BRIDGE · 2018-08-19 · BRIDGE Number One Hundred and Twenty-Four April 2013 £100 per day2. £270...

BRIDGENumber One Hundred and Twenty-Four April 2013

£100 per day2. £270 for all three days3.A limited number of bedrooms are available: Dinner, bed and breakfast: £90 per person, per night.

Contact Mr Bridge to book your place or for further details: ( 01483 489961These seminars are to be filmed. When ready, a full boxed set of DVDs will be sent.

1Not with Bernard Magee. 2Includes buffet lunch. 3Day guests only.

BERNARD MAGEEat Denham Grove near Uxbridge, Bucks, UB9 5DG

Wednesday 15 MayFrom 9.30 am

Check in Tea, Coffee & Biscuits

10.30 am – 12 noon Splinters & Cue Bids

12 noon – 2.30 pm Supervised Play1

3-Course Buffet Lunch

3 pm – 4.30 pm Play & Defence

at Duplicate Pairs

4.30 pm – 7 pm Supervised Play1

Tea, Coffee & Biscuits

Day guests may stay until 7pm.

Thursday 16 MayFrom 9.30 am


10.30 am – 12 noon Hand Evaluation

(without a fit)



3 pm – 4.30 pm Avoidance Play




Tuesday 14 MayFrom 9.30 am


10.30 am – 12 noon Thinking Defence



3 pm – 4.30 pm Pre-emptive

Bidding




BangkokThailand

Vietnam

Nha Trang

Ho Chi Minh City

Hue

Cambodia

Angkor Wat

Da Nang

Halong BayHanoi

Hong KongChina

SouthChina Sea

17-day cruise-tour from £3,350

JAN 29 Depart UK

JAN 30 Arrive HONG KONG ChinaTransfer to overnight hotel

JAN 31 HONG KONG ChinaEmbark Aegean Odyssey

FEB 1/2 At Sea

FEB 3 HALONG BAY (Hanoi) Vietnam

FEB 4 HALONG BAY Vietnam

FEB 5 At Sea

FEB 6 HUE Vietnam

FEB 7 DA NANG Vietnam

FEB 8 At Sea

FEB 9 NHA TRANG Vietnam

FEB 10 HO CHI MINH CITY Vietnam

FEB 11 HO CHI MINH CITY Vietnam

FEB 12/13 At Sea

FEB 14 BANGKOK Thailand (Disembark)Transfer to airport for flight home

VOYAGES TOANTIQUITY10093

ABTA No.Y2206www.mrbridge.co.uk

ENJOY DAILY BRIDGE WHILE VISITING

THE CITIES & SIGHTS OF ANCIENT ASIA

Plan for next Winter now and start 2014 in style. This is a great opportunity for you to reserve your cabin and join Bernard Mageeon this voyage to Asia’s great cities and ancient sites. Start with ahotel stay in Hong Kong, then join the elegant Aegean Odyssey to cruise through the South China Sea to the highlights and breathtaking sights of Vietnam.

Join Bernard Magee for a spectacular voyage

* Prices are per person in double or dedicated single cabins and include MR BRIDGE SPECIAL SAVINGS. The number of dedicated single cabins is strictly limited.

CALL ON 01483 489961

HONG KONG TO BANGKOK - JANUARY 29, 2014

Mr Bridge fares include:•THE FULL BRIDGE PROGRAMME • FLIGHTS & TRANSFERS

•EXPERTLY PLANNED ITINERARIES • SHORE EXCURSIONS

•ANTIQUITY GUEST SPEAKERS • OPEN-SEATING DINING

•WINE WITH DINNER ON BOARD • GRATUITIES ON BOARD

•EXCLUSIVE COCKTAIL PARTY

Book now to take advantage of these great fares

LOW SINGLE FARES

WHY NOT EXTEND YOUR TRIP?HONG KONG Begin your cruise with an extra night to see more of this exciting city. This additional night is available at £113pp (twin) or £227pp (single).

BANGKOK & ANGKOR WAT As a spectacularfinish, you can add a 5-night extension with three

nights in Bangkok and two nights in Siem Reap,Cambodia, to explore the magnificent Angkor

Temple complex. This package is available for only £795pp (twin) or £995pp (single).

Enquire now for further details.

Mr Bridge Passengers The bridge programme is exclusive to Mr Bridge bookings but is completely optional and Mr Bridge passengers can participate as much, or as little as they wish. There will be a duplicate session every evening and bridge every afternoon the ship is at sea. Singles are made especially welcome – a playing partner will always be found.

MR BRIDGE SPECIAL FARES*

Past passengers can SAVE EVEN MORE please call for details

Standard Inside £3,350 £3,450Superior Inside from £3,550 from £3,650Standard Outside £3,995 £4,095

Superior Outside from £4,245 from £4,345Deluxe Outside from £4,995 from £5,095Deluxe Balcony from £5,595 from £5,695

Double cabin per person Single cabin Double cabin per person Single cabin

BangkokThailand

Vietnam

Nha Trang

Ho Chi Minh City

Hue

Cambodia

Angkor Wat

Da Nang

Halong BayHanoi

Hong KongChina

SouthChina Sea

1499 Mr Bridge final_Layout 1 28/02/2013 16:39 Page 1

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher.

Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH

( 01483 489961e-mail:

[email protected]:

www.mrbridge.co.uk

Publisher and Managing Editor

Mr Bridge

Bridge Consultant Bernard Magee

Technical Consultant Tony Gordon

Typesetting & Design Ruth Edmondson

Proof Readers Tony & Jan Richards Catrina Shackleton

Richard Wheen Hugh Williams

Office Manager Rachel Everett

Events & Cruises ( 01483 489961

Rosie Baker Jessica Galt

Megan Riccio Sophie Pierrepont

Clubs & Charities Maggie Axtell

[email protected]

Address Changes Elizabeth Bryan

( 01483 485342 [email protected]

All correspondence should be addressed to Mr Bridge.Please make sure that all letters, e-mails and faxes carry full postal addresses and telephone numbers.

BRIDGEFEATURES

3 Bidding Quiz by Bernard Magee

4 Mr Bridge 7 Bidding Quiz Answers

by Bernard Magee

8 Declarer Play Quiz by David Huggett

8 Defence Quiz by Julian Pottage

10 David Stevenson Answers Your Questions

12 The A to Z of Bridge: S by Julian Pottage

27 Julian Pottage Answers Your Questions

29 Declarer Play Answers by David Huggett

33 Readers’ Letters

37 Not Bridge as we Know it by Mike Griffiths

39 Stayman with Fewer than 10 hcp by Len Hodby

40 Defence Quiz Answers by Julian Pottage

44 Catching Up by Sally Brock

46 Seven Days by Sally Brock

ADVERTISEMENTS 1 Denham Grove

May Event 2013 2 The Cities and Sites

of Ancient Asia with Voyages to Antiquity

5 Bridge Event Booking Form

5 Mail Order Form 6 Tutorial Software

and QPlus 7 Bridge Events at:

The Inn on the Prom 9 Bernard Magee

Haslemere DVDs 11 Duplicate Bridge

Rules Simplified

14 Voyages of Discovery Celtic Treasures on board Voyager

16 Voyages of Discovery Land of the Midnight Sun on board Voyager

18 Bridge Events at: Cheltenham Regency Hotel Elstead Hotel Queensferry Hotel Blunsdon House Hotel

20 Voyages of Discovery Mediterranean Medley on board Voyager

26 Tunisia 2013/2014

26 Stamps

29 Begin Bridge with Bernard Magee

30 Voyages of Discovery Voyager 2013/14 Cruises

32 Mr Bridge Just Duplicate Bridge

32 Mr Bridge Christmas & New Year 2013/2014

34 Charity Events

35 Bridge Events with Bernard Magee

36 Venice to Rome with Voyages to Antiquity

38 Rubber / Chicago Bridge Events

38 Bridge Events at Denham Grove

39 Bridge Events at Ardington Hotel

39 S R Designs Bridge Tables

41 Rome to Cannes with Voyages to Antiquity

42 Global Travel Insurance

47 Bridge Events at: The Olde Barn Hotel Chatsworth House

48 Five-Card Majors (Strong No-trump) with Bernard Magee

48 QPlus

Bernard Magee’s Bidding Quiz

You are West in the auctions below, playing ‘Standard Acol’ with a weak no-trump (12-14 points) and 4-card majors. (Answers on page 7.)

NW E

S

1. Dealer West. Love All.

♠ A K 7 3

♥ 9 8 7 6 2

♦ Q

♣ K 3 2

West North East South

?

NW E

S

2. Dealer East. Love All.

♠ 3 2

♥ K 7 6 2

♦ 7 4 2

♣ K 8 3 2


1♥ 1♠

2♥ 2♠ Pass Pass

?

NW E

S


♠ 5

♥ 9 8 7 2

♦ Q 8 4 3 2

♣ A 7 6


2NT Pass

?

NW E

S

4. Dealer East. E/W Game.

♠ A 7 2

♥ 6

♦ A J 6 5 4 3

♣ K 9 3


1♣ 3♠

?

DENHAM FILMING

Last month, I announced the relocation of my annual filming programme to the DeVere Denham Grove Conference Centre.

This month I feature an advertisement on the front cover promoting the content of the lectures. In the advert, it is difficult to convey the importance of the supervised play which previous events of this type have not had. These lectures, being given at a conference centre, rather than in a theatre, enable those who attend to be comfortably watered and fed. Included in the price of the ticket are tea and all types of coffees as well as biscuits and fruit and at a time to suit you, you can take a break to eat your three course buffet lunch.

So, to summarize, day guests should be able to enjoy at least three hours of supervised play and those staying overnight should be able to resume after dinner.

Dress code: smart casual, as it is all being filmed.

ABSOLUTELY FREE

A really big bonus for both day and residential guests is that a boxed set of the 6 DVDs, covering all the lectures will be posted absolutely free of charge when they are published later in the year. Applies to all filmed bookings.

IF YOU NEED HELP

I have a number of ideas for those of you who are looking for ways of raising funds for your pet good cause or charity. Give me a call or send an email, but be sure to include your telephone number as I am still old fashioned enough to want to talk to you.

PRIZE QUIZ

I have extended the closing date for entries to last month’s competition as only a handful of readers managed to find it, hidden as it was on page 17.

You are playing Acol with a weak no-trump. As dealer, what is your opening bid?

♠ A 9 8

♥ A 7

♦ A 7 4 3 2

♣ 10 8 6

Please send your answer to me at Ryden Grange on or before 19 April 2013.

VOYAGER

Bernard Magee is joining m.v. Voyager as the on board bridge host for three cruises this year.

Celtic Treasures 25 May – 2 June

Prices from £849pp See page 14 for details.

Midnight Sun 11 – 25 June


Med Medley 12 – 26 September


On each voyage he will sail with an experienced team dedicated to making the bridge element of your holiday truly memorable.

QPLUS NEWS

Three more interesting hands, numbers: 4275 – 03 8719 – 19 and 5613 – 07.

QPlus 11 will be available in the late summer at £92 but you can order it now and receive QPlus 10 right away. QPlus 11 will be sent as soon as it is published, then you can give QPlus 10 to a friend. If you are looking to upgrade from an earlier version of QPlus, just return the disc and the instruction booklet with a cheque for £43.

BARON FOR MAC

As QPlus is based on the Windows operating system, if you want to use it on your MAC, you will need to install a Windows for MAC converter program. However, many of you with MAC are reluctant to do that, so I have listed Bridge Baron as the best MAC compatible play programme, see page 5.

OTHER SOFTWARE

Better Bridge with Bernard Magee features what is effectively supervised play for the first six films in our growing DVD series. This product is really difficult to describe, so I asked Bernard to do so. He says that the hands are a natural extension of his original Acol bidding CD. What more could anyone want.

BACK IN STOCK

Five popular tea towels are back in stock, see page 5.

www.mrbridge.co.uk

On my webpage, there is an open forum and I have asked Ned Paul to answer questions quickly and succinctly on my behalf.

CLUB INSURANCE

I am still scare-mongering, trying to drum up even more business for Moore Stephens. Their insurance package, for bridge clubs of up to 100 members, at a premium of around £60 per annum certainly seems good value. Why every club isn’t covered in this litigious age I just do not know. ( 0208 515 5270.

SAVE USED STAMPS

Please remember to save your used postage stamps in support of Little Voice, a children’s orphanage and school in Addis Ababa. Full details in the next issue.

GOFFIES STAMPS

If you want to save on postage do try using Clive Goffs discounted stamp service.

Value supplied in two stamps, combined to make up the 50p 2nd class rate, 2nd class to you 41p. 1st class 60p, only 50p to you. Available in lots of 100. ( 0208 422 4906. [email protected]

CHRISTMAS 2013

It is once again the time of year to start advertising the 2013 festive season events and for you to be booking. For details, see page 32.

THANK YOU

Mrs Bridge and I have been heartened by all your good will messages. So, it’s all good wishes to you too.

Mr Bridge

Mr Bridge MAIL ORDER

Prices are inclusive of VAT and postage to UK mainland.

I enclose a cheque for £..........

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

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

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

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

✄

✄

PLAY SOFTWAREQPlus 10 / QPlus 11 when ready £92.00 ........

QPlus 10 Trade-in £43.00 ........

QPlus 9, clean, second-hand £49.00 ........

Bridge Baron £63.00 ........

TUTORIAL SOFTWAREBegin Bridge Acol Version £66.00 ........

Acol Bidding £66.00 ........

Advanced Acol Bidding £96.00 ........

Declarer Play £76.00

Advanced Declarer Play £81.00

Defence £76.00 ........

Five-Card Majors with Strong No-Trump £89.00 ........

Better Bridge with Bernard Magee Haslemere 2011 £69.00 ........

Better Bridge with Bernard Magee Haslemere 2012 in course of preparation

TEA TOWELSLife’s a Game, but Bridge is Serious £7.00 ........

The Pot Boiler. A Double Dummy Problem £7.00 ........

10 Commandments for Bridge Players £7.00 ........

10 Commandments for Duplicate Players £7.00 ........

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

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

25 Road Traffic Signs for Bridge Players £7.00 ........

TUTORIAL DVDsHaslemere 2011 – £25 each

Ruffing for Extra Tricks ........

Competitive Auctions ........

Making the Most of High Cards ........

Identifying & Bidding Slams ........

Play & Defence of 1NT Contracts ........

Doubling & Defence to Doubled Contracts ........

All 6 DVDs as a boxed set £100.00 ........

Haslemere 2012 – £25 each

Leads ........

Losing Trick Count ........

Making a Plan as Declarer ........

Responding to 1NT ........

Signals & Discards ........

Endplays ........

All 6 DVDs (boxed) as a boxed set £100.00 ........

MR BRIDGE TIE £15.00 ........

BOOKDuplicate Bridge Rules Simplified £5.95 ........

✄✄

BRIDGE BREAKS

Please book ..... places for me at £....... per person,

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

Name of Hotel/Centre ............................................................

Date(s) ...................................................................................

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Special requirements (these cannot be guaranteed, but we will do our best to oblige).

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Please give the name(s) of all those covered by this booking.

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Please send a non-returnable deposit of £50 per person per place by cheque, payable to Mr Bridge. An invoice for the balance will be sent with your booking confirmation. On receipt of your final payment, 28 days before the event, a programme and full details will be sent together with a map. Cancellations are not refundable. Should you require insurance, you should contact your own insurance broker.

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

♦ Full-board

♦ All rooms with en-suite facilities

♦ No single supplement

♦ Two seminars*

♦ Two supervised play sessions*

♦ Four bridge sessions**

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

( 01483 489961e-mail: [email protected]

website: www.holidaybridge.com*on tutorial weekends only. **6 sessions on rubber/Chicago events.

Please note: Just Bridge events contain no seminars and do not award prizes.

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

( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk/mrbridge-shop Fax 01483 797302System Requirements: Windows XP, Vista or 7, 8mb RAM, CD-ROM

BERNARD MAGEE’S INTERACTIVE TUTORIALS

ACOL BIDDING

l Opening Bids and Responses

l Slams and Strong Openings

l Support for Partner

l Pre-empting

l Overcalls

l No-trump Openings and Responses

l Opener’s and Responder’s Rebids

l Minors and Misfits

l Doubles

l Competitive Auctions

MORE (ADVANCED)

ACOL BIDDING

l Basics

l Advanced Basics

l Weak Twos

l Strong Hands

l Defence to Weak Twos

l Defence to 1NT

l Doubles

l Two-suited Overcalls

l Defences to Other Systems

l Misfits and Distributional Hands

DECLARER PLAY

l Suit Establishment in No-trumps

l Suit Establishment in Suits

l Hold-ups

l Ruffing for Extra Tricks

l Entries in No-trumps

l Delaying Drawing Trumps

l Using the Lead

l Trump Control

l Endplays & Avoidance

l Using the Bidding

ADVANCED DECLARER PLAY

l Making Overtricks in No-trumps

l Making Overtricks in Suit Contracts

l Endplays

l Avoidance

l Wrong Contract

l Simple Squeezes

l Counting the Hand

l Trump Reductions & Coups

l Playing Doubled Contracts

l Safety Plays

DEFENCE

l Lead vs No-trump Contracts

l Lead vs Suit Contracts

l Partner of Leader vs No-trump Contracts

l Partner of Leader vs Suit Contracts

l Count Signals

l Attitude Signals

l Discarding

l Defensive Plan

l Stopping Declarer

l Counting the Hand

£81

£66

£96

£76

£76

FIVE-CARD MAJORS &

Strong No-Trump

l Opening Bids & Responses

l No-Trump Openings

l Support for Partner

l Slams & Strong Openings

l Rebids

l Minors & Misfits

l Pre-empting

l Doubles

l Overcalls

l Competitive Auctions

£89

QPLUS 10

Really user-friendly

bridge-playing software

l QPLUS 11 sent when ready

l QPLUS can be passed on to a friend

l Updated comprehensive manual

l Displays on HD screen

l Supports large screens

l Minibridge option

l Extra 500 preplayed hands for teams making 5,000 in all

l Extra 500 preplayed hands for match-point pairs making 4,000 in all

l Improvement over two years from version 9

l New save match function

l Save deals with automatic file labelling

l Closed room – new button to view other table

QPLUS TRADE-IN

OFFERReturn any QPLUS CD and booklet with a cheque for £43 and receive QPLUS 10 with the promise of QPLUS 11 when ready later this year for no extra charge.

Order with absolute confidence.

£92

NW E

S

1. Dealer West. Love All.

♠ A K 7 3 ♠ Q 8 6

♥ 9 8 7 6 2 ♥ 5

♦ Q ♦ A 9 7 6 4

♣ K 3 2 ♣ A 9 5 4


?

Pass. You have 12 HCP, but your singleton queen is of dubious value. When opening the bidding, I always cut the value of any singleton honour (excluding the ace) by half. Surely you can add on for the singleton?

Do not evaluate for shortages until you find a fit. Your five-card suit is very poor and your two suits are in the ‘wrong’ order. If you open 1♥ and your partner responds 2♦, you are stuck for a rebid – forced to bid 2♥. Furthermore, if you open hearts and your opponents buy the contract, you may well get a heart lead instead of a more promising spade.

Everything points to an opening pass. Later on, you might take some action, such as a take-out double of a diamond opening.

NW E

S


♠ 3 2 ♠ 6 5 4

♥ K 7 6 2 ♥ A Q J 3

♦ 7 4 2 ♦ A 9 8

♣ K 8 3 2 ♣ A 7 5


1♥ 1♠

2♥ 2♠ Pass Pass

?

3♥. You have a minimum hand so why would you think of bidding? Because -50 is one of your favourite scores. In fact, over time, bridge players have found that it is almost always right to compete to the three level over the two level if both sides have a fit. Either you can make 3♥

or, when 3♥ goes off, 2♠ is likely to be making and -50 is better than letting them make 110. This is the likely outcome on this board: both 2♥ and 2♠ can make eight tricks, which means it is better for you to bid on to 3♥.

You may wonder why East did not bid again with his 15 HCP? He is very flat and cannot be completely sure that you have a fit: sometimes over a 1♠ overcall you might compete to 2♥ with three-card support and a shortage elsewhere in your hand. However, you know that you definitely have a fit, so you compete to 3♥ as you know you should.

NW E

S


♠ 5 ♠ A K 2

♥ 9 8 7 2 ♥ A K 6 4

♦ Q 8 4 3 2 ♦ A J 5

♣ A 7 6 ♣ J 8 5


2NT Pass

?

3♣. You should use similar conventions to those you play over a 1NT opening. So if you play Stayman and transfers over 1NT, you would usually play the same over 2NT as well.

You have 6 HCP, so enough for game, but with a little distribution you would like to find a major suit fit if you can. Although your heart suit is weak, you should still aim to play in them if you have an eight-card fit.

Therefore, you bid 3♣, Stayman, and over the 3♥ response you raise to game.Clearly, 4♥ is a much better game than 3NT.

NW E

S

4. Dealer East. E/W Game.

♠ A 7 2 ♠ 6 3

♥ 6 ♥ A K 4 3

♦ A J 6 5 4 3 ♦ 9 8

♣ K 9 3 ♣ A Q J 7 6

Answers to Bernard Magee’s Bidding Quiz on page 3


1♣ 3♠

?

3NT. South has made life very difficult for you: his bid shows the same as an opening pre-empt; 5-9 HCP and a seven-card spade suit.

You have 12 HCP and a six-card suit, so game is surely likely. You could bid 4♦, but where will that lead you? Your aim is to find your side’s best contract and sometimes you have to take a bit of a gamble. You have the ♠A which gives you control of that suit, allowing you to duck if necessary, in order to cut South’s long spade suit off from his partner. This makes 3NT a valid option and with club support you might hope to make plenty of tricks from that suit. The heart suit is a worry, but you will have to hope partner can take care of that.

South has forced you to gamble and you should take him on: bid 3NT – the most likely making game – some days you will go three off, but more often than not you will make your side’s best pos-sible score. ■

The Inn on the Prom Bridge Events 2013

19-21 April £245 Bernard Magee Thinking Defence

12-14 July £169 Gwen Beattie Just Duplicate Bridge

16-18 August £169 Gwen Beattie Just Duplicate Bridge

Full Board. No Single Supplement.

Booking Form on page 5.

St Annes-on-Sea FY8 1LU

NW E

S

1. ♠ 7 5

♥ J 10 6 2

♦ A K 7

♣ A 10 6 4

♠ A 8

♥ A K 5

♦ Q J 8

♣ Q J 9 7 3

You are declarer in 3NT and West leads the ♠3. How do you plan the play?

NW E

S

2. ♠ A Q 5

♥ 7 6 4

♦ 8 3 2

♣ A J 9 3

♠ K J 10 9 3

♥ A 8 2

♦ A K 5

♣ 6 4

You are declarer in 4♠ and West leads the ♥K. How do you plan the play?

NW E

S

3. ♠ A 7 6

♥ 8 3 2

♦ Q 7 6 3 2

♣ 8 5

♠ 5 4

♥ A K 7

♦ A K 10 8

♣ A J 9 3

You are declarer in 3NT and West leads the ♠Q. How do you plan the play?

NW E

S

4. ♠ A 8 7 5 4

♥ A 6 5

♦ K J 10

♣ 6 4

♠ 2

♥ K 9 4

♦ A Q 9 8 6 4 2

♣ A Q

You are declarer in 6♦ and West leads the ♦5. How do you plan the play?

DECLARER

PLAY

QUIZby David Huggett

(Answers on page 29)

You are South as declarer playing teams or rubber bridge. In each case, what is your play strategy?

NW E

S

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

West North East South 1NT Pass 2♣ Pass 2♦1

Pass 2NT End1No four-card major

You lead the ♥9. Partner takes the ♥A and switches to the ♣3. You take the ♣K and return the ♣7, on which go the ♣J, ♣2 and ♣Q. Declarer leads the ♠5. What do you do?

NW E

S

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

West North East South 2♠1 Pass Pass 2NT Pass 4♥ End 1Weak: six spades, 6-10 points

You lead the ♠9. Partner wins with the ♠K and switches to the ♦J. How do you defend?

NW E

S

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

West North East South 1NT Pass 2♥1 Pass 2♠ Pass 2NT End1Transfer to spades

You lead the ♦2. Partner plays the ♦Q, losing to the ♦A. Declarer leads the ♥2 to the ♥J and continues the suit, East playing the ♥8 and then the ♥4. What do you do?

NW E

S

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

West North East South 1♣ Pass 1♥ 1♠ 2♣ Pass 4♥ End

You lead the ♠5: ♠J, ♠8 and ♠3. Declarer leads the ♥J from dummy, playing the ♥2 on East’s ♥5. What is your plan?

DEFENCEQUIZ

by Julian Pottage (Answers on page 40)

You are West in the defensive positions below. It is your turn to play. Both sides are using Acol with a 12-14 1NT.

BERNARD MAGEEFilmed Live at Haslemere Festival

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

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

DVDs

Each £25. Boxed Set of 6 £100

DVDs

Each £25. Boxed Set of 6 £100

20127 Leads

Bernard takes you through all the basic leads and the importance of your choice of lead. If you start to think not just about your hand, but about your partner’s too, then you will get much better results.

8 Losing Trick Count

A method of hand evaluation for when you find a fit. Bernard deals with the basics of the losing trick count then looks at advanced methods to hone your bidding.

9 Making a Plan as Declarer

Bernard explains how to make a plan then expands on how to make the most of your long suits. The first half deals with no-trumps, the second with suit contracts.

10 Responding to 1NT

This seminar deals with Transfers and Stayman in detail. The 1NT opening comes up frequently, so having a good, accurate system of responses is paramount.

11 Signals & Discards

This seminar deals with Count, Attitude and Suit-preference signals: aiming to get

you working as a partnership in defence.

12 Endplays

Bernard takes you through the basics of the technique before showing some magical hands where you take extra tricks from defenders. In the second half, Bernard looks at how to avoid being endplayed as a defender.

20111 Ruffing for Extra Tricks

This seminar deals with declarer’s use of ruffing to generate extra tricks and then looks at how the defenders might counteract this.

2 Competitive Tricks

This seminar focuses on competitive auctions from the perspective of the overcalling side to start with and then from the perspective of the opening side in the second part.

3 Making the Most of High Cards

This seminar helps declarer to use his high cards more carefully and then looks at how defenders should care for their precious high cards.

4 Identifying & Bidding Slams

The first half of this seminar is about identifying when a slam might be on – one of the hardest topics to teach. The second half covers some of the techniques used to bid slams.

5 Play & Defence of 1NT Contracts

This seminar looks at the most common and yet most feared of contracts: 1NT. The first half looks at declaring the contract and the second part puts us in the defenders’ seats.

6 Doubling & Defence against Doubled Contracts

The first half of this seminar explores penalty doubles and the second half discusses the defence against doubled contracts.

QI was East on this hand.

NW E

S

♠ Q 10 8 7 4 3

♥ J

♦ J 5 4 2

♣ 8 2

♠ 2 ♠ K 9

♥ 10 8 7 6 4 ♥ K Q 9 3

♦ A Q 8 7 ♦ K 10

♣ 9 7 3 ♣ K Q J 6 4

♠ A J 6 5

♥ A 5 2

♦ 9 6 3

♣ A 10 5


1NT1

Pass 2♥2 2NT3 3♠

Pass 4♠ End112-142alerted, transfer to spades3alerted, described as unusual

(though meant as natural)

4♠ went two down and North called the director. The director awarded an average to both sides. Most E/W pairs were bidding and making 4♥.

Do you believe our director was correct?Arthur Field, West Sussex.

A It is difficult to offer much advice beyond shooting the director.

Your partner described your bid as an unusual no-trump, when actually you meant it as natural.

There are three possibilities.

1. Your bid was a mistake, your partner’s description was correct, there is no infraction and the result stands.

2. Your partner’s explanation was a mistake, you play it as natural, your opponents are misinformed. If they are damaged, then the director must assign a new score, or more usually, a variety of scores with percentage weightings.

3. Your partner’s explanation was a mistake, you have no agreement, your opponents are misinformed, partner should have said, ‘No agreement.’ If they are damaged then the director must assign a new score, or more usually, a variety of scores with percentage weightings.

So let us suppose for a moment #2 or #3 is correct. Giving an average is illegal, giving an assigned score is correct if there is damage. What would North or South have done differently if they had been told it was natural? What would North or South have done

differently if they had been told you had no agreement?

In my view, if you had no agreement the bidding would be the same, and the result stands. However if #2 applies, perhaps North will pass 3♠. Even then, you might bid again and North will probably go on to 4♠. So perhaps a reasonable ruling would be, assuming neither side vulnerable: for both sides: 25% of 3♠-1, NS -50 plus 75% of 4♠-2, NS -100.

Since most of the field is in 4♥ making, this will, in fact, not be a lot better than the very good score they got for 4♠-2.

But the amazing thing about your director is not just that he gave a completely illegal ruling, but from what you tell me, he gave one that benefitted you, since the N/S score was already better than average.

♣♦♥♠

QMy regular partner and I play a 2♠

response to 1NT as an enquiry bid, asking opener whether he is maximum. Opener replies 2NT with a non-maximum and 3♣ with a maximum. We also use

2♠ as the mechanism to exit from 1NT into 3♣/3♦ with a long minor. If asked about the bid, I say, ‘enquiring whether opener is maximum.’ My partner tends to give a somewhat long-winded explanation, describing possible hands, such as, ‘Could be 11-12 HCP without a major or might be a weak hand with a long minor – I do not know which until he bids again.’ Which is better? Alan Mansell, Milford-on-Sea.

A Your reply is certainly inadequate, while your partner’s is

quite good. You are required to tell opponents what a bid means; if you know that it can show two types of hand (balanced game try or sign-off in a minor), you have a duty to tell them so.

‘A balanced game try or sign-off in a minor,’ is what I would say.

David Stevenson answers all queries based on the facts supplied by the letter writer.

Neither Mr Bridge nor David Stevenson has any way of knowing whether those facts are correct or complete.

David Stevenson answers your questions on Laws and Ethics

Natural 2NT or

Unusual 2NT?

QI was thinking of trying for a slam and knew

my partner was void in clubs, as I overheard the previous table discussing the hand. I decided not to use the information and just bid as I saw fit. What should the procedure be in a case like this? Barry Tyrrell by email.

A You should tell the director once you have heard

the information. It is his job to decide what to do. Usually, he will let you play the board and see if it makes any difference, though he can cancel the board completely. He might also penalise or warn the people at the other table who caused the problem.

♣♦♥♠

QAfter North opened 1♣, East doubled

with this hand:

♠ Q 10 8 7 6 5

♥ J 10 8 6 4

♦ Void

♣ 9 4

There was no alert. Is this psychic or legal? John Dawe, Chester.

A I doubt that partner was expecting this. Perhaps East

thought it was the correct call; perhaps he wanted to fool everyone; perhaps he was just experimenting.

You ask about psychic or legal as though they are opposites. It is arguable whether it is psychic or not, but it is certainly legal. Players can bid as they see fit (rightly or wrongly), but they must not have undisclosed agreements.

♣♦♥♠

QMy left-hand opponent, North, withdrew a bid

from his box (not a stop card) and was about to face it on the table, when he was told it was not his turn to bid.

The director said to proceed as normal and no penalty was awarded. The bidding proceeded:


1♦ Pass

2♦ 2♥

Surely, North had given information to his partner, that he had opening values and not

just an overcall. While I agree that he was entitled to bid when his turn, should his partner be able to profit from the unauthorised information? Margaret Bleakley, Belfast.

A The director was wrong. A bid, once taken from

the box, counts as made, so the bid out of turn laws should apply and they tend to be quite severe.

♣♦♥♠

QFirst in hand at favourable vulnerability,

I held:

♠ 8 6

♥ J 9 7 5 3 2

♦ K 10 4 2

♣ 8

I forgot that we were playing strong twos and opened 2♥. LHO doubled. Partner now said, unasked, ‘We are playing strong twos,’ and bid 3♦. RHO passed. I passed and 3♦ became the final contract.

We made this exactly. Everyone else had a plus score the other way. I called the director but do not want to disclose the ruling. Should the result stand?Michael Kaye by email.

AWhen a hand does not match the description

given, there are a number of things that a director

considers, the main ones being misinformation and unauthorised information. As far as misinformation goes, partner told the opponents the system as you were playing it, so they will not get any redress. Making the wrong bid is not a crime.

Your comment on partner explaining your bid unasked is interesting. Unless you are in Scotland, your partner is required to announce your opening immediately after you have bid it. Once he says that it is strong, you have unauthorised information, reminding you what your 2♥ shows – and you must do your best to take no advantage.

If you had opened a weak 2♥, your partner had said, ‘weak,’ and he bid 3♦, you would never pass 3♦ with four-card support. This makes your pass illegal. I would not say unethical, because that suggests you knew what you were doing was illegal. Thus, the director must give an adjusted score, disallowing your pass. A more usual bid with your hand would be 5♦.

It is normal when giving an adjusted score to provide a range of bids with a percentage likelihood of each.

Note that there is no need to say what you have done until the end of the hand. The opponents cannot take their calls back since there was no misinformation.

Once the play is over, it is a good thing if the person whose actions caused the problem calls the director, rather than waiting for the opponents to do so. ■

Ask David continued

DUPLICATE BRIDGE RULES SIMPLIFIED

(otherwise known as the Yellow Book)

by John Rumbelow and revised by David Stevenson

Available from Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961

only

£595

E-mail your questions on bridge laws to: [email protected]

SSACRIFICEA bid made in the full expectation that the contract will go down, but in the hope that the points lost will be fewer than those that the opponents would have scored if left to play in their own contract.

N

W ES

♠ 9 6 4 3 2

♥ 9

♦ 9 5 2

♣ J 10 4 2


1♥ 1♠ 4♥

?

It is a near certainty that 4♥ will make. West may bid 4♠, not expecting it to make but in the belief that the penalty in 4♠ doubled will be cheaper than letting the opponents make 4♥. The vulnerability is often crucial in sacrifice decisions. At duplicate, the best time to sacrifice is when only the opponents are vulnerable. In this example, you could afford to go three down doubled and still show a profit (losing 500 instead of 620). If, however, only your side is vulnerable, you need to get out for one down to show a profit (losing 200 instead of 420).

SAFETY PLAYA way of handling a suit combination to give the greatest chance of making the required number of tricks in the suit at the expense of abandoning the possibility of gaining extra tricks.

NW E

S

J 6 4 2

A K 8 7 5

If you need four tricks from the above holding, the safety play is leading low to the jack, catering for a 4-0 break on either side. If West is void, you will be able to take marked finesses on the second and third rounds of the suit.

SAVEUsed in the same sense as ‘Sacrifice’.

SBUAbbreviation for the Scottish Bridge Union, the governing body for duplicate bridge in Scotland.

SCISSORS COUPA play used, as the name implies, to cut communications between the opposing hands, usually to destroy an enemy entry needed to give his partner a ruff. For example:

NW E

S

♠ Q 6

♥ 6 3

♦ A Q 9 5

♣ Q J 10 6 3

♠ 5 4 ♠ A 8 2

♥ K Q 8 2 ♥ A J 10 7 4

♦ J 7 6 2 ♦ K 10 8 4

♣ 8 7 4 ♣ 2

♠ K J 10 9 7 3

♥ 9 5

♦ 3

♣ A K 9 5

As South, you play in 4♠ after East opened 1♥ and West raised hearts. East overtakes West’s ♥K lead with the ♥A

and switches to the ♣2. East’s plan is clear – to get in with the ♠A, put West in with the ♥Q and score a club ruff. To snip communications, you win the club, cross to the ♦A and throw your remaining heart on the ♦Q. East wins the ♦K, but cannot reach West’s hand to get his club ruff.

SCOREThe written result of a contract or to denote the result on a board, e.g. ‘We scored well on board thirteen’.

SCORE CARDA card for keeping a record and used to score in a teams event or as a personal record in a pairs or individual event.

SCORE SHEETSheet on which the results of each board, the totals for each pair and the final placings are on display after a duplicate event.

SCORE SLIP1. At rubber bridge or Chicago, printed

paper or pad to record the score.2. In duplicate, the traveller that

accompanies the board.

SCORING CORRECTIONSIt may be possible to correct an error in computing or tabulating the agreed score, whether by a player or a scorer, within a timescale set by the sponsor-ing organisation. If the organisers do not set a time, the period for correc-tion is thirty minutes after the official score is displayed. To minimise the risk of scoring errors, players should write as legibly as possible and agree the score before returning the score slip to the board.

SCOTTISH BRIDGE UNIONRegulatory body for Duplicate Bridge in Scotland.

A to Z of Bridgecompiled by Julian Pottage

SCRAMBLEA term to denote a bid in a competitive auction where one is simply trying to find a safe place to play at a low level.


1♠ Pass 2♠ Pass

Pass Dbl Pass 2NT

Not having a long suit to show, South bids 2NT as a scramble, asking North to suggest a suit.

SCRAMBLED MITCHELLA method of producing a single winner from a Mitchell event by arrow switching the compass points of the pairs (on certain rounds).

On such rounds, the East-West pairs (and the boards) move normally, but they then play the North-South cards and vice versa.

Generally, the final one or two rounds are arrow switched in a scrambled movement.

SCREENIn major championships, a large screen rests diagonally across the table preventing each player from being able to see his partner and one of his opponents.

A small slit in the screen allows a tray to slide from one side of the table to the other.

The players bid, using bidding boxes, by placing the bids on this tray and repeatedly sliding it from one side of the table to the other.

During the play, a flap comes up to allow all players to see the dummy and the cards the others play. One purpose of screens is to prevent players conveying information to their partners through their mannerisms or eye contact.

Another benefit is that if there is a delay in return of the bidding tray, it will often be unclear whether partner or an opponent has been thinking.

SCREEN-MATEWhen screens are in use, he is the opponent seated on one’s own side of the screen.

SECOND AND FOURTH LEADSA popular method of leading from suits without an honour sequence, by which one leads second highest from poor suits and fourth highest from better suits. Most players treat poor suits as those without an honour, though some regard a ten-high suit as poor too. For example, with 9-7-5-3 you lead the seven. When using the method, if partner leads a high spot it is likely to be from a poor suit.

SECONDARY SQUEEZEA squeeze in which the opponents win one or more tricks after the play of the squeeze card:

NW E

S

♠ A

♥ 10 8 7

♦ Void

♣ 5

♠ K Q

♥ K Q J

♦ Void

♣ Void

♠ J 4

♥ A 6

♦ Void

♣ A

South leads the ♣A. If East discards a heart, South continues with ace and another heart to leave dummy high. If East discards a spade, South crosses to the ♠A and later scores the ♠J.

SECOND HAND LOWA favourite maxim of card play which says that, following the lead of a small card, the second hand to play should play his lowest card of the suit led.

NW E

S

K 9 4

A 10 6 3 J 7 2

Q 8 5

If South leads low, West must duck, saving the ace to capture the queen. Equally, if the lead is low from the North hand, East must play low or South could cover the jack with the queen and later finesse the nine.

SECONDARY SUPPORTA useful holding in a suit bid by partner, often a three-card suit, as distinct from four-card (primary) support. A delayed bid in partner’s suit, especially if it is a major, shows secondary support because you would have raised immediately with primary support. In the examples below, West is almost certain to have exactly three hearts.


1♥ Pass

2♦ Pass 2♥ Pass

3♥


1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass

1♠ Pass 1NT Pass

2♥

SECOND NEGATIVEIn the sequence 2♣-pass-2♦-pass-2♥-pass-2NT, most partnerships agree that the 2NT bid is a second negative, showing a very poor hand. The need to make a second negative arises because an Acol 2♣ opening, unless followed by a 2NT rebid, creates a game force. Responder therefore needs a bid to keep the bidding alive without promising values.

SECOND SUITYour second longest suit or the second suit you bid. For example, if you open 1♠ and rebid 2♥, hearts is your second suit.

SECTIONIf the director splits a competition field into separate groups, each group is a section. For example, with 26 tables, it would be normal to split them into two sections with 13 tables in each, thereby facilitating a convenient Mitchell movement in each.

SEMI-BALANCEDThis refers to hands with no singleton but two doubletons, i.e. a 5-4-2-2 or 6-3-2-2 shape. Players using a strong no-trump opening are much happier about opening 1NT on a semi-balanced hand than are players who favour a weak no-trump. Opening 2NT on a semi-balanced hand has widespread acceptance.

A to Z of Bridge continued

The fare shown is per person, based on two people sharing the lowest twin bedded cabin category currently available, is for new bookings only, includes all applicable discounts and cannot be combined with any other discount, excluding Discovery Club Discount for past passengers. Cabin number may not be given at time of booking. All fares are correct at time of going to print, are subject to availability and may be changed or withdrawn at any time. †To be part of the Mr Bridge group a supplement of £30pp will be charged at the time of booking. Terms and conditions apply. Only bookings made through the Mr Bridge office are eligible to be part of the Mr Bridge Group. See brochure for full terms and conditions. Voyages of Discovery is the trading name of All Leisure Holidays Ltd.

Join Bernard Magee and discover

Celtic Treasures25th May – 2nd June 2013 9 days from £1,099pp

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Delve into a trove of Celtic treasures on this voyage around a lush, green land of timeless mysteries, myths, saints and sea kingdoms. The Celts

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your itinerary

Date Port arrive DePart

25 May Portsmouth, england 3.00pm

26 May at sea

27 May foynes, ireland 7.00am 4.00pm

28 May killybegs, ireland 8.00am 6.00pm

29 May Portrush, northern ireland 7.00am 2.00pm

30 May Dublin, ireland 7.00am 5.30pm

31 May cobh, ireland 7.00am 5.00pm

01 Jun st Peter Port, guernsey 1.30pm 7.30pm

02 Jun Portsmouth, england 7.00am

V O Y 130525

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• 8-night cruise aboard Voyager including all meals, entertainment and port charges

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Applies to standard fares only

standard fares (per person)2 bed inside from £1,099

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COBH

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DUBLIN

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Glenveagh Castle

• UNESCO listed Giant’s Causeway – one of nature’s most unique works of art

• Cobh – one of Ireland’s most charming towns

• Glenveagh National Park – one of Ireland’s unspoiled landscapes

• The beautiful Wicklow Mountains and atmospheric Glendalough

Why choose this cruise?

www.bridgecruises.co.uk01483 489961 for brochures and bookings

YOUR VOYAGE INCLUDES:

• Evening bridge†

• Afternoon bridge when at sea

• Bridge seminars when at sea

• Exclusive Mr Bridge drinks parties

• All meals, entertainment and onboard gratuities

• Comprehensive lecture and guest speaker programme

• Captain’s cocktail parties and gala dinners

SPS_S13_celtic treasures_updated 26213.indd 1 01/03/2013 16:47:49

SEMI-PSYCHICA ‘semi-psychic’ bid is a bid made deliberately with the intention of confusing the opponents but which only slightly misdescribes the hand. Examples are the ‘third-in-hand opener’ on A-K-J-x-x in the suit with a bust outside or a no-trump bid that is a few points under strength or lacking a stopper in the opposing suit.

SEMI-SOLID SUITA suit that is likely to play for only one loser, for example: A-Q-J-10-8-4.

SEQUENCECards in consecutive rank order, for example K-Q-J.

SEQUENCE DISCARDSThe discard of an honour guarantees the honour immediately below it and denies the honour immediately above it. When the opening leader discards an honour, it nearly always shows an interior sequence (for example, the discard of the queen strongly suggests A-Q-J) because otherwise the initial lead might have been in the suit.

SELF-SUPPORTING SUITA suit that you are happy to have as the trump suit even facing a void. The suit is likely to be solid or semi-solid, such as K-Q-J-10-x-x-x.

SENIORIn events with an age restriction, a player over a certain age. From 2010 onwards, to qualify as a senior in a given year, the player must have attained age 60 by the end of the year.

SESSIONA period of play during which competitors play a given number of boards. Sessions usually consist of 24-32 boards, lasting 3-4 hours.

SET1. To set a contract means you defeat

it.2. Set of duplicate boards or wallets.

There are usually 32 boards in a set.3. A set can mean a stanza, which

is usually 2 or 3 boards in a club duplicate, 8 or 16 boards in a match.

4. A pre-arranged rubber bridge match played between two fixed partnerships.

SETTING TRICKThe defensive trick that ensures a contract’s defeat. For example, against a 4♠ contract, the fourth defensive trick will be the setting trick.

SET UPTo set up a suit is to establish it. Common methods of setting up a suit are knocking out the opposing high cards, giving up a slow loser and ruffing a suit.

NW E

S

NW E

S

♣ K Q 10 4 ♦ A 8 7 6 3 2

♣ J 7 2 ♦ K 5

You can set up the first suit by playing high cards to drive out the ace. Once the ace has gone, you will have set up the suit.

To set up the second suit on the normal 3-2 break, you cash the king, ace and play a third round. In a no-trump contract, you will lose the third round; in a suit contract, you ruff the third round and avoid a loser. If the suit breaks 4-1, you will need to work harder, playing a fourth round as well. In either case, once the opponents have no diamonds left, you will have set up the suit.

SHADEDA bid is said to be shaded if it is slightly below the normal strength requirements, for example if you open a 15-17 1NT with 14 points. While it is fine to take a rosy view of your hand every so often, if it becomes a regular practice then it is an agreement that you should disclose to your opponents.

SHAPE The way in which you might arrange your hand into suits, expressed as the number of cards in each suit. For example, a 5431 shape means you

have a five-card suit, a four-card suit, a tripleton and a singleton. If there are dashes in between the numbers, this is likely to indicate a specific shape. For example, a 2-4-6-1 shape means two spades, four hearts, six diamonds and a club.

Another name for shape is the hand’s ‘pattern’ or ‘distribution’.

SHARING BOARDSIn some movements, such as a Mitchell with an even number of tables but no skip, it is necessary for two or more tables to play the same set of boards on the same round. This practice is ‘sharing boards’.

Of necessity, the tables sharing boards will play them in a different sequence as a result. For example, if tables 1 and 8 are sharing boards 4-6, table 1 might play them in the order 4, 5, 6 while table 8 plays them in the order 5, 6, 4. It is important when sharing boards that the two tables do not leave themselves the same board to play at the end.

SHARKColloquialism for a type of expert player who specialises in playing rubber bridge for money and who is particularly adept at this type of competition.

SHARPLES CONVENTIONA defence to 1NT whereby an overcall of 2♣ shows a hand of unspecified shape but with at least four spades and 2♦ shows a weak distributional hand with short clubs.

SHIFTIn the auction, a change of suit as in ‘jump shift’. In the play, a switch to another suit.

SHOOTING FOR A TOPTo make an apparently inferior bid or play in a deliberate attempt to score a top. You might employ this tactic towards the end of a duplicate session in an attempt to convert a good score into a winning score. For example, if you were sure that a normal score would be no good for you and that playing a contract normally would result in an average score, you might take an anti-percentage play.



Join Bernard Magee and discover The Land of the Midnight Sun11th – 25th June 2013 15 days from £1,869pp


As summer solstice approaches, treasure the experience of exploring the North Cape and the awe-inspiring scenery around Norway’s

deeply fissured coastline. A profusion of rugged fjords, majestic mountains, small fishing communities and remote islands are part of an ever-changing kaleidoscope of breathtaking vistas on this voyage to the ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’. Along the way, turn the pages on Norway’s fascinating history, its folklore and legends as you follow in the wake of Vikings, adventurers and pioneers.

• Trollstigen and the Atlantic Road – two contrasting but equally amazing scenic road journeys

• Cruise on the beautiful Lysefjord with the famous Pulpit Rock

• The incredible scenery of the Lofoten Islands

• North Cape and the ‘White Nights’ in Norway



your itinerary


11 Jun Portsmouth, england 2.00pm

12 Jun at sea

13 Jun bergen, norway 1.30pm 8.00pm

14 Jun at sea

15 Jun brØnnØYsunD, norway 7.00am 1.00pm

16 Jun tromsØ, norway 12.00pm 7.00pm

17 Jun honningsvÅg, norway 1.00pm 23.59pm

18 Jun hammerfest, norway 7.00am 12.00pm

19 Jun Leknes, norway 9.00am 7.00pm

20 Jun at sea

21 Jun moLDe, norway 7.30am 8.00pm

22 Jun at sea

23 Jun stavanger, norway 7.00am 1.00pm

24 Jun at sea

25 Jun harWiCh, england 7.00am

included in your fare• 14-night cruise aboard Voyager including

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Applies to standard fares only

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Complimentary Chauffeur service to the port on higher grade cabins – see brochure for full details

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HAMMERFEST

MOLDE

BRØNNØYSUND

LEKNES

HONNINGSVÅG

PORTSMOUTH

HARWICH

Lofoten, Norway









SPS_S13_land of midnight sun_updated 26213.indd 1 01/03/2013 16:39:45

Suppose you have a suit combination of 10-9-x facing A-K-J-x-x. You might cash the ace-king in the hope of felling the doubleton queen offside. You risk a bottom (when the finesse would have worked but the queen does not drop) for the chance of a top.

In the bidding, an example of shooting for a top is bidding a grand slam that you know depends upon a finesse.

SHORT CLUBSome pairs using a mini (10-12) or strong (15-17) 1NT opening, open 1♣ on balanced hands outside the range for a 1NT opening.

If you encounter this, even though the opener may have a doubleton club, it is usual to treat the 1♣ opening as a natural bid e.g. a 2♣ overcall is a cue bid, not a natural bid.

SHORT HANDThe hand with the fewer cards in a suit (usually trumps). Usually, it is more productive to take ruffs in the short trump hand than in the long trump hand.

NW E

S

♠ J 2

♥ A 8 6

♦ K J 10 2

♣ A 10 5 4

♠ Q 8 6 4 3 ♠ K 10 7

♥ 3 ♥ 10 9 7 4

♦ 7 5 3 ♦ 8 4

♣ Q J 9 6 ♣ K 8 7 3

♠ A 9 5

♥ K Q J 5 2

♦ A Q 9 6

♣ 2

If you are South in 6♥, you can generate an extra trick by giving up a spade and ruffing a spade in dummy, the short hand. This way, you make six trump tricks rather than five.

Ruffing in the long trump hand (South) would not be a good idea. If you ruff two clubs, you will have fewer trumps than East and so be unable to draw trumps and cash the diamonds.

SHORT SUIT GAME TRYA game try whereby, after trump agreement, opener shows his shortest suit and invites responder to judge accordingly.

SHORT SUIT LEAD1. Against a no-trump contract, the

lead of a doubleton or tripleton, usually when partner has bid the suit, or the opponents have bid the other suits. Sometimes it can be a deceptive play hoping that declarer will think that the wrong hand has the long suit.

2. Against a suit contract, the lead of a singleton or doubleton, trying for a ruff, is a short-suit lead.

N

W ES

♠ 10 5 2

♥ 9 7 4

♦ K 8 4 2

♣ 9 7 4


1♥ Pass 2♦

Pass 2♥ Pass 3NT

End

Since South has bid your only long suit, you should make a short suit lead. As East will not hold five spades and fair values (no 1♠ overcall), the ♣7 is a good choice.

SHORTENTo reduce in length. Commonly refers to the situation where a defender attacks dummy’s or declarer’s trump length by leading plain-suit winners, forcing a ruff. Shortening also refers to the situation where declarer deliberately takes ruffs in preparation for a trump endplay or coup.

SHOW OUTTo reveal a void by discarding on the lead of a suit.

SHOW UP SQUEEZEA method of squeezing a player who does not guard a crucial suit, in order to drop a singleton honour, instead of taking a losing finesse.

Declarer has a count of the hand and knows that West holds the ♠A in this example.

NW E

S

♠ K

♥ A Q

♦ Void

♣ Void

♠ A ♠ Void

♥ 6 4 ♥ K

♦ Void ♦ 6 5

♣ Void ♣ Void

♠ 8

♥ 5

♦ A

♣ Void

South leads the ♦A. West must discard a heart and dummy discards the ♠K. Then, when South leads a heart, he knows that if West has the ♥K it will show up because his last card must be the ♠A. When, in fact, West follows low, he will drop East’s singleton king.

SHUFFLETo mix the cards randomly.

SHUTOUT BIDEither a sign off or a pre-emptive bid.

SIDAn acronym for Stayman In Doubt.

SIDEA partnership in a rubber game, a du-plicate game or teams-of-four match.

SIDE GAMEA second competition at a championship for pairs or teams not involved in the main event.

SIDE SUITA suit other than trumps. ‘Plain suit’ is a synonym.

SIGN-OFFA discouraging bid suggesting that the partnership should progress no further. Usually a sign-off occurs after a trial bid or asking bid. When the person making the sign-off made an asking bid on the previous round, the sign-off is more a command than a suggestion.

West East West East

1♥ 1♠

2♥ 3♣ 3♠ 4♣

3♥ 4♠


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West East West East

1♦ 1♦

2♥ 3♥ 2♥ 3♥

4NT 5♦ 4NT 5♥

5♥ 6♥

In each case, West’s final bid is a sign-off. In the first auction, it looks as if East has made a game try, which West has declined. East would bid on only if he had aspirations towards a slam. In the second auction, East has suggested a slam and West has shown no interest. In the third and fourth auctions, West has found out how many aces are missing and placed the final contract.

SIGNALS, SIGNALLINGThe method of conveying information between the defenders. You can do this both when following to a suit and when discarding. Common types of signal are attitude signals – when you indicate whether you like a suit or not; length signals – when you show whether you have an odd or even number of cards in the suit; and suit-preference signals – when you show whether you like some other suit. Defensive signals are vital for defending accurately. For signals to work, it is important not only that you give the right signal but also that partner is watching – and vice versa when partner gives a signal.

Here is an example where you can give all three of the common types of signal on the same deal:

NW E

S

♠ 7 3 2

♥ A J

♦ A J 2

♣ Q J 10 9 3

♠ Q J 9 8 ♠ 6 4

♥ 9 6 4 ♥ K Q 10 2

♦ 10 9 5 ♦ 8 7 6 4

♣ A K 7 ♣ 8 5 2

♠ A K 10 5

♥ 8 7 5 3

♦ K Q 3

♣ 6 4

South plays in 3NT without having bid any suits. When West leads the ♠Q,

you follow with the ♠4, your lowest card in the suit, as an attitude signal to say that you do not like spades. De-clarer plays a club to the queen and you follow with the ♣2, your lowest card in that suit, as a count signal to show an odd number of clubs. On the second round of clubs, having already given count, you play the ♣8, the higher of your remaining clubs, as a suit-prefer-ence signal for the higher red suit.

SILENTTo keep ‘silent’ is to pass throughout the auction.

SILENT BIDDERDevice to permit silent bidding. It is a board placed in the centre of the table, subdivided into labelled regions, 1♣, 1♦, 1 ♥, 1♠, 1NT, 2♣ etc (up to 7NT), Dbl, Redbl, Alert, Stop and Pass. A player makes his call by touching the appropriate region of the board with a pen or pencil, or moving a small counter placed on the silent bidder. Bidding boxes have rendered silent bidders almost obsolete.

SIMPLE FINESSEA finesse against one outstanding card e.g. if you have A-K-J facing low cards, leading up to the jack is a simple finesse against the queen.

SIMPLE OVERCALLA non-jump overcall: if an opponent opens 1♥, any of 1♠, 1NT, 2♣ and 2♦ from you are simple overcalls. If you make an overcall, it is usual to hold at least five card suits in your bid suit, often six cards if the overcall is at the two level. If the suit is good, you might overcall on a hand that is slightly too weak for an opening bid. For example, with ♠K-Q-10-x-x and an ace on the side, it would be normal to overcall 1♠ over one of any other suit.

SIMULTANEOUS PAIRSEvent played in many different venues on the same date and with identical hands nationwide or even worldwide. Scoring is on the matchpoint basis and calculated by computer. Clubs upload their results to the organiser’s computer so that competitors can see their results. Most organisers provide a booklet with an expert commentary

on the deals so that you can see where you have done well and how you might have done better.

Bridge Great Britain organises simultaneous pairs events, as do most of the Home Bridge Unions and some county associations. In general, the greater the number of participating clubs, the higher the number of master points on offer.

SINGLE-DUMMY PROBLEMBridge problem presented as if in the position of declarer.

SINGLE RAISEA raise of partner’s denomination by one level e.g. 1♥-pass-2♥, 1♣-pass-1♥-pass-2♥ or 1♣-1♠-pass-2♠. A single raise usually indicates support for partner and minimum values.

SINGLE SUITED HANDA hand with one long suit and no other biddable suit. Assuming you have the strength to bid at all, you are likely to show a single suited hand by bidding the suit a couple of times or perhaps by making a pre-emptive bid in the suit.

West East West East

1♠ 1NT 1♣

2♠ 1♠ 1NT

2♠

West East West East

2♠(weak) 3♠

In each sequence, West is suggesting a single-suited spade hand. The first three sequences suggest a six-card suit, the fourth a seven-card suit.

SINGLETONA holding of only one card in a suit.

SIT OUT1. If there is an odd number of pairs in

a duplicate event, one pair must sit out each round.

2. In long teams matches, it is common for a team to have more pairs than is required to play at any one time, typically six players for a teams of four match. The player(s) not playing in any given stanza sit out.

3. It also means to wait to cut in to a game of rubber bridge.



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SKIP BIDThis is the same as a jump bid i.e. a bid at a level higher than necessary to beat the current bid.

SKIP BID WARNINGSponsoring organisations may require that players give a warning before a jump bid (skip bid) and require the next player to pause for a specified period before bidding. The common arrangement in duplicate in the UK is that you prefix your bid with the stop card (if using bidding boxes) or say the word ‘stop’ (if you are not doing so); the next player then waits for 10 seconds before bidding.

SKIP ROUNDA round during a Mitchell movement at which the East-West pairs ‘skip’, moving two tables instead of the usual one. The boards move as normal. The objective of the skip is to prevent the East-West pairs from meeting boards that they have already played.

SLAMA contract for twelve tricks (Small Slam) or thirteen tricks (Grand Slam). For bidding and making either type of slam, considerable bonuses are on offer. Slams are an exciting part of the game and, especially at rubber bridge, a potentially lucrative event. Before contracting for a slam, it is normally a good idea to establish that the partnership has the playing strength to produce at least 12 tricks as well as sufficient high cards or shortages in every suit so that the opponents cannot take two fast winners.

With two balanced hands, about 33-34 points produces a small slam, 37 points a grand slam. Most slams require fewer high card points than this because long cards or ruffs can produce extra tricks.

SLAM CONVENTIONAn agreed bidding convention, such as Blackwood, for checking on controls, trumps or other key cards held by the partnership to investigate slam possibilities.

SLAM DOUBLESIf the opponents bid freely to a slam, it is most unlikely that you can collect a lucrative penalty by doubling. If the contract they have reached is due to fail by several tricks, it is likely they have had a bidding misunderstanding and have a better spot available. If the defender not on lead doubles a slam, it calls for an unusual lead.

SLAM TRYA bid that takes the partnership towards a slam but without committing to it. For example:


1♣ Pass 1♦ Pass

3NT Pass 4♣

Without slam interest, East would pass 3NT or perhaps jump to 5♣.

SLUFFSlang term meaning to discard a loser.

SMALL CARDIn general, a card below honour rank, sometimes denoted by an ‘x’ on a hand record.

SMALL SLAMTo contract to make twelve tricks is to bid a Small Slam. An alternative name is a ‘Little Slam’.

SMITH PETERAgainst no trumps, on the lead of declarer’s first suit, the partner of the opening leader plays high-low to show that he would like the original suit continued if partner regains the lead. The opening leader plays high-low to show a poor holding in his suit.

NW E

S

♠ J 3

♥ J 10 2

♦ Q J 10 4 2

♣ A K J

♠ A 9 7 5 4 ♠ Q 10 2

♥ 8 5 ♥ K 9 6 4 3

♦ K 5 ♦ 6

♣ 10 9 7 6 ♣ Q 8 3 2

♠ K 8 6

♥ A Q 7

♦ A 9 8 7 3

♣ 5 4

South plays in 3NT. West leads the five of spades, covered by the jack, queen and king. When declarer crosses to the ace of clubs to take the diamond finesse, East follows with the eight of clubs to indicate a desire for a spade continuation. Without the ten of spades but perhaps with the ace of hearts, East would follow with the two of clubs, asking for a switch.

If you play Smith Peters, it is usual to play that all signals at trick one are count signals on the basis that you can show whether you like the suit via a subsequent Smith signal.

SMOTHER PLAYA rare endplay in which you can cause a seemingly certain losing trump trick to vanish. For this to work, the defending hand with trump length must have only trumps left while his partner must have the lead and be able only to play suits in which both declarer and dummy are void.

The defender with the trump length faces the choice of underruffing or overruffing and letting you overruff again. For example:

NW E

S

♠ A

♥ Void

♦ 9

♣ Void

♠ K 7 ♠ Void

♥ Void ♥ J 10

♦ Void ♦ Void

♣ Void ♣ Void

♠ Q J

♥ Void

♦ Void

♣ Void

With spades as trumps, East, on lead, plays a heart. You, South, ruff and subject West to a ‘smother play’ or coup. You will play dummy’s ace of trumps on this trick if and only if West overruffs with the king.

SNAPAn acronym for Strong No Trump After Passing, this convention uses the response of 1NT to an opening bid of one of a suit, made after partner has opened third or fourth in hand, to show 8-10 points.


SOFT VALUESThese are queens and jacks. By comparison, aces and kings are ‘hard values’.

SOLID1. Describes a suit with no losers e.g.

A-K-Q-J-x-x.2. A solid contract is an unbeatable

one.

SOS REDOUBLEA redouble suggesting that partner choose an alternative denomination from the one that an opponent has doubled.

For example:


1♠ 2♣ Pass Pass

Dbl Pass Pass Rdbl

South probably holds a fistful of cards in the red suits and a singleton or void in clubs. North should remove the redouble to 2♦ or 2♥.

SOUTHOne of the positions at the bridge table.

SOUTH AFRICAN TEXASThe use of 4♣ and 4♦ bids as transfers to 4♥ and 4♠ respectively, either as opening bids or in response to 1NT/2NT. The transfer to 4♥ via 4♣ suggests a stronger hand than bidding 4♥ directly.

One benefit of playing that the transfer bid is two suits below the one shown is that it leaves room for partner to bid the in-between suit as a slam try. Another is that partner is less likely to forget the bid is a transfer.

Hand 1 Hand 2

♠ K Q J 8 7 4 3 2 ♠ K Q J 8 7 4 3 2

♥ 8 3 ♥ A 10 3

♦ 5 3 ♦ 4

♣ 5 ♣ 6

Playing South African Texas, the first hand would be a 4♠ opening and the second (stronger) hand a 4♦ opening.

SPLINTER BIDA jump response, at a level higher than needed to create a force, showing trump support, the values for game, and a singleton or void in the suit bid.

1 2 3

West East West East West East

1♥ 1♦ 1♥ 1♠ 2♥

4♣ 4♣ 4♣

In all three auctions, West’s 4♣ is a splinter, showing the support and values to raise to 4♥ with a shortage in clubs. Typical hands for these sequences are:

Hand 1 Hand 2 Hand 3

♠ Q 9 5 3 ♠ Q 8 5 ♠ A K 8 5 2

♥ A J 7 4 ♥ A Q 9 3 ♥ K Q 6 3

♦ A J 8 3 ♦ A K Q 8 3 ♦ 8 5 3 2

♣ 5 ♣ 5 ♣ Void

SPLITThe way a suit divides between two hands – break is a synonymous term.

SPLITTING HONOURSThe play of an honour, from two or more in sequence, in the second position.

For example:

NW E

S

A J 4

K Q 9 10 8 3 2

7 6 5

South leads the 5 and, if West plays the king or queen, he is said to ‘split his honours’.

SPOT CARDSCards from the 2 to the 9 inclusive.

SPREAD1. To place the cards of the dummy

face up on the table.2. To lay one’s hand on the table when

making a claim.3. This can be a term for an unbeatable

contract, as in, ‘4♠ was a spread’.

SPUTNIK DOUBLEThis is the original name for a negative double, so named because its launch coincided with the launch of the Sputnik space rocket. In the sequence 1♣-1♠-double, the double suggests holding four hearts rather than a desire to penalise spades.

SQUEEZEDescriptive term for a variety of plays where you force an opponent to dis-card from a suit or suits that he wishes to guard. The result is that you make a trick (sometimes more) that seemed unlikely at the start of play. There are a great many squeeze plays, many with set names, varying from the simple to the complex. Here are two basic ones:

NW E

S

1a ♠ 9 6

♥ 10 2

♦ A 9 7 5

♣ A K Q 7 3

♠ K Q J 8 3 ♠ 10 7 4 2

♥ 8 7 4 3 ♥ 9 6

♦ 10 4 ♦ Q J 2

♣ 9 6 ♣ J 10 8 2

♠ A 5

♥ A K Q J 5

♦ K 8 6 3

♣ 5 4

NW E

S

1b ♠ Void

♥ Void

♦ Void

♣ A K Q 7 3

♠ J 8 3 ♠ Void

♥ Void ♥ Void

♦ Void ♦ Q

♣ 9 6 ♣ J 10 8 2

♠ Void

♥ 5

♦ 8 6

♣ 5 4

You can make 6♣, 6♦ or 6♥ without problem but go for a top score by play-ing in 6NT. West leads the ♠K. You duck the first spade (see RECTIFY-ING THE COUNT) and win the con-tinuation. You then cash the ♦A-K and play off your hearts to reach the posi-tion in 1b. The last heart catches East in a squeeze, forcing him to unguard one of his minor suits.


NW E

S

2a ♠ A K 2

♥ 9 8 7 6

♦ 3 2

♣ Q J 3 2

♠ 10 5 4 3 ♠ Q J 7

♥ J 4 3 2 ♥ 10 5

♦ 5 4 ♦ J 10 9 8

♣ 10 9 8 ♣ 7 6 5 4

♠ 9 8 6

♥ A K Q

♦ A K Q 7 6

♣ A K

NW E

S

2b ♠ K 2

♥ 9

♦ 3

♣ J

♠ 10 5 4 ♠ Q J

♥ J ♥ void

♦ 5 ♦ J 10 9

♣ Void ♣ Void

♠ 9

♥ Void

♦ K Q 7 6

♣ Void

As South, you play in 7NT. West leads the ♣10.

You have twelve top tricks and if either red suit breaks 3-3 then there will be no problem.

You start by cashing two clubs and three top hearts. The heart suit fails to break kindly but you give yourself an extra chance by arriving in position 2b where East has already discarded a club on a heart.

When dummy leads the ♣J, East must discard a spade to avoid conceding a trick immediately. You throw a diamond. When you now cash the ♦K-Q, West must discard a spade or a heart. Either is fatal and you have squeezed both opponents.

SQUEEZE WITH-OUT THE COUNTTerm for a squeeze that you can ex-ecute even though you have to give up the lead after playing the squeeze card. Secondary squeeze is another name for this type of squeeze.

STACKEDHaving the cards ‘stacked’ against you means that a single opponent holds all or nearly all the crucial cards in a given suit. For example, if you hold A-Q-10-x-x facing x-x-x-x and there is K-J-9-x over the strong holding, that would be a stacked suit.

STAKESRubber bridge and Chicago players usually play for a small amount of money, known as ‘stakes’. Although it is a social game, the addition of a stake, even of a nominal amount, provides an incentive to bid and play carefully and accurately.

Stakes can vary from a few pence per hundred in a home game to £30 per hundred at the top table in one of the London clubs.

STAND A DOUBLETo pass your partner’s double or to leave in a contract that an opponent has doubled.

STAND UPHaving a card ‘stand up’ means that it wins a trick. It is usual to use this expression when defending a trump contract and there is doubt about whether declarer will follow to the plain suit that you are leading.

STANDARD AMERICANNebulous term for bidding methods commonly used in America, approximately those that Charles H. Goren originally laid down.

STANDARD AMERICAN YELLOW CARDA standardised version of Standard American for competitive bridge, pub-lished on a yellow ACBL convention card and often used by casual partner-ships in online bridge clubs.

STANDARD HONOUR LEADSThe standard lead from a sequence is the top card (e.g. king from K-Q-J) and the standard lead from an interior sequence is the highest of the touching cards (e.g. jack from K-J-10).

STANZAA set of boards played before scoring or moving to another table.

STAYMAN CONVENTIONA 2♣ response to a 1NT opening bid, used to enquire about major-suit holdings. In reply, opener rebids: 2♦ No four-card major 2♥ Four hearts 2♠ Four spades (but not four hearts)

Hand 1 Hand 2

♠ Q 8 5 3 ♠ J 8 5 2

♥ A K J 4 ♥ 10 7 4 2

♦ 5 2 ♦ K 9 7 5 2

♣ K 10 2 ♣ Void

With the first responding hand, you have the values to raise 1NT to 3NT but want to play in a 4-4 fit in a major if one exists. You intend to raise 2♥ to 4♥, 2♠ to 4♠ or to jump to 3NT over 2♦. On the second hand, you use Stayman intending to pass at your next turn, confident that a suit contract will play better than 1NT.

Responder can use Stayman safely on any hand with the values to bid at least 2NT and four cards in at least one major. Depending upon the partnership methods, responder may also be able to use Stayman on other types of hands (such as a weak hand with both majors or a weak single-suited club hand).

STAYMAN IN DOUBT (SID)After a positive reply to the 2♣ enquiry (2♥/2♠), a bid of 3♦ indicates a four-card fit in the bid major, values for game but a 4-3-3-3 or 3-4-3-3 hand pattern. Partner chooses either to bid four of the major or 3NT depending on his hand pattern. Duplication of distribution may mean that 3NT is an easier game contract despite the 4-4 major suit fit. This convention is not in widespread use because many players do not use Stayman at all with a 4333 hand.

STAYMAN THREE CLUBSThe use of 3♣ in response to a 2NT opening to enquire about four-card majors in the same way that one might use 2♣ in response to 1NT. In other words, after the 3♣ response, 3♥/3♠ from opener shows four cards in that major while 3♦ denies one.


STEP RESPONSESSystem of responses, especially to an artificial bid such as a Blackwood 4NT enquiry, whereby you show the number of features (aces, controls, points etc) by steps.

STIFFColloquialism for a singleton, usually a high honour card, as in ‘The stiff king’.

STOPA method of alerting the opponents that a player is about to make a jump bid. Using bidding boxes, the player who is about to make such a jump bid immediately precedes his bid with the ‘Stop’ card.

If you are not using bidding boxes, you use the words ‘Stop’ or ‘Skip bid’. The next player should then pause for about ten seconds before bidding.

STOPPER (A STOP)A holding that prevents the immediate run of a suit by an opponent. Certain stoppers (if held in the closed hand) include A, K-x, Q-J-x and J-10-x-x. Certain stoppers if the holding is in dummy include A, K-10-x and Q-J-x.

STRAINA synonym for denomination, meaning clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades, or no-trumps.

STRIP PLAYTo strip a player of safe exit cards, so that when you put a defender on lead he cannot avoid conceding a trick.

NW E

S

♠ Q 10 7 5 4 2

♥ A 10 5

♦ 8 5

♣ A 4

♠ A K J 8 6

♥ K J 6

♦ A 10

♣ K 8 2

As South, you play in 6♠ on a diamond lead. You win and draw trumps, stripping the opponents of safe exit cards in spades.

You next take the ace-king of clubs and a club ruff, stripping your hands of clubs, thereby making it unsafe for a defender to lead a club. When you then give up a diamond, whoever wins will have no safe exit cards and you avoid having to guess who has the queen of hearts.

STRIP SQUEEZEIf you strip a player of safe exit cards by running a long suit to obtain one or more forced discards, this is a strip squeeze.

NW E

S

♠ 7 3

♥ K 2

♦ A K 2

♣ Q 10 9 6 5 3

♠ K Q J 10 8 4 ♠ 6

♥ J 8 ♥ 10 9 6 5 4 3

♦ 10 5 ♦ J 9 6 4

♣ K J 7 ♣ 8 2

♠ A 9 5 2

♥ A Q 7

♦ Q 8 7 3

♣ A 4

As South, you play in 3NT after West opened 1♠. West leads top spades and you take your ace on the second round, having seen East show out. You know from the bidding that West holds the ♣K but there is no point playing on clubs as West has plenty of spade winners to cash. Instead, you try three rounds of diamonds and West discards a club on the third round. You continue with three rounds of hearts. Reducing to only five cards, West cannot keep the ♣K, a club to guard the king and enough spades to beat you. He is likely to throw a spade. You then exit with a spade and score two club tricks at the end.

STRIPED-TAILED APE DOUBLEA double of a game (or slam) contract in the expectation that the opponents could make a Small Slam (or Grand Slam) and in the hope that they will accept the apparently good score for making a doubled game (or slam) with

overtricks rather than go on to the higher-scoring slam. The convention takes it name because the doubler flees like a ‘striped-tailed ape’ in the face of a redouble. The doubler will need to have an escape suit, or a good fit for partner’s suit. The stripe-tailed ape double is a type of psychic bid.

For example:

N

W ES

♠ J 7 5

♥ 10 7 3

♦ J 8 6 4

♣ 8 3 2


3♠ 4♥

Dbl

West is almost certain that North-South can make a slam and so doubles 4♥. If North redoubles, West retreats to 4♠. The penalty in 4♠ doubled will certainly be less than that in 6♠ doubled and probably cheaper than defending 6♥.

STRONG JUMP OVERCALLSA single jump overcall showing a good six-card suit and about 15-17 high card points or a seven-card suit and about 13-15 HCP.

Hand 1 Hand 2

♠ A 5 ♠ 5

♥ 7 4 ♥ 7 4

♦ K J 2 ♦ A J 2

♣ A K J 9 4 3 ♣ A K J 8 4 3 2

Either hand would be suitable for a strong jump overcall of 3♣ if RHO opens one of some other suit.

Strong jump overcalls remain traditional at the rubber bridge table but have fallen into disfavour amongst tournament players, who generally prefer weak jump overcalls, which occur more often.

STRONG KINGS AND TENSA system of honour leads against a no-trump contract whereby the lead of a king or 10 suggests a strong holding, and the lead of an ace, queen or jack suggests a relatively weak holding.


Ace from: A K xKing from: A K Q, A K J, A K 10, K Q J, K Q 10Queen from: K Q x, K Q 9, Q J 10Jack from: J 10 xTen from: A J 10, A 10 9, K J 10, K 10 9, Q 10 9 Nine from: 10 9 x

STRONG NO TRUMPAn opening 1NT bid with usually 15-17 or 16-18 points and a balanced hand.

STRONG PASS SYSTEMSSystems featuring an opening pass in first or second position to show about 16+ points. Very few tournaments allow these, partly because of the need to prepare a defence to the concomitant weak opening bids and partly because of their parasitic nature.

STRONG TWO BIDAn opening bid of two of a suit is used to show a strong hand with at least five cards in the suit named. You can play them as not forcing, forcing for one round (Acol) or forcing to game (Culbertson). In Acol, either of the following hands would be suitable for a strong two bid (2♠):

Hand 1 Hand 2

♠ K Q J 10 7 4 ♠ A K Q 7 4

♥ A K 4 ♥ K Q J 8 3

♦ A Q 3 ♦ K 4

♣ 5 ♣ 3

SUCKER’S DOUBLEA double of a freely bid game or slam contract by a player who is relying solely on defensive high-card strength. Against good opponents, such doubles can mean that declarer makes an ‘unmakeable’ contract by placing the doubler with all the missing strength. It is probable that the declaring side has distributional values to compensate for missing high-card values.

SUFFICIENT BIDA bid at a higher level than the

previous bid, or at the same level in a higher-ranking denomination. To be legal, a bid has to be sufficient.

SUICIDE SQUEEZEA squeeze when a defender, rather than declarer, leads the card that inflicts the squeeze.

NW E

S

♠ 10 9 3

♥ A J 3

♦ A 5 2

♣ K Q J 3

♠ K Q J 5 2 ♠ 6 4

♥ 8 6 ♥ K Q 10 2

♦ Q 6 ♦ J 10 9 4

♣ 10 9 6 4 ♣ 8 7 5

♠ A 8 7

♥ 9 7 5 4

♦ K 8 7 3

♣ A 2

West leads top spades against South’s 3NT. With only eight apparent tricks, South wins the second spade, takes four club winners, then exits with a spade. If West takes his remaining spades, he squeezes East suicidally: forcing him to unguard a red suit. With four cards remaining, East cannot keep three diamonds and the ♥K-Q.

SUITMethod of categorising the fifty-two cards in a pack, identified by the shape of the pip: spades, hearts, diamonds or clubs.

SUIT PREFERENCE SIGNALDefensive signal whereby the play of the cards in one suit indicates pref-erence between two other suits. The principle is that a high card asks for a high suit, a low card for a low suit. It is most common to give a suit-preference signal when you believe that partner will not wish to play the suit in which you are giving the signal, such as when you are giving partner a ruff.

NW E

S

♠ K Q J 10

♠ 3 ♠ A 9 5 4 2

♠ 8 7 6

West leads the three of spades against a heart contract, clearly a singleton. After winning with the ace, East returns a high spade (the nine) to ask for the higher-ranking of the other side suits (diamonds) or the two to ask for the lower-ranking suit (clubs).

Some pairs, by agreement, play suit-preference discards, usually known as McKenney discards. Tournament players and the top rubber bridge players use suit-preference signals in further situations, such as when following to the second round of a suit having already given a count or attitude signal on the first round.

NW E

S

♠ Q 6

♠ A K J 8 5 2 ♠ 10 4 3

♠ 9 7

West cashes top spades against a heart contract. On the first round, East must play low (the three) so that West can work out who has the doubleton. On the second round, East has a choice. The ten, the higher card, suggests a diamond switch, while the four, the lower card, suggests a club switch.

SUPPORT1. To raise partner’s suit (e.g. 1♥-pass-

2♥ or 1♦-pass-1♠-pass-3♠).2. If you have a worthwhile holding in

partner’s suit, this is support.Support can be primary (usually four cards) or secondary (usually three cards). When evaluating sup-port, length is more important than strength. Supporting your partner’s suit, especially if it is a major, is nor-mally a good idea. One of the key ob-jectives of bidding is to establish the denomination in which to play; sup-porting partner facilitates this. Sup-porting partner’s second suit nearly always shows four-card support.

SUPPRESSING THE BID ACETo ignore an already identified ace (such as by a cue bid) in responding to Blackwood. This convention is now rare as many pairs cue bid both first- and second-round controls and so need 4NT to identify which is which.


SURE TRICKA trick that a player is certain to make.

SWINGThe net difference in the score on a board in a teams match.

SWING DEAL OR SWING HANDA deal on which a large swing in scores occurred, or which had the potential for a large swing.

SWISS CONVENTIONAn old convention whereby responses of 4♣ or 4♦ to an opening of one of a major show a good fit, sound values for game and some interest in a slam, thus releasing the direct raise to four of opener’s major as a pre-emptive action. There are many versions of Swiss. The two most popular were:

Singleton Swiss: 4♣ shows two aces and a singleton, after which 4♦ from partner asks responder to identify the singleton; 4♦ shows two aces without a singleton.

Fruit machine Swiss (Three-Way Swiss or Sussex Swiss): 4♣ shows either two aces and a singleton, or three aces, or two aces and the king of trumps. 4♦ from opener is then a relay requesting clarification. In reply, 4NT shows three aces, a bid of four of the agreed trump suit shows two aces and the trump king, and a new suit shows two aces and a singleton in the suit bid.

These days, very few pairs play Swiss, preferring instead to use Splinters, often in conjunction with the Jacoby 2NT raise.

SWISS PAIRSA pairs competition where, instead of using a fixed movement, the scores accumulated to the end of each round determine who you play on the next round. Pairs with similar scores play each other in the next round. Using a Swiss Pairs movement is common when the size of the field makes it impossible for each pair to play every other pair. Competitors often like the format because playing more boards against the same opponents adds to the game’s social element and because the coveted green master points are often on offer.

SWISS TEAMSA competition for teams organised in the same way as for Swiss Pairs.

Swiss Teams and Swiss Pairs are popular for one-day events as they provide a format different from that available in club play.

SWITCH1. Arrow-switch, an

adaptation towards the end of a session allowing a single winner to be determined from a Mitchell movement.

2. You switch if you lead a different suit from the one previously led.

Other things being equal, it is usually better to continue with the first suit rather

than switch to a new suit. This is because each time you open up a new suit you risk giving away a trick. Common reasons to switch are as follows:(i) Partner has discouraged

the suit;(ii) Continuing the original

suit would mean leading into a tenace;

(iii) Continuing the original suit is too passive;

(iv) You have run out of the original suit.

NW E

S

♠ K 5 2

♥ J 7 3

♦ K Q J 4

♣ 7 6 4

♠ 10 9 8 6 3 ♠ A Q 7 4

♥ 6 ♥ 10 9 4

♦ 7 5 3 ♦ A 8 2

♣ K 9 8 5 ♣ J 10 3

♠ J

♥ A K Q 8 5 2

♦ 10 9 6

♣ A Q 2

South plays in 4♥. West leads the ♠10 and the ♠Q wins. As East, you should switch. There are three reasons for this. Firstly, if the ♠J is a true card, there are no more spade tricks to cash. Secondly, even if the ♠A stands up, you do not want to establish the ♠K. Thirdly and most importantly, you want to set up some club winners to cash when you get in with the ♦A. You should switch to the ♣J, top of the mini sequence.

SYSTEMThe methods of bidding and card play used by a partnership. ■


REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR POSTAGEPostage stamps for sale at 90% of face-value, all mint with full gum.

Values supplied in 100s, higher values available as well as 1st and 2nd class (eg 2nd class: 100x37p+100x13p)

(/Fax 020 8422 4906 e-mail: [email protected]

Mr Bridge

AT THE ROYAL KENZ

TUNISIA

Two-week half-board duplicate

bridge holiday

3-17 November 2013 Golf available

Tony and Jan Richards

£769*

23 Feb – 9 March 2014 Golf available

Bernard Magee and his team

£799* *per person half-board sharing a twin-bedded room and is inclusive of bridge fees. Single supplement £6 per night. These prices are based on air travel from Heathrow to Tunis. Flights from other UK airports are available at a supplement. Prices for seven-night stays are available on application.

Pay £70 per fortnight per person extra and have a garden-facing room, tea & coffee making facilities, bath robe and a bowl of seasonal fruit.

These holidays have been organised for Mr Bridge by Tunisia First Limited, ATOL 5933.

DETAILS & BOOKINGS

( 01483 489961

QWhen the opponents open and I have

shortage in their suit, 13 plus points, a 6-card suit of my own and tolerance for the other two suits, what should I do? Should I double to show an opening hand or do I bid my 6-card suit?Patricia Wicebloom by email.

A If you have a 6-card suit and a normal opening hand, you

should start by showing your long suit. Only if your hand is much stronger than a minimum opening bid (say 18+ HCP) should you start with a double.

♣♦♥♠

QI know that a 3NT opener shows a solid minor of 7

or 8 cards, with no more than one queen outside. Crowhurst said that the hand could have a singleton or void; Klinger and Kambites say no void. What do you say? Lloyd Lewis by email.

A It is traditional to play that a 4♦ response to 3NT

asks opener to cue bid a singleton (or bid the long minor with a singleton in the other minor). On this basis, a void would be a surprise in opener’s hand because there is no bid to show one.

While there is little difference between a void and a small singleton in terms of providing a stopper, a hand with a void is significantly more suitable for a suit contract or for a slam than a hand without a void. I must admit, I have probably opened 3NT myself on a hand with a void. Even so, I agree with Klinger and Kambites that it is better not to have a void.

♣♦♥♠

QWhat should I rebid as West?

♠ 9 6 4

♥ A K Q J 5

♦ 5

♣ K 10 7 4


1♦ Pass

1♥ 1♠ Pass Pass

?

As a rebid of 2♣ would

be weak showing 6/9 HCP, should I bid 3♥ with only five hearts though solid or should I show the clubs at the two or three level? John Dunbar by email.

A Since a bid of 2♥ or 2♣ would be non-forcing, you do

not want to do that with 13 points facing an opening bid. You could bid 3♣, which is a new suit at three level and so forcing. Another option is to cue bid 2♠. Bidding the opposing suit creates a force and allows partner to show a spade stopper or delayed heart support.

Assuming you play low level doubles as generally for take-out, a double is probably best. It is unlikely that you want to play in clubs given that partner had the chance to rebid 2♣, but chose not to do so. Partner may have four spades and be happy to defend 1♠ doubled.

♣♦♥♠

QI wonder why the convention referred to

as ‘Ritter’ is not in common use over a

weak 1NT opening.2♣, as in Stayman,

asks for majors with the reply being made at the two-level with a point count of 12-13, i.e. 2♠ (spades only); 2♥ (hearts only); 2♦ (both majors) and 2NT (neither major). With the point count of 14, the replies would be at the three-level, i.e. 3♠, 3♥, 3♦ (both majors) or 3♣ (neither major). What reasons make it less preferential to Stayman?Ray Webbing, Enfield, Middlesex. (Similar from Eva Atkinson, Buckhurst Hill, Essex.)

A There are two downsides I can see compared

with standard Stayman: (i) If responder is weak,

opener’s replies to the 2♣ Ritter enquiry may take the auction to an uncomfortably high level.

(ii) If responder is going to game anyway, or is too weak to try for game, the information about whether opener is maximum or minimum is irrelevant to choice of contract; it will serve only to help the defenders during the play.

Julian Pottage answers your bridge questions

Should I Double or Bid My Suit?

QIn the auction below, would you take the double

as take-out or penalty?


1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass

2♥ Dbl

I was South and removed the double, crossing partner’s intentions.Doreen Parrington, Lancashire.

AOn this auction, partner previously had the chance to

double hearts for take-out, which is why, traditionally, this is a penalty double.

♣♦♥♠

QCan you suggest an alternative defence to a

weak 1NT? We currently use Landy and find that it covers only a minority of hands.Mike Bass by email.

A Some of the top players use Multi Landy, rather

than plain Landy.2♣ shows both majors

as in ordinary Landy.2♦ shows one major

(like a Multi 2♦ opener, hence the name).

2♥/2♠ show that major and a minor (like Lucas 2♥/2♠ openers but a bit stronger).

This covers a much wider variety of hands than standard Landy.

Many club players use Astro, Aspro or a variant thereof, whereby 2♣ shows hearts and another suit, 2♦ spades and another. In theory that covers a

wide variety of hand types too, though in practice you rarely get to play in the overcaller’s minor.

A few players use transfer overcalls. Then you bid the suit below the one you have. If you have a two-suited hand, you can show your second suit next time.

There is no perfect method or everyone would play it.

♣♦♥♠

QIf an opponent opens with one of a suit and I

have 17 points, should I bid 1NT to suggest point count? If I have a 5 carder, should I bid that instead? Should my partner reply if holding only 2 points? Bridget Constantinos, Seaford, East Sussex.

AWhether a 1NT overcall is suitable depends upon your

holding in the suit opened and whether your five-card suit is a strong five-card major. If you have a good stopper (ideally one and a half or two stoppers), a 1NT overcall may well be best. If you make a limit bid, such as a 1NT overcall, partner does not have to bid with only 2 points. Of course, partner can make a weak take-out or transfer with suitable shape.

If your hand is such that you overcall in your major, partner should not be bidding with only 2 points.

♣♦♥♠

QWhat should opener do if the fourth hand

comes in over Stayman?


1NT Pass 2♣ 2/3 suit

?

I am guessing a 2NT overcall is rare and I have no idea about 3♣. Steve Bailey by email.

A If the opponents overcall 2♦, you can pass with no

four-card major or bid a four-card major if you have one. If you have four or five good diamonds, you might double rather than pass.

If the opponents overcall 2♥, you can pass with no-four card major, double with four hearts or bid 2♠ with four spades.

If the opponents overcall 2♠, you cannot do everything. For ease of memory, I suggest you play double as showing four spades. On grounds of frequency, you are more likely to hold four hearts than four spades, so in theory it is better to play double as showing four hearts - but there is a danger in playing double as negative on this sequence, but penalties on all the others.

If the opponents overcall 2NT (minors), 3♣ or 3♦, I suggest you pass with any minimum; with a maximum, you double without a four-card major or bid your four-card major if you have one.

Some tournament pairs would have a different arrangement, making some actions depend upon whether you have a stopper in the opposing suit.

♣♦♥♠

QMy partner had 16 points with six spades

topped by the A-K-Q.

We bid as follows:

Me Partner

1♠

2♦ 2♠

2NT 3♦

End

Having made 3♦, I asked partner why she did not bid her spades again instead of supporting my diamonds (with three diamonds). Her answer was that one is not supposed to repeat spades for a third time.

Was she right?Pamela Ford, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire.

AWith 16 HCP, your partner should not rebid 2♠. Repeating

her suit at the minimum level indicates a minimum opening bid (11-14). If her spade suit was six to the ace-king-queen, she should rebid 3♠, not 2♠.

Your partner’s bidding might be consistent with a hand like this one.

♠ A J 8 5 4 2

♥ 9 3

♦ A K 7

♣ 8 4

On this hand, bidding 3♦ rather than 3♠ on the third round is more economical; passing 2NT would be the alternative. While there are some hands on which it would be right to bid a 6-card suit a third time – for example, with K-Q-J-10-x-x one would not mind playing opposite a singleton – you do not want to go out of your way to do so. ■

Ask Julian continued

E-mail your questions for Julian to: [email protected]

Answers to David Huggett’s Play Quiz on page 8

NW E

S

1. ♠ 7 5

♥ J 10 6 2

♦ A K 7

♣ A 10 6 4

♠ Q 10 6 3 2 ♠ K J 9 4

♥ 9 8 7 3 ♥ Q 4

♦ 10 6 4 ♦ 9 5 3 2

♣ 2 ♣ K 8 5

♠ A 8

♥ A K 5

♦ Q J 8

♣ Q J 9 7 3

You are declarer in 3NT and West leads the ♠3. How do you plan the play?

The defence have found your weak spot and there is little point in holding up because you know from the lead that the spades are 5-4 one way round or another. If the club finesse is working there is no problem, but, as is usual, it is as well to look for an improvement on a mere 50-50 proposition. So play off the top two hearts first and on a good day a defender will have a doubleton queen making the position of the club king immaterial. You will have nine tricks on top with one spade, four hearts, three diamonds and a club.

NW E

S

2. ♠ A Q 5

♥ 7 6 4

♦ 8 3 2

♣ A J 9 3

♠ 8 2 ♠ 7 6 4

♥ K Q J 5 ♥ 10 9 3

♦ J 9 4 ♦ Q 10 7 6

♣ Q 10 7 2 ♣ K 8 5

♠ K J 10 9 3

♥ A 8 2

♦ A K 5

♣ 6 4

You are declarer in 4♠ and West leads the ♥K. How do you plan the play?

3NT would have been easy, but there is not much you can do about that now.

With only nine tricks readily available you have to find another and the only realistic place it can come from is the club suit. So win the heart, draw two rounds of trumps ending in hand and lead a low club playing the nine from dummy if West follows with a small card. You need West to hold the ten and either the king or the queen when you can take a finesse against the remaining honour for the tenth trick. Playing the clubs in this manner is much better than hoping both the king and queen are onside because holding the king and the ten or the queen and the ten is twice as likely as holding both the king and the queen. Why draw only two rounds of trumps? Because a cunning West might play a high club from Q10xx or K10xx thus depriving declarer of an entry to dummy when you would need that extra entry of a high trump.

NW E

S

3. ♠ A 7 6

♥ 8 3 2

♦ Q 7 6 3 2

♣ 8 5

♠ Q J 10 9 2 ♠ K 8 3

♥ J 9 6 4 ♥ Q 10 5

♦ 4 ♦ J 9 5

♣ K 7 2 ♣ Q 10 6 4

♠ 5 4

♥ A K 7

♦ A K 10 8

♣ A J 9 3

You are declarer in 3NT and West leads the ♠Q. How do you plan the play?

The contract looks so easy with one spade, two hearts, five diamonds and a club but appearances can be deceptive, even with a normal 3-1 diamond break. Suppose you win the opening lead and play off the two top diamonds. Everything will be fine if the jack appears, but if it doesn’t, you will find the diamond suit is blocked with you having to win the fourth diamond in hand and with no route back to dummy. So duck the opening lead and the second round of the suit too. Then

you can pitch a diamond on the ace and the diamond suit becomes untangled.

If the defenders switch to another suit after the first trick – but they won’t – you can always duck another spade yourself.

NW E

S

4. ♠ A 8 7 5 4

♥ A 6 5

♦ K J 10

♣ 6 4

♠ K J 6 3 ♠ Q 10 9

♥ J 8 7 3 ♥ Q 10 2

♦ 5 3 ♦ 7

♣ K 9 7 ♣ J 10 8 5 3 2

♠ 2

♥ K 9 4

♦ A Q 9 8 6 4 2

♣ A Q

You are declarer in 6♦ and West leads the ♦5. How do you plan the play?

The slam is a good one and, at first, it looks as though you need the club fi-nesse to work, as there seems to be an inescapable heart loser. But just look at that spade suit. If the adverse spades break 4-3, you can set up a long spade in dummy by ruffing the suit out. So win the lead in dummy and play the ace of spades and ruff a spade. Enter dummy with a trump and ruff another spade and repeat the process, by which time that last spade in dummy will be a winner. Now you can enter dummy with a heart and pitch the losing heart from hand on the master spade and you can even take the club finesse for an overtrick. Of course, if the spades failed to break kindly, you would need the club finesse to work. ■

BEGIN BRIDGE ACOL VERSIONAn Interactive Tutorial CD with Bernard Magee

See Mail Order form on page 5.

£66

S U M M M E R 2013 a n d S p R i n g 2014 o n b o a R d VOYAGER

all Voyager cruises will have an exclusive group on board. All clients will be invited to the drinks parties. For passengers

that opt to pay the £30 bridge supplement; there is duplicate bridge every evening, seminars every morning and afternoon bridge each day the ship is at sea and one of Bernard Magee’s bidding quizzes. The bridge is a fully optional programme and you may participate as much or as little as you wish. Singles are most welcome and will always be accommodated. If space allows any bridge playing passengers will be able to participate in the afternoon bridge session however, priority will always be given to passengers.

dinner on board Voyager is open sitting which allows for greater flexibility. However, we have arranged for clients to meet up with those in similar circumstances and sit at tables together. Being part of a group means passengers should never feel they are alone.

All fares shown are per person, based on two people sharing the lowest twin bedded cabin category currently available, are for new bookings only, include all applicable discounts and cannot be combined with any other discount, excluding Discovery Club Discount for past passengers. Saver Fares do not include UK coach transfers, car parking at port or gratuities (gratuities will be added to your on board account), full payment is required at time of booking, 100% cancellation or amendment fees apply and cabin number is not allocated at time of booking. All fares are correct at time of going to print, are subject to availability and may be changed or withdrawn at any time. Terms and conditions apply. See brochure for full terms and conditions. To be part of the Mr Bridge group, a supplement of £30pp will be taken at time of booking. Only bookings made through the Mr Bridge office are eligible to be part of the Mr Bridge Group. Price Promise applies to Standard Fares only where the fare you have booked is reduced on the same cruise and cabin grade and does not apply to Saver Fares, group bookings, Grand Voyages or any Winter 2012-13 cruises. Full terms and conditions apply, see brochure for details. Voyages of Discovery is the trading name of All Leisure Holidays Ltd.


Portsmouth St Peter Port • Holyhead Liverpool • Belfast • Oban Port of Tyne • Portsmouth

Castles, cathedrals, palaces and historic landscapes – all part of the rich heritage of an island nation.This cruise is in partnership with the National Trust.

2nd – 11th JUNE 2013 10 days; Saver Fares from £849pp

H E r i T a g E of the B r i T i S H i S L E S

Portsmouth • St Peter Port Fowey • Waterford • Dublin Kirkwall • invergordon greenwich • Dover Portsmouth

The rHS’s Chelsea Flower Show takes centre stage on this cruise around the British isles in springtime.

14th – 25th MaY 2013 12 days; Saver Fares from £999pp

BriTiSH iSLES and the CHELSEa FLOWEr SHOW

21st OCT – 2nd nov 2013 13 days; Saver Fares from £1,449pp

Visit sacred destinations and the marvellous ruins of cities lined with the history of Christianity. There is an option to visit the Holy Land after your cruise.

iN THE FOOTSTEPS of ST PaUL

istanbul • Canakkale Dikili • Kusadasi antalya • Patmos • Kavala Thessaloniki • Piraeus

a SUPErB SHiP WiTH FaCiLiTiES TO MaTCH

• Three restaurants providing a range of options including alfresco dining • 30 balcony cabins • Two lounges • Four bars • Lecture Theatre • Library • Pool with two hot tubs • Health and Fitness Centre • Beauty Salon • The Bridge Club • Medical Centre • internet Centre


bRidgE

HOST

Will Parsons

bRidgE

HOST

Tony richardsSharm El Sheik Safaga • Djibouti • Salalah Muscat • Fujairah • Dubai

This voyage opens up an archive of ancient mysteries and forgotten trade routes, Pharaoh and biblical sites. before reaching glamorous, ultramodern Dubai.

18th nov– 4th dEC 2013 17 days from £1369pp

aFRiCan and araBiaN aDVENTUrE

bRidgE

HOST

To be confirmed

bRidgE

HOST

gary Conrad

2nd nov– 18th nov 2013 17 days; Saver Fares from £1,549pp

Uncover the origins and genius of western civilisation before following in the footsteps of passionate Crusaders.

WiNDOWS on the aNCiENT WOrLD

• Piraeus • Valletta La goulette • Trapani Syracuse • Haraklion alexandria • Port Said Jordan • Sharm El Sheik

bRidgE

HOST

To be confirmed

7th – 21st apRiL 2014 15 days; Saver Fares from £1,799pp

Marvellous ancient and modern wonders highlight this amazing voyage that turns the pages on Egyptian, greek and roman history.

aNCiENT WOrLDS and MODErN MaSTErPiECES

Corinth Canal, Greece

Safaga • Sharm El Sheik aqaba • alexandria Heraklion • Piraeus • itea Naples • Civitavecchia

bRidgE

HOST

To be confirmed

The Explorer Grill

Corinth

mv VoyagerPetra, Jordan

Inveray Castle, Cobh Harbour

(Tickets to the show are not included and are subject to availalbility)

DPS S13_updated 26213.indd All Pages 01/03/2013 16:44:20

JUST DUPLICATE BRIDGE 2013

5-7 April Cheltenham Regency £199

12-14 April Ardington Hotel £199

17-19 May Cheltenham Regency £199

17-19 May The Olde Barn £169

31 May – 2 June The Olde Barn £169

14-16 June Chatsworth Hotel £199

14-16 June Elstead Hotel £199

21-23 June The Olde Barn £169

12-14 July Inn on the Prom £169

19-21 July The Olde Barn £169

26-28 July Cheltenham Regency £199

9-11 August Cheltenham Regency £199

16-18 August Inn on the Prom £169

6-8 September Cheltenham Regency £199

6-8 September The Olde Barn £169

13-15 September Cheltenham Regency £199

Full Board – No Single Supplement Booking Form on page 5.

Please note there are no seminars or set hands at these events.

27-29 September Ardington Hotel £199

11-13 October Cheltenham Regency £199

18-20 October The Olde Barn £169

25-27 October Cheltenham Regency £199

25-27 October Ardington Hotel £199

1-3 November The Olde Barn £169

22-24 November Ardington Hotel £199

22-24 November Elstead Hotel £199

22-24 November The Olde Barn £169

29 November – 1 December Ardington Hotel £199

6-8 December Cheltenham Regency £199

The Olde Barn HotelMarston, Lincs NG32 2HT

Cheltenham Regency Hotel Cheltenham GL51 0ST

Ardington HotelWorthing BN11 3DZ

Mr BridgeChristmas &

New Year 2013/14

Denham Grove

Near Uxbridge, UB9 5DU

23-27 December £495 Just Duplicate Bridge(with a small section for

rubber/Chicago with Diana Holland)

27-29 December £215 Signal and Discards

29 December – 2 January £445 Doubles

The Olde Barn

Marston, Lincs, NG32 2HT

23-27 December £495 Just Duplicate Bridge

27-29 December £215 Finding Slams

29 December – 1 January £445 Leads and Defence

( 01483 489961e-mail: [email protected]

website: www.holidaybridge.comBooking Form on page 5.

READERS’LETTERSFUNDRAISINGOne autumn, a few years ago, ten pairs of local bridge players were invited to a meeting on a Sunday around noon, after church, for pre-lunch drinks.

We booked to play games among each other in our homes between September and Easter.

Names, addresses and telephone numbers were exchanged and it took off.

After each session of three rubbers of bridge, changing partners each rubber, I was telephoned with the scores.

Each pair gave a cheque for £50 as ‘table money’. It is still going strong, with many of the original pairs still involved. There are no overheads, and it could be set up to benefit any char-ity or local organisation.

At Easter, we will have a get together and prize giving.

If you are in an area with-out a bridge club, this could be a good way of getting to know other players in the area, so here’s hoping some of your readers find it useful. Minda Alexander,Weybridge, Surrey.

SIMPLESI have been caught out sever-al times, choosing the wrong option as judged by the final (failing) outcome. Some-times, this has a bit to do with the guile of the opposition who have roundly thrashed an apparently poor call.

Now, however, I simply ask myself what my second

bid could be and is the five card major strong enough to sustain a second visit. If not, then 1NT describes my hand and there is no agonis-ing over what to call next. John E C Avery by email.

CLUB BRIDGEPlaying Duplicate Pairs at Tamworth Bridge Club last week, I picked up a hand with no card higher than a ten. In fact, I had all four tens. We then moved to the next table. To my surprise, on the first hand of round three, I again had no card higher than a ten. Three tens and a nine this time.

On round three, to my total amazement, I once again picked up a hand with no card higher than a ten. Once again, three tens and a nine. It took a gargantuan effort to control my reactions to avoid giving unauthorised information.Mr Peter Rollin,Wilnecote, Tamworth.

SPANISH PLUGThe International Bridge Club, in Benidorm, meets 3 times a week at the Parque de Loix, Calle Berlin, Rincon de Loix, Benidorm every Sun-day, Tuesday and Thursday for Duplicate Bridge. Play commences at 2.30pm and lasts until around 6pm. We are a friendly club, pre-dominantly English but with Spanish and French mem-bers. Visitors are welcome. The session includes a short break when refreshments are provided – all this for just 3

Euros per session. There is no annual subscription and there is no need to book.

Telephone, from England – ( 0034 607 311 292 or ( 0034 96 686 6560 – from Spain, drop the 0034, or email [email protected] for more information.

We look forward to hear-ing from you and seeing you in the near future.Gerry Rose by email.

SCHOOLS’ BRIDGESorry to read in January’s editorial that times were get-ting difficult for the organisa-tion, e.g. pulling out of the USA, reduced interest in cruises and a general fall in the number of bridge play-ers nationally. My wife and I are now retired and learned our bridge at college. We recently attended an excellent weekend with Bernard Ma-gee, who is inspirational. We briefly discussed the teaching of bridge in schools and col-leges. Apparently, because bridge has been associated with betting in the past, this excludes it from some educa-tional establishments. How-ever, if we are to encourage a new generation of players surely this must be the way forward. What do you think?Mr Keith Dancer,Kemble, Glos.

KENTISH TEACHER Would you please send BRIDGE to a friend who is just starting to learn bridge and is planning to attend classes being run in this area? He is finding it difficult to find classes and would be pleased to hear of a teacher in the area.Mrs M Millican,Sittingbourne, Kent.

JUST RIGHT (1)Yesterday, we returned from a Just Duplicate Bridge event

held at The Elstead Hotel, Bournemouth. The hotel was comfortable, with a varied menu and pleasing staff.

The weekend was efficiently hosted by Kate Henderson and both she and her team created a warm atmosphere.

During the whole weekend, everyone appeared happy and relaxed and we will certainly plan a return visit.

We thought you would like to hear these compliments, as no doubt you receive brickbats from time to time. We have enjoyed many bridge holidays with you and this weekend was a delightful break in a wet and dreary January.Mr and Mrs J Lowther, Ferndown, Dorset.

PHOTO SHOOTHaving met Bernard Ma-gee a couple of times, I remember thinking that he was a nice looking chap so I really don’t understand why you are using such a terrible picture of him (see the back cover of February English Bridge). I feel sure that this picture will hinder, rather than help, your sales.Mrs Jan Scoones by email.

JUST RIGHT (2)My husband, two friends and I returned recently from a Just Duplicate Bridge weekend at The Ardington Hotel in Worthing. We thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, being a first for the four of us.

The hotel accommodation, the food and the staff were all superb. The bridge sessions were excellent as were the organisers. Altogether, a very happy weekend and as a bonus the snow virtually disappeared on Sunday to ensure a comfortable journey home.Mr and Mrs Bawden, Amersham, Bucks.

ME TOOI think the trip to Petra finally did my knee in.

So I had a total knee replacement in December and I am gradually learn-ing to walk properly.

Very sorry to hear your news about Mrs B and hope she is recovering from her pneumonia. My thoughts will be with her for her forthcoming knee op.Mr Ken Little,Chippenham, Glos.

GUINEA PIGSI am a member of a U3A bridge group of about 24 people who meet every week to play bridge in a local vil-lage hall. I was wondering whether you had any ideas as to how we can speed up our bridge education.Mrs L Sidey,Penrith, Cumbria.For your absolute beginners, I will try a new scheme and will report to readers once it has been tried and tested.

TOO ADVANCEDDavid Gold’s argument (BRIDGE 122) does seem to run counter to those I learned fairly soon af-ter taking up bridge.

1. In Acol an opener does not promise a five-card suit. This principle is explained at length in Bernard Magee’s excellent DVD More Acol.

2. Had the responder actually been the opener he would have pre-empted with 3♥, not 4♥. Thus he would never have responded 4♥. A counter maxim to that of David Gold is that, ‘One should never pre-empt against one’s partner.’

It is true that in the hands shown 4♥ was makeable,

READERS’ LETTERScontinued

APRIL 2013

21 HOSPICARE Swiss Teams at Exeter Golf & Country Club 11am. £60 per team includes a salad platter and tea/coffee. Carol Horgan ( 01392 875513

26 ST WILFRID’S HOSPICE Inner Wheel Club of Chichester Bridge Drive. Lavant Memorial Hall, Pook Lane, Laven. PO18 0AH. 2pm. £24 per table (inc. tea). Please bring bridge cloth and playing cards. Beverly Guest ( 01243 605503 [email protected]

MAY 2013

9 HUDDERSFIELD PENNINE ROTARY CLUB Outlane Golf Club. 12 for 12.30. £44 per table. Sam Smith ( 01924 492540

17 CHILDREN’S CHARITIES Doddington Village Hall, March. £14. 10 for 10.30am. Val Topliss ( 01354 653696

17 FRIENDS OF GIRLGUIDING Oxfordshire, Eynsham Village Hall, 10am-3.30pm. £30 a pair. Bridget Walton ( 01993 702934 [email protected]

29 AFRICAN MISSIONS Bridge tea, Ladywell, Godalming, Surrey. 1.30 for 2pm. £36 per table. Sr. June Shirville ( 01483 419393 [email protected]

JUNE 2013

12 BREAKTHROUGH BREAST CANCER Bridge afternoon. Bartholomew Barn, Kirdford, West Sussex. RH14 0LN 1.30pm. £20 pp (tables of 4). Sumptuous tea, raffle and bubbles. Jo Rees ( 01903 740512 www.bartholomewbarn.co.uk

14 ST MARY’S CHURCH Eaton Socon, St Neots. 10.00 for 10.30am. £13.50. Malcolm Howarth ( 01480 212910

E-mail your charity events: [email protected]

CHARITY BRIDGE EVENTSJULY 2013


7 RUNSWICK BAY RESCUE BOAT Bridge Day. Hinderwell Village Hall. 10am. £16 each to include lunch. Karen ( 01947 841013

12 GREAT BARFORD CHURCH Village Hall, Great Barford. 10.00 for 10.30am. Tickets £13.50. Derek Fordham ( 01234 870324

AUGUST 2013

16 ST IVES DAY CARE CENTRE Hemingford Abbots Village Hall. Tickets £13.50. Don Moorman ( 01480 463444

SEPTEMBER 2013


OCTOBER 2013

4 ST ANDREWS CHURCH Mandeville Hall. Kimbolton. Tickets £14.00. Mavis Campion ( 01480 860477

NOVEMBER 2013

4 RNLI Crowborough Beacon Golf Club bridge tea. 1.30pm for 2pm start. £26 per table. Penny ( 01825 830006


22 ST MARY’S CHURCH Eaton Socon, St Neots. 10.00 for 10.30am. £13.50. Malcolm Howarth ( 01480 212910

but such configuration of four hands does seem to be rather contrived – there are many alternative configura-tions giving the same points to each partnership where 4♥ would have been impossible.Edwin Keen, Norwich.

ALREADY ADDICTSWe are a group of bridge players who met four years ago when we went to the local college to learn how to play or improve. We all live in the Charn-wood district of Leicester-shire, hence our name.

We play regularly at sev-eral local clubs at different levels and a few of us have reached Club Master rank and started to play in minor League matches. It is so nice always to have the opportu-nity to play with friends and, more importantly, with peo-ple who play in a similar way. We soon realised that there were differences of opinion, even amongst the experts, on certain aspects and decided we all needed to be sing-ing from the same ‘song-sheet’ i.e. convention card.

After being introduced to Mr Bridge and his plethora of excellent material – the magazine, books and es-pecially the instructional CD-Roms – it wasn’t long before we decided to play the ‘Bernard Magee’ way. Once some of us had started using the CDs, then others followed and we compared notes as we worked our way through ACOL Bidding and then Defence followed by Declarer Play. Bernard makes an ex-cellent teacher, never running out of patience as he is asked to repeat his advice and encouragement time after time. I confess I mostly turn the sound off, (sorry Bernard but my husband is watching the television) It is so helpful being able to replay the


hands repeatedly, ‘if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again,’ and learn from the mistakes.

It then seemed a natural progression that we should turn our thoughts towards meeting the ‘great man’ in person and attending one of the Mr Bridge weekends. Thus it was that in October, 2011 six of us turned up, excited but full of trepida-tion, at the Olde Barn Hotel in Lincolnshire. We needn’t have worried, all the staff and Mr Bridge team soon put us completely at our ease. Bernard’s charm and enthusiasm were every bit as charismatic as on the screen. I remember it was an unusually warm weekend and we took every opportu-nity to take our refreshment breaks out in the sunshine. We all thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and learned a lot about slam bidding from the two seminars, putting it into practice in supervised play sessions afterwards. The duplicate sessions were also well organised and stimulat-ing. The accommodation was very satisfactory and some of us even managed a swim before dinner. The food too was excellent and so we were sorry when the weekend was over, but we vowed we would do it again.

So, in September 2012, the Charnwood Players were on the road again, but this time there were ten of us travel-ling down to Worthing on the south coast. Of course, we knew what to expect now and couldn’t wait to meet our genial host again. The topic was defence and we tried hard to understand all the pearls of wisdom coming

our way about leads and discards, signals and count. It was a lot for our little brains to take in and understand, let alone try to use, but we all persevered. The weather was less clement but a few of us braved the drizzle for a walk along the promenade and on to the pier. I was particularly pleased to be in Worthing again as my parents had lived there and it brought back many happy memories.

We were rather selfish during the practice ses-sions and ‘bagged’ the best tables in the rooms, in the window bays overlooking the sea. It was a very nice, if distracting way to watch the activities on the beach.

We now look forward to learning more about this fascinating game that has us all in its thrall – why did no-one warn us that it would become so addictive?Penny Hodgson, Mountsorrel.

KISS EXPLAINEDI was interested to read Freddie North’s article on Kiss in BRIDGE 122.

Since he does not know how the expression origi-nated, I am pleased to inform him that the original expres-sion was, ’Keep it simple Simon.’ Simon in this case was Simon Burrage whom I often partnered at Becken-ham bridge club about 25 years ago. I often picked up Simon as a partner. When he asked what system we should play I would reply, ‘Keep it simple Simon!’ Echoing the well known nursery rhyme. I soon realised that it had a suitable acronym. KISS.

Of course, when I took a different partner, I had to change the expression to, ‘Keep it simple Stupid,’ to preserve the acronym.Mr James McGrath,Bickley, Kent.

APRIL 2013

5-7 Blunsdon House Hotel £245 Losing Trick Count

12-14 Chatsworth Hotel £245 Declarer Play

19-21 Inn on the Prom £245 Thinking Defence

JULY 2013

5-7 Blunsdon House Hotel £245 Signals & Discards

12-14 Cheltenham Regency £245 Thinking Defence

OctObeR 2013

11-13 Blunsdon House Hotel £245 Splinters and Cue Bids

18-20 Chatsworth Hotel £245 Playing & Defending 1NT

25-27 Queensferry Hotel £245 Finding Slams

NOVeMbeR 2013

8-10 Olde Barn Hotel £245 Better Leads & Switches

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MAY 11 KORCULA Croatia 2.00pm midnight

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MAY 13 At Sea

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MAY 15 PALERMO (Monreale) Sicily 7.00am overnight

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MAY 17 SORRENTO (Pompeii) Italy 1.00pm overnight

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1469 Mr Bridge Venice to Rome ad_Layout 1 01/02/2013 16:51 Page 1

fore the opening lead, each player passes any 3 cards to the player on his or her left. Remember to reconstitute the original hands before mov-ing on to the next board.

DOUBLE TROUBLEA double must be added to the final contract. If the auc-tion ends with a double or redouble (followed by three passes, of course), the con-tract will be played redou-bled. It is important to re-member that 2♥ is a game call, and that overtricks are valuable.

PRECISION PLAYIn order to register a posi-tive score, the contract must be made exactly. Overtricks will be recorded as under-tricks, thus: 2♥+2 is scored as 2♥-2. Doubled contracts likewise (now there’s an in-teresting thought.....). No conferring in defence.

DOUBLE DUMMYAfter the auction but be-fore the opening lead, each player faces his or her cards. Then the opening lead is made. Declarer plays dum-my’s cards as well as his or her own; the defenders must not confer.

WORKING DUMMYThe auction proceeds as normal. During the play, however, dummy does not lay down his or her cards but plays them as in a hand of whist. No conferring.

NO TRUMP BANNo player is allowed to make

Before play, a set of either 2 or 3 boards will be placed on each table, together with an instruction card drawn randomly. This card will apply to the set of boards on the table and it must be passed on with those boards at the end of each round, to ensure that everybody plays the same hands under the same conditions.

Some instructions require the passing or exchange of cards before play; these hands must be recorded (remember ‘curtain cards’?) before they are played for the first time, and the origi-nal hands must always be reconstituted before they are passed on.

Two rules will apply throughout the event: (1) No hand may be passed out. If three players pass, the fourth player must open the bid-ding. Note that bluffing (or ‘psyching’) may, in some situations, be sound tactics – and will not be penalised. (2) Once a hand is withdrawn from the board and viewed, partners may not confer on any matter, whatsoever.

The following ten varia-tions on our noble game will be played:

BLIND REJECTSBefore the auction, each player passes 3 cards (which must be of the same suit) to the player on his or her left. Remember to reconstitute the original hands before mov-ing on to the next board.

INFORMED REJECTSAfter the auction, but be-

NOt bRIDGe AS We KNOW It by Mike Griffiths

This fun competition should be played with duplimated boards and scored, using Bridgemates, as a duplicate pairs event. In consequence, handouts will be available and it may well be amusing to view the results and to speculate how some of the more exotic contracts were reached.

any bid in No Trumps. The penalty for infringement is (a) the NT call is cancelled and another bid is substi-tuted, and (b) the offending side is penalised by one trick in the play.

HIJACKThis is probably the most wicked variation. After the auction, but before the opening lead, the declarer may (optionally) require ANY two of the other players to exchange hands.

Remember to put the hands back in the correct slots before passing on the boards.

(How often, in the post mortem, has one opponent said to you, ‘we should have been playing this hand to-gether.’? Here’s where it can come true – but only declarer and his/her partner will ben-efit from playing the two best hands at the table. I look forward to seeing the same slam made by both N/S and E/W.....)

ADVANTAGE DECLARERAfter the auction and the opening lead, declarer ex-changes 3 of his or her own cards with 3 of dummy’s. Remember to reconstitute the original hands before moving on to the next board.

ADVANTAGE DEFENDERSAfter the auction, but before the opening lead, the de-fenders (without conferring) exchange 3 cards. Remem-ber to reconstitute the origi-nal hands before moving on to the next board.

FUN NOT BRIDGEIn response to Mr Poole’s letter in BRIDGE 122; I have taken on the task of organising a ‘fun bridge’ event for a social evening at Tunbridge Wells Bridge Club. The adjacent describes the variations I intend to inflict on our unsuspecting members. Some of these, I think, are original and I particularly look forward to playing ‘Hijack’ where players may need to use poker psychology to outwit their opponents.

Where these variations differ from others I have seen is that normal duplicate or Chicago scoring applies in all cases.

I do hope some readers will find all this of interest.Mr Mike Griffiths,Paddock Wood, Kent.

GOFFIE’S SERVICE

Because of your Clive Goff adverts, I have been using his service for many years to send the mail out for the Magistrates Golfing Society. He is extremely helpful and efficient. And has saved us much money. Everyone talks about the various pictures on the stamps. Long may his service continue.Janet G. Griffith, Hazel Grove, Stockport.

FEWER ADS PLEASECould we have fewer advertisements please. They interfere with the bridge and just get in the way. In any event, I just skip through them.Mrs M Thrower by email.



FAqSI have been following the answers to questions relating to the Laws of Bridge by David Stevenson in the issues of BRIDGE for the last few years; they are the first pages I look at on receipt. As a TD of two clubs, I have found them invaluable. However, keeping track of the various issues over the years has been very difficult, so I was about to cut out these articles from my back copies of the issues of BRIDGE and keep them in a separate folder. Before doing so, I wonder whether any consideration has been given to the publication of these answers in a separate booklet, with an index? I am sure many other TDs would find such a publication useful. Russell Sweeney by email.

CHEER UPIn your editorial column in BRIDGE 123, you tell us that the numbers of UK bridge players may be falling.

Our club was down to a miserable 5.8 tables per week by 2007, then we decided to do something about it. How you might ask?

By getting members to bring their friends: making a fuss of the visitors when they arrive.

Generating publicity in the local media: we send them our competition results, which they usually print together with a short note about our meeting times and our website address.

Creating a dynamic website with ever changing content: an increasingly powerful way to attract new members.

Holding an annual Open Evening, promoted via the press: we have gained six new members in the last two years from this alone.

Holding an annual ‘Play with an Expert’ evening: very popular with less experienced players.

Starting beginners’ classes: over 70 students taking part since 2011 resulting in two new members already.

Organising improvers’ classes for established local players, this has led to new members.

Finally, by fostering a friendly atmosphere: easily the most important factor.

By 2012, we were back to 7.6 tables, and last week we had a new problem: how to fit everyone in? Twelve tables for the second week running.

And there are encouraging trends nationally, with the EBU reporting that numbers in their Universal Membership Scheme (P2P) have steadily increased since it began three years ago.Donald Reid, Chairman, Watford & Bushey Bridge Club.

BRIDGE BINGOI have run a very simple but very enjoyable bridge party twice at our club with BINGO bridge. Prepare beforehand bingo cards with about 20 different achievable scores on each card. Some scores should be easy such as 50; 420 or 100. But others need to be things like 720 or 800. There are examples of these bingo cards on the internet but they cannot be downloaded. All scores are counted whether minus or plus. If North gains a score of 150; then everyone at the table can cross off 150 if it appears on their card; also, if North goes down and scores -50, everyone

Denham Grove

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4-6 October 2013 Doubles £215 Gary Conrad

25-27 October 2013 Finding Slams £215

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RUBBER / CHICAGO

with Diana Holland

£199 Full Board No Single Supplement


Blunsdon House Hotel Swindon SN26 7AS

12-14 April 2013

Write to Mr Bridge at: Ryden Grange, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH or e-mail [email protected]

E-mail correspondents are asked to include their name, full postal address, telephone number and to send no attachments. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

at the table can cross off 50. Play 4 hands per table with usual duplicate scoring and vulnerability; i.e. no-one, dealer, dealer, all.

At the end of 4 hands move people on to new partners. Play continues in this vein all evening and gradually players need a particular score e.g. 420. Therefore, declarer is trying hard to get exactly 10 tricks and anyone who doesn’t have 420 to cross off is going to try and get him down or make him gain overtricks. The play becomes hilarious but it also takes a lot of thought and skill. I usually have little prizes (chocolate santa, Christmas drinks’ mat) for the first line across; first line down and, at the end, the man with most crossed off and woman with most crossed off. Lynda Moore,Woolpit, Suffolk.

STAYMANOn a number of occasions, I have come across players who are adamant that there is no possible response, with a weak hand, of 2♣ Stayman to an opening bid of 1NT. As I have recently come across a bridge instructor who endorses this view and advises his pupils accordingly, I thought that it is timely that the matter was put before a wider audience.

With this in mind, I submit a short article on the subject for your consideration.

Please feel free to add, alter or amend it in any way, shape or form, as it is the concept that I wish to get across.Mr L Hodby by email.See facing page. ■

Elstead Hotel Bournemouth BH1 3QP

17-19 May 2013

It is a widely held belief, particularly at club and social level, that responding to an opening bid of 1NT (weak) with 2♣ (Stayman) is only possible when holding 11 points or more. The reasoning has inevitably been, ‘I added up my points and, with fewer than 10, Stayman was automatically out of the question.’

Stayman simply asks the question, ‘Do you hold four hearts or four spades? Yes, or no.’ It does not imply that you must end up in a game contract.

For instance, you pick up the following hand and hear partner open 1NT.

♠ 9 7 5 3

♥ 9 6 7 4

♦ 10 7 5 4 2

♣ Void

Before cursing your luck and thinking, ‘I hope things are going to get better than this as they cannot get much worse,’ let’s take another look. With no points at all, instead of the automatic, ‘Pass,’ how about considering the unthinkable, 2♣ (Stayman)?

‘Mmm. If partner’s reply is 2♥, we do have a fit in hearts. And again, if the reply is 2♠ there is a fit there, too. How about the worst case scenario, 2♦? Well, in this case, I have a five-card suit, so things should not be too bad.’

‘Mmm. Right, 2♣ Stayman it is then and I can pass any response my partner makes.’ The resulting contract might fail, but not as badly as 1NT would have done.

Alternatively, suppose you hold:

♠ 8 5 4 3 2

♥ 9 4 3 2

♦ 8 5 3

♣ 2

Your partner opens 1NT. It is safe to bid 2♣ (Stayman). If partner responds 2♥ or 2♠ you will pass. If he replies 2♦ (denying a four-card major), you can sign off in 2♠.

You have given yourself the extra chance of finding a 4-4 heart fit.

Holding 5-4 or 4-5 in the majors (or with a 4-4-5-0 shape), utilising Stayman with significantly fewer than 10 points could lead to a much better part score. It might also compel the op-position to bid at the 3-level if they want to compete.

Providing you can handle any response that your partner may make, Stayman is a powerful tool.

To get the most out of it, instead of automatically passing 1NT, consider the idea, ‘If you can cope with any response, then you can use Stayman,’ however poor your hand appears to be.

You Can Respond 2♣ Stayman to 1NT With Fewer Than 10 Points

by Len Hodby

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Answers to Julian Pottage’s Defence Quiz on page 8

NW E

S

1. ♠ Q J 7 2

♥ J 7 2

♦ A Q 10 6

♣ J 4

♠ A 9 6 ♠ 10 4 3

♥ 10 9 8 5 3 ♥ A 4

♦ J 2 ♦ 9 5 4

♣ K 7 5 ♣ A 9 8 3 2

♠ K 8 5

♥ K Q 6

♦ K 8 7 3

♣ Q 10 6


1NT

Pass 2♣ Pass 2♦1

Pass 2NT End1No four-card major

You lead the ♥9. Partner takes the ♥A and switches to the ♣3. You take the ♣K and return the ♣7, on which go the ♣J, ♣2 and ♣Q. Declarer leads the ♠5. What do you do?

Partner switched to a low club, the ♣3, and followed with a lower one, the ♣2. This must mean a holding of A-x-x-x-x. In this case, you can take the contract down with two major-suit aces and four clubs. You need to grab the ♠A because declarer must have the other high cards and be ready to take eight tricks – a spade, two hearts, a club and four diamonds.

NW E

S

2. ♠ Q J 7 2

♥ A 9

♦ K 6

♣ K Q J 9 8

♠ 9 6 ♠ A K 10 8 4 3

♥ 8 5 2 ♥ 6 4

♦ A Q 10 8 4 ♦ J 9

♣ A 10 6 ♣ 7 5 2

♠ 5

♥ K Q J 10 7 3

♦ 7 5 3 2

♣ 4 3


2♠1 Pass

Pass 2NT Pass 4♥

End 1Weak: six spades, 6-10 points

You lead the ♠9. Partner wins with the ♠K and switches to the ♦J. How do you defend?

You should begin by putting together what you know. The bidding and play to trick one marks East with six spades to the ace-king. South must have six or seven good hearts. You seem to have three top winners, so you need one more trick.

There is a chance the ♦J is a singleton, in which case you can give East a ruff. So long as you can shut out the club suit, surely you can succeed even if the ♦J is doubleton. You know you can hold up the ♣A. You also need to dislodge dummy’s ♦K entry. You need to do so in such a way as to stop declarer from ruffing two diamonds in dummy. This means you duck the first diamond.

NW E

S

3. ♠ A K Q 10 6

♥ J 7 3

♦ 3

♣ J 7 5 2

♠ J 9 3 ♠ 7 5 2

♥ A 9 6 5 ♥ 8 4

♦ K 10 8 2 ♦ Q 7 6 5

♣ 9 8 ♣ A K 4 3

♠ 8 4

♥ K Q 10 2

♦ A J 9 4

♣ Q 10 6


1NT

Pass 2♥1 Pass 2♠

Pass 2NT End1Transfer to spades

You lead the ♦2. Partner plays the ♦Q, losing to the ♦A. Declarer leads the ♥2 to the ♥J and continues the suit, East

playing the ♥8 and then the ♥4. What do you do?

Firstly, you need to decide whether to hold up the ♥A. While you can shut out the fourth round of hearts by holding up again, counting declarer’s tricks should tell you to win. Five spades in dummy, the ♦A and two heart tricks would be the eight that declarer needs.

Having taken the ♥A, you should switch to the ♣9. You know from the play to the first trick that declarer has the ♦J, so diamond leads need to come from partner. You can win the next diamond and put partner back in with a club for another diamond through.

NW E

S

4. ♠ A J 9

♥ J 8

♦ K Q

♣ K J 9 6 4 3

♠ Q 10 7 5 4 2 ♠ 8

♥ A ♥ 9 5 4

♦ J 9 7 ♦ 10 8 5 4 3 2

♣ A Q 8 ♣ 10 7 2

♠ K 6 3

♥ K Q 10 7 6 3 2

♦ A 6

♣ 5


1♣ Pass 1♥

1♠ 2♣ Pass 4♥

End

You lead the ♠5: ♠J, ♠8 and ♠3. Declarer leads the ♥J from dummy, playing the ♥2 on East’s ♥5. What is your plan?

To beat this game you need two more tricks to go with your aces. Declarer has the king of spades and could have the other missing spade, in which case part-ner can ruff. Since, when you carry on with spades, you do so aiming to deliver a ruff, you lead your lowest spade; the two will be a suit-preference signal for clubs. This way you hope to get back in with your ♣A to give partner a second ruff. ■

Italy

Elba

Bonifacio

Livorno

CorsicaSpain

Marseilles

Barcelona

CannesSete

CivitavecchiaRome

Mediterranean Sea

FlorenceFRANCE

PalmaMallorca

MAY 19, 2013 – 11 days from £1,895pp

DATE PORT ARRIVE DEPART

MAY 19 Fly to ROME ItalyTransfer to Civitavecchia toboard Aegean Odyssey 11.00pm

MAY 20 ELBA Italy 1.00pm 10.00pm

MAY 21 LIVORNO (Florence) Italy 6.00am 9.00pm

MAY 22 Cruising the Maddalena ArchipelagoBONIFACIO Corsica 1.00pm 8.00pm

MAY 23 At Sea

MAY 24 PALMA Mallorca, Spain 7.00am 7.00pm

MAY 25 BARCELONA Spain 8.00am 7.00pm

MAY 26 SETE (Carcassonne) France 8.00am 8.00pm

MAY 27 MARSEILLES (Avignon) France 7.00am 8.00pm

MAY 28 CANNES France 8.00am overnight

MAY 29 CANNES FranceDisembark and transfer to Nice Airport for flight home

Standard Inside £1,895ppSuperior Inside from £1,995ppStandard Outside £2,295pp

Superior Outside from £2,450ppDeluxe Outside from £2,895ppDeluxe Balcony from £3,695pp



CRUISE TO THE TREASURES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN

FROM RENAISSANCE ITALY TO MEDIEVAL FRANCE

This voyage explores the scenery and fascinating history that this sea has tooffer: from the natural beauty of Corsica to the ambience of the French Rivieraand the treasures of Renaissance Florence. You will also visit Elba – the islandof the Emperor Napoleon's exile – and the mighty Papal Palace at Avignon,see Gaudi’s extraordinary architecture in Barcelona, the cathedral in Palmaand the medieval stronghold of Carcassonne – and have time to spend theevening strolling along the Croisette in beautiful Cannes.

Enjoy your daily duplicate on this voyage through the Mediterranean11 day cruise from Rome to Cannes departs UK May 19, 2013

Prices are per person, double occupancy in double cabins; single occupancy in single cabins, and include MR BRIDGE SPECIAL SAVINGS. *The number of cabins with no single supplement is strictly limited.Please book early to avoid disappointment.CALL ON 01483 489961

special fares from just £1,895 include:

•FULL BRIDGE PROGRAMME •SCHEDULED FLIGHTS & TRANSFERS

•EXPERTLY PLANNED ITINERARIES

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•EXPERT ANTIQUITY GUEST SPEAKERS

•OPEN-SEATING DINING •WINE WITH DINNER ON BOARD

•GRATUITIES ON BOARD

•EXCLUSIVE MR BRIDGE COCKTAIL PARTY

MR BRIDGE SPECIAL FARES

Past passengers can SAVE EVEN MOREplease call for details

NO SINGLE

SUPPLEMENT*

Aegean Odyssey ~ cruise in comfort, relax in style Carrying around 350 passengers, the atmosphere on board is relaxed with plenty of passenger space, a choice of restaurants (with open-seating dining) and generously-sized accommodations, plus the comfort and attentive service of boutique-style cruising.


Italy

Elba

Bonifacio

Livorno

CorsicaSpain

Marseilles

Barcelona

CannesSete

CivitavecchiaRome

Mediterranean Sea

FlorenceFRANCE

PalmaMallorca

1470 Mr Bridge Rome to Cannes ad_Layout 1 01/02/2013 19:05 Page 1

SINGLE TRIP SUMMARY OF COVER

The following represent the Significant and Key Features of the policy including Exclusions and Limitations that apply per person. A full copy of the policy document is available on request.

CANCELLATION OR CURTAILMENT up to £1,500If you have to cancel or cut short your trip due to illness, injury, redundancy, jury service, the police requiring you to remain at or return to your home due to serious damage to your home, you are covered against loss of travel and accommodation costs.Policy Excess £75. For persons aged 61 to 70 years the excess is increased to £100. For persons aged 71 to 90 years the excess is increased to £150.See section headed Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions for increased excesses applicable to claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions.

PERSONAL ACCIDENT up to £15,000A cash sum for accidental injury resulting in death, loss of sight, loss of limb or permanent total disablement. No Policy Excess.

MEDICAL AND OTHER EXPENSES up to £10,000,000Including a 24 HOUR WORLDWIDE MEDICAL EMERGENCY SERVICE

(a) The cost of hospital and other emergency medical expenses incurred abroad, including additional accommodation and repatriation expenses. Limit £250 for emergency dental treatment and £5,000 burial/cremation/transfer of remains. Limit £2,500 for transfer of remains to your home if you die in the UK.Policy Excess £75 Areas 1, 2 & 3, £150 Area 4 or on a Cruise. For persons aged 61 to 70 years the excess is increased to £150 Areas 1, 2 & 3, £500 Area 4 or on a Cruise. For persons aged 71 to 90 years the excess is increased to £300 Areas 1, 2 & 3, £1,000 Area 4 or on a Cruise.See section headed Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical Conditions for increased excesses applicable to claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions.

(b) HOSPITAL BENEFIT up to £300An additional benefit of £15 per day for each day you spend in hospital abroad as an in-patient. No Policy Excess.

MAIN EXCLUSIONS AND CONDITIONS

The following represents only the main exclusions. The policy document sets out all of the conditions and exclusions. A copy of the full policy wording is available on request in writing prior to application.

MAIN HEALTH EXCLUSIONS:Insurers will not pay for claims arising1. Where You (or any person upon whose health the Trip depends) have or have had symptoms

which are awaiting or receiving investigation, tests, treatment, referral or the results of any of the foregoing, unless We have agreed in writing to cover You.

2. From any terminal illness suffered by You (or any person upon whose health the Trip depends). 3. From any medical condition for which You (or any person upon whose health the Trip depends)

have within 12 months prior to the date of issue of this insurance been diagnosed with a medical condition or have been admitted or undergone a procedure/ intervention.

4. Medical conditions existing prior to the payment of the insurance premium or any consequence thereof in respect of which a Medical Practitioner would advise against travel or that treatment may be required during the duration of the Trip.

OTHER GENERAL EXCLUSIONSClaims arising from1. Winter sports, any hazardous pursuits, any work of a non sedentary nature.2. Self inflicted injury or illness, suicide, alcoholism or drug abuse, sexual disease.3. War, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities or warlike operations, civil war, rebellion,

Terrorism, revolution, insurrection, civil commotion, military or usurped power but this exclusion shall not apply to losses under Section 3 – Medical Expenses unless such losses are caused by nuclear, chemical or biological attack, or the disturbances were already taking place at the beginning of any Trip.

4. Failure or fear of failure or inability of any equipment or any computer program.5. Bankruptcy/liquidation of any tour operator, travel agent, airline, transportation company or

accommodation supplier.6. Travelling to countries or regions where the FCO or WHO has advised against travel.7. Your failure to contact the Medical Screening Line where required.

POLICY EXCESSES:The amount of each claim for which insurers will not pay and for which you are responsible. The excess as noted in the policy summary applies to each and every claim per insured person under each section where an excess applies.

Increased Excess for Pre Existing Medical ConditionsAcceptance of pre existing medical conditions is made by the application of increased excesses in the event of claims arising from the pre existing condition. If You have ever had a circulatory, heart or blood pressure related problem, a stroke, cancer, asthma or any breathing problems, diabetes or any psychological problem, the following excess will apply (other than in respect of claims that are specifically excluded) :Under the Cancellation or Curtailment section – double the normal excess.Under the Medical & Other Expenses section – For persons aged 60 years or less the excess is increased to £500 Areas 1&2, £750 Area 3, £1,000 Area 4 or on a Cruise.For persons aged 61 to 90 years the excess is increased to £1,000 Areas 1&2, £1,500 Area 3, £2,000 Area 4 or on a Cruise.Please note that we consider a Cruise to be a Trip by sea in a liner calling at a number of ports.

Medical ScreeningUnless you are travelling to Area 4 or on a Cruise, there is no need to advise us of your pre existing medical conditions. If You have a history of any medical condition and are travelling within Area 4 or on a Cruise, you must first contact Towergate Medical Screening Line to establish whether we can provide cover for your trip. The number to call is:

0844 892 1698If you are accepted, the level of excess stated above will apply. You will receive

written confirmation that you are covered for the trip. In the event that you are not accepted for cover having been screened, we may be able to offer you cover under

our Single Trip “PLUS” product. Please ask us for further details or go to our website.

GLOBAL TRAVEL INSURANCEA1 Yeoman Gate, Yeoman Way, Worthing, BN13 3QZ

( 01903 267432 Fax 01903 268946 Email [email protected] GLOBAL TRAVELINSURANCEServices Limited

GLOBAL TRAVELINSURANCEServices Limited

If you have a complaint about the sale of this insurance you must first write to the Managing Director of Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd. Subsequently, complaints may be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service. If we are unable to meet our liabilities you may be entitled to compensation under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. If you would like more information or are unsure of any details contained herein, you should ask Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd for further advice.

PERSONAL LUGGAGE, MONEY & VALUABLES up to £2,000Covers accidental loss, theft or damage to your personal luggage subject to a limit of £200 for any one article, pair or set and an overall limit of £200 for valuables such as cameras, Jewellery, furs, etc. Luggage and valuables limited to £1500. Delayed luggage, up to £75. Policy Excess £50.Money, travel tickets and travellers cheques are covered up to £500 against accidental loss or theft (cash limit £250). Policy Excess £50.No cover is provided for loss or theft of unattended property, valuables or money or for loss or theft not reported to the Police within 24 hours of discovery.

PASSPORT EXPENSES up to £200If you lose your passport or it is stolen whilst abroad, you are covered for additional travel and accommodation costs incurred in obtaining a replacement. No Policy Excess.

DELAYED DEPARTURE up to £1,500If your outward or return trip is delayed for more than 12 hours at the final departure point to/from UK due to adverse weather conditions, mechanical breakdown or industrial action, you are entitled to either (a) £20 for the first 12 hours and £10 for each further 12 hours delay up to a maximum of £60, or (b) the cost of the trip (up to £1,500) if you elect to cancel after 12 hours delay on the outward trip from the UK. Policy Excess £50 (b) only.

MISSED DEPARTURE up to £500Additional travel and accommodation expenses incurred to enable you to reach your overseas destination if you arrive too late at your final UK outward departure point due to failure of the vehicle in which you are travelling to deliver you to the departure point caused by adverse weather, strike, industrial action, mechanical breakdown or accident to the vehicle. No Policy Excess.

PERSONAL LIABILITY up to £2,000,000Covers your legal liability for injury or damage to other people or their property, including legal expenses (subject to the laws of England and Wales). Policy Excess £250.

LEGAL EXPENSES up to £25,000To enable you to pursue your rights against a third party following injury. No Policy Excess.

Single Trip travel insurance is arranged by Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and our status can be checked on the FSA Register by visiting www.fsa.gov.uk/register or by contacting the FSA on 0845 606 1234.This insurance is underwritten by ETI International Travel Protection (ETI) the UK branch of Europäische Reiseversicherung A.G. Munich, an ERGO group Company, incorporated and regulated under the laws of Germany, Companies House Registration FC 25660 and Branch Reg-istration BR 007939. ETI is licensed by the Bundesanstalt für Finanz-dienstleistungsaufsicht (BAFIN – www.bafin.de) and approved by the Financial Services Authority to undertake insurance business in the UK.

SINGLE TRIP INSURANCE PRODUCT SUITABILITY

As this description contains the Key Features of the cover provided it constitutes provision of a statement of demands and needs.This insurance is suitable for a single round trip starting and finishing in the UK and Channel Islands, is of no more than 94 days duration, for persons whose age is 90 years or less.This insurance is only available to persons who are permanently resident and domiciled in the UK and Channel Islands.

SINGLE TRIP PREMIUM RATING SCHEDULE

GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS1. United KingdomEngland, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, including all islands comprising the British Isles (except the Channel Islands and the Republic of Ireland). (Any British Isles or UK Cruises are rated as Area 2).2. EuropeContinental Europe west of the Ural mountain range, all countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea (except, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya & Syria), the Channel Islands and the Republic of Ireland, Iceland, Madeira, The Canaries and The Azores. (Persons residing in the Channel Islands need to pay Area 2 rates for UK trips).3. WorldwideAll countries outside of the above (except those within Area 4).4. North America, Central America & The CaribbeanBahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Greenland, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, The Caribbean Islands, United States of America.

SCHEDULE OF PREMIUMS

The following Premiums are valid for policies issued up to 31/3/2013 and for travel completed by 31/12/2013.

Maximum age is 90 years. Maximum period of insurance is 94 days.

Geographical Areas

Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 1 – 3 days £15.60 £23.80 £49.90 £71.90 4 & 5 days £18.70 £30.00 £62.70 £90.40 6 -10 days £21.80 £40.40 £85.10 £121.80 11-17 days £24.90 £44.20 £94.60 £136.30 18-24 days £28.00 £50.80 £106.50 £153.40 25-31 days £31.10 £57.80 £121.20 £174.50 Each + 7 days call for a quotation

All premiums include the Government Insurance Premium Tax (IPT)

PREMIUM ADJUSTMENTSAll age adjustments apply to the age on the date of return to the UK

Persons aged 81 to 90 inclusive are subject to a premium increase of 50% in Areas 1&2 and of 100% in Areas 3&4.Infants up to 2 years inclusive are FREE subject to being included with an adult paying a full premium. Children 3 to 16 years inclusive are HALF PRICE subject to being included with an adult paying a full premium. Unaccompanied children pay the adult rate.

Single Trip Travel InsuranceSuitable for for a single round trip starting and finishing in the UK

and Channel Islands, is of no more than 94 days duration, for persons whose age is 90 years or less.

Global Travel InsuranceA1 Yeoman Gate, Yeoman Way, Worthing, BN13 3QZ

( 01903 267432 Fax 01903 268946

SINGLE TRIP APPLICATION FORM

Please FULLY complete the following in BLOCK CAPITALS. Once complete, return the application panel direct to Global Travel Insurance at the address above, with a cheque or with card details entered. Insurance is not effective until a Policy has been issued.

Title (Mr/Mrs/Miss) Initials

Surname

Telephone No.

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Street Name

Town Name

Postcode

Date of leaving Home

Date of arrival Home

Screening Ref

Introducer

Geographical Area – See Premium Panel (1,2,3 or 4)

Names of all persons to be insured Age Premium

1

2

3

4

5

6

Credit/Debit Card Details TOTAL PREMIUM

Card No

Start Date End Date Issue No

Security Code

Mr Bridge

£

£

£

£

£

£

£

DECLARATIONOn behalf of all persons listed in this application, I agree that this application shall be the basis of the Contract of Insurance. I agree that Insurers may exchange information with other Insurers or their agents. I have read and understood the terms and conditions of the insurance, with which all persons above are in agreement and for whom I am authorised to sign.

Signed .......................................................... Date ..................................The form MUST be signed by one of the persons to be insured on behalf of all persons to be insured.

Mr Bridge is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

✄✄ 328STI12

It’s been quite a while since I wrote for these pages so there’s a lot of catching up to do.

My team (Nicola, Chris Dixon, Simon Cope, Andrew Murphy, Barry and me) did very well in this year’s Gold Cup and reached the final stages – the first time I have done this for at least 15 years. We went to Solihull for our quarter-final match against Nick Irens’ strong London team (Norman Selway, Espen Erichsen, Tom Townsend and David Bakhshi) and, rather to our surprise, won fairly comfortably. The prize for that was a 64-board semi-final match against Alexander Allfrey’s England A team (Andrew Robson, Tony Forrester, David Gold, Peter Crouch and Derek Patterson).

We gained steadily throughout the match until we were 52 up with two sets to go. Barry and I sat out the next set and they lost 22 – nothing too serious. So we went into the final set with a lead of 30 IMPs.

Early on in the set, we had this disaster (hand in the next column): I was South and my three heart bid was a transfer to spades. Barry forgot and thought it was natural, but bid 3NT to protect his spade holding. When I passed his 3NT, I imagine Andrew Robson (West) had a fair idea of what had happened but he was worried his partner would think his suit was spades, so he doubled for a heart lead. Now Barry thought he had better show his support and I was happy to convert to four spades, and rather surprised to be doubled.

However, because of the misinformation, Robson had been in a position to double fairly freely (at least that was what I thought). If four spades made, then a director would surely have ruled the contract

adjusted back to three no-trumps, and if that contract was making he would probably have been able to get his double removed.

NW E

S

Dealer West. East-West Vul.

♠ A Q

♥ K 10 5

♦ 9 7 6

♣ K 9 8 4 2

♠ 4 ♠ 10 9 8 5 2

♥ A Q 9 4 3 ♥ J 6 2

♦ J 10 5 4 ♦ 8

♣ 10 6 3 ♣ A Q J 5

♠ K J 7 6 3

♥ 8 7

♦ A K Q 3 2

♣ 7


2♦ Dbl 2♥ 3♥

Pass 3NT Pass Pass

Dbl 4♥ Pass 4♠

Dbl All Pass

Anyway, the play’s the thing. West led the five of diamonds and of course I could have played the nine – it was, after all, my only hope of scoring a trick with it. But I thought it was likely West had the singleton, so if I played small and East played the ten, I would know that that was not the case because West would be marked with the eight. I won the diamond in hand and led a heart to the king, followed by the ace of spades. What now? If both suits are breaking, I have eleven tricks; if diamonds are 4-1 and I cash the queen of spades and play a diamond, I am almost certainly down however spades break. This trick will be ruffed and, at best, I will still lose the aces of hearts and clubs and a further

Catching Upby Sally Brock

diamond trick. On the other hand, if either spades are 3-3 or diamonds 3-2, I can succeed by overtaking the queen of spades, playing one more round of trumps and playing on diamonds. So that was what I did. Disaster. West showed out on the second round of spades and I was now three down for –500 when they were just one down undoubled in the other room.

There were two further large swings when our team was a bit too conservative in the slam zone and missed slams bid and made by our opponents. And that was that. We had lost by 4 IMPs.

I must say that this was a fantastic team to play for, though. We were all desperately disappointed – possibly it was worse for Simon, Andrew and Barry who have not won the Gold Cup before – but there was no flicker of blame for any of the errors, or might-have-beens. It’s a pity that, for various reasons, we can’t have another crack at it this year.

♣♦♥♠

Two days later saw Nicola and me on a plane bound for Bei-jing, where we played in the

Sport Accord Mindsports Games. We did not do particularly well, finishing third out of four in a strong field (USA, France, China and us), but the shop-ping was good.

Back from China on December 20th, just in time to run around madly for Christmas. This is likely to be our last year in this house, which is the only place the children have ever lived, and because of that we decided to have Christmas here rather than go to my parents as usual. I had never cooked Christmas dinner before. We were seven for lunch – my parents

were here, and also Helen Schapiro (Kucklimu) who lives near me and is a good friend. It all went well (we had a capon which was delicious).

On Boxing Day, there was more family – 16 of us in all. We just managed a sit-down meal (with the aid of some garden furniture). This time the menu was venison sausage casserole and/or vegetable and cheese strudel.

The day after, we went to see Ben, Gemma and Hayden and were royally entertained by Hayden showing off all his presents.

♣♦♥♠

On the 29th and 30th, Barry and I played in the Year End Congress. First, there was the

Mixed Pairs where we finished fourth. And the next day, the Swiss teams where I played with Susanna Gross and Barry played with Rob Cliffe where we were ninth. Traditionally, I play in this with Susanna as a warm-up for the Lady Milne Trials at the end of January.

I thought she did well on this deal. How would you play three no-trumps on the five of spades lead?

NW E

S

Dealer East. East-West Vul.

♠ 9 8 6

♥ A 7 6 5

♦ 6

♣ J 10 8 7 3

♠ A Q 10 5 4 ♠ J 7 2

♥ 8 ♥ Q 10 9 4 2

♦ 10 7 5 2 ♦ A 9 3

♣ 6 4 2 ♣ K 9

♠ K 3

♥ K J 3

♦ K Q J 8 4

♣ A Q 5


Pass 2NT

Pass 3♣ Pass 3NT

All Pass

My three club bid was Puppet

Stayman, enquiring about four- and five-card majors and her three no-trump response denied a major of any sort.

Plan the play on the five of spades lead.

This is a good example of taking your only chance – which is East holding king singleton or doubleton in clubs (or erroneously covering the jack when you play it) and then probably taking the heart finesse later unless opponents’ discards persuade you into something else. And that is what she did. She won the king of spades, crossed to the ace of hearts and played the jack of clubs. When East played the nine, she played the queen, cashed the ace and ran the rest of the club tricks. She followed up by taking the heart finesse to land her game. It may seem easy when looked at on paper, but she was one of only thirteen declarers (out of 90) to bid and make three no-trumps.

♣♦♥♠

The first weekend in January saw us on our usual trip up north to the Manchester Congress.

This year, I drove up to Bradford to take Toby back to university there. It has been great having him home for a while (Briony went to fetch him while I was in Beijing). Then, I went to Manchester to meet Barry (and Steve Eginton) at Rodney and Lorraine Lighton’s house. We had a great evening there and the next day went into Manchester for the bridge. Barry and I finished second in the pairs (we had an excellent score and thought we had won but were just pipped by Tracey Capal and Liz Muir). On the Sunday, there was a change of plan. On the way up to Manchester on the Friday evening, Barry had a call to say that he needed to be in Brighton on the Monday morning for the start of a trial. Had he played on the Sunday, he wouldn’t have been able to pick up the (substantial) papers for his case until well after midnight. So he drove home and worked on his case while I played in the teams with Michael Newman. After a slightly rocky start, we improved and finished a respectable third.

The following weekend was the TGR’s Auction Pairs. This was an event Susanna was keen to

enter but I had been a bit reluctant because my other January weekends were all full and I thought I owed Bri-ony a bit of time, especially as she had some important exams. However, in the end, she was happy for me to play (especially after a promise of some ba-bysitting work for Susanna). At the last minute, Barry’s services were called upon too. One of the top Turkish pairs was expected, but, at the last minute, one of the players had a problem with his visa and was not allowed into the country. So that left Mustafa Tokay without a partner. Zia and Artur Ma-linowski decided that the best partner for him would be Barry and his arm was twisted …

This is a great event and there are some excellent pairs playing (though some very weak ones too). It is good fun with several meals included. All the (70) pairs are auctioned at the start, the top one going for £3,000 or so while the weaker pairs go for the minimum £100. Susanna and I went for £300 while Zia bought Mustafa and Barry for £600. I bought back a 25% share of us and also decided to have 10% of Barry and Mustafa too. Susanna and I started OK but went sharply downhill on the Sunday. Barry and Mustafa on the other hand were always in contention, eventually finishing third, but top of the unseeded pool. So my £60 investment netted a £480 return.

♣♦♥♠

Then there was the National Swiss Teams, but I think I shall draw a veil over that.

We started well but then went down, and down, and down. And even further down. This was the (possibly, first, according to current weather forecasts) weekend of the snow and I struggled to get from High Wycombe to London on the Friday night, and although the roads were OK to and from Hinckley, we slithered around a bit on the Wycombe hills on the return journey too. Still, I managed to get home to Briony for our usual Sunday evening together. ■

Catching Up continued

Seven Days by Sally Brock

MondayBriony has an A-level exam tomorrow and so is not at school today. I have masses of work at the moment so get down to it for most of the day, taking a short break for a Sainsbury’s shop around lunchtime. In the evening, Briony cooks chicken tikka masala (she is a recent convert to Indian food), which is delicious.

tuesdayOff to the gym first thing – I have been a bit lax about this recently. However, I have been very good in relation to alcohol. I now have Type 2 diabetes and didn’t have a very good summer diet-wise and all sorts of health issues have started to raise their heads. So I went completely alcohol-free from October until Christmas. And now just have the occasional glass of wine. I am a convert to Beck’s Blue, an alcohol-free beer (that has only 53 calories a bottle.).

Anyway, the rest of the day is all work (pyjamas to gym gear and – after a shower – straight back to pyjamas). Croatia and Nova Scotia are the urgent titles at the moment. But there is a long list of pending publications. And at this time of year I also have to do the yearbook of the British Guild of Travel Writers, which is a big annual job for me.

WednesdayJust before Christmas I had an estate agent come to value my house, to give me a rough idea, but now that putting the house on the market is imminent, I need to get some other valuations, too. Last week, a different agent came round and valued it at less than two-thirds of the first. So today a third has a look and, fairly predictably, reckons its worth somewhere in the middle. Now I have to decide whether to go for the

most optimistic, or take the middle – probably more realistic – view.

In an effort to declutter – however many trips I make to the charity shop or the tip, the house does not seem any emptier – I have invited Mark Horton (ex-husband number two) to come and help himself to any bridge magazines he would like. So he comes, takes me out to lunch which is a pleasant interlude and leaves with a car full of boxes. Then, in the afternoon, I have a Richard and Gerry online teaching session – the first for a while because Richard has been in New Zealand on holiday. They do well and are slightly ahead of us when Richard makes the fatal mistake of saying, ‘Just one more hand.’ We stay low in three diamonds and gain 5 IMPs to take the lead at the last moment. Thank goodness for that.

Then it’s back to work. I send off the finished version of Nova Scotia and then settle down to Liguria on my laptop in front of the television.

thursdayToday, I discover I have managed to do something incredibly stupid (even by my standards, as Briony says). I needed to transfer some money (quite a lot) from one account to another in order to cover a heavy credit card bill. I couldn’t understand why it hadn’t arrived (so I’m still going to be charged for a temporary overdraft). On going to the account I was transferring from, I found that I had accidentally sent the money to the used car company we had bought Briony’s car from in the summer. Luckily, a quick phonecall and a very nice man the other end sorted it out.

Otherwise, a fairly standard gym and work day. Then Briony gives me a lift to the station – it takes a while to get to Barry’s – something to do with a cancelled train … We have a party to go to. It is Barry’s best friend Barbara’s 50th birthday. Just a short walk from

Barry’s flat. There are lots of nice people and good food (and extremely loud music). I stay over in preparation for the Lady Milne trials which start tomorrow.

FridayUnfortunately, Barry has to go down to the south coast for work which means leaving the flat at 8. I get up too and start work on my laptop. Barry has had a house guest all week – Barbara’s cousin Ray who lives in Berlin and has come over for the party. I make vaguely sociable noises and he leaves about 11 for his flight home. Barry’s back in time for a bread and cheese lunch – accompanied by pickled walnuts (a gift from Ray) which I have never had before (and must be something of an acquired taste).

Before the bridge, I have arranged to meet Martin and Margaret Nygren for supper with Hans and Eva-Liss Gothe, friends of theirs (whom I have also got to know over the years) who are over from Stockholm for a few days. That’s fish and chips in the pub and a good gossip. And then it’s off to the Young Chelsea for the first session of the trials.

The first thing Susanna and I discover is that we are sitting out the first round. It would have been nice to know that beforehand so we could have turned up a bit later. There are some difficult hands in our first match and we run into time difficulties. We speed up a bit and the director announces there is one minute to go. We speed up a bit more and finish 30 seconds late. That gets us a 3 IMP time penalty. A wonderful start. Otherwise, the first session goes well and we are well placed but there’s a long way to go. I stay for a drink and then Susanna (who lives very near Barry) and I share a taxi back. I text Barry to say I’m home. ‘Me too,’ he texts as he walks in the door.

Chatsworth HotelWorthing BN11 3DU

BRIDGE EVENTS 201312-14 Apr Bernard Magee Declarer Play £245

14-16 Jun Just Duplicate Bridge £199

18-20 Oct Bernard Magee Play and £245 Defending 1NT

15-17 Nov Bernard Magee Bidding £245 Distributional Hands



NEW TOPIC

NEW TOPIC

The Olde Barn HotelMarston, Lincs NG32 2HT

BRIDGE EVENTS 201326-28 April Splinters & Cue Bids £179

17-19 May Just Duplicate Bridge £169

31 May – 2 June Just Duplicate Bridge £169

7-9 June End Play & Avoidance £179

21-23 June Just Duplicate Bridge £169

19-21 July Just Duplicate Bridge £169

16-18 August Declarer Play £179

6-8 September Just Duplicate Bridge £169

18-20 October Just Duplicate Bridge £169

1-3 November Just Duplicate Bridge £169

8-10 November Bernard Magee Better Leads & Switches £245

22-24 November Just Duplicate Bridge £169



NEW TOPIC

Seven Days continued I am not sure how their bidding goes, but at our table it is simply:


Pass 1♦ 1♠ 2♥

Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥

All Pass

At most tables, West leads the ten of spades and the defenders take the ace and king, then West gets a spade ruff and exits with anything she likes and four hearts goes one down.

It is hard to see how the defenders can let it through, but …

Kitty sees that she will certainly be down if this normal defence happens and thinks she will have better chances if East is on lead at trick four rather than West. So, when East cashes her ace and king of spades, Kitty unblocks her queen and jack, so that instead of West ruffing the third round, East cashes the nine. What now? She has no trump to exit with and has to guess between the minors and when she chooses a diamond Kitty is home.

I am not sure that East’s play stands up to close analysis (a club can never do more than resolve a guess for declarer, so is surely the better choice) but that does not detract from the imaginative play.

I borrow Barry’s car to get home by 7.30, in time for the delicious meal Briony has cooked me.

She has a friend staying and, while they spend their evening booking a holiday in Lanzarote for the Easter holidays, I plod on with a couple of new guidebooks – the unlikely combination of Faroe Islands and Tajikistan are in the frame at the moment. ■

SaturdayA 10.45 start and we don’t have such a great time. We finish more or less level on the day having done quite a lot of daft things and that leaves us fifth overall.

After the bridge, a whole crowd of us go out to Benito’s, a nice family-run Italian restaurant on the Earls Court Road.

SundayThere are six more matches today. We do well in the first two and are now in a good position. We are in the top three all the time and even-tually finish second.

The winners are Jane Moore and Gillian Fawcett, while the third qualifying spot is taken by Lizzie Godfrey and Pauline Cohen. That will be a nice team for the Lady Milne which is in Edinburgh in April. The play of the day, however, was found by Kitty Teltscher.

This hand was played in four hearts by just about everybody:

Dealer West. Love All

North

♠ Q 7 6

♥ Q 6 5

♦ K J 5 4

♣ A J 10

West East

♠ 10 3 ♠ A K 9 5 4

♥ 10 9 4 3 ♥ Void

♦ 7 2 ♦ Q 10 9 8 3

♣ K 9 6 4 2 ♣ Q 8 5

South

♠ J 8 2

♥ A K J 8 7 2

♦ A 6

♣ 7 3

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BRIDGE · 2018-08-19 · BRIDGE Number One Hundred and Twenty-Four April 2013 £100 per day2. £270...

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Transcript of BRIDGE · 2018-08-19 · BRIDGE Number One Hundred and Twenty-Four April 2013 £100 per day2. £270...