Intertainer: Julian Pottage's Double Dummy Problem

BRIDGE
Number: 215 November 2020
Julian Pottage’s Double Dummy Problem
E INTERTAINE

TH
R
♠ 5 4 3 2
♥ A 6
♦ J 5 3 2
♣ Q 9 2
♠ Q J 10 9 8 ♠ 7 6
♥ K J 9 7
N
W E
♥ Q 10 8
♦ K 10 S ♦ Q 8 7
♣ J 6 ♣ K 10 7 5 4
♠ A K
♥ 5 4 3 2
♦ A 9 6 4
♣ A 8 3
Contract 2NT by South

Lead: ♠Q
BRIDGE is ceasing publication.

The last issueThewill be number 216 - December 2020.
answer will be published on page 4 next month.
Mr Bridge David Stevenson Answers Your Bridge Questions
Luxury
Playing Should The
Cards
Director
Examine A
Player's Cards?
Q
It is with regret that different orientation – or crucially time and no real
I read of BRIDGE’s is due to play it on the risk of upsetting members
demise and can no nex round but one. who he has to play with/
longer enjoy your column. All in all, I cannot see against next week.
To keep things alive I would how the director can judge Club Player, North Wales
like to return to the issue whether unauthorised
A
of hesitations/fumbles information has arisen If you are a club
and director’s procedure. and whether opener took director you will suffer
In your reply to my letter advantage without looking from time to time
of August 2020 you stated at opener's hand. One with rulings. You have to go
that directors should not would then need to make to the table, ask questions
look at players' hands. a judgement – yes raise to and make a judgment from
I have to say that your 4♥ on the basis of 6-9 with the answers as to whether
example of differentiating partner is clearly justified there was a hesitation or
between a misbid and a – a minimum suggests a a fumble or whatever.
system misunderstanding pass and therefore do I You must not look at the
in a Blackwood situation have to incur displeasure players’ hands because
was not very helpful. by adjusting the score that will mean you have to
I refer back to March back to 2♥ – is the hand make a bridge judgment at
2020 and your reply to worth an invitational the table (very difficult and
Lyn Fryby. This appeared 3♥, so I have to look at inappropriate) and you may
to involve a much more responder's hand to see if a give information away.
common potential infraction. raise to 4♥ is reasonable. But that is only the decision
Box of 72 - £72 Opener bids 1♥, his In addition, especially as to whether there was a
(36 red, 36 blue) partner clearly hesitates if my table has played hesitation. Any ruling from
Box of 24 - £24 and maybe fumbles with
the bidding box, but
this board, is a look at
the traveller, if it has
that if you decide there
was one will not be given
(12 red, 12 blue)
eventually lays down 2♥. been played several at the time, but later.
For that decision the
Includes Opener then bids 4♥. Now
in a club situation, if the
times, which might give
some further clues. director can look at the
postage to UK contract romps home and It seems to me that this hands and should consult
addresses. opener reveals around 18 situation sort of assumes that with another player or two.
points a nice 6-card suit, responder wanted to bid I do not advise looking at
Cards are not a singleton and a good 2.5♥, but the indecision may the traveller because the
barcoded and do side suit, opposition are have been between Pass, 1♠, problems at other tables
not have tuck- unlikely to complain. If 1NT, 2♣, 2♦, 2♥ or 3♥. are often different.
the contract goes two off, Any thoughts for a club As to the future of this
boxes similarly no comeback. situation, rather than the column, subscribers to
The difficulty for the itinerant non-playing Bernard Magee Bridge will
playing director is firstly director stalking the tables find that Ask David, for laws
( 01483 489961 shortage of time, secondly at a congress who may and similar, and Ask Julian,
s/he has already played have prior knowledge or for bridge queries, will be
www.mrbridge.co.uk/shop
that board – maybe in a access to the hands – and available on that website. n
Page 2 BRIDGE November 2020

BRIDGE
The Mr Bridge Monthly Magazine
Features this month include:
1 November Double Dummy Bridge Problem
by Julian Pottage
ADVERTISERS’
INDEX
2 Mr Bridge Playing Cards
Ryden Grange, Knaphill, 3 Clive Goff ’s Stamps
Surrey GU21 2TH 2 David Stevenson Answers Your Bridge Questions 11 Q Plus 15
( 01483 489961 11 Duplicate Bridge Rules
4 October Double Dummy Bridge Problem Answer Simplified
18 SR Designs
[email protected] by Julian Pottage
36 Little Voice
www.mrbridge.co.uk 39 Declarer Play with
4 Mr Bridge
shop: mrbridge.co.uk/shop Bernard Magee
5 Bidding Quiz by Bernard Magee 44 2021 Luxury Diaries
Publisher/Managing Editor
46 Advanced Acol Bidding
Mr Bridge with Bernard Magee
6 The 70 Advantages Of Online Bridge by Ian Dalziel
47 Defence with Bernard
Magee
8 Acol & The Robson System Compared by Ned Paul
Associate Editor 49 Duplicate Bridge Rules
Julian Pottage Simplified
12 Jubert Wilmere’s Threat by David Bird
[email protected] 50 Advanced Declarer Play
with Bernard Magee
14 Simple Doubles. Part 5 by Sally Brock
51 Acol Bidding with
Accounts Bernard Magee
15 Simple Doubles. Part 5 Quiz by Sally Brock
Joanne Jackson 52 Bernard Magee Bridge
[email protected]
16 Declarer Play Quiz by David Huggett
16 Julian Pottage Answers Your Bridge Questions REDUCE THE

Cartoons & Illustrations
COST OF YOUR
Marguerite Lihou 17 Defence Quiz by Julian Pottage
www.margueritelihou.co.uk POSTAGE
19 Bridge Glossary – R by Julian Pottage British postage stamps
for sale at 90% of face-
Technical Consultant 26 Bridge Glossary – S by Julian Pottage value, all mint and with
Tony Gordon full gum.
35 Common Mistakes By Club Players. Part 1
by Andrew Kambites
Typesetting
Jessica Galt 39 Simple Doubles. Part 5 Quiz Answers
[email protected] by Sally Brock
40 Catching Up with Sally Brock

Proof Reading Team
Julian Pottage 40 Seven Days by Sally Brock
Mark Rixon
Mike Orriel 41 Defence Quiz Answers by Julian Pottage
Quotations for
Richard Wheen commercial quantities
43 Declarer Play Quiz Answers by David Huggett
are available on
45 Bidding Quiz Answers (1-3) by Bernard Magee request.
Office
Values supplied in
( 01483 489961 47 Bidding Quiz Answers (4-6) by Bernard Magee 100s, higher values
Jessica Galt
available, as well as 1st
[email protected] 48 The Diaries Of Wendy Wensum and 2nd class.
49 Bidding Quiz Answers (7-9) by Bernard Magee ( 020 8422 4906
Printed in the UK by
The Magazine or 07719753767
Printing Company 50 Sally's Slam Clinic
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51 Bidding Quiz Answers (10-12) by Bernard Magee
BRIDGE November 2020 Page 3

SUB REFUNDS FUND RAISING
Bridge has always been a

very popular means of
FOUR ACES
fund-raising. Those
attending charity lunches,
teas and even the
♠ 3 2 occasional dinner, are given
♥ A 3 2 the opportunity to support
♦ Q a national charity or local
♣ A Q 6 5 4 3 2 good cause while enjoying
♠ K Q J 10 9 ♠ 8 7 14 remain to be claimed. some bridge and catching
♥ K Q J 10
N ♥ 9 8 7
I will publish the final tally up with all the local gossip.
♦ 10
W E
♦ K J 9 8 7 6 5 of donations to Cancer
S
♣ J 10 9 ♣ K Research UK and Little These events have now all

♠ A 6 5 4 Voice in the next issue. disappeared along with
♥ 6 5 4 duplicates at club venues
♦ A 4 3 2 READERS' LETTERS and holiday bridge. Can
♣ 8 7 online bridge be the
Two regular contributors answer? Answers on a
have grabbed all the spare postcard please.
space (and more) in this
Contract 3NT by South months issue. Ian Dalziel REST IN PEACE
Lead: ♠K gives online bridge a real
boost. His seventy good
reasons in support are food
for thought and a basis for
13. FOUR ACES © Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961. Printed in the UK on 100% cotton. the what comes after covid
debate. If readers can think
FOUR ACES
of more, please send them
in to me a.s.a.p by email at:
[email protected]
The Solution to October’s Meanwhile, in the three
pages following Ian
Double Dummy Bridge Problem Dalziel's light-hearted Elena Jeronimidis has died.
glimpse of the future, Her bridge obituary will be
Ned Paul debates the published next month.
1. Hold up the ♠A until precisely the second round future of Acol. Read on.
POSTAGE STAMPS
2. If West switches to hearts, hold up the ♥A until the 2021 DIARIES
third round
These diaries are £14.95
3. If West ever switches to diamonds, take the ♦A on
each. They come in three
the first round
cover colours; ruby red,
4. If West has only led major-suit cards before you navy blue and bottle green.
gain the lead, duck the first round of clubs. This sets
up the clubs while keeping West, who has a major
suit to run, off lead

5. If West has switched to diamonds, cash the ♣A British stamps (41p & 24p
and continue the suit. This sets up the clubs while or 34p & 31p) 2nd class rate.
keeping East, who has diamond winners to cash, off 65p for 55p per pair, saving
lead. The ♥A will be an entry to the good clubs 10p on face rate. Also first
class stamps for 67p each.
If you do not hold up one of the major-suit aces long ( 01483 489961 for details.
enough, you will lose four tricks in the major suits Offered in multiples of 100.
and a club. If you hold up one of the pointed-suit They each have a useful
aces too long, a heart switch will give the defenders ballpoint pen in their spine. All good wishes
five tricks. n The club offer is 10 for £55. Mr Bridge

Bernard Magee’s
Acol Bidding Quiz
This month we are dealing with hands where the same suit is bid by both sides.
You are West in the auctions below, playing ‘Standard Acol’ with a weak no-trump
(12-14 points) and four-card majors. It is your turn to call.
1. Dealer East. E/W Game. 4. Dealer South. N/S Game. 7. Dealer South. N/S Game. 10. Dealer West. Game All.
♠ K 4 2 ♠ 3 2 ♠ 2 ♠ A K J 10 4
N N N N
♥ 9 7 2 ♥ A K 8 7 6 5 4 ♥ K Q 8 2 ♥ J 10 9 4
W E W E W E W E
♦ A 4 3 S ♦ 7 6 S ♦ K 9 5 4 S ♦ A K 8 S
♣ K 8 7 6 ♣ A 3 ♣ A 8 7 6 ♣ 7
West North East South West North East South West North East South West North East South
1♦ 2♦* 1♥ 1♠ 1♠ 2♣ 3♣* 4♣
? ? Dbl Pass 2♠* Pass ?
* Michaels – showing both ? * you alert
majors
* you alert 2♠
2. Dealer North. Love All. 5. Dealer North. Love All. . Dealer East. Love All.
8 11. Dealer South. Game All.
♠ A ♠ 7 6 ♠ Q 9 8 ♠ A 3 2
N N N N
♥ 9 6 5 3 ♥ J 8 7 6 5 ♥ 5 3 ♥ 7
W E W E W E W E
♦ K Q 9 8 7 ♦ 4 3 2 ♦ A 2 ♦ A K 5 4
S S S S
♣ 10 5 2 ♣ A 5 3 ♣ A Q 9 6 5 3 ♣ J 9 8 7 6

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

by Ian Dalziel
The 70
Advantages Of
Online Bridge
W
e all miss the social You can join (or set up) a casual game as the director can usually find
interaction of Face to or have a teaching table and practice substitutes, if not robots, to fill in.
Face (F2F) bridge and your bidding with your partner any time 2. If there is one person short then a
look forward to its return, but in the of the day or night. There are also team substitute partner or a robot can
meantime we have online bridge (eg games and pairs competitions, called fill in.
Bridge Base Online) which so many virtual clubs, which are very popular. 3. If someone takes ill or has a ‘home
players are enjoying. Although online bridge cannot crisis’ they can be quickly replaced
There are, however, a substantial compete with F2F bridge in the by a substitute or a robot.
minority of players, let us call them social dimension, it does have many 4. If everyone puts their names on
‘refuseniks’, who stubbornly will not advantages. In pairs competitions, I their profile you know who you are
even try it. can think of 70 and these I have listed playing against, which you often
Online bridge does not need great below. do not know at a F2F club.
computer skills. Any bridge player with If you are a refusenik then of course 5. You can easily view an opponent’s
a computer, tablet or smartphone is nothing will change your mind, but if convention card any time during
more than capable of joining in. There you are ‘wavering’, then you might be the game.
are many YouTube videos showing swayed to join us. I am quite sure you 6. Y ou self alert your bids so there
how it is done. Some of the best are by will enjoy it. are no mistaken explanations and
Paul Gipson of Berwick Bridge Club, no possibility of unauthorised
or you should ask a friend to take you Extra Benefits information.
through it. 1. There never need be a half table 7. You can watch your partner play
the hand when dummy.
8. You can review the bidding during
the play.
9. If a player is prone to making the
wrong bid or playing the wrong
card (perhaps for medical reasons)
they can use the ‘confirm bids/
cards’ option.
10. You can see all four hands once the
board is played.
11. If the Goacher app is installed on
your device you can also see the
computer predictions at the end of
each hand.
12. Everyone can see the traveller after
the board is played - you are not
waiting to snatch a glance at the
Bridgemate if North allows you.
13. As everyone plays the same hands
at the same time, at the end of
each round you can see your score

on each board and your running the computer ensures this. Practicalities
score. 35. The club sets the time per board 45. There is no danger of COVID or
14. If you finish the round early you and the computer ensures this any other infection.
can look back at any previous hand happens. 46. You do not need to travel to play
or traveller. 36. You don’t need to wait on the board 47. On line tournaments usually last
15. You can discuss previous hands from a sharing table. 2½ hours, at most, compared with
with partner or opponents as they 37. The room is never held up by a slow at least 4 hours for a F2F club
have played the same hands as you. table. including travelling, leaving you
16. The final results are displayed as 38. Play can finish exactly on time. time to do other things for the rest
soon as the last board is played. 39. If a table is slow the director can of the afternoon or evening.
17. You can refer back to any hand or identify which side and which 48. You save petrol money.
any traveller afterwards for as long player is at fault. 49. Table money is usually a lot
as you like. cheaper.
18. You can see how every hand was Best behaviour 50. You do not need to get dressed up
bid and played at every table 40. People are by and large pleasant or have your hair nicely groomed,
afterwards. and rarely criticise their partner or if you are a lady that is. I am afraid
19. You and partner can go over your opponents. most men just do not bother.
bidding and play later. 41. The general culture is if you cannot 51. The room does not need setting out.
say anything positive, say nothing. 52. No tea duty.
Things you don’t need to do 42. You quite often get humour in the 53. The furniture does not need to be
20. You do not need to count your chat box, it is becoming an art. put away.
cards. 43. When new opponents meet, no- 54. The room is never too noisy,
21. You do not need to sort your cards. one is still talking about a previous too cold, too hot, too stuffy, too
22. You never play with sticky or dirty hand. draughty or too dark (as you
cards. 44. If anyone is unpleasant (which is control it).
23. You never make a wrong bid due to rare) then everything they say is 55. Your chair need never be
missorting your hand. recorded and cannot be denied. uncomfortable.
24. You do not need to replace 56. By filling a flask you have
cards, boards, bidding boxes your tea or coffee any time
or bridge tables. and as often as you want.
25. You do not need to keep 57. Having poor hearing is not a
a personal scorecard (the problem.
computer does that for you). 58. Poor vision is not a problem
26. You do not have to move as you can enlarge the screen.
from table to table.
Your opponents don’t have
Things that don’t happen annoying habits like...
online 59. Not holding their cards up.
27. There are no revokes 60. Giving unauthorised
(computers do not allow such information.
happenings). 61. Playing before their turn.
28. No-one can bid or play out of 62. Putting the bid cards away
turn or make an insufficient before the lead is made.
bid. 63. Not releasing their cards.
29. There is no STOP card, which 64. Detaching cards before it is
with F2F bridge caused more their turn to play.
problems than it solved. 65. Scooping up their cards
30. There are no mistakes before the tricks are agreed.
entering the data at the end 66.Putting dummy down like a
of each hand (the computer dog’s breakfast.
does that). 67. Dummy playing cards
31. The movement never goes before declarer nominates
wrong. them.
32. No club computer crashes. 68. Moving the board from the
33. You do not overhear the middle of the table.
result at other tables. 69. Not letting you see the
bridgemate.
Slow play solved at last 70. Making revealing comments
34. Slow play is not a problem, out loud. n

Does A Rebid Of The Opening Suit Promise 5- Or 6-Cards? by Ned Paul
Acol & The

Robson System
Compared
M
ike Gurney of Holt Bridge responder with a weak hand can most likely has not got support.
Club, Norfolk asks about the pass or give normal preference back Instead the Acol player makes a simple,
difference (Letters BRIDGE to hearts. But when the 5-card suit is minimum-sounding and sensible
213, p20) between the Acol system and lower ranking than the 4-card suit, or rebid of 2♦. The message is this: “I do
the bidding system Andrew Robson the 4-card suit is eclipsed by partner’s not have support for you partner, I
teaches. Yes, they are two different response, the Robson system gets on have no other biddable suit that I feel
systems and should not be treated as rocky ground. safe in showing, and thirdly that I am
the same. a) An example of the first sequence concerned about my lack of strength.
The most contentious difference is (the 5-card suit lower ranking than Expect a maximum of 15 HCP from
that the basic Robson system stresses the 4-card suit) is: me”. Partner with four hearts and
the sanctity of the 6-card suit rebid. suitable strength can introduce hearts
This is not part of Acol. Acol starts West East over your 2♦ rebid, so the heart fit is
from the premise that a 4-card suit 1♦ 1♠ not always lost.
is biddable, and a 5-card suit is 2♥ Change the hand to this:
rebiddable. You don’t often need to
rebid a 5-card suit but I will show This is forcing in Acol and shows
in a moment that you still need the extra strength. It does not show extra ♠ 7
agreement to be able to do so. strength in Robson. A Robson-taught ♥ A K 6 4
Insisting on a 6-card suit for a rebid player might hold a minimum opening ♦ A Q 10 7 6
requires two significant changes bid such as this: ♣ K J 3
from the generally mainstream Acol
approach.
1) To achieve the 6-card rebid, all ♠ 7 Now things are quite different. West
5-3-3-2 hands in the 12-14 range ♥ K 7 6 4 holds 17 HCP and wants to show
MUST be opened 1NT. This is ♦ A J 10 7 6 interest in game opposite quite a
irrespective of whether the 5-card suit ♣ K J 3 modest responding hand. So go right
is a major suit of a quality that is better ahead and rebid 2♥.
suited to a suit bid or whether the In Acol, such a bidding sequence is
doubleton is two low cards. This is the An Acol player will be very wary in called a ‘reverse’. The bid is forcing.
less contentious of the two differences. this situation. Some bridge teachers talk about
Many Acol players also have this Reflect on this: by bidding 2♥ you ‘breaking the barrier’, the barrier
agreement, though Acol retains some are bidding a suit that partner has being marked by a rebid of two of
flexibility to prefer the 5-card major. already had the chance to bid but your original suit. Bid beyond the
I’ll comment on this as well. has not done so. East, you should barrier, and you are showing extra
2) The second and more serious is remember skipped straight past the strength. The accepted minimum
the requirement for Robson taught 1♥ card in the bidding box to select 1♠. is 16 total points or more (allowing
players to ‘bid out’ a 5-4 shape. This Unless he has five or more spades, he for shape). This added value allows
is not controversial when the 5-card will not have four hearts, so the Acol you to play more safely at the 3-level,
suit is higher ranking. The bidding player reasons that it is generally not should partner with a rock-bottom
goes, for example, 1♥-1♠-2♦ and the worth bidding this suit since partner responding hand wish to give weak

preference back to your first bid suit. two sequences to note: I discuss that below.
In Robson, where the opener can still Change partner’s response:
hold a minimum, there can be this West East
frisson of uncertainty as preference 1♥ 1NT West East
back to opener’s first suit would put 2♥ 1♥ 2♣
the auction up to the 3-level. 2♥
b) An example of the second As West you have opened 1♥ and
sequence, in which your partner’s partner has responded 1NT, denying Now partner has skipped over a
response eclipses your 4-card suit, is heart support and also denying four suit (spades) so the rule about not
this: spades. Do not rebid a 5-card suit. reversing with a minimum hand may
Partner has a minor suit orientated be in operation. Thus the rebid only
West East hand and, if the spades are short, guarantees 5-card length. You may of
1♠ 2♦ partner has had the opportunity to bid course have six or even seven.
3♣ 2♥ with 3-card support and has not What do you say when an opponent
done so. Suppose your hand is this: enquires about your rebid? “Does that
In Acol this is game-forcing. You are show a 6-card suit?”, they will ask.
showing reversing values opposite a This is what you should reply: “My
2-level response. Or in points you are ♠ K J 3 2 partner’s rebid shows a 6-card suit,
showing 16+ opposite 10+. You have ♥ A J 10 7 6 or a 5-card suit in a hand too weak to
the combined values for game and ♦ 4 reverse.”
both partners are aware that this is so. ♣ A 10 4 Andrew Robson is one of the best
Playing Acol, you would not bid 3♣ teachers of bridge there is. He is also a
with this hand: friend and professional colleague and
Would you fancy playing 2♥ opposite in large part responsible for starting
this hand? me off on the path of bridge teaching
♠ A J 10 7 6 and organisation that I pursue today.
♥ K J 3 So I was able to ask Andrew directly
♦ 4 ♠ Q 6 5 whether I was being fair in my
♣ K 7 6 4 ♥ 3 comments about his system. This is
♦ Q J 9 7 how he replied:
♣ Q J 7 5 2 “The main point I’d make is that
It’s simply not safe to do so. You may my methods are pretty similar to the
be forcing partner to drive to game “Acol” most people play these days.
with a misfitting minimum 10 HCP. Or would you prefer partner to have a Many modern experts open 1NT
Just rebid a safe and minimal-feeling go at 1NT? Remember the hearts may with all 5-3-3-2 hands, and teachers
2♠ and let partner do any advancing divide badly and you may also suffer are catching up (dare I say it, finally).
towards game. However, change the club ruffs in a heart contract. I don’t think that cornerstone of AR
hand to this: So if you rebid 2♥ you will be bidding is very contentious.
promising six hearts. (As a side note “The reverse/shape showing issue
Robson players might bid 2♠ – “We is more contentious. New players
♠ A J 10 7 6 don’t play reverses” – and play there. want simple guidelines. The six-card
♥ K J 3 Let them: 1NT will play just as well repeat rule is one of those. I’ve lost
♦ 4 though, especially if the spades don’t count of the number of new students
♣ A K 6 4 break evenly.) I’ve met elsewhere who are confused
Now look at this sequence: by reverses / the barrier – some even
who give up the game at least in part
Now you do have the values to press West East as a result. So I start by being quite
on towards game. Bid where you live 1♥ 1♠ definitive about the six-card repeat
and show the club suit (and as you do 2♥ rule – and by using auctions such as
so, the fifth spade). 1♥-1♠-2♥, where the six-card repeat
In my experience Robson players 2♥ also shows 6-hearts here as you rule does apply 100%. As students
are quite happy to say ‘We don’t play have had the opportunity to support become more confident, you can talk
reverses’, expecting to bid 3♣ with spades, or introduce a 4-card club about “cramped auctions” and it’s not
either hand. How is poor responder suit or a 4-card diamond suit. In hard for more experienced students to
to know whether to bid on or bail out? either case this could have been done realise that rebidding 3♣ (after 1♠-2♥)
And of course you may alredy be out without reversing. It is just possible of with say ♠K-Q-10-9-x , ♥x, ♦A-Q-x,
of your depth at the 3-level. course (if you are not playing Robson ♣J-x-x-x is not a great idea – that 2♠
So in Acol does a rebid never show a methods) that West has a 5-3-3-2 hand is a better bridge bid. Audrey Grant
6-card suit? Well, yes it can. There are of 12-14 HCP and has not opened 1NT. of the US and other top teachers u

t of 5-card majors all try to discourage out the range for 1NT to 6-10 HCP in no trumps and time therefore to
their students from repeating five- though, so you will need to take that establish the heart length winners,
card suits, I’m just another ... into account. You can see that in even if it takes a couple of rounds.
“In my writing, I do talk about that scenario there is some pressure If the suit is good, isn’t it obvious to
ways to dodge the barrier eg opening to make 1NT a forcing bid just like a open 1 of the major? Well, not for me.
off-shape 1NTs, and let’s be honest, I change of suit bid. If you do that, then Say, in extremis, you have this hand:
know better than anyone that bidding it is a short step to widen the range of
3♣ with the above hand is inferior. But the 1NT response more dramatically
it’s all about a simple structure with to 6-12 HCP. This allows you to make ♠ A K Q J 10
solid guidelines to encourage the less ANY 2-over-1 response game forcing. ♥ Q 7 3
experienced player. This is the basis of the now common ♦ 8 6
“I suppose what I’m saying is that American tournament system usually ♣ J 10 5
the no-reverse system you outline is called simply ”2-over-1” or in full “2-
‘Robson Beginner’ – it’s not ‘Robson over-1 game forcing”. If you are an
Experienced’”. Acol player, stick to what you know, The first point to note is that your
and don’t even think about going robust spade suit is a ‘source of tricks’.
5-Card Major Land there: you’re not just changing one The second thing to think about is that
As an aside, since Mike Gurney thing when you alter the meaning of the most common way of making extra
mentioned it and Andrew does above a 2-level response, and there are too tricks when you have a 5-card trump
as well, what is the situation when many nuances in the 2-over-1/forcing suit is by ‘ruffs in the short hand’, ie
you are playing 5-card majors? Does 1NT response system to get your head using dummy’s trumps to ruff one of
a rebid of the opening bid always around simply. your losers. You are balanced so the
promise six cards? The French 5-card system (“Majeur rest of the suits are short and partner
In American bridge (‘SAYC’) a major 5-eme” or “SEF” – le Système may not be able to help you with a short
suit rebid is indeed normally expected d’Enseignement Français) does allow enough suit to enable you to take a
to shows a 6-card suit. An online you to rebid a 5-card suit if you have ruff. Draw trumps and you may as well
summary of the ubiquitous SAYC at: no better rebid. be playing 1NT. Open 1♠ and rebid 2♠
http://nulda.bridgecz.cz/Systemy/sayc.pdf and you commit yourself to a) making
states: “Non-jump rebid of opener’s 1NT with a 5-card Major an extra trick than you would have
suit (shows) 6+ cards, with 5 cards in a I promised I would also comment to in 1NT and b) if the eighth trick
minor suit as a last resort”. about the 1NT-with-a-5-card-major is available to the no-trump player as
Prominent US bridge teacher quagmire. Before I give you my own well, scoring ten points less for your
Richard Pavlicek is slightly more personal view, with which I realise not pains. So in my opinion this is a 1NT
pragmatic (http://www.rpbridge.net/3 everyone reading this will agree, let me opener. If the opponents overcall your
c00.htm): “Opener usually has six give you the most common methods. 1NT, you can compete with 2♠, having
cards when he repeats the same suit, Playing what Robson teaches, it is already shown partner your range and
however, there are times when it is simple: in order to keep the integrity generally balanced shape.
necessary to repeat a five-card suit. of the 6-card rebid, ALL 5-3-3-2 hands Let us weaken the hand slightly:
With 5-4 shape and insufficient in range without exception open 1NT.
strength to make a reverse bid, it is Yet according to the EBU’s Bridge
permissible to rebid a decent five- For All advice, until last year the ♠ A K 8 6 3
card suit. Be sure to understand recommendation was always to open ♥ Q 6 5
that rebidding a five-card suit is the the suit. To be fair to the EBU, this is ♦ 8 6
exception, not the normal practice.” now regarded as slightly old fashioned, ♣ K 10 5
The normal SAYC rebid to show a so with a change of personnel at the
weak opening hand with only a 5-card EBU and throwing the baby out with
suit after a 2-level response is 2NT. bathwater, the advice has now switched I still open 1NT as I may be able to
This is a hand that most likely would to opening 1NT on these hands. establish the spade suit with one duck,
have opened a weak NT playing Acol The truth is there are hands suitable or on a red-letter day, partner may
but may be a hand with a singleton for both actions. The issue is to even have the ♠Q.
in responder’s suit. 2NT as a contract identify them. The generally received So on which hands don’t I open
requires a combined 22-23 HCP to be advice is open to 1NT if the 5-card 1NT? Take this example:
safe. That is why a 2-over-1 response major is poor quality, say ♥J-9-5-3-2
in SAYC requires a good 11 HCP but open 1 of the major (“1M”) if the
compared with just 10 HCP in modern suit is good. I agree with the first part: ♠ A Q 9 3 2
Acol, just in case it catches a minimum if you have a suit of that quality then, ♥ 9 7 3
11-12 HCP opening bid opposite. of your opening 12-14 HCP, as much ♦ A 3
Raising the point count requirement as 13 HCP could be in your short suits. ♣ K 7 2
for a 2-level suit response widens That should give you plenty of stoppers

Q PLUS
Here you have six of your thirteen led (♥J) and the defenders collected
points tied up in the spade suit, yet it the first five tricks. West then switched
is a long way from being established. to a diamond won by South. South
If partner has no spade honour and I who wanted to reach dummy to take

lose the finesse (or have no access to the spade finesse now led a club. West
dummy) I will need to lose the lead at
least twice. The opponents will be able
to win the race to establish their long
jumped in with the ♣A and continued
diamonds. Declarer needed to make
the rest of the tricks and so rose with
Still
Only 15
suit, and in no trumps I won’t be able
to interrupt the flow of their tricks by
the ♦K and ran the ♠J. Disaster! West
won with the ♠K for the defence’s
£99
including
ruffing. seventh trick. The defence actually lost p&p
It is exactly this kind of hand that their way at this point and failed to
I recommend that you don’t open take their diamond tricks, else it could The very best Acol-
1NT on. You have 4-6 HCP tied up in have been three down. Even so, one playing software
your suit, but it is gappy and finesse-y. down in 1NT was close to a bottom
Because you have too many of your score, the top going to those who
available.
points in the suit yet have no easy played in 2♠. The anti-percentage play Features include:
source of tricks, you may not have of dropping the singleton ♠K would
• a friendly interface
enough stoppers in your short suits have given South the 1NT contract,
yet will have difficulty establishing the but apart from raising a few eyebrows • a hint button - always at
long suit. Make the long suit trumps would have left South +90 – still a hand & a help button -
so you can rely on the small long cards terrible matchpoint score. explains the features for
pulling their weight. The result illustrated the bidding and card play advice
This last hand is actually from a real shortcomings of opening 1NT with • Easy Windows installation
life duplicate at Kingston Bridge Club. the South hand. 1♠ in my opinion is
• Rubber bridge, duplicate and
(Remember ‘real life’?) and this was clearly the better opening, intending teams scoring
the full deal: to rebid 2♠ over 2♣/2♦ with my-5-
card suit. • Feed in your own deals
These opinions are my own, based on • Create your own system
Dealer South. E/W Game. my own observations and experience.
• Pre-programmed systems
♠ J 10 6 I have nowhere seen the subject
include Acol, Standard
♥ Q 2 reasoned out to the extent I have set
American and many more
♦ K J 7 6 out above. Most players (and teachers)
♣ Q J 10 9 are dogmatically wedded to the way • Instant results for teams
♠ K ♠ 8 7 5 4 they have always done it. If I choose to • 5,000 hands to play at teams
♥ A J 10 6 4 N ♥ K 8 5 discuss it with my partners they tend of four
W E
♦ 9 8 5 S ♦ Q 10 4 2 to focus on a point on the wall behind
• 4,500 hands to play at
♣ A 6 5 3 ♣ 8 4 me. I would like to hear from other
matchpointed pairs.
♠ A Q 9 3 2 people on this subject, especially those
♥ 9 7 3 with greater experience than myself. n For Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 or 10.
♦ A 3
♣ K 7 2
The ideas expressed above are my own,
Download only -
but a big thank you to Julian Pottage No CD drive required
Those Souths that opened 1♠ made as of the Mr Bridge team for reading
many as nine tricks for +140. The pair this article and making a number
that opened 1NT played there when of suggestions for correction and
West chose not to overcall. A heart was improvement. Ned Paul. NEW - Q Plus 15
includes Android
DUPLICATE BRIDGE RULES SIMPLIFIED compatibility (5-9)
by David Stevenson
(otherwise known as the Yellow Book)
FULLY REVISED IN 2017

only
Mr Bridge Limited Ryden Grange,
£595 Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2TH
Available from Mr Bridge ( 01483 489961
( 01483 489961 www.mrbridge.co.uk mrbridge.co.uk/shop

Robin Hood's Bridge Adventures by David Bird
Jubert Wilmere’s
Threat
J
ubert Wilmere, King John’s senior the official responsible for the table West North East South
tax inspector, looked up from a movements, the final round of the The Sgt Guy of Jubert
table covered with paperwork. session saw the Sheriff and Gisborne Sheriff Heade Gisborne Wilmere
‘The total is nearly 9,500 pounds facing Wilmere and Sergeant Heade. 2♠ Pass Pass 2NT
short of the King’s expectation,’ he With Wilmere’s verdict on the Pass 3NT All Pass
declared. tax receipts already set in stone,
‘But we have squeezed the last penny the Sheriff was tempted to play well e Sheriff opened with a Feeble Two
Th
out of the shire’s citizenry,’ protested against him, rather than attempt to in spades and, a few moments later,
the Sheriff. ‘Many of them barely have humour him with some good boards. had to find a lead against 3NT. Should
enough money to avoid starvation.’ Enjoyable as this might be, the long- he lead the ♠J, hoping to find partner
‘A year ago, you blamed thefts and term consequences could be ruinous. with a doubleton spade and an outside
hold-ups by the outlaw, Robin Hood,’ entry? Perhaps it would be better to
Wilmere persisted. ‘I trust you have lead one of the other suits, hoping to
dealt with this problem. Has he been Dealer West. Game All. reach partner’s hand for a spade lead
executed, or is he in the dungeons ♠ 8 4 through declarer’s ♠Q.
here?’ ♥ K 6 5 4 The Sheriff placed the ♣10 on the
‘I entrusted his capture to Guy of ♦ K 5 3 table. Jubert Wilmere won with the
Gisborne,’ the Sheriff replied. ‘He has ♣ Q J 8 5 ace and made the strange-looking
been singularly unsuccessful.’ ♠ A K J 10 9 3 ♠ 5 play of the ♠2 from his hand. His
‘Perhaps a month or two in one of ♥ 9 3 N ♥ A J 10 8 7 intention was to break the defenders’
W E
your worst dungeons will sharpen his ♦ J 6 S ♦ 10 9 8 4 communications.
resolve,’ said Wilmere. ‘As for tonight’s ♣ 10 9 2 ♣ 6 4 3 The Sheriff won with the ♠9. His
session, I will be partnering Sergeant ♠ Q 7 6 2 next move was to play the ♠A, to see a
Heade again. He understands more ♥ Q 2 signal from his partner.
about the game than you and Gisborne ♦ A Q 7 2 When Gisborne discarded the ♥8,
put together.’ ♣ A K 7 the Sheriff retained his last top spade
Despite the Sheriff’s instructions to and switched to the ♥9. Wilmere won
with the queen and cashed five more
tricks in the minors, finding that the
diamonds did not break 3-3. His final
move was to throw East in with a
fourth round of diamonds. Gisborne
had to concede a second heart trick
to dummy’s king and the game was
made.
Wilmere turned towards the Sheriff.
‘Lead a heart, not a club!’ he exclaimed.
‘Your partner lets my queen win and I
am one down when the diamonds are
not 3-3.’
Gisborne nodded. ‘He’s right, my
Lord,’ he said. ‘I had five hearts to the

ace-jack-ten.’ won with the ace and played a third with the ace and played the ace of
The Sheriff raised his eyes to the round. Gisborne had to win with the trumps. When the Sheriff showed out,
ceiling. Gisborne could be so tiresome queen and the contract was made. discarding a diamond, it was clear that
at times. ‘I did well not to lead the ♠J,’ ‘Not the best opening lead, my Lord,’ two diamond entries would be needed
he replied. ‘Having decided that, you Gisborne declared. ‘Lead the jack of to dummy. He could then pick up
would have led from 9-x rather 10-9-x? spades and we take three spade tricks, East’s trumps without loss.
Is that what you’re telling me?’ followed by a diamond.’ When Gilbert led the ♦8 at trick two,
‘In London, we often lead the other ‘You total buffoon!’ cried the the position was clear to the Sheriff.
major,’ declared Wilmere. ‘The shorter Sheriff. ‘You fail to drop your queen The only chance for the defence was
your suit is, the better your partner’s of diamonds under dummy’s king to find declarer with a doubleton ♦Q.
holding will be.’ and then see fit to blame me for the Rising with the ♦K on the first round
The next board was soon on the table: opening lead?’ would then force dummy’s ace and kill
‘After the Sheriff missed the best the second diamond entry.
lead, my play in diamonds was the only Deciding to forego this defence, in a
Dealer East. E/W Game. way to make it,’ Wilmere informed his desperate attempt to keep Wilmere in
♠ K 5 2 partner. as good a mood as possible, the Sheriff
♥ J 8 3 ‘Leading through Gisborne’s queen, followed with a low diamond. Thank
♦ K 6 5 2 you mean?’ Sgt Heade replied. ‘Yes, if the Lord, none of the other three
♣ A 7 5 he plays it on the second round, you players were capable of noting such an
♠ J 8 3 ♠ A Q 10 9 will duck. That’s very clever.’ expert defence.
N
♥ 9 5 4 ♥ 7 The Sheriff gritted his teeth. The A successful finesse of the ♦J
W E
♦ J 10 8 S ♦ Q 9 3 pompous Wilmere character had was followed by a trump finesse, a
♣ J 9 6 3 ♣ K Q 10 8 2 misplayed the deal at trick one. Had he diamond to the ace and a repeated
♠ 7 6 4 played a low club from dummy, forcing trump finesse. Wilmere drew the last
♥ A K Q 10 6 2 East to win, he could have discarded trump with the ace and made the
♦ A 7 4 a diamond on the ♣A. He could then slam, conceding a club trick.
♣ 4 have set up the thirteenth diamond ‘Boldly bid and boldly played,’
safely, without relying on a defender’s congratulated the Sheriff. ‘You played
mistake. It was tempting to point well against us.’
West North East South this out. Only the £9,500 tax deficit ‘You could have beaten it, my Lord,’
The Sgt Guy of Jubert was preventing him from doing so. said Gisborne.
Sheriff Heade Gisborne Wilmere This was the final deal of the session: The Sheriff exhaled audibly. Was the
1♣ 1♥ notion of tact unknown to his partner?
Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥ ‘Your best opening lead is a
All Pass Dealer South. Love All. diamond,’ Gisborne continued. ‘A
♠ 7 6 4 2 finesse of the jack wins, but declarer
The Sheriff led the ♣3 and down went ♥ 10 6 3 2 would then have no reason to finesse
the dummy. Wilmere did not like his ♦ A J in trumps, rather than clubs.’
prospects. The ♠A was likely to be ♣ 8 5 3 The session was over and Wilmere
offside. A 3-3 diamond break might ♠ Void ♠ Q 9 8 3 turned towards Gisborne. ‘You will
give him a spade discard, but he would ♥ 9 8 5 N ♥ Q J 7 4 give me a tour of the castle dungeons,’
W E
need to lose a diamond trick to East, ♦ K 10 6 5 4 2 S ♦ 9 7 3 he informed him.
the safe hand who could not lead ♣ Q 9 7 4 ♣ 6 2 ‘I wish to see the very worst of
through the ♠K. ♠ A K J 10 5 them,’ continued Wilmere, as he and
Wilmere won with dummy’s ♣A ♥ A K Gisborne descended the stone steps
and drew two rounds of trumps with ♦ Q 8 into increasing darkness.
the ace and king. He then crossed to ♣ A K J 10 A few moments later, Gisborne
the ♦K, two spot cards appearing from turned the key of an unoccupied evil-
the defenders. ‘Low diamond,’ he said. smelling dungeon no more than six
If Gisborne rose with the queen West North East South foot by six. Well below ground-level, it
on the second round, declarer would The Sgt Guy of Jubert had no natural light whatsoever.
allow it to hold. The defenders would Sheriff Heade Gisborne Wilmere ‘In one month’s time, you will
be unable to score three spade tricks 2♣ have Robin Hood incarcerated here,’
with East on lead. Nothing could Pass 2♦ Pass 2♠ declared Wilmere. ‘If you fritter away
then have prevented declarer from Pass 3♠ Pass 4♣ your time playing cards and drinking
discarding a spade loser on the Pass 4♦ Pass 6♠ ale, it is you who will be chained here,
thirteenth diamond. All Pass inhaling this foul vapour. Do I make
When Gisborne played low on the myself clear?’ Gisborne suddenly felt
second round of diamonds, declarer Jubert Wilmere won the ♥9 lead very unwell. ‘You do,’ he replied. n

About Doubles by Sally Brock
Simple Doubles
Part 5
I
n this article, we will look at double and hope for the best, especially quicker doubler's partner bids a suit
doubles of 1NT. when you have a balanced hand. The the worse a hand he has. Let’s look at
only time you might remove with a very some examples after the bidding has
a. Requirements weak balanced hand is when you are gone 1NT–Dbl–2♣:
A double of a 1NT opening bid is at favourable vulnerability, otherwise
generally played as a penalty double – even if it is right to remove you may
after all, no-one has yet bid a suit so it get doubled and suffer a worse fate. Hand E Hand F
can hardly be for take-out. You should ♠ J 10 9 4 3 ♠ J 10 9 4 3
generally have a hand a little stronger ♥ 6 5 4 ♥ A 5 4
than opener’s maximum, but it does Hand C Hand D ♦ 3 ♦ 3
depend a bit on whether or not you ♠ J 10 9 4 3 ♠ 6 5 3 ♣ 7 6 3 2 ♣ 7 6 3 2
have a good lead. If you had A-K-Q- ♥ 6 5 4 ♥ J 5 4
J-x-x-x and nothing, you could try a ♦ 3 ♦ 8 7 4 2
double and maybe it would be passed ♣ 7 6 3 2 ♣ 8 7 2 With Hand E, I would bid 2♠
out. But, as less extreme examples, immediately. This tells my partner I
look at the following two hands after a have a truly terrible hand – and also
12-14 1NT opening: With Hand C, I would remove to 2♠. makes it hard for the opponents to
If you pass, partner is bound to lead find a red-suit fit should they have one.
a diamond. You have some chance With Hand F, I would pass the
Hand A Hand B of making 2♠ if partner has a strong double and bid 2♠ on the next round,
♠ A J 5 4 ♠ K Q J 10 4 balanced hand, while 1NT is likely to thus telling my partner that I am not
♥ K J 3 ♥ A 6 5 make too. ashamed of my hand and think we are
♦ A Q 6 ♦ A 3 However, with Hand D, although likely to make 2♠.
♣ Q 5 4 ♣ Q 6 5 1NT doubled is likely to make, As well as knowing when to bid
anything you remove to might also be when you have some distribution, what
doubled and still go for a large number. should you do if you are balanced?
No doubt you would double with Your best chance is that partner has a My agreement is that if I am in a
both hands, but you would be much hand like Hand B, adjacent, and even forcing auction (whatever it may be)
happier if it was passed out and you if 1NT doesn’t go down it might make then double is for penalties. If I am not
had Hand B. You would lead a top without overtricks. in a forcing auction, double is take-
spade and be fairly sure it wouldn’t out. So if my opponent removes to
be making overtricks. With Hand A c. The opposition remove two of a minor (however he does so)
you would not know what to lead and the double then double is for penalties, but if he
whatever you chose could easily lead These days opponents never seem to removes to two of a major then double
to the contract making – and with leave in the double, and it is important is take-out. A penalty double directly
overtricks too. If the bidding went that you know when to double over the bid should generally hold four
1NT–Pass–Pass, however, you would them and when to bid yourself. My trumps, while a double in the pass-out
be quite happy to double with Hand experience is that they usually remove seat may have only three trumps.
A. You want partner to lead his best to two of a minor, either directly, or via So, suppose the bidding goes like
suit. Although, with two aces, it may a pass or redouble. I like to play that if this:
not matter what partner leads when this happens the pass is forcing both
you have Hand B, a spade lead would from the doubler and the doubler’s West North East South
suit you best. partner – after all, if the other side is 1NT Dbl Pass Pass
choosing to remove the double then Rdbl Pass 2♣
b. Removing partner's your side must have about half the
double points in the pack or more, or they
Most of the time you should pass the would have left in the double. Then the You hold:

Hand G Hand H
d. Non-penalty doubles
of 1NT Sally Brock’s
Simple Double
♠ Q 4 ♠ J 10 9 3 Some people don’t like to play a penalty
♥ 7 6 2 ♥ Q 10 9 2 double of a strong NT; and, of course,
♦ J 10 9 3 ♦ 7 6 2 you might double 1NT as a passed hand
Part 5

♣ Q 10 9 2 ♣ Q 4 when you can’t possibly have enough
high-card points. How you should
With Hand G you double 2♣. This may

play this non-penalty double depends
on your general defensive methods. Quiz
seem like a big bid with a poor hand, You want to plug a gap. If you play a (Answers on page 39)
but partner has shown 16 or so points natural defence to 1NT, you might like
so you have the balance of power and to play a double by a passed hand (or
it looks as if your opponents are in a double of a strong NT) to show the
trouble. Also, if the worst comes to the majors. One common defence to 1NT
worst, 2♣ doubled making is not game. these days is Multi Landy. Playing that What do you bid on the following
With Hand H you would not double, method, after 1NT, a bid of 2♣ shows hands with the auction given?
but if partner doubled in the pass-out both majors; 2♦ shows a single-suited The vulnerability and scoring method
seat you would pass. You would prefer major; 2♥/♠ show five cards in the bid should not affect your answers.
to have three trumps for such a pass major along with a 4-card or longer
but you have no good alternative. If minor. If you were playing this, then
you have enough for game with both it would be useful to have a double (of
majors and only two clubs, then you a strong NT, or a weak NT by a passed Hand 1 Hand 2
might prefer to bid 3♣ asking partner hand) to show four cards in a major ♠ A K Q J 10 4 ♠ K J 3 2
to bid a major. However, if your with a 5-card or longer minor. ♥ A 4 3 ♥ A 5 4
opponents are vulnerable, again you ♦ 6 5 ♦ A 4 3
might try for the penalty. e. Doubling a 1NT ♣ 7 6 ♣ K 4 3
It is usually best to lead a trump response to an opening
against such contracts. You have more This is usually played as a take-out bid
high cards than they do and they are of the suit opened. Although you might West North East South
only likely to succeed if they can make have at least 16 points and a balanced 1NT* ?
ruffs. hand, there is no guarantee that 1NT * 12-14
Sometimes it is the doubler who would be going off, and even if it is
has to decide what to bid on the next then you might just be converting 50
round. Suppose the bidding starts like to 100 or 100 to 200. On the other
this: hand, maybe 1NT is making for your Hand 3 Hand 4
opponents while you can make two or ♠ K Q 10 9 4 3 ♠ K 10 9 5 4
West North East South three of a suit. That is a bigger swing ♥ K 3 2 ♥ 6
1NT Dbl 2♣ Pass to play for. Suppose the bidding goes: ♦ 2 ♦ 7
Pass 1♥–Pass–1NT and you hold: ♣ 5 4 2 ♣ A J 10 6 3 2
You hold:
Hand K Hand L West North East South
♠ A Q 3 2 ♠ K 5 1NT* Dbl Pass ?
Hand I Hand J ♥ 4 ♥ K J 10 3 * 12-14
♠ A K 5 4 ♠ A K 6 5 4 ♦ K 10 3 ♦ A Q 5 4
♥ A J 10 ♥ A J 10 ♣ Q J 7 6 3 ♣ A 5 4
♦ K 5 4 ♦ K 5
♣ 7 6 2 ♣ 7 6 2 Hand 5 Hand 6
With Hand K you should double. You ♠ 5 ♠ K J 10 4
have a near-perfect take-out double ♥ K J 10 3 ♥ 7 6 2
With Hand I you should double and of a 1♥ opening. You want partner to ♦ Q 5 4 2 ♦ Q 3 2
hope partner leads a trump. Although compete if he has a fit with you. On ♣ K 7 6 2 ♣ 6 5 2
2♣ might make, it is your best chance Hand L, however, you are perfectly
of a decent score. With Hand J, you content to defend 1NT (though you
have a decent 5-card spade suit and the don’t have an easy opening lead), so West North East South
odds favour your bidding it. Partner just pass and hope they go down. n 1NT* Dbl 2♠ ?
could even have 4-card support and * 12-14
then your defensive chances against Next month Sally Brock will look at
2♣ would be much reduced. competitive and responsive doubles.

DECLARER
Julian Pottage Answers

PLAY How Can Y

QUIZ
by David Huggett Weak Jum
(Answers on page 43)
Y
ou are South as declarer playing rubber bridge or teams,
thus aiming to fulfill the contract. In each case what is
Q
your play strategy? This deal comes three small trumps is a risky
from one of the venture of course – North
regular EBU might have had a small
12 board matchpoint singleton rather than K-x-x.
1. ♠ 8 5 4 3 3. ♠ 9 7 games on BBO: It strikes me that
♥ K 9 8 3 ♥ A 8 7 5 2 North’s double was rather
♦ Q 3 ♦ A 8 6 4 aggressive. Without an
♣ K 10 5 ♣ Q 2 Dealer South. E/W Game. overcall, North would have
♠ 8 4 responded 1NT or scraped
N N
♥ K 6 2 up 2♣. Doubling 3♥ is asking
W E W E
S S ♦ K 8 7 6 partner to bid at a much
♣ Q J 10 7 higher level. The strength
♠ A K ♠ A K J 10 8 ♠ 5 2 ♠ J 9 7 3 and shape of the hand does
♥ A 2 ♥ K 3 ♥ A Q J 10 8 7 3 ♥ Void not seem to justify this.
N
♦ K 8 4 2 ♦ 2 ♦ 9 W E ♦ A Q 5 4
♣ A J 9 6 2 ♣ K J 10 9 6 ♣ 6 3 2 S ♣ K 9 8 5 4 ♣♦♥♠
♠ A K Q 10 6
Q
♥ 9 5 4 I have seen Bernard
You are in 3NT after West You are declarer in 4♠. West
♦ J 10 3 2 Magee talk about
opened 1♠ and East passed. leads the ♦Q. How do you
West leads the ♠Q. How do plan the play? ♣ A ‘a responsive
you plan the play? type of double‘.
Please summarise the
West North East South convention for me.
2. ♠ 6 4 4. ♠ 6 1♠ What happens if one does
♥ 5 3 2 ♥ A Q 3 3♥1 Dbl Pass 3♠ not play this convention?
♦ 7 5 3 ♦ K J 8 6 5 4 3 All Pass The double may not apply
♣ A J 10 9 3 ♣ 10 4 1
Weak and what is the alternative?
Eardley Berkeley,
N N
The defenders (a human Warwick.
W E W E
West and a robot East)
A
S S
took the first seven tricks A responsive
♠ A K Q 3 ♠ A Q 8 with their red suit winners double is a take-
♥ A K 7 ♥ K 7 6 2 and by scoring ruffs. -150 out double after
♦ A 8 6 2 ♦ A 7 yielded only 16.7% of the partner has already made
♣ Q 4 ♣ J 8 5 2 matchpoints for North-South. a take-out double:
Who should have
bid differently? West North East South
You are declarer in 3NT and You are declarer in 3NT after
Name and address supplied. 1♦ Dbl 2♦ Dbl
West leads the ♠J. How do your opening 1NT is raised
A
you plan the play? to game. West leads the ♣K
and follows with a low club The way the cards North’s double invites
to his partner’s ace and East lie, South does better South to bid a suit and
returns the suit. After the to pass 3♥ doubled. South’s double then invites
defenders have made four It should be possible to North to do so. You are
club tricks, West switches to
take two spades, a heart, responding to a double with
the ♥8. How do you plan the
a club and a club ruff to a second double, hence
play?
collect 200. Passing with the term responsive.

s Your Bridge Questions
DEFENCE
by Julian Pottage
QUIZ

You Counter A

(Answers on page 41)

Y
ou are West in the defensive positions below playing
mp Overcall? matchpoint pairs with both sides vulnerable. While you

usually aim to beat the contract, you may also need to
consider the risk of conceding overtricks.
Because it is so unlikely 4♥ by North down 2 1. ♠ A 5 4 3. ♠ Q 2

that you would wish to occurred three times for a ♥ Q 7 ♥ K 6 4 2
double the opponents for score of 68.8% to E/W. ♦ A Q J 7 3 ♦ A 10 9 8 6 3 2
penalties at a low level when 2NT by North down 3 ♣ 5 4 2 ♣ Void
they have a fit, it is almost occurred four times ♠ 9 3 ♠ A K J 7 4
N N
universal to play responsive for a better score. ♥ A 9 4 2 ♥ Q 8
W E W E
doubles. If you do not play 2NT by North down 1 ♦ 9 6 2 S ♦ K 7 5 S
them, I suppose you could occurred twice. ♣ A 10 8 7 ♣ Q 7 5
save it for a hand when 4♠ by North down 1
you hold K-Q-J-10-9 in the occurred once.
opposing suit – but that 4♣ by South down 1 West North East South West North East South
will come up very rarely. occurred once. Pass 1♠ 1♣
Was the hand a lottery? Pass 2♦ Pass 2♠ 1♠ 2♦ Pass 2♥
♣♦♥♠ Alex Mathers. Pass 4♠ All Pass Pass 4♥ All Pass
Northallerton.
Q
We were East- You lead the ♥A: ♥7, ♥10 You lead the ♠K (asking for
A
West on the If I am reading the and ♥J. What is your plan? a count signal): ♠2, ♠3 and
deal below from scores right, North- ♠6. What is your plan?
the Northallerton South played in
Virtual club on BBO: hearts at only three tables,
each time in game and 2. ♠ A 6 5 3 4. ♠ 6 5 3
every declarer making ♥ A 9 ♥ K 6
Dealer South. E/W Game. only 8 tricks. This I do find ♦ K 7 6 5 3 2 ♦ A 9 6 5
♠ A K 9 7 5 surprising on two counts. ♣ Q ♣ A K 8 5
♥ A Q 2 Firstly, passing 2NT is ♠ Void ♠ Q 10 4
N N
♦ Q 6 2 bizarre with the South hand. ♥ J 8 7 4 2 ♥ 2
W E W E
♣ A K Perhaps the players had ♦ Q 10 8 4 S ♦ K J 2 S
♠ Q 6 N ♠ 10 8 3 2 overlooked the possibility ♣ 8 7 6 3 ♣ J 10 9 6 4 2
♥ 7 6 W E S
♥ KJ3 of making a transfer
♦ K J 8 7 5 4 ♦ A 10 9 3 and then passing.
♣ 6 4 2 ♣ Q 9 Secondly, with the ♣Q West North East South West North East South
♠ J 4 doubleton, you can make 11 Pass 1NT 3♥1 4♠
♥ 10 9 8 5 4 tricks with hearts as trumps, Pass 1♦ 1NT 2NT1 All Pass
♦ Void just losing two trump tricks. Pass 3♦ Pass 3♠ 1
Pre-emptive
♣ J 10 8 7 5 3 It would seem that all three Pass 4♠ All Pass
declarers failed to unblock 1
Two-suited hand (5-5+)
the ♣A-K early enough
West North East South and ran out of trumps.
Pass You were unlucky that your You lead the ♥4: ♥A, ♥10 You lead the ♥2: ♥K, ♥A and
Pass 2NT1 Pass 3♦2 opponents found the best and ♥5. After the ♣Q lead ♥5. Partner continues with
Pass 3♥ Pass 4♣ contract when so many did from dummy, partner wins the ♥J, on which declarer
Pass 4♦3 Pass 4♥ not but lucky that they failed with the ♣A and returns the plays the ♥9. What is your
All Pass to play the contract to best ♥3, covered by the ♥6. What plan?
1
20-22 advantage, lending weight to is your plan?
2
5+ hearts your lottery comment.
3
Thinking 4♣ was ace asking u

t the auction. South has great
Q
This was board shape but few points while
13 in a BBO North clearly has a minimum
club session: opening and there is no great
fit. In practice East might
well compete to 3♥ and
Dealer North. Game All. then South finishes in 4♣.
♠ 10 5 So long as you stop
♥ K Q J 10 in a part-score nobody
♦ K Q 9 4 3 2 is going to double.
♣ 2
♠ A Q J ♠ 9 8 3 ♣♦♥♠
N
♥ 8 6 5 W E ♥ A 9 7 4 3 2
Q
S
♦ J 10 8 7 6 ♦ A 5 I note that in the
♣ 9 4 ♣ A K third hand of your
♠ K 7 6 4 2 defence quiz in
♥ Void BRIDGE 213, you say that the
♦ Void 3♠ rebid to the 2♥ transfer
♣ Q J 10 8 7 6 5 3 bid shows a minimum
hand and 4 spades.
This suggests to me that a
At our table the bidding hand with 4 spades and a
went as follows: maximum (14 points) should
rebid 4♠. Surely risking a
West North East South punitive penalty double?
1♦ 1♥ 2♣ No guarantee that the
2♥ Pass Pass 3♠ opponents can make game?
Pass 3NT Pass 4♠ Hugh Ball,
Dbl All Pass Eastbourne, East Sussex.
A
It is obviously a freak deal No, a maximum 1NT
and many N/S pairs got hand with 4-card
into a mess, usually too support should not
high in clubs doubled. jump all the way to game.
Is there any way to Instead with such a hand you
avoid a poor score or should make a descriptive
do you just accept it? bid. 2NT or any suit bid
The computer says the below 3 of the responder’s
optimum result is 2♥+1 E/W. suit shows a maximum with
Roger Harris, 4-card support. Playing
Stratford-upon-Avon a weak no-trump, it is
Bridge Club. customary for a new suit bid
to show a losing doubleton
A
If the auction you (so 2NT shows a hand
have given me is with 4-card support and
correct then there a maximum but no losing
certainly was a way to doubleton). Those playing a
avoid getting so high. strong no-trump and some
If East-West bid only as weak no-trump players would
high as 2♥, South can reopen break into a strong suit rather
with 2♠ – the jump to 3♠ was than a weak one – it does not
quite unnecessary. North matter a great deal so long
can bid 2NT over 2♠ and as you and your partner are
South pulls to 3♣, ending on the same wavelength. n
Email your questions

(including your postal address) for Julian to:
[email protected]

A to Z of Bridge
A to Z of Bridge
compiled by Julian Pottage
R
***** Master 30,000 Unless partner has bid the suit
Tournament Master 40,000 strongly, a raise normally shows
* Tournament Master 50,000 support for partner’s suit.
(plus a further star for each 10,000) Example West hands consistent
Premier Master 5,000 with the above auctions are:
including 10 Green Points
RABBIT (plus a star, up to five, for each 5,000)
An inexperienced or weak player. Premier Tournament Master 40,000 Hand 1 Hand 2
including 10 Green Points ♠ J 9 4 ♠ A J 9 4 2
RACK (plus a star for each 10,000) ♥ A 8 5 3 ♥ 9 4
Apparatus to hold cards for Regional Master 10,000 ♦ Q 9 4 ♦ K J 9 3
handicapped players. including 25 Green Points ♣ 10 3 2 ♣ K 4
(plus a star for each 10,000)
RAGS Premier Regional Master 20,000
A poor holding, eg ‘two rags’, a low including 50 Green Points RAISE TO FIVE OF A MAJOR
doubleton. (plus a star for each 10,000) In a slam sequence, when the bidding
National Master 30,000 reveals one potentially weak suit
RANK including 75 Green Points (eg the opponents have bid it or the
1. The relative value of the cards: the Premier National Master 40,000 partnership has bid the other three
ace is the highest and the two the including 100 Green Points suits), a raise to five of the agreed
lowest. Life Master 60,000 major asks partner to bid on with a
2. The status achieved in a ranking including 150 Green Points suitable holding in the weak suit.
system. Premier Life Master 90,000 Continuations are:
3. The rank of the suits as used to including 300 Green Points
distinguish between the major suits Grand Master 120,000 Pass No first- or second-
(spades and hearts) and the minor including 600 Green Points round control
suits (diamonds and clubs). (plus a star for each 200 Green Points) 5NT King
Premier Grand Master 1,500 6 agreed suit Singleton
RANKING SYSTEM Green Points Any other bid Ace or void in the
A system of measuring a player’s suit
ability and/or experience relative to The SBU, WBU and NIBU have similar
other players. ranking systems. For example:
The English Bridge Union Ranking
System works on Master Points RAISE
accumulated. To increase the level of the contract in ♠ A J 7 5 3
partner’s last-mentioned denomination. ♥ 6 4 N
Rank Master Points West’s last call, shown in the auctions ♦ A K Q 9 4 2 W E
S
Local Master 100 below, are both a raise. ♣ Void
Club Master 200
Area Master 500 Auction 1
District Master 1,000 West North East South West North East South
County Master 2,500 1♥ Pass 3♥ 3♠ Pass
Master 5,000 2♥ ?
Advanced Master 7,500
* Master 10,000 Auction 2 West wants to play in a slam unless
** Master 15,000 West North East South there are two fast heart losers and bids
*** Master 20,000 1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass 5♠ to ask.
**** Master 25,000 3♦ u

t the lead of the ♠Q. With eleven top also lead to an additional bonus (‘for
REBIDDABLE SUIT tricks, the contract will be simple if the insult’) of 100 points if the contract
A suit of five cards, normally headed either red suit divides 3-3. You can makes.
by at least two of the top honours (ace, also succeed if either opponent holds Redoubled contracts are rare
king, queen). Any six-card or longer at least four cards in both red suits, for because whichever side loses on
suit. Bidding a suit twice or overcalling then a squeeze is possible. However, the deal is likely to record a large
in it at the two level or higher normally if you win the opening lead and then loss. At low levels, many redoubles
shows a rebiddable suit. cash four clubs, only five tricks will are conventional, either suggesting
have gone. Each player will have eight general strength or, if the opponents
cards left, so anyone who started with have made a penalty double, the desire
Hand 1 Hand 2 four hearts and four diamonds will for a rescue.
♠ 8 4 ♠ 8 4 have no difficulty in retaining them
♥ A J 4 ♥ K 10 4 and a squeeze will not operate. Instead, RE-ENTRY
♦ A Q 5 ♦ A 5 you duck the opening lead, win the A second entry. A re-entry can be
♣ K 9 4 3 2 ♣ K J 9 4 3 2 spade continuation and then cash four useful for a number of purposes, such
clubs. At this point six tricks will have as to repeat a successful finesse or to
gone and only seven cards will remain cash an established winner.
With the first hand, you do not have a in each hand. Neither defender will be
rebiddable suit. You open 1NT (weak) able to retain four cards in both hearts REFUSE
or, if RHO opens 1♠, you double. With and diamonds. Ducking the opening You refuse (to win a trick) if you play
the second hand, you do. You open 1♣ lead ‘rectifies the count’. a low card when you have a winner
or, if RHO opens 1♠ (or a red suit), you available. Duck and hold up are more
overcall 2♣. RED common terms for such a play.
1. This is one of the traffic-light
RECAPITULATION SHEET terms that the Laws and Ethics RELAY
Sheet on which the results of each Committee of the English Bridge A conventional bid (often the
board, the totals for each pair and the Union uses to categorize psychic cheapest bid) that conveys little or
final placings are on display after a bids. A ‘red’ psyche is one where no information, but mainly marks
duplicate event. the partnership’s subsequent time while partner describes his
actions provide sufficient evidence hand. For example, with the Multi
RECTIFYING THE COUNT of an unauthorized partnership 2♦ convention, a 2♥ response to
The deliberate loss of a trick or tricks understanding to warrant an 2♦ conveys the information that
in preparation for a squeeze. For most adjusted score. responder wishes to play in 2♥ if the
squeezes to succeed, you need to play 2. Shorthand for describing the opener has a weak two bid in hearts,
the squeeze card when you have the vulnerability of both partnerships and paves the way for the 2♦ bidder to
ready winners to take all the remaining on a board and meaning that the clarify his hand type.
tricks but one. If you have two tricks ‘red’ partnership is vulnerable but
to lose, usually the squeeze will fail. their opponents are not vulnerable. RELAY SYSTEM
However, you can often remedy the A bidding system employing relays so
situation by giving up a trick before RED DOT that one member of the partnership
playing the squeeze card. A marking to go on a convention describes his hand accurately and the
For example: card signifying that the partnership other decides the final contract.
employs nonstandard leads.
RELAY TABLE
♠ 3 2 RED POINT Table used for boards not in play,
♥ A K 6 Scottish National Master Point, particularly during a Howell
♦ A Q 7 2 equivalent to an English Green Point. movement or a relay Mitchell. Boards
♣ A K Q 5 move from playing tables on to the relay
♠ Q J 10 8 ♠ K 9 7 6 REDEAL table(s) and then back to playing tables.
♥ 3 2 N ♥ J 10 9 8 A fresh deal following an irregularity
W E
♦ 6 5 S ♦ J 10 9 8 during the original deal or, in Chicago, REMAINING COUNT
♣ 9 8 7 4 3 ♣ 2 a fresh deal after a pass-out. A method of defensive signalling
♠ A 5 4 after your first play in the suit did
♥ Q 7 5 4 REDOUBLE not show your length (for example if
♦ K 4 3 A call that doubles again the value you were covering an honour, playing
♣ J 10 6 of the trick score, the penalty for third-hand-high). If you have an odd
undertricks and the bonuses for number of cards left, you discard or
overtricks of a contract that an lead your lowest card (just as you
As South, you play in 6NT and receive opponent has already doubled. It will would play low from an odd number if

you were signalling length on the first keep the auction alive. A common West North East South
play of the suit.) If you have an even situation is for opener to reopen with a 1♣ Pass
number left, you play a high card. double as an effective way of competing Pass Dbl Pass Pass
For example, suppose you hold after partner has passed over an 1♥
Q-J-6-3 and your first play is to put up opponent’s intervention, especially if
the jack third in hand. You have an odd negative doubles are part of the system. West’s rescue into 1♥ suggests long
number of cards remaining, so if you hearts and short clubs, clearly in a
lead or discard from the suit, you play hand too weak to bid the first time.
the three. If a partnership’s primary ♠ A Q 8 6 4 West might hold:
discarding method is suit preference or ♥ K 10 4 N
W E
attitude, it is also quite common to play ♦ A Q 7 3 S
that a second discard shows remaining ♣ 3 ♠ 9 8
N
count even in a new suit. ♥ Q 10 7 5 3 2 W E
♦ J 8 5 S
REMOVE A DOUBLE West North East South ♣ 4 2

To bid again after partner has made 1♠ 2♣ Pass Pass
a penalty double, thus signifying an ?
unwillingness to defend the doubled RESERVE
contract. Removing a penalty double Double is a much better call than 2♦ To have an alternative line of play
tends to be an exceptional action. You partly because it gives East the option available, eg ‘To keep the heart finesse
would need to have significantly better to convert to penalties by passing and in reserve’.
offensive potential or significantly partly because the best contract may
weaker defensive potential than your be in hearts. RESERVE ONE’S RIGHTS
previous bidding has indicated. To alert the opponents at the table
REPEATED FINESSE that you believe an irregularity has
To finesse more than once in the same occurred and therefore that you may
♠ 8 7 suit against the same opponent. need to call the Tournament Director.
N
♥ 6
W E
♦ K J 10 7 4 3 2 S RESPOND
♣ Q 10 3 ♦ 8 5 2 To make a bid, usually in a new
N
denomination after partner has
W E
S
opened the bidding but also if partner
West North East South has made a conventional asking bid
1♠ Pass ♦ A Q J (such as Stayman or Blackwood).
1NT 2♥ Dbl Pass Unless partner’s bid was forcing, you
3♦ do not have to respond with a very
If you lead a diamond to the queen weak hand.
Although the strength of your hand and it wins, you will want to return
is within the expected range, your to the North hand and repeat the RESPONDER
1NT response did nothing to suggest finesse against East’s presumed king The partner of the player who makes
a singleton heart or a 7-card diamond by leading up to the jack. the opening bid. For example, if West
suit. opens 1♣, East is the responder.
REPECHAGE
RENEGE A competition whereby competitors, RESPONDER’S REVERSE
Old-fashioned term for revoke. knocked out in the qualifying stages A non-jump rebid by responder in a
of the main event, have a second new suit that is higher-ranking than
REOPEN THE BIDDING opportunity to qualify for the final of his first suit and is at the two-level or
A call made by a player who is sitting the main event by winning a secondary above.
in the position that, were he to pass, event. Depending on the event, a
the bidding would end. He may be repechage can qualify more than one Opener Responder
acting in a balancing role, deducing competitor for the final. 1♣ 1♥
that his partner has some values from 2♣ 2♠
the opponents’ lack of desire to bid RESCUE
higher. The lower the level, the more To take out into what you hope to By tradition, a responder’s reverse is
likely it is that you will want to reopen. be a safer contract. The term usually forcing for one round, though some
applies after the opponents have made modern players treat it as a game force.
REOPENING DOUBLE a penalty double (or left in a take-out
A double, intended for take-out, used double for penalties). RESPONSE
by the player in the pass-out seat to This is a bid made following u

t partner’s bid (usually an opening South, the declarer, cashes the ace and has previously led, this is a return.
bid but sometimes a conventional East drops the queen. Assuming that 2. To make such a lead eg West led a
enquiry). For example, in the sequence with queen-jack doubleton, East will spade. East won with the ace and
1♣-Pass-1♥, the 1♥ bid is a response play the jack half the time and the returned the three.
to the 1♣ opening bid. If the response queen half the time, East is roughly 3. To re-enter a hand eg South took
is in the suit partner bid, it is usual to twice as likely to hold the singleton a heart finesse and returned to
call it a raise rather than a response. queen as he is to hold the queen-jack dummy to finesse again.
The range for a simple response at doubleton.
the one level is very wide. You can RE-EVALUATION
have as few as 5 or 6 points. With a RESTRICTED LICENCE The mental adjustment to the value of
hand unsuitable for a jump shift, you A treatment or convention licensed one’s hand in the light of the previous
could have 20 or even more points. For by the EBU for use only in certain bidding. For example, a holding of K-x
a two-level response, the minimum competitions. is likely to improve in value if one’s
threshold is higher, 9 or 10 points in right hand opponent bids the suit
Acol, but more in some other systems. RESULTS MERCHANT but decline in value if one’s left-hand
A player who extols the merits of a line opponent bids it. Even a holding of
of play, either because on the actual small cards can improve (or decline)
Hand 1 Hand 2 layout of the cards it would have in value as the bidding progresses. For
♠ 8 5 ♠ K 4 succeeded, or because on the actual example, if you have 8-5-2 in a suit
♥ K 10 7 3 ♥ A K 10 7 4 results on a board it would have scored and RHO bids it, you will treat this as
♦ J 7 4 ♦ 4 well, rather than on logical analysis. a poor holding as any honours partner
♣ Q 8 5 4 ♣ A Q J 7 4 has in the suit will be under the bid.
RETAIN THE LEAD However, if LHO supports the suit
To keep the lead by playing a card strongly, you will place partner with a
With the first hand, you respond 1♥ known to be a winner. If you know the shortage and adjust upwards, knowing
to 1♦ (or 1♣) but 1NT to 1♠. With the opponents have enough tricks ready you have no wasted values in the suit.
second hand, you respond 1♥ to 1♦ or to run to defeat your contract or make
2♥ to 1♠. their contract, it can be a good idea to REVERSE
play in such a way as to retain the lead A non-jump rebid in a new suit that
RESPONSIVE DOUBLE for as long as possible. takes the bidding above the level of
The use of a double for take-out when two of your original suit, usually in
partner has already made a take- a higher-ranking suit. Any player
out double and the third player has ♠ 7 6 can reverse, though the term most
supported the opener. For example: ♥ A K 10 9 commonly applies to a reverse by
♦ K J 9 4 opener. In the first three of the
West North East South ♣ 10 9 3 sequences shown below, the last bid
1♣ Dbl 3♣ Dbl N shown is a reverse.
W E
S
South's double suggests the values to West North East South

compete but with no strong preference ♠ A 4 1♣ Pass 1♠ Pass
for a particular suit. A partnership ♥ J 5 2♦
needs to agree how high responsive ♦ A 10 6 2
doubles apply. Up to and including 4♦ ♣ A K J 8 2 West North East South
(the highest part-score bid) is popular. 1♦ Pass 2♣ Pass
2♠
RESTRICTED CHOICE As South, you play in 3NT and receive
The Principle of Restricted Choice is a spade lead. You have seven top tricks West North East South
that a player is more likely to have played and a successful finesse against one of 1♦ Pass
a particular card because it is a forced, the missing queens would give you two 2♣ Pass 2♦ Pass
ie restricted, play than because it is a more. However, a losing finesse would 2♠
chosen play from equals. For example: spell instant defeat. You therefore play
to retain the lead early in the play, West North East South
thereby maximising your chances. 1♣ 1♥ 2♦ Pass
K 10 9 8 7 6 You cash the ♦A-K and the ♣A-K. If 2♠
N
neither queen has dropped, you fall
W E
(J)-5-4 Q-(J)
S
back on playing West for the ♥Q. The 2♠ bid in the fourth sequence
is not a reverse; this is because the
A 3 2 RETURN 2♦ response had already taken the
1. If you lead a suit that your partner bidding above the level of 2♣.

When a reverse is in a higher- the discard (clubs above spades) and RIPSTRA
ranking suit, the first bid suit will similarly for a low ranking discard A little used defence to an opening
always be longer than the second suit. (spades below clubs). 1NT whereby a 2♣ overcall shows
A reverse nearly always shows values both majors with longer clubs than
beyond those already promised. diamonds and a 2♦ overcall shows
♠ K 8 5 both majors with longer diamonds
REVERSE SIGNALS/DISCARDS ♥ 8 6 4 than clubs.
A method of signalling/discarding ♦ K 10 9 8 4
whereby you play a low card to ♣ J 3 ROCK-CRUSHER
encourage and a high card to ♠ Q J 4 2 ♠ 10 7 3 A hand of tremendous trick-taking
discourage. This reverses the standard ♥ J 9 7 3 2 N ♥ K Q 5 ability; powerhouse is a similar term.
W E
high-low signals/discards. The chief ♦ A 6 5 S ♦ 7 2
advantage is that, with a doubleton, ♣ 6 ♣ Q 10 9 8 4 ROLLING BLACKWOOD
you do not need to use what may be an ♠ A 9 6 After a Blackwood 4NT enquiry some
important card that you cannot afford ♥ A 10 players use the cheapest available (non-
to encourage. Despite their technical ♦ Q J 3 trump suit) bid to ask for kings. This
superiority over standard signals, few ♣ A K 7 5 2 goes by the name ‘Rolling Blackwood’
pairs use them. or ‘Sliding Blackwood’.
REVERSING THE DUMMY West leads the ♥3 against South’s 3NT. ROLLING GERBER
This is the same as a dummy reversal. East plays the queen, taken by South’s A convention whereby after the
It involves taking multiple ruffs in the ace. When declarer plays diamonds, response to a Gerber 4♣ enquiry, a
long trump hand, thereby generating West holds up his ace until the third bid in the cheapest non-trump suit
an extra trump winner, while leaving round to allow his partner the chance subsequently asks for kings. This also
the short trump hand to draw the to signal. Playing ‘revolving discards’, goes by the name ‘Sliding Gerber’.
opposing trumps. Suppose you have a on the third round of diamonds the ♠3
trump suit of A-Q-10-x-x facing K-J-9. or the ♣10 will ask for a heart. ROMAN ASKING BIDS
If you take three (or more ruffs) in the A method of establishing the
long trump hand, you will make more RHO suitability of the two hands for slam
than the five trump tricks with which Short for Right-Hand Opponent. purposes. In certain situations, when
you started. For reversing the dummy a partnership has agreed a trump suit,
to be successful, you will usually need RHYTHM a bid of a new suit asks partner to
strong trumps and plenty of entries in To bid or play in rhythm is to bid or describe his holding in that suit on the
the short trump hand. play at an even speed. following scale:
Another good reason for reversing 1st step No control
the dummy is that dummy’s trumps are RIDE 2nd step King or singleton
strong but yours are not. For example, To take a finesse by playing a card and 3rd step Ace or void
with a trump suit of 6-5-4-3-2 facing letting it run if it is not covered by LHO. 4th step Ace-king or ace-queen
A-K-Q, ruffing with the high short
trumps is going to be unproductive. ROMAN BLACKWOOD
Q J 10 3 2 A version of Blackwood originally
REVIEWING THE BIDDING N
used in the Roman system but now
At his turn to call, a player may request 8 6 W E
S
K 9 4 rare. After 4NT, the responses are:
a review of the auction. At duplicate, an 5♣ zero or three aces
opponent must give such a review and A 7 5 5♦ one or four aces
must include every call, with alerts.
The responses of 5♥, 5♠ and 5NT show
REVOKE You lead the queen from the North two aces, either of the same colour, the
To fail to follow suit when able to do hand and let it ‘ride’ unless East covers same rank or the two other aces. The
so. A revoke becomes established when with the king. original school of thought was:
either member of the offending side 5♥ two aces of the same colour
plays to the next trick. The Laws apply. RIFFLE SHUFFLE 5♠ two aces neither of the
An effective form of shuffling by same rank nor the same colour
REVOLVING DISCARDS interweaving two portions of a pack (ie spades and diamonds or
A system of discards whereby the and repeating the process several times. hearts and clubs)
rank of the discard signals for a lead A perfect riffle shuffle (two portions 5NT two aces of the same rank
in another suit. A discard of a high perfectly interwoven) is not a true
card asks for the lead of the suit shuffle since a second identical shuffle Some players prefer the CRO principle,
ranking immediately above the suit of restores the pack to its original form. ie 5♥ same Colour, 5♠ same Rank, u

t 5NT the two Others. A player can lowest bid (5♣) shows two aces etc.
then ask for kings in a similar way. ♠ A J 10 7 4 ♠ K Q 8 3 This method is in popular use in the
♥ A 8 5 4 N ♥ 6 UK.
W E
ROMAN GERBER ♦ A Q 5 S ♦ K 8 6 2
A version of Gerber modelled on the ♣ Q ♣ A 8 5 2 ROTATION
same lines as Roman Blackwood. The sequence and order in which the
bidding and play occur at the table.
ROMAN JUMP OVERCALL West East
A system of two-suited jump overcalls 1♠ 4♥1 ROUND
whereby immediate jump suit overcalls 4NT 5♠2 The number of boards in a duplicate
show intermediate two-suiters. You 5NT 6♦3 event that a pair plays against the
bid the lower ranking of two touching 7♠ same opposition.
suits (excluding the opener’s suit), 1
splinter
whilst a 2NT overcall shows a strong 2
two key cards and the ♠Q ROUND OFF
unspecified two-suiter. Since this 3
the ♦K or one non-trump king To round off the net score at the end of
method does not allow you to make a rubber to the nearest hundred, with
single-suited jump overcalls, very few Roman Keycard Blackwood is a most players rounding 50 downwards.
pairs play it. powerful tool and popular amongst
tournament players. ROUND ROBIN
ROMAN KEY-CARD A form of contest in which each
BLACKWOOD ROMAN LEADS competing group (team, pair or
A sophisticated variation of Blackwood A system of leads whereby one leads individual) plays against every other
in which the king of the trump suit is the second highest card from a competing group.
like a ‘fifth’ ace; the four aces and the sequence. For example, from K-Q-J-x
king of trumps are all key cards. The you lead the queen. From an interior ROUNDED SUITS
usual responses to 4NT are: sequence, the lead is the same as the Clubs and hearts, so named because of
standard lead eg from K-10-9-x you the shape of their symbols. Likewise,
5♣ 0 or 3 Key Cards lead the ten. spades and diamonds are the ‘Pointed
5♦ 1 or 4 Key Cards* Suits’.
5♥ 2 or 5 Key Cards but not ROMAN SYSTEM
the queen of trumps* System devised by Walter Avarelli ROVER
5♠ 2 or 5 Key Cards including and Giorgio Belladonna and used by A pair in a Mitchell movement that
the queen of trumps them as members of the Italian Blue displaces a different North-South
Team. The system uses an artificial pair each round, known as a ‘roving
After a 5♣ or 5♦ response, the 4NT 1♣ opening (either a balanced 12-16 pair’. Using a rover can help to
bidder may continue with a bid in points or 17+ points) and canapé. accommodate a pair that arrives late
the lowest non-trump suit to enquire when there was originally a complete
about the queen of trumps. The ROMAN TWO DIAMONDS number of tables.
responder returns to the trump suit at A convention whereby a 2♦ opening
the lowest level without the queen or, bid shows a strong three-suited hand RUBBER
with it, bids 5NT or cue bids a second- with, typically, 17-20 high card points. The best of three games in rubber
round control. An alternative method bridge. The term ‘rubber’ probably
is for responder to proceed: one step ROMEX TRIAL BIDS derives from the game of bowls.
without the queen, two steps with it. A method usually used in conjunction
* Some partnerships interchange the with a strong club system that allows RUBBER BRIDGE
meaning of the 5♣ and 5♦ replies, the a player to make both long-suit and The original form of contract bridge
thinking being that the 4NT bidder is short-suit trial bids, by employing in which the objective is to make two
more likley to want to enquire further relays after a single raise of a major games before your opponents, and
facing 1 than 0. suit. thereby win the rubber bonus. You
The 4NT bidder can continue with can make game by scoring 100 points
a bid of 5NT to ask for the non-trump ROPE ‘below the line’ either on one deal or
kings. Responses can be to show the After an opponent doubles a 4NT by accumulating partscores to reach
lowest king or on the standard step ace enquiry, Redouble shows an Odd that total.
principle: number of aces, Pass an Even number.
RUBBER DUPLICATE
6♣ 0 King ROPI A teams-of-four event in which the
6♦ 1 King After an opponent doubles a 4NT ace players play boards in a fixed order in
6♥ 2 Kings enquiry, Redouble shows zero (O) each room until one room reaches the
6♠ 3 Kings aces, Pass shows one (I) ace and the end of a rubber.

RUFF If West held the ace, the ruffing Note that this Rule does not suggest
To play a trump on the lead of a side finesse would fail, though you might that weak hands of this type justify
suit. You can ruff a trick if you are void still be able to discard a loser and a sensible opening bid (especially
in the suit led and have one or more succeed in setting up dummy’s here when the singleton king may be
trumps in your hand. winners. worth less than 3 points), but rather
that bidding with a lower total than 19
RUFF AND DISCARD RUFFING TRICK would constitute a psyche.
To discard a loser from one hand while A trick won by a ruff. Most players use either the rule of 20
ruffing in the other. or a more sophisticated rule that also
RULE OF ELEVEN takes account of the hand’s defensive
A simple mathematical formula potential.
♠ 2 stating that, if the lead is fourth
♥ 2 highest, the number of cards capable RULE OF TWO AND THREE
♦ — of beating it in the other three hands is The doctrine, in pre-emptive bidding,
♣ — equal to eleven minus the pip value of that one should not risk going down
♠ — ♠ — the card led. For example: more than two tricks, if vulnerable,
♥ — N ♥ A K and three tricks if not vulnerable.
W E
♦ — S
♦ — If you adhere to the rule,
♣ 3 2 ♣ — K 5 2 the opponents double you and
♠ 3 N
partner has a useless hand, you
♥ 3 Q 10 8 7 W E AJ96 will lose a penalty of 500, broadly
S
♦ — the same as an opposing game.
♣ — 4 3 With the rule, if you have seven
tricks in your hand, you can pre-empt
to the four level non-vulnerable or the
South is declarer and spades are If East judges that the seven is a three level vulnerable.
trumps. If any hand other than West is fourth-highest lead, he can use the Many modern players pre-empt a
on lead then East will win a heart trick. rule of eleven. Taking seven from little more aggressively than the rule
However, with West on lead and eleven leaves four cards higher than of two and three, partly because the
obliged to lead a club, South can ruff the seven, all of which he can see opponents may have a slam if partner
in dummy and discard a heart from between his hand and dummy. He can has a bust and partly because the
hand. Alternatively, he could choose deduce that South has no card higher opponents rarely double for penalties.
to discard a heart from dummy and than the seven and hence that he can
ruff in his own hand. As a defender, play low at trick one to leave West on RULING
you generally want to avoid giving a lead to play a second round of the suit A decision based upon the Laws of the
ruff and discard if you can help it. through dummy’s king at trick two. game, made by a Tournament Director
or by an Appeals Committee.
RUFFING FINESSE RULE OF NINETEEN
The lead of one of a sequence of high Rule established by the Laws and RUN
cards towards a void. If the player in Ethics Committee of the EBU, stating
1. To change to a different suit or to
second seat does not cover, you allow that the minimum agreeable standard
no-trumps if an opponent doubles
the lead to run; if there is a cover, for an opening suit bid at the one-
your contract for penalties.
you ruff and later return to cash the level is that the sum of the number of
2. To run a suit is to play it card after
established winners. For example: high-card points and the lengths of
card without losing the lead. For
the two longest suits must total at least
example, if dummy has ♣A-K-
nineteen. For example:
Q-J-7-5, declarer is likely to ‘run’
K Q J 10 the clubs.
N
3. To take a finesse by leading an
9 8 7 6 2
W E A543 ♠ K honour and play low if a higher
S
♥ 8 6 5 4 2 honour does not cover it. For
Void ♦ A Q 6 4 2 example:
♣ 5 4

As South, you lead the king of this Q 7 4
side-suit from dummy. If East plays With 9 high-card points and two N
his ace, you ruff, thus establishing the 5-card suits, this hand would be 5 2
W E K863
S
Q-J-10 as winners without losing the minimally acceptable under the
lead. If East plays low, you discard a Rule of Nineteen for an opening bid A J 10 9
loser. (9+5+5). u

t Here you might lead the queen from possibility of gaining extra tricks. SCORE
dummy (North) and ‘run’ it, thereby The written result of a contract.
retaining the lead in dummy for a To denote the result on a board, eg
further finesse. J 6 4 2 ‘We scored well on board thirteen’.
N
W E
RUSINOW LEADS S SCORE CARD
A lead method by which you lead A K 8 7 5 A card for keeping a play record and
second highest from a standard used to score in a teams event or as a
honour sequence (eg Q from K-Q-J) personal record in a pairs or individual
and third highest from an interior If you need four tricks from the above event.
sequence (eg 10 from K-J-10). holding, the safety play is to lead low
to the jack, catering for a 4-0 break on SCORE SHEET
either side. If West is void, you will be Sheet on which the results of each
S

able to take marked finesses against board, the totals for each pair and the
East on the second and third rounds final placings are on display after a
of the suit. duplicate event.
SAVE SCORE SLIP

Used in the same sense as ‘Sacrifice’. 1. At rubber bridge or Chicago, printed
SACRIFICE paper or pad to record the score.
A bid made in the full expectation that SBU 2. In duplicate, the traveller that
the contract will go down, but in the Abbreviation for the Scottish accompanies the board.
hope that the points lost will be fewer Bridge Union, the national bridge
than those that the opponents would organisation for duplicate bridge in SCORING CORRECTIONS
have scored if left to play in their own Scotland. It may be possible to correct an error
contract. in computing or tabulating the agreed
SCISSORS COUP score, whether by a player or a scorer,
A play used, as the name implies, to within a timescale set by the sponsor-
♠ 9 6 4 3 2 cut communications between the ing organisation. If the organisers do
♥ 9 N opposing hands usually to destroy an not set a time, the period for correc-
W E
♦ 9 5 2 S enemy entry needed to give his partner tion is for thirty minutes after the of-
♣ J 10 4 2 a ruff. For example: ficial score is displayed. To minimise
the risk of scoring errors, players
should write as legibly as possible and
West North East South ♠ Q 6 agree the score before returning the
1♥ 1♠ 4♥ ♥ 6 3 scoresheet to the board.
? ♦ A Q 9 5
♣ Q J 10 6 3 SCOTTISH BRIDGE UNION
It is a near certainty that 4♥ will ♠ 5 4 ♠ A 8 2 The national bridge organisation for
make. West may bid 4♠, not expecting ♥ K Q 8 2 N ♥ A J 10 7 4 duplicate bridge in Scotland.
W E
to make it but in the belief that the ♦ J 7 6 2 S ♦ K 10 8 4
penalty in 4♠ doubled will be cheaper ♣ 8 7 4 ♣ 2 SCRAMBLE
than letting the opponents make 4♥. ♠ K J 10 9 7 3 A term to denote a bid in a competitive
The vulnerability is often crucial in ♥ 9 5 auction where one is simply trying to
sacrifice decisions. At duplicate, the ♦ 3 find a safe place to play at a low level.
best time to sacrifice is when only ♣ A K 9 5
the opponents are vulnerable. In this West North East South
example, you could afford to go three 1♠ Pass 2♠ Pass
down doubled and still show a profit As South, you play in 4♠ after East Pass Dbl Pass 2NT
(losing 500 instead of 620). If, however, opened 1♥ and West raised hearts.
only your side is vulnerable, you need East overtakes West’s ♥K lead with Not having a long suit to show, South
to get out for one down to show a profit the ♥A and switches to the ♣2. East’s bids 2NT as a scramble, asking North
(losing 200 instead of 420) plan is clear – to get in with the ♠A, to suggest a suit.
put West in with the ♥Q and score a
SAFETY PLAY club ruff. To snip communications SCRAMBLED MITCHELL
A way of handling a suit combination between the opposing hands, you win A method of producing a single
to give the greatest chance of making the club, cross to the ♦A and throw winner from a Mitchell event by
the required number of tricks in the your remaining heart on the ♦Q when arrow switching the compass points
suit at the expense of abandoning the East covers with his marked ♦K. of the pairs (on certain rounds). On

such rounds, the East-West pairs (and West North East South
the boards) move normally, but they ♠ A 1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass
then play the North-South cards and ♥ 10 8 7 1♠ Pass 1NT Pass
vice versa. Generally, the final one or ♦ — 2♥
two rounds are arrow switched in a ♣ 5
scrambled movement. ♠ K Q SECOND NEGATIVE
Avid collectors of master points N ♥ K Q J In the sequence 2♣-Pass-2♦-Pass-2♥-
W E
like a Scrambled Mitchell because the S ♦ — Pass-2NT, most partnerships agree
master points on offer are higher than ♣ — that the 2NT bid is a second negative,
in a simple Mitchell. ♠ J 4 showing a very poor hand. The need to
♥ A 6 make a second negative arises because
SCREEN ♦ — an Acol 2♣ opening, unless followed
In major championships, a large ♣ A by a 2NT rebid, creates a game force.
screen rests diagonally across the table Responder therefore needs a bid
preventing each player from being to keep the bidding alive without
able to see his partner and one of his South leads the ♣A. If East discards a promising values.
opponents. A small slit in the screen heart, South continues with ace and
allows a tray to slide from one side another heart to leave dummy high. If SECOND SUIT
of the table to the other. The players East discards a spade, South crosses to Your second longest suit or the second
bid, using bidding boxes, by placing the ♠A and later scores the ♠J. suit you bid. For example, if you open
the bids on this tray and repeatedly 1♠ and rebid 2♥, hearts is your second
sliding it from one side of the table SECOND HAND LOW suit.
to the other. During the play, a flap A favourite maxim of card play that,
comes up to allow all players to see the following the lead of a small card, the SECTION
dummy and the cards the others play. second hand to play to the trick should If the director splits a competition field
One purpose of screens is to prevent play his lowest card of the suit led. into separate groups, each group is a
players conveying information to their section. For example, with 26 tables,
partners through their mannerisms it would be normal to split them into
or eye contact. Another benefit is that K 9 4 two sections with 13 tables in each,
if there is a delay in the return of the N
thereby facilitating a convenient
bidding tray, it will often be unclear A 10 6 3
W E J72 Mitchell movement in each.
S
whether your partner or an opponent
has been thinking. Q 8 5 SEMI-BALANCED
This refers to hands with no void or
SCREEN-MATE singleton but two doubletons, ie a 5-4-
When screens are in use, he is the If South leads low, West must duck, 2-2 or 6-3-2-2 shape. Players using a
opponent seated on one’s own side of saving the ace to capture the queen. strong no-trump opening are much
the screen. Equally, if the lead is low from the happier about opening 1NT on a semi-
North hand, East must play low or balanced hand than are players who
SECOND AND FOURTH LEADS South could cover the jack with the favour a weak no-trump. Opening
A popular method of leading from queen and later finesse the nine. 2NT on a semi-balanced hand has
suits without an honour sequence, by widespread acceptance.
which one leads second highest from SECONDARY SUPPORT
poor suits and fourth highest from A useful holding in a suit bid by SEMI-PSYCHIC
better suits. Most players treat poor partner, often a three-card suit as A ‘semi-psychic’ bid is a bid made
suits as those without an honour, distinct from four-card (primary) deliberately with the intention of
though some regard a ten-high suit support. A delayed bid in partner’s confusing the opponents but which
as poor too. For example, with 9-7-5- suit, especially if it is a major, shows only slightly misdescribes the hand.
3 you lead the seven. When using the secondary support because you would Examples are the ‘third-in-hand
method, if partner leads a high spot have raised immediately with primary opener’ on A-K-J-x-x in the suit with
card it is likely to be from a poor suit. support. a bust outside or a no-trump bid
In the examples below, West is almost that is a few points under strength
SECONDARY SQUEEZE certain to have exactly three hearts. or lacking a stopper in the opposing
A squeeze in which the opponents win suit.
one or more tricks after the play of the West North East South
squeeze card. In this example there are 1♥ Pass SEMI-SOLID SUIT
no trumps and declarer (South) needs 2♦ Pass 2♥ Pass A suit that is likely to play for only one
four of the last five tricks: 3♥ loser, for example: A-Q-J-10-8-4.
u

t ruffing a suit. boards will play them in a different
SEQUENCE sequence as a result. For example, if
Cards in consecutive rank order, for tables 1 and 8 are sharing boards 4-6,
example K-Q-J. ♣ K Q 10 4 ♦ A 8 7 6 3 2 table 1 might play them in the order
N N
4, 5, 6 while table 8 plays them in the
SEQUENCE DISCARDS W E W E order 5, 6, 4. It is important when
S S
The discard of an honour guarantees sharing boards that the two tables do
the honour immediately below it and ♣ J 7 2 ♦ K 5 not leave themselves the same board to
denies the honour immediately above play at the end.
it. When the opening leader discards
an honour, it nearly always shows an The first suit you can set up by playing SHARK
interior sequence (for example, the high cards to drive out the ace. Once Colloquialism for a type of expert
discard of the queen strongly suggests the ace has gone, you will have set up player who specializes in playing
A-Q-J) because otherwise the initial the suit. rubber bridge for money and who
lead might have been in the suit. To set up the second suit on the is particularly adept at this type of
normal 3-2 break, you cash the king, competition.
SELF-SUPPORTING SUIT ace and play a third round. In a no-
A suit that you are happy to have as the trump contract, you will lose the SHARPLES DEFENCE TO 1NT
trump suit even facing a void. The suit third round; in a suit contract, you A defence to 1NT whereby an overcall
is likely to be solid or semi-solid, such ruff the third round and avoid a loser. of 2♣ shows a hand of unspecified
as K-Q-J-10-x-x-x. If the suit breaks 4-1, you will need shape but with at least four spades and
to work harder, ruffing the fourth 2♦ shows a weak distributional hand
SENIOR round as well. In either case, once the with short clubs.
In events with an age restriction, a opponents have no diamonds left, you
player over a certain age. Currently, to will have set up the suit. SHIFT
qualify as a senior in a given year, the In the auction, a change of suit as in
player must have attained the age of 62 SHADED ‘Jump shift’. In the play, a switch to
by the end of the year. It will increase A bid is said to be shaded if it is another suit.
to 63 in 2022, 64 in 2024 and will be 65 slightly below the normal strength
from 2026 onwards. requirements, for example if you open SHOOTING FOR A TOP
a 15-17 1NT with 14 points. While it To make an apparently inferior bid or
SESSION is fine to take a rosy view of your hand play in a deliberate attempt to score
A period of play during which every so often, if it becomes a regular a top. You might employ this tactic
competitors play a given number of practice then it is an agreement that towards the end of a duplicate session
boards. Sessions usually consist of 24- you should disclose to your opponents. in an attempt to convert a good score
32 boards, lasting 3-4 hours. into a winning score. For example,
SHAPE if you were sure that a normal score
SET The way in which you might arrange would be no good for you and that
1. To set a contract means you defeat it. your hand into suits, expressed as playing a contract normally would
2. Set of duplicate boards or wallets. the number of cards in each suit. For result in an average score, you might
There are usually 32 boards in a set. example: a 5-4-3-1 shape means you take an anti-percentage play.
3. A set can mean a stanza, which have a five-card suit, a four-card suit, Suppose you have a suit combination
is usually 2 or 3 boards in a club a tripleton and a singleton. If there are of 10-9-x facing A-K-J-x-x. You might
duplicate, 8 or 16 boards in a match. dashes in between the numbers, this is cash the ace-king in the hope of felling
4. A pre-arranged rubber bridge likely to indicate a specific shape. For the doubleton queen offside. You risk
match played between two fixed example, a 2-4-6-1 shape means two a bottom (when the finesse would have
partnerships. spades, four hearts, six diamonds and worked but the queen does not drop)
one club. for the chance of a top.
SETTING TRICK Another name for shape is the In the bidding, an example of
The defensive trick that ensures a hand’s ‘pattern’ or ‘distribution’. shooting for a top is bidding a grand
contract’s defeat. For example, against slam that you know depends upon a
a 4♠ contract, the fourth defensive SHARING BOARDS finesse.
trick will be the setting trick. In some movements, such as a Mitchell
with an even number of tables but no SHORT CLUB
SET UP skip, it is necessary for two or more Some pairs, using a mini (10-12) or
To set up a suit is to establish it. tables to play the same set of boards strong (15-17) 1NT opening, open 1♣
Common methods of setting up a on the same round. This practice is on balanced hands outside the range
suit are knocking out the opposing ‘Sharing boards’. for a 1NT opening.
high cards, giving up a slow loser and Of necessity, the tables sharing If you encounter this, even though

the opener may have a doubleton club, When South then leads a heart, he
it is usual to treat the 1♣ opening as ♠ 10 5 2 knows that if West has the ♥K it will
a natural bid eg a 2♣ overcall is a cue ♥ 9 7 4 N show up because his last card must
W E
bid, not a natural bid. ♦ K 8 4 2 S be the ♠A. When in fact West follows
♣ 9 7 4 low, he will drop East’s singleton king.
SHORT HAND
The hand with the fewer number SHUFFLE
of cards in a suit (usually trumps). West North East South To mix the cards randomly.
Usually it is more productive to take 1♥ Pass 2♦
ruffs in the short trump hand than in Pass 2♥ Pass 3NT SHUTOUT BID
the long trump hand. End Either a sign off or a pre-emptive bid.
Since South has bid your only long SID

♠ J 2 suit, you should make a short suit lead. An acronym for Stayman in Doubt.
♥ A 8 6 As East will not hold five spades and
♦ K J 10 2 fair values (no 1♠ overcall), the ♣7 is SIDE
♣ A 10 5 4 a good choice. A partnership in a rubber bridge game,
♠ Q 8 6 4 3 ♠ K 10 7 a pairs game or a teams-of-four match.
♥ 3 N ♥ 10 9 7 4 SHORTEN
W E
♦ 7 5 3 S ♦ 8 4 To reduce in length. Commonly refers SIDE GAME
♣ Q J 9 6 ♣ K 8 7 3 to the situation where a defender A second competition at a
♠ A 9 5 attacks dummy’s or declarer’s trump championship for pairs or teams not
♥ K Q J 5 2 length by leading plain-suit winners, involved in the main event.
♦ A Q 9 6 forcing a ruff. Shortening also refers
♣ 2 to the situation where declarer SIDE SUIT
deliberately takes ruffs in preparation A suit other than trumps. Or ‘Plain suit’.
for a trump endplay or coup.
If you are South in 6♥, you can SIGN-OFF
generate an extra trick by giving up a SHOW OUT A discouraging bid suggesting that
spade and ruffing a spade in dummy, To reveal a void by discarding on the the partnership should progress no
the short hand. This way you make six lead of a suit. further. Usually a sign off occurs
trump tricks rather than five. after a trial bid or asking bid. When
Ruffing in the long trump hand SHOW UP SQUEEZE the person making the sign off made
(South) would not be a good idea. If A method of squeezing a player who an asking bid on the previous round,
you ruff two clubs, you will have fewer does not guard a crucial suit, in order the sign off is more a command than
trumps than East and so be unable to to drop a singleton honour, instead of a suggestion.
draw trumps and cash the diamonds. taking a losing finesse.
Declarer, playing in no-trumps and West East West East
SHORT SUIT GAME TRIES needing the remainder, has a count of 1♥ 1♠
A game try whereby, after trump the hand and knows that West holds 2♥ 3♣ 3♠ 4♣
agreement, opener shows his shortest the ♠A in this example. 3♥ 4♠
suit and invites responder to judge
accordingly. West East West East
♠ K 1♦ 1♦
SHORT SUIT LEADS ♥ A Q 2♥ 3♥ 2♥ 3♥
1. Against a no-trump contract, the ♦ — 4NT 5♦ 4NT 5♥
lead of a doubleton or tripleton, ♣ — 5♥ 6♥
usually when partner has bid the ♠ A ♠ —
N
suit, or the opponents have bid the ♥ 6 4
W E
♥ K In each case, West’s final bid is a sign-
other suits. Sometimes it can be a ♦ — S ♦ 6 5 off. In the first auction, it looks as if
deceptive play hoping that declarer ♣ — ♣ — East has made a game try, which West
will think that the wrong hand has ♠ 8 has declined. East would only bid on
the long suit. ♥ 5 if in fact he had aspirations towards a
2. Against a suit contract, the lead of a ♦ A slam. In the second auction, East has
singleton or doubleton trying for a ♣ — suggested a slam and West has shown
ruff is a short-suit lead. no interest. In the third and fourth
auctions, West has found out how
South leads the ♦A. West must discard many aces are missing and placed the
a heart and dummy discards the ♠K. final contract. u

t board placed in the centre of the table, Pass-2♥ or 1♣-1♠-Pass-2♠. A single
SIGNALS, SIGNALLING subdivided into labelled regions, 1♣, raise usually indicates support for
The method of conveying information 1♦, 1 ♥, 1♠, 1 NT, 2♣ etc. (up to 7NT), partner and modest values.
between the defenders. You can do Dbl, Redbl, Alert, Stop and Pass. A
this both when following to a suit player makes his call by touching the SINGLE-SUITED HAND
and when discarding. Common types appropriate region of the board with A hand with one long suit and no other
of signal are attitude signals – when a pen or pencil, or moving a small biddable suit. Assuming you have the
you indicate whether you like a suit counter placed on the dumb bidder. strength to bid at all, you are likely to
or not – length signals – when you Bidding boxes have rendered silent show a single-suited hand by bidding
show whether you have an odd or bidders almost obsolete. the suit a couple of times or perhaps by
even number of cards in the suit – making a pre-emptive bid in the suit.
and suit-preference signals – when SIMPLE FINESSE
you show a preference for some other A finesse against one outstanding West East West East
suit. Defensive signals are vital for card eg if you have A-K-J facing low 1♠ 1NT 1♣
defending accurately. For signals to cards, leading up to the jack is a simple 2♠ 1♠ 1NT
work it is important not only that finesse against the queen. 2♠
you give the right signal but also that
partner is watching – and vice versa SIMPLE OVERCALL West East West East
when partner gives a signal. A non-jump overcall: if an opponent 2♠(weak) 3♠
Here is an example where you can opens 1♥, any of 1♠, 1NT, 2♣ and 2♦
give all three of the common types of from you are simple overcalls. If you In each sequence, West is suggesting
signal on the same deal: make an overcall, it is usual to hold at a single-suited spade hand. The first
least five card suits in your long suit, three sequences suggest a six-card
often six cards if the overcall is at the suit, the fourth a seven-card suit.
♠ 7 3 2 two level. If the suit is good, you might
♥ A J overcall on a hand that is slightly too SINGLETON
♦ A J 2 weak for an opening bid. For example A holding of only one card in a suit.
♣ Q J 10 9 3 with ♠K-Q-10-x-x and an ace on the
♠ Q J 9 8 ♠ 6 4 side, it would be normal to overcall 1♠ SIT OUT
♥ 9 6 4 N ♥ K Q 10 2 over one of any other suit. 1. If there are an odd number of pairs
W E
♦ 10 9 5 S ♦ 8 7 6 4 in a duplicate event, one pair must
♣ A K 7 ♣ 8 5 2 SIMULTANEOUS PAIRS sit out each round.
♠ A K 10 5 Event played in many different venues 2. In long teams matches it is common
♥ 8 7 5 3 on the same date and with identical for a team to have more pairs than
♦ K Q 3 hands nationwide or even worldwide. it requires in play at any one time,
♣ 6 4 Scoring is on the matchpoint basis typically six players for a teams
and calculated by computer. Clubs of four match. The player(s) not
upload their results to the organiser’s playing in any given stanza sit out.
South plays in 3NT without having computer so that competitors can see 3. It also means to wait to cut in to a
bid any suits. When West leads the their results. Most organisers provide game of rubber bridge.
♠Q, you, East, follow with the ♠4, a booklet with an expert commentary
your lowest card in the suit, as an on the deals so that you can see where SKIP BID
attitude signal to say that you do not you have done well and how you might This is the same as a jump bid ie a bid
like spades. Declarer plays a club to have done better. at a level higher than necessary to beat
the queen and you follow with the ♣2, Bridge Great Britain organises the current bid.
your lowest card in that suit, as a count simultaneous pairs events, as do most
signal to show an odd number of clubs. of the Home Bridge Unions and some SKIP BID WARNING
On the second round of clubs, having county associations. In general, the Sponsoring organisations may require
already given count, you play the ♣8, greater the number of participating that players give a warning before a
the higher of your remaining clubs, as clubs, the higher the number of master jump bid (skip bid) and require the
a suit-preference signal for the higher points on offer. next player to pause for a specified
red suit. period before bidding. The common
SINGLE-DUMMY PROBLEMS arrangement in duplicate in the UK is
SILENT Bridge problems presented as if in the that you prefix your bid with the stop
To keep ‘silent’ is to pass throughout position of declarer. card (if using bidding boxes) or say the
the auction. word ‘stop’ (if you are not doing so);
SINGLE RAISE the next player is then expected to wait
SILENT BIDDER A raise of partner’s denomination by for 10 seconds before bidding.
Device to permit silent bidding. It is a one level eg 1♥-Pass-2♥, 1♣-Pass-1♥-

SKIP ROUND pass 3NT or perhaps jump to 5♣. a seemingly certain losing trump
A round during a Mitchell movement trick to vanish. For this to work the
at which the East-West pairs ‘skip’, SLUFF defending hand with trump length
moving two tables instead of the usual Slang term meaning to discard a loser. must have only trumps left while his
one. The boards move as normal. The partner must have the lead and be
objective of the skip is to prevent the SMALL CARD able only to play suits in which both
East-West pairs from meeting boards In general, a card below honour rank, declarer and dummy are void.
that they have already played. sometimes denoted by an ‘x’ on a hand When his partner's lead is ruffed,
record. the defender with the trump length
SLAM faces the choice of underruffing or
A contract for twelve tricks (Small SMALL SLAM overruffing and being overruffed
Slam) or thirteen tricks (Grand Slam). To contract to make twelve tricks is to again. For example:
For bidding and making either type bid a Small Slam. Also, ‘Little Slam’.
of slam, considerable bonuses are on
offer. Slams are an exciting part of the SMITH PETER ♠ A
game and, especially at rubber bridge, Against no trumps, on the lead of ♥ —
a potentially lucrative event. Before declarer’s first suit, the defenders play ♦ 9
contracting for a slam, it is normally high or low to indicate their interest ♣ —
a good idea to establish that the in the suit led at trick one. Some play ♠ K 7 ♠ —
partnership has the playing strength that high asks for a continuation while ♥ — N ♥ J 10
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to produce at least 12 tricks as well others play that high asks for a switch ♦ — S ♦ —
as sufficient high cards or shortages and some pairs play that the opening ♣ — ♣ —
in every suit so that the opponents leader plays high to ask for a switch ♠ Q J
cannot take two fast winners. while the leader's partner plays high to ♥ —
With two balanced hands, about ask for a continuation – it is a matter ♦ —
33-34 points produces a small slam, of partnership agreement. ♣ —
37 points a grand slam. Most slams
require fewer high card points than
this because long cards or ruffs can ♠ J 3 With spades as trumps, East, on
produce extra tricks. ♥ J 10 2 lead, plays a heart. You, South, ruff
♦ Q J 10 4 2 and subject West to a ‘smother play’
SLAM CONVENTION ♣ A K J or coup. You will play dummy’s ace
An agreed bidding convention, such as ♠ A 9 7 5 4 ♠ Q 10 2 of trumps on this trick only if West
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Blackwood, for checking on controls, ♥ 8 5 W E
♥ K 9 6 4 3 overruffs with the king.
trumps or other key cards held by ♦ K 5 S ♦ 6
the partnership to investigate slam ♣ 10 9 7 6 ♣ Q 8 3 2 SNAP
possibilities. ♠ K 8 6 An acronym for Strong Notrump
♥ A Q 7 After Passing, this convention uses
SLAM DOUBLES ♦ A 9 8 7 3 the response of 1NT to an opening
If the opponents bid freely to a slam, ♣ 5 4 bid of one of a suit, made after partner
it is most unlikely that you can collect has opened third or fourth in hand, to
a lucrative penalty by doubling. If the show 8-10 points.
contract they have reached is due to South plays in 3NT. West leads the five
fail by several tricks, it is likely they of spades, covered by the jack, queen SOFT VALUES
have had a bidding misunderstanding and king. When declarer crosses to These are queens and jacks. By
and have a better spot available. If the the ace of clubs to take the diamond comparison, aces and kings are ‘hard
defender not on lead doubles a slam, it finesse, East follows with the eight of values’.
calls for an unusual lead. clubs to indicate a desire for a spade
continuation. Without the ten of SOLID
SLAM TRY spades but perhaps with the ace of 1. Describes a suit with no losers eg
A bid that takes the partnership hearts, East would follow with the two A-K-Q-J-x-x.
towards a slam but without of clubs, asking for a switch. 2. A solid contract is an unbeatable one.
committing to it. For example: If you play Smith Peters, it is usual
to play count signals at trick one and SOS REDOUBLE
West North East South show whether you like the suit via a A redouble suggesting that partner
1♣ Pass 1♦ Pass Smith signal later. choose an alternative denomination
3NT Pass 4♣ from the one that an opponent has
SMOTHER PLAY doubled.
Without slam interest, East would A rare endplay in which you can cause For example: u

t sequences are: many with set names, varying from
West North East South the simple to the complex. Here are
1♠ 2♣ Pass Pass two basic ones:
Dbl Pass Pass Rdbl Hand 1 Hand 2 Hand 3
♠ Q 9 5 3 ♠ Q 8 5 ♠ A K 8 5 2
South probably holds a fistful of cards ♥ A J 7 4 ♥ A Q 9 3 ♥ K Q 6 3 1a ♠ 9 6
in the red suits and a singleton or void ♦ A J 8 3 ♦ A K Q 8 3 ♦ 8 5 3 2 ♥ 10 2
in clubs. North should remove the ♣ 5 ♣ 5 ♣ Void ♦ A 9 7 5
redouble to 2♦ or 2♥. ♣ A K Q 7 3
♠ K Q J 8 3 ♠ 10 7 4 2
SOUTH SPLIT ♥ 8 7 4 3 N ♥ 9 6
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One of the positions at the bridge table. The way a suit divides between two ♦ 10 4 S ♦ Q J 2
hands – break is a synonymous term. ♣ 9 6 ♣ J 10 8 2
SOUTH AFRICAN TEXAS ♠ A 5
The use of 4♣ and 4♦ bids as transfers SPLITTING HONOURS ♥ A K Q J 5
to 4♥ and 4♠ respectively, either The play of an honour, from two ♦ K 8 6 3
as opening bids or in response to or more in sequence, in the second ♣ 5 4
1NT/2NT. The transfer to 4♥ via 4♣ position. For example:
suggests a stronger hand than bidding
4♥ directly. 1b ♠ —
One benefit of playing that the A J 4 ♥ —
transfer bid is two suits below the one ♦ —
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shown is that it leaves room for partner K Q 9 W E 10 8 3 2 ♣ A K Q 7 3
S
to bid the in-between suit as a slam try. ♠ J 8 3 ♠ —
Another is that partner is less likely 7 6 5 ♥ — N
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♥ —
to forget the bid is a transfer. ♦ — S ♦ Q
♣ 9 6 ♣ J 10 8 2
South leads the 5 and, if West plays the ♠ —
Hand 1 Hand 2 king or queen, he is said to ‘split his ♥ 5
♠ K Q J 8 7 4 3 2 ♠ K Q J 8 7 4 3 2 honours’. ♦ 8 6
♥ 8 3 ♥ A 10 3 ♣ 5 4
♦ 5 3 ♦ 4 SPOT CARDS
♣ 5 ♣ 6 Cards from the 2 to the 9 inclusive.
You can make 6♣, 6♦ or 6♥ without
SPREAD problem but go for a top score by
Playing South African Texas, the first 1. To place the cards of the dummy playing in 6NT. West leads the
hand would be a 4♠ opening and the face up on the table. ♠K. You duck the first spade (see
second (stronger) hand a 4♦ opening. 2. To lay one’s hand on the table in RECTIFYING THE COUNT) and
making a claim. win the continuation. You then cash
SPLINTER BID 3. This can be a term for an unbeatable the ♦A-K and play off your hearts
A jump response, at a level higher contract, as in ‘4♠ was a spread’. to reach the position in 1b). The last
than needed to create a force, showing heart catches East in a simple squeeze,
trump support, the values for SPUTNIK DOUBLE obliging him to unguard one of his
game, and a singleton or void in the This is the original name for a negative minor suits.
suit bid. doubled, so named because its launch
coincided with the launch of the
Auction 1 Auction 2 Sputnik space rocket. In the sequence 2a ♠ A K 2
West East West East 1♣-1♠-double, the double suggests ♥ 9 8 7 6
1♥ 1♦ 1♥ four hearts rather than a desire to ♦ 3 2
4♣ 4♣ penalise spades. ♣ Q J 3 2
Auction 3 ♠ 10 5 4 3 ♠ Q J 7
West East SQUEEZE ♥ J 4 3 2 N ♥ 10 5
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1♠ 2♥ Descriptive term for a variety of ♦ 5 4 S ♦ J 10 9 8
4♣ plays where you force an opponent ♣ 10 9 8 ♣ 7 6 5 4
to discard from a suit or suits that he ♠ 9 8 6
In these auctions, West’s 4♣ is a splinter, wishes to guard. The result is that you ♥ A K Q
showing the support and values to raise make a trick (sometimes more) that ♦ A K Q 7 6
to 4♥ with a shortage in clubs. seemed unlikely at the start of play. ♣ A K
Typical West hands for these There are a great many squeeze plays,

As South, you play in 7NT. West leads Stakes can vary from a few pence With the first responding hand, you
the ♣10. You have twelve top tricks per hundred in a home game to £30 have the values to raise 1NT to 3NT
and if either red suit breaks 3-3 then per hundred at the top table in one of but want to play in a 4-4 fit in a major
there will be no problem. You start by the London clubs. if one exists. You intend to raise 2♥ to
cashing two clubs and three top hearts. 4♥, 2♠ to 4♠ or to jump to 3NT over 2♦.
The heart suit fails to break kindly but STAND A DOUBLE On the second hand, you use Stayman
you give yourself an extra chance by To pass your partner’s double or to intending to pass at your next turn,
arriving in position 2b) where East has leave in a contract that an opponent confident that a suit contract will play
already discarded a club on a heart. has doubled. better than 1NT.
Responder can safely use Stayman
STAND UP on any hand with the values to bid
2b ♠ K 2 Having a card ‘stand up’ means that at least 2NT and four cards in at
♥ 9 it wins a trick. It is usual to use this least one major. Depending upon the
♦ 3 expression when defending a trump partnership methods, responder may
♣ J contract and there is doubt about also be able to use Stayman on other
♠ 10 5 4 ♠ Q J whether declarer will follow to the hand types (such as a weak hand with
♥ J N ♥ — plain suit that you are leading. both majors or a weak single-suited
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♦ 5 S ♦ J 10 9 club hand).
♣ — ♣ — STANDARD AMERICAN
♠ 9 Nebulous term for bidding methods STAYMAN IN DOUBT (SID)
♥ — commonly used in America, After a positive reply to the 2♣
♦ K Q 7 6 approximately those that Charles H. enquiry (2♥/2♠), a bid of 3♦ indicates
♣ — Goren originally laid down. a four-card fit in the bid major, values
for game but a 4-3-3-3 or 3-4-3-3 hand
STANDARD AMERICAN pattern. Partner chooses either to bid
When dummy leads the ♣J, East must YELLOW CARD four of the major or 3NT depending
discard a spade to avoid conceding A standardized version of Standard on his hand pattern. Duplication of
a trick immediately. You throw a American, published on a yellow distribution may mean that 3NT is an
diamond. When you now cash the ACBL convention card and often easier game contract despite the 4-4
♦K-Q, West must discard a spade or a used by casual partnerships in online major suit fit. This convention is not in
heart on the second diamond. Either bridge clubs. widespread use because many players
is fatal and you have squeezed both do not use Stayman at all with a 4-3-3-3
opponents. STANDARD HONOUR LEADS hand type.
The standard lead from a sequence eg
SQUEEZE WITHOUT K-Q-J is the top card and the standard STAYMAN THREE CLUBS
THE COUNT lead from an interior sequence eg K-10- The use of 3♣ in response to a 2NT
Term for a squeeze that you can 9 is the highest of the touching cards. opening bid to enquire about four-
execute even though you have to give card majors in the same way that one
up the lead after playing the squeeze STANZA might use 2♣ in response to 1NT. In
card. Secondary squeeze is another A set of boards played before scoring other words, after the 3♣ response,
name for this type of squeeze. or moving to another table. 3♥/3♠ from opener shows four cards
in that major while 3♦ denies a four-
STACKED STAYMAN CONVENTION card major.
Having the cards ‘stacked’ against one A 2♣ response to a 1NT opening
means that a single opponent holds bid, used to enquire about major-suit STEP RESPONSES
all or nearly all the crucial cards in a holdings. In reply, opener rebids: System of responses, especially to
given suit. For example, if you hold an artificial bid such as a Blackwood
A-Q-10-x-x facing x-x-x-x and there is 2♦ No four-card major 4NT enquiry, whereby you show the
K-J-9-x over the strong holding, that 2♥ Four hearts (and possibly four number of features (aces, controls,
would be a stacked suit. spades) points etc.) by steps.
2♠ Four spades
STAKES STIFF
Rubber bridge and Chicago players Colloquialism for a singleton, usually
usually play for a small amount of Hand 1 Hand 2 a high honour card, as in ‘The stiff
money, known as ‘stakes’. Although ♠ Q 8 5 3 ♠ J 8 5 2 king’.
it is a social game, the addition of ♥ A K J 4 ♥ 10 7 4 2
a stake, even of a nominal amount, ♦ 5 2 ♦ K 9 7 5 2 STOP
provides an incentive to bid and play ♣ K 10 2 ♣ Void A method of alerting opponents that a
carefully and accurately. player is about to make a jump bid. u

t Using bidding boxes, the player West is almost certain that North-
who is about to make such a jump bid ♠ 7 3 South can make a slam and so doubles
immediately precedes his bid with the ♥ K 2 4♥. If North redoubles, West retreats
‘Stop’ card. ♦ A K 2 to 4♠. The penalty in 4♠ doubled
If you are not using bidding boxes, ♣ Q 10 9 6 5 3 will certainly be less than that in 6♠
you use the words ‘Stop’ or ‘Skip bid’. ♠ K Q J 10 8 4 ♠ 6 doubled and probably cheaper than
Whichever method is used, the next ♥ J 8 N ♥ 10 9 6 5 4 3 defending 6♥.
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player should then pause for about ten ♦ 10 5 S ♦ J 9 6 4
seconds before bidding. ♣ K J 7 ♣ 8 2 STRONG JUMP OVERCALLS
♠ A 9 5 2 A single jump overcall showing a good
STOPPER (A STOP) ♥ A Q 7 six-card suit and about 15-17 HCP or a
A holding that prevents the immediate ♦ Q 8 7 3 seven-card suit and about 13-15 HCP.
run of a suit by an opponent. Certain ♣ A 4
stoppers (if held in the closed hand)
include A, K-x, Q-J-x and J-10-x-x. Hand 1 Hand 2
Certain stoppers if the holding is in As South, you play in 3NT after West ♠ A 5 ♠ 5
dummy include A, K-10-x and Q-J-x. opened 1♠. West leads top spades ♥ 7 4 ♥ 7 4
and you take your ace on the second ♦ K J 2 ♦ A J 2
STRAIN round, having seen East show out. ♣ A K J 9 4 3 ♣ A K J 8 4 3 2
A synonym for denomination, You know from the bidding that West
meaning clubs, diamonds, hearts, holds the ♣K but there is no point
spades, or no-trumps. playing on clubs as West has plenty of Either hand would be suitable for a
spade winners to cash. Instead, you try strong jump overcall of 3♣ if RHO
STRIP PLAY three rounds of diamonds and West opens one of some other suit.
To strip a player of safe exit cards, discards a club on the third round. Strong jump overcalls remain
so that when you put him on lead he You continue with three rounds of traditional at the rubber bridge table
cannot avoid conceding a trick. hearts. Reducing to only five cards, but have fallen into disfavour amongst
West cannot keep the ♣K, a club to tournament players, who generally
guard the king and enough spades to prefer weak jump overcalls, which
♠ Q 10 7 5 4 2 beat you. He is likely to throw a spade. occur more often.
♥ A 10 5 You then exit with a spade and score
♦ 8 5 two club tricks at the end. STRONG KINGS AND TENS
♣ A 4 A system of honour leads against a no-
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STRIPED-TAILED APE DOUBLE trump contract whereby the lead of a
S A double of a game (or slam) contract king or 10 suggests a strong holding,
♠ A K J 8 6 in the expectation that the opponents and the lead of an ace, queen or jack
♥ K J 6 could make a Small Slam (or Grand suggests a relatively weak holding.
♦ A 10 Slam) and in the hope that they will Ace from: AKx
♣ K 8 2 accept the apparently good score for King from: A K Q, A K J, A K 10,
making a doubled game (or slam) with K Q J, K Q 10
overtricks rather than go on to the Queen from: K Q x, K Q 9, Q J 10
As South, you play in 6♠ on a diamond higher-scoring slam. The convention Jack from: J 10 x
lead. You win and draw trumps, takes it name because the doubler flees Ten from: A J 10, A 10 9, K J 10,
stripping the opponents of safe exit like a ‘striped-tailed ape’ in the face of a K 10 9, Q 10 9
cards in spades. redouble. The doubler will need to have Nine from: 10 9 x
You next take the ace-king of clubs an escape suit, or a good fit for partner’s
and a club ruff, stripping your hands suit. The stripe-tailed ape double is STRONG NO TRUMP
of clubs, thereby making it unsafe for a a type of psychic bid. For example: An opening 1NT bid with usually 15-
defender to lead a club. When you then 17 or 16-18 points and a balanced hand.
give up a diamond, whoever wins will
have no safe exit cards and you avoid ♠ J 7 5 STRONG PASS SYSTEMS
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having to guess who has the queen of ♥ 10 7 3 W E
Systems featuring an opening pass in
hearts. ♦ J 8 6 4 S first or second position to show about
♣ 8 3 2 16+ points. Few tournaments allow
STRIP SQUEEZE these partly because of the need to
If you strip a player of safe exit cards prepare a defence to the concomitant
by running a long suit to obtain one West North East South weak opening bids and partly because
or more forced discards, this is a strip 3♠ 4♥ of their parasitic nature.
squeeze. Dbl S continued in the December issue. n

The last issue will be number 216 - December 2020.
Please call 01483 489961 for details.
by Andrew Kambites
Common Mistakes By Club

Players. Part 1.
F
or my final two articles for that you never ruff in the long hand,
BRIDGE, I have picked out ♠ A 6 4 3 but you should have a fully understood
thematic errors that I have seen ♥ 7 3 reason: maybe setting up dummy’s
repeated over and over again by club ♦ Q 9 8 long suit or embarking on a cross ruff.
players. Perhaps you will recognise ♣ 8 6 5 3 Suppose declarer had won the ♠A,
your partner (or heaven forbid, even ♠ K Q J 10 5 ♠ 9 8 7 cashed the ♥A K Q and then started
yourself) In this article I focus on card ♥ J 10 8 4 N ♥ 9 2 on diamonds. Easy.
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play, declarer and defence. ♦ 7 6 S ♦ A 5 3 Layout B features the same theme
♣ J 9 ♣ K Q 10 7 2 but is a little harder. Here are all four
Declarer Play ♠ 2 hands:
Plan the play in Layouts A and B. No ♥ A K Q 6 5
catches. All you have to do is to avoid ♦ K J 10 4 2
being too impetuous. ♣ A 4 ♠ 5
♥ 7 4 3 2
♦ K Q 6 5 4
Layout A. Layout B. Declarer won the ♠A, ruffed a spade at ♣ Q 5 4
Game All. N/S Game. trick 2 and then paused to think. Too ♠ K Q J 9 8 ♠ 10 7 6 3 2
♠ A 6 4 3 ♠ 5 late. ♥ J 10 6 N ♥ 9
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♥ 7 3 ♥ 7 4 3 2 He cashed the ♥A-K-Q and ♦ 3 2 S ♦ 10 9 8 7
♦ Q 9 8 ♦ K Q 6 5 4 discovered the 4-2 break. Next he ♣ 10 9 6 ♣ K J 8
♣ 8 6 5 3 ♣ Q 5 4 turned his attention to diamonds. ♠ A 4
East won with the ♦A and continued ♥ A K Q 8 5
N N
W E W E
spades. Declarer had to ruff and ♦ A J
S S played on diamonds but West was in ♣ A 7 3 2
control. He ruffed the third diamond
♠ 2 ♠ A 4 and cashed two spades for one down.
♥ A K Q 6 5 ♥ A K Q 8 5 What exactly did declarer think he Declarer won the ♠A and immediately
♦ K J 10 4 2 ♦ A J was achieving by ruffing a spade at ruffed a spade before planning. Again
♣ A 4 ♣ A 7 3 2 trick 2? He wasn’t generating an extra too late. He then cashed the ♥A-K-Q
trick. His fifth heart was a winner to draw trumps. Now what? He
Contract: 4♥ Contract: 7♥ anyhow. Ruffing a loser in the short continued with the ♦A-J, overtaking
Lead: ♠K Lead: ♠K trump hand before drawing trumps with the ♦K. He was able to discard
frequently gives an extra trick. Ruffing the fourth club on the ♦Q but the 4-2
in the long trump hand usually diamond break meant the contract
Here we have all four hands from achieves nothing except threatening could no longer be made, and as East
Layout A: your trump control. I am not saying had the ♣K he was two down. u

t Played correctly, 13 tricks were 2♠ is a weak two bid.
easy. Win the ♠A, cash ♥A-K-Q and ♠ Q 8 6 5 West leads the ♠9 and dummy plays
unblock ♦A-J. Only now ruff the spade ♥ 9 8 6 the ♠10. Your ♠J wins. What next?
loser and run three diamond tricks, ♦ A K 6 East correctly identified that the ♠9
discarding clubs. ♣ 9 8 7 has to be a singleton or a doubleton.
Do you see the common themes in ♠ 9 7 ♠ A J 10 3 2 (Their methods were to lead the middle
N
layouts A and B? The main theme was ♥ J 2 W E
♥ Q 4 3 card from three small, called MUD
enjoying your long suit, in each case ♦ J 4 S ♦ 10 9 8 5 2 for Middle, Up, Down). He reasoned
diamonds. Early ruffing threatened ♣ K Q J 10 4 3 2 ♣ Void that he could cash the ♠A and even
this plan. In layout A it weakened your ♠ K 4 though that would set up the ♠K as
trump control. In layout B it removed ♥ A K 10 7 5 a winner a third spade would result
a vital entry to dummy. We all make ♦ Q 7 3 in the ♠K being destroyed because
mistakes at bridge but a requirement ♣ A 6 5 partner would win the trick by ruffing.
for improvement is to recognise the However, here is the full layout:
mistakes that repeatedly occur. Bridge
players love ruffing things. In both East knows West has the ♣K-Q
layouts A and B ruffing a spade gave and cannot have much more for his ♠ K 10 4
instant gratification: an early cheap preempt but unless he has something ♥ K Q 6
trick to impress the casual onlooker. else the contract will surely make. The ♦ J 4 2
The problem is that on many hands point is that if East ruffs declarer will ♣ K 9 4 3
setting up a long suit is key. It takes certainly not follow with the ace. It is ♠ 9 5 ♠ A Q J 8 6 2
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some work and tends to bring reward definite that East is ruffing declarer’s ♥ J 9 7 2 W E ♥ Void
later in the hand. Too much early loser. However, it is not definite that it ♦ Q 9 6 5 S ♦ 10 7 3
ruffing can be counterproductive. This couldn't cost, as the full layout shows. ♣ J 8 5 ♣ Q 10 6 2
goes against the instincts of players. Declarer is likely to have two losing ♠ 7 3
On hands when ruffing losers and clubs as well as the winning ♣A. What ♥ A 10 8 5 4 3
enjoying a long suit are options, is he going to do with them? ♦ A K 8
attention to the long suit needs to be There is no obvious long suit in ♣ A 7
given priority. dummy that he can use for discards
– perhaps he can get one club away if
Defence he has Q-x of diamonds but it is very Declarer discarded his losing diamond
The love of ruffing isn’t unique to unlikely he can get rid of two. If East on the third spade and West had to use
declarer. Plan your defence on the allows the ♣A to win trick 1, declarer a winning trump trick to neutralise
following hand. Partner leads the ♣K will in the fullness of time lose a spade, dummy’s ♠K. Contract made.
(denying the ♣A but promising the two clubs and a trump. Once again the What is the hurry? Declarer has
♣Q). instant thrill of a cheap ruff early in losing spades. They are going nowhere.
the hand bites you in the latter stages There is no long suit in dummy which
of card play. would allow spade discards. Was it
Layout C. Don't jeopardise a possible trump so unlikely that West had a winning
Love All. trick by trumping declarer's loser. trump? Admittedly dummy’s trumps
♠ Q 8 6 5 Here is another common theme: are strong but East’s trump void
♥ 9 8 6 does suggest the possibility that
♦ A K 6 partner has a natural trump winner.
♣ 9 8 7 Layout D. Of course there are times when it
♠ A J 10 3 2 Game All. would be correct for West to aim for
N

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♥ Q 4 3 ♠ K 10 4 a trump promotion in this way but
S ♦ 10 9 8 5 2 ♥ K Q 6 normally one of the following two
♣ Void ♦ J 4 2 criteria needs to be satisfied.
♣ K 9 4 3
To support Little Voice, send your
♠ A Q J 8 6 2
used stamps to:
West North East South N ♥ Void
W E Malcolm Finebaum
3♣ Pass Pass 3♥ S ♦ 10 7 3
Flat 8 Mountford House
Pass 4♥ End ♣ Q 10 6 2
8 Crescent Road
Enfield EN2 7BL
I suppose my last sentence gives the Little Voice work with an impoverished urban
game away. East ruffed, reasoning that West North East South community in Addis Ababa to support the economic
it couldn’t cost as surely declarer would 2♠ 3♥ development of women, to provide primary
know he had the ♥Q and would finesse Pass 4♥ End education and vocational opportunities to youth.
www.littlevoicefoundation.org
it. Wrong. Here is Layout C in full:

1) Dummy has a long suit that West North East South West North East South
suggests that if you do not take your 1♠ 2♥ 1♥
winners you might never make them. Pass 4♥ All Pass Pass 2♦ Pass 2♥
For example, Layout E: Pass 4NT Pass 5♥
After taking the ♠J, East cashes the Pass 6♥ All Pass
♦A. At this point it is perfectly safe to
Layout E. cash the ♠A and lead a third spade. When this hand was played East
E/W Game. Declarer has to ruff, otherwise West’s dithered, and decided he would
♠ K 10 4 ruff is the decisive fourth defensive keep his winning trump. Declarer
♥ K Q 7 trick. Indeed South has to ruff with discarded the ♠2 and called for the
♦ K Q J 10 the ♥A, which promotes West’s ♥J-9-6 ♦J. East finally woke to the fact that
♣ K J 4 into a winner. the problem would not go away. If he
♠ 9 ♠ A Q J 8 6 2 allowed the ♦J to win a fifth diamond
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♥ J 9 8 W E
♥ Void Think twice about putting a possible would follow and all declarer’s spades
♦ A 6 5 4 2 S ♦ 9 7 3 trump trick at risk by trumping would disappear so he ruffed in. Too
♣ 9 8 7 5 ♣ 10 6 3 2 declarer's loser or forcing your late again. Declarer discarded the ♠J
♠ 7 5 3 partner to do likewise. and claimed.
♥ A 10 6 5 4 3 2 Aiming for a trump promotion is East’s excuse was irrational. ‘How
♦ 8 usually a good tactic when you have did I know that partner had underled
♣ A Q reason to believe declarer has no side the ♠Q? Of course he didn’t but if
suit loser. declarer had started with ♠A Q there
When dummy has a long suit was no hope of beating the contract. A
West North East South with entries that make it likely that better response would be: ‘Well done
2♠ 3♥ declarer can discard losers in other partner for finding the only lead to
Pass 4♥ All Pass side suits you need to hurry to cash beat the contract.’
your winners. Here is the full deal.
West leads the ♠9. East wins the ♠J
and considers. Dummy is strong and Layouts E and F are about using
the minor suits in dummy suggest trumps to trump declarer’s potential ♠ 9 3
that given time declarer will be able losers. Trumping declarer’s winners is ♥ K 5 3
to discard losing spades. It is probably another matter. ♦ A K J 8 7
best to continue by cashing the ♠A In Layout G West leads the ♠6 and ♣ A K Q
and giving West a ruff. After that West East’s ♠K forces out declarer’s ♠A. ♠ Q 10 7 6 4 ♠ K 8 5
can cash his ♦A to beat the contract. Declarer cashes three top trumps ♥ 4 N ♥ J 10 9 2
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Or and discovers the 4-1 break. He then ♦ 10 5 4 2 S ♦ 6 3
2) You have good reason to believe cashes the ♦Q, enters dummy with the ♣ 7 5 2 ♣ 9 6 4 3
that declarer has no further side suit ♦A and continues with the ♦K. ♠ A J 2
loser that can be discarded on the ♥ A Q 8 7 6
winner you have set up. For example, ♦ Q 9
Layout F. Layout G ♣ J 10 8
West leads the ♠9 to East’s ♠J. How N/S Game.
should East continue? ♠ 9 3
♥ K 5 3 There is usually no point in clinging
♦ A K J 8 7 on to a trump winner rather than
Layout F. ♣ A K Q trumping declarer’s winners if
Love All. ♠ K 8 5 you will continue to face the same
♠ K 10 4 N ♥ J 10 9 2 predicament. u
W E
♥ K Q 6 S ♦ 6 3
♦ J 10 2 ♣ 9 6 4 3
♣ K Q 4 3
♠ 9 5 ♠ A Q J 8 6 2
N
♥ J 9 7 W E ♥ Void
♦ Q 9 8 6 5 4 S
♣ 9 8
♠ 7 3
♦ A 7 3
♣ 7 6 5 2 BRIDGE is ceasing publication.
♥ A 10 8 5 4 3 2 The last issue will be number 216 - December 2020.
♦ K
♣ A J 10


t
Planning the next trick ♠ Q 10 7 Layout J.
In Layout H you hit upon the best lead ♥ J 4 Game All.
of a trump against your opponents’ ♦ A K 4 3 ♠ 10 3
4♠. Declarer wins the trick in dummy ♣ K 7 4 3 ♥ A K J
with the ♠Q and leads a low heart. ♠ 8 4 ♠ 6 3 2 ♦ K J 5 2
N
East wins the ♥K and continues with ♥ Q 7 5 W E
♥ A K 9 8 6 ♣ K J 10 2
a second trump. Declarer takes the ♦ J 9 8 5 S ♦ 10 2 ♠ 8 4 2
♠K in his hand and leads a low heart. ♣ A J 10 5 ♣ 9 8 6 N ♥ 8 7 6 5 2
W E
What is your plan? ♠ A K J 9 5 S ♦ 4 3
♥ 10 3 2 ♣ A 6 5
♦ Q 7 6
Layout H. ♣ Q 2
Love All. West North East South
♠ Q 10 7 1NT
♥ J 4 When a defender has a choice as to Pass 3NT All Pass
♦ A K 4 3 whether to win a trick or allow his
♣ K 7 4 3 partner to win it, he should decide if West leads the ♠Q, taken by declarer’s
♠ 8 4 either of them needs to be on lead to ♠A. Declarer continues with a club to
♥ Q 7 5 N
the next trick and act accordingly. dummy’s ♣J. How should East defend?
W E
♦ J 9 8 5 S Here is the full deal:
♣ A J 10 5 Fourth hand in play
Beginners love to win tricks. They
are then taught that winning early ♠ 10 3
West North East South tricks can lead to the inevitable ♥ A K J
1♠ loss of later tricks. They learn that ♦ K J 5 2
Pass 2♣ Pass 2♠ taking a finesse might lose but there ♣ K J 10 2
Pass 4♠ All Pass is usually a 50% chance it will win. ♠ Q J 9 7 6 5 ♠ 8 4 2
They learn that allowing declarer to ♥ 9 3 N ♥ 8 7 6 5 2
W E
When this hand was played, West win a trick can lead to destroying his ♦ A 8 7 S ♦ 4 3
grabbed the ♥Q and then thought communications. All well and good ♣ 9 8 ♣ A 6 5
what to do next. Irrespective of the but the reality is that defenders often ♠ A K
layout, this is poor defence. Look at have the view that ducking a trick ♥ Q 10 4
the evidence here. that could be won is mystical. This ♦ Q 10 9 6
Partner clearly has the ♥A as well leads to random ducking, defenders ♣ Q 7 4 3
as the ♥K because East would have withholding an ace and then never
no reason to rise with an unsupported making it.
king second in hand. Declarer must I don’t intend to disrupt all you have A beginner would get this right. Win
have virtually everything else to learned so I will begin by reinforcing with the ♣A and return a spade.
justify his opening bid. So it should established guidelines. Despite his high point count declarer
be clear to West that he has the choice Normally in defence, to put it simply: can take only eight tricks before he has
of winning the second heart trick or to let West in with the ♦A. West cashes
allowing partner to do so. Declarer Second hand plays low. spades for one down. A defender who
is clearly aiming for a heart ruff in This is because your partner will would regard himself as a good club
dummy. Thanks to West’s opening often have a chance to win the trick. player decided to withhold the ♣A
lead the defence is able to stop this. Third hand plays high. without any particular reason. That
The key is that West doesn’t have a That is because partner will not have was all declarer needed. Declarer
third trump. Hopefully East has got a another chance to win the trick so abandoned clubs and turned his
trump left. West should allow East to you need to stake a claim. attention to diamonds for nine easy
win the ♥A and persevere with his last tricks.
trump. Of course there are lots of exceptions I often see declarers and defenders
Then, provided the defenders to these, which are not the purpose of duck a trick fourth in hand. When I ask
discard carefully, declarer will lose this article. the players involved why they ducked,
three hearts and the ♣A. I want to concentrate on the position I often hear the answer: ‘I didn’t know
Here is the full deal: fourth in hand, whether you are whether to win or duck.’ That is not a
declarer or defender. You are the last good answer. Sometimes it is right to
player to play to a trick. Do you win duck, but you should have a reason to
or duck? do so. The default in fourth position
Look at Layout J: is to win a trick. n

BERNARD Answers to Sally Brock’s
MAGEE’S
INTERACTIVE
Simple Doubles
TUTORIAL CD Part 5 Quiz, on page 15
DECLARER What do you bid on the following hands with the auction given? The vulnerability
PLAY and scoring method should not affect your answers.
might make when you can

make game yourself. Jump to
Hand 1 Hand 2
3♠ to show partner a decent
♠ A K Q J 10 4 ♠ K J 3 2
hand with a strong spade suit
♥ A 4 3 ♥ A 5 4 and leave the rest up to him.
♦ 6 5 ♦ A 4 3 Hand 4 Bid 2NT. This may seem
MAC ♣ 7 6 ♣ K 4 3 a bit strange, but if you
or Windows think about it, if you had a
balanced hand you would
West North East South pass the double, which
means 2NT cannot be
1NT* ?
natural. So what does 2NT
* 12-14 mean? It is an artificial bid
showing a decent hand with
Hand 1 Double. Although you have two suits. Partner should bid
only 14 HCP, you have seven his 3-card or longer suits
tricks to take against 1NT. up-the-line. Whatever he bids
Hopefully they will pass out you will bid 3♠ next showing
Bernard develops your the double, but even if they your 5-card major and hope
declarer play technique in don’t you can bid 2♠ on to land in a decent spot.
the next round and show
the course of ten
partner you have a good
introductory exercises and hand with a spade suit.
120 complete deals. Hand 2 Pass. Although this hand has Hand 5 Hand 6
15 HCP I don’t much fancy ♠ 5 ♠ K J 10 4
l Suit Establishment it for a double. Although
♥ K J 10 3 ♥ 7 6 2
in No-trumps 1NT could easily go down,
I will probably find the ♦ Q 5 4 2 ♦ Q 3 2
l Suit Establishment ♣ K 7 6 2 ♣ 6 5 2
wrong opening lead.
in Suits
l Hold-ups
l Ruffing for
£76 Hand 3 Hand 4 West North East South
£56
♠ K Q 10 9 4 3 ♠ K 10 9 5 4 1NT* Dbl 2♠ ?
Extra Tricks
♥ K 3 2 ♥ 6 * 12-14
l Entries in ♦ 2 ♦ 7
No-trumps ♣ 5 4 2 ♣ A J 10 6 3 2 Hand 5 Double. They have removed
l Delaying Drawing Trumps to a major, not a minor,
and this we take more
l Using the Lead seriously. Pass would not be
West North East South
l Trump Control forcing by you, so you need
1NT* Dbl Pass ? to double for take-out.
l Endplays & Avoidance * 12-14 Hand 6 Pass. You would like to make
l Using the Bidding a penalty double, but in the
Hand 3 Bid 3♠. You have a good methods I have described
Operating system requirements:
Windows or Mac OS 10.08 -10.14
hand and if you knew partner that is not what your double
would lead a spade you would mean. Best is to pass
would pass, but your ‘idiot’ in tempo and hope partner
Mr Bridge Limited over there would probably makes a take-out double,
lead a diamond and 1NT which you will pass.
( 01483 489961
mrbridge.co.uk/shop

Catching Up
with Sally Brock
I
t has been quiet without the children. I’ve been over to Toby’s new place – actually we met at IKEA and filled the car with
various purchases. It looks very suitable for him and I feel as if he has properly joined the real world. Although I will miss
him, it’s definitely a good thing. Briony texts/rings me regularly from Mombasa. She has met another couple of girls she is
spending a lot of time with and generally seems happy, although quite irritated by small aspects of the organisation. It seems
they promised many things that they were never going to be able to deliver. It’s just important that she doesn’t let small things
spoil her trip.
Otherwise, life continues in a rather boring fashion. Without the children here, Barry comes to me more than I go to him
as my flat is bigger. I’m not sure that is totally a good thing as one of his pleasures in life was to think up menus and cook for
me. I still have several clients who keep me occupied and we play a fair amount of online social bridge with friends.
We have booked a week’s holiday in northern Italy, on Lake Maggiore, staying in an air bnb in Stresa. I can’t wait – so
looking forward to it. Let’s hope nothing crops up to stop it happening. I’ll tell you all about it in the next issue. n
Seven Days
by Sally Brock
The bidding is: then give up a trump, East continues
MONDAY trumps so that when she gets in with
We had a dinner party last night so West North East South the ♣K she can force me with a spade.
there is plenty of clearing up to do. Not Pass Pass 1♥ Oh well, I still enjoyed the deal.
a coincidence that my cleaner comes 1♠ 2♥ Pass 3♦ Immediately after this, I have a
on a Monday, so I manage to avoid Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥ session with Debbie and Kath. This is
most of it. In the morning I have my Pass Pass Dbl Rdbl a regular weekly occurrence, though
weekly session with Jovi – this week it All Pass sometimes just with Debbie. She
is with Gilly from Cardiff and Diane has just come back from a holiday in
from Belfast. Although Covid-19 is I only redouble for the hell of it. Tuscany; as we are going to Italy next
stopping a lot of the bridge we are Luckily for me it causes West to lead week, I am interested to hear about her
used to, it is opening up other avenues. the ♠A – something I need in order experience – which was very positive.
There is no way that we would play to have any chance. I win the spade In the evening our team play in
all this social bridge otherwise. I am continuation and immediately err the Lockdown League, but without
lucky with this deal: by playing a top trump. I then play us. We are not allowed to watch the
three rounds of diamonds, losing to match but join in the post mortem.
West’s queen. A fourth round of the The match is drawn – leaving us in the
Dealer North. Game All. suit would have led to East overruffing same mediocre position we generally
♠ 8 3 dummy and then she can get off lead seem to occupy in this event. I spend
♥ 9 4 2 with a trump and would have to come the rest of the evening catching up on
♦ K 5 3 to a club at some stage. But West errs Casualty.
♣ Q 7 6 5 4 here and switches to a club so when I
♠ A Q 7 5 4
♥ Void
N
♠ J 9 6 2
♥ J8765
get that suit right I am home.
To make it for sure after the ♠A lead TUESDAY
♦ Q 8 4 2 S
W E
♦ J 6 and continuation I have to play a low In the morning I give a free taster
♣ J 9 8 3 ♣ K 2 trump to the nine immediately. East session to Richard and Penny. It seems
♠ K 10 wins and continues trumps. Then I to go well and I hope it will lead to
♥ A K Q 10 3 play the ♣A and a low club, ducking some paid work. Anyone interested in
♦ A 10 9 7 to East’s king. All she can do is exit online coaching can contact me for a
♣ A 10 with a heart, after which I play the rest free half-hour taster session:
of the trumps, squeezing West in the [email protected]
minors. If I play a high trump first, and Continued on page 42 ... u

Answers to Julian Pottage’s
Defence Quiz on page 17
West North East South have raised. On the bidding you place
1. ♠ A 5 4 Pass declarer with five clubs and four hearts,
♥ Q 7 Pass 1♦ 1NT 2NT1 which leaves a singleton diamond. You
♦ A Q J 7 3 Pass 3♦ Pass 3♠ hope to make a trump trick either by
♣ 5 4 2 Pass 4♠ All Pass force if partner has the ♥J or if declarer
♠ 9 3 ♠ 10 8 7 1
Two-suited hand (5-5+) has the ♥J but finesses. You can also see
N
♥ A 9 4 2 ♥ K 10 8 6 that a couple of ruffs will set up dummy’s
W E
♦ 9 6 2 S ♦ 8 5 You lead the ♥4: ♥A, ♥10 and ♥5. After diamond suit. Can you do anything to
♣ A 10 8 7 ♣ Q J 9 6 the ♣Q lead from dummy, partner wins stop it from running? Yes, you can. You
♠ K Q J 6 2 with the ♣A and returns the ♥3, covered can take your second spade trick and
♥ J 5 3 by the ♥6. What is your plan? continue with the ♠J, forcing dummy to
♦ K 10 4 How do you read the heart position? ruff. Eventually your side makes a trump
♣ K 3 Since your ♥J is about to win, partner and one more trick.
must have the ♥K-Q left. This means
that a third heart would give a ruff and
West North East South discard. It also means that your partner 4. ♠ 6 5 3
Pass 1♠ was keen to have you on lead. You can ♥ K 6
Pass 2♦ Pass 2♠ work out not to try for a club ruff. Declarer ♦ A 9 6 5
Pass 4♠ All Pass has shown two hearts and promised five ♣ A K 8 5
spades, so cannot have seven clubs. ♠ Q 10 4 ♠ 9
N
You should switch to a diamond, aiming ♥ 2
W E
♥ A Q J 8 7 4 3
You lead the ♥A: ♥7, ♥10 and ♥J. What to weaken declarer’s trumps. Best is to ♦ K J 2 S ♦ 8 7 4
is your plan? lead the ♦Q. Partner will force declarer ♣ J 10 9 6 4 2 ♣ 7 3
You should read the ♥10 as an to ruff a second time after getting in with ♠ A K J 8 7 2
encouraging signal, no doubt signifying the ♠K, which will beat the contract. ♥ 10 9 5
possession of the ♥K. You should not ♦ Q 10 3
allow declarer’s ♥J to deflect you. It is ♣ Q
unlikely that the hearts are 6-1 between 3. ♠ Q 2
the other two hands, especially if you ♥ K 6 4 2
play weak two openings, because ♦ A 10 9 8 6 3 2 West North East South
partner passed as dealer. With the weak ♣ Void 1NT 3♥1 4♠
clubs in dummy, you expect a club switch ♠ A K J 7 4 ♠ 9 5 3 All Pass
N
next whatever heart you lead at trick two, ♥ Q 8 ♥ J 10 5 1
Pre-emptive
W E
though you might as well lead the low ♥2 ♦ K 7 5 S ♦ Q 4
to ask for the low-ranking club suit. This ♣ Q 7 5 ♣ J 9 6 4 2 You lead the ♥2: ♥K, ♥A and ♥5. Partner
way your side take the first four tricks. ♠ 10 8 6 continues with the ♥J, on which declarer
♥ A 9 7 3 plays the ♥9. What is your plan?
♦ J You need to focus on the fact that
2. ♠ A 6 5 3 ♣ A K 10 8 3 partner can see those three tiny trumps
♥ A 9 in dummy. If you do nothing special,
♦ K 7 6 5 3 2 you can be sure a third round of hearts
♣ Q West North East South is coming. If you had almost any trump
♠ Void ♠ K 8 4 2 1♣ holding other than Q-x-x, you would be
♥ J 8 7 4 2 N ♥ K Q 10 3 1♠ 2♦ Pass 2♥ glad of the chance to ruff. As it is, you
W E
♦ Q 10 8 4 S ♦ A J 9 Pass 4♥ All Pass want a diamond switch. Playing standard
♣ 8 7 6 3 ♣ A 2 signals you cannot ask for a diamond
♠ Q J 10 9 7 You lead the ♠K (asking for a count directly. The best you can do is discard
♥ 6 5 signal): ♠2, ♠3 and ♠6. What is your the ♣J. This denies the ♣Q and should
♦ Void plan? act as a wake-up call. A diamond switch
♣ K J 10 9 5 4 You start by reading the missing spades through declarer while the clubs are
as 3-3. Partner cannot have five and not blocked beats the contract. n

t ... Continued from page 40.
heart, discard a spade on a club, come League match – this time playing with
Then I meet Debbie for lunch and to to a spade, ruff the last heart loser and David Burn. We personally struggle
deliver one of my wall hangings (I play a diamond – I was always playing a bit early on but get a couple of good
have written before about the mosaic the ♦A and another diamond but in swings at the end so that, helped by a
patchworks of pets I have been working the event the ♦Q shows up and again very good card by our team-mates, we
on). In the afternoon I get home for a life is easy. win by 26 IMPs. Things went well on
coaching session with Andy, and then this deal:
a bit of work before a social session
with Frances and Graham. WEDNESDAY
I’ve been feeling a bit bored – not Dealer South. Love All.
enough to do. One of the problems ♠ A Q 7
Dealer East. Game All. with making things is that you need ♥ J 6
♠ 9 6 5 3 an outlet for whatever it is you make. ♦ Q 6 4
♥ Void You don’t necessarily need to sell ♣ A Q 10 8 3
♦ J 8 4 3 your product but you do need willing ♠ 8 ♠ J 6 5 4 3
N
♣ K Q J 10 7 people to take them off your hands. I ♥ K Q 8 4 2
W E
♥ 10 3
♠ 8 7 2 ♠ Q 10 4 think my wall hangings are terrific but ♦ 8 7 2 S ♦ A K 9 5
♥ A Q 7 4 N ♥ J 10 6 5 2 I’ve made them already for my family ♣ 9 7 5 2 ♣ K 6
W E
♦ K 6 5 S ♦ Q and close friends who have pets. As is ♠ K 10 9 2
♣ 6 4 3 ♣ 9 8 5 2 often the case with handmade goods, ♥ A 9 7 5
♠ A K J no-one wants to buy them at a cost ♦ J 10 3
♥ K 9 8 3 that is even vaguely viable for me ♣ J 4
♦ A 10 9 7 2 (£500 or so). So I have to come up with
♣ A something else and I am now focused
on using all my scraps of fabric to What would you bid with that South
make rag rugs. I do some research and hand after West opens 2♥, showing
This is a pleasing slam deal from that order a book and a starter kit. I don’t five hearts plus a 4-card minor, and
game: suppose anyone will really want these your partner doubles? Our opponent
either but at least it’s a change. goes for an invitational 3♠. So this is
West North East South I have also decided to do some the auction:
Pass 1♦ volunteering – not that this is as easy
Pass 2♦ Pass 3NT as you might think. I have registered to West North East South
Pass 4♣ Pass 4♦ be a driver for a charity that provides Pass
Pass 4♥ Pass 4♠ meals and also something to do with 2♥ Dbl Pass 3♠
Pass 6♦ All Pass the Brompton Cemetery (but unclear All Pass
when/if they will ever need me). Today
Barry does rather well here. His first I wander along the High Street and I lead a club; partner wins, tries a top
problem is his initial response. He has offer my services to the Oxfam shop. diamond and switches to a heart, won
to decide whether to bid 1♠, or raise They seem keen but I have to fill in a by declarer. She then plays the ♠A and
diamonds. He hates bidding poor suits long form and need references. ♠Q and is not happy to see me show
if he can avoid it, so he goes for the At six o’clock Barry and I play in out. It is all fairly hopleess from here
diamond raise. We don’t play inverted the Lockdown League. Generally we and she drifts two down.
raises in diamonds, so he has to choose are pretty mediocre in this but today In the other room my hand passes
between a simple raise (which is often we have a good set (or rather our and North opens a strong no-trump,
only 3-card support), a pre-emptive opponents don’t and we sit back and East bids 2♠ showing spades and a
raise of 3♦, or 3♣ which is a limit raise collect everything thrown our way) minor and South goes straight to 3NT.
in diamonds (nothing about clubs). It and win by 34 IMPs. Immediately
can work well to underbid on the first after this I have a Young Chelsea Super Continued on page 44 ... u
round as then you can bid a lot later, so
BRIDGE
he decides to take the low road. I rebid
a natural 3NT (which he knows will
be a very good hand), so he proceeds
with 4♣. I have no real idea what is
is ceasing publication.
going on, so bid 4♦ for the time being.
A couple of cue-bids follow and he
leaps to the slam – which is a pretty
good contract. In the event West leads The last issue will be number 216 - December 2020.
the ♥A which does not cause me any Please call 01483 489961 for details.
trouble. I soon unblock the ♣A, ruff a

Answers to David Huggett’s
Play Quiz on page 16
You are declarer in 3NT and West leads to pieces. Instead simply play off the two
1. ♠ 8 5 4 3 the ♠J. How do you plan the play? top trumps before attempting to knock
♥ K 9 8 3 With seven top tricks the obvious place out the club ace. You can now accept a
♦ Q 3 to look for more is the club suit, but diamond force and carry on playing the
♣ K 10 5 should you just take the club finesse at club suit, letting the defenders make their
♠ Q J 10 9 6 ♠ 7 2 trick two? It would be poor play for East remaining trumps.
N
♥ Q J 7 5 W E
♥ 10 6 4 to win the trick even if he does hold the On a normal trump split, they will
♦ A J S ♦ 10 9 7 6 5 king and if you repeat the finesse and make two trumps and the ace of clubs
♣ 7 4 ♣ Q 8 3 it loses then dummy is cut off. Instead but no more.
♠ A K duck a diamond at trick two, win the
♥ A 2 probable heart switch and then play the
♦ K 8 4 2 ♣Q. Although this is likely to win, you 4. ♠ 6
♣ A J 9 6 2 can next play ace and another diamond; ♥ A Q 3
if they are 3-3 then you do not need ♦ K J 8 6 5 4 3
to rely on bringing in the club suit. If ♣ 10 4
You are in 3NT after West opened 1♠ diamonds break 4-2 then you have to ♠ K 9 7 5 ♠ J 10 4 3 2
N
and East passed. West leads the ♠Q. rely on the club finesse. It is better to ♥ 8 4 W E ♥ J 10 9 5
How do you plan the play? duck the diamond before playing on ♦ Q 10 9 S ♦ 2
As there are only thirteen points clubs because if you do it the other way ♣ K Q 9 3 ♣ A 7 6
missing it is tempting to think West has around a devious West might win the ♠ A Q 8
them all and run the ♣9 from hand in diamond and play a club, forcing you to ♥ K 7 6 2
an attempt to win all five clubs. But if make a premature decision. ♦ A 7
East is able to win the ♣Q he will return ♣ J 8 5 2
a second spade most likely and you will
be in trouble. You can cash your winning 3. ♠ 9 7
clubs but if the opposition defends ♥ A 8 7 5 2 You are declarer in 3NT after your
sensibly you will be unable to come to ♦ A 8 6 4 opening 1NT is raised to game. West
more than eight tricks. Although it would ♣ Q 2 leads the ♣K and follows with a low club
be unlucky to find the ♣Q with East he ♠ Q 6 5 4 ♠ 3 2 to his partner’s ace and East returns the
certainly will not have the ♦A. At trick two ♥ J 6 N ♥ Q 10 9 4 suit. After cashing the first four club tricks
W E
you should play a diamond towards the ♦ Q J 10 9 S ♦ K 7 5 3 West switches to the ♥8. How do you
queen. If it holds you can run the ♣10 ♣ A 8 3 ♣ 7 5 4 plan the play?
from dummy not caring whether it loses. ♠ A K J 10 8 Clearly this contract is only going to
If instead West rises with the ♦A to play ♥ K 3 make if you can bring in the diamond suit
another spade you simply finesse clubs ♦ 2 without loss and while it might be right
into the East hand. ♣ K J 10 9 6 just to play the top two cards in the suit it
would be better to hunt around for clues;
these might persuade you to play the
2. ♠ 6 4 You are declarer in 4♠. West leads the diamonds in a different manner. If you
♥ 5 3 2 ♦Q. How do you plan the play? play the hearts first you might find that
♦ 7 5 3 With a slam not being unreasonable West shows out on the third round which
♣ A J 10 9 3 you have to be careful not to misplay the means that if diamonds are 2-2 then
♠ J 10 9 7 5 ♠ 8 2 game contract. Suppose you win the first West started with a 5-2-2-4 shape. But
♥ 9 6 4 N ♥ Q J 10 8 trick in dummy and immediately take a then why would he have led a club rather
W E
♦ K 10 4 S ♦ Q J 9 losing spade finesse. Another diamond than a spade especially when there was
♣ 8 2 ♣ K 7 6 5 will force you to ruff and then if trumps no major suit enquiry in the bidding?
♠ A K Q 3 are not 3-3 you will be in deep trouble. More likely in this case West has three
♥ A K 7 If you leave one trump outstanding and diamonds, which means you should cash
♦ A 8 6 2 knock out the club ace, the opponents will the ace and then boldly finesse against
♣ Q 4 merely force you again and the hand falls the queen. n

t ... Continued from page 42.
East starts with a top diamond Dealer East. N/S Game.
FRIDAY
and, rather strangely, switches to ♠ A J 4 3 After my usual morning routine, I
the ♣K. Declarer has no problem in ♥ 4 go in the car to Tesco to buy food for
making eleven tricks. A heart switch ♦ A 10 9 8 2 the weekend (unusual for me to go
at trick two would have given declarer ♣ A Q 2 to an actual supermarket rather than
insuperable problems, as she would ♠ 9 8 ♠ K 7 6 5 use Ocado). I get home and dash up
N
not have been able to avoid losing four ♥ J 7 ♥ K Q 10 9 the High Street to deliver my Oxfam
W E
red-suit tricks along with the ♣K. ♦ J 5 4 S ♦ K Q 3 form and to get a new watch battery.
♣ J 10 7 5 4 3 ♣ 9 6 Then it is back home for a quick Zoom
THURSDAY

♠ Q 10 2
♥ A 8 6 5 3 2
meeting with my old school friends.
We have a meeting at 11.30 every
A quiet morning, followed by 12 ♦ 7 6 Friday – we don’t all go every week, or
boards with Margaret in the Fast Pairs ♣ K 8 stay for the whole time, but it is good
on BBO. I have rarely contributed to know it is happening so we can
so little to a 12-board session. She hook up whenever we want to. There
declares on five boards to my one and I West North East South are number of social interactions
barely have a bid. That’s probably why 1NT Pass that we enjoy much more frequently
the following deal goes to my head: 2♠ Dbl Pass 3♠ than before Covid. After that I go to
Pass 4♠ All Pass Margaret’s for lunch.
We sit on her balcony and put
Dealer South. Game All. My 1NT opening is 12–14, and Barry’s the world to rights while enjoying
♠ J 2 2♠ shows clubs, any strength. Paul as a chicken curry (she has recently
♥ A Q North doubles to show spades – while become allergic to tomatoes, which
♦ Q 8 he would normally have a 5-card suit rather restricts her options when
♣ K J 9 8 7 6 2 for this action he hopes that what he ordering Indian food). I dash home
♠ Q 8 4 ♠ K 10 5 3 lacks in spade length he makes up for just in time for the first Lockdown
♥ J 7 5 N ♥ K 9 8 4 in strength. Also, he knows that on the League of the day at 16.30.
W E
♦ K 10 7 5 4 2 S ♦ 9 6 3 next round he would have a problem On this deal I do not do as well as
♣ A ♣ 5 4 bidding over 3♣ because of his heart my counterpart in the other room,
♠ A 9 7 6 shortage. Claire is happy to raise but manage to get away with it. Our
♥ 10 6 3 2 spades and Paul presses on to game. opponents are playing Precision,
♦ A J According to Deep Finesse there are hence North’s strange looking choice
♣ Q 10 3 ten tricks on any lead. In practice, of opening bid.
Barry leads a heart which does not Decide what you would do before
give declarer any problems. I guess a reading on:
West North East South spade lead might have made it harder
Pass but with diamonds breaking 3-3 it is
Pass 3♣ Pass 3NT difficult to see how we might beat it. Continued on page 46 ... u
All Pass
Despite having such poor hands,

I resist the temptation of opening Mr Bridge 2021
my South hand a weak no-trump.
However, when partner opens 3♣,
vulnerable, in third seat, I have to bid
diaries

game – she should have a decent hand Only £14.95 each
vulnerable and A-K-x-x-x-x-x would be
enough to give 3NT a good chance. I or 10 for £55 & pro rata.
am rewarded with a very good dummy
and make an easy ten tricks on a With a ball-point pen
diamond lead.
Later on, Fiona and I have one
and soft Kidrell cover in a
of our regular sessions practising choice of colours; navy blue,
against Heather and Maggie. That’s
always good fun. Then, after a quickly ruby red or bottle green.
prepared supper, Barry and I play
against Paul and Claire. They do rather ( 01483 489961
well against us on this early deal:

The last issue will be number 216 - December 2020.
Answers to Bernard Magee’s
Bidding Quizzes 1-3
on page 5
1. Dealer East. E/W Game. 2. Dealer North. Love All. 3. Dealer North. Love All.
♠ K 4 2 ♠ A 7 3 ♠ A ♠ K Q 8 7 6 ♠ J 7 6 5 4 3 ♠ A 9
N N
♥ 9 7 2 W E
♥ QJ6 ♥ 9 6 5 3 N ♥ 7 ♥ 9 6 5 3 ♥ A 2
W E W E
♦ A 4 3 S ♦ K Q J 2 ♦ K Q 9 8 7 S ♦ 6 2 ♦ K 7 S ♦ 6 2
♣ K 8 7 6 ♣ A 9 2 ♣ 10 5 2 ♣ A K Q J 3 ♣ 2 ♣ A K Q J 8 7 6

West North East South West North East South West North East South
1♦ 2♦* 3♥ 4♥* Pass 1♦ 3♦* Pass
? ? ?
* Michaels – showing both majors * you alert partner’s bid * you alert partner’s bid
Dbl. You cannot choose the conventions 5♣. Your partner has bid the opponents’ 3NT. What on earth does partner’s jump
your opponents play and they have suit – he cannot want to play in hearts cue bid mean?
chosen to play the Michaels Cuebid. because North has seven of them. What It is quite an unusual bid this one, but
This utilises a bid of the opener’s suit to are you expecting from him? it is certainly not natural, so once again
show a two-suited hand; in this situation Generally, a cuebid directly over a you alert it.
it shows both majors and should be at pre-emptive opening shows a big two- If asked what it means, the response
least 5-5 in shape. suited hand – it is game-forcing and will probably be: ‘we have no
How does this affect your bidding? means partner expects to have a chance partnership agreement’ – it is important
With this hand you are not tremendous- of making game in one of his two suits. to understand this response – you only
ly excited – the shape is awful, in contrast Here, since partner would bid 4NT with tell your opponents your agreements
to South. However, although your shape both minors, he must have spades and – you might be in the dark as much as
is bad, you do hold 10 high card points. a minor. your opponents if you have not discussed
What is important is to get across to your Your job is to bid the lowest suit that it with partner – you have to use your
partner that you have some strength. To you are comfortable with as trumps. bridge knowledge to guess the meaning
do this, you use the extra call that has Clearly spades are no good, but clubs of the bid.
been offered to you – double. Doubling would be fine (you expect a minimum of A jump cuebid at the start of the
a two-suited bid like this generally shows five from partner), so you bid 5♣. auction is generally used to demand that
strength and gives partner permission to Note that if partner did not have clubs partner bid 3NT if he has a stopper in the
bid on or double the opponents. he would continue with 5♦ and we would opponents’ suit.
It is really important because find the best fit. 5♣ is a good contract. You have to be very trusting, but your
otherwise, your partner is all alone – you bid is 3NT. Your ♦K is enough for your
could if you pass have zero points. With partner and as you can see, with you as
your double, East will be able to rebid declarer 3NT is unbeatable – 9 tricks off
2NT and the partnership reach 3NT. the top, with an overtrick if they lead a
If you do not double, it is difficult for diamond up to your king.
East to bid again – bidding 2NT when East found a good bid; anything else
you might put three points down will look fails to describe the hand – if he doubles
silly. then you, as West, will fancy your major
suit holdings – it is very difficult to find
3NT without this particular bid. n

t ... Continued from page 44. 5 IMPs. We go to our Zoom meeting
BERNARD to go through the hands (usually as
Dealer North. E/W Game. enjoyable as actually playing), have a
MAGEE’S ♠ 10 9 8 7 quick supper and then, at 6 o’clock we
INTERACTIVE

♥ J 6
♦ K 7 5
have another match.
This time we do marginally better
TUTORIAL CD ♣ A K 7 4 and win by three. We are still above
♠ Void average but need to get some positively
N ♥ Q 5 2 good results if we are going to threaten
ADVANCED S
W E
♦ A Q J 10 9 8 2 the leaders. After the matches Barry
comes over and we have a nice chilled
ACOL BIDDING

♣ 10 6 3
evening – a good meal, a bit of TV and
a few Sudokus.

Pass
1♦ Pass 1♠
2♠ 3♦ 4♠
SATURDAY
All Pass Up early for an hour’s practice with
Hanna and Siyu. Fiona is away this
Your partner leads the ♦6, low from weekend so Barry plays instead.
dummy, and you play the ♦9, declarer Later on we go to Kitty’s house on the
playing the ♦3. What now? Overground (that’s a first – the
This was the full deal: Overground, I mean – since
Lockdown for me) and she takes
us to the Hurlingham Club. We sit
♠ 10 9 8 7 companionably for a while with Steve
♥ J 6 and Tove, sharing a few bottles of
♦ K 7 5 wine, and then having something to
♣ A K 7 4 eat (completely unnecessary, of course,
Throughout 200 deals, ♠ 6 5 4 ♠ Void in the middle of the afternoon): sole
Bernard not only evaluates ♥ A 10 9 7 N ♥ Q 5 2 goujons, padron peppers and chips. In
W E
your bids, praising the ♦ 6 S ♦ A Q J 10 9 8 2 the evening we play a four-way match
♣ Q J 9 8 2 ♣ 10 6 3 – us, Jon & Lou, Norman & Kay and
correct ones and discussing
♠ A K Q J 3 2 Cameron & Sarah, after which we
the wrong ones, he also
♥ K 8 4 3 Zoom and go through the hands.
plays the hands with you.
♦ 4 3
£96
l The Basics ♣ 5
SUNDAY
l Advanced Use of
the Basics £76 Our usual Sunday morning session
Jonathan Harris in the other room against Karen and Axel in Sydney. This
l Weak Two Openings cashes the ♦A and plays another. In the time they don’t go for a single penalty
l Strong Two Openings fullness of time E/W also come to two – the only time we try to punish them
l Defence to Weak Twos heart tricks, making four defensive we lose 870.
tricks in total. The rest of the day is complete
l Defence Against 1NT
Maybe I try to be too clever. I am laziness, though we do make a start
l Doubles worried that it is declarer who has on going through and simplifying our
l Two Suited Overcalls the singleton diamond (years of system. We find as we get older that
experience that partner never has what our memories are fading. It’s no good
l Defending against Other
I want him to have). So I don’t want to playing the best system in the world if
Systems
set up dummy’s ♦K in case he needs a you keep forgetting it. In my opinion
l Misfits and Big club discard. I could switch to a club the best example of this is when people
Distributions but that would let the contract through play something other than 4NT as
Operating system requirements: immediately if the layout is as above, asking for aces – I am sure it can be
Windows only so I play a low heart, to give declarer theoretically superior, but the disasters
a guess. It works. Phew. She goes up I have witnessed because people were
with her ♥K, partner wins the ace and not on the same wavelength …
Mr Bridge Limited plays the ♥10 (a suit-preference signal) I cook pork tenderloin for dinner,
( 01483 489961 and I finally get the message and cash after which Barry goes home so he can
mrbridge.co.uk/shop the ♦A. One down. make an early start with work in the
The match is very flat and we lose by morning. n

BERNARD Answers to Bernard Magee’s
MAGEE’S
INTERACTIVE Bidding Quizzes 4-6
TUTORIAL CD
on page 5
DEFENCE
MAC
or Windows
off. Your hearts are very weak and you

4. Dealer South. N/S Game. just have one high card outside – there
♠ 3 2 ♠ Q J 10 9 may well be overtricks in 1♥. You do best
♥ A K 8 7 6 5 4 N ♥ Void to bid your best suit outside hearts: 2♣.
W E
♦ 7 6
S
♦ 10 9 8 4 3 2 Bear in mind that when your partner
♣ A 3 ♣ K 9 8 makes a take-out double he is asking
you to bid your best suit, so you should
only disobey with a good reason. Here,
West North East South you do not have a good enough reason.
1♥
Bernard develops your ?
defence in the course of ten
introductory exercises and Pass. Once you have seen all the other 6. Dealer East. Love All.
120 complete deals. questions, you will see that bridge players ♠ J 10 6 ♠ A K Q 2
N
use immediate bids of the opponents’ suit ♥ A J 4 3 W E ♥ K Q 9 8 7
l Lead vs for all sorts of reasons, none of which are ♦ 7 S ♦ 8 6 4
No-trump Contracts natural. While on later rounds you can ♣ A Q 4 3 2 ♣ 7
l Lead vs try bidding hearts as a natural bid, on
Suit Contracts the first round pass is your only sensible
choice. Note that you do not necessarily West North East South
l Partner of Leader
want to play in hearts anyway – if South 1♥ 2♦
vs No-trump Contracts
has five hearts, it could be an unpleasant ?
l Partner of Leader experience.
vs Suit Contracts
l Count Signals
£76 4♦. Given the topic of the month, you
might have guessed that the answer is
l Attitude Signals £56 5. Dealer North. Love All.

going to be a bid of the opponents’ suit.
You have a very nice hand for supporting
l Discarding ♠ 7 6 ♠ A 9 8 5 hearts – game should be the least of your
N
l Defensive Plan ♥ J 8 7 6 5
W E
♥ 2 ambitions – you need to be suggesting
l Stopping Declarer ♦ 4 3 2 S ♦ K Q 8 7 a slam as well. A bid of 3♦ would show
♣ A 5 3 ♣ Q J 9 4 a decent hand with heart support, but
l Counting the Hand there is a better bid. A jump to 4♦ is a
Operating system requirements: splinter bid, showing heart support,
Windows or Mac OS 10.08 -10.14
West North East South 11+ high card points and a singleton
Download Only 1♥ Dbl Pass or void in diamonds. By showing all of
No CD drive required ? your attributes in one bid, you allow your
partner to assess the situation accurately.
2♣. North opens in your best suit, after With three little diamonds, his hand
Mr Bridge Limited which your partner makes a take-out fits beautifully – his only weakness can
( 01483 489961 double leaving you with a tricky choice. be ruffed away. He can follow up with
mrbridge.co.uk/shop You should only pass 1♥ doubled if Blackwood and on finding two aces he
you feel you are likely to take the contract can bid 6♥. n

The Diaries of Wendy Wensum
Episode 103:
As You Like It
M
illie and I were sitting took our seats in the Globe for the Following three passes, Millie opened
out for two boards in the afternoon performance of As You Like 2♣, an artificial opening with game-
evening duplicate pairs at It and thoroughly enjoyed the play. forcing values. East and West passed
the Riverside BC. I was telling her Fortunately the journey home was throughout. I gave the artificial
about a trip to London. It had started uneventful. negative response of 2♦. Millie’s 2NT
badly at Norwich station when the At this point, commotion in the showed a balanced 24-25 HCP. With a
train was delayed for twenty minutes bridge room indicated that the move long heart suit I bid 3♦ as a transfer.
by a signal failure. Spouse and I were had been called; with drinks in hand, Millie obliged with 3♥. So far; so good.
heading for the Globe Theatre in Millie and I wandered back to our table In case Millie held four spades, I bid
London. It was an extremely hot day where the following board awaited us. 3♠ to give her a choice of trump suits.
and there was another delay with a Millie now bounced to 6NT thus
points’ problem. We would normally ending the auction.
walk from Liverpool Street station to Dealer West. Love All.
the South Bank, but now running well ♠ 10 7 4 2 West North East South
behind schedule; we decided to catch a ♥ Q J 10 9 7 6 Wendy Millie
number 11 bus. Bad move. Unknown ♦ 6 5 Pass Pass Pass 2♣1
to us the service was on diversion ♣ 9 Pass 2♦2 Pass 2NT3
and we alighted some way from our ♠ 9 8 5 ♠ Q 6 3 Pass 3♦4 Pass 3♥
intended stop at St Paul’s cathedral. ♥ 2 N
♥ 8 5 3 Pass 3♠ Pass 6NT
W E
With Spouse leading the way, we ♦ J 10 7 3 S ♦ K 8 2 All Pass
meandered back towards the Thames, ♣ K Q J 5 2 ♣ 10 8 7 3 1
Artificial, game force
crossing the river at Millennium ♠ A K J 2
Relay
Bridge only to find our restaurant ♥ A K 4 3
24-25 HCP
reservation had been cancelled. This ♦ A Q 9 4 4
Hearts
was not totally unexpected as we were ♣ A 6 4
now over an hour late. We finally West led her ♣K. Millie proceeded

speedily and rather crossly to take the
obvious ten top tricks for two off, an
absolute bottom. Most of the field had
finished in 4♥. A minority had reached Bidding Quizzes 7-9
6♥ making all thirteen tricks. In the
pub later we discussed the board on page 5
with Jo and Kate. Their sequence had
started the same as ours, but finished
more abruptly.

Jo Kate 3♣. You respond 2♣, a natural bid
Pass Pass Pass 2♣1 7. Dealer South. N/S Game. showing 10+ points, then your partner
Pass 2♦2 Pass 2NT3 ♠ 2 ♠ 9 7 6 5 bids the opponents’ suit, which you
N
Pass 3♦4 Pass 3♥ ♥ K Q 8 2 W E
♥ A9 alert. Your partner is showing a strong
Pass 4♥ All Pass ♦ K 9 5 4 S ♦ A 6 2 hand and expects your partnership to
♣ A 8 7 6 ♣ K Q J 5 make game. When you are bidding
Millie was still annoyed with my bid the minor suits, the expectation is
of 3♠. ‘What was that all about?’ she often for no-trumps. However, you
asked accusingly. I explained that with West North East South need a stopper in hearts between the
shortages in the minors I was offering 1♠ partnership – your partner could have
her a choice of trump suits in case Dbl Pass 2♠* Pass bid no-trumps himself if he had a
she held four spades. I suggested that ? stopper, so he is hoping that you have
knowing that I held at least nine cards * you alert 2♠ one. Since you do not have a heart
in the majors she should have realised stopper you cannot bid no-trumps
I was unlikely to offer any help with 3♣. It is all well and good using a bid either – without three-card support for
the minors in a no-trump contract. in the opponents’ suit as an artificial diamonds, your only option is to rebid
Unwisely I also noted that with the ♠Q bid, but you do need to know how to your suit: 3♣.
and ♦K favourable she can make one respond to the bid. If in doubt, a bid East will raise to 5♣ and the best game
more trick. To be fair this manoeuvre of the opponents’ suit shows strength is reached.
would have added nothing to our and excitement. When responding to
match-point tally, as all the other partner’s cue bid just bid naturally – in
North-South scores were positive. this auction, the partnership can bid until 9. Dealer North. Game All.
Millie defence was instant: ‘Maybe they find a fit and then bid game – the ♠ 9 8 7 6 ♠ A 4 3
N
after my 6NT, you should convert to 2♠ bid sets up a forcing auction (until you ♥ 2
W E
♥ K Q J 10 5 4
7♥.’ With some restraint, I held back and your partner agree a suit) and gives ♦ A 8 7 6 5 S ♦ 9 2
from remarking, ‘Your 6NT bid may the partnership the time to find the best ♣ A 4 3 ♣ 8 7
have been As You Like It, but it was contract.
certainly not As I Like It.’ Playing with So, you should bid your suits up the
Millie is rather like a trip to London; line, starting with 3♣. West North East South
there is always a need to expect the East certainly had his bid: 14 HCP 1♥ Pass 1♠
unexpected. opposite your double, so he expected Pass 1NT 2♥ Pass
Discussion then centred on whether to be in game – in the end the game is ?
6♥ was a reasonable contract to reach. going to have to be 5♣.
It appears that the certain tricks are Pass. Having said that a bid of the
six hearts, three spades, one diamond opponents’ suit is almost always
and one club. A favourable layout in 8. Dealer East. Love All. unnatural, I have clearly left room for
diamonds or spades then gives the ♠ Q 9 8 ♠ A K 3 the odd occasion when it can be natural.
N
extra trick. n ♥ 5 3
W E
♥ 4 2 Particularly in longer auctions where a
♦ A 2 S ♦ K Q 9 8 7 player has been silent, if this player then
DUPLICATE BRIDGE ♣ A Q 9 6 5 3 ♣ K 8 7 comes up with a bid of the opponents’
RULES SIMPLIFIED suit it is reasonable to assume that he
(otherwise known as the Yellow Book) has a long strong holding in the suit. East
by David Stevenson West North East South has been silent because he knew that an
FULLY REVISED IN 2017 1♦ 1♥ early bid of the opponents’ suit would be
Available from Mr Bridge 2♣ Pass 2♥* Pass unnatural.
only
? You should pass, trusting your partner
( 01483 489961 £595
* you alert 2♥ to have a good heart suit, as he does
www.mrbridge.co.uk
have here. n

A
Sally Brock Looks At Your Slam Bidding

BERNARD
MAGEE’S
INTERACTIVE Sally’s Slam Clinic
TUTORIAL CD
Where did we go wrong? North has heard all he needs to know
and bids the grand slam, knowing that
ADVANCED Sean Haffey of Hook, Hampshire, declarer will be able to discard his
DECLARER didn’t tell me how he and his partner
bid the slam below, but I assume he
heart losers on dummy’s diamonds.
PLAY didn’t manage to bid the grand slam in Slam of the month
clubs. He asked how he and his partner
could have bid the hand playing Acol I’m afraid no reader sent in a hand that
with a weak no-trump and inverted was even remotely well bid (people
minors. tend to prefer to send in hands where
they went wrong rather than when
they went right), so I will present a
MAC Dealer South. E/W Game. hand my partner and I bid simply and
or Windows ♠ Void well to a good slam:
♥ Q 4
♦ K Q 10 3 2
♣ A Q 10 9 5 4 Dealer South. Love All.
♠ A J 8 6 3 ♠ Q 10 5 4 2 ♠ A
N
♥ J 10 3 W E ♥ K 9 7 6 5 ♥ Q 10 5 3
♦ 8 7 5 S ♦ 9 6 ♦ A 5 4 2
♣ J 6 ♣ 7 ♣ A 9 6 2
♠ K 9 7 ♠ J 8 6 2 ♠ K 5 4 3
N
♥ A 8 2 ♥ 9 8 7 2 ♥ K 6 4
W E
Bernard develops your ♦ A J 4 ♦ 10 3 S ♦ J 9 8 7 6
advanced declarer play ♣ K 8 3 2 ♣ Q 8 7 ♣ 5
technique in the course of ♠ Q 10 9 7
ten exercises and 120 new ♥ A J
complete deals. How about this? ♦ K Q
♣ K J 10 4 3
l Overtricks in Notrump West North East South
Contracts 1♣
l Overtricks in Suit Pass 2♣ Pass 2NT This was our auction:
Pass 3♦ Pass 3NT
Contracts
£81 Pass 4♠ Pass 5♦ West North East South
l Endplay
£61
Pass 7♣ All Pass 1♣
l Avoidance Pass 1♦ Pass 1♠
After the inverted raise, 2NT (if you Pass 2♥ Pass 3NT
l Wrong Contract
are playing a weak NT opening) Pass 6♣ All Pass
l Squeezes should show a strong no-trump and be
l Counting the Hand forcing to game. North’s 3♦ is natural The first three bids were natural and
and South bids 3NT with his major- then as North could not make an
l Trump Trouble
suit stoppers. That shouldn’t stop immediate forcing bid in clubs, he
l Doubled Contracts North who cue-bids 4♠. This definitely introduced fourth-suit forcing. My
l Safety Plays denies a heart control (and even more 3NT showed medium strength – say
Operating system requirements: definitely a first-round heart control), 15–17 HCP – and almost certainly
Windows or Mac OS 10.08 -10.14 so, with his two red-suit aces, South this exact shape. Partner thought 6♣
certainly must accept the slam try. He probably had play and so bid it. In
bids 5♦ which not only shows the ♦A, the event, West led a heart and all my
Mr Bridge Limited but also the ♥A. That is because 5♦ (a troubles were over. I just cashed my
( 01483 489961 bid above 5♣) allows for the possibility ♣A and ♣K, then cashed winners and
mrbridge.co.uk/shop of a grand slam, which South would cross-ruffed, letting West make his
not contemplate unless he had the ♥A. trump trick whenever he wanted. n

BERNARD Bidding Quizzes 10-12
MAGEE’S
INTERACTIVE on page 5
TUTORIAL CD
were susceptible to cheeky North players
10. Dealer West. Game All. who chose to psyche. North knows his
ACOL BIDDING ♠ A K J 10 4
N
♠ Q 9 8 7 6 opponents are likely to be looking for a fit
♥ J 10 9 4 W E
♥ AK5 in the unbid major, so he unscrupulously
♦ A K 8 S ♦ Q 2 bids 1♠ on any given hand, to muddy
♣ 7 ♣ 9 8 6 the waters. This kind of bid is not
allowed if done regularly (or at least it
would need to be alerted), however, a
West North East South countermeasure was sought just in case.
MAC 1♠ 2♣ 3♣* 4♣ The answer to solve this situation was to
or Windows ? treat a 2♠ bid by the doubler’s partner
* you alert over an intervening 1♠ bid as a natural
call. So in this auction East is showing
4♦. You alert your partner’s bid, but how five spades with the values for a free bid:
do you explain it? 6-9 HCP. With only 12 HCP you do not
Your partner is showing strength and have enough to raise but holding 3-card
support – he has at least the values for support you are happy to pass.
a sound raise to 3♠ and may have more
– the partnership has agreed spades to
be trumps. You, in turn, should be a little 12. Dealer West. Game All.
Throughout 200 deals split excited – you have a much better than ♠ A Q J 4 3 2 ♠ K 8 6 5
N
into ten chapters, Bernard minimum hand, with very strong trumps. ♥ 7 6 5
W E
♥ 2
evaluates your bids, praising Your only weakness is in top cards in ♦ K 2 S ♦ A 9 4 3
the correct ones and hearts, so you would need to find some ♣ K 4 ♣ A Q 5 2
discussing the wrong ones. strength in hearts in your partner’s hand
before launching into Blackwood.
l Opening Bids
£66 You do best to make a cuebid of 4♦ – West North East South
and Responses showing a control in that suit and hoping
£46
1♠ 2♥ 4♥* Pass
l Slams and for a return cuebid of 4♥, which you will ?
Strong Openings get here. You can then bid Blackwood * you alert
l Support for Partner and go for 6♠.
4NT. Your partner has made a jump in
l Pre-empting
the opponents’ suit – this is certainly not
l Overcalls 11. Dealer South. Game All. natural. In fact the bid means the same as
l No-trump Openings ♠ A 3 2 ♠ K Q 9 7 6 if there had not been an overcall. Without
N
and Responses ♥ 7
W E
♥ 9 8 6 the overcall 4♥ would be a double jump
l Opener’s and ♦ A K 5 4 S ♦ 7 6 2 in response to a major suit opening,
Responder’s Rebids ♣ J 9 8 7 6 ♣ A 2 which can be used as a splinter bid. With
the overcall, you have 3♥ available to
l Minors and Misfits
show strong supporting hands without
l Doubles West North East South a heart shortage, so 4♥ is used more
l Competitive Auctions 1♥ specifically to show the splinter – Support,
Dbl 1♠ 2♠ Pass Points and Lack of hearts: SPL-inter.
? Expecting your partner to have spade
Operating system requirements: support and a singleton heart, your
Windows or Mac OS 10.08 -10.14 Pass. This particular auction is a tricky hand fits perfectly – remember he has to
one – throughout these hands we have have points in the minors, so you could
Mr Bridge Limited identified an immediate bid of the

opponents’ suit as artificial, yet this one
reasonably hope for him to have 3 key
cards and therefore to get to slam. With
( 01483 489961 is an exception. your heart weakness taken care of, you
mrbridge.co.uk/shop This particular sequence was can bid 4NT and on receiving a three key-
encountered by many experts, when they card response, you are able to bid 6♠. n

BERNARD
MAGEE
BRIDGE
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Intertainer: Julian Pottage's Double Dummy Problem

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BRIDGE

Number: 215 November 2020

Julian Pottage’s Double Dummy Problem

Contract 2NT by South

BRIDGE is ceasing publication.

Page 2 BRIDGE November 2020

16 Julian Pottage Answers Your Bridge Questions REDUCE THE

40 Catching Up with Sally Brock

BRIDGE November 2020 Page 3

Bridge has always been a

♣ J 10 9 ♣ K Research UK and Little These events have now all

Page 4 BRIDGE November 2020

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

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

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

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

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

Page 6 BRIDGE November 2020

BRIDGE November 2020 Page 7

Acol & The

Page 8 BRIDGE November 2020

BRIDGE November 2020 Page 9

Page 10 BRIDGE November 2020

FULLY REVISED IN 2017

BRIDGE November 2020 Page 11

Page 12 BRIDGE November 2020

BRIDGE November 2020 Page 13

Page 14 BRIDGE November 2020

With Hand G you double 2♣. This may

BRIDGE November 2020 Page 15

PLAY How Can Y

Page 16 BRIDGE November 2020

mp Overcall? matchpoint pairs with both sides vulnerable. While you

Because it is so unlikely 4♥ by North down 2 1. ♠ A 5 4 3. ♠ Q 2

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Email your questions

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REMOVE A DOUBLE West North East South ♣ 4 2

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South's double suggests the values to West North East South

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SAVE SCORE SLIP

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Since South has bid your only long SID

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Common Mistakes By Club

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