THE QBA BullETin 6 - qldbridge.com.au · Tony Jackman December 17 QCBC QBA Senior Swiss Teams...

THE QBA BullETinPublished by the Queensland Bridge Association November-December 2006 Volume 32 No6www.qldbridge.com Email: [email protected]

ContentsFrom the President .......................................................................................... 1Smoke and Mirrors by Lindy Vincent ........................................................... 2Surfers Novice Teams by Eric Parsons ......................................................... 2A Goodie but an Oldie by Eva Berger ........................................................ 3Cuppaidge’s Column by George Cuppaidge .............................................. 425 Years Ago by Reg Busch ............................................................................. 7Teacher’s Corner .............................................................................................. 8Book Review by Denise Dodd .................................................................... 10 Club News ....................................................................................................... 10Results ............................................................................................................... 10Director’s Corner by Jan Peach .................................................................. 12

QBA Contact DetailsPh: 07 3351 8602 Mob: 0412 064 903 Fax: 07 3351 8603Email: [email protected] Website: www.qldbridge.com

From the President

Keith McDonald

This is the last Bulletin for 2006 and my chance to wish all players a

merry Christmas and a happy New Year for 2007.it has been a busy year with a number of people to be thanked. The QBA Council has been most supportive, our host clubs for staging state titles, all officials and importantly our manager, Kim Ellaway. i must not forget our sponsors. ABN-AMRO Morgans deserve special attention but all our sponsors are entitled to a big ‘Thank You’ from their respective clubs and members.The Brisbane Bridge Centre hosted the Open Pairs and QCBC hosted the Graded Teams and the Mixed Teams. The Mixed Teams has not concluded. There are a number of state titles to be resolved before the year is over!i know 2007 is going to be an even better year, thanks to you all. ■

Reg and Joan hang up their Law books

Pill Peddling PostponedAbout forty years ago, i was a young medical detailer with an area that included Toowoomba. On one visit i called on a Dr Reg Busch. Early in the discussion bridge (somehow) got a mention. All talk of potions and pills was suspended; instead it was, ‘What did Reese and shapiro do’;

‘how good was Tim seres?’ and lots more. That night i was a guest for dinner, with much more bridge talk.it’s been my privilege to work with Reg, and Joan McPheat, often in the years since and to admire and respect what they have done for our game in so many areas. Now they have time to concentrate on playing - i wish them good luck and great enjoyment.Their final event as directors was the QBA Graded Pairs.

Tony Jackman

December 17

QCBC

QBA Senior Swiss TeamsFebruary 10-11Sunshine Coast

Contact Beth spork 5493 1647

intending Triallists are invited to Attend

QBA Selection Trials Introduction

Night

7pm Monday Feb 5

QCBCEnquiries to Jan Peach

3352 6929 - [email protected]

T h e Q B A B u l l e t i n N o v e m b e r - D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 6

here is a hand from the afternoon session.

it’s tempting to be in 4s Ns here, particularly when taking into account “The Law of total Tricks”, but with everything wrong it’s a couple off. The day was rounded off wi th a professional touch when results were posted on the QBA web site immediately after play, thanks to the kind offer of Webmaster Peter Busch, who was playing in one of the teams. in addition, the results were also going on to the sPBC website, automatically, on the hour throughout the day.

Eric Parsons

FOuRTEEN tables assembled for this congress. Congratulations to Sarah-Jane Reid on directing her first

congress; a most successful and enjoyable occasion. The 6 x 9 boards match format, playing 27 boards in both morning and afternoon sessions gave adequate time to get the best out of the hands.The clubrooms provided good playing conditions plus tastefully prepared catering: with plenty of nibbles throughout the day, a well presented lunch, with mini pies and other hot bites at the end of the day. Bubbly was served with lunch and after play. Lots more “under 100 pointers” could have enjoyed this congress. Why not plan to be with us next year!

surely most players would want to be in game on this hand - 26 hCPs for Ns, with a 5-card suit in each hand and fairly well balanced - but no game contract available from either direction.

WhEN desperate, declarer will often try the smoke and mirrors game in an attempt to mislead

the defenders into making a fatal slip. impossible games are frequently made this way. But what about that tragic figure, the declarer who plays mindgames with herself on behalf of the defence - yes, that would be me.At the surfers Paradise Birthday Congress, we played this hand against Ralph Parker and Andrew Pryde. After an auction in which Ralph (East) overcalled spades, Richard Ward and i arrived in 4h on these cards.

Andrew led the ♠4 which i took in dummy so i could take the heart finesse. i led the h4 and Ralph produced the king. For an ins tant , i cheered up thinking i could now pick up all the trumps, finessing Andrew for the ♥10.

But then i had second thoughts. What if Ralph, an excellent defender especially in teams, held the ♥K10. Now, when I finessed the ten into his hand, he would win, give Andrew a ruff and cash 2 diamond winners – 1 off.So I confidently played the ♥J expecting Ralph’s ♥10 would drop. it didn’t. i then played the rest of the hand hopelessly. if there was any possible way of going down, i would have. Ralph became very relaxed. i didn’t blame him. Don’t you love it when declarer defends the hand for you?

Lindy Vincent

Q B A I n d i v i d u a l

Dlr N ♠AK8 Vul None ♥AKQ73 ♦A5

♣K42 ♠J752 ♠Q4 ♥8 ♥J10954 ♦K86 ♦1074 ♣AQJ76 ♣1085 ♠10983 ♥62 ♦QJ932 ♣93

NW E S

Redlands Graded Teams

December 10Enquiries to Marianne Ross 3822 2140

Dlr s ♠AJ1075 Vul None ♥107 ♦AQ65

♣A4 ♠9 ♠KQ8 ♥AQ9654 ♥J ♦8432 ♦KJ7 ♣73 ♣J109865 ♠6432 ♥K832 ♦109 ♣KQ2

NW E S

♠A109♥Q94♦J2♣KQJ43

♠K82♥AJ653♦1083♣ A9

selection Trials - for those players who live more than 800 kilometres away from Brisbane - there is a travel subsidy available for the second weekend of stage 2 - more details available from the manager.The QBA Management Committee have agreed to subsidise 5 pairs to the Barrier Reef event in Mackay. To qualify for the subsidy, you have to be the best placed 5 pairs in the Restricted Pairs at the Gold Coast Congress and have only 0- 149 MP’s. Club Directors Course - 9th December - all welcome

News from the Manager’s Desk

ENJOY YOUR BRIDGELooking for a friendly game of bridge on a Thursday night?

Then come to CORINDAThe Corinda Bridge Club meets at 7.15 p.m. at the Corinda Bowls Club, Hall Avenue, Corinda. Enquiries at 3278 3698

Smoke and Mirrors

Surfers Novice Teams

Queensland Bridge Association IncThe QBA can produce copies of “Bridge Directing Complete” by Ian McKinnon (in its 1979 format)

Cost: $45.00 (including GST)This includes a postage and handling cost of $5.00

Orders and payment details to QBA Manager, 22 Mareeba Court, Arana hills 4054 Ph: (07) 3351 8602 or Email: [email protected]

2


NEW YEARS EVE TEAMS7.30 PM start - $60 PER TEAM – PRIOR ENTRY NECESSARY

CHAMPAGNE SUPPER - CASH PRIZES

SWISS BUTLER PAIRSSUNDAY 14 JANUARY

$22 PER PERSON - DIRECTOR, ALAN GIBSON

NOVICE PAIRSSUNDAY 11 FEBRUARY

$22 PER PERSON - DIRECTOR: TREvOR STRICkLANDEntry forms are on our website: www.qcbc.org.au

Enquiries to Toni Bardon - 3391 3241 [email protected]

QBA Mailing Listif you wish to be put on the mailing list for news which is sent out about once a month, please email the manager at

[email protected]

QCBC

to be held at The Brisbane Bridge CentreWed Dec 27 – Sun Dec 31 2006

• A QBA approved Red Masterpoint Event • Paul Lavings, Guest Lecturer • 7 sessions of walk-in pairs • Sunday teams event for novice players • Cash and other prizes

Convenor: Denise Dodd (07) 3359 1285Enquiries: [email protected]: Trevor Strickland 0439 743 823 [email protected]

An Invitation toTHE FIFTH BRISBANE FESTIVAL OF BRIDGE

Less than 100 MP

IpSwICh opeN SwISS pAIRS

Sunday January 21st 2007

Entries to Jim Evans - 3202 1949 or [email protected]

hOW many meanings can an opening bid of 3NT have? Most players play it as a minor pre-empt

with not much else. One of my mentors, Danny Osmund has played on the international scene, and introduced me to KABEL - specific ace ask. Below is a perfect example of how such a bid can lead to a grand slam with possibly just two bids 3NT - 4D - 6(7)s.

This hand turned up at the GCBC swiss Teams. i was North and after 2 passes opened 3NT. My partner harry Baumanis forgot the bid, and after he responded 4C (no aces) i reluctantly signed off in 4s. harry now went into the tank for almost 5 minutes; finally the penny dropped and he now bid 5D cue. Now it was my turn but i mistook his bid thinking he still thought i had a minor pre-empt so i bid my second suit and we ended up in 5s making 13. Oh well, i guess the next time KABEL comes up will be in another 3 yrs.

Eva Berger

Dlr s ♠AKQ942 Vul Ns ♥AKQ97 ♦Q9

♣— ♠8 ♠1073 ♥53 ♥J104 ♦10742 ♦K5 ♣KQJ832 ♣A10976 ♠J65 ♥862 ♦AJ863 ♣54

NW E S

STAMPS & COINS

Do you have stamps or coins you wish to have valued, traded or sold? I am happy to advise you, free

of charge. For further information phone David - 0428 450 616 (day only)

An Oldie but a Goodie


3

A little too cautiousThere was just one trump outstanding and declarer drew it. With that trump went declarer’s only chance to make his vulnerable slam.

Opening lead the D10.North’s 6h bid was undoubtedly a gamble but in standard bidding it is very hard to glean meaningful information in auctions which begin with a strong 2C. North could see that the slam might be vulnerable to a club lead but perhaps the ♣A would be in the West hand, partner might hold the queen or the jack or perhaps, as happened here, the opponents would not lead a club.There are so many old bromides in bridge, never lead a singleton trump is one of them, but a trump lead would have worked here, as would the lead of West’s better unbid suit, clubs, but for his own reasons West led the ♦10.if you can discard your two club losers on spade winners you will make your contract. You can do this if the suit breaks 4-4 or the ♠K is short. You will then give up one diamond and ruff the other one. Entries are precious. The winning line, having won the ♦A, is to play, immediately, a low spade and ruff it. You are home if East holds the ♠K and rises with it.

Cuppaidge’s Column

George Cuppaidge

Dlr N ♠AQ1054 ♥AKQJ ♦A6

♣K4 ♠K763 ♠J982 ♥4 ♥— ♦10975 ♦KQ43 ♣QJ73 ♣A1096 ♠— ♥109876532 ♦J82 ♣82

NW E S

W N E S 2C P 2D P 2s P 3h P 4NT P 5C P 6h All pass

Dummy is entered and only now is the single outstanding trump drawn. The ♠A is cashed, pitching a club from hand, and another spade is ruffed. Another heart and another spade ruff establishes the ♠Q while there remain in dummy the ace and king of trump. One of these is used as an entry to cash the established spade and pitch the remaining club, a diamond is conceded and the last diamond is ruffed. Note that if you pitched diamonds, and not clubs, on spades, you would still need the ♣A to be with West.Declarer won the diamond lead and made the oh-so-cautious play, to draw the trump immediately. he needed a fourth round of trumps to enter dummy to pitch his last club leaving him without a trump for the third round of diamonds.

Creative thinkingTwo important qualities in success at bridge are creative thinking and positive thinking.There are many adjuncts to both of these and one is, “Don’t assume that an opponent has done the right thing.”You find yourself playing 2NT after this auction.

You win the ♠J over East’s ♠10 and play the ♥K. West wins and plays another, lower, spade which you win in hand, with every one following. Both opponents follow to the ♥Q, West with the ♥10. What now?

With such a threadbare spade suit, you

must assume that West has six of them, headed by the ace. Creatively, you assume he will hold the ♣K as well. Your plan will be to exit with a spade, forcing West to lead away from his ♣K, giving you the vital two tricks you need for your contract in that suit. Your first shot should be to lay down the ♦A to remove West’s exit card in that suit. To succeed, you need West to hold, in diamonds, any singleton, KQ, KQx, or fail to unblock with Kx. You may even succeed against a sleepy East if West neglects to unblock with Qx. Now you run your hearts, ending in dummy and carefully watching what West does, in particular, how many spades he keeps. in fact he can do absolutely nothing, you simply exit with the ♠Q and await your two club tricks.

Did West misdefend? Yes, ace and another spade when in with the ♥A would have sealed your fate. And what if your assumptions were completely off the track? You go two down instead of one down, but compare that to the satisfaction of making your contract! ■George’s article ‘Two-card major raises’ is on page 13 of the web version.George would welcome comments on any of his articles at [email protected]

♠Q74♥J654♦J65♣Q42

♠KJ♥KQ92♦A742♣ A96

W N E S 1NT 2s P P X P 2NT All pass

Dlr s ♠Q74 ♥J654 ♦J65

♣Q42 ♠A98632 ♠105 ♥A10 ♥873 ♦Q ♦K10983 ♣KJ103 ♣875 ♠KJ ♥KQ92 ♦A742 ♣A96

NW E S

Sessions: Mon 10.30 am 7.30 pm Tue 10.00 am 7.30 pm Wed 10.30 am 7.30 pm Thur 10.30 am *7.30 pm (see below) Fri 10.00 am 7.30 pm Sat 1.00 pm

Closed Christmas Day onlySupervised: Mon 7.30 pm Fri 9.30 am*1st Thur of each month 7.30 pm - Novice/Expert Prs

Enquiries to Toni Bardon - 3391 3241

67 Ipswich Rd WoolloongabbaPh: 3391 3241 Email: [email protected]

QCBC

4


2007 GOLD COAST BRIDGE CONGRESS

17th February To

24th February

www.qldbridge.com

NEW VENUEGOLD COAST CONVENTION CENTRE

BROADBEACH

EventWalk In Pairs Sat 17th Feb 7.30 pm Pairs Qualifying Sun 18th Feb 1.00 pm & 7.30 pm (Open, Restricted and Seniors) Pairs Final Mon 19th Feb 1.00 pm and 7.30 pm (Open, Restricted and Seniors) Tues 20th Feb 1.00 pm Walk In Pairs Tues 20th Feb 1.00 pm and Wed 21st Feb 9.00 am Teams Championship Tues 20th Feb 7.30 pm, Wed 21st Feb (Open, Restricted and Seniors) 1.00 pm & 7.30 pm, Thursday 22nd Feb 10.30 am

and 3.00 pm (Quarter, Semi and Finals will be held over Friday and Saturday for the Open, and Friday for the Restricted and Seniors)

New Event Ivy Dahler Swiss Butler Pairs (Open, Restricted) Fri 23rd Feb 1.00 pm & 8.00 pm, Sat

24th Feb 10.00 am Entries Co-ordinator Gerald Schaaf [email protected]

(07) 5442 6682 or 0422 616 687 General Enquiries Kim Ellaway [email protected]

(07) 3351 8602 or 0412064903 Partnership Arranger Open and Seniors Toni Bardon [email protected]

(07) 3376 4183 Restricted Connie Schoutrop – [email protected](07) 3378 2171 or 0402 851 103

Accommodation Enquiries Connie Schoutrop contact details above.

The Gold Coast Congress Bus will pick up and take home visiting players who are residing within a reasonable distance from the Gold Coast Convention Centre. General pick up and drop off spots

will be announced prior to the Congress.

Event hosted by the Queensland Bridge Association and held under the auspices of the Australian Bridge Federation


5

Gold Coast Congress Entry Form 2007 Pairs - $120 per player

Open Seniors Restricted

Players Surname Given Name ABF No AmountPlayer $Player $Player $Player $Player $Player $

Teams - $500 per team Open Seniors Restricted

Players Surname Given Name ABF No AmountCaptain $Player $Player $Player $Player $Player $

Ivy Dahler Swiss Butler Pairs - $80 per player Open Restricted

Players Surname Given Name ABF No AmountPlayer $Player $Player $Player $Player $Player $

Total $

Please make cheques payable to Queensland Bridge Association orPlease charge to my credit the TOTAL amount shown: Bankcard Mastercard Visa Card No:Signature: Telephone No:

Expiry Date: Card Holder Name (please print in BLOCK LETTERS):

Post entries to: Gold Coast Entries, PO Box 513, Cooroy Qld 4563


6

you should make no remarks about your bid being justified. At the end of the hand, indicate to the opponents that you were aware of the hesitation and that you felt that your bid was justified, but you accept their right to call the director.if they do, and if he rules against you, don’t feel that your ethics are being impugned. The laws have been designed to protect us from unethical partnership actions. As the director is not a mind reader, he cannot know whether your action has been influenced by the hesitation. So the laws must provide some objective criteria. unfortunately, the only satisfactory criteria that will cope with unethical actions are rather tough on the ethical players caught in the situation. in effect, it must be obvious to the director (and to that matter any knowledgable bridge player) that you would have made the bid after a smooth pass by partner. The hesitation has restricted your options; you are no longer able to make a ‘sporting’ double or bid, even if that is your normal style. The director’s ruling against you does not impugn your ethics; it merely says that your hand does not meet the criteria laid down by the laws covering this situation.it’s unfortunate that the laws, to cope with the unethical player, have to bear down rather harshly on the ethical player.so, if you have a habitual hesitator for a

25 Years Ago

i mAKE no apologies for once again discussing the ethics of hesitations and misinformation. These are still areas in

which much misunderstanding occurs.We are all familiar with at least one of two ‘habitual hesitators’ - players who frequently hesitate after the auction has been opened ahead of them. They may not always be contemplating a bid; they may be musing on today’s work or tomorrow’s shopping list, but they do make life difficult for their partners. i repeat my earlier advice, if you are not the dealer and you pick up a hand with bidding possibilities, plan ahead what you will do if the bidding is opened ahead of you. Giving special thought to the weak NT or the pre-emptive 2s or 3s.One player recently was bemoaning to me his bad luck in feeling obliged to pass after partner’s hesitation over a weak NT opening. ‘i had a hand on which i would always have made a balancing bid in fourth seat’, he said, ‘but i felt that i couldn’t ethically do so after partner’s hesitation We had a bad result; most of the room played to make 2h one way whilst 1NT was off only one trick.’This raises an interesting point of law. he elected to pass because partner had hesitated. so in a sense his decision (to pass and not to bid) was influenced by his partner’s hesitation This is an infraction of Proprieties ii just as much as would be a bid influenced by partner’s hesitation In bending over backwards to be ethical, he has in fact infringed the laws. Not only has he given himself a poor score, but has dis-torted the results at all the other tables.in this situation my advice is simple. if you have what you see as a justified bid, make it. There is no need to call the director, and

BrisbaneBridgeCentre104FrederickSt,Annerley.Ph:33927933

Play Sessions Tuesday 9.30 am 7.30 pm Wednesday 10.00 am Thursday 7.30 pm Friday 10.00 am saturday 1.00 pmCoaching Sessions & Monday 10.00 amBeginners’ Classes Tuesday 7.30 pmEnquiries for coaching & beginners’ classes: 3371 2383

Head office:41 Bulcock St, Caloundra 4551Ph: 07 5437 0666 Fax: 07 5437 0966Email: [email protected]

Introducing a Major New Sponsor

Stores at Bundaberg, Browns Plains, Caloundra, Carindale, Chermside, Earlville, Garden City, Gladstone,

Logan Hyperdome, Mackay, Morayfield, North Lakes,

Noosa Junction, Sunshine Plaza, Townsville & Toowoomba

partner, persuade him to bid smoother, or at least hesitate all the time. Better still, find a new partner.still on hesitations, there has been some criticism of the QBA’s policy that the director need not be called at the time of the hesitation. The argument is that, after the hand is over, some players will deny that a hesitation occurred.There are three relevant points here.a) A hesitation, or a bid after a hesitation, does not involve any infraction. so there is no need to call the director until it seems that an infraction has occurred, ie. When you have seen the hand that bid after the hesitation.b) if a hesitation is going to be denied, this can just as easily be done ten seconds later as ten minutes later.c) Players who habitually call the director after a hesitation ‘to protect their right’ may expose themselves to a charge of attempting to intimidate their opponents out of the bidding.What do you do as director if you are called and the fact of the hesitation is disputed? in my experience, an inspection of the hands will usually make matters clear. You must make up you mind, stick to your guns and make a decision, no doubt incurring the wrath of one or other pairs. Advise them of their right to appeal.

Reg Busch


7

Teacher’s Corner

Joan Butts

“WhEN the opponents aren’t bidding, your objective during the auction

is straightforward: reach the best contract by deciding ‘how high’ and ‘Where’ your partnership belongs. in a competitive auction, the objective can change. To prevent the opponents from buying the contract, you may have to bid higher than you would like or you may want to take pre-emptive action to prevent the opponents from reaching their best contract. Also, in a competitive auction, new calls become available to help you bid effectively. Everyone at the table is affected by competitive bids: opener, responder, overcaller, doubler, and their partner”. “Competitive Bidding” by Audrey Grant if the opponents interfere when partner has opened 1 of a suit, the following applies:1) The Opponents Make a Take-Out

DoubleRedouble shows 10+ points with interest in doubling the opponents for penalty. This usually denies a fit for partner (1♠ X XX)A bid at the 1-level is forcing (6+pts) (1♦ X 1♥/♠)A bid of a new suit at the 2-level is non forcing and shows a 5-card or longer suit with fewer than 10 pts (1♠ X 2♣/♦)A raise of partner’s suit to the 2 level shows a normal 6-9 hcp and 3+ trump support (1♠ X 2♠)A jump-raise to the 3-level in opener’s suit shows 4-card or longer support and is WEAK (pre-emptive) (1♠ X 3♠)A jump to the game level in partner’s suit shows 5-card support and a weak hand (1♠ X 4♠)A jump to 2NT shows 4-card or longer support for opener’s suit and 10+ points. (Called Truscott or Jordan.) (1♠ X 2NT)

2) The Opponents Overcall A raise to the next level of partner’s bid shows 6-9 and three card support (1♥ 1♠ 2♥)

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A raise to 3 of partner’s suit shows a weak hand (6 or so pts) and four trumps (1♥ 1♠ 3♥) A raise to 4 of partner’s suit shows a weak hand ( 6 or so pts) and five trumps (1♥ 1♠ 4♥)A bid of the opponents’ overcall shows a good raise (10+hcp) and 3+ trumps (1♥ 1♠ 2♠*)A Double is Negative, showing the other suits, not a fit for partner’s bid, and no stopper of the opponent’s bid, (no trumps would have been bid with a stopper) (1♥ 1♠ X)A bid of responder’s own suit shows 10+ points and is forcing (1♥ 1♠ 2♣/♦/♥) ■

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Going to the Gold Coast next year?

The Gold Coast Booking Centre manages 15 properties.

The properties opposite the Convention Centre are

PhoenicianBel Air

Website www.gcbc.com.au Phone 1300 553 800 and this

is a local call cost.

QBA2007 Trials to select the state teams for

the Australian National Championships

to be held in perth from July 6-21The trials to be held at QCBC

Open March 10-11, 30-31 & April 1Women March 10-11, 30-31 & April 1senior April 21-22 & 28-29

***** LOW ENTRY FEES *****Teams Ratified by the QBA Council receive:

Airfares to PerthGenerous AllowanceFree Entry to the National Pairs and Teams & Dinner Dance

TEAM MEMBERS MUST ATTEND THE QBA SQUAD TRAINING WEEKEND JUNE 23-24

Enquires to Kim Ellaway Telephone: 07 33518602 Fax: 07 33518603 Mobile: 0412 064 903 Email: [email protected]

Coming eventsDec 10 RedlandsGradedTeams 17 QBAIndividual 27-31 BrisbaneFestivalofBridge 29-Jan1TablelandsPairs&TeamsJan 7 GoldCoastSwissTeams 14 QCBCSwissButlerPairs 21 IpswichSwissPairs 26-28 TownsvilleAustDayPairs&Teams 28 NorthernSuburbsTeamsFeb 4 ToowongSwissPairs 10-11 QBASeniorTeams-SunshineCoast 11 QCBCNovicePairs WarwickSwissPairs CairnsNovicePairs

8


BRIDGE IN THE VINEYARDS

Margaret River, Western Australia Monday 7th to Saturday 12th May 2007

Join Joan Butts on this wonderful bridge holiday to theMargaret River region of Western Australia .

All duplicate games will be masterpointed and there will be more relaxed games offered for beginners as well as intermediate and advanced.Lessons will cover Declarer Play, Defence and New Conventions

Joan hails from Brisbane where she is a well-known teacher and has owned and operated a bridge club there for 17 years.

She has a BA, Dip Ed & Dip Ed Psych and has writtenbridge books for beginners and intermediates.

Joan organises bridge holidays and has taught on cruise ships around the world.She has been a guest speaker at American Bridge Teachers

Annual Conventions, as recently as July 2006 (Chicago).

As a player, she has represented Australia and Queensland many times.Joan’s passion is teaching bridge, from beginner to advanced, and

she aims to create an atmosphere of fun for the students whileusing a hands-on, straightforward approach.

PRICES (Per Person ~ Land content only ~ airfares at additional cost)

$1,495 per person sharing a Studio Room $1,610 per person sharing a One Bedroom Unit

Other accommodation options also available, including: $1,870 per person for a Single person in a Studio Room $1,480 per person with 4 people occupying a 2 Bedroom Unit

For more information, telephone Joan on 0413 772 650 Email: [email protected] Website: www.joanbuttsbridge.com


�

Results

Caloundra Congress September 16-17

Butler Pairs1 R Green M Jakes2 J Keim T Walford3 L Bourke G Kruz

Teams1 A Mayers R Crowley

R Green M Jakes2 G Mcauliffe P Mitchell

P henry Y hawthorne

Mackaymary Barfield, Born 30th march 1921

in World War II she volunteered and joined the Australian Army Medical Women’s services. sadly, a young airman whom Mary was engaged to, lost his life in an air crash in England. Mary loved her church and extended family and she was an intrepid traveller and reader. Mary had great clarity of mind for figures, and the accuracy and presentation of them were her forte during her working life and also her bridge life. i remember she could get the result of a 14-table Mitchell out in about 15 to 20 minutes all without a calculator. We never went home without an accurate result.To quote her sister, ‘her involvement with the Mackay Contract Bridge Club became her Magnificent Obsession. The club was her second family and she gave back by way of service to the club what the club had given her.’ she was granted life membership in 1989 after serving 3 years as treasurer, 10 years as club secretary and 5 years as masterpoint secretary. Each year after receiving life membership she gave an encouragement award in the form of a bridge book to the most promising player to come out of the classes. This will carry on in her memory. she along with other members guaranteed a loan so that we could build the beautiful club house that we now call our own. The first loan was paid in full in 1984, stage 2 was completed in 1989 and once again Mary was one of the guarantors. Mary always sat south at Table 3 or 4 with her long time partner Flo Douglas. The club will not be the same without her. Rest in peace Mary, you leave lots of memories of happier times.

Monica Darley

If you want items about your club in this section, please send your news-letter or items to Kim Ellaway.

Club News

BAWA16 young bridge players received their certificates for completing the youth bridge lessons - 10 of these bridge players are regularly playing in bridge sessions. Youngest age 9 - oldest 18.

SurfersPresident Dawn Turner stands down after 6 years on committee - 3 of them as President and thanks everyone for their assistance.

QCBCChairman Marion Cooke stands down as President and thanks everyone for their support.60 plus teams were at the Graded Teams.

Cairnshelen Thompson stands down as President - helen did a wonderful job as Convenor at this years Barrier Reef event.

AranaAn interclub Pairs Competition was held featuring 8 pairs each from Caboolture, Bribie, Redcliffe and Arana clubs - a great day was had by all.

Noosain sept, the Noosa bridge club hosted a teaching tour from Paul Marston and Nigel Rosendorf. They came with 70 players from all over Australia, and 26 of our members enjoyed a great week of bridge and lessons. The winners of our club championship pairs were Kevin Feeney and John Gill. The Teams was won by Feeney and Gill, Phillipa Barnett and David harris.Kids’ bridge will continue with sessions on Thursday 21 and Friday 22 December from 1.30 to 3.30 pm each day. Newcomers are especially welcome, and it’s free!

Book Review

“The Bridge Player’s Bible: Illustrated strategies for staying ahead of the

game” by Julian Pottage

This illustrated, spiral bound hardback, starts right at the beginning, “Bridge

is a game for four players….” scoring is introduced early, p6, and rightly so. My experience is that students really don’t “get it” until they have some understanding of how scoring works. The book is divided into two sections, “Bidding” and “Play” and contains over 300 examples on a wide range of hands, covering opening bids through to endgame strategy. The book has a two tiered bidding system – standard American and Acol. it is presented in such a way that this is not confusing. Bridge players wishing to switch from one system to the other, or just to understand the difference, will find it invaluable. Julian Pottage, who lives in the UK has written twenty books on bridge, has been teaching for more than twenty years, and holds national and international titles.The colour illustrations are excellent and instead of seeing a bridge hand as numbers and symbols, you get to see the cards as if you were holding them yourself. When i showed this book to my students they were impressed. For a lot of players seeing ♥AJ10xx written is one thing but to see those cards illustrated in colour with their recognisable honours and symbols is much easier for them to relate to. The book also briefly covers other bidding systems, including strong Club (Precision and Blue Club) and Two-over-one game force. Benjamin Twos are discussed (2♣ opening 21-22 balanced or a strong two in any suit, 2♦ opening stronger). multi 2♦ also rate a mention. Nowhere, thank goodness, could I find the dreaded 2♣ opening showing 19-21, which has spread like a summer bush fire and which so distorts the basic standard system. The chapter, “Defender’s Discards” shows us how to “Throw losers”, “Keep winners”. This brought a smile as i recalled those exact words during a foray into rubber bridge after only four lessons. i knew what the words meant; however, they bore no relationship to the cards in my hand. This chapter would have saved a lot of grief.

The author’s view of bridge: “Bridge combines the cut and thrust of an auction (as you have in poker) with the beauty and juxtaposition of moves (as in chess) with the element of luck you have in backgammon and blackjack”. A worthy addition to your library. Available from ABC shops and centres, on-line at www.abcshop.com.au or by telephoning 1300 360 111. $35 plus postage and handling. Also available from Paul Lavings postfree (02) 9388 8861. ■

Gold CoastBas i l Lapthorn s tands down as President and thanks everyone for their assistance.

Denise Dodd

10


3=D Byrnes E shaw M Lynch J Manton

3=K Feeney P Feeney L Cheffers s McCulloch

Plate1 E Paull D Bendt

P Cross M Daly2 M Carpenter R Erdelyi

L Beasley E Zahnleiter

Moranbah Pairs September 17

1 F Brown A Brown2 F hadwen B Gibbs3 N Knapman E Leivesley

Qld Pairs Championship October 14-15

1 M Moren N Francis2 m Kent R Slobom 3 B stacey A Anderson

Plate1 R Palmer M Darley2 B Barden J Pritchard 3 s Johnson P Larsen

Consolation 11 R Wallis T Tully2 R Green M Jakes 3 L King H Standfast

Consolation 21 D Cullen s O’Brien2 s Dean G Thomas3 s Parker C Green

Novice1 S Kerley m Ruttiman2 J Erlandson W higgins3 R Khaled D Giles

Plate1 R steinhardt T Lehane2 A Cohn T Treloar3 T Newnham L Bresnehan

Noosa Swiss Teams September 24

1 A Mayers R Crowley R Green M Jakes

2 P Barnett J Gill D Harris K Feeney

3 i Luck J Luck P Rankin P hooyhaas

B Section1 P Tall l smith

s smith s McCulloch2 K Early R Trollope

J Keim T Walford C Section

1 D Bendt E Paull E Beckett J Beckett

Arana Novice Teams October 8

1 R Cowie G hull A Norman B Quine

2 R Khaled D Giles B McDougal T McDougal

3 P Van Eden P Whittaker A Guminski G Macionis

Tamborine Teams October 1

1 T Strong K Steffensen B Goss C Miller

2 N Tuxworth A Tuxworth R Morawiecki A Grodomirski

3 i Luck J Luck G Malinas J Malinas

Plate1 P schoen P hale

P Wells E Meldrum2 D Osmund L Osmund

J Summerhayes L King3 W hanmer J Milne

V Beresford D southwortConsolation

1 D Lee m Kendall P han i Meman

2 R Cunliffe D hatcher K Dean G Roberts

Mackay Barometer Pairs September 24

1 R Taylor T Wotherspoon2 J Morris s Birrer3 D Orr M Orr

Qld Pairs Championship October 14-15

Open 1 M Moren N Francis 2 m Kent R Slobom 3 B stacey A Anderson

Plate1 R Palmer M Darley 2 B Barden J Pritchard 3 s Johnson P Larsen

Consolation 11 R Wallis T Tully 2 R Green M Jakes 3 L King H Standfast

Consolation 21 D Cullen s O’Brien 2 s Dean G Thomas 3 s Parker C Green

Novice1 S Kerley m Ruttiman 2 J Erlandson W higgins 3 R Khaled D Giles

Plate1 R steinhardt T Lehane 2 A Cohn T Treloar 3 T Newnham L Bresnehan

Qld Graded Teams October 2�

Life & Grand1 R Clayton A smith

J mills K mcDonald 2 L Moses R Touton

R Lachman B hunt3 E Poulsen P Brown

F Landy C schoutropBelow Life

1=G McCarthy B Carroll

J Power L Domiati1=J steele J steele

R Fraser D McAdam3 J hildebrand B Bijker

D Rogers B WilliamsBelow 100

1 L Kwok A Chan L Crookall P Pratt

2 T Treloar K Read P Bugler s Pandya

3 C Francis J Kollisch G Norton N Thomas

Surfers Novice Teams October 22

1 K Donaldson J Palm F Atkinson A deMarr

2 B hunt R Rooney R sayers i sayers

3 J Swanson K Homik B Bolt G Yates

Mackay Novice Teams October 28

1 Julien Kliese Scott Myler Garner hegerty

2 hansen Christensen morganKliese

3 Davis Wix Band Meredith

Northern Suburbs Butler Pairs November 4-5

1 R Parker N Francis2 P hainsworth D Appleton3=s Birrer J Morris3=I Afflick G Hart

Plate1 P Flower V Flower2 J Power L Domiati3=D mcAdam Y Kilvert3=E Gibson N Gibson

Consolation1 s Greenwood M heck2 V Roland J Cox3 P Busch A sinclair

Mackay Teams October 101 N Knapman F Hadwen

L Ruffle F Douglas2 V Carroll R Palmer

E Baker T Wotherspoon3 B Parsons B Gibbs

N Bryce M McNee

Barrier Reef Congress Mackay

8th - 11th June 2007Queen’s Birthday weekend

Pairs and TeamsGood Cash Prizes

Contact Monica Darley [email protected] or Ph 4951 1523Mackay Bridge Club [email protected]


11

Director’s Corner

PAiRs may need to reclassify their system under new QBA systems Regulations expected to come into

force on 1st January, 2007.A classification as Green, Blue or Red will be based solely on the meaning of 1- level opening bids. Yellow will remain for highly unusual Methods.The concept of Opening Points (OPs) will be abolished. 1- level opening bids must, by agreement, show at least 8 hCP in Green, Blue and Red systems.2- level and higher opening bids will not be restricted by hCPs. Brown sticker Conventions and Treatments will cover a number of artificial bids that may previously have made a system Red as well as some other calls (see later).

if you are currently playing a Green system then most likely your system will remain Green. GREEN – typically standard American, Acol, Goren

A 1- level opening bid must be natural (non-artificial). 1NT should be balanced. (Note that this does not preclude individual assessment of some hands, e.g. a hand with a singleton honour or a weak longer suit. The subsequent bidding methods however, should not be able to identify such hand types.)An opening bid of one of a suit must show at least 3 cards in the denomination named. (Exception: a 4-4-3-2 shaped hand may be opened 1C with a club doubleton.)

Note that this exception does not extend to opening 1C with 0 or 1 clubs nor opening 1D with a good doubleton instead of 1C with 3 small clubs. Agreements to do either of these things will change an otherwise Green system to Red.if you are currently playing a Blue system then it will remain Blue if you play one of the Precision or strong Club type systems. Note that “strong” will be defined as 13 or more hCP. if your system is currently Blue simply because you play a European Multi 2D, a 2NT to show both minors or transfer pre-empts then it will revert to Green.BLuE – typically Precision, shenken, Blue Club

1C or 1D is artificial, forcing and always strong1h and 1s are natural

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•

1NT is non-conventional and need not be balancedThe 1- level opening in the other minor may be artificial with various possibilities not covered by the other opening bids.

if you are currently playing a Red system then it is possible that it will revert to Green or Blue with those components previously causing it to be Red being reclassified as Brown Sticker.RED – typically variants of Moscito, Polish Club and Power as well as methods that employ 1- level transfer opening bids

All systems employing artificial one-level openings that do not fall under the definition of Yellow (HUm) systems (see below), other than Strong Club / Strong Diamond (Blue) systems.Any system in which the basic structure (other than the length of natural suit bids or the point range of openings) varies according to position and/or vulnerability.

YELLOW - Predominately, but not be limited to, ‘Forcing Pass’ and ‘intermediate Pass’ methods

highly unusual Methods (huM). Please see the Regulations for more detail.

BROWN STICKER CONVENTIONS AND TREATMENTs – typically RCO Twos, Myxomatosis Twos and Twerb or suction overcalls.This is a new category relating mainly to weak unanchored multi-meaning 2 and 3-level opening bids. it includes some unanchored overcalls, all 2 or 3-level bids showing two suits if one of the suits may be 3 cards or fewer and conventional continuations after some 2-level and higher opening bids that may have fewer than 5 hCP.An “unanchored bid” is one which shows no known suit. (Natural NT bids are not classified as “unanchored bids”.) There is no system classification called Brown sticker. A brown sticker is used in addition to a green, blue, red or yellow sticker. Protected Pair status will be signified by an orange spot (formerly brown).Clause 2.5 is reproduced below. Certain types of conventional calls or treatments are considered to place demands upon the opponents’ defensive preparations. The conventions/ treatments in question are categorized as ‘Brown sticker’ (Bs). Any one of the following characteristics qualifies a convention/ treatment as BS if it is a matter of partnership agreement:

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a) Any opening bid of two clubs through three spades that: could be weak and does not promise at least four cards in a known suit.Exceptions: (i) Where all the weak meanings guarantee at least four cards in one known suit and only the strong options do not.(ii) A two level opening bid in a minor may show a weak hand with 5+ cards in either major only, or as an option among any number of strong hand types.

b) An overcall of a natural opening bid of one of a suit that does not promise at least four cards in a known suit.Exceptions: (i) A natural overcall in no trumps.(ii) Any cue bid that shows a strong hand.(iii) A cue bid in an opponent’s known suit that asks partner to bid 3NT with a stopper in that suit.

c) Any weak two-suited bid (whether it be an overcall, an opening bid or a response) at the two or three level that may by agreement be made with three cards or fewer in one of the suits.

d) After a side has opened the auction at the 2 level or higher with a natural or conventional bid that may, by agreement, have a weak or partially weak component of fewer than 5 hCP then, should the agreed range be across more than 5 hCP, any subsequent conventional calls used by that side shall be classified as Brown sticker. Examples of “across 5 hCP” are 0-4, 4-8.

Note that 2.5 d) will not apply in ABF events eg Gold Coast Congress, Barrier Reef Congress and Canberra summer Festival.An example of 2.5 d) is that yes, you certainly may open 2s with 0-10 hCP and 5+ spades but continuations like 2NT Feature Ask, 2NT Ogust and 4NT Blackwood will be classified as Brown sticker because 0-10 is across more than 5 hCP.

Jan Peach

JAN 15 (noon)Contributions to:

33 Royal Pde Ashgrove 4060

Ph: 07 3366 1292Email:

[email protected]

D E A D

L I N E

12


Two-card major raises

i hope some readers will try this approach, and let me know of

their successes and failures. i am confident that it represents a major step forward towards more accurate (standard) bidding. it gels completely with the suggested methods after one-of-a-major and a 1NT response, as detailed in the March and May Bulletins.This article deals with a bidding situation very common to five-card major players. Partner opens one-of-a-major and you have two or three-card support without the values to undertake, unilaterally, a game contract.Despite the trend towards lighter openings these days, we must keep the bidding alive with five points yet we must be cautious in venturing beyond two-of-the-major even with as many as twelve points. 2NT is rarely a good proposition with only 21 or 22 points, combined, nor is three-of-a-major with just an eight-card fit. The point range we consider is five to eleven or twelve. This treatment is designed to avoid venturing beyond two-of-the-major with as many as twelve points and thus protecting the opener who may have opened with a promising ten or eleven.Many players will bid all the hands in this point range in much the same way, respond 1NT, whether forcing or not, and give false preference to the major unless an eight-card or better fit has been established. A seven- or eight-point range is far too wide for what is essentially a sign-off bid. sensitive players avoid 2NT on the second round with an ill-fitting 10 or 11. Three-of-the-major with just three cards is similarly gross.When opener knows that the responding hand is in the 5-9 range or the 10-12 range, he can make a much better informed contribution to the auction. using standard methods he often does not know, or not until it is too late.

Four-card or better support.hands with four-card or better support PResent no problem. There is no need of the two-level. Whether we are weak or strong at least a nine-trick contract can be undertaken immediately as almost invariably it will either make or be a good save. We do need methods to show whether it is a weak or a strong raise. A simple and effective approach is to use the direct raise to three-of-the-major for all balanced bad hands, 2NT to show the 10-12 balanced raise. The direct raise to four shows a bad hand, maximum of two controls, with a singleton or void somewhere. Other three- and four-level bids show four-card mini-splinter and splinter raises with a singleton and a void respectively and a specific number of controls, three or four. No Bergen Raises for me thanks, there is much more to good bidding than point count.The focus of this article is on all the hands in the 5-12 point range with two-card or three-card support for partner’s major. Hands in the 5-9 point range.We begin with 1NT, whether it is played as forcing or not. if partner rebids in a new suit, we will generally give simple preference to his major holding two or three cards in it. The exception occurs when we hold three-card support for his major and good cards both his suits. in this case we give jump preference. We do not bid 1NT on hands with three-card support and 10-12 points even when playing 1NT forcing. When partner rebids his suit, we may pass holding three but will do so only rarely. We are free, as always, to raise partner’s second suit or to introduce a six-card suit of our own whenever partner rebids.Hands in the 10-12 point range.here we bid immediately what previously we would have bid through 1NT, two-of-the-major. it shows a two- or three-card raise. This is a game invitation, and it is the only one which will be issued. Opener makes up his mind on the information available whether to pass or to bid game. should he opt for the latter course, he does need methods, but to investigate, only, which game or slam contract should be undertaken.

The rationale.With the weaker range, we will often be better off if the opponents declare, we give them every chance. By making an immediate raise with the stronger range we give the opponents an ugly choice. if they want to “balance” or heaven forbid “advance balance” they must do so at a high level. The sequence of a 1NT response followed by false preference actually warns the opponents to be careful. When we are in the upper range we welcome them, but for a different reason. Doubles from both sides are, following at least nominal suit agreement, for penalty. Rarely will a double holding any four trumps be unsuccessful. Even holding just three of the opposing trump suit but extra high-card values, double will usually be a worthwhile venture. Pass will imply a doubleton, while to bid on is likely to show a singleton.The main point about avoiding a further invitational bid by opener is that it squanders a valuable tactical position, the obsession many of today’s players have about the need to balance. in addition we expose ourselves to a penalty double or lead directing double when thinking opponents realise that both partners are stretching. We have effectively broken an eight-point range in two, 5-9 and 10-12, and established which, below the level of 2NT.Continuations after the raise. All actions are game forcing.The simple, and workable approach is to play that a bid in a lower-ranking suit promises 5-5, while 2NT denies a second five-card suit and enquires whether the raise in based on two cards or three cards. in either case, responder shows the three-card raise as his first priority. A bid of 2S after 1h-2h shows precisely four and may be a slam try.here is a set of replies for those players who want a more comprehensive treatment.

George Cuppaidge


13

After 1S-2S; 2NT3C Four cards in hearts and/

or diamonds, any number of clubs.

3D/H A five-card suit3s Three-card support , f i rst

priority. 3NT Five or more clubs without

another four-card suit. Opener can bid a four-card red suit over 3C or bid 3s showing four clubs, but only if he wants a raise. Otherwise he bids 3NT which usually shows a strong 5332.After 1H-2HResponder can hold any number of spades.2s is a four-card suit.3C/D shows a five-card suit.2NT is similar to above. here are responders bids after 2NT3C Four cards in a minor. Maximum

of four diamonds, any number of clubs. Could be as flat as 4-2-3-4.

3D Five-card or longer suit.3h Three-card support, again the

first priority to show.3s Five spades, the hand will

contain three hearts. With only two hearts and five or more spades, we respond 1s.

3NT Five or more clubs without four diamonds or three hearts, 0-4 four spades.

Over 3C, if he wants a raise, opener bids 3D showing four, 3h showing three clubs or 3s showing four clubs, otherwise he bids 3NTOver 3D, opener can raise, bid 3h showing three clubs, bid 3s showing four clubs or bid 3NT or 4h, to play.Auctions which begin with one-of-a-major 1NT.A virtually identical treatment is adopted. 2NT is a game-forcing rebid with no five-card suit on the side. Three-of-a-minor promises five. Responder bids exactly as above, showing three-card support as first priority. Two-of-a-minor by opener is not forcing, but may be quite strong while 2s by a 1h opener shows four and is forcing.

Slam tries.Whenever responder gives immediate preference to the major, after 2NT, or raises the second suit, a new suit bid by opener will show a singleton (or void), Appreciating that opener is unequivocally making a slam try and probably has three or four losers to cover, responder will co-operate accordingly.Intervention.Over any intervention, the cheapest raise shows the minimum range, 5-9, with three-card support. We show the higher range by doubling first. (After one-of-a-major,) double or re-double has no shape implications whatsoever, it simply announces a good hand and asks partner to make his most descriptive rebid. Responder may still choose to make a tactical raise on honour doubleton but he will not be showing 10-12, rather, 5-9. A response of 2NT, whatever the intervention, shows the sound four-card raise. Good hands don’t run away and starting them all with double not only keeps the bidding low but enables responder to distinguish between strong and weak hands. All the splinters still apply.Examples AQ543 K6 K62 A54 K 52 K874 QJ9652

1s 2s 2NT 3NT(1) 5C(2)

(1) Two spades only, clubs only.(2) Reverse West’s minors and we

play 3NT

KQ765 32 A97 Q32 K75 Q9642 76 AK8

1s 2s Pass (1)

(1) plenty

AK654 72 K65 QJ732 A4 K32 654 KQ2

1s 2s 2NT(1) 3h 4h

(1) Knowing he is facing 10-12, opener can create a game force with his very sound 14.

AK654 72 K652 QJ73 A4 K532 65 KQ2

1s 2s 2NT 3C(1) 3h 4h

(1) some four-card suit.

K65 QJ732 AQJ43 K52 7 A65 AK72 43

1h 2h 2NT 3s (1) 4D (2) 6h (3) (1) Five-card suit with three

hearts.(2 splinter, the double fit is

encouraging.(3) With everything partner could

hope for, East can let West choose the slam.

[email protected]

14


THE QBA BullETin 6 - qldbridge.com.au · Tony Jackman December 17 QCBC QBA Senior Swiss Teams...

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Transcript of THE QBA BullETin 6 - qldbridge.com.au · Tony Jackman December 17 QCBC QBA Senior Swiss Teams...