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SABF NEWSApril 2019
Published by the SA Bridge Federationhttp://www.sabridgefederation.com.au
Email: [email protected]
You know you something special is going to happen when this type of result comes your way.
♠K943 ♥952 ♦109753 ♣Q♠void ♠J1062♥AKQJ73 ♥void♦AK2 ♦QJ854♣J853 ♣K942 ♠AQ875 ♥10864 ♦void ♣A1076
Thishandturnedupneartheendofthesecondsessionofthefinal,anditgeneratedsomereallywildresults.IfNorthledthe♣Qagainst4♥,North-Souththenembarkedonacross-ruffoftheminorsuits,holdingdeclarertohissixhearttricks!Onepairmanagedtodefend6♥X(aLightnerdouble,indicatingadesiretoruffNorth’slongsuit),andscored+1700.Othersscoredthemore‘typical’+400withthecross-ruff.ThereseDemarcoandStephenFischerbidto5♥afterSouthandNorthhadbidandraisedspades.Onaspadelead,Fischerruffed,drewtrumps,andgarneredaclubtrick(smalltowardstheKing,makingtheJackintoawinner),tocollecthis11tricks.Thespadeleadledtoasixtrickdifference,asopposedtoaminorsuitlead!Thishand,togetherwithtwoothergoodboardsonthisround,shotthemintotheleadwithonesessionremaining.Theyheldthingstogetherduringthefinalsession,withresultslike the following:
GOLD COAST GOLD
DealerNorth ♠106EWVul ♥QJ108653 ♦2 ♣KJ6♠AQJ53 ♠K74♥void ♥AK97♦KQ1087 ♦A86♣1032 ♣A94 ♠982 ♥42 ♦J543 ♣Q875
TheAutumnNationalChampionshipswillbeheldatWayvilleShowgroundsfromThursday2ndMaytoMonday6thMay.Don’tforgettoenter!Iamalsotryingtoencouragenewerplayerstoparticpate.Tothisend,Iamofferingrookieplayers(withfewerthan25MPseach)fromeachaffiliatedSABFclubfreeentrytotheConsolationPairswhichisbeingheldonMonday6thMay.(Thisofferonlyappliestothefirstyearyouplay.)Ifyouareasingleplayerwhoisinterested,pleasecontactmeandIwillhelpfindyou a partner.Iamalsoappealingforhelpfromanyactiveplayersortheirfriendsorchildrenorgrandchildrenorneighbourstoactasacaddyforoneormorehalf-daysessionsattheevent.Ifyouareinterested,pleasesendmeanemailat:[email protected] Fuss,Organiser (on behalf of the SABF) See advertisement on the back page.
StephenFischer(ACT)withSouthAustralia’sThereseDemarco,winnersoftheGoldCoastPairs
SABFNewsletter:April2019 Page:2
Whilsthalfthefieldplayedin3NT,failingonaclublead,DemarcoandFischerstoppedin2♠afterFischer(West)opened2♠(often5cardsuit)andDemarcowiselypassed.Carefulplayledto10tricks,anda92%score.Justplayinginapart-score(1NT,2♥or2♠)ledtoatleasta62%score!TheGoldCoastPairsfinalsarescoredbarometer-style.Thismeansthatyouseetheresultsround-by-round.Goingintothelastround,DemarcoandFischerstillledthefield,butonlyby11matchpointsfromafast-finishingSophieAshtonandSartajHans.Bothpairsweresittinginthesamedirectionforthelastthreeboards,buttheirscoresmatched,thusthegoldmedalwenttothishoneymoonpartnership.I’mconfidentthatthisresultmadeseveral“States”veryhappy.ThereseDemarcoandStephenFischerwouldhavemeteachotherwhenlivinginDarwin,andtheNorthernTerritorydoesnotgettoseemanynationaltitlesheadthatway!StephenFischerisnowresidentinCanberra.ThereseDemarcolivesinAdelaideandhasrecentlytakenupdirectingandtutoringattheSABridgeAssociation,wheresheisprovingverypopularinbothroles.[Ed: Therese describes her win as ‘incredible and unbelievable’. Well done. I know winning the Gold Coast Pairs isn’t easy and, having won, one is on a real high!]
Barbara Travis
West North East South 3♥ 3NT Pass4♥(1) Pass 4♠ Pass5♦(2) Pass 5♥(3) Pass6♦ Pass 6NT AllPass
Afterthe3♥openingbid,itwasextremelychallengingtobidtothegrandslam–whichonlyonepairmanaged.However,DemarcoandFischerdidverywellatcounteractingthepre-emptivebarrage.Fischertransferredtospadesthenbidhisdiamondsuitnaturally.Demarcoappreciatedthatherallhonourswereextremelygoodforslam(withthe♥A-Kand♣Adealingwiththeoutsidelosers),sobid5♥toencouragepartnerinhisefforts.OnceFischerhadconfirmedhis5-5shape,Demarcocorrectedto6NT,thehighestscoringsmallslamandawisechoiceatpairs.Thosein6♠scored54%,whereas6NTscored85%ofthematchpoints.Typicalresultsreflectedasoundunderstandingoftheneedtogeta‘plus’scoreatPairs.Manypairspushedtoohardonthishand,probablywithEastupgradingtheir14HCPhandtoa1NTopeningbid. ♠962 ♥Q62 ♦A432 ♣K87♠AJ1053 ♠74♥A98 ♥KJ43♦98 ♦KQJ65♣964 ♣A2 ♠KQ8 ♥1075 ♦107 ♣QJ1053
WinnersoftheGoldCoastSeniors’Teams:(lefttoright)NeilEwart-DavidSmith(Victoria),ZollyNagy-DavidMiddleton(SA)
ASouthAustraliancontingentattheGoldCoastCongress’TriviaNight
SABFNewsletter:April2019 Page:3
OPEN PAIRSFINAL1st Therese Demarco -StephenFischer
4th Phil Gue-BillHirst(fromUK)6th Justin Williams-NathanvanJolealso: Judy Hocking - Kevin Lange
FINAL B (Plate)3rd Joe Haffer -MarshallLewis(fromUSA)
SENIORS PAIRSFINAL B (Plate)1st Peter Chan-BobSebesfi
INTERMEDIATE PAIRSFINALWelldonetoJanet Munro - Milton Hart for qualifying
RESTRICTED PAIRSFINAL8th Joanne Bakas - Tassi Georgiadis
WEEKEND MATCHPOINT SWISS PAIRS (Open)12th Felicity Gunner - Prudie Wagner19th Carolyn & Brian Leach20th Dianne Marler -JaneDavies(fromUK)
MONDAY BUTLER SWISS PAIRS (Open)EAST-WEST:7th Ian Hilditch - John Zollo12th Felicity Gunner - Prudie Wagner
OPEN TEAMS=5th DavidBeauchamp-JodiTutty, Justin Williams-NathanVanJole
SENIORS’ TEAMS1st Zolly Nagy - David Middleton, NeilEwart-DavidSmith
INTERMEDIATE TEAMS16th Joanne Bakas - Tassi Georgiadis, Corinne Blanchard - Bill Bradshaw
RESTRICTED TEAMS11th Helen McBride - Sally Macdonald, Wardie Adamson - Sully Detmold
CongratulationstoPhilGueandhispartner,NigelRosendorff(fromSydney)whowontheRogerPennySeniorSwissPairsattheTasmanianFestivalofBridge(28thto31stMarch).GeorgeSmolanko,togetherwithGeorgeKozakos(fromSydney)finished6thinthesameevent.IntheRestrictedPairs,MargaretandHerbNeumeisterwereoneoftheleadingtwopairsuntiltheysufferedabiglossinthelastmatchtothepairwhowon.MargaretandHerb(fromGawlerBC)finishedaveryrespectable4th,andRitaandRayJones(fromKadinabutaffiliatedwithGawlerBC)alsodidthemselvesproud,finishingin9thplace.Inthefinallead-upevent,theIslandMatchpointedSwissPairs,ThereseDemarcoandLoriSmithcame5th.ThemaineventistheTBIBAustralianSwissPairs,heldovertheweekend.ThewinnerswereDavidBeauchampandJodiTutty,practisingfortheirstintintheAustralianMixedTeam.OurSouthAustraliansdidnotplace,withThereseDemarcoandLoriSmithfinishing13thandPhilGuewithNigelRosendorfffinishing21st.
OPENING LEAD TIP Whenresponderpassesopenerinopener’ssecond-bidsuit(e.g.1S–1NT–2H–Pass),youshouldleadtrumps.Thisauctionsuggeststhatresponderisveryshortinopener’sfirst-bidsuit,thereforeyouleadtrumpstolimitdeclarer’sabilitytotrumpindummy.
GOLD COAST RESULTS TASMANIAN FESTIVAL OF BRIDGE
PhilGue-whowontheRogerPennySeniorSwissPairsinTasmania.
BRIDGEYousitroundatable,yourcardsinyourhands.It’sonlyacardgamebutmakessuchdemands.EnoughpointstoopenorshouldIjustpass?
Orperhapstryapre-empt-thatwouldcutquiteadash!I’mnotthedealer-openerbidsfirst.
TheyopenoneheartandIfeartheworst.Nowadoublefrompartner-fortakeoutthat’sclear.Thingslookalotbrighter-fourspadescouldbenear.
TheypushustofiveandleadouttwoacesButItrumpthesecond-thelookontheirfaces!Drawingtrumpsisnoproblem,thesplitisn’tbadAndalongsuitindummy-moretrickstobehad.Igetridofmylosers-theyshouldhaveledclubs.It’satop,notabottom,sowe’reofftothepub!
Anon
SABFNewsletter:April2019 Page:4
ABF’S DAILY BRIDGE COLUMNOn 1st March, the aBF intrOduced an innOvative cOncept - a daily Bridge cOluMn. it is suBscriptiOn-Based, cOsting $52 per annuM, Or a Mere $1 per week, FOr a Bridge cOluMn that yOu receive By eMail each day. there are seven cOntriButing jOurnalists, writing articles aiMed at the everyday Bridge player, FOr learning and educatiOn purpOses.
the FOllOwing is a saMple OF what yOu get, this Being the First cOntriButiOn FrOM Mike lawrence, a wOrld-renOwOned Bridge authOr and teacher FrOM aMerica.
iF yOu enjOy this article, yOu shOuld cOnsider suBscriBing. the daily cOluMn requires suppOrt FOr its OngOing success.
GUESSING EVERYONE’S SHAPE BEFORE THE OPENING LEAD IS MADEBy Mike Lawrence
Everyonehasoneofthosespecialmomentswhenyouseesomethingthatmightnotnormallybespotted.Afewweeksago,Iwasteachingagroupofplayersatmyhouseandthishandcameup.IsatSouth.WestDealer:NilVulnerableWest North East South1♦ Pass 2♦ PassAllPass East’s2♦raiseshows6-9supportpoints.
Thiswasmyhand:♠J94♥Q103♦J97♣KJ42
Atthetable,beforemypartnermadeheropeninglead,Inoticedsomethingveryrare.Withoutseeingtheleadorthedummy,itwaspossibletostatewhateveryone’sdistributionwas.Thisisnotatrickquestion.Allthefactsyouneedareinplace.Herearesomeimportantquestionsyouneedtothinkof.Howmanypointsdoesyourpartnerhave?Whydidyourpartnernotovercallorbalance?Ifyouaregoingtotrytoworkthisout,youshouldstopnowanddoit.Ifyouwanttheanswer,continuereading.Firstly,openerdidnotbidagainsoopenerratestohaveaminimumhand.YourRHOonlyraisedto2♦.Hewon’thavemucheither.Thismeansthattheycanhavefrom18to23points.Youhave8points.Ifyouropponentshave18,yourpartnerhas14.Notlikely.Theymusthavealittlemorethanminimumvalues.Ifyouropponentshave23,yourpartnerhas9points.With9pointsormore,yourpartnerwouldtrytobalanceifshecould.Itisverypooringeneraltoheartheopponentsbidasuitandraisethatsuitandthenallowthemtoplayitthere.Theyhaveafitandlettingthemplayinoneofthesecontractsisusuallybad.Whydidpartner,whonormallyisaggressiveatbalancing,notbalancethistime?
Thelogicalansweristhatherdistributionisbad.Shemighthavethreediamonds.Ifyourpartnerhasthreediamonds,itmeansthattheyhaveseven.Almostsurely,Eastwillhavefourofthemfortheraise,andthatmeansopenerhasthree.Whatshapemightopenerhaveifshehasthreediamonds?Openercanhaveonlyoneshapewiththreediamondsthatopens1♦instandardbidding.Openerhas4-4-3-2distribution.Ifmypartnerhasthreediamonds,shewouldleantowardbiddingafourcardmajorifshecould.Shewouldberootingformetohaveoneortwodiamondsandhopefully,somesupportforhermajor.Butmypartnerdidnotbid.Itsoundslikeshehasnofourcardmajor.Thatleavesherwith3-3-3-4distribution.Iknowshehasthreecardsineachmajorbecauseifshehadtwo,theopponentswouldhaveaneightcardfitandtheywouldhavebidit.AllofthisleavesyourRHOwiththreespades,threehearts,fourdiamonds,andthreeclubs.Hereistheactualhand.
♠K82 ♥J76 ♦832 ♣AQ95♠AQ106 ♠753♥A842 ♥K95♦K64 ♦AQ105♣108 ♣763 ♠J94 ♥Q103 ♦J97 ♣KJ42
Thebiddingmaylookjustalittleodd.ManyplayersholdingtheEasthandwouldbid1NT.Actually,IlikeEast’sraise.Itallowsopenertobidnotrumpiftheywant,andthatsurelywillbebetterthanhavingEastbidnotrump.HisthreelittlecardsinspadesandclubssuggestthatnotrumpfromEast’ssideofthetableisnotagoodidea.Onthishand,the2♦raisedidnotworkwell.Butitwaswellthoughtoutandonanyhandwhereopenerisabouttolookforgame,givingopenerthechancetoplaythehandisagoodthought.Incidentally,ifWesthasahandwithdiamondsandsomeshape,East’s2♦bidwillhelpWestjudgewhentoplayinadiamondcontract.Anice,unselfishbidbyEast.
RETURNING THE SUIT PARTNER LEDThecardyoureturninpartner’s‘openinglead’suitshouldhelpyourpartnerknowhowmanycardsyouholdinthatsuit:With4+cards,youreturnyouroriginalfourthhighestcard;With3cards,youreturnyourhigherremainingcard(youhaveadoubletonleft);With2cards,youreturnyouronlyremainingcard.Ifyoufollowthisformula,yourpartnerwillusuallybeabletodeterminehowmanycardsyoustartedwith,andthentheycandeterminedeclarer’sholdinginthesuit.
SABFNewsletter:April2019 Page:5
BRIDGE AT BEAUMONT PRESENTS
CHRISTMAS IN WINTERBRIDGE CONGRESS
AT MT OSMOND GOLF CLUB
60 Mt Osmond Rd, Mt Osmond
ON
SUNDAY 23rd JUNE 20192-session Graded Matchpoint Pairs with a
two-course Christmas lunch & Red MP awards
Start time: 9.30amFinish: approx. 5.15pm
COST$50 per person ($100 per pair)
includes the two-course Christmas lunch
DIRECTORBarbara Travis
[email protected] 919 928
Filling fast! Don’t leave entering for too long.Entries are not complete until fully paid.
BRIDGE BY “NUMBERS”There are a number of helpful rules (some humorous) to help us with our bidding, play and defence. I recently found a few different sets of these rules, many thatI had never heard of. Here are some examples:
RULE OF 2 (play)Witha‘doubletenace’,suchasAQ10orKJ10,itisusuallybesttofinessetowardsthelowerhonourfirst.
RULE OF 4 and 4 (bidding)Itisnormallybettertoplayina4-4fitthana5-3or6-3fit(assumingbothfitsareofthesamerank).Thisisbecauseyoucanusethelonger(unequal)sidesuitfordiscardinglosers.This rule can affect the auction. Ifyouholdgamevaluessuchas♠KQ2♥AQ64♦A765♣43,andpartneropens1♠,youshouldrespond2♦first.Ifyourpartnerrebids2♥,youwillplayin4♥(the4-4fit)ratherthan4♠(the5-3fit).Ifyourpartnerrebidssomethingelse,youreverttothespadegame.
RULE OF 10 (doubling a part-score)Whencontemplatingapenaltydoubleofasuitcontractbelowgame,addyourexpectedtrumptrickstothenumberoftrickstheopponentsaretryingtowin.Iftheansweris10ormore,youhavetherightnumberoftrumptricks,sodoublingisOK(thoughitwon’talwayswork!).
RULE OF 15 (opening in 4th seat)Indecidingwhethertoopenthebiddinginthe4thseat,theplayershouldaddtogethertheirHCPsandthenumberofcardsheldinspades.Iftheanswerif15ormore,thenyoushouldopenthehand.
RULE OF 15 (takeout double)Ifyouarethinkingaboutmakingatakeoutdouble,countyourHCP,thenadd6foravoid,4forasingletonor2foradoubletonintheopponent’ssuit.Ifyourtotalis15orgreater,thenyoucanconsiderdoubling.
RULE OF 16 (raising 1NT)Ifyouareconsideringraisinga1NTopeningbidto3NT,countyourHCPsandthenumberofcardsinyourhandthatare8sorhigher.Ifthesumofthetwoisgreaterthan16,raiseto3NT.Thisavoidstheneedfortheuseof2NTasaninvitationalbid,freeingupthe2NTbidfor‘better’uses.
RULE OF BOSTON (opening leads)Thisisanacronym,commonlyusedintheUSA,whichstandsfor“BottomofSomething,TopofNothing”.
QUEEN-FINDING RULEIfyouhaveatwo-wayfinesseforaQueen,finessetheopponentyoulikeleast…orifyoudislikethembothequally,playforthedrop!
RULE OF 160Iftheagesofyouropponentsaddupto160(ormore)…don’tunderestimatetheirability!!
SABFNewsletter:April2019 Page:6
WHAT DOES A 4NT BID MEAN TO YOU? by Jon Hunt
Howmanyusesdoesyourpartnershipputtothebidof4NT?Formanypairstheanswerisprobablyonlyoneortwo;mostoftenwherethebidisusedtoaskpartnerabouttheirKeycards(orAces)or,lessfrequently,asaninvitationtobidaslaminno-trumpsifpartnerisamaximumfortheirbiddingsofar(eg1NT-4NT).Somepartnershipswillhaveameaningforanopeningbidof4NT.Ipreferthistoshowaweak(veryweak?)two-suitedhandintheminorsuits,intendedasawhollypre-emptiveaction.Theaim,ofcourse,beingtomaketheopponentsguess;perhapsgettingthemtoanon-makingcontract,orrestrictingtheirabilitytobidamakingslamorsimplyfindingaprofitablesacrificeagainstwhatevertheircontractmightbe.Makingtheoppositionguessisthebestpartofpre-emptivebidding!Sometimes,however,theshoeisontheotherfootwiththeopponentspre-emptingandthen4NTcanbeusedtotrytofindafitatahigh-level.Forexample,ifyourright-handopponentopens4S,whatdoesabidof4NTshow?ThisratherdependsonhowyouplayabidofDoubleover4S.IfyouplayXtobetakeout,then4NTinsteadwouldshowatwo-suitedhand(5-5orbetter).Somepairsmightagreethistobesimplyfortheminorswhileothersmightchoosetoplayitasany2suits.Yourresponsetothisbidwouldassumeinitiallythatpartnerholdstheminorsuits.If,ontheotherhand,likemanypartnerships,yourdoubleof4Sispenalties(orperhaps,justshowingvalues),then4NTcouldbeusedtoshowatwo-suitedorthree-suitedhand.Whataboutifweopenthebiddingandtheopponentssubsequentlypre-emptsay,bidding4Soveryourpartner’s1Hopening.Double,inmanypartnerships,wouldbeforpenalties(or,moregenerallyusedtoshowvalues).Whatwouldbethebestuseof4NTinthatauction?Therearetwopossibilities.Eitherretain4NTasKeycardinsupportofHeartsorperhapsuseittoindicateatwosuitedhandintheminors,such as ♠3♥Q♦AJ1092♣KJ9753
However,youcanonlyassignoneoftheseasthemeaningsforthebid,andyoumustdecidewithyourpartnerwhichislikelytobemostusefulinthelongrun.Theconceptofusing4NTtoindicatethepossibilityofplayinginasuitnotpreviouslymentioned(ratherthanasKeycardBlackwood)isonethatdoescropupfromtimetotime.Here’sahandfromtherecentSASenior’sTrials. North ♠J6 ♥void ♦AK109543 ♣Q952
South ♠Q875 ♥Q2 ♦Q8 ♣AKJ86
DavidParrott,North,openedwith1♦.Eastbid4♥,IdoubledwiththeSouthhandandDavidrebid4NT.Mydoubledoesn’tguarantee4spades,sothere’snomajoragreed.Wehadnotdiscussedthistypeofsequence,butitdidn’tmakesenseforthistobeanysortofKeycardask.Indeed,Davidintendedhisbidtoshowlongdiamondsandsupportforclubs.Fortunately,wewereonthesamewavelengthso5♣wasaneasycallandtheplayjustascomfortable.Whataboutthishand?North♠8♥Q♦AK96432♣A642
Youopen1♦,thenexthandbids4♥andpartnermakesanegativedouble,passedbacktoyou.Whatlevelofcontractfeelsrighttoyou?Five,sixorsomewhereinbetween?Partnerwouldprobablystretchtodoublewithanyreasonable4or5-cardspadesuitandareasonable(8)9+HCP.Inthatcase5♦wouldbebestor,asintheprevioushand,youcould4NTtoindicatetheclubsuittogetherwithyourlongdiamonds.Inthe2007BermudaBowl,thatauction,1♦ 4♥ Double Passwasfoundat11ofthe22tables.AtallbutoneofthosetablesNorth,whilesurelytempted,restrainedthemselvestoonlyrebid5♦(onlyoneoptimisticNorthbid6♦)andthatendedtheauction.AsyoucanseeSouth’spassover5♦isquitereasonable,andyet6♦isagoodcontract.
North South♠8 ♠AQ63♥Q ♥95♦AK96432 ♦J105♣A642 ♣KQ98
Ifyouhadasinkingfeelingthat5♦wasjustabitofanunderbid(butthat6♦wasanoverbid)isthereasequencethatmightjustgetyoutotheslam?Whataboutthisauction:
North East South West 1♦ 4♥ Double Pass4NT(1) Pass 5♣(2) Pass5♦(3) Pass 6♦ AllPass
(1)Suggestingalongdiamondsuitwith4-cadclubsuit: choice of contract(2)Agreeingclubs(3)Nowinvitingslamindiamonds
Ormaybeit’salljustabitoffantasyonmypart?[Ed: This is a great use for the 4NT bid - showing both the suits, then suggesting the slam, plus an even-longer diamond suit.]
Jon Hunt
SABFNewsletter:April2019 Page:7
GRAND BIDDING by Barbara Travis
♠AKQ1083♥AQ32♦2♣AK
Youhappilyopenthishandwith2♣,theauctionprogressing:
You Partner2♣ 2♦(1)2♠(2) 3♠(3)4NT(4) 5♣(5)5NT(6) ?
(1)Weakorwaiting(2)Gameforcingwithspades(3)Strongerthan4♠(4)RomanKeyCardBlackwood(5)1keycard,i.e.♦A(6)Howdoyourespondto5NT?
Youreallywanttoknowwhetherpartnerholdsthe♥K,notthe♦K.Iftheyholdthe♥Kyouwanttoplayin7♠butiftheyholdthe♦K,youwanttoplayin6♠,andeventhatcontractmayhingeontheheartfinesse.
Yourresponsesto5NTshouldnotbe‘numeric’,astheywereinthedaysofstraightBlackwood.Yourresponsesshouldshowspecifickings.Inotherwords,yourebid6-trumpsuitwithnokings,andbidthekingthatyouhold.Thoseplaying‘numer-ic’responsesfaceda6♦bid,leavingthegrandslamopentoguesswork.OnedeclarerheardtheirRHOdouble6♦,drawingtheconclusionthatpartnerheldthe♥Kandbiddingthegrandslam.However,thoseplayingspecifickingresponseshearda6♥bid,denyingthe♦Kbutshowingthe♥K.Nowthegrandslamwasabletobebidconfidently:
♠AKQ1083 ♠J96♥AQ32 ♥K4♦2 ♦A876♣AK ♣Q983
43pairsoutof112pairsintheSouth-WestPacificTeamsbidto7♠,soclearlymanypeoplehadgoodtoolsattheirdisposal.
Thishandwasalittledifferent:
♠AK8♥Q♦A72♣1076543
You Partner 1♣3♥(1) 4♣(2)4♦(3) 4♥(3)4♠(3) 4NT(4)5♠(5) 5NT(6)?
(1)Asplinterbid,showingclubsupport,asingletonorvoidinhearts,and10-13HCP.Giventhat1♣canshowa3-cardsuit,thesplinterguaranteesatleast5clubs.(2)Settingclubs,andshowingslaminterest(5♣wouldbe‘fastarrival’),askingforcuebids(3)1stor2ndroundcontrolinthebidsuit(4)RomanKeyCardBlackwood
(5)2keycards+the♣Q–orinthisinstance,showinganex-traclub,meaningthe♣Qisunnecessary.Whenpartnerholdsthe♣Q,asshedid,sheknowsthatyouhave6+clubs.(6)Showingallthekeycardsandinterestinthegrandslam.
Alittlethoughtrevealsthatanykingresponsetakesyouabove6♣,soonlyonekingmustbeneededforthegrandslam.Consequently,youshouldbid7♣,althougha6♠responsewillleadtothesameoutcome.
Thetwohands:
♠AK8 ♠10♥Q ♥AKJ3♦A72 ♦K93♣1076543 ♣AKQ92
Ifyouthinkthatgrandslamsnevercomeup,boththesegrandslamsoccurredduringtheSouth-WestPacificTeamsinCanberrainJanuary.
Belowisatablewiththerecommendedresponsesto5NT,showingallthekeycards:
Response Meaning7-trumpsuit Showsalongsolidsuit(5+cards)thatisa
sourceoftricks(KQJ10x)orsignificantextratrumps
6-trumpsuit 0outsidekings6-newsuit KingofTHATsuit(ie6♣shows♣K)
Withall3oftheoutsidekingsyoushouldalsobid7-trumpsuit
Barbara Travis
PUZZLE CORNER: Place the AcePlacesAces(letterA)inthegridsothateveryrow,column
andoutlineshapecontainsexactlytwoAces.
CellscontainingAcesmaynottouch,notevendiagonally.
(Solution can be found on page 13 – if you get stuck.)
SABFNewsletter:April2019 Page:8
The Camrose Trophy is the English equivalent of our Open Interstate Teams, being a battle between Open Teams from England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland, plus a ‘host’ team (to remove the bye).[It is interesting that Great Britain has now removed the bye, whereas the ABF has reinstated the bye!]
Lookatthefollowinghandfromthe2019CamroseTrophy,playedinMarch: ♠KJ8432 ♥A8 ♦2 ♣10852♠A765 ♠void♥109 ♥754♦AQ109865 ♦KJ743♣void ♣K7643 ♠Q109 ♥KQJ632 ♦void ♣AQJ9
Therewerethreematches,sothehandwasplayedsixtimes.Hereiswhathappened:
ENGLAND v. ENGLISH BRIDGE UNION (‘host’ team)
Table 1West North East SouthEBU England EBU England 2♦(multi) Pass 2NT(enquiry)3♦ 3♥(max♠) 4♣ 4♦(cuebid)Pass 4♠ 5♦ 6♥(good♥s)Pass 6♠ Pass PassDouble AllPass
Eastledthe♦3,making12tricks.England+1210.
Table 2West North East SouthEngland EBU England EBU 2♠ Pass 4♠5♦ Double 6♦ 6♠Double AllPass
Eastledthe♣3,down1.England+100.(He held too many diamonds to lead a diamond!).England+16IMPs,thoughtheylostthematch.
WALES v. SCOTLAND
Table 1West North East SouthScotland Wales Scotland Wales 3♠ Pass 4♠AllPass
Eastledthe♦4,making12tricks.Wales+480.
Table 2West North East SouthWales Scotland Wales Scotland 3♠ Pass 4NT(!)Pass 5♥(2key) Pass 6♠Double Pass Pass RedoubleAllPass
Eastledthe♦3,making12tricks.Scotland+1620.Scotland+15IMPs.
NORTHERN IRELAND v IRELANDUnfortunately,therearenorecordsofthebiddingforthismatch,althoughIhavetheresults:
Table 1NorthernIrelandbidto6♦X.Northledthe♥Abutmusthaveswitchedattrick2.Westnowusedhisentriestodummytoestablishthefifthclub,discardinghisheartloser.6♦X,making12tricks.NorthernIreland+1540.
Table 2Irelandbidto6♦X.Northledthe♥Aandcontinuedwithanotherheart.6♦X,down1.NorthernIreland+200.NorthernIreland+17IMPs.
Whenpeopleaskabouthigh-levelbiddingandsacrifices,Itendtosaythatit’sachallengingarea.Thesesixwildlydifferentoutcomesreflectthateventhetopplayersinacountrycanfindthesedecisionsjustaschallenging.6♦isobviouslyanexcellentsaveagainst5♠,buttwotablesneverevenbidasEast-West.Clearlythe3♠openingbidhadafarmorepre-emptiveimpactthanthe2♦(multi)or2♠openingbid,thoughIwouldhavethoughtthatWestshouldbebidding5♦onhisshapelyhand,especiallywhenEastseemstobeshortinspadesontheauction.6♠isafinecontract,thoughtheScottishauctionisunconvincing.TheuseofRKCBwithavoiddidnotassistSouthwithhisslamdecision;giveNorththe♦Aandit’sadreadfulcontract.However,Easthadtofindaclubleadtodefeatthecontract–aviableleadifWesthadcomeinwithdiamonds,butaguessotherwise.Ofcourse,6♠bySouthiscold!(Nowadays,thoseusingmulti2♦dotrytomakethestronghandthedeclarer,whichshouldhavebeenthecaseintheEnglandauction.)
HIGH LEVEL DECISIONS
COVERING AN HONOUR WITH AN HONOURThereasonyoushouldcoveranhonourwithanhonouristotrytopromoteatrickforyourpartnership.So,ifyoucanseeasequenceofhonoursindummy,eg.Q-J-10-9,clearlyplayingyourKingontheQueenisNOTgoingtopromoteatrickforyourside,soyoushouldplayalowcard.Thetimewhenyoushouldcoveranhonourwithanhonouriswhenthelasthonourisledfromdummy(ifthereisasequence).Bydoingthat,youarehelpingtopromoteyourpair’scards.Ifdummyhasalonehonour,thenyoushouldcoverthathonourwhenitisled,unlessyouhaveextralengthinthesuit(meaningthatyourhonourcannotbefinessedaway).
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HOW TO LOSE 5 IMPsThis article, written by Christine Duckworth, is reproduced from MetroNews (UK), Spring 2018 (editor Christine Duckworth)
YouareplayinginaMixedTeamseventwhenyoupickupabalancedbutchunky19count,nilvulnerable.LHOpassesand,toyoursurprise,partneropens1♦.Youbidaquiet1♥andpartnersurprisesyoufurtherbyrebidding2NT.Sincethisshows18-19HCP,youhavenodifficultyinpullingtheremainingcardsoutofthebiddingboxandsaying7NT.Thesearethetwohands:
♠AH3 ♠VB♥AHV7 ♥53♦109 ♦AHVB5♣H1073 ♣AB52
No,thosearen’ttypos.IomittedtotellyouthatyouareplayingintheNetherlands.HsareHeren(Kings),VsareVrauen(Queens)andBsareBoeren(Jacks).Hereisthewholehand,translatedintoEnglish:
♠AK3 ♥AKQ7 ♦109 ♣K1073♠9872 ♠10654♥862 ♥J1094♦82 ♦7643♣Q986 ♣4 ♠QJ ♥53 ♦AKQJ5 ♣AJ52
Youclaimyour13tricksandmoveontothenextdeal,assumingthisisaflatboard–afterall,itwasn’texactlydifficulttobidthegrand.
Butno…Yourteam-mates,whoareDutch,areplayingthiscuteconventionwhereby2♥and2♠openingbidsshow0-7HCPandatleast4cardsinthebidMajor.Sometimesthisleadstosomegreatresults,butitisdefinitelyatwo-edgedweapon.Onthisoccasion,whenEastopened2♥Southdoubledandeveryonepassed.Thatwas-1700,and-5IMPssincedeclarermanagedtomakejustonetrick.
Itwasashamereally,asshecouldequallywellhavechosentoopen2♠,andthatwouldprobablyhavebeenatrickcheaperandasmallswingtous!
Christine Duckworth
Written by Paul Linxwiler, published in the IBPA August 2018.
AttheUSNationals,JoviSmederevac,ofVienna,Austria,foundtherightdefenceonthisdeal,basedonaninferencefromthebidding.SmederevacwasplayingwithJadeBarrettinthefirstsemi-finalofthevonZedtwitzLifeMasterPairs.
DealerEast ♠A92BothVul ♥K765 ♦J105 ♣A83♠QJ1053 ♠K7♥J1042 ♥83♦932 ♦AKQ764♣4 ♣KQ7 ♠864 ♥AQ9 ♦8 ♣J109652
West North East South 1♦ Pass2♥(1) Pass 3NT AllPass
(1) 5spades,4-5hearts,weak
AsSouth,SmederevacdecidedtoattackheartsbyleadingtheAce.HerrationalewasbasedonEast’schoiceof3NT.“Declarerdoesn’thave18-19balanced,becausewiththattypeofhandshewouldhaveagreedspadesortriedtofigureoutifpartnerheldfivehearts.Therefore,3NTmustbebasedonlongdiamonds.”
Barrettencouragedonthe♥Alead,soSmederevaccontinuedwiththeQueenandalowhearttotheKing.Thiscauseddeclarersomediscomfort.Unabletodiscardaclub,declarerdiscardedthe♠K.SoNorthcashedthe♠Athenexitedwithalowclub.Lockedinhand,declarercouldrunthediamonds,butwasthenforcedtoplayclubsfromherhandfortwodown,givingSmederevacandBarrettatopscore.
AUCTION INFERENCE
JoeHaffer(left)andhispartnerLeighGoldattheGoldCoastCongress
JohnLokanattheGoldCoastCongress
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CANBERRA SELECTION by Barbara TravisDEFENSIVE DEDUCTION ♠Q6 ♥KQJ8432 ♦54 ♣J4♠J943 ♠875♥109 ♥A6♦AJ76 ♦10932♣K32 ♣A1095 ♠AK102 ♥75 ♦KQ8 ♣Q876
ThishandcomesfromtheNationalWomen’sTeams.Ateverytablebutone(of18),declarermadeatleast10tricksin4♥,whetherfromNorthorSouth.
Atourtable,Southopened1NT(14-16HCP)andNorthtransferredto4♥.The♠4wasled,andpartnerquicklycashedthreetopspadestodiscardaclubloser,making10tricks.Ourteam-matesweretheonlypairtodefeat4♥!
KateMcCallumledafourth-highest♦2toVanessaBrown’s♦A.Attrick2,Vanessaswitchedtoaheart,whichKatewonwiththe♥A.Thetrumpswitchgotherthinking,andshereachedsomeimpressiveconclusions.HerfirstdeductionwasthatVanessamusthaveatleastfourdiamonds,soknewthattherewerenomorediamondtricksavailabletothedefence.Thatledhertothewinningdefencewhichwasthattheyneededclubtricks,andquickly.Therefore,Kateledthe♣Aandreceivedanencouraging♣2fromVanessa.Anotherclubsawthedefencetaketheirtopfourtricks–whichiseasywhenyoucanseeallfourhandsbutisnotnecessarilythatstraight-forwardatthetable.(Onthishandtheopeningleadwasalsorelevant–anopeningspadeleadmeantthecontractwouldalways make.
Nowondersheisaseven-timeworldchampion!!
DEFENSIVE DISASTER ♠AJ4 ♥J32 ♦A105 ♣10853♠Q1076 ♠853♥74 ♥AKQ109865♦QJ8742 ♦---♣6 ♣A9 ♠K92 ♥--- ♦K963 ♣KQJ742
DealerEast,EWVulWest North East South 1♥ 3♣(1)Pass 3♥(2) 4♥ 5♣Pass Pass 5♥ PassPass Double AllPass
ThishandcomesfromtheNationalWomen’sTeamfinal.Thisauctionoccurredatmytable.CandiceGinsberg’s3♣overcallshowedan‘intermediate’overcall,soIwaslookingforgamewithmy3♥cuebid.DespiteEast’s4♥bid,Candicefelt
confidentthat5♣wasagoodcontract.ItbecamebetterwhenEastbidonto5♥,whichIdoubledwithmytwoAcesoppositeadecentovercall.
Whendeclarerwonthe♣KwiththeAce,IcouldplaceSouth’sremainingvalues!Itwasjustamatterofdeclarer’sshape.
Sheruffedtheclub,thenledSheledsixroundsofhearts,soIdiscardedtwoclubsandthe♦10,encouraging.Meantime,Candicediscardedfourclubsandonecardineachothersuit.Eaststillhadsomehopethatthe♠Jwasonside,soshetriedasmallspadetodummy’s♠10,andIwontheJack.Iledthe♦A,toclarifywhatwashappeningdefensively.Whendeclarerruffed,itwaseasytotakeherdownonetrick.
Attheothertable,afterasimilarauction,KateMcCallumplayedin5♥(undoubled).Shefollowedasimilarlineofplay(cashingsixhearts),butbothNorthandSouthwereslightlycarelesswiththeirdiscarding.Wheneachdefenderdiscardedaspade,declarerwashome.Thethirdspadebecamethe11thtrick.Thatresultedin13IMPstoourteam.
Itisveryimportantwhenyouhavetofindlotsofdiscardstotrytokeep‘different’suitsfromeachother.OnceSouthdiscardedaspade,Northhadtoretainspades.Thatiswhy,atourtable,Ithrewclubsfirst–itgavemetimetowatchCandice’sdiscardsandknowwhichsuitIhadtokeep.
WHEN THERE’S ONLY ONE CHANCEYouareNorth,playingin4♥aftertheopponentshavebidandraisedspades. ♠K10 ♥AQ10952 ♦J76 ♣Q4♠J632 ♠A9754♥76 ♥J♦Q108 ♦K5♣K732 ♣J10965 ♠Q8 ♥K843 ♦A9432 ♣A8
Tomydisappointment,Eastledthe♣J.GiventhatIhadtolosethe♠Aandpotentiallytwodiamonds,IhadtohopeEasthadledfromKing-Jackinclubs.Iduckedthelead,butWestwonwiththe♣K,andreturnedaclub.Idrewtrumpsintworounds,thenledasmallspadetowardsdummy.IwashopingthatEastmightduck,thenIwouldend-playhimwiththesecondspade–butno,Eastwonthe♠Aandexitedwithhisspade.Therewasoneremainingchance…oneplayerneededtoholdthe♦K-xorQ-x.Itwastimetocashthe♦A.IfEastkepthisKing,hewouldbeend-playedwiththeseconddiamond;hewouldhavetoreturnablackcardandIcouldtrumpindummyanddiscardmydiamondloserfromhand.Ifhethrewhis♦KundertheAce,thenIcouldleadanotherdiamondtowardsmyJack,makingitbecomeawinner.Therefore,thecontractmade.
HowardMelbournewassittingWestonthishand.Athistable,trick1wentthesameway,sohewasonleadwiththe♣K.Hegaveseriousconsiderationtoleadingthe♦10attrick2,which‘surrounds’declarer’sJackanddummy’s♦9.Itistheonlycardtodefeatthecontract!
Barbara Travis
THREE-BID TEAMS - AN INTERESTING NOTIONAttheHainanBridgeFestivalinChina,theyhold15events,onebeingaThree-BidTeams.Ithasauniquerule:eachplayercanmakeonlythreebidsperboard,excludingPass,DoubleandRedouble.Onceyouhaveusedupyourthreebidsbutwanttomakeafourthbid,theopponentscanacceptornot.Ifthefourthbidisnotaccepted,theoffendingside’splayersmustbothPass.Ifthefourthbidisallowed,thenthebiddingjustcontinues.
HereareafewinterestingdealsfromtheHBF’sThree-BidTeams,reportedintheIBPABulletin,December2018.
YouareNorthandhold:
♠AJ632♥96♦AK9753♣void
West North East SouthPass 1♠ Pass 2♥Pass 3♦ Pass 4♥Pass ?
Thisisyourlastbid!WhatinformationdoyouhavefromSouth’sbidding,given3♥wouldhavebeenforcing.Youknowhehassolidheartsandagame-forcinghand.So,youcangambleonaslam–nomorebidscanbeused–6♥or7♥shouldbeyourchosenbid.Hereisthefulldeal:
♠AJ632 ♥96 ♦AK9753 ♣void♠K94 ♠Q10875♥73 ♥void♦86 ♦J104♣K98765 ♣AQJ32 ♠void ♥AKQJ108542 ♦Q2 ♣104
At12ofthe50tables,North-Southbidto7♥.Thediagrammedauctionwastheusualroutetothegrandslam.
♠AK43 ♥102 ♦J9632 ♦102♠QJ10765 ♠void♥J8 ♥AK953♦7 ♦AQ4♣K963 ♣QJ854 ♠982 ♥Q764 ♦K1085 ♣A7
West North East South2♠ Pass 2NT* Pass3♦* Pass 3♥ Pass3NT Pass 5♣ AllPass
2♠wasweak,with2NTbeingarelay.3♦showeddiamondshortageand3♥wasnatural.3NTdeniedheartsupport,soEastnowknewthatWestheld6spades,asingletondiamond,
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andnoheartsupport.Thatmeanthehadatleast4clubs,making5♣areasonablebid.Furthermore,therewasnoneedtoworryaboutamisunderstandingbecauseWesthadtoPass!
Hereisanotherboardwherethebiddingsideranoutofbids:
♠A43 ♥Q95 ♦J10843 ♣A9♠76 ♠KQ109♥KJ1072 ♥A843♦Q ♦962♣108653 ♣72 ♠J852 ♥6 ♦AK75 ♣KQJ4
West North East SouthPass 1♦ Pass 1♠Pass 1NT Pass 2♦*Pass 3♦* Pass 4♦*Pass Pass! Pass
2♦wasanartificialgameforce,and3♦showeda5-cardsuit.4♦wasaslamtry,butSouthhadforgottenthathispartnerhaduseduphisallocatedthreebidsalready,andthereforehadtoPass!
This is certainly a novel sort of event. I don’t know whether there is space in the local calendar for such an event, but it could prove to be a ‘fun’ one-night experience!
SallyLuke,playingwithDiMarler,wontheGawlerCongressPairsAGrade.
Australian Bridge Directors Association Seminar in VICTORIA 2019
A Weekend of Seminars and Workshops for Directors Note: Participants will be welcome, with preference given to
current ABDA financial members.
The sessions will be of enormous value to directors at all levels and will feature presentations by several Elite National and International Tournament Directors:
Each day will comprise formal presentations, followed by workshop discussions, with abundant opportunities for questions and discussions. Dates: Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th JULY, 2019 Times Saturday 9:30 am – 4:30pm, Sunday 9:30 am – 3:30pm Venue: VICTORIA BRIDGE ASSOCIATION 131 POATH ROAD. MURRUMBEENA. VICTORIA 3163 Cost: $55 for both days to cover lunch, morning and afternoon tea, coffee each day. Subsidy: ABDA members who were financial as at 31st May travelling more than 100km one
way to will be eligible for a travel subsidy at 30cents/km (one way) capped at $400, the subsidy will be paid after full attendance over the two days.
Accommodation: There are a range of accommodation options available in the area – here is a
link to the ABDA website and a map of how to get to the venue
Registrations and enquiries to [email protected] with payment by EFT to ABDA, Commonwealth Bank, BSB 062-911, Account No 10275825 quoting ABF number and “Seminar”. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REGISTRATION DETAILS REQUIRED Name: ………………………………………………. Email Address……………………………………………… ABF Number……………………..........Club Name and No………………………………………………... Director for………………years Director Level: Club / Congress / State / National
http://www.abfevents.com.au/directors/index.asp
SABFNewsletter:April2019 Page:12
COACHING SESSIONS WITH BARBARA TRAVISatBeaumontBowlingClub
71DevereuxRoad,LindenParkJUNE - JULY 2019
THURSDAYS, 2.30pm to 4.30pmCARD PLAY TECHNIQUES
30thMay COUNTING-Howtocountahand 6thJune COUNTING-Cluesfromthebidding 13thJune MANAGINGENTRIES 20thJune SAFEv.DANGERHANDS- Keepinganopponentofflead 27thJune COMBININGOPTIONS- Findingmorethanonelineofplay 4thJuly PERCENTAGES-Choosingoneline 11thJuly WHENTODUCK,WHENTOWIN 18thJuly ELIMINATIONPLAY- Howtoexecuteastripandendplay
SuitedtoIntermediateandAdvancedPlayersBookingsnotrequired-allwelcome
$15perperson,persessionBarbaraTravis
email:[email protected]:0437919928
COACHING SESSIONS WITH BARBARA TRAVISatBeaumontBowlingClub
71DevereuxRoad,LindenParkJUNE - JULY 2019
TUESDAYS, 2.30pm to 4.30pmSECOND ROUND BIDDING
Your second round choice of bid (opener and responder) is one of the most important bids, trying to define your hand type and
point range to partner. 4thJune FORCING/NON-FORCINGBIDS& COPINGWITHMISFITS 11thJune FORCINGTOGAME 18thJune GAMETRIES 25thJune REVERSES-BiddingBeyondBarrier 2ndJuly FOURTHSUITFORCING(1) 9thJuly FOURTHSUITFORCING(2) 16thJuly NEGATIVEDOUBLES
SuitedtoSupervised,IntermediateandAdvancedPlayersBookingsnotrequired-allwelcome
$15perperson,persessionBarbaraTravis
email:[email protected]:0437919928
SABFNewsletter:April2019 Page:13
A GAME AT THE CLUB by Barbara TravisArecentsessionhasprovidedmewithplentyofhandsforanalysis. First,Iheldthishand:♠K82♥QJ4♦KJ8765♣K
Me LHO Partner RHO 1♠ Pass2♦ 3♥ 4♠ Pass?
WewereplayingStandard,somy2♦responsemerelyshowed10+HCPratherthanbeinggameforcing.Thismeantthatpartner’s4♠rebidshowedaverygoodhand.Myproblemwas:Didwehavecontroloftheheartsuit?Wehadnoagreements,soIjustpunted6♠,successfully.
Afterthesession,Idiscussedthishandwithafewfriends.My‘correct’rebidwastobid5♠.Biddingourownmajorfreelyatthe5-levelisnotasignofmadness.Itactuallyaskspartnertobidslamwithcontroloftheirsuit.(Refer to the Open Playoffs article in December 2018, where Andy Hung now bid 6NT, protecting his K-x in the suit – both from the lead and from a ruff.)
Partner’shandwas: ♠AQJ9653 ♥K ♦A ♣A862somy6♠bidworkedthistime.
Trythishand:♠2♥K972♦K9762♣A102
Board1,nilvulnerable,andtheauctionstarted:West North East SouthMe Partner Pass 1♠ 2♥?
Atthevulnerabilityandwithmylackoffitforpartner,Idecidedtotryforapenaltyifpartnerre-openedwiththehoped-fordouble.Pass Pass 2♠ Pass?
Partner’s2♠rebidindicatedsheheldahandunsuitedtopenalising2♥.NowItestedpartner’sknowledgeofcontinuations:2NT AllPass
Wehavesincediscussedthatmy2NTbidshowsahandthatindicatesIwasinterestedinpenalising2♥.Mindyou,Iprobablyshouldhaverebid3NT,andsoshouldsheafter2NT.
♠2 ♠AKQ10963♥K972 ♥10♦K9762 ♦A5♣A102 ♣Q98
Sheshouldhavebid3NTnow,comfortablethatshewasgivingmesevenoreighttricks.2NTmaking12trickswasouronlybottomoftheday.I’mpreparedtotakealargeproportionoftheblameformy2NTbid,butshe’salsolearntthatsolidsuitsaregoodforraisingto3NT.Inevermindabadresultifitleadstoaneducationaloutcome.
Afewhandslaterwehadanotherresult‘linked’tonegativedoubles.Theauctionstarted:1♦ (1♥) 1♠…Ouropponentsendedupin3♠ona4-3fit,forthedreaded-200,andouronlytopoftheday.Whensomeoneovercalls1♥,oneagreementwhenplayingnegativedoubles,istousethedoubletoshowa4-cardspadesuit,andbidding1♠shows5+spades.Thisapplicationallowsyoutomakeuseoftheovercalltobemorepreciseaboutyourspadesuit,sothatyoursideknowswhetherthereisafitornotand,therefore,whethertokeepcompetinginthespade(“master”)suit.
Onanotherhand,mypartnerthoughtIwasageniusformyopeninglead.MyRHOhadopened1NTandplayedthere.Iwasonleadholding:♠1073♥A98♦A1097♣A86
Foranumberofyears,Ihavebeenphilosophicallyopposedtoleadingfrom3-cardor4-cardsuitheadedbytheAcewhenonleadagainstNoTrumpcontracts.Basically,itseemstogiveextratrickstodeclarer.Thatreasoningwasbehindmyleadofthe♠10(Ididn’tleadalowonebecauseIdidn’twanttoencouragemypartner!).Partnerwonthe♠Q,withdeclarerdroppingtheJack,andcontinuedaspade.Thisisthewholehand: ♠42 ♥Q754 ♦QJ6 ♣Q1042♠1073 ♠KQ9865♥A98 ♥3♦A1097 ♦532♣A86 ♣975 ♠AJ ♥KJ1062 ♦K84 ♣KJ3
Thespadeleadgaveustimetocashoureightwinnersquickly,resulting in an equal top.
Afterthesession,quiteafewpeopleaskedmehowtodealwiththefollowinghand;therehadbeenvariedoutcomesafterRHO’s4♠openingbid:♠A32♥K♦A94♣KQJ963
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HOW TO DEAL WITH OPPOSITION INTERVENTION AFTER YOUR PARTNER HAS OPENED THE BIDDING
Howoftendoesanopponentovercallyourpartner’sopeningbidandmessupyourplannedresponse?Forexample,partneropens1♦andyourRHOovercalls1♠:♠98 ♥KQJ7♦976 ♣J1098
*YoucouldPass,butthatisnotsatisfactorywith7HCP.*1NT(6-9HCP)isnotappropriatewithnospadestopper.*Abidatthe2-levelshows10+HCP.*Youshouldn’tsupportdiamondswithonly3cards.Butequally,youdon’twanttoPassjustbecauseoftheintervention.
Handswhereyouwanttomakeapenaltydoubleoftheopponent’sovercalloccurrarely.Insteadweusedoublesoflowlevelovercallstogivepartnerthemessage:“I would have responded to your opening bid but the overcall has made my life difficult.”
ThesedoublesarecalledNEGATIVEDOUBLESandareliketakeoutdoubles(exceptyourpartneropened).Theysay:•Ihavetheothertwo(unbid)suits,or•Ihaveaone-suitedhandwhichIcannotbidfreely(notenoughHCP),or•Ihaveoneoftheothersuits(major)andsupportforyoursuit(minor)
Onthehandabove,youwouldmakeanegativedouble;youhavetheperfecthandforit,beingabletocopewithanyrebidpartner makes.
POINT COUNT FOR NEGATIVE DOUBLES:•Atthe1-level6+HCP •Atthe2-level~8+HCP(moreshape=fewerHCPsallowed)•Atthe3-level10+HCP•Thereisnoupperlimit(HCP)fornegativedoubles.
HOW HIGH TO PLAY NEGATIVE DOUBLES:Iwouldrecommendplayingthemtothe3-level,butitisamatter for partnerships to agree on.
WHAT OPENER DOES NEXT:•Openerintroducesanew4-cardsuit.•OpenercanrebidNTwiththeopponent’ssuitstopped.•Minimumrebidsshowminimumhands.•Youneedtojumptoshowastrongeropeninghand(16+HCP)orbidgamewithenoughvalues.(REVERSESarecancelledbecausethedouble‘forces’partnertobid).
EXAMPLE1:Theauctionstarts: 1♥ (1♠) ?Youhold: ♠xx ♥xx ♦KJxx ♣Kxxxx
Whatcanyoubid?*Youcannotbid1NT(6-9HCP).Thatshowsaspadestopper.*Youcannotbid2♣becausethatshows10+HCP.
Aftersomethought,Ichosetobid5♣,primarilybecauseIdidn’twanttodouble–showingagoodhand–andhearpartnerbid5♥.Partnerheld: ♠J ♥A10964 ♦KJ732 ♣75
Ifyourpartnerdoublesa4-levelopeningbid,4♠onthishand,ratherthancommittingtooneparticularsuit,youarebetterservedtorespond4NT.This4NTbidindicatesthatyouhavetwoplacesyouwouldbehappytoplay.Sowhenpartnernowbids5♣,you‘correct’to5♦toshowbothredsuits.Onthishand,youwouldfinishin5♦,whichmakes–asdoes5♣(clubsbeing4-1).
InDecember’s“A Game at the Club”,Imentionedthatpeopleneedtobalancewhentheoppositionsubsideatthe2-levelinaknown8cardfit.Obviously,mypartnerhadlearntthislessonwell,becauseshedidbalanceafterthisauction:
West North East SouthMe Partner 1♦ Pass 2♦Pass Pass Double
Theauctioncontinued:Pass2♥ Pass Pass 3♦Pass Pass 3♥ AllPass
Partnerbidonto3♥hopingwehelda9-cardfit:
♠K2 ♥J9 ♦K9642 ♣AQ73♠J76 ♠Q543♥A854 ♥KQ763♦AJ8 ♦10♣1065 ♣J98 ♠A1098 ♥102 ♦Q753 ♣K42
Givenwewerevulnerable,itwasimportanttogodownonlyonetrick;-100wouldbebetterthan-110or-130,but-200wouldbeabottom.Onadiamondlead,andwiththeheartsbreaking2-2,Iwasabletoeliminatethediamondsuit,thenexitinclubs,makingtheopponentsstartthespadesuit,andgettingaspadetrickattheend,for-100.
Onesessionandsomanylessons!Barbara Travis
NEGATIVE DOUBLES
OPENING LEAD TIPDon’tjustleadfourthhighestofyourlongestandstrongestsuit:•Listentotheauctionbeforeleading.•Workoutwhatyouknowabouttheopponents’lengthindifferentsuitsandtheirHCP.•ThinkabouthowmanyHCPyoucanexpectfrompartner.•THENmakeyourlead.
Youhaveanidealhandforanegativedouble.*Ifpartnerbids2♣or2♦(minimumopeningbid)youwillhappilypass,havingwonthepart-scorebattle.*Ifpartnerrebids2♥(showing6cards)youcanpass,havingwonthepart-scorebattle.*Ifpartnerjumps,dependingonwhattheybidyoumaypassorheadtogame.
EXAMPLE2:Theauctionstarts: 1♦ (2♣) ?Youhold: ♠Kxxx ♥Kxxx ♦Qx ♣AKx
Whatcanyoubid?
*IfyoubidaMajoratthe2-levelitwillshowyourpointsandbeforcingBUTitwillshowa5+cardsuit.*Youcouldbid3NT(valuesforgame,clubsstopped)BUTyouhaven’thadtheopportunitytoexploreforaMajorfit.Furthermore,youclosedowntheauctionwhenyoumightbelonginslam.
Youshoulduseanegativedoublefirst,becauseyoucanalwaysbid3NTwithyournextbid.Youarenowreadytodealwithwhateverpartnerrebids.*Ifpartnerrebids2♥or2♠(minimumopeningbid),yournextbidwillbegameinthatsuit.*Ifpartnerrebids2♦,thenyoucanrebid3NTconfidentthatyouhaveeliminatedaMajorfit.*Ifpartnerrebids3♥or3♠youcanexploreforslaminthatMajor.
EXAMPLE3:Theauctionsstarts: 1♣ (2♠) ?Youhold: ♠x ♥K10xx ♦AKxx ♣Axxx
Whatcanyoubid?
*Biddinganewsuitatthe3-levelwouldbeforcing,butwouldshowa5+cardsuit.*Biddingclubs(3♣)wouldbenon-forcing.
Youhaveaperfecthandforanegativedouble.Afterpartner’srebidyouwillbeinagoodpositiontodeterminewheretogoin the auction.*Ifpartnerrebids2NTyouwillbid3NT.*Ifpartnerrebidsanewsuitatthe3-level(minimumopeningbid),youwillsettleforgame.*Ifpartnerjumpstoshowastrongeropeningbid,youwillheadtoslamviaRKCB.
EXAMPLE4:Theauctionstarts: 1♥ (2♣) ?Youhold: ♠AQ10xxx ♥x ♦Qxx ♣xxx
Whatcanyoubid?
*Ifyoubid2♠youareshowingthe5+cardsuit,butyouareshowing10+HCPandmakingaforcingbid.*Atthesametime,youdon’twanttopasswithsuchanice
hand/suit.Again,youstartwithanegativedouble.*Ifpartnerbids2♦or2♥,younowbid2♠.PartnerthenhastoworkoutthatyouhaveaWEAKhandwithalongsuitofyourown;ifyouheld10+HCPthenyouwouldhavebid2♠atyourfirstbid,soyourhandbecomeslikeaweak2♠opening.
WHEN YOU WANT TO DOUBLE FOR PENALTIESWHENYOUPLAYNEGATIVEDOUBLESYOUCANNOLONGERDOUBLEANOVERCALLFORPENALTIES.
HOW DO YOU PENALISE THE OVERCALL:Whenyouwanttopenalisetheopponent’sovercallyouhavetoPASSandwaitforpartnertodouble.Whenyouhavelengthintheopponentssuit,askyourself:•DoIwanttoplaythishandordoIwanttodefendandtakethemdown?•Iftheansweris‘Defend’,thenyouneedtoPassfirst,thenPasspartner’sdouble.
Thereismoreonusontheopenertolookattheirhandandthinkaboutwhetheryoumayhaveapenaltydoubleifthebiddinggoes:OPENINGBID–OVERCALL–PASS–PASS…
Opener must think:•AmIshortin‘their’suit?Wherearetherestofthatsuit(sinceRHOhasn’traised)?•Wherearetherestof‘their’suit(givenRHOhasn’tbid/raised)?•Iftheansweris“Withpartner”,thenyoumustre-openwithaDOUBLE,whichinitiallyaskspartnertobidanothersuit(i.e.youareshortintheirsuit)ORtoPASSiftheyhadapenaltydoubleoftheovercall.•WherearetheHCPonthishand(sinceRHOhasn’tbid)?•Iftheansweris“Withpartner”andpartnerhasn’tbid,thenclearlyyourpartnerhastheopponent’ssuit!Ifyouhaveany‘normal’shapeforyouropeningbid,andshortagein‘their’suit,thenyoumustre-openwithaDOUBLEwhichallowspartnertoPASSwiththepenaltydoubleoftheovercall,orbidanothersuitiftheyare,infact,weak(whenyounowfindyourbestfit).
OpenerMUSTreopenwithadoublewhenshortintheopponent’ssuit–i.e.singletonorsmalldoubleton.Theonlyexceptioniswhenyouhave‘extreme’shape(likea7-4or6-5)whenyoubidyourshape/suits.Otherwise(forexamplewitha5-4-3-1,shortintheovercall)youshoulddouble.
EXAMPLE:Theauctionstarts: 1♠ (2♥) ?andyouhold: ♠x ♥KJ10xx ♦Axx ♣xxxx
Youwanttopenalise2H,soyouhavetoPass.Nowtheauction continues: 1♠ (2♥) Pass (Pass)andpartnerisexpectedtore-openwithadoublebecausetheywillbeshortinhearts: Double (Pass)andnowyoucanconverttheirdoubletoPenaltiesbypassing.Ontheotherhand,ifyourinitialpasswasbasedonapoorhand,thenyoumustbidafterthere-openingdouble.
Barbara Travis
SABFNewsletter:April2019 Page:15
SABFNewsletter:April2019 Page:16
Directors Forums
John McIlrath, the ABF National Director Development Officer is returning to Adelaide to present two Director’s Forums:
Saturday 27th April 2019 10am – 4pm
“So you wish to be a Director!”
Looking at Scoring Programmes/Movements/Laws/How to run a session.
(For those wishing to learn about directing)
Sunday 28th April 2019 10am – 4pm
“What makes a good Director?”
Including table simulations, and a general discussion on more interesting laws with a question and answer session.
(For current directors)
There will be a lunch break around 12.30pm each day. The Forums are free. All current and potential directors are urged to attend.
SABFNewsletter:April2019 Page:17
ACES ON THE ASTRAL PLANE by David LuskMYSTRALA GETS THE SCREAMING HORRORSReprinted from Australian Bridge, April 1995
TheAceshadfinallyselectedtheirfourforthecentenarymatchagainsttheScreamingBanshees.OlafwastolineupwithSirRichardandMystralawasplacedoppositePaxacotl.TheImphaddeclaredhimselfunavailableforanumberofreasons.ThemostsignificantwasthathebelievedtheBanshees,whowereeffectivelyfourmanifestationsoftheonepersona,wereincommunicationwithoneanother.ThistheoryhadbeenrefutedmanytimesbyOlaf,whohadmuchevidencetothecontrary.TheImp’sstatedreasonforstayingclearwassimplythenoise,anexcusewhichallacceptedasgenuine.
FatherO’Loughlin,whohadmissedselection,agreedtoactinanofficialcapacity,buthadexpressedsomeconfusionovertheevent’stitle.“CentenaryMatch?”heenquiredofMystrala.“Doesthismeanthehundredthannualmatch?”
Mystrala’swhisperedanswerwasinthenegative.“No,Father.Itmeansthatweplayamatcheveryhundredyears.Pleaserememberthatinaplacewheretimehasnomeaning,ahundredyearsmightjustaswellbetenminutes.”
FatherO’Loughlinsuddenlywishedhehadn’tasked.
Oncethematchgotunderway,Mystralahadachancetoshineononeoftheearlyboards.
DealerNorth ♠87 ♥J8 ♦AK9864 ♣A65♠Q10954 ♠6♥9 ♥AK10765♦Q7 ♦J105♣Q7432 ♣J108 ♠AKJ32 ♥Q432 ♦32 ♣K9
West North East SouthMystrala Banshee Alpha Paxacotl Banshee Beta 1♦ 2♥ 2♠Pass 3♦ Pass 3NTAllPass
Mystralaledthe♥9withoutmuchconviction.BansheeBetaululatedhisthanksforthedummyandscreamedforalowheart.Paxacotlwonwiththe♥Kandcashedthe♥A.Onthe♥A,Mystraladiscardedthe♦Q.BansheeBeta’scacophonyreachedanewcrescendoasherealisedthatthecontractmayhavebeenrenderedunmakeable.
UnabletoestablishthediamondswithoutyieldingatricktoEast,declarerisreducedtojust8tricks.
BansheeBetamadeavaliantefforttoestablishthespadesuitforoneloser,butconcededtwodownwhenthatchancefailedto materialise.
Attheothertable,Olafwasdeclarerinthesamecontract:
West North East SouthBanshee Delta Sir Richard B’shee Gamma Olaf 1♦ 3♥ 3NTAllPass
BansheeDeltaledthe♥9.Olafplayeddummy’s♥8andEastplayedlow.
Olafwonthe♥Qandledasmalldiamond.Heplayedthe♦AonBansheeDelta’s♦7,andreturnedtohandwithaspade.
Onplayingaseconddiamondtowardsdummy,Olafsimplycalledfordummy’slowestdiamondwhenWest’s♦Qappeared.
Notunexpectedly,WestcouldnotproduceanotherheartandOlafwasabletoclaim10easytricks.
David Lusk
TONY BEMROSEINSURANCE BROKERSwww.tbib.com.au
PLACE THE ACE: Solution
SABA SWISS PAIRS CONGRESS (February2019)A GRADE1st CathyChua-JustinWilliams2nd PeterChan-PhilGue3rd AlexBremner-MiltonHart
B GRADE1st JinnyFuss-JackieWard2nd Carolyn&BrianLeach3rd AnneHenesey-Smith-TriciaLonn
C GRADE1st HeleneMaddern-PatriciaMaroney2nd Margaret&HerbertNeumeister3rd MelindaAndrews-AllisonBullock
SABF RESTRICTED BUTLER PAIRS1st JoanneBakas-TassiGeorgiadis2nd Maggie&NickTruscott3rd AliceHandley-MonikaVnuk
GAWLER PAIRS CONGRESSA GRADE1st SallyLuke-DianneMarler2nd WendyHooper-AdelAbdelhamid3rd ThereseDemarco-LoriSmith
B GRADE1st Carolyn&ChrisMroczek2nd PaulAcfield-GrahamStucley3rd MaureenWilson-TerryHealey
C GRADE1st ClaireDeLambert-DarrellMitton2nd Patricia&JohnSharpe3rd ChrisBrady-ZhihongMiao
RESULTS
OPEN TRIALS FINAL (SAOPENTEAMfortheANCInterstateTeams)1st GeorgeSmolanko-JustinWilliams2nd DavidAnderson-IanHilditch3rd AttilioDeLuca-DavidLusk
OPEN TRIALS PLATE1st AndyBabiszewski-PeterPopp2nd PaulHudson-ChrisLorimer3rd JudyHocking-KevinLange
DAYTIME TEAMS FINALSDELUCA:AttilioDeLuca-SusanEmerson,GaryDeaton-PeterColmer,ZOLLO:JudyHocking-KevinLange,RogerJanuszke-JohnZolloDOECKE:CathyChua-JustinWilliams,MikeDoecke-DavidParrott-YadiParrott-GeorgeSmolankoTRAVIS:SheilaBird-FelicitySmyth,ThereseDemarco-LoriSmith,PamMorgan-King-JeffTravisSEMI-FINALSDELUCA 90 defeated DOECKE 61ZOLLO 99 defeated TRAVIS 71
PRELIMINARY FINALZOLLO 74 defeated DOECKE 51
FINALZOLLO 140 defeated DELUCA105
SABA GRADED PAIRS(March2019)OPEN PAIRS1st JimBurke-ColinTwelftree2nd JillKnight-MikeRobertson3rd MaureenWilson-TerryHealey
RESTRICTED PAIRS1st HeleneMaddern-PatriciaMaroney2nd PaulAcfield-GrahamStucley3rd Pat&JohnElliott
NOVICE PAIRS1st AnneBurke-JudeTwelftree2nd Julie&StephenSavage3rd ChristineRoberts-LenBell
SUPERVISED PAIRS1st MeaganZander-OwenTeakle2nd DavidPollock-IanWoolley
SENIORS’ TEAM (SASENIORS’TEAMfortheANCInterstateTeams)1st RusselHarms-JeffTravis2nd AndyBabiszewski-PeterPopp3rd YadiParrott-FelicitySmyth
SABFNewsletter:April2019 Page:18
GeorgeSmolanko,winneroftheOpenTrialsFinal(withJustinWilliams)
SABFNewsletter:April2019 Page:19
INTERNATIONAL EVENT IN AUSTRALIA, 2020
InApril2020,PerthwillhosttheAsia-PacificBridgeCongress.Thisisaninternationaleventopentoallbridgeplayers,withthemaincompetitionbeingteams-based,butsomepairs-eventswillalsobeprogrammed.Seethepreliminaryflyerbelow:
COMING SABF EVENTS
GOLDEN BUNNY TEAMS Marion Friday19thApril2019
AUTUMN NATIONALS SABF Thursday2ndMaytoMonday6thMay(AdelaideShowgrounds)
SABA GRADED PAIRS CONGRESS SABA Sunday19thMay2019
MORIALTA & UNLEY ROTARY PAIRS SABA Sunday2ndJune2019
CHRISTMAS IN WINTER Beaumont Sunday23rdJune2019 (MtOsmondGolfClub)
BAROSSA PAIRS Barossa Saturday6thJuly2019 (Tanunda)BAROSSA TEAMS Barossa Sunday7thJuly2019 (Tanunda)
COMING CONGRESSES
WOMEN’S TRIALS Friday12thApriltoSunday14thApril2019
ANC RESTRICTED TRIALS Sunday14thApril2019
STATE SWISS BUTLER PAIRS Thursdays9thMay,16thMay,23rdMay,30thMay,13thJune
STATE TEAMS PHASE 1 Thursdays20thJune,27thJune,4thJuly,11thJuly,1stAugust
President AdelAbdelhamid [email protected] 0402433674
Secretary AngelaNorris [email protected] 0419039782
Treasurer PaulWalker [email protected] 0433397532
ABFDelegate AdelAbdelhamid [email protected] 0402433674
TournamentConvenor DavidAnderson [email protected] 0403278754
Education/Training DavidParrott [email protected] 0882630397
Finance PaulWalker [email protected] 0433397532
Newsletter BarbaraTravis [email protected] 0437919928
YouthCoordinator JustinWilliams [email protected] 0407979610
AutumnNationals JinnyFuss [email protected] 0474074005
Constitution PhilMarkey
Ethics DavidCherry
Appeals RexWhitford
Counsel PhilMarkey
Sponsorship/Promotion vacant
CommitteeMembers: DavidGue(AdelaideBridgeCentre),JohnSmith(SABA),PeterTeubner(Glenelg),JillAllanson(Barossa),SuePhillips(BridgeintheCity),JinnyFuss(ChristiesBeach),DavidAnderson(Reynella),BarbaraTravis(Beaumont),DavidParrott(SABA),MoiraSmith(Gawler),JohnElliott(Alexandrina),JimCoffey(Whyalla)
SABF CONTACTS
Autumn Nationals 2019Ridley Centre, Wayville Showgrounds
Thursday 2 & Friday 3 May - Swiss Pairs(Open, Seniors, Women, Under Life Master)
Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 May - Teams(Open, Under Life Master)
Monday 6 May - Consolation Teams and Pairs(and Teams final)
All events attract Gold masterpointsPQPs awarded in all events except Consolation and Under Life Master
Entry fees: Pairs $260, Teams $540(Special discount where entry fee paid in full in one transaction by credit card or EFT by 3 April)
Consolation $10 per player
Tournament Organiser Jinny Fuss04 740 740 05
See website for full details - www.abfevents.com.au/events/anot/2019Not comfortable with computers or the Internet? Just ring Jinny