and subsequently than a minimum opening, at least
lose a spade. You can, however, ruff Hand 1 Hand 2 five cards in the suit opened and at
a club once with the jack and then ♠ K Q 9 4 ♠ J 10 3 2 least four cards in the reversing suit:
return to hand with a spade to play ♥ A 6 ♥ 5 3
another club; but this time, instead of ♦ A 6 4 ♦ K Q 2
ruffing, you make the loser on loser ♣ K 9 8 4 ♣ A 7 5 2 ♠ K 6
play of discarding your remaining ♥ 7 5
spade from dummy. Dummy can then ♦ A Q 10 3
ruff a losing spade in safety. The first hand has six losers: one in ♣ A K J 8 5
each major and two in each minor.
The second has eight losers, three in
♠ J 10 2 spades, two in hearts, one in diamonds This hand would be fine for the
♥ 8 7 6 and two in clubs. sequence 1♣-Pass-1♥-Pass-2♦.
♦ A Q 3 2 The maximum number of losers
♣ K 6 2 a hand may have is thus twelve, and LOWER MINOR
♠ 7 6 ♠ 9 8 5 4 the most the two combined hands A conventional defence to an opening
♥ A K Q 3 N ♥ 10 5 4 2 could have is twenty-four. Subtract three-bid. Using this convention, a bid
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♦ 10 8 7 S ♦ 9 6 the combined number of losers from of the lower unbid minor (3♦ over 3♣
♣ J 9 4 3 ♣ Q 10 8 the total possible number of losers and or 4♣ over anything else) is a take-
♠ A K Q 3 the result equates to the number of out request. The advantage of this
♥ J 9 tricks that should be available. Thus, defence is that you can use all other
♦ K J 5 4 a six-loser hand opposite an eight- suit overcalls, 3NT and a double in
♣ A 7 5 loser hand would have fourteen losers their natural sense. The disadvantages
between the two and therefore they are that you can rarely stop below the
should make ten tricks (24-14=10). four level and that you cannot pick
South plays in 4♠ and West leads The main advantage of the Losing up a penalty when one member of the
three rounds of top hearts. If you ruff Trick Count over the Milton Work partnership has good values and the
the third round, you will lose control Count is that the Losing Trick Count other holds good trumps. Most pairs
of the trump suit on the probable 4-2 is more accurate with good trump fits. now prefer to use double for take-out.
break.
You should, therefore, discard a LOVE ALL LUCAS TWOS
loser in clubs on the third round and Neither side vulnerable. Both sides A conventional opening of 2♥ or 2♠,
dummy’s trump holding is able to take non-vulnerable. showing a weak hand with at least five
care of any continuation in the suit. cards in the suit and with a side suit.
There are many other variations Requirements about the strength of u

t the hand and the length of the MARKED CARD MATCHPOINT(S)
second suit can vary according to the A card that at least one player knows In a duplicate pairs event, the result
vulnerability and partnership style. to be in a particular hand. For of the conversion of a pair’s absolute
instance, whenever one of the unseen score on any board to a ranking score.
LURKING hands shows out of a suit, all the In the UK, you earn two matchpoints
Lurking means passing or bidding remaining unseen cards in that suit for every pair you beat and one for
cautiously early in the bidding become marked in the other player’s every pair with the same score. To
in the hope that the opponents will hand. Marked cards can also arise ‘matchpoint’ is to do this conversion.
bid too high or double you in a making by inference from the play. If West, Here is an example:
contract. who has bid spades, leads the ♠Q, the
♠J becomes a marked card in West’s N/S E/W Cont By Ld Trks Sc Mpoints
M
hand. 7 3 4♠ N ♦Q 11 450 5 3
9 2 4♠ N ♥5 12 480 8 0
MARKED FINESSE 6 5 6♠ N ♦Q 11 -50 0 8
A finesse when the missing card is 10 8 4♠ N ♦Q 11 450 5 3
known to be onside. 4 1 3NT S ♦3 10 430 2 6
MAJOR PENALTY CARD MASTER Pair 9, who played N/S against pair 2,
At duplicate, some penalty cards are 1. This can mean an expert or canny achieved a top score. Having beaten
major penalty cards, requiring their player. all the other 4 N/S scores, they get 8
play at the first legal opportunity and 2. It is also a player who has won 50 matchpoints. Pair 7 gets 5 matchpoints;
giving rise to lead penalties if the Master Points. they get 4 matchpoints for beating
offender’s partner gains the lead. two scores (the 430 and -50) and 1
MASTER CARD matchpoint for tying with pair 10’s
MAJOR SUITS The highest outstanding card in a suit. 450. Pair 4 scores 2 matchpoints. They
Hearts and spades, often called ‘the Saying ‘the jack is a master’ means that beat the -50 but lost to all the other
majors’. the jack will win a trick if led, implying pairs. You could calculate the E/W
that the ace, king and queen of the suit scores the same way, though it is easier
MAJOR TENACE have all gone. just to deduct the N/S score from 8
The holding of the highest and third- (the top on the board).
highest cards in a suit (A-Q). This MASTER HAND
combination will always yield one The hand with control of the trump MATCHPOINT TACTICS
trick and, if the missing card lies in suit. On a minority of deals, you should
front of the tenace or if you can force play differently at matchpoints than
the opponent with the missing card to MASTER PAIRS you would at rubber bridge or IMPs.
open up the suit, you can make two An event, usually by invitation, for What matters is how many scores you
tricks. players of the highest standard. beat, rather than how much you beat
them by, which can affect tactics.
MAKE MASTER POINTS 1. When the contract is safe, do not
1. If you shuffle the pack of cards Points issued by the English Bridge just settle for your contract. Look
ready for the next deal, you ‘make’ Union, other National Bridge for overtricks. Likewise, when
them. organisations and affiliated bodies you are defending, do not give up
2. To obtain enough tricks for the such as clubs and County Associations just because the contract is cold –
contract. for success in certain tournaments. In saving an overtrick can be worth
3. If you win a trick, you ‘make’ it. the UK, there are two types of Master many matchpoints.
For example, ‘You make five spade Points: Local and National. Local 2. If you are in a normal contract
tricks and three heart tricks.’ Points are available in all tournaments (one you expect most other pairs
including club duplicates. National to reach), you should risk your
MAKE UP A TABLE Points are available only in certain contract for an overtrick if the
For a fourth player to join with three major tournaments. The accumulation chance of making the overtrick is
others to play a game of bridge. of Master Points is necessary to attain well over 50%.
the various grades in the ranking 3. If you are defending and the contract
MANNERISM system of the EBU and other home is normal, do not adopt desperation
A peculiarity of action or behaviour bridge unions. measures that risk giving away an
(such as scratching one’s ear) that overtrick in an attempt to defeat the
one should carefully avoid at the MATCH PLAY contract.
bridge table. Most mannerisms are Head-to-head competition between 4. If you are in an unusual contract
unconscious and not known by the two teams. and you have the chance to outscore
player himself. those playing in a normal contract,

it is worth taking a risk to do so. South plays in 4♠ after West opened the major, it is usual to play 3♣ as ‘pass
5. If the opponents outbid you when 3♥ and East raised to 4♥. When West or correct’ while 2NT is an enquiry
you are confident of making a leads the ♥A, it is clear that a heart with a stronger hand. The original
contract, look to double them so as continuation will be unproductive. convention admitted hands with 5-4
to collect a penalty worth more than Accordingly, East’s card gives a shape but the modern style demands
your contract (even if this means McKenney signal, in this case the at least 5-5. Some partnerships allow
you risk doubling them into game). ♥J, a high card, to ask for the higher- the cue bid on weak or strong hands
6. Do not push for thin games. Positive ranking side suit, diamonds. Reverse (but not those with intermediate
scores are important. East’s minors and the signal would strength) while others allow it on any
7. At game level, aim for the highest be with the ♥3, which West should be hand with sufficient values to bid and
scoring game (3NT rather than five able to read as low. the right shape.
of a minor). Here is the Michaels Cue Bid in
MENACE action:
MEAN SCORE A word primarily used in the context
Another term for the datum, a score of Squeeze Play. A menace is a card
computed for a board at duplicate play, that might become a winner if an ♠ A Q 8 5 2 ♠ 7 4
from which one can determine IMPs. opponent discards from the suit. ♥ K 10 7 5 2 N ♥ Q J 9
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♦ J 2 S ♦ A 9 7 4
MCKENNEY MERRIMAC COUP ♣ 5 ♣ Q 9 7 3
A system of signals and discards The sacrifice of an honour, usually a
to show suit preference. For many king, as an entry-killing manoeuvre.
players, the McKenney signal arises For example: West North East South
in two main defensive situations, 1♦
normally against trump contracts: 2♦ Pass 2♥
1. You give it on the lead of an ace or a ♠ 3 2
winner, when it is obvious from the ♥ 7 6 5 MILTON WORK COUNT
bidding and sight of dummy that ♦ A 8 The 4-3-2-1 honour point count used
the leader needs to switch. The play ♣ K Q J 10 8 7 by most players. Milton Work invented
of a high card in the suit led calls ♠ J 9 7 6 5 ♠ A 10 8 this based on the McCampbell count
for the higher-ranking of the other ♥ 9 2 N ♥ Q J 10 8 of 1915.
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two suits, excluding the trump suit; ♦ 7 6 5 4 S ♦ K 10 9
a low card calls for the lower of the ♣ 3 2 ♣ A 9 6 MINI NO-TRUMP
other two suits. ♠ K Q 4 An opening 1NT bid showing 10-12
2. After the lead of a singleton to your ♥ A K 4 3 high card points.
ace, when you return the suit for a ♦ Q J 3 2
ruff, you play a significantly high ♣ 5 4 MINI SEQUENCE
or low card to indicate the suit of a A sequence of only two touching cards
second entry to your hand, in order eg J-10-x.
to give partner a second ruff. Against 3NT, West leads the ♠6 and
The McKenney discard works on the East wins with the ace. He then plays MINI SPLINTER
similar principle, except that playing the ♦K to force out dummy’s ace. A single jump showing a singleton in
it is a matter of partnership agreement Although this play gives up a trick, it the suit bid and primary support for
and it is available against no-trump takes out the only entry to dummy’s partner.
contracts as well. A low card asks for club winners.
the lower of the two remaining suits, West North East South
other than the suit of the discard; a MICHAELS CUE BID 1♣ Pass 1♠ Pass
high card asks for the higher of the The use of the simple cue bid, ie a 3♦
other two suits. Here is an example: direct overcall in the suit opened by an
opponent (as in the sequence 1♣-2♣ Since a simple reverse of 2♦ would
or 1♠-2♠), to show a two-suited hand. be forcing, West does not need 3♦ as
♠ A K J 6 The cue bid over a minor-suit opening a natural bid. Playing mini splinters,
♥ 7 shows both majors while the cue bid 3♦ shows a raise to 4♠ with a singleton
♦ K J 9 3 over a major-suit opening shows the diamond; 4♦ would denote a similar
♣ K J 9 4 other major and a minor suit. hand but with a void diamond.
♠ 9 7 After the overcaller shows both
N ♥ J 9 3 majors, advancer normally shows MINOR PENALTY CARD
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S ♦ A Q 7 5 preference, jumping if appropriate. At duplicate, a low card played
♣ 10 8 5 2 After the major/minor cue bid, if inadvertently may become a minor
advancer does not have support for penalty card. The penalties are less u

t severe than those that apply for a distributional hands with shortages in includes at least one man and one
major penalty card. each other’s long suit(s). woman, often, though not necessarily,
with changing partnerships.
MINOR SUITS
Clubs and diamonds, often called ‘the ♠ K 9 6 5 4 2 ♠ 7 MODIFIED GRAND
minors’. ♥ A Q 8 5 4 N ♥ 7 3 SLAM FORCE
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♦ Void S ♦ A Q 9 7 6 4 2 After the trump suit has been agreed,
MINOR SUIT SWISS ♣ Q 5 ♣ K 8 3 a bid of 5NT, bypassing 4NT, enquires
A rare convention whereby responses about the top three trump honours.
of 3♥ and 3♠ (and optionally 3♦ There are various modifications of the
after 1♣) to an opening bid of one of Here East is short in West’s majors convention, but the most common are
a minor show good trump support, while West is very short in East’s EITHER:
sound values for at least 3NT and diamonds. 6♣ shows none of the top three
some slam interest. The convention The usual rule, when you diagnose honours in the agreed suit
has the advantage that responder can a misfit, is to stop the bidding at a low 6 of the agreed suit shows one of the
show his support and values without level. top three honours in that suit
taking the bidding beyond 3NT. You OR
may use the Swiss response to show MITCHELL MOVEMENT 6♣ shows one of the top three
a strong holding in the suit bid or to A simple pairs movement in which honours in the agreed suit
show specific hand-types. the N/S pairs remain stationary, the 6 of the agreed suit shows none of
E/W pairs move to the next higher the top three honours in that suit
MINOR TENACE table and the boards to the next lower With two of the top three honours, in
A holding of the second and fourth table after each round. If there is an both cases responder bids the Grand
highest cards in a suit ie K-J. even number of tables, the middle Slam.
round is a ‘skip’ round, with boards
MIRROR DISTRIBUTION moving as normal but E/W pairs MONSTER
Having the same or very similar moving up two tables. Alternatively, a A very powerful hand.
distribution as your partner. Mirror ‘relay’ movement uses the first and last
distribution tends to be bad news as it tables sharing boards and a relay set MORTON’S FORK COUP
means you cannot ruff anything. of boards between the middle tables. A term used to describe a play where,
If there is one pair short of having an like the victims of Henry VII’s Lord
MISBOARDING even number of tables, it is usual to Chancellor, Cardinal Morton, a
Term used when the hands go back make the N/S pair at the last table the defender is given only losing options.
into the wrong slots in the board at missing pair, thereby avoiding sharing. Here is an example:
duplicate play. If this means that the
next table is unable to play the board, MIXED PAIRS
then the director may fine the guilty A competition in which each pair ♠ K 4 2
pair or pairs. By leaving the board in comprises a man and a woman. ♥ A 6 5 4
the middle of the table during play and ♦ Q 3 2
touching only your own cards, you MIXED RAISE ♣ Q 5 2
minimise the risk of misboarding. A jump cue bid of opener’s suit to ♠ 10 9 8 7 ♠ J 6 5 3
show a hand with 4-card support for ♥ 10 3 N ♥ 2
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MISDEAL partner’s overcall and the strength for ♦ A 9 8 4 S ♦ J 10 6 5
A misdeal occurs if a card turns face a value raise (unassuming cue bid). ♣ K 9 4 ♣ 8 7 6 3
up during the deal, or any player For example: ♠ A Q
receives the incorrect number of ♥ K Q J 9 8 7
cards. A redeal is necessary following ♦ K 7
a misdeal. ♠ K 10 7 5 ♣ A J 10
♥ A 8 6 3 N
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MISERE ♦ A 10 4 S
A player is said to have followed a ♣ 7 3 As South in 6♥, you receive a trump
misere (slang) line if his play was lead. You win with the ace and use high
inferior, especially highly inferior. hearts from hand to draw trumps. It
‘Butcher’ and ‘Carve’ are similar West North East South looks as if you might lose a diamond
terms. 1♣ 1♠ Pass and a club (if the finesse fails).
3♣ However, if you play a small diamond
MISFIT from hand towards dummy’s Q-3-2,
Description of a situation when MIXED TEAMS West has no recourse. If he rises with
both hands of a partnership have A competition in which each team the ace, this will establish dummy’s

queen for a second club discard (the holding support for hearts) to allow in the suit named, or a no-trump bid
♠K will take care of one losing club). opener to clarify which type of hand suggesting the hand is playable in no
If West ducks, the queen wins and you he holds. Opener passes 2♥ with a trumps.
can go on to discard the ♦K on the ♠K, weak two in hearts or bids 2♠ with a
just losing one club. weak two in spades. Other opener’s NEGATIVE DOUBLE
rebids over 2♥ show strong hands. A double after partner has opened
MOVE the bidding and right-hand opponent
The change of seats by certain players MULTI CUE BIDS intervenes with a suit call, to show
in a duplicate pairs or teams at the end A system of control-showing cue bids, values and, usually, four cards in an
of each round. also known as Italian Style Cue Bids, unbid major.
by which you initially treat first- and It is for take-out, not penalties. It
MOVEMENT second- round controls as of equal also goes by the name of Sputnik
A schedule determining the movement importance. double because players first used it in
at the end of each round. In a Mitchell The purpose is to establish at 1957, the same year as the launch of
movement, half the pairs will move. the lowest possible level that the the Russian spacecraft, Sputnik.
In a Howell movement, all but one of partnership possesses first- or second-
the pairs will move. The boards will round control in every suit, with a
always move. subsequent 4NT enquiry available ♠ 7 6
to confirm that the partnership has ♥ K 10 7 4
MOVEMENT CARDS sufficient first-round controls. ♦ Q 9 5
Cards placed on each table in a ♣ A 8 5 3
duplicate event directing players to
their next table at the end of each ♠ K 8 5 ♠ A Q J 10 7 2
round. ♥ 2 N ♥ A K J This hand is suitable for a negative
W E
♦ A K Q 8 4 S ♦ 6 double if partner opens one of a minor
MOYSIAN FIT ♣ 10 8 5 3 ♣ J 7 4 and RHO overcalls 1♠, or if partner
A 4-3 trump fit is a Moysian fit. The opens 1♠ and RHO overcalls two of a
term comes from Alphonse Moyse minor.
Junior, whose bidding style meant that West East At duplicate, negative doubles have
he often wound up in a trump contract 1♦ 2♠ become almost universal in this
with only a 4-3 fit. 3♠ 4♥ situation.
MUD East’s 4♥ shows first- or second NEGATIVE INFERENCE

Standing for Middle-Up-Down, this is round control of hearts and, just as An inference about the lie of the cards
a method of leading from a three-card importantly, denies first- or second- that you draw by considering why an
suit (with no honour holding in the round control of clubs (East would opponent did not choose an alternative
suit) by leading the middle card and make the cheaper cue bid of 4♣ if bid or play. For example:
on the next play of the suit following holding a club control). This enables
with the highest card. Partner is the players to stop safely in 4♠. West North East South
therefore able to identify that the lead 1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass
is not from a doubleton.
N
2♣
For example, with 7-6-5, you would
lead the six and later play the seven The other players can infer that West
and five in that order. does not have a four-card spade suit
since it would be normal to show the
MULTICOLOURED TWO suit in preference to rebidding the
DIAMOND OPENER (MULTI) clubs.
A conventional 2♦ opening bid used to NATIONAL BRIDGE
show three or four distinctly different ORGANISATIONS (NBOs) NEGATIVE RESPONSE
types of hand, including at least one Responsible for organised bridge A response denying values, often
weak and one strong type. within their countries and for after a strong artificial opening, eg
The most popular version of the submitting entries to the major a 2♦ response to an Acol 2♣ or a 1♦
convention shows either a weak two- international bridge competitions. response to a Precision 1♣. It can also
bid in a major, or a strong two bid in Devolution came to bridge in the UK be a response denying the hoped for
a minor or a strong balanced hand. in 2000, so the EBU, SBU, WBU and shape or card in response to an asking
Other strong options are a minor two- NIBU are now all NBOs. bid, eg a 2♦ reply to a Stayman enquiry.
suited hand and an unspecified three-
suited hand (4-4-4-1 or 5-4-4-0). NATURAL
Responder usually bids 2♥ (or 2♠ if A suit bid that guarantees some length
u

t NEUTRAL CARD NON-FORCING Stayman, after opener rebids 2♥,
A card played that gives no signal A bid that does not demand a responder rebids 2♠ if holding four
and provides no inference about the continuation from partner. spades; 2NT instead would deny four
strength or distribution of the suit. Most game bids and limit bids are spades.
A middling card in a suit-preference non-forcing. One-level opening bids,
situation is one example of a neutral overcalls and pre-emptive bids of any NON-VULNERABLE
card. sort are generally non-forcing. (NOT VULNERABLE)
When the defenders know their own In this auction, all four first-round In rubber bridge, the condition of a
plan, they will play neutral cards to bids are non-forcing: side that has not yet won a game. At
avoid giving unnecessary information duplicate, the board indicates whether
to declarer. West North East South you are non-vulnerable, sometimes
1♥ 1♠ 1NT 2♠ with a green band or the absence of a
NEUTRAL LEAD red band. The bonuses for making a
Another term for a passive lead, ie one NON-FORCING SEQUENCE game or a slam are lower when non-
that gives nothing away. Any sequence of bidding that is vulnerable, as are the penalties for
not forcing, such as the following going down in a contract.
NEW SUIT examples:
In the bidding, a suit the partnership NORMAN 4NT
has not shown before. In the play, a West North East South A slam convention in which one
suit that has not been played before. 1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass shows aces and kings with one bid. An
2♥ ace counts as one point and a king as
NEXT STEP FOR KINGS a 1/2 point.
An agreement whereby, after the West North East South Responses adhere to the following
response to an ace-asking 4♣ or 4NT, 1♥ Pass scale:
a bid of the next step, provided it is not 1NT
the agreed trump suit, asks for kings. 5♣ Fewer than 11/2 points
Other names for such an arrangement West North East South 5♦ 11/2 points (one ace and one
are Rolling Blackwood and Rolling 1♥ Pass king, or three kings)
Gerber. 2♣ Pass 2♦ Pass 5♥ 2 points (two aces, four kings,
2♥ or one ace and two kings)
NIBU 5♠ 21/2 points (two aces and one
See Northern Ireland Bridge Union. West North East South king, or one ace and three
1♥ Pass kings)
NO BID 2♣ Pass 2♦ Pass 5NT 3 points, etc
Term signifying ‘Pass’. Traditional 3♦
in Britain before the introduction of NORTH
bidding boxes. NON-PLAYING CAPTAIN (NPC) One of the compass positions at the
Most international teams of major bridge table. In duplicate, North
NO-TRUMPS bridge-playing countries appoint usually assumes the responsibility
Highest-ranking denomination at captains who are not a playing member for scoring the table’s result and for
bridge. of the team. Their main responsibility correctly placing boards on the table.
In a no-trump contract, the highest is to decide who plays in various stages
card in the suit led wins the trick. The of the contest, at which tables they play NORTHERN IRELAND
trick scores are higher in no-trumps and the tactics to follow. He or she also BRIDGE UNION
than other denominations, making represents the team in discussions Regulatory body for duplicate bridge
a no-trump game (3NT) the lowest about playing conditions, protests and in Northern Ireland.
game contract. appeals, and at social events, press
No-trump contracts tend to be conferences, etc. NOTTINGHAM CLUB SYSTEM
profitable when the partnership has a A simple English 1♣ system popular
stopper or two in each suit and lacks NON-PROMISSORY STAYMAN in the Nottingham area. The system
an eight-card or longer fit in one of the A variation on Stayman with standard uses an artificial 1♣ opening (16-21
majors. replies by opener but which allows points) and five-card majors.
responder to use Stayman on a
NO-TRUMP FOR TAKE-OUT balanced hand not containing a four- NUISANCE BID
An old defence to weak three openings card major. If a 2NT response to 1NT A bid aiming to disrupt the opposition’s
whereby an overcall of 3NT serves as is conventional, responder has to auction. Any pre-emptive bid is a
a take-out request allowing all other find some other way to invite game nuisance bid. Overcalls made on weak
calls to be natural, including a penalty in no-trumps, one solution being to hands with little expectation of buying
double. start with 2♣. Using non-promissory the contract are also nuisance bids. n

Answers to Slam Bidding Part 2 Quiz
on page 19
1 You are East, vulnerable against not. ii) If one key card is missing.
What do you bid after this start to the Hand 2A Hand 2B Hand 2C
auction? ♠ A K 7 5 4 3 ♠ A K 7 5 4 3 ♠ A K Q 4 3 2
♥ J 6 4 ♥ Q 6 4 ♥ 8 Hand 3A Hand 3B Hand 3C
♦ K Q 3 ♦ A 3 ♦ A K Q ♠ J 7 3 2 ♠ J 7 3 2 ♠ K Q 6 4 3
Hand 1A Hand 1B ♣ 4 ♣ A 3 ♣ A K J ♥ 6 ♥ 6 ♥ 3
♠ A J 8 5 4 3 2 ♠ A Q J 5 4 3 2 ♦ A J 7 3 2 ♦ A K J 7 2 ♦ A K J 5 3
♥ 2 ♥ 2 ♣ 7 3 2 ♣ A 7 2 ♣ A K
♦ K 6 5 ♦ K 6 5 West North East South
♣ 7 3 ♣ K 3 4♥ Pass ?
Hand 2A: Pass. West won’t hold three 1♠ 4♥ ?
Hand 1C key cards for his 4♥ opening
♠ A Q J 5 4 3 2 bid. Hand 3A: 4♠. It might go off but
♥ 2 Hand 2B: 4NT. Key Card Blackwood. you must show your fit.
♦ A 6 5 i) 7♥. You can expect partner Hand 3B: 4♠. The five level might
♣ A 2 to ruff dummy’s spades not be safe. Concentrate
good and discard any minor on the best game after an
suit losers. The worst case opposition pre-empt.
West North East South scenario is that opener has Hand 3C: 4NT. K ey Card Blackwood
1♣ 4♥ ? three small spades when your with spades agreed.
grand slam might depend on i) 7♠. If partner has three
Hand 1A: 4♠. Of course it could go a 2-2 spade break. Note that small diamonds, your grand
horribly wrong if West has if you have a spade loser even slam might depend on the
a singleton spade and 6♥ might fail, as the defenders diamond finesse – but that
a minimum opening bid might well score their spade is a worst case scenario.
but if you pass you could and cash the minor-suit ii) 6♠. Again it might be
lose a double-game swing winner they are likely to have cold or just be on the
with North making 4♥ set up on the opening lead. diamond finesse.
while you could make 4♠. ii) 6♥. This could fail on
Bridge is a game of risks. a minor suit lead but that 4 You are East, vulnerable against not.
Hand 1B: 4♠. This time with more would be unlucky. What do you bid after this start to
confidence, but if you are Hand 2C: 4NT. Key Card Blackwood the auction? If you choose Key Card
considering 5♠ can you i) 7NT. This might give you Blackwood, say what you will do:
be sure that is safe? more options than 7♥ (or 7♠) i) If no key cards are missing.
Hand 1C: 6♠. Even if 4NT in your system because it could make if either ii) If one key card is missing.
would be Blackwood, there is major breaks favourably. You
no agreed suit so it cannot be certainly have points to spare.
Key Card Blackwood. I would ii) 6♥. Probably better than Hand 4A Hand 4B Hand 4C
describe 6♠ as a justifiable 6NT because with a key ♠ K 10 8 7 ♠ K 10 8 7 ♠ 10 5 4 3
risk. West must have card missing you might have ♥ A 4 3 ♥ 8 4 3 ♥ A 4 3 2
something for his opening bid. difficulty getting to partner’s ♦ 9 6 ♦ K 6 ♦ A Q 3
hearts unless they are trumps. ♣ A 9 6 5 ♣ A 9 6 5 ♣ J 2
2 You are East, vulnerable against not.
What do you bid after this start to 3 You are East, vulnerable against not.
the auction? If you choose Key Card What do you bid after this start to West East
Blackwood, say what you will do: the auction? If you choose Key Card 1♠ 3♠
i) If no key cards are missing. Blackwood, say what you will do: 4♦* ?
ii) If one key card is missing. i) If no key cards are missing. * First-round control u

Answers to the
Slam Bidding
Double Dummy Tea Towels
Printed on 100% premium white cotton.
Quiz 31” x 20” (78.74cm x 50.8cm)
on page 19 £7.95 each. Two or more for £6 each.
Continued...
Four or more for £5 each.
t
Partner will be shapely to make a slam
try after an auction that starts 1♠-3♠
Hand 4A: 4♥. Cue bid. Surely you

have the perfect hand for
partner. If he cannot make
a slam opposite these
three prime cards, why is
he trying for a slam?
Hand 4B: 5♣. Cue bid, denying
EDWARDIAN
the ♥A. Again your cards THE
should be what he wants, ♠ 853
Q95432
so it is reasonable for
♥
♦ 2
AK2
you to go past 4♠. ♠ A64
♣
♠ Void
6 ♥ 10 8 7
Hand 4C: 4♥. That is the disciplined ♥
♦ A Q 10 8
W
N
S
E
♦ KJ975
bid because once partner ♣ 76543 ♣ Q J 10 9 8

♠ K Q J 10 9 7 2
starts cue bidding you are ♥AKJ
♦ 643
virtually obliged to make a ♣ Void
return cue bid if you can do

Contract 5♠ by South
so under game. However, Lead: ♥6
the omens are not good. You

know the ♣A is missing and
what do you make of his 4♦ 10. THE EDWARDIAN © Mr Bridge  01483 489961. Printed in the UK on 100% cotton.
cue bid? You have the ♦A so

GENERATOR
it looks as if partner is void in THE
diamonds! In that case your ♠ KJ97
♥ 10 8 7
♦A-Q may be exactly what ♦ K32
♣ KQJ
he doesn’t want. On second ♠ 432 ♠ A Q 10 8 6 5
♥ 654 ♥ 32
thoughts I am tempted to
N
W E
♦ Q876 S ♦ J9
♣ 765 ♣ 432
break discipline and bid 4♠. ♠ Void
♥ AKQJ9
Of course that denies the ♥A ♦ A 10 5 4
A 10 9 8
but is it likely that partner ♣
has opened the bidding at

Contract 7♥ by South
the one level and can make Lead: ♥4
a slam with just one useful

card opposite (the ♥A)? Don’t
forget that cue bidding is More designs available:
9. THE GENERATOR © Mr Bridge  01483 489961. Printed in the UK on 100% cotton.
not only control showing, it

demonstrates enthusiasm for www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop
slam. The knowledge that
your ♦A-Q is opposite a void
( 01483 489961
has considerably dampened
Mr Bridge Limited
your enthusiasm. n

Answers to David Huggett’s
Play Quiz on page 9
You are declarer in 6NT. West leads the heart king in dummy is safe from attack.
1. ♠ 7 ♦J. How do you plan the play?
♥ A 9 8 2 You have eight tricks outside the spade
♦ Q 10 8 6 suit so the crux of the play is trying to 4. ♠ J 6 5
♣ A K 9 3 guarantee making four spade tricks ♥ 2
♠ Q J 10 8 5 ♠ K 9 6 4 2 and if you give it insufficient thought ♦ Q 10 9 8 2
N
♥ J 4 W E
♥ K 10 6 5 that looks almost too easy. Indeed more ♣ K Q 4 2
♦ J 9 3 S ♦ 7 or less any play will succeed if the suit ♠ K 7 3 ♠ Q 10 4
N
♣ J 8 2 ♣ Q 10 4 breaks 4-1 so you have to address your ♥ K J 7 3 W E ♥ Q 10 6 4
♠ A 3 mind to those times when the suit breaks ♦ K 7 5 4 S ♦ J 6
♥ Q 7 3 5-0. It may not look so easy at first but if ♣ 7 5 ♣ 10 9 8 3
♦ A K 5 4 2 you start with a low spade from dummy ♠ A 9 8 2
♣ 7 6 5 and play the ten from hand – unless of ♥ A 9 8 5
course the queen appears – you are ♦ A 3
bound to make four tricks because if East ♣ A J 6
You are declarer in 3NT. West leads the shows out you will have a known finesse
♠Q. How do you plan the play? against the nine. It is a simple safety play
Barring accidents it looks as though not often found in books! You are declarer in 3NT. West leads the
the contract will be assured as long as ♥3. How do you plan the play?
diamonds do not break 4-0 with East, It looks as though the hearts are
when there will be a loser in that suit. 3. ♠ Q J 10 9 7 6 5 breaking 4-4 which is some comfort at
However, a closer look will reveal that ♥ K 6 5 least but even so it appears that you will
if the diamonds break 3-1 with the jack ♦ Void have to play on diamonds to gain those
being in the three-card holding then ♣ J 10 9 extra tricks you need. Suppose you win
the suit will be irrevocably blocked. ♠ 2 ♠ 4 the opening lead and play the diamond
Furthermore, there is no hope of making ♥ Q 10 9 8 N ♥ A J 2 ace followed by a low one. If West plays
W E
the contract unless you can engineer five ♦ J 10 9 7 2 S ♦ A K 6 5 4 3 low you are on a guess, for if West has
diamond tricks because losing the lead ♣ Q 6 2 ♣ 5 4 3 the king you want to play the queen,
would enable the defenders to cash at ♠ A K 8 3 while if he holds the jack you want to play
least four spade tricks. Although it might ♥ 7 4 3 the ten. It appears to be a guess – and it
not seem obvious, you have to duck the ♦ Q 8 is if the suit breaks 3-3 – but you have
opening spade lead and throw a diamond ♣ A K 8 7 to consider the case when diamonds
from dummy on the continuation, thus break 4-2. A doubleton king with East
unblocking the suit if the split is 3-1. If the will do you no good, even if you guess
defenders switch after the spade queen You are declarer in 4♠. West leads the right, for you will still have two losers but
holds, declarer can if need be cash the ♦J. How do you plan the play? a doubleton jack will be fine, but only if
♠A to engineer the unblock himself. The contract is a very sound one and you play the queen from dummy – so that
in such cases it is imperative to search is what you must do. n
for anything that could go wrong. Here it
2. ♠ K 8 3 appears that you must make seven trump To support Little Voice, send your
♥ K 6 5 2 tricks and three club tricks but there is a used stamps to:
♦ Q 6 4 danger that West could get in with the Malcolm Finebaum
♣ A 9 8 queen of clubs and play a big heart. Flat 8 Mountford House
♠ Q 9 7 6 2 ♠ Void Then if the ace is wrong you will lose not 8 Crescent Road
♥ Q 3 N ♥ J 10 9 8 4 only the club but maybe three hearts as Enfield EN2 7BL
W E
♦ J 10 9 7 S ♦ 8 3 2 well. It may be imperative therefore to
♣ J 2 ♣ 10 7 5 4 3 keep West off the lead and you can do Little Voice work directly with an
impoverished urban community in Addis
♠ A J 10 5 4 this by the simple expedient of discarding
Ababa, Ethiopia, to support the economic
♥ A 7 a club from dummy at trick one! Later development of women, to provide
♦ A K 5 after having drawn trumps you can take primary education to children and
♣ K Q 6 a ruffing finesse against the queen of vocational opportunities to youth.
clubs, knowing that even if it loses your www.littlevoicefoundation.org

The Diaries of Wendy Wensum
Episode 101:
The impact of playing strength
S
pouse had not enjoyed his I was South and looked suspiciously at of the sexes; it was far more important,
afternoon shopping trip. ‘What my 5-0-0-8 distribution with only two husband versus wife. I concluded that
is it about department stores?’ he obvious losers. The clubs were self- 5♥ might well make and I defiantly
inquired rhetorically in exasperation. supporting but with any sort of help laid down the 6♣ bidding card. West
‘All I wanted was a pair of trainers. I from Millie, a spade contract might and Millie passed, the latter looking
liked the style and colour, but needed achieve a better score. A slam could pale and distressed. Travis produced
size 9. Did they have size 9? Of course easily be available, but what should I an instant penalty double to end the
not, there was every other size in open? Five clubs would be a possibility auction.
abundance, but not one pair of size 9.’ but a spade contract could easily be
Men do like instant gratification, don’t missed. It was a game-going hand, so West North East South
they? perhaps I should open with a game Spouse Millie Travis Wendy
Walking to bridge that evening, forcing Acol 2♣. I was looking at 14 Pass
Spouse was still a bit grumpy and HCP with one ace and two kings (four 1♥ Pass 3♦1 Pass
continued moaning about trainers controls: A=2, K=1). The current EBU 4♥ Pass Pass 5♣
and department stores. On reaching regulations required that a strong 5♥ Pass Pass 6♣
the club we went straight to the bar, bid should contain 16+ HCP or 12+ Pass Pass Dbl All Pass
where Spouse ordered a glass of claret HCP and at least five controls. Was I 1
Game Force with three hearts
and a pint of real ale. Tasting the allowed to open a game force on this
latter seemed to revive his spirits. It hand? What a dilemma. I decided to Spouse faced the ♥K and I ruffed
was the second and final session of pass; with this distribution, it seemed in hand. Hoping that spades would
the Riverside’s annual Swiss teams unlikely that the board would be behave, I played the ♠A and then
event. Play commenced and after passed out. Spouse opened 1♥ and the ♠K, so far so good. Holding my
three rounds of six boards, our usual Millie passed. Travis bid 3♦ alerted by breath, I led the ♠J, Spouse followed
team, comprising of Jo, Kate, Millie Spouse as showing precisely three-card and I trumped in dummy and was
and me, were placed in fourth position heart support and forcing to game. I relieved when the ♠Q appeared on
with only the last round to play. As we could if I wished double to show spades my right. With just the ♣A to lose, the
waited for the assignments, I confided and a minor. Again I decided to pass contract of 6♣ doubled was home and
in Millie that I hoped we could avoid and await developments knowing that dry. At first there was general disbelief
Spouse’s team, relating the tale of the 3♦ response was forcing. Spouse and dumbfounded silence, quickly
Spouse and the trainers as explanation. bid 4♥. Millie and Travis both passed. followed by a bout of hysterical
The inevitable then occurred. Spouse’s It was clearly decision time for me; I laughter from the four of us, which
team were our opponents and during bid 5♣. Not to be outdone, Spouse produced a warning from the TD
the set this remarkable deal appeared. bid 5♥. Millie and Spouse again both regarding Best Behaviour at Bridge.
passed. It was now more than a battle All tension was instantly dissipated.
Dealer South. E/W Game.

♠ 7 5
♥ 10 9 7 5 3
♦ 9 6 5 3
♣ 10 5
♠ 8 6 4 ♠ Q 3 2
♥ K Q J 6 4 N ♥ A 8 2
W E
♦ A J 10 8 2 S ♦ K Q 7 4
♣ Void ♣ A 9 3
♠ A K J 10 9
♥ Void
♦ Void
♣ K Q J 8 7 6 4 2

At the end of the round, Jo and Kate David Stevenson Answers Your Frequently Asked Questions
rejoined our home table to score-up.
It turned out that their auction on the
Appeals
same board was rather different from
ours. On the South hand Sarah opened
a simple 1♣. Jo, in the West position,
overcalled an unusual 2NT showing a
hand with intermediate values and the
Committees
two red suits. George passed and Kate
jumped to 4♥. Sarah bid 5♣. With a
void in clubs, Jo bid 5♥, which became
the final contract.

Jo George Kate Sarah
1♣
W
2NT1 Pass 4♥ 5♣
5♥ All Pass hat are appeals committees, to see whether passing the double was
1
Intermediate red two-suiter what are they for, does a Logical Alternative, as explained in
my club need them and other articles, and whether the obvious
Sarah, wondering whether to lead the why does my club not have one? In doubt by doubler suggested bidding
♠A or the ♣K, eventually decided on this article we shall look at these 4♠ rather than passing. They will
the former. Still on lead she continued committees and answer these and then consider whether to amend the
with the ♠K. On the encouraging other questions. director’s ruling or not. It is a generally
signal from partner, she led another Suppose you bid 4♥ on some bidding accepted principle that they start with
spade, ruffed by George. The club sequence and your LHO thinks for the director’s ruling and consider
return was won in Kate’s hand with a time, takes the double card nearly whether it was wrong and needs to be
the ace and she then removed George's out of the box, then puts it back and changed. The whole business reminds
remaining trumps. With the diamond gets hold of his pass card and finally one of reviews in cricket and VAR in
suit to run, Kate claimed the rest of the doubles. It is clear to all concerned that football but appeals in bridge have
tricks. The 5♥ contract was one off for his double it not based on four trump been around for far longer.
a fortunate but excellent IMP score on tricks. Partner passes, RHO bids 4♠ What happens if you feel the director
the board enabling us to scrape home and despite doubling it you do not get has the law wrong? The law allows you
in the match. a good score since 4♥ is making. As to appeal to his superior but in small
In the pub later, Millie was very seen in many of these articles, players events, certainly in clubs, there usually
critical of computer dealing in general must not use the mannerisms and is only one director. If you cannot get
and that board in particular. In order hesitations of their partners in making him to change his mind, you could
to quell another long discourse on the their decisions so you call the director. ask to appeal his ruling. While he is
issue, Jo intervened with a proposal for While it is accepted that LHO did allowed to say no, it would be very
another round of drinks. This received all this, the director comes back and rare. Then you and the director can
instant and unanimous approval. tells you that he considers the 4♠ explain the problem to the appeals
Was the result on the board sufficient bid reasonable and he is not going committee and let them sort it out.
for us to win the Swiss Teams? to adjust the score. Is there anything It seems as though you could
No, but we finished in a respectable further you can do? appeal any ruling you do not like
third place. The laws allow for appeals, in other but it is normal for an appeal to be
I hurried home, concerned about words you may appeal against the accompanied by a deposit, something
Spouse as he and Travis had not director’s decision if you feel that it is between £10 or €10 and £50 or €50.
joined us at the pub. He had not had wrong. How the appeal is dealt with This will be returned unless the
a good day, no trainers and losing a is different in different jurisdictions, appeals committee considers the
key bridge match against his wife’s at different levels of the game and so appeal had no merit or was frivolous.
team. I needn’t have worried. I arrived forth. The most common method is This makes it likely that only sensible
to find him cheerfully lounging on to have an appeals committee; this appeals will be made. In some cases,
the settee watching TV, a pint of beer generally consists of three (or possibly the appeals committee can impose
beside him. He turned and greeted me five) good players who will apply their further procedural penalties reducing
with, ‘You know, I should have bought judgement on the situation. They do your score if they consider your appeal
a pair of slippers this morning. There not need to be experts on the laws was without merit. These penalties,
were some nice ones at the store.’ It since the director will explain the laws whether procedural or retaining the
certainly was not the greeting I had to them as necessary. In the example deposit, are only applied to appeals
expected. n given they will apply their judgement without merit. u

BRIDGE
BERNARD
MAGEE’S
INTERACTIVE
TUTORIAL CD is ceasing publication.
DECLARER
The last issue will be number
PLAY 216 - December 2020.
t If you make an ordinary appeal and different pairs and not involved with
MAC lose, your deposit will be returned and either side. He then sits this committee
or Windows you will not be penalised. down on one side of a couple of tables,
Especially with weighted scores puts the involved players and himself
you do get occasions when both sides on the other side, introduces everyone
consider they have been hard done by. and explains his view of the facts and
However, an appeals committee will be the ruling he has given, and makes
very loath to give much consideration clear who is appealing and whether
to a side that has not been prepared a deposit has been taken. The players
to appeal and risk their deposit. So then have their say, the appealing side
if both sides feel hard done by they first, and the committee asking any
should both be prepared to risk their questions they feel relevant. Then the
Bernard develops your
deposit. The appeals committee will players withdraw, the committee asks
declarer play technique in
be told who has appealed and they the director to explain any relevant
the course of ten decide whether the deposit should be law, then they deliberate, come to a
introductory exercises and returned. conclusion and tell it to the director,
120 complete deals. An appeals committee can adjust who then informs all the players.
the score in any way they deem fit so it The second approach is less
l Suit Establishment
is not unheard of for the side appealing satisfactory but may be necessary if
in No-trumps
to be given a worse score. If they think the director cannot form a committee,
l Suit Establishment the director is probably right they will possibly because of time problems.
in Suits generally uphold his ruling, but if Each side should write their comments
l Hold-ups £76 they feel he has got it wrong then they
will change the result. This does not
down, the director writes the facts
down and each side checks it, and
l Ruffing for
Extra Tricks £56 always mean that they will change it to
something suggested by either side or
then the director submits the appeal
by phone or email to someone else.
l Entries in the director, though in practice most The local county, district or area can
No-trumps appeals either uphold the director or often help, if not the national authority
l Delaying Drawing Trumps change it to what the appealing side certainly can, and you can email me.
l Using the Lead want, or sometimes part of what they The Welsh and English Bridge Unions
want. publish the names of referees who deal
l Trump Control In main events, the director will with appeals.
l Endplays & Avoidance have a method of setting up appeals – One important thing is that appeals
l Using the Bidding but what happens if there is an appeal are not designed to correct rulings that
Operating system requirements: in a club? are wrong in law since they are heard
Windows or Mac OS 10.08 -10.14 These are very rare in all but the by players whose judgement is sound
leading clubs and sometimes the but knowledge of the law may not be.
director will not know what to do. Nevertheless, an appeal might be
Mr Bridge Limited There are really two approaches the route to bring a wrong book ruling
( 01483 489961 possible. into the limelight although some
www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop The first approach is for the director people prefer to write to me c/o Mr
to get three of the better players from Bridge. n
Page 38 BRIDGE Septmeber 2020

Answers to Julian Pottage’s
Defence Quiz on page 9
West North East South or might not have the ♥K. If declarer
1. ♠ 9 6 4 1NT1 has the ♥K, it will do you no good to
♥ Q Pass 2♣ Pass 2♦2 continue hearts from your side of the
♦ Q J 10 7 6 4 Pass 3NT All Pass table. Fortunately, when you win with the
♣ A K 2 1
12-14 ♠A, you are going to see a discard from
♠ K 10 8 7 2 ♠ Q 5 2
No four-card major partner. If it is a low club, you will hope
♥ J 9 4 3 N ♥ A 10 7 5 that two heart tricks are available. In fact,
W E
♦ K 8 S ♦ 5 3 You lead the ♠3, covered by the ♠6, ♠J it is the ♣10, a high card surely denoting
♣ 10 4 ♣ J 9 7 6 5 and ♠Q. Declarer now leads the ♦2. possession of the ♣K. This being the
♠ A J 3 What is your plan? case, after taking your ♠A (on the first or
♥ K 8 6 2 The play to the first trick has been second round) you can underlead the ♣A
♦ A 9 2 quite revealing. Partner would have to get a heart lead through.
♣ Q 8 3 played the ten from J-10-x or the ace
from A-J-x. This means declarer must
have started with A-Q-10. As on the 4. ♠ A K 8
West North East South previous deal, you want the next spade ♥ K 7
1♦ Pass 1♥ lead to come from partner’s side of the ♦ J 10 9 8 4
Pass 2♦ Pass 3NT table. The difference is that declarer has ♣ J 10 7
All Pass not crossed to dummy (with one of those ♠ 7 4 2 ♠ 10 6 5
N
heart winners) to take a diamond finesse. ♥ J 9 3 ♥ Q 8 5 4 2
W E
You lead the ♠7: ♠4, ♠Q and ♠A. Why do you think that is? It is because ♦ A Q S ♦ 7 5 3
Declarer leads low to the ♣A and calls partner holds the ♦A. You need bravely ♣ A Q 9 4 3 ♣ 8 5
for the ♦Q, on which go the ♦5 and ♦2. to play low. This gains not just on the ♠ Q J 9 3
What is your plan? actual layout but also if partner happens ♥ A 10 6
You know from the play to the first to hold the singleton ♦A. ♦ K 6 2
trick that declarer has the ♠J (partner ♣ K 6 2
would have played the lower of touching
honours). While the ♠J could be bare, 3. ♠ K 10 8 6 5 4
the odds are against it. If declarer has a ♥ 10 8 7 West North East South
low spade, you need to put partner in for ♦ K Q 10 Pass 1NT1
the next spade lead, which can only be ♣ Q Pass 3NT All Pass
with the ♥A. Furthermore, since a heart ♠ A 7 2 ♠ Void 1
12-14
switch will be safe if partner has the ♥K, ♥ J 9 4 3 N ♥ Q 5 2
W E
you should take the ♦K and switch to a ♦ A 8 S ♦ 7 5 4 3 You lead the ♣4: ♣J, ♣8 and ♣2.
heart. Only if declarer has the ♥A-K and ♣ A 8 4 3 ♣ K 10 9 7 6 5 Declarer calls for the ♦J, on which go the
the ♣Q as well as the presumed ♠A-J ♠ Q J 9 3 ♦3, ♦2 and ♦Q. What is your plan?
and ♦A will you lose the ♠K by failing to ♥ A K 6 You know the ♣K is on your right and
cash it. ♦ J 9 6 2 you know it is not bare (with three low
♣ J 2 clubs, partner would have played low to
show an odd number). Does this mean
2. ♠ 8 6 you want partner on lead? A count of
♥ A K Q 10 West North East South points tells you this is not on – declarer
♦ Q J 10 7 4 3 1NT1 needs the ♥A to have an opening bid.
♣ J Pass 2♥ Pass 3♠3
2
Fortunately, your clubs are strong
♠ K 9 7 3 2 ♠ J 5 4 Pass 4♠ All Pass enough to enable you to generate
♥ 9 4 3 N ♥ 7 6 5 2 1
12-14 sufficient winners. So, although doing so
W E
♦ K 8 S ♦ A 5 2
Five or more spades sets up declarer’s ♣K, you continue clubs
♣ 10 7 4 ♣ K 9 6 2 3
Minimum with four-card support by cashing the ♣A.
♠ A Q 10 You can then knock out the ♣K even if
♥ J 8 You lead the ♥3, covered by the ♥7, the ♣8 was a singleton. Unless declarer
♦ 9 6 2 ♥Q and ♥A. Now declarer leads the ♠J. has seven tricks in the majors, you will
♣ A Q 8 5 3 What is your plan? beat the contract. This is also the best
This time the play to the first trick way to cut down on overtricks if declarer
has been less revealing. Partner might does have seven tricks in the majors. n

Robin Hood’s Bridge Adventures by David Bird
Maid Marian’s Treat
‘Y
ou always seem to have The Landlord nodded politely. ‘It’s led the jack of spades.
so much fun when you easily done,’ he replied. ‘Thank you, er... Lucy,’ said Robin
and Nazir play bridge at The event was into its fifth round Hood when the dummy went down.
the Drunken Pheasant,’ said Maid when Robin and Marian faced an His elderly opponent might not realise
Marian. ‘Can’t you take me there, just elderly married couple on this board: it but she had found a good opening
once?’ lead. Now, how could he reach dummy
‘Too risky,’ Robin Hood replied. ‘If to take a discard on the diamond ace?
news reached the Sheriff that you’d Dealer South. E/W Game. If he led a low club towards the jack,
been seen in my company, he would ♠ 6 4 all would be well if West held the king
have you seized the moment you next ♥ 9 7 6 3 of clubs. If the jack lost to the king
attended court.’ ♦ A Q 7 6 4 with East, though, he would surely
‘You often disguise yourself,’ Marian ♣ J 6 return another trump.
retorted. ‘Do you think, just because ♠ J 10 9 ♠ 7 3 Hood soon spotted the play that was
N
I’m a woman, that I can’t do the same?’ ♥ Q 10 2 W E
♥ KJ4 required. He won with the trump ace
The following Thursday, Robin and ♦ J 9 8 3 S ♦ K 10 5 2 and then led the queen of clubs from
a rather strange-looking young lady ♣ 9 7 3 ♣ K 10 8 2 his hand. William Cabot won with the
walked into the Drunken Pheasant. ♠ A K Q 8 5 2 king and returned a trump to declarer’s
‘Good to see you, Robin,’ exclaimed ♥ A 8 5 king. Hood crossed to dummy with
the Landlord. He surveyed the outlaw’s ♦ Void the jack of clubs and discarded a heart
partner uncertainly. ‘Nazir couldn’t ♣ A Q 5 4 on the ace of diamonds. A total of two
play today?’ clubs and a heart had to be lost but the
‘He’ll be partnering Friar Tuck,’ game was his.
Hood replied. ‘My young friend Lucy, West North East South William Cabot turned towards
here, is just learning the game. She’s a Agnes Maid William Robin Robin Hood. ‘My king of clubs was
bit nervous.’ Cabot Marian Cabot Hood under your ace-queen,’ he said.
Marian prodded Robin playfully. 1♠ Hood suppressed a smile. ‘I couldn’t
‘Flamin’ cheek, I call it!’ she said, Pass 1NT Pass 3♣ be sure,’ he replied.
feigning a country accent. ‘When Pass 3♦ Pass 4♠ ‘He let me make a trick with my king
we were playin’ two nights ago, he All Pass of clubs,’ the elderly East informed his
went down in an easy 3NT. Finessed wife. ‘It could be a good one for us.’
the wrong hand for the queen of Agnes Cabot, who could recognise an Maid Marian reached for the
diamonds.’ honour sequence when she saw one, scoresheet. ‘No one else has made it so
Page 40 BRIDGE Septmeber 2020

far,’ she observed. with the king from king-queen. What
Sometime later, Hood and Marian could be done?
faced Nazir and Friar Tuck. Robin Hood decided to rise with
‘That’s surprising,’ Hood exclaimed. the spade king in second seat. Nazir
‘I thought you’d have finished your pie nodded ruefully when he saw this
by now, Tuck.’ card. He would have to win with the
An affronted Friar Tuck swallowed ace, otherwise declarer would make
his mouthful. ‘As you know full well, two spade tricks. Unfortunately, this
this is not my first pie,’ he replied. ‘I would break the link between the
come here only once a week. With defenders’ hands.
such tasty fare on offer, I have to make Nazir won with the ace of spades
the most of it.’ and returned the jack of spades to
‘So that’s your second pie, then?’ dummy’s queen. A diamond ruff to
persisted Robin Hood. the South hand allowed Robin Hood
‘None of your business,’ Tuck to finesse the jack of clubs. As he had
replied, brushing some pastry flakes feared, Tuck won with the queen. West North East South
off his cassock. ‘It’s you to bid first, if Thanks to declarer’s previous Maid Sam Robin Unlucky
you hadn’t noticed.’ second-hand-high play of the spade Marian Liggat Hood Reginald
This was the board before them: king, Friar Tuck had no spades left. 1♣ Pass 2♥
When he exited with a diamond, Pass 3♣ Pass 3♥
Robin Hood ruffed in his hand and Pass 4♥ Pass 6♥
Dealer South. Game All. discarded his last spade on dummy’s All Pass
♠ Q 6 3 ace-ten of clubs.
♥ 9 7 6 ‘You played it well,’ said Nazir. Maid Marian led the queen of
♦ 10 6 3 He turned towards Maid Marian. diamonds, won with the ace. Unlucky
♣ A J 10 5 ‘What have you done to your face?’ he Reginald drew trumps in three rounds
♠ A J 10 9 2 ♠ 8 4 enquired. ‘Your skin is almost as dark and then paused to make a plan.
N
♥ 5 ♥ J 8 2 as mine!’ A 3-3 break in clubs would allow
W E
♦ K Q J 9 4 S ♦ 8 7 5 2 ‘It’s almond oil, part of my clever him to discard all three of his spade
♣ 8 4 ♣ K Q 7 3 disguise,’ Marian replied. ‘No one here losers and make an overtrick. If he
♠ K 7 5 has recognised me. It feels horrible, wasn’t lucky there, he could take his
♥ A K Q 10 4 3 wearing these dirty clothes. I’ll have second chance ‒ finding the king of
♦ A to wash them as soon as I get home.’ spades onside.
♣ 9 6 2 Near the end of the session, Hood When declarer tested the clubs,
and Marian faced a local player, throwing a spade, East showed out on
known as Unlucky Reginald. Twice the third round. ‘They don’t call me
West North East South widowed, he was the father of five Unlucky for nothing,’ he muttered.
Nazir Maid Friar Robin daughters and would have no one to A subsequent spade lead to the
Marian Tuck Hood pass on his name. He had fallen off a queen predictably brought no change
1♥ horse many years ago and still walked of fortune and the slam went one
1♠ 2♥ Pass 4♥ with a pronounced limp. down.
All Pass This was the deal before them: ‘Nothing wrong with the slam,’
declared Unlucky Reginald. ‘I can’t
Nazir led the king of diamonds and remember the last time I had any real
Hood won with the ace. After drawing Dealer North. Love All. luck at the bridge table.’
trumps in three rounds, he ran the ♣9. ♠ Q 7 6 Sam Liggat inspected the score sheet.
Friar Tuck had not been overjoyed ♥ Q 8 ‘I wasn’t expecting that,’ he exclaimed.
by Robin’s remarks about his pie- ♦ 9 3 2 ‘It’s a mixture of 980s and 480s.’ He
eating. He won with the king of clubs, ♣ A K Q 7 6 turned towards Robin Hood. ‘Could
hoping to mislead the outlaw leader as ♠ 10 8 4 ♠ K J 3 Reginald have made twelve tricks?’
N
to the position of the club queen. He ♥ 5 4 W E ♥ 932 ‘I don’t think so,’ Hood replied. A
then returned the ♠8. ♦ Q J 10 5 S ♦ K 8 7 6 4 better player would have ducked the
Robin Hood paused to consider the ♣ J 9 8 2 ♣ 10 3 first round of clubs, of course, noting
position. If the club queen was onside, ♠ A 9 5 2 that only four club tricks were needed
as seemed likely, he would be able to ♥ A K J 10 7 6 for the slam. A play like that was way
discard a spade and score an overtrick. ♦ A beyond such an unlucky player.
Still, Nazir might have covered the ♣9 ♣ 5 4 ‘I played it rather cleverly, combining
if he held the club queen. No doubt two chances,’ said Unlucky Reginald.
Tuck would find it amusing to win ‘No one can ask more than that.’ n

Julian Pottage Answers Your Bridge Questions
How Do You Ask For

Aces After Partner
Has Bid No-Trumps?
Q
After a no-trump should be 4♥ – this cannot their hand was too flat to you please explain how
opening bid (1NT be showing five hearts and either double or bid 2NT. you would bid his Layout P,
or 2NT) followed not four spades (because you We play Lebensohl. using strong opening 1NT
by Stayman or transfers, it would simply transfer with What is your sug- and 5-card majors. I cannot
seems to be fairly standard that), so 4♥ is available to gested bidding? bid other than 1NT – Pass.
that a 4NT continuation is show agreement for spades. Angela Buckley by email. Neil Richardson by email.
quantitative. If so, how does It is trickier after 2NT-3♣-3♥
A A
responder ask for aces? because responder might Opposing pre-empts You ask about this
With a hand with slam want to bid 3♠ naturally in are designed to layout playing a
potential and five hearts, case opener is 4-4 in the make your life dif- strong no-trump:
how does responder explore majors. You could agree ficult and sometimes they
for a heart fit before making that 2NT-3♣-3♥-3NT shows leave you no easy way to
a quantitative 4NT? four spades (just as 1NT- reach the best contract. ♠ K 8 6
Similarly, if after partner’s 2♣-2♥-3NT does), in which The North hand is a mar- ♥ 8
2NT, responder has a slam case 3♠ is available to ginal 2NT overcall – if you ♦ A 8 4 2
orientated unbalanced show a slam try in hearts. go with Bernard’s advice to ♣ 10 6 5 3 2
hand and four spades so deduct a point when 4333
N
bids Stayman, and partner ♣♦♥♠ shape then the hand is
W E
responds spades, how definitely not good enough.
Q
S
does responder ask for West opened South might reopen with
aces? 4NT is quantitative a weak 2♠, 3♥ non-vulnerable. The ♠ A Q 10
(opener does not know that which at the trouble with bidding on a ♥ J 3 2
responder has found a fit). table was passed out. hand with these values is that ♦ 9 3
Mike Johnson by email. partner will raise to 4♥ with ♣ A K Q J 7
the strength you need just
A
As responder, if you ♠ A K 2 to make 3♥. With a double
want to ask for aces ♥ K J 9 spade stopper and no ruffing With 17 points in high cards
after a 1NT opening ♦ 9 8 7 3 value, North might bid 3NT alone and adding at least
and Stayman/transfer, you ♣ A 8 3 if South does overcall 3♥. 1 point for the excellent
bid a new suit at the four At matchpoints you might five-card club suit, South
N
level, as a splinter or cue bid prefer to play in hearts might reasonably treat the
W E
(depending upon partnership S
because a club lead will hand as too strong for a
agreement) and ask for key probably stop any over- 15-17 1NT. You can then
cards on the next round. So ♠ 10 3 tricks in 3NT; you will often have the same 1♣-2♣-2♠-
the final bid in this sort of ♥ A Q 10 8 6 2 make 4♥ if the ♦A is onside 5♣ auction as weak no-
sequence, 1NT-2♣-2♥-4♣- ♦ K 6 4 and the suit is not 5-1. trump players might have.
4♦-4NT, would be asking. ♣ J 2 I agree that if South
After a 2NT opening and ♣♦♥♠ fails to upgrade the hand
Stayman response, again (so opens a 15-17 1NT)
Q
responder bids something South agreed that they Within Andrew then North does not have
en route to 4NT if wanting to should have overcalled Kambites’ excellent enough to look for game.
ask. In the case of a 2NT- 3♥ – being in the pass article on “Splinter
3♣-3♠ start, the something out seat. North thought bids and trial bids”, could Continued on page 44... u

BERNARD Answers to Sally Brock’s
MAGEE’S
INTERACTIVE Simple Take-Out Doubles
TUTORIAL CD
Part 3 Quiz, on page 19
DEFENCE
What do you bid on the following hands with the auctions given?
The vulnerability and scoring method should not affect your answers.
MAC Hand 1 Hand 2 Hand 3 If the opening bid had shown

or Windows at lest three cards, partner’s
♠ K J 9 8 ♠ 6 2
ideal minimum double would
♥ A 7 2 ♥ A Q 6 3
have been 4441, and you
♦ Q 6 3 2 ♦ K 10 2
would have been tempted to
♣ 8 2 ♣ Q 7 5 4 investigate a 4-4 heart fit, but
as 1♣ can be ‘short’ partner
is more likely to be balanced
West North East South and to show your points
1♥ with 2NT is a better idea.
Pass Pass Dbl Pass Hand 4 If partner had opened a
weak NT you would have
?
Bernard develops your bid 3NT, so bid 3NT now.
defence in the course of ten Hand 1 Over a second seat double
introductory exercises and you would have bid 2♠,
120 complete deals. but you should ‘transfer
Hand 5 Hand 6
a king’ when partner’s
♠ K J 10 3 2 ♠ 8 6
l Lead vs double is in fourth seat.
Here 1♠ is enough. ♥ 5 4 2 ♥ A 6 2
No-trump Contracts ♦ Q 2 ♦ K 10 4 3
Hand 2 If partner had doubled in
l Lead vs second seat this hand would ♣ 6 5 2 ♣ Q 10 5 3
Suit Contracts be worth 2NT, but as he was
in fourth seat 1NT is enough.
l Partner of Leader
vs No-trump Contracts West North East South
1♥ Dbl 2♥
l Partner of Leader Hand 3 Hand 4 ?
vs Suit Contracts ♠ A Q 2 ♠ Q 4
l Count Signals ♥ 8 7 3 2 ♥ 10 4 3 Hand 5 Even though without the
raise you would not have
l Attitude ♦ K 10 2 ♦ K Q J 10 4 3
jumped to 2♠, it is OK to
Signals £76 ♣ Q 10 4 ♣ A Q
allow yourself to be forced up
a bit when your RHO raises.
l Discarding
l Defensive Plan
£56 West North East South
Hand 6 You would like to compete
in a minor but don’t want
1♣* Dbl Pass to guess which minor to bid
l Stopping Declarer
? in case partner has only
l Counting the Hand *May be short one minor, so double 2♥
and let partner choose.
Operating system requirements:

Windows or Mac OS 10.08 -10.14 Bridge Mix
The bridge cartoons of
Mr Bridge Limited Charles M. Schulz
( 01483 489961
Now just £4 from ( 01483 489961
mrbridge.co.uk/shop

A
t...Continued from page 42. If I had a void in stopper so do not need Does my 2NT bid guarantee
this situation, I cover there. Sally Brock’s a stopper in all unbid suits?
Q
During lockdown, I would show that article this month covers I thought it just meant
have been playing in reply to 4NT. While it is in more detail what to do 15-17 points and normally
quite a lot of casual not always right to show after partner has doubled. a balanced hand with no
bridge on BBO, which is the void, here your earlier guarantee about stoppers.
a real roller-coaster as splinter means that partner ♣♦♥♠ My partner thought I was
you know nothing about knows where the void is. showing stoppers in spades
Q
your partner. This can be What Bernard suggests for I would appreciate and hearts and therefore bid
great fun, but it can also showing a void is that you your advice as to 3NT which did not work.
be very exasperating. simply bid one level higher the best way to play Please can you tell
Yesterday, my partner than you would have done. these cards to get four tricks. me if my 2NT re-bid
opened 1♠ (five card So if 5♥ is your normal reply guarantees stoppers in
suit) and with: to show two key cards then all unbid suits, or not?
you would bid 6♥ to show ♠ A 10 9 3 2 Bruce Paul by email.
two key cards and a void.
A
N
♠ K 8 5 4 Other people have W E As an opponent
S
♥ A 10 9 7 3 different methods, using 5NT has bid hearts, your
♦ 7 as one of the void showing ♠ Q 6 5 4 2NT rebid does
♣ K 7 4 replies, thereby keeping promise a heart stopper.
the bidding a bit lower (not I recommend playing
that this is a problem when Spades were trumps and that double of 2♥ shows a
I responded 4♦. At my next spades is the agreed suit). there were no problems hand with 15+ points but
turn I showed two controls I am not sure what I with entries. no suitable rebid. Playing
over partner’s 4NT and would make of the 6♦ Hugh Ball, a double this way is even
when he/she bid 6♦, my bid. You did well to draw Eastbourne. more useful after a one-
initial thought was, ‘oh dear! a world class partner. level response because then
A
Partner has interpreted Assuming you have you can use it not only on
my splinter bid as a suit’. ♣♦♥♠ no clues from the hands with no stopper in the
Before bidding again, I bidding to help you, opposing suit but also on
Q
checked the profile of my LHO opens 1♦, the normal play is to cash the hands too weak for a 2NT
partner and, for the first partner doubles and ace planning to play towards rebid, retaining the 18-19
time ever, partner was RHO bids 1♠. I have the queen on the second range for a 2NT rebid after
describing him/herself a balanced 7 points with round. You will fail in your a one-level response.
as ‘world class’. So was a diamond stop. Without objective only if a defender If you do not wish to do
partner’s bid showing the the spade bid I would bid is void or if West has K-J-x. that, you have to bid 3♥
ace of diamonds looking 1NT this being the usual In real life you will quite asking for a heart stopper.
for a grand slam, or was it response, with 6-9 points. often have some clue from Since you are expecting
asking me if my splinter was opposite an opening hand the bidding. If West has a heart lead, you do not
a void, again wanting me which the double infers. made a one-level opening need a spade stopper.
to bid the grand if it was? Assuming that you agree bid or if East has pre-
I signed off in 6♠ – a so far, my question is does empted then you might ♣♦♥♠
great contract with only 25 the spade bid make any be inclined to place the
Q
points. His/her hand was: difference? Does my 1NT king on your left and so Regarding your
still show 6-9 points and lead the queen initially. excellent “A to Z
if not what does it show? of Bridge” and
♠ A Q 9 3 2 As a supplementary ♣♦♥♠ the entry for BID, should
♥ K 5 question should I also “Pass” also count as a bid?
Q
♦ 8 3 2 have a spade stop? In a matchpoint (“No bid” is a solecism).
♣ A Q 8 Colin Jones, Surrey. duplicate session Peter Calviou by email.
we went badly
A A
With the 1♠ bid, I do down in 3NT because we The laws of bridge
I suspect that the 6♦ bid not think you would had no stopper in hearts. say that ‘Pass’,
meant the latter of the be bidding 1NT with The bidding sequence was: ‘Double’ and
two options, but I just only 6 points. I would make ‘Redouble’ are all calls rather
wondered if you would the range 8-10, maybe 7-10. West North East South than bids. For an action to
have bid the hand as my You need a diamond stopper, 1♦ Pass 2♣ 2♥ be a bid it has to name a
‘world class’ partner did? but can reasonably expect 2NT Pass 3NT All Pass level and a denomination.
Chris Bickerdike by email. partner to have a spade Continued on page 46... u

Answers to Bernard Magee’s
BERNARD Bidding Quizzes 1-3
MAGEE’S
INTERACTIVE on page 7
TUTORIAL CD Dbl. While you could be forgiven for
1. Dealer West. Love All. thinking that this is a misprint and that
♠ A 9 8 ♠ Q 4 2 the first two questions are the same, this
ADVANCED ♥ A 2
W E
N
♥ 9 7 6 time the overcall is 1♥ and your holding
ACOL BIDDING

♦ 8 7 6 S
♣ A K 8 7 5
♦ J 9 5 4 3
♣ 3 2
in that suit is subtly different.
The shorter you are in the opponent’s
suit the more you should want to reopen
the auction because the likelihood is that
West North East South they have found their best fit.
1♣ 1♠ Pass Pass With 15 points and shortage in hearts
? the right re-opening call is double.
Partner, please choose your best suit,
Pass. You open the bidding 1♣ and but bear in mind that I have already bid
are planning to rebid 1NT, but left-hand clubs.
opponent overcalls 1♠ and your partner Here, East will bid 2♦ and you have
does not bid. This is key; your partner’s found a reasonable spot. You might
lack of bid leaves you in a very difficult feel that you could also have got to 2♦
situation. East should strive to bid with this way on problem 1, but then you
club support – you should aim to stretch would not have been able to deal with
a little with support, once the auction is a response in the unbid major. Here, if
competitive. So, if you place your partner partner had a hand to bid 1♠, you would
with fewer than six points and most likely be comfortable.
Throughout 200 deals, fewer than three clubs, what should you
Bernard not only evaluates call?
your bids, praising the Pass. It is always difficult to want to 3. Dealer West. Love All.
pass with hands like this, but when ♠ A 9 8 ♠ 4 2
correct ones and discussing N
South passes, there is a good chance ♥ A 2 ♥ 97653
the wrong ones, he also W E
that North-South do not actually have a ♦ K 7 6 S ♦ A 9 5 4
plays the hands with you.
spade fit because it is usual to raise to ♣ A K 8 7 5 ♣ 3 2
l The Basics 2♠ with three-card support. What this
l Advanced Use £96 means is that the opponents might not
be in their best fit.

of the Basics
l Weak Two £76 As you can see from partner’s hand,
North-South’s best fit is hearts; instead
1♣ 1♠
?
Pass Pass
Openings you leave them in 1♠, which they will

l Strong Two Openings make, but perhaps only just. 1NT. This time you have 18 high card
l Defence to Weak Twos If you try 1NT you might find yourself points – your plan had been to rebid 2NT;
doubled and going a couple off. If you now with your partner’s pass, you should
l Defence Against 1NT
double for take-out your partner (on bring that down one notch. Considering
l Doubles another hand) might respond 2♥ and that East might have zero points, your no-
l Two Suited Overcalls you would not be happy. trump rebids after an overcall change. As
you saw on question 1, with 15-16 points
l Defending against Other
you can choose to pass.
Systems
2. Dealer West. Love All. With 17-19 you rebid 1NT – the reason
l Misfits and Big ♠ A 9 8 ♠ Q 4 2 for the higher strength required is to keep
N
Distributions ♥ A 2 ♥ 9 7 6 5 the auction low when partner is really
W E
Operating system requirements: ♦ 8 7 6 S ♦ J 9 5 4 3 weak.
Windows only ♣ A K 8 7 5 ♣ 3 1NT is certainly high enough with these
two hands – six tricks may be the limit in
Mr Bridge Limited the play. n
( 01483 489961 West North East South
1♣ 1♥ Pass Pass
www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop ?

t...Continued from page 44. is for East to jump to 3♦. hand because of the values 5♥ to show two key cards,
Calls include bids but West would bid 3♥ over in the red doubletons. Since West might pass. If East
not the other way round. 3♦; East does not want to 1♣ appears to have been bids 5NT or whatever the
Colloquially, players bid 4NT over that because alerted (you have put an partnership method is to
do sometimes misuse the West would count the ♥K asterisk), I shall assume show two key cards plus a
term ‘bid’, for example as a key card, so East next North-South are playing a void then you get to 6♥.
asking ‘what would you bids 3♠. Frustratingly West strong no-trump, in which In summary, this is not an
bid?’ when they mean then bids 3NT, meaning case 1♣ is impeccable. The easy hand to bid. Most pairs
‘what would you call?’ that a 4NT bid would sound 1♥ overcall is obviously fine. would get no higher than 4♥.
like a quantitative raise, so If the 1♣ opening was
♣♦♥♠ East continues with 4♦. West a prepared bid, North- ♣♦♥♠
finally gives preference to 4♠, South might reasonably
Q Q
I wonder if you can which means East can bid play 2♠ from North as In BRIDGE 211 (July
help me with my 4NT to check on key cards. a weak jump shift rather 2020) a reader
understanding of The auction might be than as a fit-showing jump. asked about the
the bidding on the following: easier if East has a 2♣ The hand is weak, I admit, rule of 22. I think this was
Checkback bid available. though the vulnerability covered some time back now
There is an article on is favourable. Anyway, I and is basically an extension
♠ A 9 ♠ K Q 7 5 4 2 Checkback in the can live with the pass. of the Rule of 20 and is
♥ A K 7 5 4 ♥ 3 Mr Bridge library. On the East hand I would designed to check whether
♦ A 10 ♦ K Q J 5 4 usually play that a fit- your Rule of 20 opening is
♣ Q 7 4 3 ♣ K ♣♦♥♠ showing jump of 3♦ shows sound or not. To do this you
at least four hearts and at add the number of “quick
Q
Could you please least five diamonds, though tricks” (ie ace = 1 or ace-king
West East advise us as to the it does not seem a bad = 2) you have to your Rule of
1♥ 1♠ correct bidding choice on the actual hand 20 total and if this comes to
1NT 4♠ sequence for this deal? despite the lack of a fourth 22 (vulnerable) or 21 (non-
All Pass heart. I guess from West’s vulnerable) then you have a
♠ K 10 7 6 5 4 pass of 5♦ that 3♦ did not sound rule of 20 opening bid.
Has West fully described his ♥ 10 4 promise heart support on the It is designed to ensure
hand or should he have bid ♦ 10 7 6 East-West methods – time that your hand contains
on? Did 4♠ from East say ♣ 8 3 for a change or at least an adequate number of
that his hand was weak? ♠ J 9 8 ♠ Void clarity of method perhaps. quick tricks as some Rule
In the play, the lead ♥ A J 9 8 7 2 ♥ Q 6 5 West’s raise to 4♦, showing of 20 openings can be
N
was a diamond and ♦ K 5 W E ♦ A J 9 8 4 2 something in diamonds weak in fast winners.
East made 13 tricks. ♣ K Q S ♣ A 9 7 5 and extra values (because Simon Gibbon,
Mike Bass by email. ♠ A Q 3 2 it takes the bidding past Totnes, Devon.
♥ K 3 3♥) seems a good choice.
A A
West’s 1NT rebid ♦ Q 3 The bid I really do not Thank you very much
is a limit bid. Once ♣ J 10 6 4 2 understand is East’s 5♦. for the reminder. It is
one player has made With first-round controls in coming back now.
a limit bid, the onus is on both black suits and a two- To the best of my
the other player to steer This was what happened suit fit in the red suits, the knowledge Ron Klinger was
the partnership towards originally: hand seems very suitable the first person to publicise
the correct contract. East for a slam. A 4♠ cue bid the rule of 22 (I believe
needs to do something West North East South would seem a much better he suggests the rule of 21
other than rebid 4♠. 1♣* choice than a simple 5♦. non-vulnerable). The idea
East can envisage a slam if 1♥ Pass 3♦ Pass If East did not fancy slam of incorporating quick
West has three aces. A raise 4♦ Pass 5♦ All Pass chances, the next best thing (defensive) winners into the
from 1NT to 4NT sounds would be to play in the assessment is that a sound
invitational, so that is not The contract made with an higher scoring heart suit. one-level opening bid will
the way forward (though it overtrick. Once East cue bids 4♠, deliver some transferable
would have worked on this James and Angela West might bid 4NT to check values, cards that are likely
layout because the West Cassidy by email. on key cards. An expert to win tricks whatever
hand is both maximum partnership might have an the trump suit (if any).
A
and contains three aces). Playing a weak agreement that the kings of This is hand 4 from
If you do not play any no-trump, I would both hearts and diamonds Bernard’s bidding quiz in
sort of enquiry over the 1NT be rather tempted count as key cards on this BRIDGE 211 (July 2020):
rebid, the next best thing to open 1NT on the South auction. If East simply bids Continued on page 48... u

BERNARD MAGEE’S Answers to Bernard Magee’s

INTERACTIVE
TUTORIAL CD-ROM Bidding Quizzes 4-6
ADVANCED on page 7
DECLARER PLAY
4. Dealer East. Love All. your doubleton queen-jack is in clubs
♠ A 7 6 5 ♠ 4 2 and, as the auction has gone, you cannot
♥ K 4 2 N ♥ A Q 7 6 5 expect those cards to be worth very
W E
♦ Q J S ♦ A K 6 4 much. Your partner is likely to be short
♣ 9 8 6 5 ♣ 3 2 in clubs, since he has bid two other suits,
so you should downgrade the holding
and be evaluating your hand as less than
MAC West North East South 10 points and closer to the nine losers
or Windows 1♥ Pass you started with. Both these evaluations
1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass would suggest a simple 2♥ preference.
? Here, East would pass 2♥ and you
would finish at a comfortable level – your
3♥. When you pick up this hand your clubs are worthless in the play and if
evaluation should include how you feel either red suit breaks 4-1 then 8 tricks
about your doubleton queen-jack of may be the limit.
diamonds. As the auction continues, that
holding’s value might well change – here,
Bernard develops your when your partner bids diamonds, it is 6. Dealer East. Love All.
advanced declarer play not unreasonable to expect those cards ♠ A 8 7 6 5 ♠ 4 2
N
technique in the course of to pull their weight and therefore evaluate ♥ 7 2
W E
♥ A K 8 6 5
ten exercises and 120 new the hand as 10 points and as good as 8 ♦ A Q 6 5 S ♦ 7 4
complete deals. losers. This evaluation suggests that you ♣ 6 5 ♣ A K 3 2
should give jump preference to 3♥ and
l Overtricks in Notrump your partner would take that on to game.
Contracts The game makes because the hands fit West North East South
l Overtricks in Suit together well – four tricks from diamonds 1♥ Pass
Contracts £81 and (on a normal 3-2 break) five from
hearts.
1♠ Pass 2♣ Pass
?
l Endplay
l Avoidance £61 2♥. You start off feeling positive about
l Wrong Contract 5. Dealer East. Love All. your hand: 10 high card points and two
l Squeezes ♠ A 7 6 5 ♠ 4 2 reasonably nice suits. However, as the
l Counting the Hand ♥ K 4 2 N ♥ A Q 7 6 5 auction progresses, it turns out that your
W E
l Trump Trouble ♦ 9 8 6 5 S ♦ A K 7 4 partner has the other two suits, which
♣ Q J ♣ 3 2 means you should be starting to bring
l Doubled Contracts
down your expectations.
l Safety Plays Your three high cards are now looking
West North East South isolated, with the length in the suits
Operating system requirements: 1♥ Pass unlikely to carry weight. Put that opposite
Windows or Mac OS 10.08 -10.14 1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass a possible minimum opening hand and
? you should want to stay low. Go back to
Mr Bridge Limited your partner’s first suit, 2♥, and often the
( 01483 489961 2♥. Once again, this question looks very auction will finish there.
similar to the previous one, but the switch Stay low on a misfit is an important
of your minor suits is crucial. This time maxim. n

t...Continued from page 46. and partner holds ♠A-Q- not pass out 2♠ anyway). So
10-8, so it’s +50 . As the Dealer South. Game All. long as your side does not
cards lay any non-spade ♠ K 10 6 4 3 open up the heart suit, you
♠ K 8 7 6 5 lead and the opposition ♥ Q 2 should beat 3♠ by a trick.
♥ Void have 11 off the top. ♦ 5 4 2
♦ K J 4 As a matter of interest, ♣ 10 7 5 ♣♦♥♠
♣ K 8 5 3 2 nay amazement, 7 other ♠ 7 N ♠ Q J 9
Q
W E
pairs played in 3NT, all got ♥ J 9 8 7 S ♥ K 6 5 Please could you
the ♠4 lead but somehow ♦ A K 10 8 7 3 ♦ 6 give your advice
The hand has 10 cards all made their contract but ♣ A 3 ♣ J 9 8 6 4 2 on bidding the
between the two longest without any overtricks. The ♠ A 8 5 2 following hand and some
suits and 10 points in high 4 other pairs all played in a ♥ A 10 4 3 general principles?
cards, totalling 20 before diamond part score so our ♦ Q J 9
you account for the quick net result was an outright ♣ K Q
winners. It has only 1.5 bottom. C’est la vie. ♠ K 10 5 ♠ A 8 2
quick winners (0.5 for Does the fact that LHO ♥ Q 8 7 5 ♥ 10
each king), so 21.5 in total, had used Stayman alter West North East South ♦ 7 5 ♦ K Q 10 8 2
meaning it just falls short Bernard’s reasoning? 1NT ♣ A Q 10 4 ♣ J 8 5 2
of the target of 22. Taking What would you have led? 3♦ All Pass
the poor intermediates into Paul Jesper by email.
account as well (no tens or North-South were a West East
A
nines), the recommendation For a heart lead to visiting American pair Pass 1♦
was to pass as dealer. do any good your and I was West. 1♥ 2♣
partner will need Making nine tricks for 110 2♠ All Pass
♣♦♥♠ quite a strong five-card suit gave East-West 87.5%.
because you are expecting Alex Mathers, West was playing FSF for
Q
I was on lead dummy to come down with Northallerton one round only and would
against a 3NT a four-card major, which is pass a 2NT rebid from East.
A
contract after most likely to be hearts. This If you play a 2♣ East panicked and passed.
the opponents bid: is not very likely in any event, overcall as both The main question is
1NT-2♣ (Stayman)-2♦-3NT all the more so because with majors and a 2♦ what should West re-bid?
I held: a strong heart suit, partner overcall as one major, either What are the merits of:
might have overcalled 2♥. you overcall 3♦ or you pass – a) 2NT
A spade lead would I assume you did not have a b) 3♣
♠ J 7 6 4 3 work well if the opponents natural 2♦ overcall available. c) FSF (normally we
♥ Q 2 have a doubleton spade The 6-4 shape means you play FSF as forcing to
♦ 7 5 2 in each hand and is less are worth taking some action, game – if the hand has
♣ 9 6 3 likely to give away a trick. even though both sides previously passed can it
The Stayman auction vulnerable is the best time to be for one round only?)
slightly increases the defend. Given your singleton d) Pass
In Bernard’s YouTube attractiveness of a major spade, it is quite likely you Angela Buckley by email.
presentations No.33 he said suit lead because opener will get the chance to double
A
that with this sort of hand, has denied a major. 2♠ for take-out on the next West can rebid
leading from a poor 5-card If the defenders made only round (and you can correct either 2NT or 3♣.
suit would be his second four tricks on a spade lead, 3♣ to 3♦), so passing over The spade holding
choice because even if it they must have blocked the 1NT would not necessarily suggests the former while
could be established there suit. To avoid the blockage mean passing throughout. the club holding suggests
was little chance of ever the defender with A-Q-10-8 It looks as if 3♦ should the latter. I do not feel
getting back to hand to needs to play the queen on have failed by a trick (two strongly either way.
enjoy the winners. Knowing the second or third round tricks in hearts and one in Since West is a passed
that partner should have and the leader needs to play each of the other suits to hand, a 2♠ fourth suit forcing
about 10-12 HCP, his first the jack on the fourth round. lose) – you got a good score bid is forcing for one round
choice would be to try and because the opponents only even if the partnership
find partner’s best (hopefully ♣♦♥♠ defended incorrectly. If you normally plays FSF as game
long) suit. So I led the ♥Q do not bid on the first round, forcing. If you have a clear
Q
and about 2 minutes later What is your take you end up defending 3♠ natural bid available (in this
was writing down -460. on the following (South would probably jump case a choice of two), it is
On the ♠4 lead, dummy deal from the online to 3♠ to show four spades better to make a natural bid.
turns up with a singleton ♠K Northallerton Bridge Club? and a minimum – you would Continued on page 50... u

Answers to Bernard Magee’s
BERNARD
MAGEE’S Bidding Quizzes 7-9
INTERACTIVE on page 7
TUTORIAL CD
your singleton is in the opponents’ suit.
FIVE-CARD 7. Dealer West. Game All. Both these elements should make you
MAJORS

♠ Q 2
♥ A K 8 7 6 N
♠ 9 7
♥ 5 4
want to bid on.
Now your choice of call here will
W E
♦ K 9 6 5 4 S ♦ A 8 2 depend on your agreements – if double
♣ 7 ♣ A K 8 5 4 3 is for take-out in this situation then
that is your best call. However, many
partnerships, once the opponents have
West North East South found a fit and they have bid two suits
1♥ 2♠* 3♣ 3♠ themselves, would start playing doubles
? as more penalty orientated.
* weak jump overcall Playing natural Acol in an untried
partnership you might do best to show
Pass. Singletons and doubleton your club support. It looks a little odd
honours are two aspects of a hand that doing this with just two clubs, but East will
can change their value throughout an often have six clubs for his 3♣ bid – he
auction. How are you feeling about those had a doubling option himself on the last
aspects of this hand? round, so by choosing 3♣ he is showing
Your spade doubleton is looking strength and length in the suit.
useless and a singleton in partner’s suit 4♣ is the practical bid and East can
is not so good for declaring. then raise to game.
Bernard Magee, You certainly have a shapely hand,
Britain’s most popular but bidding over 3♠ would be a gamble.
bridge teacher, develops You do better to leave things to your 9. Dealer West. Love All.
partner – after all you have a pretty ♠ 4 ♠ A 9 8 6 5
your five-card majors in minimum opener if you consider the ♠Q ♥ A K 8 3 2
N
♥ 7 4
W E
the course of 200 deals. as potentially worthless. ♦ Q J 9 S ♦ K 8 2
As you can see here, the club singleton ♣ K Q 7 6 ♣ J 4 2
l Opening Bids
£89 comes in handy in defence – 3♠ is likely
& Responses
£69
to go off, as might you at the 4-level. If
l Support for you manage to make a contract at the West North East South
Partner 4-level, then 3♠ might go two off! At 1♥ Pass 1♠ Dbl
this vulnerability +200 would beat a 4♦ ?
l Opener’s & Responder’s
partscore.
Rebids
Rdbl. You again have a singleton and
l Notrump Openings this time in your partner’s suit, which is not
l Minors and Misfits 8. Dealer West. Game All. good. However, your auction is disturbed
♠ 7 ♠ 8 6 5 by a take-out double from South. With
l Pre-empting N
♥ A K 8 7 6 ♥ 5 4 both majors bid, he is obviously aiming
W E
l Slams & Strong Openings ♦ K 9 6 5 4 S ♦ A 2 for a minor suit contract. Take a look at
l Overcalls ♣ Q 2 ♣ A K 8 5 4 3 your minor suit holdings – pretty strong.
This is the perfect situation for a strong
l Doubles redouble – your side probably has the
l Competitive Bidding West North East South majority of points, which means there
Operating system requirements: 1♥ 2♠* 3♣ 3♠ might be the opportunity for a penalty
Windows only ? double of whatever suit they choose to
* weak jump overcall play in. The redouble sets the scene;
any subsequent doubles would be for
Mr Bridge Limited 4♣. Once again, you have a very penalties. With a misfit for your side,
( 01483 489961 similar hand to the previous one, but the the opponents probably have a misfit
www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop differences are marked. This time your too and whichever denomination they
doubleton queen is in partner’s suit and choose to play in they will s truggle. n

Mr Bridge t...Continued from page 48.
Once West does bid
sixth heart and allowed
me to choose the best suit
same way as leading the
fourth highest in no trumps.
Luxury 2♠, East should admit to

having a spade stopper
without going up a level.
It is hard to argue the
I worry that leading
any other card in the
Playing and continue with 2NT.

In third seat, if I was
point when we ended up
with a top. Was it good
suit gives no information
about distribution or
Cards playing a weak two in
diamonds, I would open
judgement by partner,
or were we fortunate?
strength, therefore denying
an opportunity to take
that on the East hand. The If you were in North’s advantage of the lead.
suit is good and this avoids position would you open There are of course
any rebid problems. 1♠, and if not, why not? reasons to lead a different
Mike Johnson by email. suit on occasions but we
♣♦♥♠ find it helpful to usually
A
With a 5-6 shape lead the highest card of
Q
On this interesting and minimum a suit we have bid.
deal on Bridge values, opener John Adams by email.
Base Online, has three options:
A
my partner was North, (i) treat the hand as 5-5, Leading the top card
we made our contract opening 1♠ and rebidding 2♥ sometimes gives
and scored +5.1 IMPs: (ii) treat the hand less information
as 4-6, opening 1♥ than leading a low card.
and rebidding 2♥ While many people used
♠ A J 7 6 4 (iii) ignore the fact that the to lead high from small cards
♥ K Q J 7 5 2 hand is minimum, opening ‘top of nothing’ and I am not
♦ 10 1♥ and rebidding 2♠. going to try to dissuade you
♣ 10 This particular hand has from doing that, leading high
♠ K 9 ♠ 10 5 3 2 good hearts and not so good from suits with one honour
♥ 9 8 4 3 N ♥ A 6 spades, so I would definitely or two is rather unhelpful.
W E
♦ 4 S ♦ A K J 8 5 go for option (ii). Indeed, if If you lead the top card
♣ A J 7 6 5 4 ♣ Q 2 you want to save yourself a whether you have touching
♠ Q 8 guess every time, I would honours or not, your partner
♥ 10 regard (ii) as the default – is often guessing what
♦ Q 9 7 6 3 2 you do not often lose control strength you have in the suit
♣ K 9 8 3 when you have six trumps. besides the card you have
On best defence, the led. It is much better to lead
limit is 8 tricks whether you low if you have length with
West North East South have spades or hearts as one honour and only to lead
Pass 1♠ 2♦ Pass trumps, so your gain from the top card if you are short
Pass 2♥ Pass 2♠ scoring 140 is probably due in the suit or have touching
Box of 72 – Pass 3♥ Pass 3♠ to getting some help from honours. Given that you
£72 All Pass the opponents rather than are leading high from low
your choice of trump suit. cards, partner can tell when
(36 red, 36 blue)
Afterwards I suggested you lead low that you have
Strip of 12 – that he should have opened ♣♦♥♠ an honour or a shortage.
£19.95 1♥ and rebid 2♥, as he Leading a low card from
Q
was distorting his shape. I am a lower three or more to an honour
(6 red, 6 blue)
His rationale was that he intermediate is not just better at telling
would not be able to bid level player. partner your holding but may
Includes postage hearts then spades due My partner and I agree also save you a trick because
to UK addresses. to insufficient HCP for a to lead the “top card” of you may be able to use your
reverse so would never be each other’s suits – this honour later to capture a
Cards are not able to show his spades. allows us to work out the lesser honour in declarer’s
hand.
barcoded and do His bid only lied about the lie of the suit – much in the n
not have tuck-

boxes Email your questions for Julian to:
( 01483 489961 julianpottage@mrbridge.co.uk
www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop Please include your postal address

BERNARD Answers to Bernard Magee’s
MAGEE’S Bidding Quizzes 10-12
INTERACTIVE
TUTORIAL CD on page 7
BEGIN BRIDGE
have a better than minimum hand, then
10. Dealer West. Game All. you might go on, but here, your queen
♠ Q 4 3 ♠ 9 8 doubletons do not look inspiring; worse
♥ K 9 8 7 6 N ♥ A 4 2 than that, the 1NT overcall does not
W E
♦ A Q J 2 S ♦ 7 6 make you think your hearts are going to
♣ 7 ♣ A K 8 5 3 2 carry their weight. Very often the North
hand will have the ♥AQ for that bid. Your
13-count is feeling more like an 11-count
West North East South so you should pass, even with your good
1♥ 1♠ 2♣ 2♠ fit. The defence have four tricks off the
Pass Pass 3♥ Pass top against 3♣, so passing definitely
? works out best.
Pass. Your partner has shown a

reasonably strong hand by responding 12. Dealer West. Game All.
Learn to play bridge with at the 2-level and then supporting your ♠ A Q J ♠ 9 6
N
Bernard Magee, Britain’s hearts. With any fitting hand, or better ♥ Q 2 ♥ KJ63
W E
best bridge teacher in 20 than minimum opener, you would push ♦ Q 10 7 S ♦ A 8 6 5
interactive chapters: on to game; this is not one of them. The ♣ K Q 10 9 7 ♣ 8 6 4
♠Q looks worthless and your singleton is
l Basics of Bridge
in your partner’s suit – you should pass.
l Basics of Card Play Technique
You are evaluating your hand in the light West North East South
l Practice of Card Play Technique
of the auction as a very minimum opener. 1♣ Pass 1♥ 1♠
l Planning the Card Play
?
l Basics of Bidding
l Bidding Balanced Hands
2NT. The initial hand evaluation would
£66
11. Dealer West. Game All.
l Bidding Suits
♠ Q 3 ♠ 9 7 be 16 high card points with a strong five-
£46
l Responding to a Suit N
♥ K J 8 7 6 ♥ 9 2 card suit and a weak heart doubleton;
W E
l Supporting Partner
♦ Q 2 S ♦ A K 4 the plan is to open 1♣ and rebid 1NT.
l Responding to 1NT
♣ K Q 8 7 ♣ A 10 9 5 3 2 However, the auction changes the hand
l The Stayman Convention
evaluation considerably: your partner’s
l 2NT Opening and Response 1♥ bid makes your ♥Q seem better and
l Strong Two Opening and Response West North East South South’s 1♠ bid makes your spade holding
l Overcalls 1♥ 1NT Dbl 2♠ very much better.
l Doubles Pass Pass 3♣ Pass From a reasonable 16-count, I would
l Pre-empting ? evaluate this hand as closer to 18 points
l Basics of Defence 1 – you expect to make 3 spade tricks from
l Basics of Defence 2 Pass. Let’s analyse the auction so far: your holding in that suit; you also hope
l Defence against Notrump Contracts your partner’s double is for penalties – the ♥Q will bolster partner’s holding.
l Defence against Suit Contracts doubles of no-trumps tend to be strength You have strong enough clubs to hope
Operating system requirements: orientated, as opposed to doubles of to establish the suit and then there is the
Windows only suits that tend to be about shape. South extra ten in the diamond suit. A jump to
escapes to 2♠ and then your partner 2NT is enough – shows your strength and
rebids 3♣. How strong are you expecting gives your partner the chance to show
Mr Bridge Limited your partner to be? six hearts if he has them. Here, East will
( 01483 489961 He should be reasonably strong: 10+ raise to 3NT and you will expect to make,
www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop and long clubs. with South a strong favourite to hold the
Rather like the last problem, if you ♠K. n

F and Smooth: Julian Pottage's Double Dummy Problem

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BRIDGE

Number: 213 September 2020

Julian Pottage’s Double Dummy Problem

BRIDGE is ceasing publication.

Sally Brock Looks At Your Slam Bidding

Sally’s Slam Clinic

Page 2 BRIDGE September 2020

BRIDGE September 2020 Page 3

Available as a tea towel from Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961

SEVERANCE many more before we can return to playing together

If you do not get rid of the ♦K by losing a club to West,

Page 4 BRIDGE September 2020

Little Voice works directly with an impoverished

Cancer Research UK funds scientists, doctors and

Every step we make towards beating cancer relies

Request a refund of any money owing after the final issue.

BRIDGE September 2020 Page 5

Can I Tell An Opponent

Page 6 BRIDGE September 2020

My Answers: My Answers: My Answers: My Answers:

1........................................... 4........................................... 7........................................... 10..........................................

2........................................... 5........................................... 8........................................... 11..........................................

3........................................... 6........................................... 9........................................... 12..........................................

Answers on page 45 Answers on page 47 Answers on page 49 Answers on page 51

BRIDGE September 2020 Page 7

Page 8 BRIDGE September 2020

BRIDGE September 2020 Page 9

Page 10 BRIDGE September 2020

BRIDGE September 2020 Page 11

Seven Days by Sally Brock, continued...

SUNDAY her partner removes back to hearts

My good friend Karen McCallum is redouble – which would have led to a

Page 12 BRIDGE September 2020

BRIDGE September 2020 Page 13

Page 14 BRIDGE September 2020

BRIDGE September 2020 Page 15

INTERACTIVE in bridge than to go off in a freely bid

Mr Bridge 2021 diaries

Page 16 BRIDGE September 2020

Simple Take-Out Doubles

BRIDGE September 2020 Page 17

Page 18 BRIDGE September 2020

Sally Brock's Simple

BRIDGE September 2020 Page 19

Page 20 BRIDGE September 2020

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♠ 8 5 3 LEAD THROUGH STRENGTH Notes:

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MUD East’s 4♥ shows first- or second NEGATIVE INFERENCE

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Hand 4A: 4♥. Cue bid. Surely you

bid because once partner ♣ 76543 ♣ Q J 10 9 8

return cue bid if you can do