2017-03 Bridge Mag Mar 2017


NEW HONORS BOOKS FROM

MASTER POINT PRESS
THE BRIDGE PUBLISHER
Scramble Stayman
Doug Bennion
Scramble Stayman examines (1) which types of hands

qualify to scramble, (2) the scramble technique to use
(beginning with 2ƅ and overlaying standard Stayman) and
(3) how the various scramble contracts score compared to
1NT, measured over thousands of hands. The book features
a 100-board ‘match’ between one player staying in 1NT, and
another scrambling to a (usually) better contract, which the
scrambler decisively wins.
Doug Bennion is the creator of Barbara Seagram’s Practice

Your Bidding software, published by Master Point Press. He
wrote and published Bridge Buff and Visual Deal, both early
bridge-playing programs. He is also the author of several
Bridge World articles.
Multi-Landy:
The killer defense versus one notrump
David Oakley
The tactics in this book evolved from analysis of thousands

of computer generated deals to determine the statistics of
successful overcalls. Using these recommendations, you
can effectively compete for part-scores, bid your games and
occasionally slams.
David Oakley is a retired electronics engineer, who learned

to play bridge as a teenager in England. He and his wife,
Pauline, immigrated to the USA in 1966, eventually settling
in Southern California. He has played Multi-Landy with
several partners since 1998.
AVAILABLE FROM CHESS & BRIDGE
2 March 2017 BRIDGE Magazine


The Way Ahead
BRIDGE
I recently returned from the fourth Copenha-
gen Bridge Invitational, organised by the Danish
Bridge Federation. They invite 20 pairs and
provide terrific prizes and lavish hospitality. It
generates an enormous amount of publicity –
this year a national TV station interviewed one
MAGAZINE of the players during the event. The costs are not
insignificant, but by introducing an event that
runs alongside the showpiece and is open to all, the DBF have
found a way to mitigate the amount they have to contribute. In
2019 they expect the event to go into profit.
Worldwide publicity that doesn't cost you a penny – that's how
to promote bridge.
44 BAKER STREET
LONDON W1U 7RT Child's Play
Tel: 020-7486 8222
Fax: 020-7486 3355 Among the hundreds of emails that cross my path I spotted one
email: info@bridgeshop.com from Canada's Jonathan Steinberg reporting that attendance at
http://www.bridgeshop.com
the Wilmington Regional in North Carolina dropped from 1,893
Editor: tables (956 players) in 2015 to 1,591 tables (794 players) in 2017,
Mark Horton down 302 tables or just under 16% and suggesting that the real-
Advertising: ity of smaller tournaments has arrived.
Matthew Read
Photographer: I might not have paid much attention to it but just a few days
Ron Tacchi later the Editor of the International Press Association's Bulletin,
Proofreaders: John Carruthers wrote that:
Danny Roth
Monika Kummel 'It is evident, in North America at least, that bridge is dying. It
Herman De Wael seems to be holding its own in other places such as Europe, and
Typesetter: gaining popularity in China and Australia; in South America,
Ron Tacchi Africa and the near East it has always been moribund at best.
BRIDGE Magazine is published
monthly.
The ageing bridge-playing population is most frequently given
Online Subscriptions: as the reason for the decline, although there are plenty of other
1 year: £19.95 good reasons as well, cost being a major one. How is this situ-
Individual Issue:
£2.00 ation being addressed? Aside from a few countries with active
Distributors
CHESS & BRIDGE LTD.
bridge administrations which get young people involved, it isn’t.
44 Baker Street We still have many good young players at the top, but there
London W1U 7RT U.K.
Views expressed in this publication are not
needs to be a larger base of young people playing the game if
necessarily those of the Editor. Editorial
contributions will be published at the
it is to survive. How should the situation be addressed? In our
Editor’s discretion and may be shortened
if space is limited.
view, the single biggest, and most significant, step we could take
No parts of this publication may be would be to get bridge taught in schools. This should be the
reproduced without the prior express
permission of the publishers. All rights primary goal of every NBO. It is already taking place in China
reserved. 2017
(24 million players) and Indonesia (30,000 juniors) in earnest,
but only occasionally in Europe and North America. One of
the reasons seems to be that bridge is still thought of as a gam-
bling game rather than a mind sport. The University of North
Carolina recently de-certified the campus bridge club on the


grounds that it was a game of chance. To its credit, UNC reversed this stance and reinstated
the club when presented with compelling evidence to prove otherwise. Although the WBF
has been criticised for its slavish adherence to ‘Olympism’, there can really be no doubt that
this is the way forward. The IOC has deemed bridge a sport and many NBOs have been rec-
ognised by their National Olympic Committees. The first step to getting bridge in the schools,
either as a curriculum subject or as a ‘club’ activity, is to have NOC approval. Every NBO
should make this a priority if it has not already been accomplished. Once accomplished, the
NBO should have a (full-time?) person charged with the mission to get bridge into the schools.
Armed with NOC accreditation and the evidence that bridge improves minds, the sales pitch
should be easier than it is currently. For the countries that have not already achieved NOC
accreditation, the IOC and the WBF should be engaged to help attain it. Every sport that
appears in the Olympics gains enormously in exposure and popularity, and consequently, gov-
ernment funding. The mind sports will be no different. There has been great progress in Asia
already, bridge having been admitted to the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia. For whatever
reason, Asian governments and organisations seem to be more amenable to the mind sports
than others are. NBOs should also look to the exemplars of youth bridge, China, Indonesia
and Poland, for ideas. Their experience will provide invaluable assistance in how to proceed.'
Bridge 24/7
The 4th edition of the Palace Cup, organized by Bridge24.pl foundation will take place at the
Congress & Exhibition Centre, Pałac Prymasowski, Warsaw from 5-9 April 2017. Three tour-
naments will be played - teams, pairs and a pro-am. For more information - send an e-mail
to info@bridge24.pl or call Marek Wojcicki +48881060384 - his English is somewhat better
than my Polish.
The English are Coming

A vast contingent travelled to Monaco for the 2017 Cavendish - Nick Sandqvist, Tom Townsend,
Janet de Botton, Artur Malinowski, Graham Osborne, Tony Forrester, Charles Wigoder, David
Gold, Simon Gillis, David Mossop, Marcia Green and Paul, Justin & Jason Hackett were all hop-
ing to come home with a bundle of Euros. The one with the biggest smile was Charles Wigoder,
whose squad finished second in the teams to collect €21000. Charles went on to qualify for the
Pairs final and was once again in the money, finishing in a respectable tenth place with his part-
ner Jacek Pszczola.
Meanwhile in Yokohama, Paul Hackett & Jason Hackett, Brian Senior & Alex Hydes, Sally Brock
& Barry Myers and David Bakhshi & Espen Erichsen were flying the English flag in the 21st NEC
Festival. The teams they were associated with qualified for the knock out phase of the competi-
tion and Hackett and Brock met in the final. A report next month.
Blue is the Colour

The EBU recognises that many members, including those who joined under Universal Mem-
bership, are unable or unwilling to travel to EBU competitions. This makes it difficult to collect
National (Green) masterpoints, which in turn prevents progression through the masterpoint ranks.
Also, Clubs and Counties have trouble attracting players to their open events if they cannot award
Green Points. Consequently, a new type of masterpoint, called Blue Points, was introduced on 1
January 2013.


The object of the new system is to facilitate more local events where members can earn points
counting towards ranks currently requiring Greens. Thus, all masterpoint ranks will allow up to
50 Green Points to be replaced by Blue Points in the ratio of 3 Blue = 1 Green. Members will,
therefore, be able to reach Premier Regional rank entirely with Blues, or with a combination of
Blues and Greens, but will require some Greens for higher ranks. Blue Point awards will use the
current Local Point scales (100 Local = 1 Blue).
First For Bridge are offering the first Blue Pointed overseas holiday in Lake Bled in Slovenia's
Julian Alps. Blue Points will be awarded at every evening session and in the afternoon if the bridge
is well attended.
Moving On
Netherland's star Marion Michielsen is set on representing Sweden. With Per-Ola Cullin she will
compete in the next Swedish Open Trials.
In This Issue
I 6 Problem Corner — Ron Tacchi & Patrick Jourdain I 81 Solution to Non-Prize Problem
I 7 The Play's the Thing — The Editor reports on the I 83 Test Your Defence — Julian Pottage
Copenhagen Bridge Invitational I 85 The Abbot on Patrol — David Bird
GI 64 Deals That Caught My Eye — David Bird muses I 90 Solution to Test Your Defence
on the Teltscher Trophy England senior trials
I 92 Partnership Profile — Mark Horton
GI 70 The Over The Rainbow Bridge Club — Alex
Adamson & Harry Smith I 100 Marks & Comments — Alan Mould
GI 76 This Month’s Video Page

N´T
MISS
IT!
DON
´T M
ISS I
SIMPLY WORLD CLASS

T!
............................................................
DON
´T M
The Best Bridgefestival in the World

ISS I
ÖREBRO | SWEDEN | JULY 28 - AUGUST 6, 2017

T!
www.svenskbridge.se/festival-2017
DON
´T

 Intermediate
Ron Tacchi and Solution to Prize Problem 324
Patrick Jourdain’s Take your chances
Problem ♠ A 10
♥ AK 8
♦ A6 3 W
N
E
♠ KJ2
♥ J43
♦ KQ42
Corner ♣ AQ J 8 4 S ♣ 10 9 6
After a straightforward auction you reach 6NT. North
sponsored by leads the ♦J. You win in dummy and try the club
THE ORION PUBLISHING GROUP finesse which fails. North continues with a diamond
on which South discards. How do you maximise
Master Bridge Series your chances?
The immediate reaction is to say that South is favour-
ite to hold the queen of spades. So do you take the
Non-Prize Problem See Page 81 finesse against South? No is the answer. Cash two
After a simple auction: top spades and then run your clubs discarding two
West North East South hearts from dummy. If the spade queen does not drop
– – – 1NT from North's hand then if South has the queen he
Pass 2♣ Pass 2♠ will be squeezed in the majors. North has to retain
Pass 3♠ Pass 4♠ two diamonds and thus cannot have three hearts in
the four-card ending.
West leads the queen of diamonds and this is what ♠ ?
you can see: ♥ ?
♠ Q973 ♦ 98
♥ J 10 7 ♣ —
♦ 73 ♠ — ♠ J
♣ A543 N
♥ AK 8 ♥ J
♦ 6 W E ♦ K4
♠ A J 10 5 ♣— S ♣—
♥ A95 ♠ ?
♦ A9 ♥ ?
♣ KJ82 ♦ —
East follows with the six of diamonds. ♣ —
How do you intend to secure ten tricks? You can now follow the odds and cash the king of
diamonds squeezing South if he holds the queen of
spades. If you can read the discards and have the nec-
essary faith you have the option of cashing the ace and
Look for Patrick Jourdain’s Problem Corner, king of hearts to squeeze North in the pointed suits.
available from Chess & Bridge. However you play, by cashing the ace and king of
spades you increase your chances over the simple
finesse as a doubleton queen in the North hand also
Congratulations brings home the contract .
Prize Problem 323
A complete, almost verbose, response from Colin
Brown wins him the accolade of this month's prize Prize Problem 325
having had his name selected from Mrs T's hat. Accentuate the positive
Numbers of participants has diminished after Christ- ♠ AK 7 ♠ 854
mas. Currently the odds of winning if you find the N
♥ AQ 6 5 3 ♥ K J 10 7
correct line are very high. Why not have a go? ♦ KJ9 W E ♦ A8 4
♣ 64 S ♣ A5 3
Email your answers to BMProb@vaupillon.com or send In a pairs tournament you arrive in 4♥. After the
on a postcard to The Editor, Bridge Magazine, 44 Baker lead of the ♣K what is your best play to make an
Street, London, W1U 7RT. Entries must be received before overtrick and what are the odds of success? (Trumps
31st March. The first correct solution out of the hat will are not four-nil)
receive £15 of BRIDGE Magazine book vouchers.

 Intermediate
The Play's the Thing
The Editor reports from Copenhagen on the first of the year's great Invitational events.
I n the middle of January Denmark's capital played host to the fourth edition of the Copen-
hagen Bridge Invitational. A star-studded field of World, European and National Champions
were assembled, ready to entertain spectators around the world.
The event is played at the Radisson Blue Hotel, which is a short walk from the centre of town,
and can be reached from the airport via the metro in just 12 minutes! In 2015, the Danish Bridge
Federation inaugurated the Radisson Blue Scandinavia IMP Pairs, running simultaneously with
the main event. With perfect playing conditions, reduced rates at the hotel (including free park-
ing!) and the opportunity to mix with the stars playing next door it was no surprise that this year
there was an increased entry. The Danish Bridge Federation designed the tournament to be open
to players of all skill levels and nationalities and Juniors of all nationalities pay half the entry fee.
On the last day the field is divided into three, all playing within their groups for substantial cash
prizes.
The tournament embraces the latest technology and the special electronic boards used in the
main event (http://bridgeplusmore.com/) are now available from our Baker Street store.
On Thursday evening the event starts with the traditional hors d'oeuvre (or should I call it the
amuse-bouche?) of the Pro/am tournament.
All players participating in the main event are be available as partners sold by auction. The
stars are presented one pair at a time during the months leading up to the event. The sponsors of
the event have the right to choose a partner of their choice, thus precluding that player from the
auction. The online auction opened for bidding on 12 December 2016 and closed on 15 January
2017. The minimum bid was DKK 1500,- (€200) and included a dinner buffet before and drinks
and canapés after the tournament in the company of all the other participants. If you would like
to see how the stars were valued go to: http://www2.bridge.dk/Pro-Am.aspx?ID=6083
Under Starters Orders

The relaxed atmosphere of the opening day of the 2017 Copenhagen Invitational was ideal from
your reporter's point of view. Having left my car in a parking space of dubious provenance leav-
ing me to ponder if it would it still be there the following Monday (it was!) and then discovering
that my flight had been cancelled it came as a pleasant surprise to find that my journey to the
hotel from the airport on the Metro took all of 12 minutes! Enough time to enjoy a glass of wine
and a piece of cheese before settling down to watch the bridge.
Pro-am events are fantastic fun for everyone, be they players, spectators or journalists. Join me
now for a 28 board roller-coaster ride.
In the scoring system in use 26/0 would be a complete top for N/S, 0/26 the same for E/W.
The first deal was full of potential:

 Intermediate
Board 1. Dealer North. None Vul.
♠J
♥ K 10 8
♦ A8765
♣ AK65
♠ Q 10 5 4 2 N ♠ AK 9 6 3
♥ Q732 ♥ J64
♦ 10 3 W E ♦ J42
♣ Q 10 S ♣ J3
♠ 87
♥ A95
♦ KQ9
♣ 98742
West North East South
Volcker T Bessis Andersen Lund
– 1♦ 1♠ Pass
3♠ Pass Pass Double
All Pass
East's intervention made life awkward for South – would you venture a double without a fourth
heart?
When West raised the ante, North might have doubled, but here too that missing fourth heart
was an issue. When South came to life North decided to take whatever was available.
South cashed two diamonds and switched to a club, North taking two tricks in the suit and
exiting with the jack of spades. In the fullness of time declarer lost three heart tricks, -500.
That was worth 20/6 for N/S.
In case you are wondering just one pair bid a slam with the N/S cards – tough luck for their
opponents.
Board 2. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ A 10 6 3
♥ 9643
♦ Q82
♣ 72
♠9 N ♠ Q87
♥ QJ ♥ K752
♦ 9753 W E ♦ 10 6 4
♣ A K Q 10 8 5 S ♣ 643
♠ KJ542
♥ A 10 8
♦ AKJ
♣ J9
Volcker T Bessis Andersen Lund
– – Pass 1♠
2♣ 2♠ Pass 4♠
All Pass

 Intermediate
West cashed two top clubs and switched to the jack of ♠ A 10 6 3
hearts. Declarer won, played a spade to the ace, took ♥ 9643
the spade finesse, drew the outstanding trump, cashed ♦ Q82
♣ 72
three diamonds ending in dummy and played a heart. ♠ 9 ♠ Q87
East went up with the king which stopped the endplay, N
♥ QJ ♥ K752
but declarer's ten was the biggest card in town, +620 ♦ 9753 W E ♦ 10 6 4
and 22/4. ♣ A K Q 10 8 5 S ♣ 643
A great start for Bessis/Lund which left them in sec- ♠ KJ542
♥ A 10 8
ond place. ♦ AKJ
♣ J9
Board 6. Dealer East. E/W Vul.
♠ AQ84
♥ QJ52
♦ J 10
♣ A65
♠ 73 N ♠ K J 10 9
♥ A 10 9 7 ♥ 8643
♦ Q8653 W E ♦ K942
♣ 84 S ♣2
♠ 652
♥K
♦ A7
♣ K Q J 10 9 7 3
Open Room
Juhl de Wijs Padon Staugaard
– – Pass 1♣
Pass 1♥ Pass 2♣
Pass 3NT All Pass
What would East lead?

A spade would give declarer 12 tricks (and 19/7) but the two of diamonds held declarer to nine
tricks when he rejected the spade finesse and thereby saved a few matchpoints.

 Intermediate
In the fifth round the featured table was a full Danish affair:
Board 9. Dealer North. E/W Vul.
♠ 10 5
♥ 9864
♦ J65
♣ K 10 8 4
♠2 N ♠ AK J 9 7 6
♥ AK J 5 ♥ 10 7 2
♦ AK 2 W E ♦ Q 10 4 3
♣ AJ 9 5 3 S ♣—
♠ Q843
♥ Q3
♦ 987
♣ Q762
Krogh Werdelin Houmøller Horten
– Pass 1♠ Pass
2♣ Pass 2♦ Pass
2♥* Pass 2♠ Pass
6NT All Pass
North led (drum roll please)..... the ten of spades. Declarer won in dummy and continued with
the king and nine of spades. He was soon claiming, +1440 and 10/16.
You see what an evil game matchpoints is – playing IMPs North might well have led a club (the
idea is you play partner for just the ♣Q and another winner – à la Garozzo) which dooms 6NT.
However, most of those points went back on the next deal when E/W bid 2♠*-2NT*-3♥*-4♠
with ♠K109742 ♥AJ4 ♦8 ♣542 opposite ♠A63 ♥- ♦AKJ64 ♣AKJ107. Given that 3♥ promised
8-10 West's caution was surprising. Spades were 2-2 and everything else was friendly, so there
were 13 tricks – 15/11 for N/S.
The slams kept coming – on 11 E/W had ♠A96 ♥AKQ ♦AK6542 ♣3 facing ♠KQ83 ♥6 ♦QJ
♣AQJ986. My table bid 2♣*-2NT*-3♦-6NT. I'm not sure about the meaning of 2NT (maybe
it was 3 controls or perhaps a transfer to clubs) – but whatever it meant it didn't get the job done.
In the seventh round one of the world's strongest partnerships appeared at the table – but this
time they were in opposition.

 Intermediate
Board 13. Dealer North. All Vul.
♠ 10 7
♥ J 10 9 6 4 2
♦ Q9
♣ K95
♠J N ♠ AK 8 4 2
♥ K875 ♥ Q3
♦ 852 W E ♦ K 10 3
♣ J8732 S ♣ A 10 6
♠ Q9653
♥A
♦ AJ764
♣ Q4
Helgemo Helness Graversen Rindahl
– Pass 1♠ 2♦
Pass 2♥ Pass 2NT
All Pass
West led the jack of spades and East allowed declarer to win with the queen. A diamond to the
queen lost to the king and East cashed the ace of spades, switching to the three of hearts when
West discarded the five of hearts. Declarer won perforce with the ace and cashed his diamonds,
but East made no mistake, keeping ♠K8 ♥Q ♣A10. He won the club exit to the king with the
ace and returned a club, forcing declarer to lead into the spade tenace for one down. That was
good for E/W, 7/19.
Board 14. Dealer East. None Vul.
♠ AK42
♥ AQ
♦6
♣ A K J 10 5 3
♠ J 10 7 6 3 N ♠ Q9
♥ J 10 5 ♥ K9874
♦ 10 3 2 W E ♦ J985
♣ 74 S ♣ 96
♠ 85
♥ 632
♦ AKQ74
♣ Q82
Helgemo Helness Graversen Rindahl
– 2♣* Pass 2♦*
Pass 3♣ Pass 4♣
Pass 6♣ All Pass
Would you be confident of reaching 7♣ with your regular partner?

Not so easy and in a non-regular partnership it is even tougher without some specific agree-
ments. +940 was comfortably below average.

 Intermediate
By the way, you make 7NT unless East finds a diamond lead – for example after a club lead
declarer cashes all his black winners to squeeze East in the red suits – and two pairs went all in
for a shared top.
John Møller Jepsen, Denmark, Player in the IMP pairs.

What is the greatest about CBI? "Oh, there are so many things. The pro/am is fantastic. Getting a
chance to play with the international stars is unique. And the entire atmosphere all over the hotel is so
great. Everyone is happy, and no matter who I talk to, they got a huge smile on their faces. And, I got
a selfie with Zia ;-)"
In Round 8 the 2015 winners were at the table.
Board 16. Dealer West. E/W Vul.
♠ 843
♥ A85
♦ A984
♣ K53
♠ K J 10 7 6 2 N ♠ Q9
♥ 72 ♥ K Q J 10 4 3
♦6 W E ♦ QJ75
♣ Q 10 9 4 S ♣6
♠ A5
♥ 96
♦ K 10 3 2
♣ AJ872
Lahrmann Bertheau Cullin Graversen
2♠ Pass Pass 3♣
Pass 3♠* Double 3NT
Double All Pass
West led the six of spades and declarer ducked East's

queen, won the next spade, played a club to the king
and a club, going up with the ace when East pitched
the three of hearts. He turned his attention to diamonds,
playing one to the ace and ducking when East put in the
jack on the next round. He could win the heart switch
and score two diamonds, but the defenders had the rest,
+300 and 1/25.
That put the holders into third place – lightning never
strikes twice does it?
Christian Lahrmann & Per-Ola Cullin

All photos in this article courtesy:
Christian Arp-Hansen/ArpPhoto

 Intermediate
Next up were the Poker Stars:
♠ A52
♥ 10 8 6
♦ 875
♣ Q632
♠ KQ94 N ♠ J 10 8 7
♥ K952 ♥ AQ 7 4
♦ J 10 4 W E ♦9
♣ A 10 S ♣ KJ75
♠ 63
♥ J3
♦ AKQ632
♣ 984
Hanlon Caroll Hansen Brandgaard
– Pass 1♣ 3♦
3NT All Pass
Is bidding 3♦ akin to re-raising after seeing a disappointing flop? North led a diamond and South
cashed six tricks in that suit. Even though he then switched to a club, two down was still a com-
plete top.
♠ J 10 9 6
♥ KQ54
♦ 962
♣ 10 8
♠ AK N ♠ 8754
♥ A 10 9 8 7 6 ♥ 32
♦ AQ W E ♦ K5
♣ K74 S ♣ AJ 9 5 2
♠ Q32
♥J
♦ J 10 8 7 4 3
♣ Q63
Hanlon Caroll Hansen Brandgaard
– – Pass Pass
1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass
3NT All Pass
North led the jack of spades and declarer won with the king and played two rounds of hearts.
North went in with the king and returned the six of spades, declarer taking South's queen with the
ace. He cashed the king of clubs and played a club to the ace. When her majesty failed to appear
he came to hand with a diamond and played a heart. North could win and cash two spades, but
declarer had the rest, +400, 7/19.

 Intermediate
Time for another slam:
Board 20. Dealer West. All Vul.
♠ 762
♥ QJ62
♦3
♣ Q J 10 8 5
♠ A4 N ♠ K 10 5
♥ A7 ♥ K943
♦ K74 W E ♦ AQ J 5 2
♣ AK 7 6 4 2 S ♣9
♠ QJ983
♥ 10 8 5
♦ 10 9 8 6
♣3
Mattiesen Fabricus Grönkvist Fabricus
1NT 2♣ Double* All Pass
It looks as if 2♣ was natural and East's double was for takeout. Declarer scored three trump tricks,
-1400 and 6/20.
The main question appeared to be whether or not E/W could make 6NT (6♦ by East cannot be
defeated). On a top club lead declarer wins and plays five rounds of diamonds. That forces North
down to just clubs and hearts and declarer can always come to 12 tricks by playing a spade to the
ace. If North pitches a heart declarer plays three rounds of the suit and North wins but must then
play a club. Declarer wins, comes to hand with a spade and cashes the long heart.
However, an initial heart lead beats 6NT, as it removes a vital entry to the West hand. If declarer
cashes the diamonds as before North can safely pitch a club on the ace of spades.
Board 26. Dealer East. All Vul.
♠3
♥ Q J 10 8 7 6 5
♦ 73
♣ 872
♠ K J 10 9 7 6 2 N ♠ AQ 5
♥ K92 ♥A
♦9 W E ♦ A6 5 2
♣ AK S ♣ J 10 6 5 4
♠ 84
♥ 43
♦ K Q J 10 8 4
♣ Q93
Jacobsen Madsen Brogeland Christensen
– – 1NT Double*
4NT* Pass 5♦* Pass
6♠ All Pass

 Intermediate
Dble Single suited hand
2♥ Transfer
4NT RKCB
5♦ 0-3 key cards
Commentating on BBO Peter Lund suggested that more than 50% would bid 7♠. Here West
could have continued with 5♥ over 5♦ to ask about the ♠Q and after that maybe 7♠ is a reason-
able speculation.
In the event only eight pairs recorded +2210.
Going into the last round Bob Drijver & Are Siversten led with 198 just ahead of Per-Ola Cul-
lin & Christian Lahrmann on 195. These two were well ahead of Espen Lindqvist & Per-Ove
Grime on 176.
Board 27 saw the leaders increase their advantage by 3 points.
This was the last board:
Board 28. Dealer West. N/S Vul.
♠ J3
♥ A K 10 5
♦ J75
♣ 10 8 4 3
♠ K976 N ♠ A 10 8 5 2
♥ 98432 ♥ Q6
♦3 W E ♦ 86
♣ AK 7 S ♣ QJ52
♠ Q4
♥ J7
♦ A K Q 10 9 4 2
♣ 96
If E/W play in spades the defenders can score four tricks – South cashes a diamond and switches
to a heart. North plays three rounds of the suit, ensuring a trump promotion.
Cullin & Lahrmann were allowed to make 4♠, which gave them 15 points, but the leaders
doubled their opponents in 3♠ and when it was allowed to make with an overtrick they scored
only 2 points.
You see – lightning can strike twice!
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/jum2zm6
The Winners' Circle

To win a pairs event you need to get a few gifts from your opponents, but you must also make
the best of your own cards.
When I asked the 'old man' of Danish Bridge, Christian Lahrmann for a deal from the Pro-
am he came up with this:

 Intermediate
♠ AK42
♥ AQ
♦6
♣ A K J 10 5 3
♠ J 10 7 6 3 N ♠ Q9
♥ J 10 5 ♥ K9874
♦ 10 3 2 W E ♦ J985
♣ 74 S ♣ 96
♠ 85
♥ 632
♦ AKQ74
♣ Q82
Kiær Cullin Bilde Lahrmann
– – Pass 1NT*
Pass 2♣* Pass 2♦*
Pass 3♣* Pass 3♦
Pass 4♣ Pass 4♦*
Pass 4NT* Pass 5♣*
Pass 5♦* Pass 7♣
All Pass
1NT 12-14
2♣ Stayman
2♦ No major
3♣ Clubs
4♦ Cue-bid
4NT RKCB
5♣ 1 key card
5♦ Asking about the ♣Q
Although South held a sub-minimum hand for his opening bid, not only did he have the queen
of clubs, but also a source of tricks. That was enough for him to go 'all in' – and right he was.
Long Weekend
English celebrity chef Richard 'Rick' Stein OBE is a restaurateur and television presenter. He is
Head Chef and co-owner of Rick Stein at Bannisters at Mollymook, New South Wales, Australia,
and owns four restaurants in Padstow, a fish and chip shop in Falmouth, Cornwall and fish and
chip shops in Porthleven and Newquay, Cornwall. Luckily for your editor he recently opened a
restaurant in Marlborough, just a short drive from my village.
His most recent series for the BBC is Long Weekends, in which he embarks on a series of culinary
long weekends in search of food excellence and brilliant recipes, heading to markets, restaurants,
wineries, cafes and bars. Just a few days before this year's invitational he visited Copenhagen (an
ideal spot for a long weekend – but then you already knew that!). During his trip he cooked fried
pork belly with lovage potatoes and parsley sauce – voted Denmark's favourite dish. You can see the
programme at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b083bzx2 – but be quick it runs out in 22 days!
Just before we turn to the first session of the Invitational a question – what is Denmark's favour-
ite bridge event?

 Intermediate
Round 1
Any hopes the players may have entertained for a quiet start were quickly brushed aside:
'Though this be madness, yet there is method in't.'
Hamlet (Act II Scene II)
♠ K Q 10 5 3
♥ 82
♦ 10
♣ 10 9 6 3 2
♠ A9 6 2 N ♠ 874
♥ Q6 ♥ AK 9 3
♦ AQ 8 4 3 W E ♦ 96
♣ Q7 S ♣ AK J 5
♠J
♥ J 10 7 5 4
♦ KJ752
♣ 84
Zia Hanlon Gromov Demuy
– 2♠ Double Pass
3♠* Pass 4♣ Pass
4♦ Pass 4♥ Pass
5♦ All Pass
What a nasty problem for West!

He knew that 2♠ would probably be going down, but his side might be being robbed.
North led the king of spades and declarer won with the ace, crossed to dummy with a club, played
a diamond to the queen and cashed the ace of diamonds, getting the bad news. He unblocked
the queen of clubs, cashed the queen of hearts and crossed to dummy with a heart to play a club.
South ruffed with the seven and although declarer could overruff he could not avoid the loss of
three tricks, one down, -50 and 86 IMPs away.
Brogeland Helness Lindqvist Helgemo
– Pass 1NT Pass
2♣* 2♠ Pass Pass
Double All Pass
North's intervention on the second round reminds me of the famous dentistry scene from Mar-
athon Man, where the character played by Laurence Olivier keeps asking Dustin Hoffman 'Is it
safe?' Well, as you can see 2♠ doubled was not at all safe.
East led the ace of clubs and switched to a trump. West took the ace, cashed the queen of clubs
and switched to the queen of hearts and a heart, East winning, cashing the king of clubs and
switching to the nine of diamonds for the king and ace. That gave the defenders the first seven
tricks and had West now continued with the queen of diamonds declarer would have been four
down. His trump return allowed declarer to 'escape' for -500, a loss of 31 IMPs.

 Intermediate
Board 3. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
♠ Q7
♥ K87
♦ A7
♣ KQ7542
♠ 10 9 3 N ♠ AK 4 2
♥ Q3 ♥ A J 10
♦ J962 W E ♦ KQ843
♣ J 10 9 8 S ♣A
♠ J865
♥ 96542
♦ 10 5
♣ 63
– – – Pass
Pass 1NT Double 2♣*
Pass Pass Double All Pass
It looks as if South's 2♣ was the start of a scramble.

West led the jack of clubs and declarer played low, pleased to see the ace appear. East cashed the
king of spades and switched to the king of diamonds. When that held he took the ace of spades
and exited with a diamond to dummy's ace. When declarer played a low heart from dummy East
decided to go in with the ace and that meant declarer emerged with six tricks, -300 and 31 IMPs
for N/S.
– – – Pass
Pass 1NT Double 2♥
Pass Pass Double Pass
2NT* Pass 5♦ All Pass
2NT Minors
South led the two of hearts, and declarer took North's king with the ace and played a diamond
to the jack and ace, claiming twelve tricks, +620, worth 42 IMPs.

 Intermediate
'Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.'
Hamlet (Act 1 Scene IV)
Board 7. Dealer South. All Vul.
♠ KQ9
♥ A K 10 9 6 2
♦Q
♣ Q96
♠ AJ 7 5 N ♠ 10 8 6 3 2
♥— ♥ 543
♦ J 10 7 6 3 2 W E ♦ AK 8 4
♣ 873 S ♣5
♠4
♥ QJ87
♦ 95
♣ A K J 10 4 2
– – – 1♣
Pass 1♥ Pass 2♥
Pass 4♦* Pass 4NT*
Pass 5♠* Pass 6♥
All Pass
4♦ Splinter
4NT RKCB
5♠ 2 key cards + ♥Q.
With a six-card suit North felt entitled to show the queen of hearts, but it put his side overboard.
East cashed the ace of diamonds and West followed with the three. When East continued with
the king of diamonds declarer could claim, +1430 and 124 IMPs.
I'll leave you to ponder that one, but given declarer had promised a singleton diamond should
West have followed with the jack at trick one as suit-preference signal?
– – – 1♣
Pass 1♥ Pass 2♥
Pass 3♦* Pass 3♠*
Pass 4NT* Pass 5♦*
Pass 5♥ All Pass
After a couple of cue-bids North asked for key cards and signed off when South showed only one,
+650 and just 4 IMPs.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/zzw8cal

 Intermediate
Round 2
As the players took their seats for the second match I noticed that the leading pair was Hanlon-
Demuy with +349 IMPs – good choice by the organisers!
♠ Q 10 3
♥ AJ7
♦ 43
♣ AJ753
♠ AK 8 7 6 5 N ♠2
♥ 10 9 4 3 ♥ KQ8
♦ 10 9 W E ♦ AK Q J 8 7 6
♣9 S ♣ Q6
♠ J94
♥ 652
♦ 52
♣ K 10 8 4 2
Upmark Bakhshi Nyström de Wijs
– – 1♣* Pass
1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass
2♠ Pass 2NT Pass
3♦ Pass 3♥ Pass
4♥ Pass 5♦ All Pass
1♣ 16+
A sound auction, which pinpointed the club weakness.
South led the two of clubs and North took the ace and played two rounds of hearts, declarer
claiming, +600 and 75 IMPs.
Pedersen Quantin Werdelin Lorenzini
– – 1♦ Pass
1♠ Pass 3♦ Pass
3♠ Pass 3NT All Pass
South led the four of clubs and that was a quick two down, -200 which cost 55 IMPs.
Easy to see why West passed 3NT, but would a bidding panel support him?

 Intermediate
Board 15. Dealer South. N/S Vul.
♠ J 10 9 6 5 2
♥ 10 5
♦—
♣ Q 10 8 6 4
♠K N ♠ 8743
♥ AK Q 3 ♥8
♦ KQ87654 W E ♦ J 10 9 2
♣9 S ♣ J732
♠ AQ
♥ J97642
♦ A3
♣ AK5
Upmark Bakhshi Nyström de Wijs
– – – 1♥
Double 1♠ Pass 2NT
3♦ 4♠ 5♦ Pass*
Pass 5♠ All Pass
East led the eight of hearts and West won with the queen, cashed the ace and continued with
the three. Declarer ruffed with the jack of spades and when East could not overruff he played a
spade to the ace. After cashing the queen of spades he came to hand with a club, drew trumps
and claimed, earning 57 IMPs.
Pedersen Quantin Werdelin Lorenzini
– – – 1♥
2♦ Pass 4♦ Double
4♥* 4♠ Pass Pass
5♦ 5♠ Pass Pass
6♦ Double All Pass
Declarer lost tricks to the three aces, only two down, -300, good for 17 IMPs.
♠ A964
♥4
♦ Q73
♣ QJ986
♠7 N ♠ K 10 8 5 3 2
♥ A Q 10 5 2 ♥ J763
♦ J 10 9 W E ♦ 842
♣ A 10 3 2 S ♣—
♠ QJ
♥ K98
♦ AK65
♣ K754

 Intermediate
West North East South ♠ A964
Upmark Bakhshi Nyström de Wijs ♥ 4
♦ Q73
1♥ Pass 4♥ All Pass ♣ QJ986
♠ 7 N ♠ K 10 8 5 3 2
North led the queen of clubs (whenever I do this dummy ♥ A Q 10 5 2 ♥ J763
has K10x and declarer Ax) and declarer won in hand, ♦ J 10 9 W E ♦ 842
pitching a diamond from dummy and played a spade. ♣ A 10 3 2 S ♣—
North went up with the ace and switched to the three of ♠ QJ
diamonds and South cashed the king and ace and exited ♥ K98
♦ AK65
with the five of clubs. Declarer ruffed in dummy, pitched ♣ K754
a diamond on the king of spades and played the ten of
spades. South had to ruff else declarer would pitch a club, play a heart to the ten, ruff a club and
repeat the heart finesse, but declarer could overruff, ruff a club, play a heart to the queen, ruff a
club and claim, +620 and a loss of 61 IMPs.
It was hard for North to find a diamond lead at trick one, but had he withheld the ace of spades
at trick two, declarer has too much to do. If he tries to play a crossruff South can pitch a club on
the third round of spades. If he plays a partial crossruff and then exits with a diamond, North
can win and play a trump, leaving declarer a trick short. +100 would have been worth 92 IMPs.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/h36y9xj
Round 3
Board 18. Dealer North. N/S Vul.
♠ 9763
♥ J 10
♦ KJ32
♣ A82
♠ KQ4 N ♠ AJ 8
♥ A9 8 7 ♥ Q6432
♦ A 10 6 W E ♦9
♣ J97 S ♣ K 10 6 4
♠ 10 5 2
♥ K5
♦ Q8754
♣ Q53
Carroll Auken Garvey Welland
– – 1♥ Pass
2NT* Pass 3♣ Pass
4♥ All Pass
2NT Heart raise
South led the four of diamonds and declarer won with dummy's ace and played the seven of hearts
for the ten, queen and king. He ruffed the diamond return and played a heart to the eight. That
lost to the jack and with two clubs to lose the contract was one down, -50 and 90 IMPs for N/S.

 Intermediate
West North East South ♠ 9763
Nab Birman Drijver Padon ♥ J 10
♦ KJ32
– – Pass Pass
♣ A82
1NT Pass 2♦* Pass ♠ KQ4 ♠ AJ 8
2♥ Pass 2♠ Pass N
♥ A9 8 7 ♥ Q6432
4♥ All Pass ♦ A 10 6 W E ♦ 9
2♦ Transfer ♣ J97 S ♣ K 10 6 4
♠ 10 5 2
North led the six of spades and declarer won with dum- ♥ K5
my's ace, played a heart to the ace and a heart, +420 ♦ Q8754
♣ Q53
and 10 IMPs.
♠ Q976
♥ KQJ32
♦Q
♣ Q52
♠ K5 N ♠ A8 2
♥ 10 7 ♥ A9 5
♦ 7642 W E ♦ KJ3
♣ A J 10 7 4 S ♣ K983
♠ J 10 4 3
♥ 864
♦ A 10 9 8 5
♣6
Carroll Auken Garvey Welland
– 2♦* Pass 3♥
All Pass
2♦ 4♠, 5+♥,10-14 or 16+
3♥ Invitational opposite 16*
West led the six of diamonds for the queen, king and ace and declarer played a club for the queen
and king. East exited with a heart to the king and declarer ruffed a club, ruffed a diamond, ruffed
a club and played the ten of spades. West took the king and returned a spade, but after winning
with the ace East cashed the ace of hearts, allowing the contract to make, +140 and 51 IMPs.
Nab Birman Drijver Padon
– 2♦* Double 2♠
2NT* Pass 3♣ 3♥
Pass Pass 3NT Pass
4♣ All Pass
2♦ 11-16, 5♥ & 4♠
2NT Lebensohl
Although 3NT can be made in theory, it would not be easy to take the right view in clubs when
you know that North has nine cards in the majors.
You would have more chance if the auction started 1♥-1NT-2♥ – maybe that is what happened
at the two tables where +400 was recorded (worth 71 IMPs).

 Intermediate
South led the jack of spades and declarer won with the ace, cashed the king of clubs and played
a club to the ace as South pitched the five of diamonds. He cashed the king of spades and ducked
a heart to North, who cashed the queen of clubs and exited with the queen of diamonds for the
king and ace. That left declarer one trick short, -50.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/zhxjnoz
Round 4
This was the quietest so far and left me struggling to find something of interest.
♠ 9765
♥ 764
♦ A8
♣ 10 9 6 5
♠ KJ N ♠ A 10 4 2
♥ AQ J 3 2 ♥ K95
♦ Q74 W E ♦ J 10 2
♣ 874 S ♣ AJ 2
♠ Q83
♥ 10 8
♦ K9653
♣ KQ3
Krefeld Madsen Hammelev Blakset
1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass
2♥ Pass 4♥ All Pass
North started with two rounds of diamonds, ruffed the third round and exited with a trump.
Declarer won in hand, cashed the ace of hearts, crossed to dummy's king and played a spade to
the jack. The subsequent fall of the queen on the third round of the suit meant there were ten
tricks, +620 and 9 IMPs.
A club looks best for the defence, but if declarer wins with dummy's ace and plays a spade to
the jack he will score ten tricks.
Wortel Rimstedt Michielsen Rimstedt
1♥ Pass 2♣* Pass
2♦* Pass 2♠ Pass
2NT Pass 3NT All Pass
2♣ Gam-forcing, 2+♣, balanced or natural or heart fit
2♦ Waiting
2♠ Three-card heart support
Playing in 3NT looked good, as there is work to be done in 4♥.
North led the ace of diamonds and continued the suit, South taking the ace and returning the
five. Declarer won with the queen, cashed two rounds of hearts ending in dummy and played a
spade to the jack, taking the rest of the tricks, +660, worth 19 IMPs.

 Intermediate
Tor Helness, Norway, Player in the main event.
What do you like the best about the CBI? "First of all, I like the high level of competition in the
main event, and I like IMPs across the field. I also love to see so many players from Norway, and it is
great to see, that the CBI has become such a popular tournament for Norwegian players."
Board 8. Dealer West. None Vul.
♠ KQ83
♥ K7
♦ AQ87
♣ AK3
♠ 652 N ♠ A4
♥ A Q 10 6 2 ♥ J854
♦ 63 W E ♦ K 10 9 4 2
♣ 10 6 4 S ♣ 92
♠ J 10 9 7
♥ 93
♦ J5
♣ QJ875
Krefeld Madsen Hammelev Blakset
2♦* Double 2♥* Pass
Pass 2NT* 3♥ All Pass
2♦ Multi
2♥ Pass or correct
2NT 19-21
The multi is still scoring points after all these years. Do you think North should have preferred a
double to 2NT?
3♥ had to go one down, -50 but it scored 81 IMPs.
Wortel Rimstedt Michielsen Rimstedt
Pass 2NT Pass 3♣*
Pass 3♦* Pass 3♥*
Double 3♠ Pass 4♠
All Pass
That looks like a Puppet Stayman auction, North's 3♦ promising at least one major with South's
3♥ showing spades.
Declarer lost a heart, a diamond and a spade, +420 and 5 IMPs.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/h55ff3r

 Intermediate
Round 5
♠ KQ83
♥ 9843
♦ AK97
♣4
♠9 N ♠ A 10 6 2
♥ AJ 5 ♥ Q2
♦ Q J 10 5 2 W E ♦ 643
♣ 8762 S ♣ 10 9 5 3
♠ J754
♥ K 10 7 6
♦8
♣ AKQJ
Demuy Volcker Hanlon Bessis
– 1♦ Pass 1♥
Pass 2♥ Pass 4♥
All Pass
West led the nine of spades, but East withheld the ace and now declarer played four rounds of clubs,
getting rid of dummy's remaining spades and emerging with an overtrick, +450 and 26 IMPs.
Maybe it would be better to keep a spade switch in reserve, as it was not unreasonable for part-
ner to play you for a doubleton spade.
The two pairs who defeated 4♥ collected 84 IMPs.
Bertheau Thomsen Cullin Houmøller
– 1♦ Pass 1♥
Pass 2♥ Pass 2♠
Pass 4♣* Pass 4♥
All Pass
West led the queen of diamonds and declarer won with dummy's ace and played a heart to
the ten and jack. Now West switched to the nine of spades, but when declarer played dummy's
king East ducked (strange after South's 2♠). A second heart resolved the situation in that suit and
declarer lost only to the major-suit aces for +420.
Suppose West cashes the ace of hearts before switching to a spade? Would that be enough for
East to win and give his partner a ruff?

 Intermediate
♠ KQJ86
♥ 10 4 3
♦ Q2
♣ A J 10
♠ 10 7 4 N ♠ A3
♥ KJ8 ♥ A9 6 5
♦ KJ764 W E ♦ A 10 3
♣ Q3 S ♣ K875
♠ 952
♥ Q72
♦ 985
♣ 9642
Demuy Volcker Hanlon Bessis
– – 1NT Pass
3NT Double All Pass
Do you have an agreement about the meaning of North's double? Here the commentator sug-
gested it asked South to lead his weaker major. Some partnerships play it as requesting a specific
suit (frequently spades, although in one of my partnerships it asked for a diamond).
South led the two of spades, and declarer ducked, won the next spade, cashed the ace of dia-
monds and played a diamond to the jack – two down,-500 for 32 IMPs.
♠ K732
♥ K98
♦ 965
♣ Q 10 4
♠ Q 10 5 4 N ♠ A9 8 6
♥5 ♥ 7432
♦ QJ43 W E ♦ AK 2
♣ KJ97 S ♣ 32
♠J
♥ A Q J 10 6
♦ 10 8 7
♣ A865
O Rimstedt Versace M Rimstedt Tokay
– – 1♣ 1♥
Double* 2♥ 2♠ Pass
3♣ Pass 4♠ All Pass
South led the seven of diamonds and declarer won with the king and played a club, putting up
dummy's king when South followed with the five. His next move was to play a heart, North win-
ning with the nine and playing the queen of clubs followed by the ten. Declarer ruffed, ruffed a
heart, played a diamond to the ace, ruffed a heart, cashed the jack of diamonds and played a club,

 Intermediate
ruffed by North with the three of spades and overruffed ♠ K732
by declarer, who ruffed a heart with the ten of spades. ♥ K98
North could overruff, but that was the last trick for the ♦ 965
♣ Q 10 4
defence, +420 and 61 IMPs. ♠ Q 10 5 4 ♠ A9 8 6
N
West North East South ♥ 5 ♥ 7432
♦ QJ43 W E ♦ AK 2
Helgemo Gromov Helness Zia ♣ KJ97 S ♣ 32
– – Pass 1♥ ♠ J
Pass 2♥ Pass Pass ♥ A Q J 10 6
Double Pass 2♠ 3♥ ♦ 10 8 7
All Pass ♣ A865
West led the five of spades and East won with the ace and surprisingly returned a spade, allow-
ing declarer to pitch a diamond on the king of spades. He came to hand with a heart and played
a club to the ten. When that held declarer played a club to the ace and a club and claimed – he
could ruff a club in dummy, +140 but only 3 IMPs.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/hu76yl5
Round 6
♠—
♥ J63
♦ 84
♣ A K J 10 8 7 6 5
♠ KJ97 N ♠ A 10 8 4 3 2
♥ K 10 8 7 2 ♥ Q95
♦ A K 10 W E ♦ J76
♣2 S ♣3
♠ Q65
♥ A4
♦ Q9532
♣ Q94
O Rimstedt Versace M Rimstedt Tokay
1♥ 4♣ Pass Pass
Double Pass 4♠ All Pass
South led the four of clubs and North won with the king and switched to the four of diamonds.
Declarer took South's queen with dummy's ace, played a spade to the ace, drew trumps via the
marked finesse and played a heart to the queen, +620 and 80 IMPs.
Helgemo Gromov Helness Zia
1♥ 4♣ Pass 5♣
Double All Pass
East led the five of hearts, the defenders scoring a heart and two diamonds for +200 and a rare
result – zero IMPs. Would you have bid 5♠ and hoped to make it?

 Intermediate
Round 7
♠ 764
♥ J85
♦ KQ95
♣ QJ4
♠ Q 10 N ♠ AK 8 2
♥ 962 ♥ 74
♦ J76 W E ♦ A 10 8 3 2
♣ K 10 8 7 3 S ♣ 52
♠ J953
♥ A K Q 10 3
♦4
♣ A96
Bertheau Michielsen Cullin Wortel
– Pass 1♦ 1♥
2♦ Pass Pass Double
All Pass
South started with her top hearts, declarer ruffing the third round and playing a club. South
took the ace and returned a club, declarer winning with dummy's king and playing four rounds
of spades, ruffing with dummy's jack of diamonds. North overruffed and returned the queen of
clubs. Declarer ruffed and exited with the ten of diamonds. North could win, but had to return
a diamond into the tenace, +180 and 31 IMPs.
Volcker Versace Tokay Bessis
– Pass 1♦ 1♥
Pass 2♥* Pass 2♠
Pass 2NT Pass 4♠
Pass Pass Double Pass
Pass 4NT Pass Pass
Double All Pass
East led the three of diamonds to the jack and queen and declarer played a heart to the king,
cashed the ace, played a heart to the jack (East pitching the two of spades) and played the queen
of clubs, going up with dummy's ace when East showed no reaction. He could cash two hearts,
but that was three down, -500 which cost 92 IMPs.

 Intermediate
Board 29. Dealer North. All Vul.
♠ A3
♥ A632
♦ AK532
♣ 83
♠ KJ976542 N ♠Q
♥ K74 ♥ Q J 10 9
♦— W E ♦ 874
♣ KJ S ♣ 10 9 7 4 2
♠ 10 8
♥ 85
♦ Q J 10 9 6
♣ AQ65
– 1♦ Pass 3♣*
4♠ Double All Pass
To defeat 4♠ the defenders have to secure a heart ruff, but North naturally led the ace of dia-
monds and declarer ruffed and played a trump, losing only to the three outstanding aces, +790
and 69 IMPs.
Volcker Versace Tokay Bessis
– 1♦ Pass 3♣*
4♠ 4NT Pass 5♣
Pass 5♦ All Pass
3♣ Invitational in diamonds
East led the queen of spades and declarer could not avoid the loss of a spade, a heart and a club,
-100 but 57 IMPs.
Board 31. Dealer South. N/S Vul.
♠ KQJ7542
♥ 642
♦—
♣ K92
♠9 N ♠ A8 6
♥ AK Q 9 5 ♥ J8
♦ Q874 W E ♦ AJ 9 6 5 2
♣ J 10 7 S ♣ Q6
♠ 10 3
♥ 10 7 3
♦ K 10 3
♣ A8543
– – – Pass
1♥ 3♠ 3NT All Pass

 Intermediate
South led the ten of spades and declarer ducked, won ♠ KQJ7542
the next spade, cashed five hearts and ran the queen of ♥ 642
diamonds to South's king, hoping that North would ♦ —
♣ K92
not have an entry. That hope proved to be forlorn and ♠ 9 ♠ A8 6
the defenders took the rest, three down, -150 and a loss ♥ N
AK Q 9 5 ♥ J8
of 57 IMPs. ♦ Q874 W E ♦ AJ 9 6 5 2
♣ J 10 7 S ♣ Q6
West North East South ♠ 10 3
Volcker Versace Tokay Bessis ♥ 10 7 3
– – – Pass ♦ K 10 3
1♥ 3♠ Double* 4♠ ♣ A8543
4NT Pass 5♦ All Pass
South led the ten of spades (no doubt you would have found the killing club lead) and declarer
won with the ace and played four rounds of hearts, disposing of his losing clubs, +400 and 52 IMPs.
At the end of the day Mikael & Ola Rimstedt led with 611, ahead of Tom Hanlon & Vince
Demuy (562) and Roy Welland & Sabine Auken (388).
Norwegian Blue
'Go and watch the IMP Pairs' says Christina, so who better to follow than the overnight leaders,
Gunn Tove Vist & Torild Hestje. Of course the chances of getting any interesting deals in just a
couple of rounds are quite slim, but let's see what happened:
♠ KJ86
♥ J874
♦ A872
♣4
♠ Q5432 N ♠ 10 9
♥ 10 3 ♥ KQ95
♦ 96 W E ♦ 54
♣ Q J 10 2 S ♣ K9753
♠ A7
♥ A62
♦ K Q J 10 3
♣ A86
Ekenberg Gunn Skaj Torild
– Pass Pass 2♦*
Pass 3♦* Pass 3NT
All Pass
2♦ 18-19 balanced
3♦ both majors
West led the queen of clubs and declarer won and cashed her diamonds. East threw both his
spades away, so the spade position was revealed and that was ten tricks, +430. 8 pairs bid 6♦, so
it resulted in a small loss of 20 IMPs.
Two solid results gave the leaders a net plus of 50 IMPs on the round.

 Intermediate
Bjørn Kvaran, Norway, player in the IMP pairs.
What has been the best thing about the tournament? "I really like the IMPs across the field, and
especially because there are so many players. We only have a few tournaments like this in Norway."
At the end of each set the sitting pair changes direction.
♠ 96532
♥ KJ9
♦ J8
♣ J83
♠ A 10 8 4 N ♠ KJ7
♥ 10 7 ♥ 83
♦ 765 W E ♦ KQ32
♣ 6542 S ♣ A Q 10 9
♠Q
♥ AQ6542
♦ A 10 9 4
♣ K7
Torild Kragh Gunn Nielsen
Pass Pass 1NT 2♥
Pass Pass Double* Redouble
2♠ 3♥ Pass 4♥
All Pass
West led the five of diamonds and declarer took East's queen with the ace, played two rounds of
hearts ending in dummy followed by a diamond, losing a diamond, a spade and a club. That cost
E/W 401 IMPs.
It might be a reasonable tactic to reopen at matchpoints, but at IMPs I'm not so sure.
♠ Q 10 8 4 3
♥ K 10
♦ J2
♣ QJ83
♠ AK J 9 N ♠ 72
♥ QJ84 ♥ 753
♦3 W E ♦ K9876
♣ K 10 6 5 S ♣ A9 2
♠ 65
♥ A962
♦ A Q 10 5 4
♣ 74

 Intermediate
Torild Kragh Gunn Nielsen
– 2♠* All Pass
2♠ Spades and a minor
East led the six of diamonds and declarer won in hand with the jack, cashed the king of hearts,
went to dummy with the ace of hearts and played a club to the jack and ace. East returned a heart
and declarer ruffed and played a diamond to the ten. West ruffed and played her last heart, ruffed
by the four and overruffed by the seven. East returned her remaining trump and West played three
rounds of the suit, leaving declarer to go two down, -200 and 173 IMPs.
Declarer can do better – one way is to win the first diamond with dummy's ten and play a club
for the jack and ace. If East now plays a spade, West has to take the ace and king and then go
back to clubs to ensure a one trick defeat.
If East prefers to give her partner a diamond ruff, then West cannot afford to cash two top
trumps – best is to switch to a heart to dummy's ace, then win the next club with the king and
only then cash the king of spades for one down.
Although they lost 195 IMPs on this round, the leaders scored 345, 736 & 429 over the next
three rounds to ensure they would advance to the main final.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/hrfwsu2
Say Ja to Hygge
Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) is a Danish word that means, more or less, cosy. Your cave for exam-
ple could be very hygge, with the simple addition of furry throws, a mug of hot chocolate and a
fire. But hygge is a state of mind – and, according to my research is really about candles.
Last year around 12,000 books on hygge were published – all of them with at least one can-
dle on the cover. It was only a matter of time before someone decided to try and burst the hygge
bubble – it was Dr. Magnus Olsensen, who has penned Say Ja to Hygge!
His parody of Hygge covers such diverse topics as Home, Candleporn (!) Transport, Fashion
(any garment costing less than €250 is unlikely to be hygge) Gardens, Christmas, Food (all Danes
pay close attention to sourcing food that is local and in season – according to the author made eas-
ier by the fact that one of Denmark's seasons – winter – last for much of the year and Recreation
(naked wild swimming is a quintessentially hyggeligt activity- for more information ask Christina).
Could it be in Copenhagen that in order to play your best bridge you need to be cosy?
Round 8
♠ K Q 10 6 3
♥ 84
♦ K82
♣ A96
♠ 84 N ♠ J752
♥ Q62 ♥ K J 10
♦ AJ 9 W E ♦ 10 7 6 5 4
♣ Q 10 5 3 2 S ♣8
♠ A9
♥ A9753
♦ Q3
♣ KJ74
 Intermediate
West North East South ♠ K Q 10 6 3
O Rimstedt Drijver M Rimstedt Nab ♥ 84
♦ K82
– 1♠ Pass 2♥
♣ A96
Pass 2♠ Pass 2NT ♠ 84 ♠ J752
Pass 3NT All Pass N
♥ Q62 ♥ K J 10
♦ AJ 9 W E ♦ 10 7 6 5 4
West led the two of clubs and declarer won with the jack ♣ Q 10 5 3 2 S ♣ 8
and played four rounds of spades discarding a club. He ♠ A9
ducked East's return of the jack of hearts, ducked the ♥ A9753
ten of hearts and West won with the queen and cashed ♦ Q3
♣ KJ74
the ace of diamonds, +400 and 43 IMPs.
Helgemo Hanlon Helness Demuy
– 1♠ Pass 2♥
Pass 2NT Pass 3NT
All Pass
Here North was declarer which made a big difference.

East led the four of diamonds and West took dummy's queen with the ace and returned the
jack. Declarer ducked, won the next diamond pitching a heart from dummy, cashed the ace of
clubs and then played three rounds of spades. When West discarded on the third round the con-
tract had to go two down, -100 and 68 IMPs away.
Board 3. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
♠ 92
♥ K8
♦ A6
♣ Q 10 7 6 4 3 2
♠ AK J 10 8 5 3 N ♠ Q76
♥ QJ3 ♥ 54
♦ 10 5 W E ♦ KQ732
♣A S ♣ KJ5
♠4
♥ A 10 9 7 6 2
♦ J984
♣ 98
O Rimstedt Drijver M Rimstedt Nab
– – – 3♥
4♠ All Pass
The defenders started with three rounds of hearts, but declarer was soon claiming ten tricks, +620
and 24 IMPs.
– – – 3♥
4♠ 5♥ 5♠ All Pass

 Intermediate
The combination of South's full blooded pre-empt and North's raise was enough to see E/W go
overboard. In the cold light of day you might argue that East should have taken whatever was
available from 5♥ doubled.
North cashed the ace of diamonds and then played two rounds of hearts, +100 which was
worth 96 IMPs.
'That it should come to this'
Hamlet (Act 1 Scene II)
♠ J863
♥ 986
♦ 75
♣ A 10 7 4
♠— N ♠ A5 4
♥ K J 10 4 2 ♥ 73
♦ AQ J 9 4 W E ♦ K632
♣ 652 S ♣ KQ83
♠ K Q 10 9 7 2
♥ AQ5
♦ 10 8
♣ J9
– – – 1♠
3♣* 3♠ 4♠* Pass
5♦ All Pass
3♣ ♥+♦
4♠ Good hand
Declarer won the spade lead with dummy's ace, pitching a club and played a heart to the king
followed by the two of hearts. He ruffed the spade return and played a club, North taking the ace
and playing a heart. Declarer ruffed with dummy's king of diamonds, drew trumps and claimed,
+600 and 15 IMPs.
– – – 1♠
3♣* 3♠ 5♣ Pass
Pass Double All Pass
Oops.
If you look at the Convention card it will not tell you the meaning of 3♣, but clearly it was
intended to show the red suits.
North led the six of spades and declarer ruffed, played a club to the king, a heart to the jack,
a diamond to the king and a heart. South went up with the ace and returned a spade, declarer
throwing a heart, winning with dummy's ace, playing a diamond to the ace, pitching a spade on
the king of hearts and then playing a club – two down, -500, losing 135 IMPs.

 Intermediate
Board 8. Dealer West. None Vul.
♠ KJ9432
♥ K532
♦—
♣ Q42
♠ Q85 N ♠ A 10
♥ 10 ♥ AJ 8 7 6
♦ 8642 W E ♦ AK J 3
♣ AK J 7 6 S ♣ 98
♠ 76
♥ Q94
♦ Q 10 9 7 5
♣ 10 5 3
Pass Pass 1♥ Pass
1NT 2♠ 3♦ Pass
4♦ Pass 5♦ Double
All Pass
In an auction like this you can bet your life that North has 6 spades and four hearts (and maybe
even a void on the side).
South led the seven of spades and declarer took North's jack with the ace and cashed the king of
diamonds. With the 5-0 split revealed declarer cashed the ace of hearts, ruffed a heart and played
a spade. North took the king and returned a spade, but declarer discarded a heart as South ruffed.
Declarer took the club return in dummy, cashed a second club, ruffed a club, ruffed a heart and
then pitched a heart on a club. South could ruff, but had to lead into the ♦KJ, one down, -100,
giving N/S 85 IMPs.
1♣ 1♠ 2♥ Pass
2NT Pass 3NT All Pass
North led the four of spades and declarer won with dummy's ten, cashed the king of diamonds
and played a club to the jack and queen. North returned the three of spades to dummy's ace and
declarer cashed his club winners and then ran the ten of hearts to South's queen, scoring an over-
trick, +430 and 30 IMPs.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/h4xeq9h

 Intermediate
Round 9
♠ 7432
♥ Q9754
♦ J9
♣ A 10
♠ QJ965 N ♠ K 10 8
♥2 ♥ K 10 8
♦ AQ 7 4 W E ♦ 10 5 3 2
♣ KQ8 S ♣ J63
♠A
♥ AJ63
♦ K86
♣ 97542
Helgemo Auken Helness Welland
– – Pass 1♣*
1♠ Pass 2♠ All Pass
1♣ 2+♣ may be any balanced hand including any other five-card suit, also 5422
North could double 1♠ – but what if partner makes an unwelcome response in diamonds? Maybe
it a risk you have to take?
North led the four of hearts to South's jack and South switched to the four of clubs for the
king and ace. Declarer won the club return and played a spade to the eight and South's ace. North
ruffed the club return, but declarer was in control, losing only one more trick, +110 and 73 IMPs.
Padon Hanlon Birman Demuy
– – Pass 1♣
1♠ Double* 2♠ 3♥
Pass 4♥ All Pass
West led the queen of spades and declarer won with the ace and played a club, ducking when
West played the queen. With no way to get his partner on lead West was helpless. He tried a low
diamond but declarer won with the king, played a club to the ace, ruffed a spade, played a heart
to the ace, and claimed, +620 and 67 IMPs.

 Intermediate
♠ KQ3
♥ KJ96
♦ AQ8
♣ KQ7
♠ 97 N ♠ A8 4
♥ AQ 7 3 ♥ 10 8 2
♦ J975 W E ♦ 10 6
♣ A9 3 S ♣ J8652
♠ J 10 6 5 2
♥ 54
♦ K432
♣ 10 4
Helgemo Auken Helness Welland
– – Pass Pass
1♥ Double Pass 1♠
Pass 2NT Pass 3♣
Pass 3♠ Pass 4♠
All Pass
West led the five of diamonds and declarer won with dummy's ace and played the king of spades,
East taking the ace and returning a diamond. Declarer won with dummy's queen, drew trumps
ending in hand, played a heart to the king and ducked a heart West winning with the queen and
playing the jack of diamonds at which point declarer conceded one down, -50, losing 90 IMPs.
Padon Hanlon Birman Demuy
– – Pass Pass
1♣ Double 2♣ 2♠
Pass 3♣* Pass 3♠
Pass 3NT Pass 4♠
All Pass
West led the three of clubs and declarer won with dummy's king and played the king of spades,
East taking the ace and switching to the six of diamonds. However, as the chess players would say
declarer now had the tempo. He won in dummy, drew trumps and played the ten of clubs. He
was sure of four spades, a heart, three diamonds and two clubs,+420, a 14 IMP pickup.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/zt4xvlg

 Intermediate
Round 10
♠ J 10 7 3 2
♥ AK
♦ Q 10 8
♣ A74
♠ A6 5 N ♠9
♥ 9642 ♥ Q J 10 3
♦ KJ54 W E ♦ 73
♣ 82 S ♣ K J 10 6 5 3
♠ KQ84
♥ 875
♦ A962
♣ Q9
Bessis Helness Volcker Helgemo
– 1NT Pass 2♣*
Pass 2♠ Pass 4♠
All Pass
East led the queen of hearts and declarer won with the ace, played a spade to the king and ace,
won the heart return and played the seven of clubs. East went in with the king and played a third
heart, but declarer ruffed, played a spade to the queen, unblocked the queen of clubs, returned
to hand with the jack of spades, cashed the ace of clubs and advanced the queen of diamonds,
claiming ten tricks, +420 and 50 IMPs.
Lorenzini O Rimstedt Quantin M Rimstedt
– 1NT Pass 2♣*
Pass 2♠ Pass 4♠
All Pass
The first three tricks were identical, but then declarer cashed the ace of clubs and played a second
club to East's king. He ruffed the heart return, ruffed a club with the queen of spades and drew
trumps. He ran the ten of diamonds to West's jack, but the heart exit forced him to ruff and he
was one down, -50 and that cost 50 IMPs.

 Intermediate
♠ 10 9
♥ AQ
♦ 87
♣ K 10 9 5 4 3 2
♠ AJ 6 4 2 N ♠ KQ
♥ J83 ♥ 10 9 4 2
♦ K654 W E ♦ AQ J 3
♣7 S ♣ A8 6
♠ 8753
♥ K765
♦ 10 9 2
♣ QJ
Pass Pass 1NT Pass
2♥* 3♣ Pass Pass
Double* All Pass
North was content to pass on the first round but happily got involved the second time around.
For what its worth, perhaps East's trump holding suggested that he should have obeyed Edgar
Kaplan's maxim that takeout doubles are meant to be taken out.
The defenders took two spades, a club and two diamonds, one down, -200,worth 57 IMPs.
Pass Pass 1NT Pass
2NT Pass 3♦ Pass
4♦ Pass 4♠ All Pass
Declarer won the club lead, unblocked the spades, ruffed a club, drew trumps and claimed, +620
and 31 IMPs.

 Intermediate
♠6
♥ K 10 9 5 3 2
♦ J 10 8 7 2
♣5
♠ 10 5 4 N ♠ Q32
♥ A8 6 ♥ QJ
♦ 94 W E ♦ K5
♣ K Q 10 6 2 S ♣ AJ 9 8 7 3
♠ AKJ987
♥ 74
♦ AQ63
♣4
– – – 1♠
Pass 1NT 2♣ 3♠
5♣ Pass Pass Double
All Pass
If South had rebid 2♦ West would have been able to bid 2♠ to show a good raise in clubs, but
with no room to manoeuvre he went all in.
South led the ace of spades and continued with the seven, North ruffing and switching to the
jack of diamonds for the king and ace. South cashed the king of spades and continued with the
seven of hearts which went to North's king. Hoping his partner could ruff a heart, North returned
the suit, allowing declarer to claim the rest, -800, a useful 87 IMPs.
– – – 1♠
Pass 1NT 2♣ 2♦
3♣ 5♦ All Pass
Here South did bid 2♦, West contenting himself with a gentle 3♣. West led the six of hearts, but
when dummy's king held declarer ran the jack of diamonds, played a second round and gave up
a heart, claiming +600 and 55 IMPs.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/hpbugmu

 Intermediate
Rounds 11& 12
Nothing much happened in the eleventh round, but the next one more than made up for that:
♠ AK92
♥ J 10 9
♦ K 10 9
♣ K 10 5
♠ J853 N ♠7
♥ K4 ♥ AQ 8 7 6 3 2
♦ J3 W E ♦ A6
♣ J7643 S ♣ AQ 8
♠ Q 10 6 4
♥5
♦ Q87542
♣ 92
Michielsen Hanlon Wortel Demuy
– 1NT 2♦* 2NT*
Pass 3♣* 3♥ All Pass
2♦ Multilandy
When East bid 3♥ West had the chance to make what SJ Simon used to call a Master Bid by rais-
ing to 4♥.
South led the nine of clubs for the jack, king and ace and declarer took two rounds of trumps
and then claimed ten tricks, +170 and 58 IMPs.
Gromov O Rimstedt Zia M Rimstedt
– 1NT Double 2♦
Pass Pass 3♥ Pass
4♥ All Pass
By doubling and then jumping East made the situation crystal clear to his partner.
South led the seven of diamonds for the jack, king and ace and ace and declarer took two rounds
of trumps ending in dummy and played a club to the queen, +620, worth 38 IMPs.

 Intermediate
♠ J2
♥ J 10 6
♦ A K Q J 10
♣ Q52
♠ Q98 N ♠ AK 7 6 5 4 3
♥ K87 ♥ A9 4
♦5 W E ♦9
♣ K97643 S ♣ A8
♠ 10
♥ Q532
♦ 876432
♣ J 10
– – 1♠ Pass
2NT* Pass 3♣* Pass
4♦* Pass 4NT* Pass
5♦ Double 6♠ All Pass
2NT Invitational or weak game force, 3+♠
3♣ game-forcing, asking
4♦ cue-bid
4NT RKCB
5♦ 0 key cards
Declarer lost only to the ace of diamonds, to gain 50 IMPs.
– – 2♣* Pass
2♦* 3♦ 4♠ 5♣
5♦* Pass 5♠ All Pass
2♣ Strong
2♦ Waiting
5♦ Cue-bid
Missing the slam cost 78 IMPs.

 Intermediate
'There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your
philosophy'
Hamlet (Act 1 Scene 5)
♠ J94
♥ A 10 9 7 6 3
♦—
♣ A842
♠ KQ5 N ♠ 8763
♥ KJ5 ♥4
♦ 74 W E ♦ K J 10 9 5
♣ Q 10 7 5 3 S ♣ J96
♠ A 10 2
♥ Q82
♦ AQ8632
♣K
1♣ 1♥ Double 4♥
All Pass
East led the six of clubs and declarer won perforce with dummy's king, ruffed a diamond, cashed
the ace of hearts, ruffed a club, ruffed a diamond, cashed the ace of clubs pitching a diamond,
ruffed a club and pitched a spade on the ace of diamonds as West ruffed in with the jack of hearts,
+620, a loss of 27 IMPs..
1♣ 1♥ Double* 4♥
Pass Pass 4NT* Pass
5♣ Double All Pass
4NT Diamonds with club support
North led the two of clubs and South won with the king and returned the two of hearts for the
jack and ace. two rounds of clubs saw declarer win in hand and draw the outstanding trump and
a diamond to the jack lost to the queen, South cashing the ace of diamonds and exiting with the
queen of hearts. Declarer won with the king and played the king of spades. That set up a fifth
trick so he was down six, -1400 which cost a Nelson – 111 IMPs.

 Intermediate
♠ K95
♥ A32
♦ KJ953
♣ 54
♠ 84 N ♠ AQ J 6 2
♥ QJ ♥ K976
♦ Q 10 8 4 2 W E ♦—
♣ K932 S ♣ A J 10 8
♠ 10 7 3
♥ 10 8 5 4
♦ A76
♣ Q76
Pass 1♦ 1♠ Double*
Pass 1NT Double Pass
Pass 2♦ Pass Pass
Double All Pass
East led the seven of hearts for the jack and ace and declarer played a diamond to the ace, East
pitching the two of spades. The six of diamonds was covered by the eight and nine and declarer
exited with a club, ducking East's ten. The nine of hearts was taken by West's queen and she
switched to the eight of spades for East's jack. A club went to West's nine and she returned the
four of spades for the king and ace. East cashed the ace of spades, West throwing a club and East
cashed the king of hearts. That was the seventh trick for the defence and there was still a trump
to come, thee down, -500, losing 58 IMPs.
Pass 1♣* 1♠ Pass
1NT Pass 3♥ Pass
4♦ Double Pass Pass
4♥ All Pass
I confess I do not understand West's 4♦.

South led the ace of diamonds and declarer ruffed, played the jack of clubs for the queen and
king, played a spade to the queen, a club to the nine, a spade to the jack, cashed the ace of spades
pitching a club and ruffed a spade with the jack of hearts. North pitched a diamond and at this
point it says declarer took eight tricks. However, if ruffs a diamond and ruffs a spade, North over-
ruffing and returning a trump there will be nine tricks. Whatever, 81 IMPs changed hands.
Here's something I spotted; if North's hand had been ♠K95 ♥1032 ♦AKJ95 ♣54 and South
leads a diamond he must not cover the jack of clubs at trick two, as then Zia's line delivers ten
tricks.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/jsle8k9 and http://tinyurl.com/gmqk2an

 Intermediate
Round 13
'Brevity is the soul of wit'
♠ A K Q 10 9 8 6 2
♥ 86
♦—
♣ AJ3
♠ J53 N ♠4
♥ K5 ♥ J974
♦ AK 5 3 W E ♦ Q 10 8 7 2
♣ Q854 S ♣ K76
♠7
♥ A Q 10 3 2
♦ J964
♣ 10 9 2
Lorenzini Cullin Quantin Bertheau
– 1♠ Pass 1NT
Pass 3♠* Pass 3NT
Pass 4♣ Pass 4♥
Pass 5♦ Pass 5♠
All Pass
2♣ 5/6major,4+♣,11-15 (excluding 2M+1) or 16+,modified Häxan Gazzilli
2♦ 8(9) game forcing opposite 16+
3♠ 16+ 6+♠, 0-2♥
4♣ Cue-bid
4♥ Cue-bid
5♦ Cue-bid
East led the seven of hearts and declarer put in the queen. West took the king and after a few
moments thought returned a heart into the tenace – the only way to defeat the contract. Declarer
won and took his only shot by playing a club to the jack, hoping to find the ♣KQ or a double-
ton honour onside. No luck, one down,-50. It cost 97 IMPs.
Bjørg Werdelin Thomsen Pedersen
– 4♦* Pass 4♠
All Pass
4♦ with a side ace and a void – you don't see that too often. It avoided any danger and declarer
finished with ten tricks, ruffing the diamond lead, drawing trumps and playing a heart to the
queen. -420 gave E/W 4 IMPs.

 Intermediate
'Conscience doth make cowards of us all'
♠J
♥ 86
♦ 6532
♣ K96543
♠ K95 N ♠ 10 8
♥ Q J 10 7 5 ♥ A9 3 2
♦ AJ 8 W E ♦ K Q 10 9 7 4
♣ Q7 S ♣A
♠ AQ76432
♥ K4
♦—
♣ J 10 8 2
Lorenzini Cullin Quantin Bertheau
1♥ Pass 2♦ 3♠
Pass Pass 4♥ All Pass
North led the jack of spades and South won with the ace, returned the seven for North to ruff,
ruffed the three of diamonds and played the six of spades. North pitched the three of clubs and
declarer played the queen of hearts, putting up dummy's ace for +620 and 63 IMPs.
You will have spotted that a speculative Lightner double (make that very speculative) would
have defeated the contract (assuming North leads a diamond). Two N/S pairs were +200 earn-
ing 74 IMPs.
Bjørg Werdelin Thomsen Pedersen
1♥ Pass 2NT* 4♠
Pass Pass 5♣* Pass
5♥ All Pass
North led the jack of spades and South won with the ace and returned the four for North to ruff.
In due course the king of hearts was the setting trick, -100 and 54 IMPs.
Suppose West doubles 4♠ and East sits for it (unlikely to be sure). On a heart lead East must
win, cash the ace of clubs and can then play any card to beat 4♠.
The Rimstedts increased their lead – they finished the day on 871, as Roy Welland & Sabine
Auken (703) and Tom Hanlon & Vince Demuy (687) exchanged places.

 Intermediate
Hit Man
Apart from Hans Christian Andersen, who is the most famous man in Denmark?
I am reliably informed it is Mads Mikkelsen (by the way he is the complete opposite of hygge)
the star of the TV series Hannibal, the Bond villain who wept blood in Casino Royale, Kaecilius
in Doctor Strange, and Galen Erso in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
He came to acting relatively late, when he was almost 30, after a youth in gymnastics and dance.
His elder bother Lars has starred in The Killing and House of Cards.
In a recent interview Mads revealed he has no plans for 2017 yet. They are unlikely to include a
venture into Scandi noir, the genre that has come to define Denmark. His reaction to being asked
about The Killing was to talk about the huge number of suspects – 'He did it, they did it. No, it's
the dog who did it. No, it's the dog's wife's mother. It's like a Monty Python sketch'. His ambition
is always the project he is working on – which is definitely the right approach when playing bridge.
So, on to the last day – 48 deals to save the world.
Round 14
♠ J3
♥ AK8
♦ 10 9 5 2
♣ QJ75
♠ K 10 8 4 2 N ♠ A7 5
♥— ♥ QJ96542
♦ AK Q 6 W E ♦—
♣ 9863 S ♣ A 10 2
♠ Q96
♥ 10 7 3
♦ J8743
♣ K4
Padon Helness Birman Helgemo
– Pass 1♥ Pass
1♠ Pass 2♣* Pass
2♦* Pass 2♠* Pass
2NT Pass 4♥* Pass
4♠ All Pass
2♣ Gazzilli
2♦ 8+
2♠ 3 spades, game-forcing
4♥ 7 hearts
North led the queen of clubs and declarer took dummy's ace, cashed the ace of spades, ruffed a
heart, pitched two clubs and a heart on diamonds, ruffed a club, ruffed a heart, ruffed a diamond,
ruffed a heart and had eleven tricks, +450 and 10 IMPs.
O Rimstedt Hanlon M Rimstedt Demuy
– Pass 1♥ Pass
1♠ Pass 3♥ Pass
3NT All Pass

 Intermediate
East's 3♥ may look aggressive, but it is limited because of the failure rebid an artificial 2♣ East
was limited. Even so, I prefer the auction at the other table, as here East appears to be guessing
how many spades West has.
North led the jack of clubs and the play was on similar lines, although here declarer did not
bother with a round of trumps, eventually ruffing a club with the ace of spades, the same +450.
♠ A75
♥ J4
♦ AKQ93
♣ Q85
♠ Q 10 3 N ♠ K64
♥ AQ 9 7 ♥ 10 8 3
♦ 10 8 7 6 W E ♦ 42
♣ K2 S ♣ J 10 7 6 3
♠ J982
♥ K652
♦ J5
♣ A94
– – Pass Pass
1♥ Double 2♥ 2♠
All Pass
West led the seven of diamonds and declarer won with the jack and continued with two more
diamonds, East ruffing the third with the four of spades and declarer overruffing with the eight.
Now declarer made the natural looking play of a spade to the ace, but it turned out be a fatal
move (best is to duck a round of spades – if East switches to a club you must go up with the ace
and can then play a spade to the ace followed by dummy's diamonds). The problem was that East
ruffed the diamond that followed with the king of spades and switched to a heart after which the
defenders had to score six tricks, +100 and a useful 42 IMPs.
– – Pass Pass
1♣ 1NT Pass 2♣*
Pass 2♦* Pass 3NT
All Pass
2♣ Stayman
2♦ No major
East led the three of clubs and West won with the king and returned the two, declarer winning with the
ace and playing a low heart. West went in with the queen and switched to a diamond. Declarer could
win and play a heart, taking a spade, a heart, five diamonds and two clubs, +600, collecting 82 IMPs.
Having won with the queen of hearts, West must switch to a spade, putting the defenders one
step ahead.
At double dummy, declarer can put up dummy's ace of clubs at trick one, cash five diamonds
and then duck a club to West. Obvious.

 Intermediate
The more relevant point is what happens if South is declarer?
To defeat 3NT, West must lead a diamond. Say declarer wins in hand and plays a spade. West
must put in the ten to prevent declarer ducking the trick to East. If declarer ducks, West must
switch to the queen of hearts (or, in your dreams, the king of clubs!).
♠K
♥ K986
♦ J65
♣ AKQJ3
♠ 84 N ♠ AJ
♥ Q J 10 7 5 4 ♥ A3 2
♦ Q87 W E ♦ AK 9 4 3 2
♣ 65 S ♣ 97
♠ Q 10 9 7 6 5 3 2
♥—
♦ 10
♣ 10 8 4 2
– 1♣ Double 4♠
All Pass
West led the queen of hearts and declarer ruffed and played a spade to the king and ace. East
cashed the king of diamonds and continued with the ace, declarer ruffing, cashing the queen of
spades and claiming, +650,worth 47 IMPs.
– 1♣ Double 4♠
Pass Pass 5♦ Pass
Pass 5♠ Double Pass
6♦ Double All Pass
South led the four of clubs and North took two tricks in the suit and switched to the king of
spades. Declarer won with the ace, cashed the ace of diamonds, crossed to the queen and ran the
queen of hearts, ten tricks, two down, -300 pocketing the brothers 23 IMPs.
South had followed to the second club with the two – if North reads the position and switches
to a low heart the defenders get an extra trick.
However, this vital match went the way of Hanlon-Demuy who won by 102 IMPs to go back
to the top of the table.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/hf5ykhc

 Intermediate
Round 15
♠5
♥ AQJ83
♦ Q65
♣ KQJ7
♠ AQ J 9 2 N ♠ 64
♥ K 10 9 5 ♥ 76
♦ A9 8 W E ♦ KJ743
♣8 S ♣ 9432
♠ K 10 8 7 3
♥ 42
♦ 10 2
♣ A 10 6 5
Demuy Lindqvist Hanlon Brogeland
– 1♥ Pass 1♠
Pass 2♣ All Pass
East led the two of clubs and declarer won with dummy's ten, played a heart to the queen, cashed
the ace of hearts, ruffed a heart (East pitching the four of spades) and eventually came to eight
tricks by ruffing a second heart with the ace of clubs, +90 and 13 IMPs.
Welland M Rimstedt Auken O Rimstedt
– 1♥ Pass 1♠
Pass 3♠ Pass 3NT
Double All Pass
2♣ 4+ ♣ 11-14 or 15+ any
According to the BBO operator North showed 1-5-3-4 and 15-17 points. System guru Al Hol-
lander thought 2NT showed 0-2 spades.
West doubled for a spade lead and East led the six for the ten and jack. West switched to the
eight of diamonds and East won with the jack and played her remaining spade, West winning
with the nine as declarer parted with the three of hearts. At this point cashing the ace of spades
followed by the ace of diamonds (or perhaps better the other way round) is four down, but West
switched to the five of hearts, and declarer could put in the queen, get to dummy with a club and
repeat the heart finesse, seven tricks, two down, -300 and a loss of 76 IMPs.

 Intermediate
Board 11. Dealer South. None Vul.
♠ AQ
♥ AK986
♦ Q9
♣ A974
♠ K852 N ♠ 96
♥ J75 ♥ 10 4 3 2
♦ AK 8 4 2 W E ♦ 65
♣K S ♣ Q8652
♠ J 10 7 4 3
♥Q
♦ J 10 7 3
♣ J 10 3
– – – Pass
1♦ Double Pass 1♠
Pass 2♥ Pass 2♠
All Pass
West started with three rounds of diamonds and declarer ruffed with dummy's queen of spades,
cashed the ace of clubs, played a heart to the queen, ruffed a diamond high, cashed two hearts
pitching clubs, and ruffed a club. West overuffed and played a diamond ruffed by East with the
nine and overuffed by declarer who exited with the seven of spades, +110 to lose an IMP.
– – – Pass
1♦ Double Pass 1♠
Pass 2♥ Pass 2NT
Pass 3NT All Pass
West led the ace of diamonds and switched to the five of spades, declarer winning with dummy's
queen, cashing the ace of spades and playing the queen of diamonds, dropping a deceptive (but
mistaken) ten from his hand. West won and switched to the jack of hearts. Declarer won with
the queen, played the three of clubs for the king and ace, cashed dummy's top hearts and played
a club. East took the queen, and unable to cash the ten of hearts (declarer would pitch the ♣J)
she returned a club. However, that forced West to pitch a spade and after winning with the jack
declarer could exit with the jack of spades to force West to lead into the diamond tenace. A bril-
liant piece of play, worth 65 IMPs, but why was the ♦10 an error?
If West exits with the ♣K instead of a heart declarer cannot do it as only has one certain diamond
winner. With the ♦J10 left declarer wins the ♣A comes to hand with a heart, cashes a diamond
and exits with a club. East wins and plays a heart for the jack and ace, but declarer has nine tricks.
However, without the ten of diamonds, East can simply return a club after winning with the queen.
The swingy deals continued – The twins doubled 2♠ and found they couldn't defeat it – they
dropped IMPs for -470 and 85 IMPs.
Then Auken-Welland could not bid ♠A93 ♥J105 ♦AK864 ♣109 opposite ♠74 ♥AQ976 ♦73
♣A732 to game and with the doubleton ♥K onside and diamonds 3-3 they dropped 52 IMPs.

 Intermediate
♠ K 10 8 5 2
♥ A J 10 8 3
♦ 10 4
♣6
♠7 N ♠ QJ94
♥K ♥ 972
♦ AQ 9 7 6 3 W E ♦ K8
♣ AK Q 8 5 S ♣ J 10 9 7
♠ A63
♥ Q654
♦ J52
♣ 432
– – Pass Pass
1♦ 2♦* Pass 3♣*
5♣ All Pass
2♦ Majors
3♣ Invitational with hearts
The defenders got their aces, but that was -400 and 22 IMPs.
– – Pass Pass
1♦ 2♦* Pass 4♥
5♣ Pass Pass 5♥
Double Pass 6♣ Double
All Pass
2♦ Majors
North led the ace of hearts and when South followed with the queen he switched to the two of
spades, +100 picking up 88 IMPs.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/jny6eae
Ola & Mikael Rimstedt receiving prize

from HRH the Prince Consort

 Intermediate
Round 16
Board 22. Dealer East. E/WVul.
♠ 10 8 7 3 2
♥ A 10 9 8 5
♦ J7
♣A
♠ Q54 N ♠ AK J 9 6
♥ 643 ♥7
♦ 642 W E ♦ K Q 10 5 3
♣ 9843 S ♣ J6
♠—
♥ KQJ2
♦ A98
♣ K Q 10 7 5 2
Brogeland Auken Lindqvist Welland
– – 1♠ 2♣
Pass 2♥ Pass 3♠*
Double 4♥ Pass 4NT*
Pass 5♣* Pass 6♥
All Pass
3♠ Optional Keycard Blackwood for hearts
4♥ 2 key cards + ♥Q (but there was some confusion because of West's double)
Worried that there had been a misunderstanding, South tried 4NT, intending it to be Blackwood,
but as he was unsure about the location of the ace of clubs he could not do more than bid 6♥.
That cost 11 IMPs.
Helgemo Upmark Helness Nyström
– – 1♠ 2♣
Pass 2♥ 3♦ 3♠*
Double Pass Pass Redouble*
Pass 3NT Pass 4♦*
Pass 4♥ All Pass
3♠ Good hand for hearts
Rdble Perhaps intended to show first-round spade control
4♦ Cue-bid
You can see South's problem – he thought North had wasted values in spades after his 3NT. Even
so, I would have been tempted to bid 4♠ over 4♥. It did not take declarer long to claim all the
tricks, +510 to lose 89 IMPs.
Four pairs hit the target to score 75 IMPs.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/gqqq6ro

 Intermediate
Round 17
For the second successive round the deals were relatively quiet – this was the only one of more
than passing interest.
♠9
♥ A Q 10 4 3
♦ 32
♣ QJ432
♠ KJ87542 N ♠ 63
♥— ♥ KJ8765
♦ J9764 W E ♦ K Q 10 5
♣K S ♣5
♠ A Q 10
♥ 92
♦ A8
♣ A 10 9 8 7 6
Demuy Bertheau Hanlon Cullin
4♠ All Pass
North led the queen of clubs and South took the ace and played two rounds of diamonds. Declarer
won in dummy, played a spade to the ten and jack followed by a low spade, one down, -100, just
a 1 IMP swing.
Pedersen O Rimstedt Werdelin M Rimstedt
4♠ All Pass
North led the ace of hearts and declarer ruffed and played the seven of diamonds to the queen
and ace. When South returned a diamond, neglecting to cash the ace of clubs, declarer could win
in dummy, pitch a club on the king of hearts and play a spade, +620 worth 111 IMPs.
Would you consider bidding 5♣ over 4♠ with the South hand? Suppose West leads a diamond?
You win, and if you are a believer in the Rabbi's Rule, you cash the ace of clubs. That is followed
by the ace of spades, a spade ruff, a club to hand, a spade ruff and a diamond exit. Whoever wins
is endplayed and you make twelve tricks! The pair who bid 5♣ collected 103 IMPs.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/gmrurl8

 Intermediate
Round 18
♠ 10
♥ Q 10 9 8 7
♦ Q 10 9 3
♣ A94
♠ AK 3 2 N ♠ J9764
♥K ♥ J43
♦ K764 W E ♦ A8 6 2
♣ 8752 S ♣3
♠ Q85
♥ A652
♦J
♣ K Q J 10 6
Demuy Quantin Hanlon Lorenzini
– – Pass 1♣
Pass 1♥ Pass 2♥
Pass 4♥ All Pass
Once North's suit had been supported, the value of his hand increased significantly – his fifth
heart was now worth about an extra king, he had a fit in clubs, and a singleton.
East led his club and declarer won in hand with the ace, played the ten of hearts to the ace, a
heart to the queen and a club. East could ruff, but after that there were only two more tricks for
the defence, +620.
Welland Bertheau Auken Cullin
– – Pass 1♣
Pass 1♥ Pass 2♥
Pass 4♥ All Pass
It should not surprise you that the auction and result were repeated, +620, 34 IMPs.
Bjørg Houmøller, Denmark, Player in the main event.
You and Signe qualified for the main event, how has it been playing against the biggest stars in
the world? "It has been such a wonderful experience, Signe and I made a deal before we started – we
promised to enjoy every minute, and we certainly have. The atmosphere all over the hotel is so positive,
and getting this opportunity, to play against the greatest bridge minds in the world, is both funny, and
very challenging. We will definitely do our very best to be back in two years."

 Intermediate
Board 11. Dealer South. None Vul.
♠ K 10 3 2
♥ K96
♦ 543
♣ A72
♠ A7 4 N ♠ 96
♥ A8 5 2 ♥ Q 10 7 4 3
♦ KJ87 W E ♦ 10 9 2
♣ K8 S ♣ J63
♠ QJ85
♥J
♦ AQ6
♣ Q 10 9 5 4
Demuy Quantin Hanlon Lorenzini
– – – 1♣
Double Redouble 1♥ Pass
Pass 1♠ Pass 3♠
Pass 4♠ All Pass
East found the killing lead, the nine of diamonds. Declarer went up with dummy's ace, played
the queen of spades and when it held he followed it with the jack of hearts. If West takes this
his side must score a trick in each suit, but he ducked and declarer won with the king. The win-
ning line now is to play a club to the nine, but understandably declarer ruffed a heart, came to
hand with the ace of clubs, ruffed a heart and then ducked a club to West's king. West cashed the
ace of spades and now all he had to do was play the king of diamonds and a diamond. Declarer
would be locked in dummy, forced to play a club which West could ruff for one down. When
West missed this, playing the ace of hearts, declarer could ruff, draw the outstanding trump and
claim, +620 to garner 61 IMPs.
♠ K987
♥ J865
♦ K5
♣ 987
♠ 53 ♠ J642
♥Q ♥ AK 7 2
♦ Q 10 9 3 2 ♦ 84
♣ QJ642 ♣ 10 5 3
♠ A Q 10
♥ 10 9 4 3
♦ AJ76
♣ AK

 Intermediate
West North East South ♠ K987
Demuy Quantin Hanlon Lorenzini ♥ J865
♦ K5
Pass Pass Pass 1♦
♣ 987
Pass 1♥ Pass 3NT ♠ 53 ♠ J642
Pass 4♥ All Pass N
♥ Q ♥ AK 7 2
♦ Q 10 9 3 2 W E ♦ 84
East led the three of clubs and declarer won in dummy S
and played the ten of hearts to West's queen. Back came ♣ QJ642 ♣ 10 5 3
♠ A Q 10
a club and declarer won in dummy and played three ♥ 10 9 4 3
rounds of diamonds, ruffed and overruffed by East who ♦ AJ76
played two rounds of hearts, which left declarer a trick ♣ AK
short, -100 and 17 IMPs went away .
Welland Bertheau Auken Cullin
3♣* Pass 4♣ Double
Pass 4♥ All Pass
3♣ 3-9 very light 1st NV v VUL
East led the three of clubs and declarer won perforce and played the three of hearts to West's queen.
He won the club return, played a diamond to the king, ruffed a club and played four rounds of
spades, ruffing the last of them, playing the ten of hearts and claiming, +620, a massive 107 IMPs.
Round 19
Going into the last round Hanlon & Demuy led the twins by 184 IMPs – and the latter had to
face Helgemo & Helness.
I'm going to take a wild guess and say that the title was decided by the very first deal of the set.
♠ KJ9
♥ A K Q 10 7 5 3
♦4
♣ K8
♠ 86 N ♠ Q542
♥ J986 ♥4
♦ K 10 8 6 2 W E ♦ AJ 5
♣ J4 S ♣ 10 9 7 5 2
♠ A 10 7 3
♥2
♦ Q973
♣ AQ63
O Rimstedt Helness M Rimstedt Helgemo
– 1♥ Pass 1♠
Pass 4NT* Pass 5♥*
Pass 6♥ All Pass
4♣ Cue-bid
4NT RKCB
5♥ 2 key cards

 Intermediate
East started with the ace of diamonds and a diamond ♠ KJ9
and declarer ruffed and cashed two hearts, an unlucky ♥ A K Q 10 7 5 3
one down, -100. ♦ 4
♣ K8
West North East South ♠ 86 N ♠ Q542
Blakset Hanlon Madsen Demuy ♥ J986 ♥ 4
♦ K 10 8 6 2 W E ♦ AJ 5
– 2♣* Pass 2♦* ♣ J4 S ♣ 10 9 7 5 2
Double 2♥* 3♦ Double ♠ A 10 7 3
Pass 4♥ Pass 4NT* ♥ 2
Pass 5♥* All Pass ♦ Q973
2♥ Hearts or 24-25 balanced ♣ AQ63
4NT RKCB
5♥ 2 key cards, no ♥Q
When the dummy came down after East's ace of diamonds lead declarer shook his head – had he
intended to bid 5♠ or decided to downgrade his hand?
It was his lucky day, +450 and +8 IMPs instead of -79.
Versace and Birman made 6♥ – no doubt without a diamond lead.
After a nail-biting finish Vincent Demuy and Tom Hanlon emerged as winners of the 2017
Copenhagen Bridge Invitional ahead of the magnificent Rimstedt twins. Ahead by 184 points
going into the last 8 boards, Demuy-Hanlon were clear favourites. However the final margin was
just 6I MPs.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/zsdjob6
Hans van Staveren, Netherland (Tournament Director).
What would say separates this tournament from other tournaments around the world? "Well, there
are so many great bridge players here, and still everyone are so very polite and behaving so nice. Being
a TD at this tournament is a great pleasure for me."
Prizes
Copenhagen Invitational 2017 IMPs DKK
Tom Hanlon – Vince Demuy 888 40000 (€5360)
Mikael Rimstedt – Ola Rimstedt 865 30000
Peter Bertheau – Per-Ola Cullin 664 20000
Fredrik Nyström – Johan Upmark 572 10000
The DKK10000 prize for the highest score on the last day went to Thomas Bessis & Frédéric Vol-
cker. It was Thomas's idea to instigate the prize in 2013 (when his partnership finished second)
to motivate all the players on the last day.

 Intermediate
Radisson Blue Scandinavia IMP Pairs
Final A IMPs DKK
Børre Lund – Jørgen Molberg 937 13000 (€1750)
Ole Fuglestad – Øyvind Saur 733 9000
Lars Erik Eide – Terje Garseg 723 6000
Stig Meno Farholt – Peter Fredin 668 4000
Atle Grefstad – Martin Reinertsen 603 5000
Final B
Lars Øivind Allard – Per-Ove Grime 1029 8000
Anne Birgitte Fossum – Aksel Hornslien 884 6500
Kjell Gaute Fyrun – Arild Rasmussen 711 3 5000
Jan Kristen Lutro – Trond Are Nitter 601 4200
Christian Lahrmann – Thomas Svendsen 541 3500
Final C
Susan Just Olesen – Kim Nørgaard Nielsen 2255 6000
Vegard Brekke – Stig Martinussen 2212 5000
Are Sivertsen – Espen Torp 2017 4000
Erik Eliassen – Thorleif Skimmeldal 1668 3500
Maja Rom Anjer – Lise Blågestad 1616 3000
Gunn Kari Helness – Ida Wennevold 1608 2500
There were also numerous lottery prizes. The most desirable, bridge travel to the Madeira Fes-
tival in November, went to Latvia's Maija Romanovska & Ugis Jansons.
Horse racing is said to be the sport of Kings, but in Denmark Bridge is the choice of Princes
and at the closing buffet dinner we had the honour to welcome His Royal Highness the Prince
Consort of Denmark who not only presented the prizes, but also played a few rounds of Chicago
with a variety of partners.
As Bugs Bunny would say, 'That's all folks!'
HRH the Prince Consort presenting to Tom Hanlon & Vince Demuy

 Intermediate

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 General Interest
Deals that Caught my Eye
David Bird reports on some deals from the recent Teltscher Trophy England senior trials
There were plenty of big names on display in the senior trials, contested at the West Midlands
Bridge Club. Brock met Irens in the 1st round.
Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ 86
♥ A6
♦ J52
♣ A K Q J 10 3
♠ 754 N ♠ K J 10 9 3
♥ K98742 ♥ Q 10 5
♦ K 10 W E ♦ 64
♣ 75 S ♣ 962
♠ AQ2
♥ J3
♦ AQ9873
♣ 84
Forrester Brock Kendrick Smith
– – Pass 1♦
1♥ 2♣ 2♥ 3♦
3♥ 4♥ Pass 4♠
Pass 4NT Pass 5♠
Pass 6♦ All Pass
When Tony Forrester led the ♠5, it was easy to win and continue with ace and another trump.
A heart lead is more taxing but Nicola Smith would doubtless have won, played a trump to the
ace and turned to clubs. The heart loser would go on the third club and West would have to ruff
with the ♦K.
Myers Selway Sheehan Simpson
– – Pass 1♦
2♥ 3♣ 3♠ Pass
4♥ 5♣ All Pass
The intervention was more intense at the other table and it was difficult to proceed past 5♣. Sally
Brock’s team collected a 13 IMPs swing.

Irens faced Hackett in the third round, which posed this bidding test:
Dealer East. None vulnerable.
♠ J97653
♥ J6
♦ K63
♣ 92
♠ 10 2 N ♠ AK Q
♥ K 10 9 8 7 3 2 ♥ AQ 5
♦A W E ♦ 7542
♣ A6 3 S ♣ KJ7
♠ 84
♥4
♦ Q J 10 9 8
♣ Q 10 8 5 4
Selway Hallberg Simpson Holland
– – 1♦ Pass
1♥ Pass 2NT Pass
3♥ Pass 4♥ Pass
4NT Pass 5♠ Pass
5NT Pass 6♣ Pass
7♥ All Pass
Colin Simpson declined to cue-bid over 3♥. Norman Selway persisted with RKCB, discovering
two key-cards and the ♥Q, also the ♣K. He could then count 11 top tricks with another ‘5 or
6 points to come’ from his partner. He decided the odds were good enough to bid 7♥. Gunnar
Hallberg led the ♠6 and declarer spread his cards on the table.
Hackett Kendrick Senior Forrester
– – 2NT Pass
3♦ Pass 3♥ Pass
4♣ Pass 4♥ Pass
4NT Pass 5♠ Pass
5NT Pass 6♣ Pass
6♦ Pass 6♥ All Pass
Paul Hackett had a similar amount of information by the time his partner bid 6♣. Judging that
the odds for a grand slam were inadequate without further consultation, he made a grand-slam
try of 6♦. On the face of it, Brian Senior might have accepted on the strength of his extra side-
suit king, accompanied by a queen. He bid only 6♥ and Irens picked up 11 IMPs.

Davies faced Hackett in the 4th round and both sides missed the top spot on this awkward bid-
ding deal:
Dealer South. Both Vul.
♠ 973
♥ AK
♦5
♣ A Q 10 9 7 4 3
♠ 52 N ♠ Q J 10 8 6 4
♥ QJ65 ♥ 97
♦ A J 10 8 2 W E ♦ KQ64
♣ 65 S ♣2
♠ AK
♥ 10 8 4 3 2
♦ 973
♣ KJ8
Hallberg Solomon Holland Robinson
– – – Pass
Pass 1♣ 2♠ 3♥
Pass 4♥ All Pass
Might South have responded 2NT instead of 3♥ on such a poor suit? The partnership would
probably then reach 5♣ – not the perfect 6♣, but better than 4♥.
Hallberg led the ♠5 against the heart game, John Holland playing the ♠6 and declarer winning
with the ♠A. Dummy’s two top trumps were followed by a club to the king and a third trump, on
which Holland pitched a suit-preference ♠Q. Hallberg led the ♦2 to East’s ♦Q and the defend-
ers collected a total of three diamonds and two trumps for two down.
Davies Price Gisborne Mossop
– – – 1♥
Pass 2♣ 2♠ Pass
Pass 3♣ Pass 3NT
All Pass
David Mossop opened the South hand and this allowed David Price to rebid his clubs. They were
then in with a chance of bidding 5♣ or even the Holy Grail of 6♣. South chose the more mod-
est contract of 3NT, however, which would depend on the opening lead. What would you have
led from the West hand?
Some might choose a diamond, with long clubs threatened in the dummy, but I dare say most
would go along with Sandy Davies’ choice of a spade. Eleven tricks were made and the Hackett
team collected 13 IMPs.

I seem to choosing deals that feature bidding rather than play. Irens met Lawy in the 5th round
and a potential grand slam beckoned.
Dealer North. Both Vul.
♠ K Q J 10 5
♥—
♦ J 10 8 7 5 4 2
♣4
♠ 943 N ♠ 862
♥ Q 10 4 ♥ KJ983
♦9 W E ♦—
♣ QJ9763 S ♣ K 10 8 5
♠ A7
♥ A7652
♦ AKQ63
♣A
Ward Forrester Lawy Kendrick
– 2♠ Pass 2NT
Pass 4♦ Pass 4♥
Pass 4♠ Pass 7♦
All Pass
Forrester opened 2♠, a bid often based on a 5-5 two-suiter. When Kendrick enquired with 2NT,
he rebid 4♦ to show extra-long diamonds. After two cue-bids, Kendrick was happy to bid 7♦.
Declarer won the club lead, drew the defenders’ trump and claimed his +2140.
Selway Dixon Irens Anthias
– Pass Pass 2♣
Pass 2♦ Pass 2♥
Pass 3♦ Pass 4♦
Pass 4♠ Pass 5♣
Double Pass Pass 6♦
All Pass
Taf Anthias was my bridge partner in the 1970s, when we both worked for IBM. We recently
rejoined forces to write two books on opening leads, using computer simulation. Chris Dixon
did not open the bidding and Taf was not therefore favoured with the information available to
Kendrick at the other table. Perhaps recalling a fair number of unsuccessful grand slam ventures
from 40 years ago, he signed off in 6♦ on the fifth round of bidding.
How might the grand slam have been reached after the early bidding at this table? South might
redouble his 5♣ cue-bid to show first-round control. Even if North then bids just 5♦, South can
continue with 5♠. Anyway, it was 13 IMPs to Irens.

You are screaming for a play hand, I realise. Well here is a well defended 3NT contract from the
Davies-Iren match:
Dealer West. Both Vul.
♠ K J 10 6 5
♥ Q5
♦ AQ83
♣ K3
♠ A8 7 2 N ♠ Q943
♥ 642 ♥ A 10 9 7
♦ 95 W E ♦ 10 6 4
♣ QJ65 S ♣ 98
♠—
♥ KJ83
♦ KJ72
♣ A 10 7 4 2
Forrester Gisborne Kendrick Davies
Pass 1NT Pass 2♣
Pass 2♠ Pass 3NT
All Pass
Placing South with four hearts, Kendrick made the best lead of the ♦4. Declarer has six top tricks
in the minors and would like to add a spade and two hearts. This is easier said than done. Tom
Gisborne won with the ♦Q and played the ♣K, followed by a club to the 10 and jack.
Forrester now switched to the ♠8, indicating that he would not especially welcome a spade
return. One way to make the contract after this start is to rise with the ♠K and play hearts. When
the ♠J was played, Kendrick won with the ♠Q and declarer now needed (at double-dummy) to
ditch dummy’s ♣4. Clubs might still have been 3-3. of course, and he threw the ♥3 instead.
Kendrick could now play the ♥10 safely. Declarer won with the ♥Q and played another heart,
East correctly playing low. Three rounds of diamonds were followed by the ♣A. When the 3-3
break cavalry did not arrive, declarer had to surrender the last three tricks for one down.
Robinson Selway Solomon Simpson
Pass 1♠ Pass 2♣
Pass 2♦ Pass 2♥
Pass 2NT Pass 3♦
Pass 3♥ Pass 4♣
Pass 4♦ Pass 4♠
Pass 5♣ Pass 6♦
All Pass
The diamond fit was located but the level was one too high on the lie of the cards. Perhaps South
did too much, with a void in partner’s spades and the diamond fit likely to be only 4-4. After a
trump lead to the queen and the ♥5 from the North hand, East rose with the ♥A to play a sec-
ond trump. Declarer was subsequently overruffed on the third round of clubs and that was one
down. No IMPs were exchanged.

These were the final scores:
1st IRENS (Forrester, Kendrick, Selway, Simpson) 96.55

2nd HACKETT (Holland, Hallberg, Mossop, Price, Senior) 84.47
3rd BROCK (Myers, Sheehan, Smith) 71.14
4th DAVIES (Gisborne, Robinson, Solomon) 70.30
5th LAWY (Anthias, Dixon, Ward) 64.39
6th GRANVILLE (Burn, Callaghan, Sadie) 61.35
7th HOLDER (Davey, Thornton, Wolfendale) 55.80
The Butler cross-IMP table was headed by Forrester and Kendrick, with 1.06 IMPs per board.
New Books from

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IF I ONLY HAD A HEART: DEFENDING AT BRIDGE:

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Alex Adamson & Harry Smith Bill Treble
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The Over the Rainbow Bridge Club
Alex Adamson and Harry Smith with more stories from The Over The Rainbow Club
The Man Who Knew Too Much

‘An orange juice, thank you,’ the Tin Man intoned, his full attention on the dummy in front of him.
‘A glass of red wine,’ said the Lion, ‘a large one, if you don’t mind’ he added as an afterthought.
Dorothy went off to the bar. It was clear that the Lion needed sustenance. She had arrived while
the last round was being played. Work had taken her to a meeting in the Emerald City, and she
had returned in time to join her friends for the post-mortem.
The Tin Man had not been pleased. ‘Surely you can tell them that you have a regular game on
a Wednesday evening?’ He never quite understood that Dorothy had an onerous job, and that
bridge could not always be given priority. ‘If you finish the meeting by three o’clock, you could
probably still get here in time or if they arranged it for Friday then you could stay overnight since
we will be playing in there in the Swiss Teams at the weekend’.
It was just a regular club night at the Over The Rainbow Bridge club but one that saw some
irregular partnerships. As well as Dorothy’s absence, the Scarecrow also had thought that he was
going to be busy. ‘Being re-stuffed, I imagine’, joked the Tin Man as he arranged to play with
the Lion.
Late in the day, the Scarecrow’s appointment fell through and, with the Lion fixed up, and
Hank the Hunk grounded by Aunty Em for passing a cue-bid, he hastily arranged to play with a
Munchkin so shy that no-one actually knew his name.
As the session ended, the Tin Man, the Lion, the Scarecrow and Shy the Munchkin all mean-
dered over to the club bar. Dorothy had bought the drinks, and managed to hold a table for the
five of them.
Shy wasn’t much of a talker. That didn’t bother the Tin Man who felt that in conversation, as
with declaring, he was entitled to an above average share. The others would be sure to want to
hear about clever plays, which really meant he had to hold the floor.
There was one hand in particular that the Tin Man wanted to show to Dorothy.
Dealer North. N/S Vul.
♠ 10 9 7 5 3
♥ 87
♦ AKJ
♣ AKJ
♠ KQ64 N ♠ AJ 8 2
♥ K5432 ♥6
♦ 83 W E ♦ Q 10 7 6
♣ 43 S ♣ Q 10 8 2
♠—
♥ A Q J 10 9
♦ 9542
♣ 9765
The Lion opened the North hand a strong no-trump. Reluctant as he was to put his hand down

as dummy, the Tin Man seemed to have little choice but ♠ 10 9 7 5 3
to transfer into hearts and hope for the best. The Lion ♥ 87
bid Two Hearts and that ended the auction: ♦ AKJ
♣ AKJ
West North East South ♠ KQ64 N ♠ AJ 8 2
Lion Tin Man ♥ K5432 ♥ 6
♦ 83 W E ♦ Q 10 7 6
– 1NT Pass 2♦ ♣ 43 S ♣ Q 10 8 2
Pass 2♥ All Pass ♠ —
♥ A Q J 10 9
East led the ♥6 and the Lion, declarer as North, consid- ♦ 9542
ered the situation. If everything lay exceptionally well he ♣ 9765
could actually come to all thirteen tricks but it was likely
that he would have to lose a few along the way. Would people be in game? Probably not, he had
thought, with only twenty-three points and merely a seven-card heart fit. In any case, he would do
his best to maximise his overtricks. He started by finessing the heart and was pleased when it won.
In no rush to repeat the finesse he decided to take advantage of being in the dummy to take
a finesse in one of the minor suits. He chose the club suit, and his jack lost to the queen. East
returned a club, putting him in hand.
Playing his remaining heart he got a shock when East showed out. After a pause he went up
with the ace. His mood of optimism had vanished. Counting his tricks he found that he would
make four trump tricks, and then should probably win the ace and king of diamonds and hope-
fully the ace and king of clubs. He still had extra chances in both minors, but his only entries to
hand were his trumps and every time he ruffed something he would be setting up a long trump
for West. Playing clubs had an appeal. As long as West kept following he would be taking tricks,
and it would help him to know how many diamond tricks he needed.
Unfortunately the third club was ruffed leaving this position:
♠ 10 9 7 5 3
♥—
♦ AKJ
♣—
♠ KQ64 N ♠ AJ 8
♥ K5 ♥—
♦ 83 W E ♦ Q 10 7 6
♣— S ♣ 10
♠—
♥ Q J 10
♦ 9542
♣9
West played through a diamond and the Lion took what seemed to be his last chance for eight
tricks by finessing the jack. However, East won and played the winning ♣10. He followed suit,
and West discarded his remaining diamond. West now ruffed the diamond switch, cashed the ♥K
and then played the ♠K. The Lion still had a diamond loser. In total he had managed to scrape
together four trump tricks and the two minor suit aces.
The Lion remembered only too well how he had felt at the table. ‘Bravo, bravo!’ the Tin Man
had cried. ‘Seldom have I seen so much good quality wine turned into rancid vinegar! To go two
down with eight unbeatable tricks is a truly heroic performance! How inventive of you to find these
extra losers.’ While he was ranting, he entered the score for the board. Suddenly he stopped. ‘Would
you believe that someone outplayed you by four tricks? Yes, Four Hearts bid and made. What a

nonsense! I sometimes don’t know why I bother.’ As he brought the next board onto the table, the
Tin Man shook his head, while the Lion wished he had the Scarecrow opposite. He would never
have commented, but that was because he would never have realised more tricks were available.
Shy and the Scarecrow had been listening to this. Shy nudged his partner and pointed to their
scorecard, trying to indicate with his head that he should show it to the Tin Man. The Scarecrow
looked confused but Dorothy understood and asked if she could have a look. ‘I think we have
found out who made ten tricks,’ she said. ‘Tell us how you did it, Scarecrow.’ All eyes were on
the Scarecrow.
They had played the hand against Ada and Cissie, two ladies who had been leading lights in
the former women’s club, the Lullaby League. The Scarecrow had felt relaxed as he sat down at
their table. There was something almost zen-like in playing with a partner who never once com-
mented on any aspect of his bidding, play or defence. All he got by way of feedback was a smile
at the end of every hand.
‘No Lion tonight?’ Ada had asked the Scarecrow. ‘He’s such a nice player, and a real gentleman.'
‘That he is,’ Cissie had agreed, cradling her handbag in her lap fondly. ‘Oh, but I see him over
there playing with that crotchety Tin Man. Very kind of the Lion to give him a game I would say.’
The Scarecrow had experienced great difficulty in sorting out a system with Shy, who had sim-
ply nodded agreement to all of his suggestions, including both strong and weak No Trumps. As
a result neither was entirely sure what values the other was showing in an auction that went as
follows, with the Scarecrow occupying the South seat:
Ada Shy Cissie Scarecrow
– 1♠ Pass 2♥
Pass 2NT Pass 3♥
Pass 4♥ All Pass
Ada, as West, led the ♠K and Shy smiled apologetically as he laid his hand down. The Scarecrow
examined it with some dismay – being forced at trick one was clearly not good and he had not
had a lot of success with finesses recently. He decided to try to avoid going down until as late in
the hand as possible.
The Scarecrow won the first trick by ruffing with the ♥9. Scorning any risky finesses he crossed
to the ♣A and ruffed another spade, went back over the ♣K and ruffed a third spade. He then
repeated the same procedure in diamonds, entering dummy to ruff the fourth and fifth rounds
of spades. His final spade ruff was with the ♥A, which West had to underruff holding nothing
but trumps. Five ruffs and four minor suit top cards had brought him to nine tricks and he had
completed a most unlikely dummy reversal, leaving the following cards:
♠—
♥ 87
♦J
♣J
♠— N ♠—
♥ K543 ♥6
♦— W E ♦Q
♣— S ♣ Q 10
♠—
♥—
♦ 95
♣ 97

Dummy’s hearts were of sufficient strength that he could not be prevented from scoring a tenth
trick.
‘Well played indeed’’, said Ada, in the West seat. ‘You can imagine, Cissie, I thought about
doubling.’
‘Very wise not to, Ada’, Cissie replied. ‘They say that doubling usually costs a trick by giving away
the position and minus 790 would have been a real horror!’ She shuddered visibly at the thought.
As the Scarecrow recounted these events the Tin Man began to let out a low, involuntary hiss,
signifying a mix of incredulity and a sneaking suspicion that the Scarecrow had stumbled onto a
remarkably sensible line.
‘Well done,’ said Dorothy, smiling at the Scarecrow. ‘You really did well on that one, and thor-
oughly earned your top.’
The Scarecrow blushed.
The Tin Man’s kettle appeared to have gone off the boil. He didn’t appreciate others coming
up with a better line than he had thought of. Rapidly, he moved the conversation onto a differ-
ent board.
‘You might find this instructive,’ he said, searching for it in the hand records. ‘I can’t see it, but
here are our hands. One of you will have played it. I was in the South seat at this table.’ He found
a napkin and set out the two hands:
♠ 10 8 5 4
♥ AK J 9 5
♦8
♣ J83
♠ AK 7 6 2
♥ 632
♦3
♣ K Q 10 4
‘With both sides vulnerable, our bidding was straightforward. When East opened One Diamond,
I made the obvious overcall of One Spade. My partner was a passed hand, so his Three Heart bid
over West’s Three Diamonds had to show tricks in hearts and spade support. Knowing I was going
to be at the helm, I had a clear-cut raise to game.’
The full auction had been:
Munchkin Lion Munchkin Tin Man
– Pass 1♦ 1♠
3♦ 3♥ Pass 4♠
All Pass
The Tin Man described the play. ‘West led the king of diamonds, placing him with the queen, and
East played low to suggest a club switch. West played the seven of clubs to East’s ace and another
club came back which I won in the dummy, West following with the two. I cashed the ace and king
of spades, and found that West had started with three trumps headed by the jack, and East with
the singleton queen. So, with two tricks lost and a certain trump loser I had to avoid a heart loser.’
He paused to ensure that everyone had time to assimilate the situation, and appreciate the
quality of his subsequent play.
‘There were of course two possibilities.’ he droned. ‘One was to take a finesse and one was to
play for the drop. East had shown one spade and either two or four clubs. His diamond length

was unclear but probably five or six. East-West had not bid as much as one might expect with an
eleven card fit. Non-experts playing short minors often have problems with hands such as this.
So, East seemed likely to hold between two and four hearts. In terms of points he had shown two
aces and a singleton jack. He could also have had the jack of diamonds, but all-in-all it seemed
quite likely that he had the queen of hearts.’
‘What about West?’ continued the Tin Man. ‘Well, he had three spades, two or four clubs and
again five or six diamonds. He was therefore likely to have one to three hearts. He had shown up
with the king and queen of diamonds and the queen of spades. He might have had the queen of
hearts but did not need it for his bidding. Indeed it could make his hand too strong for his jump
to Three Diamonds. With that hand I would have expected an unassuming cue-bid of Two Spades.’
‘So having concluded that East had the vital queen of hearts I now played to make the contract.’
He paused again, and looked meaningfully at his four companions, ‘whether it dropped or not.’
With a look of impending triumph on his face, the Tin Man came to the climax of his pero-
ration. ‘The point is to understand that if East has queen doubleton then it will fall under the
ace-king, but if he has three to the queen then West will have no hearts left and can be end-played,
if his exit cards are removed!’
‘My next step was therefore to cash the top hearts, on which both followed small. I then played
out my club winners – if West ruffed in he would have nothing but diamonds left and be forced
to give me a ruff and discard. He didn’t. Instead he pitched a couple of diamonds, but to no avail
as I now put him in with the master trump and on his forced diamond return I ruffed in dummy
and discarded my last heart.’
He sat back and waited for their approbation.
The Scarecrow looked puzzled. ‘Well actually, this was the last board we played. Shy was South
on this hand. We also bid game and he made an overtrick.’ One other also made eleven tricks on
the hand.
‘The lead was the seven of clubs to East’s ace. Shy won the club return and took out two rounds
of trumps. But the hand must have been misboarded, as he took the heart finesse and then was
able to discard his diamond loser on the fourth heart. As West followed to three rounds of hearts
he couldn’t ruff in.’
‘You will get about an average though,’ he said to comfort the Tin Man, ‘At a couple of tables
East-West sacrificed in Five Diamonds, and this only went two off for 500 compared to your 620.
The Tin Man didn’t seem at all comforted: averages were not things of glory for him.
The Lion had found the hand on the sheet. There had been no misboarding.
Dealer North. All Vul.
♠ 10 8 5 4
♥ AKJ95
♦8
♣ J83
♠ J93 N ♠Q
♥ Q84 ♥ 10 7
♦ K Q 10 6 2 W E ♦ AJ 9 7 5 4
♣ 72 S ♣ A9 6 5
♠ AK762
♥ 632
♦3
♣ K Q 10 4


‘I can see that West might have had a problem here,’ said the
Lion puffing his chest out. ‘He probably didn’t realise that you
had no diamonds left, and might have been worried that you
were ruffing the heart.’
Not insightful defence, but not totally stupid,’ Dorothy
commented.
The Lion wasn’t to be stopped. ‘You said there were two ways
to play hearts for no loser but you found a third one – a misde-
fence,’ he purred. ‘West must have read your mind and realised
that he couldn’t actually have the queen. How inventive of you
to find an extra loser. A bit of luck for us, or you would have
been the only person to go down! Still, better lucky than good.
Robert F. MacKinnon books from

COMING
SOON
NEVER A DULL DEAL: BRIDGE, PROBABILITY AND SAMURAI BRIDGE: RICHELIEU PLAYS BRIDGE
FAITH, HOPE AND INFORMATION A TALE OF OLD JAPAN
PROBABILITY IN BRIDGE

DISCUSS
DISCUSSTODAY’S
TODAY’SBRIDGE
BRIDGEISSUES
ISSUESON

VIDEO OF THE MONTH 3
Lightning Strikes Twice!

In 2015 11 year old Christian Lahrmann astounded the world of bridge by winning the Pro-Am
event at the Copenhagen Bridge Invitational. Incredibly he repeated the feat at this year's event
with his partner, Per-Ola Cullin, which resulted in an interview on the main news on Danish TV
(worth watching even if your Danish is a little rusty).
He learnt to play bridge as 8-year-old - not so surprising when you consider that his father has a
Bridge Club - pointing out that if you look at the game you learn it automatically. He plays at the
weekend with his father and junior grandad, but during the summer he plays almost every day. If
he does not train one weekend he trains twice the next.
Sometimes he plays online against young or old from around the world, and he is already a familiar
face on the world scene at Junior level. In 2015 with his partner Soren Bune he won the Kids World
Championship in Opatija.
He keeps a book in his room listing all the tournaments where he has finished in the first three -
he's going to need more than one of those!
For the time being he has no plans to turn professional.
A Few Words With Christian Lahrmann A Few Words With Christian Lahrmann
running time: 2 minutes running time: 4 minutes
Interview is in Danish and starts at 1:45

Royal Mews RDA
Riding for the Disabled
Save the Date
4 MAY 2017
an enjoyable day of Duplicate and Chicago bridge and lunch
to raise funds for the Royal Mews RDA
hosted at
The Royal Thames Yacht Club
What the day will include:

• An enjoyable day of Duplicate
bridge or Chicago bridge
• Morning Tea and Coffee in the
Royal Thames Yacht Club’s stylish
Coffee Room, timed to be able to
watch the Guards pass by.
• A buffet lunch
• Prizes
• Professionally directed
To Register
• Tickets £65.00 per person

• To register, with or without a partner –
email nancy@lees.tc
• Please state if you wish to play
Duplicate or Chicago Bridge
Looking forward to seeing you on the 4th!


8th European Open Championships

Palazzo dei Congressi & Palavinci
Montecatini Terme, Italy

10th to 24th June 2017
MIXED/OPEN/WOMEN/SENIORS
Pairs and Teams
PROGRAMME
From To Championship Event
Saturday 10th June Tuesday 13th June Mixed Teams
Monday 12th June Open BAM
Tuesday 13th June Friday 16th June Mixed Pairs
Thursday 15th June th
Friday 16 June EBL Cup
Saturday 17th June Wednesday 21st June Open Teams
Saturday 17th June th
Tuesday 20 June Women/Seniors Teams
Monday 19th June Open BAM
Tuesday 20th June Saturday 24th June Open Pairs
Tuesday 20th June Thursday 22nd June Women/Seniors Pairs
Friday 23rd June Saturday 24th June Open Pairs Event





 Intermediate
Solution to Non-Prize Problem

After a simple auction:
– – – 1NT
Pass 2♣ Pass 2♠
Pass 3♠ Pass 4♠
West leads the queen of diamonds and East follows with the six of diamonds.
How do you intend to secure ten tricks?
♠ Q973
♥ J 10 7
♦ 73
♣ A543
♠ K82 N ♠ 64
♥ KQ8 ♥ 6432
♦ Q J 10 8 2 W E ♦ K654
♣ 76 S ♣ Q 10 9
♠ A J 10 5
♥ A95
♦ A9
♣ KJ82
You should duck the opening lead. If West continues with a diamond you win, play the eight
of clubs to dummy's ace and run the nine of spades. West wins and returns a trump and you
win in dummy, play a club to the jack, draw the outstanding trump, cash the king of clubs,
cross to dummy with a club and run the jack of hearts, endplaying West, who must either
offer you a ruff and discard or lead into the heart tenace.
Did you spot a possible pitfall?
Suppose West ducks the nine of spades?
If you now run the queen of spades West wins and exits with a trump and you have no
entry to dummy to take the club finesse.
The deal comes from Bridge with Mr Goren by Hubert Phillips.


LYON - the place to be in August 2017

World Youth Championships
from 15th – 25th August 2017
LYON - FRANCE
Lyon is a place of warmth and

cultural exchange, and cultivates
a tradition of hospitality and
openness.
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site

and a leading European tourist
destination, Lyon is also known
for the hosting and organisation
of major events.
In Lyon, the past and the future

meet. Ancient, modern and urban
combine with each other, every
discovery and every encounter
that you experience will be full of
wonder.
Welcome to Lyon where the 5th

World Youth Open Bridge
Championships, which are
organised by the World Bridge
Federation in cooperation with
the French Bridge Federation, will
be held at the Cité Internationale
of Lyon Schedule of play for the 2017
Youth Open Championships
The French Bridge Federation is
Pairs Registration Tues 15th Aug (at 10.00 hrs)
pleased to invite you to come and
participate in the events for Opening Ceremony Tues 15th Aug at 19.30
Juniors, Girls, Youngster
Pairs Championship From Wed 16th to Sat 19th Aug
and kids. (Prize-giving at 19.00)
Teams Championship From Sun 20th to Thurs 24th Aug

(Prize-Giving at 19.30)
Teams BAM From Tues 22nd to Fri 25th Aug
Championship
Prize-giving & Fri 25th Aug at 19.30 hrs.
Closing Ceremony

 Intermediate
Test Your
Defence
with Julian Pottage Solutions on page 90
♠ ♠
1 ♥
QJ4
J 10 9 6 2 ♥
985
Q J 10 6
♦ 3 ♦ J42
♣ Q J 10 9 4 ♣ A43
♠ 8753 N ♠ KJ76 N
♥ 75 ♥ K873
♦ K Q 10 9 4 W E ♦ K8 W E
♣ 63 S ♣ K 10 7 S
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
– – – 2NT – – – 1♣
Pass 3♣ * Pass 3♦ * Double 1♥ Pass 2NT
Pass 3NT All Pass All Pass
2NT 20-22 2NT 18-19 (in principle)
3♦ No four- or five-card major
You lead the lead of six of spades, partner's queen
You lead the king of diamonds, a strong lead asking for winning. Back comes the ten, which loses to the ace.
an unblock or standard count signal. Partner plays the Declarer runs the queen of clubs and then plays a low
seven and declarer the eight. How do you continue? club to the ace, on which partner discards the three
of diamonds. You win the third round of clubs with
the king, partner discarding the five of hearts. What
is your plan?



 Intermediate
The Abbot’s Special Effort

David Bird
‘Does the name Emily Backhall mean anything to you?’ asked the Abbot.
‘I don’t recognise it,’ said Brother Lucius. ‘Is she an actress, or someone on TV?’
‘No, no, it’s the team we’re playing in the first round of the Hampshire Knock-out,’ replied the
Abbot. ‘It’s a home tie but I have a feeling that we played them at their place a few years ago. A
thatched cottage near Petersfield, was it?’
‘Ah yes,’ said Brother Lucius. ‘She provided a wonderful tea at half-time. Best scones I’ve ever
tasted, smoked salmon sandwiches and a couple of excellent cakes.’
‘That’s right,’ declared the Abbot. ‘I remember I ate rather too many of the sandwiches and
went down in a very makeable spade game soon afterwards.’
‘We’d better make an effort to improve on our normal catering,’ Brother Lucius suggested. ‘They
won’t be impressed by our usual thick-cut margarine sandwiches.’
The day of the match soon arrived and the Abbot faced the visitor’s captain in the first half.
Finding the large cardroom somewhat cold and draughty, Emily Backhall had declined to remove
her overcoat. This was an early board:
Dealer North. Neither Vul.
♠ K52
♥ 762
♦ AKQ
♣ J954
♠ 10 8 7 6 N ♠9
♥ AK Q J 9 ♥ 10 8 3
♦3 W E ♦ J9865
♣ A6 3 S ♣ 10 8 7 2
♠ AQJ43
♥ 54
♦ 10 7 4 2
♣ KQ
Emily Brother Sidney The
Backhall Xavier Wall Abbot
– 1♣ Pass 1♠
2♥ Double Pass 4♠
All Pass
Brother Xavier showed his 3-card spade holding with a Support Double and the Abbot then had
enough to bid game.
Emily Backhall knew a good opening lead when she saw one. She led the ace of hearts and con-
tinued promptly with the king. What now? Sidney had played low-high on the first two rounds of
hearts, so there wasn’t much future in continuing the suit. Still, a diamond was obviously hope-
less and her ace of clubs would lie over declarer’s king. Perhaps another top heart was the best

 Intermediate
idea after all. ♠ K52
The Abbot ruffed the third round of hearts and ♥ 762
played a trump to the king. Was there any risk of los- ♦ A KQ
♣ J954
ing control if the trumps were breaking 4-1? Suppose ♠ 10 8 7 6 ♠ 9
he played a second round of trumps and a defender ♥ A K Q J 9 N
♥ 10 8 3
showed out. When he switched his attention to clubs, ♦ 3 W E ♦ J9865
the defenders would have the chance of winning the ♣ A 6 3 S ♣ 10 8 7 2
second round and leading a fourth heart. He would ♠ A Q J 4 3
♥ 54
have to ruff with dummy’s last trump, to avoid short- ♦ 10 7 4 2
ening his own trumps again. There would then be no ♣ KQ
convenient entry to his hand to draw the last trump.
Thank goodness he had taken the trouble to consider the matter! It seemed that he should aban-
don trumps and play clubs now.
When the Abbot played a club to the king, the defenders had no way to beat the contract. If
West won the second round of clubs and played another heart, the Abbot would ruff in the dummy
and return to his hand with a trump, drawing the remaining trumps. In fact, Emily Backhall took
her ace of clubs immediately and switched to a diamond. The Abbot won, drew trumps and soon
had ten tricks facing his way.
‘Nice easy one for declarer,’ observed Sidney Wall, who was lending support to his partner by
wearing a jacket over his thick pullover. ‘Ten tricks on top.’
The Abbot had not expected these opponents to appreciate his fine play. Never mind. They
would soon realise their mistake if the monastery team picked up a game swing on the board.
At the other table, Lucius and Paulo were sitting East-West against Daphne and Norma Haskell,
two unmarried sisters who were prominent members of the Petersfield Bowling Club. The play-
ers had just drawn their cards for this board:
Dealer West. E/W Vul.
♠4
♥ J 10 8 3 2
♦ K96
♣ Q 10 8 5
♠ K Q J 10 N ♠ A6 5 2
♥ AK Q 6 5 ♥4
♦ A3 W E ♦ J8752
♣ J4 S ♣ 763
♠ 9873
♥ 97
♦ Q 10 4
♣ AK92
Brother Norma Brother Daphne
Paulo Haskell Lucius Haskell
1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass
4♠ All Pass
Daphne Haskell turned towards Brother Lucius. ‘Do you play the raise to Four Spades as a strong
bid?’ she enquired.
‘We do,’ Brother Lucius replied. ‘If my partner had a shortage in one of the minors, he might

 Intermediate
have used a splinter bid instead.’ ♠ 4
‘I only ask because some of the younger members at the ♥ J 10 8 3 2
Petersfield Club treat a raise of 1♠ to 4♠ as pre-emptive,’ ♦ K96
♣ Q 10 8 5
continued Daphne Haskell. ‘A strange idea, of course, ♠ K Q J 10 ♠ A6 5 2
but that’s youngsters for you!’ N
♥ AK Q 6 5 ♥ 4
Brother Lucius nodded politely. A pre-emptive jump ♦ A 3 W E ♦ J8752
rebid certainly would be a strange idea. Presumably she ♣ J 4 S ♣ 763
was thinking of raising an opening bid of 1♠. ♠ 9 8 7 3
♥ 97
Daphne Haskell, sitting South, led the ace of clubs ♦ Q 10 4
and continued promptly with the king of clubs. When ♣ AK92
her sister played high-low, she decided to lead a third
round of the suit. Brother Lucius paused for thought before playing to this trick. The best idea
was surely to establish dummy’s heart suit, which would require a ruff or two in his hand. In case
the adverse trumps broke 4-1, he could not afford to ruff in the dummy too. ‘Discard the three
of diamonds, please,’ he said.
Norma Haskell was happy to score a trick with her club queen. They’d won the first three tricks!
Had the studious-looking declarer not noticed that he could have ruffed in the dummy? When
she returned a low diamond, Brother Lucius won with the bare ace, cashed the ace of hearts and
ruffed a heart in his hand. He then returned to dummy with a trump and ruffed another heart
with the ace of trumps. West showed out on this trick, so two heart ruffs had been necessary.
Brother Lucius led his last trump to the dummy, drew South’s remaining trumps and claimed the
contract. Dummy was high.
‘After you let me make a third club trick, I had high hopes of beating the contract,’ said Norma
Haskell. ‘I had the king of diamonds, partner. If there’s some way to make a trick with that, they
would be one down.’
‘If you don’t give me a come-on in clubs, I would switch to diamonds,’ her sister replied. ‘Still,
too late now.’
Lucius and Paulo shared a glance, making no comment, and play continued. Brother Lucius
was declarer once again on this deal:
Dealer South. None Vul.
♠—
♥ 96542
♦ J9853
♣ 743
♠ J 10 N ♠ AK 8 6 4 3 2
♥ J83 ♥ AQ
♦ 762 W E ♦ KQ4
♣ 98632 S ♣A
♠ Q975
♥ K 10 7
♦ A 10
♣ K Q J 10
Brother Norma Brother Daphne
Paulo Haskell Lucius Haskell
– – – 1NT
Pass 2♦ 4♠ All Pass

 Intermediate
Playing in the Petersfield Club, Daphne Haskell would ♠ —
have had no hesitation in doubling Four Spades. If she ♥ 96542
could make two clubs and one trick in each red suit, the ♦ J9853
♣ 743
contract would be one down already and she would have ♠ J 10 ♠ AK 8 6 4 3 2
the trump suit to come! Still, the monk in the East seat ♥ J 8 3 N
♥ AQ
was rumoured to be a good player. Perhaps it was bet- ♦ 7 6 2 W E ♦ KQ4
ter to pass. ♣ 9 8 6 3 2 S ♣ A
Brother Lucius won the club lead with the ace and ♠ Q 9 7 5
♥ K 10 7
soon spotted how to give himself the best chance. He ♦ A 10
led the ace of hearts and continued with the heart queen, ♣ K Q J 10
won with South’s king.
Daphne Haskell was beginning to regret her failure to double the contract. If this monk was a
strong player, as everyone had said, why on earth hadn’t he taken the heart finesse? She returned
the queen of clubs and did not think much of her luck when declarer ruffed. Brother Lucius’s
next move was a low trump towards the dummy. South won with the queen and persisted with
another club, ruffed in the East hand. Lucius then crossed to the jack of trumps and discarded
the ♦4 on the established jack of hearts. A diamond to the king and ace conceded a third trick
but he was able to ruff the club return, draw trumps and claim the remainder.
‘You played that one rather strangely,’ Daphne Haskell informed Brother Lucius. ‘Unfortunately
for us, ten tricks were always there. Some players would have doubled on my hand, Norma. Not
very sensible, of course, because it would give away where all the points are!’
Back on the other table, the players were drawing their cards for the last board of the first half.
The Abbot was happy with his performance so far. Even by his own elevated standards, he had
found some excellent lines of play. In truth, it was rather a waste to play at such a level against
a team of this calibre. The monastery team could win by 60 or 70 IMPs with their eyes closed.
The Abbot was given another opportunity to display his skills on the last deal of the first half:
Dealer South. All Vul.
♠ Q J 10 9 4
♥ A63
♦ A6
♣ 10 9 4
♠ 8532 N ♠7
♥ Q 10 8 ♥ KJ74
♦ J 10 9 5 W E ♦ K8732
♣ 62 S ♣ A7 5
♠ AK6
♥ 952
♦ Q4
♣ KQJ83
Emily Brother Sidney The
Backhall Xavier Wall Abbot
– – – 1NT
Pass 2♥ Pass 2♠
Pass 3NT Pass 4♠
All Pass

 Intermediate
Emily Backhall listened carefully to an explanation of the ♠ Q J 10 9 4
bidding. ‘Sidney and I play these new transfer responses ♥ A63
too,’ she remarked. ‘I’ve never found them particularly ♦ A6
♣ 10 9 4
useful but even people of our age have to move with the ♠ 8 5 3 2 ♠ 7
times.’ N
♥ Q 10 8 ♥ KJ74
The Abbot turned to assess his opponent’s age. It was ♦ J 10 9 5 W E ♦ K8732
hard to say which side of 80 she was – he wouldn’t want ♣ 6 2 S ♣ A7 5
to risk money on it. Was she including him in the ‘peo- ♠ A K 6
♥ 952
ple of our age’ comment? Just because someone had little ♦ Q4
hair left, it didn’t mean they were bordering on senility. ♣ KQJ83
The jack of diamonds was led and the Abbot won with
dummy’s ace, keen to avoid a heart switch. What next? If he drew trumps, the defenders might be
able to cut him off from the club suit by holding up the ace for two rounds. It seemed better to
play on clubs first. Even if he lost a club, a diamond and a club ruff, he would still have ten tricks.
The Abbot led the ♣10 at trick 2 and this won the trick. A club to the king was also allowed to
win the next trick and he played a third round to East’s ace. Sidney Wall cashed the king of dia-
monds and switched to a low heart, West’s ♥8 forcing dummy’s ace.
When the Abbot played the queen and ace of trumps, East showed out on the second round.
Pleased at this development, the Abbot then played a good club. West ruffed and he overruffed
in the dummy. A trump to the king drew West’s remaining last trumps and the last club in his
hand gave the Abbot a tenth trick.
‘I think we do better on a heart lead,’ observed Sidney Wall. ‘Once you lead a diamond, Emily,
there are ten tricks on top.’
The Abbot returned his cards to the board. Ten tricks on top, had the man said? Goodness
me, the odds of one of the old dears at the other table making 4♠ on this lay-out must be at least
20/1 against. Anyway, forget about that. The time had come to unveil one of the finest half-time
spreads ever witnessed in a monastery home match. It was nothing special by normal standards
but it would put the standard fare of tasteless margarine sandwiches to shame. Brother Anthony,
the St Titus chef, had made some blackberry jam that very morning. That would bring the sand-
wiches to life. Also – wonder of wonders – he had conjured up a large plateful of sausage rolls!
The Haskell sisters were well versed in the arts of baking, it was well known, but even they might
be impressed by such a feast.

 Intermediate
Solutions to “Test Your Defence”
with Julian Pottage See page 83
♠ ♠
1 ♥
QJ4
J 10 9 6 2 ♥
985
Q J 10 6
♦ 3 ♦ J42
♣ Q J 10 9 4 ♣ A43
♠ 8753 ♠ A 10 6 ♠ KJ76 ♠ Q 10 4
♥ 75 ♥ A8 4 2 ♥ K873 ♥ 9542
♦ K Q 10 9 4 ♦ 7652 ♦ K8 ♦ 97653
♣ 63 ♣ 85 ♣ K 10 7 ♣ 2
♠
K92 ♠
A32
♥
KQ3 A♥
♦
AJ8 ♦
A Q 10
♣
AK72 ♣
QJ9865
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
– – – 2NT – – – 1♣
Pass 3♣* Pass 3♦* Double 1♥ Pass 2NT
Pass 3NT All Pass All Pass
2NT 20-22 2NT 18-19 (in principle)
3♦ No four- or five-card major
You lead the lead of six of spades, partner's queen
You lead the king of diamonds, a strong lead asking for winning. Back comes the ten, which loses to the ace.
an unblock or standard count signal. Partner plays the Declarer runs the queen of clubs and then plays a low
seven and declarer the eight. How do you continue? club to the ace, on which partner discards the three
Partner has denied the jack (or ace) of diamonds while of diamonds. You win the third round of clubs with
showing an even number in the suit. Despite the 27 the king, partner discarding the five of hearts. What
HCP minimum against you, there is still a chance of is your plan?
beating the contract if partner has two entries and four A count of points tells you that partner cannot possibly
diamonds rather than two. hold any high cards apart from the queen of spades.
Since you do not wish to give your opponent a cheap South must have upgraded a 17 point hand because
trick with the jack of diamonds, you must switch – of the long clubs.
but to what suit? It seems natural to cash your two spade winners. Your
The clue lies in the lengths you can see in dummy opponent is going to be under some sort of pressure.
coupled with the knowledge that declarer lacks a four- You will want to exit round to a bare red ace rather
card major. If partner has the ace-king of clubs or both into a tenace or split tenace.
rounded suit aces, any switch will work because your Suppose declarer discards the queen of diamonds on
opponent will need to lose the lead twice to develop the fourth round of spades. Does that mean you should
a ninth trick. The key situation is when partner holds exit with a diamond?
the ace of spades because declarer will not need any You do in fact already have the vital clue. With three
spade tricks (one diamond, five clubs and a heart comes hearts originally, partner would not dream (playing
to nine). You therefore need to lead a spade yourself. standard count) of throwing the five of hearts from
9-5-2 or 9-4-2. The five must show a four-card hold-
ing, which tells you that the ace of hearts is a singleton.
No matter what declarer discards, you later exit with
a heart.

 Intermediate

 Intermediate
PARTNERSHIP PROFILE
This month the Editor takes a look at one of the semi-finals of the Dutch Teams
Championship - the Master Class Foursomes.
This month's featured match was between Het Witte House and BC 't Onstein. Remarkably, the
other semi-final was between BC 't Onstein's second and third teams. The White House were
fielding Bas Drijver, Sjoert Brink, Vincent Ramondt & Berry Westra, while Onsten were repre-
sented by Simon De Wijs, Bauke Muller, Ricco v Prooijen & Louk Verhees. The the teams had
already met twice in the round robin stages (16 boards each) Witte Huis winning one 23-10 and
losing the other 18-35.
Both teams were noted for their aggressive approach to defensive bidding.
The Hands
(This month all the deals were played at IMPs.)
Hand 1. Dealer North. None Vul.
♠ 86 N ♠ K Q 10 7 4 3
♥ AK J 7 6 ♥Q
♦ J82 W E ♦ 76543
♣ Q74 S ♣A
North opens 1♣* (2+♣). If East overcalls 1♠ South doubles
Verhees v Prooijen
– 1♣* 1♠ Double*
Redouble Pass 4♠ All Pass
West's redouble showed values.
South, looking at ♠5 ♥9542 ♦KQ109 ♣J932 led the king of diamonds and North won perforce
with the ace and switched to the ten of hearts, South following with the five as declarer won with
dummy's ace and played the six of spades. It was the first board and when North followed with
the two declarer contributed the three. Now he could restrict his trump losers to one, +420.
If North wins the first spade (or simply covers) and switches to a club declarer must go down.
Westra Ramondt
– 2♦* 2♠ 3♣
Double* Pass 3♦ Pass
3♠ Pass 4♠ All Pass
2♦ 11-15, three suiter, short diamonds
Dbl Hearts with spade tolerence
South led the three of clubs and declarer won and played a diamond, North winning with the ace
and switching to the eight of hearts. Declarer won in dummy, pitched two diamonds on hearts
and played the eight of spades to the queen, finishing two down.
Recommended auction: (1♣)-1♠-(Dbl)-2♥-(Pass)-2♠.
Marks: 2♠ 10, 3♠ 5, 4♠ 2.
Running score: White House 2 (0) Onstein 2 (11)

 Intermediate
Hand 2. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ A6 5 N ♠ 10
♥ 64 ♥ A3
♦ Q76 W E ♦ A K 10 5 3
♣ K9843 S ♣ Q7652
South overcalls 1♠, North raises to 2♠ and South bids 3♠.
Verhees v Prooijen
– – 1♦ 1♠
1NT 2♠ 3♣ 3♠
4♣ All Pass
With five-card support for clubs, a fitting card in diamonds and the ♠A West's simple raise was to
say the least conservative. South led the king of hearts from his ♠KJ8742 ♥K5 ♦J94 ♣AJ, +150.
Westra Ramondt
– – 1♦ 2♠
Pass 3♠ 4♣ Pass
4♠* Pass 5♣ All Pass
4♠ Cue-bid
The same opening lead held declarer to eleven tricks, +400.
Recommended auction: After 1♦-(1♠)-1NT-(2♠)-3♣-(3♠) West should bid 4♠ on route to 5♣.
Marks: 5♣10, 4♣ 5.
Hand 3. Dealer West. E/W Vul.
♠ A8 7 3 N ♠ K9642
♥ KJ4 ♥ A2
♦ A5 3 2 W E ♦J
♣ 94 S ♣ A K 10 8 3
South overcalls 3♥.
West East
Verhees v Prooijen
1♦ 1♠ (3♥)
Pass Double*
3♠ 4♥*
5♦* 5♥*
6♠ Pass
4♥ Cue-bid
5♦ Cue-Bid
5♥ Last Train – cue-bid in clubs
East's decision to double rather than bid 4♣ worked well, as West was able to show his spade sup-
port at the three-level which enabled E/W to get in a series of cue-bids. Alas, North held ♠QJ105
♥93 ♦Q10986 ♣52 and the 4-0 trump break meant that although the operation was a success,
the patient died.

 Intermediate
West East
Westra Ramondt
1♦ 1♠ (3♥)
3♠ 4♣*
4♦* 4♥*
4♠ Pass
4♣ Cue-bid
4♦ Cue-bid
4♥ Cue-bid
Here West showed his spade support immediately and after a series of cue-bids neither player was
willing to go past 4♠.
Recommended auction: I like that of Verhees – v Prooijen.
Marks: 6♠ 10, 4♠ 6, 3NT 5.
Hand 4. Dealer West.N/S Vul.
♠ Q 10 9 7 2 N ♠ K854
♥ Q J 10 8 ♥ AK 6 5 4
♦ 10 W E ♦—
♣ 10 3 2 S ♣ AK 8 5
North opens 1♦ (2+♦) and South raises to 3♦, North then bidding 4♦.
Drijver Muller Brink De Wijs
Pass 1♦* Double 3♦
3♠ 4♦ 4NT* Pass
5♦* Pass 6♠ All Pass
1♦ 11-15, 2+♦
4NT RKCB
5♦ 0 key cards
North led the four of clubs from ♠A6 ♥73 ♦AQJ742 ♣J74 and declarer won with dummy's ace
and played the king of spades. That meant he lost only to the ace of spades, +980.
South's jump to 3♦ marked him with a lot of diamonds, but declarer clearly took the view that
North's 4♦ might well have been based on a singleton ♠A.
V Prooijen Ramondt Verhees Westra
Pass 1♦ Double 3♦
3♠ Pass 4♦* Pass
4♥* Pass 6♠ All Pass
4♦ Cue-bid
4♥ Last Train
Once again North led the four of clubs and declarer won with dummy's ace and played a spade
to the queen and ace. He won the club return with dummy's king, came to hand with a heart
and played a spade to the eight – two down.
Recommended auction: The spade suit will play for one loser 64% of the time – both auctions
grasped the nettle.
Marks: 6♠ 10, 4♠ 7.

 Intermediate
Hand 5. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
♠ Q42 N ♠ A K 10 3
♥ KQ75 ♥ A9 4 2
♦ AQ 8 6 4 W E ♦ KJ7
♣7 S ♣ A6
North overcalls 3♣ and South raises to 5♣.
De Wijs Muller
– – – Pass
1♦* 3♣ Double* 5♣
Pass Pass Double All Pass
1♦ 11-15, 2+♦
North's 3♣ was based on ♠76 ♥J1086 ♦2 ♣J98532. East cashed the king of spades and then
played two rounds of trumps to ensure four down and +800.
West East
Westra Ramondt
1♦ 1♥
3♥ 3♠
4♣* 4NT*
5♠* 7♥
Pass
4♣ Cue-bid
4NT RKCB
5♠ 2 key cards + ♥Q
The chance of avoiding a heart loser is 73.47% so E/W were unlucky to say the least. 7NT is the
best grand slam, but can't be made on this layout.
Recommended auction: Given a free run you would expect to reach 7♥ (or 7NT or 7♦) – Westra-
Ramondt were right on the money. In the other auction perhaps East can bid 6♣ over 5♣, but
West is not going to bid a grand slam.
Marks: 7NT10, 7♥ 9, 6NT/6♥/6♦ 7, 5♣X 5.
Hand 6. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
♠ K Q 10 2 N ♠ 87
♥ J32 ♥A
♦— W E ♦ A K J 10 7
♣ A 10 9 7 4 2 S ♣ KJ853
South opens 3♥ and North raises to 4♥.
Westra de Wijs Ramondt Muller
– – – 3♥
Pass 4♥ 4NT* Pass
6♣ All Pass
It is possible to play 4NT as specifically showing both minors, or as two places to play. North led
the ace of spades from his ♠AJ9643 ♥K64 ♦642 ♣Q and continued with the four, South ruffed

 Intermediate
ensuring one down.
West East
Verhees v Prooijen
– – (4♥)
Pass Double
4♠ 4NT*
5♣ (Dble) All Pass
4NT Minors
North led the ace of spades and continued the suit, but South's ruff was the last trick for the defence.
Recommended auction: After an opening bid of 3♥ E/W did well to reach the unlucky slam.
After the even more aggressive 4♥ opening E/W had less room to manoeuvre, but might still
have reached 6♣.
Marks: 6♣ 10, 5♣ 6,4♥X 5.
Hand 7. Dealer North. None Vul.
♠ AQ J 8 6 N ♠7
♥ A6 2 ♥ 94
♦Q W E ♦ AK J 8 7 4 3
♣ K962 S ♣ Q 10 3
North opens 2♥ (weak).
West East
Brink Drijver
– (2♥) 3♦
3♥* 4♦
4♠ 5♦
6♦ Pass
What should West bid over 3♦? 3♠ looks the obvious move, but offers no guarantee of a success-
ful outcome and some players might simply bid 3NT. West's choice was no doubt predicated
on the belief that his partner would have a better hand. South held ♠K432 ♥87 ♦10962 ♣AJ5
and led the eight of hearts. Declarer won with dummy's ace, overtook the queen of diamonds,
cashed two more tricks in the suit, took a spade finesse, cashed the ace of spades to pitch a heart
and eventually got the clubs wrong to finish two down.
West East
Muller de Wijs
– (2♦*) 3♦
3♠ 4♦
5♦ Pass
2♦ Multi, weak two in a major or 24-25/28-29 balanced or game forcing with long
diamonds
Declarer won the heart lead with dummy's ace, cashed the ace of spades and ran the queen pitch-
ing a heart. South won with the king and returned a heart. Declarer ruffed, played a diamond to
the queen, ruffed a spade, drew trumps and claimed.
Recommended auction: I prefer Muller's 3♠. As it happens, you will also make 3NT.
Marks: 5♦ 10/3NT 10, 6♦ 2.

 Intermediate
Hand 8. Dealer West. E/W Vul.
♠ 10 N ♠ 953
♥ A5 ♥ KQ87
♦ Q642 W E ♦ AK
♣ AK 9 7 6 5 S ♣ QJ43
West East
Brink Drijver
1♣ 1♥
2♣ 2♦*
3♦ 5♣
Pass
1♣ 12-14 balanced 2+♣ or 18-20 balanced 2+♣ or 12+ unbalanced 4+♣
2♦ Game-forcing
There were twelve tricks on top.
Given that 2♦ was game forcing, East might have tried 4♣, but is not much better placed if
West then bids 4♥. Should West infer that the 4♣ must have slam interest and with both majors
controlled, take the bull by the horns and commit to slam?
West East
Muller de Wijs
2♣* 2♦*
2♥* 2♠* (Double)
3♦* (3♠) 4♣
4♥* 5♣
Pass
2♣ 10-14(15) 6+♣
2♦ Relay
2♥ Medium hand or unbalanced with 4♦/♥
2♠ 4♥, invitational plus
3♦ Diamonds
The situation was not really different here. East knew his partner was 6-4 in the minors, but he
could have held two small spades and the singleton ♥A.
Recommended auction: There is nothing wrong with bidding 2♦ after 1♣-1♥-2♣, the alterna-
tive being to start 1♣-1♥-2♣-4♣. After that the onus is on West to take control.
Marks: 6♣ 10, 5♣ 7.
Nothing in it in terms of the bidding, but Onstein picked up more IMPs. However, they lost the
match 183-225.
This month's bonus deal is from the last set of the match:

 Intermediate
Dealer North. N/S Vul.
♠ KQ985432
♥—
♦ AK2
♣ A3
♠J N ♠ A 10
♥ K742 ♥ 10 6 5 3
♦ 8654 W E ♦ Q 10 9 3
♣ KQ96 S ♣ J85
♠ 76
♥ AQJ98
♦ J7
♣ 10 7 4 2
Open Room
de Wijs Drijver Muller Brink
– 2♣* Pass 2♥*
3♣ 4♠ All Pass
2♣ Game-forcing
2♥ 5+♥ with two of the top three honours
Declarer won the club lead, played three rounds of diamonds, ruffing, pitched a club on the ace
of hearts and played a spade, +680.
Closed Room
Westra v Prooijen Ramondt Verhees
– 1♣* Pass 1♦*
Pass 1♥* Pass 2♣*
Pass 2♦* Pass 2♥*
Pass 2♠* Pass 3♥*
Pass 3♠* Pass 4♣*
Pass 6♠ All Pass
1♣ 15+
1♦ 0-8
1♥ 18+
2♣ 6-8, 4+♥, unbalanced
Having discovered via a series of relays that South was 2-5-2-4 with one ace or two kings North
bid the slam.
You can play through the deals mentioned in this article.
Just follow the links:
Hands 1,2,3: http://tinyurl.com/hdlhchm
Hand 4 & 5: http://tinyurl.com/h7tslrm
Hand 6: http://tinyurl.com/jaw9wnq
Hand 7 & 8: http://tinyurl.com/zoq7ds3
Bonus Deal: http://tinyurl.com/jgod9sa

 Intermediate .XUVDDO2RVWHQGH
3LFWXUH
2RVWHQGHKRVWFLW\IRU
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WKRI-XQH± WKRI-XQH

 Intermediate
MARKS & COMMENTS
Set 313 conducted by Alan Mould
Hello again one and all. Last month I reported that
John Matheson has decided to step down from the
panel but he would continue to send me hands. True
to his word, hands 1, 2 and 5 this month come from THE BIDS & MARKS
that prolific source. Hand 1 is from the Scottish Cup Bid Marks No. of Votes
final, hand 2 from the Peebles Congress and hand 5 1. Double 10 9
from this year’s Camrose first weekend. Hands 3 and Four Spades 9 8
8 I have “borrowed” from John Swanson’s “Western Three Spades 5 0
Five Spades 2 0
Forum”, both originated in the Bermuda Bowl final Four Clubs 1 0
between Sweden and Poland.. Hand 4 comes from the 2. Three Hearts 10 7
Tollemache qualifier, and finally hands 6 and 7 are Three Diamonds 9 6
from a recent Hubert Phillips match I was involved in. 3NT 8 4
For whatever reason we have a smaller panel than Four Clubs 5 0
usual, but that simply concentrates the talent . So Five Clubs 3 0
off we go…. 4NT 1 0
3. Three Hearts 10 11
Three Diamonds 8 2
PROBLEM 1
Four Clubs 8 2
2NT 7 1
IMPs. Dealer South. All Vul. Three Clubs 7 1
♠ K J 10 7 4 3 4. 3NT
Three Spades
10
9
7
3
♥A Four Spades 9 3
♦ 10 Pass 8 2
♣ AK Q J 9 Four Clubs 8 1
West North East South Four Hearts 7 1
3♦
5. Five Hearts 10 9
– – –
4NT 9 3
? Five Diamonds 8 1
Bid Marks No. of Votes Pass 7 4
Double 10 9 Any other bid 1 0
Four Spades 9 8 6. 3NT 10 8
Four Diamonds 9 3
Three Spades 5 0 Four Clubs 8 2
Five Spades 2 0 Five Clubs 8 2
Four Clubs 1 0 Five Diamonds 8 2
A nasty problem – inappropriate for double, spades 4NT 6 0
short and lacking impletion (thank you Andrew!) and Four Spades 5 0
lots of high cards for Four Spades, way too strong for Pass 4 0
Three Spades and even were we playing non-leaping 7. 3NT 10 11
Four Spades 8 5
Michaels (NLM) which we are not it is inappropriate Four Clubs 7 1
here as the sixth spade will be lost forever. So, what is Four Diamonds 5 0
the best of a bad job? With nine votes the 10 marks 4NT 1 0
goes to the very skewed takeout double, not that any Five Spades 1 0
of its advocates like it one little bit! I am surprised at 8. Double 10 6
a number of the names on the double list, none more Four Clubs 9 6
so than: Three Hearts 9 5
Three Clubs 3 0
Silver: Double. Not really my style to make a take- Three Spades 2 0
out double with this sort of hand, but what else
can I do (said he whining plaintively)? Too strong

 Intermediate
for Three Spades, inappropriate for a leap to Four the suit to be more powerful. It is close between
Spades (with such inadequate spade spots and qual- this and Four Diamonds to show a GF two suiter
ity, not to mention such a good five card club suit (majors in BM standard – AM) but the sixth spade
on the side). So, it’s double for me intending to bid and the nice intermediates mean that I would be
spades over hearts hoping to get across to partner happy to play spades opposite most hands.
the idea that I am very strong with two places to Cannell: Double. I guess this is the most flexi-
play (not including hearts). ble call at the moment. The intent is to bid Four
Rosen: Double. I HATE doubling with two suited Spades next to show some extra values. Best inten-
hands. Four Spades seems to stress the wrong things tions indeed .
and I don’t think we play non-leaping Michael’s. Carruthers: Double. No club or spade bid is appro-
Even if we did I think partner might pass it too priate. I confess, I will not let him play in hearts at
often – that sixth spade is so huge. any level on any auction. I’ll just have to hope for
So obviously all the doublers are intending to con- the best if he is persistent. At least this gives him
vert hearts to spades. But what does that show exactly? some options, whereas Four Spades by me would
I always thought it showed a very, very good spade not.
hand (too good for Three Spades or Four Spades) but The other choice was Four Spades, inflexible yes,
consider these very different interpretations: practical yes. I was sure that Eric K would not double
Greco: Double. I will risk all pass so I can bid Four and I thought it was just possible he might bid Three
Spades later to let partner know I have a huge hand. Spades but that is too rich even for him. Instead he
I could bid Four Spades the first time but I would treats us to his methods over 3m opening and as ever
not expect partner to bid any more with Axxx of they are very well thought out and non-mainstream:
spades and the heart queen and Four Diamonds Kokish: Four Spades. Although I play Four Spades
is Michaels. = ♠ & ♣ (Four Clubs = ♥ & ♠; Four Diamonds
OK that is my view. Compare with: = any strong one-suiter; 4M = 5+M & 5+om) and
Sime: Double. Over partner’s likely hearts, I will would employ that treatment if I could, it’s not per-
bid Four Spades showing a strong flexible hand. fect because of the sixth spade – East might well
Non-Leaping Michaels would reduce the number give preference with two spades and three clubs.
of options within the “strong flexible hand.” Since Still, as this hand needs so little for game and dou-
we are not playing NLM, partner will realise that ble is not part of my vocabulary with this sort of
spades and clubs is a possibility. hand, I’m more or less endplayed into Four Spades.
And compare that with: although if Four Diamonds were not specifically
Apteker: Double. Intending to convert any level of reserved for majors and could be any strong two-
hearts to spades. In my partnership, after a preemp- suiters I confess I’d try that.
tive opening by the opponents, double followed by Others simply see it as the practical alternative:
a new suit does not show a GOSH but rather two Bowyer: Four Spades. Awkward but I can’t see a
places to play. Would like to play Four Clubs as practical alternative. Double risks Five Diamonds
Non-Leaping Michaels for just such a hand. Dou- to the left and a tiresome Five Hearts from partner.
bling is worth the small risk that partner could pass Smith: Four Spades. No real second choice – even
out Three Diamonds rather than the underbid of if we are playing non-leaping Michaels, I wouldn’t
Three Spades or the inflexible albeit practical bid bid Four Clubs (clubs and major) on this hand.
of Four Spades. Yes, I’ll miss a slam if partner has Axx spades and
I had to ask Alon as GOSH was not an acronym nothing else, but I cannot cater for every possibil-
I had come across before. GOSH = giant one suited ity. When the opponents pre-empt you should set-
hand, definitely one I shall take up. tle for the best result possible rather than aiming
The other doublers have various gradations on one for the best possible result.
of those three themes: Skid Simon’s famous maxim on rubber bridge from
Teramoto: Double. And then Four Spades show- the wonderful “Why You Lose at Bridge”, still the best
ing a very good hand. book ever written on rubber bridge.
Cope: Double. Not a typical shape for a take out Green: Four Spades. I’m too strong for Three Spades
double. I will convert any heart bid by partner and I don’t feel that I can double with 6-5 shape.
(Three Spades or Four Hearts) to Four Spades to Four Diamonds would show the majors so I can’t
try to distinguish this hand type from an immedi- bid that. I would bid it if it could show any two
ate jump to Four Spades where partner will expect suiter. Four Clubs as clubs and a major would be

 Intermediate
useful here but we don’t play that and also my suits hand had to decide what to do…. Well that depends
are the wrong way round for that. doesn’t it! If we have shown a GOSH (thanks Alon)
Bird: Four Spades. Not ideal for non-leaping then this hand should move, but is it so clear if we
Michaels (even if I had the faintest idea whether have shown a flexible hand, or a few extras or even
it’s part of the BM system). What else but Four just two places to play? At the table the hand passed
Spades can you consider? and a laydown slam went begging. I wouldn’t have
Well, David the majority of the panel found an alter- thought Four Spades would get the job done either.
native 
Lawrence: Four Spades. I mulled the lack of a Four PROBLEM 2
Club bid to show clubs and a major. Four Spades is
the most practical bid given the likelihood of Five IMPs. Dealer East. All Vul.
Diamonds from North. ♠ QJ94
Robson: Four Spades. A practical guess. ♥K
For once we actually have some system! The sys- ♦ 95
tem says: ♣ AK J 9 6 4
“Over 3♦, 4♣ = Nat and 4♦ = Ms.”
This does not stop Barry really wanting to bid an
– – 1♦ Pass
anti-systemic Four Diamonds:
2♣ Pass 2♦ Pass
Rigal: Four Spades. As a late though enthusiastic
2♠ Pass 3♣ Pass
convert to non-leaping Michaels I would bid Four
?
Clubs here, but that is not our system. Four Dia-
monds should be a two suiter therefore, and I can Bid Marks No. of Votes
bid it without much enthusiasm. If you told me Three Hearts 10 7
Four Clubs was natural and Four Diamonds majors Three Diamonds 9 6
I would bid Four Spades and like it even less. We’ve 3NT 8 4
run problems 30 years or so ago where Four Dia- Four Clubs 5 0
monds was bid on a massive spade one-suiter so Five Clubs 3 0
whatever Four Diamonds – Four Hearts – Four 4NT 1 0
Spades means is more in the eye of the beholder Plenty of calls here with something to be said for them.
than anything else!! What is the best amongst them? By a short head the
Partner held ♠AQx ♥QJxxx ♦Jx ♣xxx and bid panel go for the pitiful crutch.
the obvious Four Hearts over our double. We then Sime: Three Hearts. A pitiful crutch (didn’t I just say
bid Four Spades (should we have bid more?) and this that?), I know, but 3NT seems to be our most prob-
able game. I prefer not to suggest short hearts (but
you have them…) by bidding Three Diamonds now.
Cannell: Three Hearts. The usual fourth suit probe
in an effort to select the correct strain. Our most
likely target is 3NT when partner holds a heart stop
YOUNG CHELSEA to go along with our singleton heart king.
Bowyer: Three Hearts. 3NT is still in the game and
BRIDGE CLUB there may be too many losers for any other game.
Silver: Three Hearts. Groping towards 3NT.
One of the World’s Great Bridge Clubs Greco: 3NT. Since my major suit controls are so
soft I will strain for NT. If one of my small dia-
monds was a heart this would be automatic so I
Duplicate every weekday evening will say I mis-sorted. 
Carruthers: Three Hearts. Content to play in 3NT
Tel: 020 7373 1665 if he has a heart stop, otherwise, headed toward
game or maybe even slam in clubs.
www.ycbc.co.uk Teramoto: Three Hearts. Asking for a stopper or
looking for a better place. We may have a slam or
may play 5m at IMPs.
Green: Three Hearts. 3NT might be the last making

 Intermediate
spot so I’ll ask partner for a stopper and pass 3NT if This looks our most likely game and any bids seem
he bids it. Of course it could be right to play 3NT to be a bit of a waffle that will not make our next
from my side, give partner Q10x for example but decision any easier
I’m not prepared to shoot it out when we may be And Eric who has as ever methods:
in the wrong game. A Three Diamond bid should Kokish: 3NT. With both majors stopped I’d have
show three or at least hearts. bid 2NT (2/1=GF according to the BMS summary)
So say you. Not so say: to avoid this sort of problem, especially if East could
Apteker: Three Diamonds. Patterning out showing rebid Two Spades over Two Clubs without prom-
something like 4-2-2-5 or 4-1-2-6 and still search- ising extras (I believe BMS is silent on that) (true –
ing for best strain. I will pass over 3NT and bid AM) but also if East would be expected to show a
Four Clubs over Three Hearts or Three Spades fol- major over 2NT. The implication is that 3NT now
lowing partner’s next bid. shows something in hearts without over-stating the
Smith: Three Diamonds. Not sure where we are holding. The alternatives are Three Diamonds, espe-
going, but Three Diamonds looks obvious for now. cially if I would have raised two Diamonds with
Partner has not shown real club support, only given three, and Three Hearts, which would imply any-
preference. Opposite something like ♠Ax ♥xxx thing from weakish three-card length to a partial
♦AKxxxx ♣Qx we want to play Five Diamonds stopper to a positional holding like Axx.
rather than Five Clubs to protect against the spade This comes down to what partner is expected to bid
lead – vital if South holds both missing major-suit 3NT with after Three Hearts. Partner’s hand was ♠A
honours. 3NT is still in the picture, but looking ♥10xx ♦AK10xxx ♣10xx. At one table this hand bid
less likely once partner failed to bid 2NT last time. Three Spades over Three Hearts and the partnership
I think Marc makes a very good point here that arrived in Five Clubs, making. At the other table this
perhaps some of the Three Heart bidders have missed hand bid 3NT expecting partner’s hearts to be xxx or
dare I say. Partner did not bid 2NT so either (a) does something similar and bid 3NT. When the ♥K did not
not have a heart stop or (b) has some real club sup- score at trick 1 that was a rapid one down. So, who
port or (c) both. So how likely is it now that we want was at fault here? This time the 3NT bidders will score
to play in 3NT? their stiff K. And how good is Six Clubs on this hand?
Bird: Three Diamonds. When in doubt, keep the Well, if the oppo are in 3NT down why bother .
bidding low. If partner bids an unhelpful Three
Hearts next, I will bid an unhelpful Four Clubs. PROBLEM 3
Robson: Three Diamonds. When in doubt, bid
the next suit up. IMPs. Dealer South. N/S Vul.
Linguistics from Barry: ♠ KQ2
Rigal: Three Diamonds. Whenever anyone says ♥ A 10 5 4
“X is forcing” do they feel more or less confident ♦ Q 10 8 7 5 4
than if they say ‘X is surely forcing”? Here 2/1 lets ♣—
us bid Three Diamonds, in the hope that we hear
Three Hearts – 3NT and play there facing ♠xxx
– – – 1♠
♥Qx ♦AKxxxx ♣Qx. 2♦ Pass 2♠ Pass
Lawrence: Three Diamonds. Aiming for 3NT. By
?
now I am comfortable that I don’t have to point
out that Three Diamonds is forcing. Three Hearts Bid Marks No. of Votes
has flaws and I don’t like 3NT since it is sure to get Three Hearts 10 11
a heart lead. However, if 3NT gets the most votes, Three Diamonds 8 2
I won’t object. Four Clubs 8 2
Not even close Mike – just four adherents. 2NT 7 1
Rosen: 3NT. Might be right-siding by putting Three Clubs 7 1
North on lead or might just be cold.... I am astonished at the range of valuation on this hand.
Tim: Two panelists sign off:
Cope: 3NT. Bid with a confident air rather than Kokish: Three Diamonds. A two-level overcall is
with confidence. The lead coming round to my still a constructive move so with this minimum and
♥K may pay off if we are lucky enough to find topless suit it would be premature to go past Three
partner with Jxx even if the ace wins the first trick. Diamonds to show hearts while 2NT with a void

 Intermediate
would be a surprise for partner. Two Spades does the defenders) that I have shortage in clubs. If he
not promise GF strength but merely a hand too cannot cover clubs, he ought to suggest an alterna-
strong for a courtesy raise. If East has four hearts tive. If I bid 3NT now, and we were wide open in
he can bid them after not bidding Two Hearts over clubs, even a spade lead won’t save us.
Two Diamonds. Carruthers: Three Hearts. Happy to play in game
Bowyer: Three Diamonds. Awkward hand. Good somewhere. I’m not bidding 3NT with a club void,
hand but very poor diamonds in context of an over- thank you. However, if he bids Three Spades next…
call. I’m going to bid a timid Three Diamonds and An honest man:
take the blame if we miss game. Rigal: Three Hearts. If we belong in 3NT we may
Whereas two panelists make a full blooded slam try: still get there after Three Spades – 3NT…but yes I
Smith: Four Clubs. After South’s opening bid, slam could understand 2NT or Three Diamonds by me
is decent opposite as little as ♠xx ♥Kxx ♦AKxx and really don’t know which is best.
♣xxxx, and a splinter seems like the best way to And a correct man (well sort of – it depends if you
advance our cause. call 65% a heavy majority):
David belies his conservative reputation: Rosen: Three Hearts. For now. Expect heavy major-
Bird: Four Clubs. Three Clubs would be natural and ity here.
forcing, so Four Clubs is available as a splinter bid. Cope: Three Hearts. I like my hand opposite the
Then I can bid Four Hearts over Four Diamonds. cue-bid raise and no reason not to investigate the
One does bid 2NT with his club void. Is this forc- heart fit first.
ing or not? Does it make sense to play in 2NT exactly Apteker: Three Hearts. Hearts are still in the pic-
with a known fit? ture as partner has not denied four x ♥s with Two
Greco: 2NT. This is a tough one. I have a nice Spades.
shapely hand but five of my measly eleven points Teramoto: Three Hearts. A slight overbid, but I
are in their suits, which is why I think Three Hearts don’t want to lose the 4-4 heart fit.
mis-represents the strength of this hand. I want to Robson: Three Hearts. We may even have a Four
show my stopper and see what partner does, real- Heart game.
izing I may miss a 4-4 heart fit. My heartfelt thanks to Mike for fulfilling an ambi-
All the other panelists (bar one) do indeed introduce tion I have had since taking over the moderation of
their four card heart suit in case that is the place to play: this feature. I have found a problem where different
Green: Three Hearts. This is tough, despite my panelists have made a natural bid and a splinter IN
double spade stopper I’m not prepared to bid 2NT THE SAME SUIT:
with a void (I would with 3-4-5-1 shape) and with Lawrence: Three Clubs. Very difficult. ♠xxx ♥Kx
this shape and such well placed spade honours I ♦AKxx ♣xxxx gives us a near laydown slam; ♠xx
feel I am too strong to sign off so Three Hearts it ♥xx ♦AKxx ♣xxxxx is nearly a laydown slam
is. You never know partner may have four hearts with a spade lead. So bidding Three Diamonds
too! Imagine bidding Three Diamonds and partner here isn’t acceptable. The only route that gives
passing with ♠xxx ♥Kx ♦AK9x ♣xxxx when game me a chance is to bid an unintuitive Three Clubs
is a decent prospect. and then hope the auction lets me sort it out. I
Now where have I seen that hand before… intend to force to Five Diamonds. I’m not sure
Silver: Three Hearts. Despite holding only 11 HCP if Four Clubs, splinter, isn’t best. It would be a
I do have a five loser, so I am not ready to give up first. It would require that Two Spades promised
on game. With my void club, bidding NT at this good diamonds.
point (despite my good spades) would be prema- Mike was (unsurprisingly) on his own here, but
ture, so I will show my heart suit for now, and await given the bid has given me such joy I have awarded
further developments from partner. it 7 marks.
Cannell: Three Hearts. I have some extras so will I have been a little sneaky here and not one of the
go with a pattern showing Three Heart bid in case panel asked me a question I was perhaps expecting. To
partner does hold a heart fit with us. If partner then wit – would Two Hearts or Three Clubs from partner
bids Three Spades – Hamman’s Rule next. have been forcing? Change of suit after an overcall is
Fair enough – partner will certainly be able to work defined as forcing in BM Standard, but I am aware
out that you have short clubs! Iain and John agree: that some panellists do not play it so. Mike Lawrence
Sime: Three Hearts. Might hit a 4/4 fit. If partner is very vociferous about this and amongst others I don’t
bids Three Spades, I can bid 3NT telling him (and think Eric K plays change of suit forcing. Whilst one

 Intermediate
hand means nothing this hand is a good advert for same time. Hence three for Three Spades:
change of suit forcing since partner held ♠Jxx ♥KQxxx Rosen: Three Spades. Could bid 3NT or raise hearts
♦Kx ♣AK10. Nystrom, playing change of suit NF also, a bit of a guess. Four Hearts seems to commit
had no choice but to bid Two Spades. Partner bid too much. Very close but I fancy those spade spots.
Three Hearts and he tried Five Hearts. Partner passed Sime: Three Spades. Showing solidarity with my
despite his spade control but that was already too high partner’s bid. That is an especially good idea when
as spades were 6-1. For Poland, partner’s hand could he has found the table solution. Half the field, obliv-
bid a forcing Two Hearts and our hand raised (some- ious to the vulnerability and the oppo not finding a
what conservatively) to game. fit, thought that KJ10xxxxx and a queen was enough
for Five Clubs opposite an opening bid.
PROBLEM 4 More on that later!
Teramoto: Three Spades. Six+ spades and NF.
IMPs. Dealer South. N/S Vul. Three for Four Spades:
♠ K J 10 9 7 3 Kokish: Four Spades. As Three Hearts is NF fac-
♥ 92 ing a one-level overcall, I would deem correction
♦ K 10 5 to Three Spades to be constructive but I’m not sure
♣ AQ partner in this feature would be on the same page.
I would bid Four Clubs as a choice of games but
as the spades are so internally sound and a lead
– – – 1♦*
through the AQ of clubs could be disastrous, I’m
1♠ 3♣* 3♥ Pass
taking what I believe is a practical shot.
?
1♦ Natural or any 11-13 balanced
Bird: Four Spades. It’s all very well to claim learn-
3♣ Natural and weak edly that either Four Clubs or Four Diamonds is
a ‘choice of games cue-bid’. How is partner meant
Bid Marks No. of Votes to know that you are not cue-bidding in support
3NT 10 7 of hearts?
Three Spades 9 3 Well, David, for the same reason that whenever you
Four Spades 9 3 make a conventional bid partner does not think it is
Pass 8 2
Four Clubs 8 1 something else – because your system says so!! If your
Four Hearts 7 1 system says that cue-bids in competition situations like
Last month we established that whatever they play these are choice of games then they are! Yes you can-
change of suit after an overcall, as when the opposi- not now cue-bid for hearts but the argument is that
tion then remain silent, almost all of the panel play the choice of games is far more common than the slam
it as non-forcing when the opponents continue to bid. tries when everyone is in the bidding.
That being so, and despite us having a pretty useful Mike has no qualms:
hand, two of the panel are duly non-forced: Lawrence: Four Spades. No second choice.
Greco: Pass. Partner might well stretch here to bid We get finally to the bid that rakes in the 10 marks,
(possibly wanting a lead if south bids 3NT) and I albeit with only seven supporters. These panellists look
will decide to downgrade my club king and hope at their decent hand, their minor suit stoppers, and
for the best. It is only a non-vul game after all. the positional advantage of them playing the hand
Fair enough. Ben makes the same points: and bid the house. Not more certain than:
Green: Pass. Firstly, I am assuming that a new suit Carruthers: 3NT. If not me, who? If not now,
bid in competition is not forcing. A close call but when?
partner is under pressure here and his bid covers Silver: 3NT. I cannot show everything at the three
a lot of ground. My queen of clubs looks to be level with one bid, but what I can show are my good
waste paper (and I expect a club lead) and at this stoppers in the villains’ suits by bidding to what
vulnerability I don’t feel I need to push for a thin appears to be our most likely game.
game when things may not be breaking well. If you Cope: 3NT. This looks fine for the time being and
changed my KJ of spades into the ace I might give does not have to end the auction depending on part-
game a whirl but it’s still close. ner’s hand. Protecting the club holding on opening
A lot of the panel are looking for better things, and lead could be significant and the spade suit looks a
often trying to protect their minor suit honours at the reasonable source of tricks eventually
Robson: 3NT. When guessing, make the choice

 Intermediate
that wins big when right. PROBLEM 5
Apteker: 3NT. With most of my points in the oppo-
nent’s suits and the 10 of diamonds was dealt to me IMPs. Dealer South. N/S Vul.
for a reason. I take partner’s bid to be forcing with
probably 6+ hearts as he could have doubled for ♠ 10 4
takeout showing 4-5 hearts. Partner can always bid ♥ KJ853
four of a major if he still believes it correct. ♦ KJ62
More mentions of the fancy bids: ♣ 94
Rigal: 3NT. Four Diamonds (pick a game) is cer- West North East South
tainly possible — when each side has bid a suit – – – Pass
once 4Q is not a slam try (Abbot, please take note Pass 1♠ 2♠* Pass
). But with all those cards in the majors I’d risk 4♥ 4♠ Double Pass
this over what I believe to be a NF Four Diamonds ?
and hope to get out alive. Another fine problem 2♠ Michaels, 5♥ & 5m, any strength
with at least three or four sensible answers. Bid Marks No. of Votes
Bowyer: 3NT. Hmmm. A case could be made for Five Hearts 10 9
Four Hearts, 3NT or something fancy like Four 4NT 9 3
Clubs, hoping partner read it as “pick a major suit Five Diamonds 8 1
game”. I’ll try the cheapest bid – 3NT. Pass 7 4
Marc is up for the fancy Four Clubs: Aspartner has made a Michaels cue-bid and then dou-
Smith: Four Clubs. With both vulnerable oppo- bled the opponents’ Four Spades. For almost the entire
nents bidding, this should not be taken as any sort panel (and me) this is simply “extra values – do some-
of slam try, but rather a choice-of-games cue-bid. thing sensible”. If that is the case then we have extra
Partner would probably have raised spades with offence and very poor defence. Do we then pull and
three and he knows I would raise hearts with three if so to what? Yes, say three quarters of the panel and
of those, so this surely suggests 6-2 in the majors. nine of them simply bid Five Hearts:
Second choice Four Hearts, but can he not have Sime: Five Hearts. Easy the way I’d interpret part-
something like ♠Ax ♥KQ10xx ♦Jx ♣xxxx? ner’s double – good hand in context, therefore do
Isn’t that more likely a double? something intelligent. I may have zero defensive
On his own Drew supports partner: tricks. Actually, negative defensive tricks if you
Cannell: Four Hearts. Partner’s Three Heart bid count the fifth heart as a defensive liability. We
certainly is six-plus cards in this auction. If I choose are potentially in double game swing territory.
Three Spades instead we may lose the heart strain. Close Iain, close.
I do not see the need to protect my AQ of clubs Silver: Five Hearts. My Four Heart bid did not set
since a diamond to South’s ace and a club through up a force so partner’s double is just asking me to do
my AQ does the job in any case. something intelligent, and hopefully rebidding my
The Three Club bidder as Iain said was ♠xx ♥x five card suit at the five level won’t disappoint him.
♦Q9 ♣KJ10xxxxx and was able to bid a pre-emptive No and yes actually.
Three Clubs in this auction which is a club I suspect no Smith: Five Hearts. Partner’s double just shows a
one else had in their bag. That really put partner under good hand for his Michaels rather than any particu-
the cosh holding ♠x ♥AJxxxx ♦Axxxx ♣x. What is the lar interest in defending. Even opposite something
poor fellow supposed to do but bid Three Hearts? So like ♠x ♥AQxxx ♦xx ♣AKQxx we’re not favour-
this leaves opener with ♠AQxx ♥KQ10x ♦Jxx ♣xx. ites to beat Four Spades, so I am not tempted to
At the table John Matheson bid Three Spades and that pass. Give him the ♦Q rather than the ♣Q and
was just made. Four Spades dies of natural causes and although in theory that is a worse hand now Five
just might be doubled – Four Hearts certainly will Hearts will likely make.
be. That leaves 3NT. On a lead of either minor it is Rosen: Five Hearts. Partner showing a good
getting very tense for the defence and a weird spade Michael’s bid rather than a spade stack in my book.
lead will let it through. A heart will certainly beat it, Clear-cut if that is your agreement.
which would be a good shot to find but certainly has Is it Neil? I am not so sure – but more on that later.
a logic behind it – unless the oppo have had an acci- Teramoto: Five Hearts. Too many hearts to defend
dent partner has four hearts. on this hand!
Rigal: Five Hearts. The double shows extra defence

 Intermediate
but I have extra offense. I win (till the post mortem). six level if you are on the same wavelength.
You win the post mortem this time as well Barry (well, Cope: 4NT. Too many hearts to pass. Partner’s dou-
sort of ). ble shows a strong Michaels rather than a penalty
Greco: Five Hearts. Partner’s double just shows a double. Finding out partner’s minor may lead to
generally good hand so I think both Four Spades slam opposite ♠x ♥AQxxx ♦AQxxx ♣Ax where
and Five Hearts might make. Especially if partner’s both Six Hearts and Four Spades make.
suit is diamonds(!), which I have seen too many Close Tim, mighty close.
times to count. Robson: 4NT. Then Five Hearts. To make a slam
Me too Eric. The real downside of Michaels is not try. Passing the double could be right if dummy is
knowing partner’s minor. The number of times I have trickless so declarer has to lead diamonds out of
defended 4M with an 11 card minor suit fit…. hand but it’s pretty deep.
Cannell: Five Hearts. Partner’s double is transfer- Despite this phalanx for bidding we have four pan-
able values. Since we have ten trumps and my dia- elists who are prepared to defend on our hand:
monds are an unknown factor (we do not know Carruthers: Pass. To me, this means he has extra
which minor partner holds) I will simply bid on defence. I know some people like to play it the
to the five-level. I think a Five Diamond bid is a other way ‘round (extra offence), but that means
needless exercise as we will be playing in Five Hearts you sometimes have to pass when the deal is simply
doubled, or not, well over 90% of the time here. yours. My jump to Four Hearts does not set up a
Bird: Five Hearts. I thought I was worth Four force, whatever the vulnerability.
Hearts and now partner shows extra values. Well, Mike makes the same points as Eric G but comes
we should be able to make Five Hearts in that case. to the opposite conclusion:
I certainly don’t want to defend with five card heart Lawrence: Pass. This hand shows the dark side of a
support. Nor can I see any sense in bidding Five Two Spade cue-bid. Does partner have the reds or
Diamonds. does he have clubs and hearts? A lot at stake here.
Well the point is that if partner has extra values then I hope he doesn’t lead a singleton club.
just maybe we owe partner an effort…. Ben tries one: Sorry Mike but….
Green: Five Diamonds. Partner is showing a good Apteker: Pass. While the fifth heart is reason to con-
hand for his bidding so far, not penalty. I’m happy sider Five Hearts, I do not have much else to what
to cue-bid in diamonds (1st or 2nd round) on the I have promised partner when I bid Four Hearts,
way to Five Hearts. Who knows, we may have a so I need to respect his double. The vulnerability
slam on. is also in favour of passing.
OK Ben, I am happy with the valuation but con- Well, yes and no – exactly how insane will North
cerned about the bid. Is Five Diamonds really a cue be at this vulnerability?
for hearts? What if we had say three hearts and five Bowyer: Pass. Isn’t this similar to a hand in the last
diamonds, say ♠xxxx ♥Axx ♦AJxxx ♣x? Might we set? There it was right to pull, although I think part-
not have a pot at Four Hearts over Two Spades and ner there had a clear-cut Five Diamond bid. Here,
now if we decide to pull the double may as well try it’s a guess – if partner has clubs you want to defend,
and play in Five Diamonds if in some unlikely sce- if he has diamonds you want to play. I pass.
nario that is partner’s suit? I am unconvinced Five I am not sure which hand Paul is referring to here
Daimonds is not simply Pass/correct. If you want to unless he has remembered something about Set 311,
make a slam try isn’t this it: hand 1. That would be a pity because if not I can
Kokish: 4NT. East’s double says he believes Four feel very smug for the second time in three hands as it
Hearts was making and so invites cooperation. would be the first time I have ever set the same prob-
North appears to have judged well and will find lem from opposite sides and not had at least one panel-
some trumps in dummy, so we won’t get rich against list “pick” it. In set 311, problem 1, we held ♠KJxxxx
Four Spades doubled and as I have some extras of ♥ – ♦xx ♣AKQxx with the auction Pass, Pass, 1♠,
my own I may as well see what I can learn about 2♠, Pass, 4♥. There, the majority bid was for Four
East’s second suit and possible slam interest in light Spades (which is what I bid at the table). The auction
of my latest news bulletin. In theory East will bid did indeed continue Double, Pass to this hand. As is
Five Hearts with no slam interest or show his minor obvious it is very right to bid, partner’s hand being
otherwise, but in real life he will nearly always indi- ♠Ax ♥AQxxx ♦AQxxx ♣x and now we see why Five
cate his second suit. Hearts might not be enough. Six Hearts is quite cold
In this case Eric, he just might try his minor at the on our combined 24 count and I do not believe any

 Intermediate
pair got there, and nor can I construct a sensible auc- one minor to run.
tion to it unless partner jumps to Six Diamonds over Greco: 3NT. Partner has a good hand begging me
a 4NT bid. Given that three quarters of the panel bid to bid 3NT and I see no reason not to oblige with
I have slightly downgraded the pass. this hand, hoping they can’t run the hearts (and
then the spades).
PROBLEM 6 A couple of very full analyses from Eric K and Ben:
Kokish: 3NT. East’s double shows extra strength
IMPs. Dealer North. None Vul. in a hand unwilling to take a directional action, so
♠ Q83 might well have a hand interested in 3NT with a
♥4 fit for diamonds but lacking a spade stopper, e.g.
♦ A J 10 9 7 6 4 ♠xx ♥AQx ♦Kx ♣AQJxxx, or ♠xxx ♥KQ ♦KQx
♣ K5 ♣AQJ10x, which would make 3NT our best game
on the auction. The problem, of course, is that he
might not have that hand and Five Clubs or Five
– 1♠ 2♣ Pass
Diamonds might be much better, but my feeling is
2♦ 3♠ Double Pass
that he will much more often than not hold two los-
?
ing spades and that despite my big suit and golden
Bid Marks No. of Votes ♣K it’s my duty to bid 3NT. I do not intend to
3NT 10 8 salute, however.
Four Diamonds 9 3 Fair enough.
Four Clubs 8 2 Green: 3NT. This is really tough, one could make a
Five Clubs 8 2 case for 3NT, Four Clubs, Four Diamonds, maybe
Five Diamonds 8 2 4NT (choice of minors) and even Pass. Partner’s
4NT 6 0 double here shows extra values as there is no room
Four Spades 5 0
Pass 4 0 to describe his hand accurately. It looks like partner
has four hearts as North has not introduced them
I confess I am slightly surprised at the panel’s choices so I’m not too worried about that suit. I appreci-
here. No one at all chose to try and keep both minors ate that I may be in the minority here but if 3NT
in the picture and no one chose to pass playing for is the last making spot (which easily could be the
some aces and a few ruffs. Over half the panel chose case) then it needs to be bid now. Partner might
to have a shot at 3NT – which essentially needs us view that since I have not bid NT over Two Clubs
to be able to run nine tricks. Is it likely that we can that I am not loaded in spades. I have been wrong
do that and not make five of one minor or the other? before and do not expect to be in the majority.
Let’s hear from them: Not the majority – just under 50% Ben 
Apteker: 3NT. The double is takeout oriented with Teramoto: 3NT. Double shows a good hand and
extra values showing something like 1-4-2-6 shape. I don’t want to defend with this hand.
Have heard this enough times….if 3NT is a rea- Four panelists tried a different game. Two for Five
sonable option, bid it! Clubs:
Well, I agree with you about the shape Alon – surely Lawrence: Five Clubs. I don’t think this should be
partner’s most likely reason to want to bid is to get her a takeout double but given my hand, it can’t be a
four card heart suit into the game. Not guaranteed penalty double (as you can see from the panel responses
but certainly a reason to want to bid. As I say we had Mike you are alone in thinking this a penalty double).
better be able to cash nine tricks. PS. You owe us a footnote to the Two Diamond bid.
Robson: 3NT. Very tough problem. Think partner Forcing or not? (Forcing as per the system)
is 1-4-2-6 or 2-4-1-6. 3NT should have chances if Cannell: Five Clubs. Man, is my hand huge after
(as expected) clubs run. partner’s double of Three Spades. The double is
Sime: 3NT. Partner’s most likely shape is 1-4-2- along the lines of a competitive / take-out action
6. We might beat Three Spades in top tricks, but I so my hand is extremely useful to partner. He will
suspect that North has extreme shape. One doesn’t expect a doubleton club as I bid Two Diamonds
jump to Three Spades at equal vulnerability expect- rather than Two Spades in the first place.
ing to be down three. If he also has the heart ace, One for Five Diamonds:
minus 530 looms if I pass. I ought to try for game Bowyer: Five Diamonds. Wow. What has partner
opposite partner’s double. 3NT may require only got? I reckon he’s 1-4-2-6 good hand. Let’s try Five

 Intermediate
Diamonds. on a 4-6 shape, but with South’s pass it is probably
Cope: Five Diamonds. So much depends on the even money whether he is 1-4-2-6 or 2-4-1-6. Clubs
meaning of the double of Three Spades. I would doesn’t rate to play particularly well, but perhaps
treat it as a take-out double, extra strength for the diamonds can survive if his singleton is an honour.
overcall and no sensible natural bid to make. So I Both pass and 3NT seem particularly wild,
bid what I think I can make as I have little room Silver: Four Diamonds. Spade stopper too iffy, dia-
left for investigation. Maybe we will but ♠x ♥KQxx monds too long and not solid enough to either pass
♦Kx ♣AQxxxx and guess where the ♦Q is. or to bid 3NT. So it’s rebidding my seven card suit
Then we have five panelists who are prepared to let for me.
this hand drop at the four level: Bird: Four Diamonds. Partner would double on
Rigal: Four Clubs. The double is unbiddable extras, various hand-types. I don’t think 4NT, offering a
and my hand does not look ideal for defending choice of minors, is appropriate with a 7-2 discrep-
(yes it could be very wrong to act here I admit) so ancy in my lengths. If he bids Four Hearts next, I
at least I’ll get partner to pick which game we go will say Five Clubs then.
down in (but surely Four Clubs isn’t forcing Barry?). Last word to the man who knows:
And yes, pass or 3NT might well be the big winner. Rosen: 3NT. I know this hand, Alan Mould bid
Carruthers: Four Clubs. Yes, partner has hearts and 4NT pick a minor for Five Clubs -1 whereas Three
clubs and I have diamonds, so we should be able Spades was probably two off (didn’t stop him knock-
to defeat Three Spades. However, once in a while ing us out of the Hubert Phillips however).
dummy has a trick and a ruff and we are minus 530. Partner held ♠10x ♥AKxx ♦Q ♣A1098xx. Opener
Ugly. Further, as Edgar so famously declaimed, “I was 7-4-0-2 so provided you don’t try the ♦Q early
like partner to take out my takeout doubles.” you will come to two off. 3NT will make if you are
Smith: Four Diamonds. For me, this is just a choice given a spade trick but not otherwise and 5m suffers
between the minors at the four level. I’m guessing from obvious problems.
partner’s double is an attempt to get hearts into play
PROBLEM 7
IMPs. Dealer East. All Vul.

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♥ K92
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OUT NOW Bid Marks No. of Votes
RRP £49.95 SUBSCRIBERS’ £45 + post free 3NT 10 11
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ner has ♠KQxxxxx for his vulnerable pre-empt the
• Thousands of entries cov-
only way 3NT can be beaten is by a lead to one ace
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Apteker: 3NT. Easier to make 9 tricks while pro-
make the printed edition tecting the kings on lead than making 10 in Four
Spades and from partner’s side.

 Intermediate
Carruthers: 3NT. What else, pray tell? If partner either defender holds both missing aces or North
has ten-nine sixth of spades and queen-fifth of dia- fails to guess the opening lead (and why should
monds, we’ll have a discussion about what consti- he lead a club from Qxx rather than a diamond
tutes a vulnerable three-bid. Can one produce a from Qxx?). Four Spades seems like it may need a
deal where Four Spades makes and 3NT does not? bit more depending on partner’s shape – certainly
Of course, viz., if they lead a heart to the ace and three low cards in either rounded suit puts him in
the queen of clubs through my king or vice versa. immediate danger, and even if that doesn’t happen
Ainsi va la vie. he may still need a finesse for the tenth trick.
“That is the way of the world” and in a thin month Bowyer: 3NT. The choice is between 3NT and Four
I award John the comment of the month for properly Spades (did someone really send this in because
displaying his proud Canadian bi-lingual tradition. partner has a singleton club or heart, the ace of
Green: 3NT. Four Spades could possibly go down the other rounded suit, king to seven spades and
losing three tricks in hearts or clubs plus an ace. ♦Qx?) (No but OK you have managed to contruct a
Since partner is vulnerable I expect to make at least hand that makes Six Spades – well sort of. Something
nine tricks (seven spades and two diamonds) unless like ♠Kxxxxxx ♥Axx ♦Qx ♣x – yuk!). I’ll try 3NT.
the opponents can take the first five. That unlikely Teramoto: 3NT. 3NT looks to have more chance
scenario would have to include a lead to an ace on than Four Spades.
my right and then a switch to another suit that four And so to the Four Spade bidders. Five of them.
tricks can be taken in. I’ll take my chances in 3NT Can they convince us:
and I think it’s clear to bid it. Greco: Four Spades. I can’t picture too many hands
Cope: 3NT. Looks a no brainer at IMPs with seven that are not One Spade openers where slam is great.
spade tricks and two diamonds and comfortable I am sure there are some but if I try partner will
against any lead whereas a Four Spade contract move on with too many other hands I think.
may be off the first three tricks in a rounded suit Bird: Four Spades. It’s close between this and 3NT –
and the ace in the other rounded suit. Just a guess, really. Some players open a non-vul-
Kokish: 3NT. My guy might have KQ10xxxx and nerable Three Spades on any old rubbish and then
an ace but perhaps not in BMS. Looking for slam insist on a real giant when vulnerable. That doesn’t
would make sense only if East could have such a make much sense. It means that they hardly ever
hand and I could use a method like Four Clubs
= Optional RKC. We’ll make 3NT unless North
leads over to an ace and South can switch usefully
through my other king. It’s easier to imagine going
down in Four Spades, say with a normal queen
lead by South.
Sime: 3NT. Slam is improbable, and attempting to
reach one deserves Five Spades one down. Even vul- CARD TABLES
nerable pre-empts do not usually deliver KQxxxxx
and an outside ace, which may still be insufficient. FOR SALE
3NT seems a marginally safer game than Four Refurbished old tables standard size
Spades, because of the opening lead value. If they with new green baize top
have four top tricks against Four Spades, they will
probably get them. £29 each
Silver: 3NT. Since my oxen don’t pre-empt with Will deliver within reasonable distance
decent seven card suits and an outside ace slam
is out. It comes down to getting our side to the DANNY ROTH
best game, which appears to involve protecting my 47 Bearing Way, CHIGWELL,
rounded kings on the opening lead by “grabbing” ESSEX IG7 4NB
the contract.
020 8501 1643 tel/fax dannyroth@btinternet.com
Smith: 3NT. This looks like a close call between
Four Spades and 3NT opposite KQxxxxx and noth-
ing else. 3NT may go down quickly is South can
gain the lead at trick one and then fire through
my other rounded-suit king, but it will be cold if

 Intermediate
pre-empt when vulnerable. PROBLEM 8
I think that is a pop against Marc…
Cannell: Four Spades. Good luck partner. King- IMPs. Dealer South. None Vul.
seventh of spades and a side ace is not what my
partners hold for a Three Spade opener. Slam is a ♠—
bridge too far. ♥ AJ 9 8 6
Rigal: Four Spades. The 3NT bidders have my ♦ 10 7 6
admiration; I’ve seen this sort of thing go wrong ♣ A K 10 9 5
too often though. Not close to a slam try of course West North East South
though we might make slam MY way up. – – – 2♠*
Robson: Four Spades. First thought was 3NT ?
but I’m so good that Four Spades should make 2 ♠ Natural and weak
while 3NT has the odd risk attached (a club/heart Bid Marks No. of Votes
to North’s ace then the other of clubs and hearts Double 10 6
through my king). I’m not looking for slam (if that Four Clubs 9 6
was the point); my partners don’t hold KQ109xxx Th ree Hearts 9 5
and an ace, that’s a one-opener isn’t it? Three Clubs 3 0
Alone amongst the panel Mike is prepared to try Th ree Spades 2 0
for slam: A three-way vote from the panel and in retrospect it was
Lawrence: Four Clubs. You carefully have us vul fairly obvious that it would be so since no one would
vs not (No I don’t! Game all) so East’s pre-empt is pass (obviously) and these are the only three rational
serious. If he has KQ109xxx and an ace, we might choices. We have joined the 21sh century and started
have twelve tricks. I’m willing to bid Four Clubs, playing Leaping Michaels, so the first question is “Is
KC for spades, and will bid slam only if he has this good enough?”. The answer for me is a resounding
two key cards. If North doubles Four Clubs, I can “No” but for the six panellists who bid it the answer
change my mind. is yes. Can they convince me? We start with the latest
He would and it is too late… fine prediction from the panel this month:
Last word again to the man at the table: Lawrence: Four Clubs. Clubs and hearts. Unani-
Rosen: 3NT. Another Hubert Phillips hand! We mous? (only if 35% is your definition of unanimous)
had a strange flat board when we pushed for a dubi- This version is useful since both suits are known.
ous slam and went one off whereas even Four Spades Rosen: Four Clubs. ♣ & ♥. Old chestnut of resolv-
failed at the other table on a club lead through the ing right strain whilst sacrificing level.
K from QJx. 3NT was much better as it needed a Robson: Four Clubs. I believe that’s LM.
heart to the ace and a switch to the ♣Q. Assum- Of course Four Clubs is rather more attractive if
ing you don’t fancy slam chances 3NT is definitely partner can pass it. Can he? Not in my world. But…
the right bid – however I don’t predict top marks! Bowyer: Four Clubs. So the question is: Is this
Two wonderful predictions in a row Neil! hand worth Four Clubs, Leaping Michaels? Yes,
Neil’s definition of a “dubious slam” is interesting. in my view, but only playing with a human being
Partner held ♠KQ109xxx ♥x ♦Qx ♣xxx and this who regards this as non-forcing. To clarify – with
“slam” was reached after an ambiguous Four Club bid a misfit partner should avoid disaster by passing
followed by a mix up of what were trumps for KeyCard Four Clubs.
Blackwood. Since Four Clubs may have had some sem- That is all fine and dandy in order to balance on a
blance of being a suit and partner had not doubled pin head in Four Clubs (which is probably going off
Four Clubs or Six Spades I led a diamond from ♠xx anyway) but it means that you cannot bid it on (say)
♥AQJx ♦xxxx ♣QJx which meant we only got our ♠Axx ♥AKxxx ♦ – ♣AKQxx and presumably have
two aces. “Mould on lead” muttered John Holland. to start with some foul double… Another idea that I
The “obvious” ♣Q in the other room put paid to Four have heard is to abandon Three Spades as a stopper
Spades. 3NT theoretically does not make as John will ask on the grounds it rarely comes up and play Three
lead a heart from ♠x ♥xxxxx ♦xxx ♣A10xx and I Spades and 4m as all Michaels, one being FG and
can switch to the ♣Q. Easy when you can see declar- the other not.
er’s hand but is that SO obvious? You look a complete Ben and Iain at least think it is a stretch:
idiot when declarer has bid this off ♠ – ♥Kxx ♦AKx Green: Four Clubs. I know I’m not quite strong
♣AKxxxxx and why shouldn’t declarer have that hand? enough for this bid but at least it gets both of
 Intermediate
my suits across and allows partner (or the oppo- gives us a full analysis of the benefits of double:
nents!) to make a judgement. I hate double with Carruthers: Double. Not enough for Four Clubs
5-5 shape and a void and Three Hearts will leave (forcing) in my book, although some will bid it.
me wondering when it goes Four Spades, Pass, I need more than a six-loser to commit Leap-
Pass to me. ing Michaels. Three Hearts overstates the suit
Sime: Four Clubs. Clubs and hearts, sub-bottom and in practice, gives up on other strains, espe-
of the range, I know. My excuse is that I invest a cially bad with the tap ready to go for them. My
level to reach the best denomination. That might other option is Three Clubs, but by doing that, I
be Five Clubs if North bids Four Spades. think I must commit to acting later to show the
If we are not good enough for Four Clubs then hearts. The thing is, if you overcall in one suit or
what? Bid our major at the lowest level in order not the other, you might miss a slam in the suit you
to lose the 5-3 heart fit. First up this surprises me not: do not bid. If you commit to Leaping Michaels,
Kokish: Three Hearts. Double is safer and could you overstate your hand, if not the shape (and
so easily be the winner, but Three Hearts is the way make it easy for a double by North in a misfit-
to find five-three hearts with an option in clubs or ting hand). The other important thing when the
diamonds if East can introduce alternative strains. opponents hold the master major is to find your
Rigal: Three Hearts. Not nearly enough for Four best fit, since you’ll be forced to a higher level if
Clubs, ♣ & ♥. Some may bid that way but they you want to declare.
aren’t likely to be as old or careworn as me. Yes, a good point. If they bid Four Spades then clubs
Cannell: Three Hearts. I will look for the most and hearts are the same.
likely game bonus without overstating this col- Silver: Double. Despite holding two five card suits,
lection. A Four Club Leaping Michaels call is I do have three places to play, and a hand not good
too much on this as I believe that Four Clubs enough to go past the three level on my own, and
should be a one-round force on the partnership. enough defence not to worry too much should
I am perfectly OK with Leaping Michaels and partner choose to pass.
not having Non-Leaping Michaels in the quiver Cope: Double. The least of evils as we are not strong
of our system. enough for a leaping Michaels and a Three Heart
Bird: Three Hearts. Since I am still none the wiser bid would suggest a longer or stronger suit. Dou-
on whether any leaping-or-not Michaels is part ble at least brings all suits into the picture and if
of the permitted system, I will value this hand as we get lucky we may be able to show the fifth heart
being ‘not strong enough anyway’. Ah, perhaps a later in the auction.
double would work better. I’ll find out in a cou- Good luck with that!
ple of months. Apteker: Double. I won’t be disappointed if part-
Smith: Three Hearts. I think we have now added ner passes and it keeps all options open, save per-
Leaping Michaels to the arsenal, but this hand haps for finding the 5-3 Heart fit. Three Hearts is
simply is not good enough to force to game. a reasonable alternative which allows for an easier
Even worse, imagine finding partner with a mod- path to Four Hearts and also allows for a better
erate 3-2-5-3 shape and now you are in an 11 auction if North raises to Three Spades or Four
trick game with no real fit. If partner fits hearts, Spades thereafter, I could then double in balanc-
he will raise to game, and if not I’ll settle for ing position.
playing a part-score. Although the deal could Greco: Double. I would prefer to bid Three
be a complete misfit and I may be stepping into Spades, Michaels so I can keep 3NT in the pic-
the lion’s jaws, I have the short spades so the ture, but since we play Leaping Michaels I would
onus is on me to take action, so pass feels like assume three spades asks for a stopper. I think
a non-starter. double is most flexible and would strongly pre-
No, nobody of course considered pass Marc. The real fer to be 6-5 or a slightly better hand for Leap-
downside of Three Hearts is not so much the complete ing Michaels.
misfit as the non-fit in hearts. Give partner say ♠Qxxx Teramoto: Double. This is not enough for Four
♥x ♦Ax ♣xxxxxx and you will play a slam in Three Clubs (Leaping Michaels) so I will make a take-
Hearts (possibly even going down). out double.
Another six panellists therefore try and keep all Partner held ♠9xxx ♥KQ10 ♦AKxxx ♣Q so
options open, including Two Spades doubled. John Six Hearts is decent but very tough to play and Six

 Intermediate
Diamonds is more or less on diamonds 3-2. In the Ber-
muda Bowl Sweden got there after Leaping Michaels
and Poland did not after a heart overcall. I have used
my casting vote in favour of double as I think they had
the better of the arguments.
Well,I have to say I enjoyed this month’s set. Two
personal goals of mine fulfilled and after last month’s
dud set it was good to see that the problems gave some
interesting discussions. There were only three problems
with an overall majority and whilst one problem had
only two panel bids, one had 6 bids and two 5 bids
from the panel.
Gold is shared this month by players from different
sides of the world – Tadishi Teramoto and Joey Silver
both scored 79 so congratulations to them. One point
behind was Iain Sime on 78.
Joey Silver
IMPORTANT! New email address!! Please send entries to: marksandcomments@gmail.com

The existing address will be phased out next month.
SET 313 – THE PANEL’S BIDS & MARKS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Total
Joey Silver Canada Double 3♥ 3♥ 3NT 5♥ 4♦ 3NT Double 79
Tadashi Teramoto Japan Double 3♥ 3♥ 3♠ 5♥ 3NT 3NT Double 79
Iain Sime Scotland Double 3♥ 3♥ 3♠ 5♥ 3NT 3NT 4♣ 78
Alon Apteker South Africa Double 3♦ 3♥ 3NT Pass 3NT 3NT Double 76
Neil Rosen England Double 3NT 3♥ 3♠ 5♥ 3NT 3NT 4♣ 76
John Carruthers Canada 4♦ 3♥ 3♥ 3NT Pass 4♣ 3NT Double 75
Tim Cope South Africa Double 3NT 3♥ 3NT 4NT 5♦ 3NT Double 75
Ben Green England 4♠ 3♥ 3♥ Pass 5♦ 3NT 3NT 4♣ 74
Andrew Robson England 4♠ 3♦ 3♥ 3NT 4NT 3NT 4♠ 4♣ 74
Barry Rigal USA 4♦ 3♦ 3♥ 3NT 5♥ 4♣ 4♠ 3♥ 73
Drew Cannell Canada Double 3♥ 3♥ 4♥ 5♥ 5♣ 4♠ 3♥ 72
Eric Kokish Canada 4♠ 3NT 3♦ 4♠ 4NT 3NT 3NT 3♥ 72
Marc Smith England 4♠ 3♦ 4♣ 4♣ 5♥ 4♦ 3NT 3♥ 72
David Bird England 4♠ 3♦ 4♣ 4♠ 5♥ 4♦ 4♠ 3♥ 71
Paul Bowyer England 4♠ 3♥ 3♦ 3NT Pass 5♦ 3NT 4♣ 71
Eric Greco USA Double 3NT 2NT Pass 5♥ 3NT 4♠ Double 71
Mike Lawrence USA 4♠ 3♦ 3♣ 4♠ Pass 5♣ 4♣ 4♣ 65

 Intermediate

Introduction to Declarer’s Play
An Eddie Kantar Bridge Classic
Nobody Does It Better
For more than fifty years, Introduction to Declarer’s Play has been the book
that thousands of bridge teachers regard as the best on its subject. Multiple
world champion and Hall of Famer Eddie Kantar covers the basics with
clarity, skill, and best of all, humor. Learning can be fun with a great teacher,
whether you are a novice or a more experienced player, and Eddie Kantar is
one of the best.
If reading this book is your first exploration of the world of card play at
bridge, you will find it much easier going than you had thought. You will
be in the hands of a master. If you already know how to play, you may be
surprised at how many gaps in your knowledge can be filled by Kantar’s tips
and advice.

DISCUSS
DISCUSSTODAY’S
TODAY’SBRIDGE
BRIDGEISSUES
ISSUESON

Introduction to Defender’s Play
An Eddie Kantar Bridge Classic
Nobody Does It Better
For more than fifty years, Introduction to Defender’s Play has been the book
that thousands of bridge teachers regard as the best on its subject.
Multiple world champion and Hall of Famer Eddie Kantar covers the basics
with clarity, skill, and best of all, humor. Learning can be fun with a great
teacher, whether you are a novice or a more experienced player, and Eddie
Kantar is one of the best.
If reading this book is your first exploration of the world of defensive play
at bridge, you will find it much easier going than you had thought. You will
be in the hands of a master. If you already know how to play, you may be
surprised at how many gaps in your knowledge can be filled by Kantar’s tips
and advice.

DISCUSS
DISCUSSTODAY’S
TODAY’SBRIDGE
BRIDGEISSUES
ISSUESON


Bidding Competition – Set 314
Open to all – Free Entry
See following pages for system and method of entry
PROBLEM 1 PROBLEM 5
IMPs. Dealer North. All Vul. IMPs. Dealer East. E/W Vul.
♠ A 10 5 4 3 ♠ A6 2
♥ AK Q J 6 4 ♥ AK 8 7 5 4 3 2
♦— ♦ A7
♣ A9 ♣—
West North East South West North East South
– Pass Pass Pass – – Pass Pass
1♥ Pass 1NT Pass 1♥ 2♣ Double 4♣
2♠* Pass 3NT* Pass ?
? PROBLEM 6
2♠ Natural and F1
3NT Extra values (2NT natural and passable) IMPs. Dealer North. All Vul.
PROBLEM 2 ♠6
♥ 42
IMPs. Dealer South. None Vul. ♦ AK 5 2
♠ A7 5 3 ♣ A 10 9 6 4 3
♥ 752 West North East South
♦ K Q 10 – 1♠ Pass 1NT
♣ K72 2♣ 2♥ 2♠* 3♠
West North East South ?
– – – 3♣ 2♠ Unassuming cue-bid (ie promises club
Pass Pass Double Pass support)
? PROBLEM 7
PROBLEM 3 IMPs. Dealer East. E/W Vul.
IMPs. Dealer East. E/W Vul. ♠ K 10 5 2
♠ A K 10 ♥2
♥ K 10 9 8 3 ♦ A 10 6 5 2
♦ J 10 4 ♣ 10 7 4
♣ KJ West North East South
West North East South – – 1♥ 3♣*
– – 1♦ 2♠ Pass Pass Double Pass
Double 3♠ 4♥ Pass ?
? 3♣ Natural and weak
PROBLEM 4 PROBLEM 8
IMPs. Dealer North. None Vul. IMPs. Dealer East. E/W Vul.
♠ AK 4 2 ♠ KJ952
♥ A J 10 ♥ K 10 7 4
♦ KQ842 ♦ 10 5
♣A ♣ J8
West North East South West North East South
– Pass Pass 1NT* – – 1NT* 2♣*
Double* 2♥ Pass Pass ?*
Double* Pass 2NT* Pass 1NT 15 – 17
? 2♣ Any 1 suited hand
?* BM Standard “Lebemsohl after interference
over 1NT” assume that 2♦/♥/♠ is nat to play, 3
1NT 15-17
Dble Penalties of 1NT
Takeout of 2♥
level all natural and FG. Double is undefined here.
Dble
2NT Lebensohl

How to enter
Send your chosen bid in each of the eight sequences opposite, preferably by email, to John Carru-
thers at: marksandcomments@gmail.com. Alternatively, you can enter by post, to: John Carruthers,
1322 Patricia Blvd., Kingsville ON N9Y 2R4, Canada. Entries must be received by the 231st
March. Include your name, address and telephone number. Please quote the month, competition
and value of your prize when ordering Master Point Press books.
Grand Prix
PRIZES In addition there is an annual Grand Prix with
1st £50 Master Point Press books Master Point Press prizes of £100, £50 and £35.
2nd £25 Master Point Press books Only scores of 50 and over will count and the
3rd £15 Master Point Press books maximum score is 400. Each contestant’s Grand
4th £10 Master Point Press books Prix total is their five best scores over the year
(January – December).
Bridge Magazine Bidding System

Basic Method Weak 2♦, 2♥ and 2♠ (5 – 9, six-card suit). In
response 2NT is a relay asking for a high-card
Natural feature if not minimum with 3NT showing a
Five-card majors good suit, non-minimum. 3♣ asks for a sin-
gleton with 3NT showing a singleton ♣. 4♣
Minors are three cards in length minimum. is RKCB
Always open 1♣ with 3-3 or 4-4, so 1♦ is 3
cards only if precisely 4-4-3-2 shape Three-level openings are natural and pre-emp-
tive. Over 3♦/♥/♠, 4♣ is RKCB and over 3♣,
15-17 no-trump in all positions and 4♦ is RKCB.
vulnerabilities
3NT opening is Acol gambling – solid suit and
Two over one is game forcing in all uncontested at most a queen outside.
auctions
Four-level openings are natural.
A 1NT is up to a non-game force but it is not-
forcing. However the only hands that Pass are No-trump bidding:
weak no-trump types. After 1NT 15 – 17, 2♣ = Stayman, 2♦/2♥ =
Jumps at the two-level are weak (eg, 1♦ – 2♠) transfers, 2♠ = ♣s with 2NT/3♣ denying/show-
and at the three-level are invitational (eg 1♥ ing a fit, 2NT = ♦s with 3♣/♦ denying/showing
– 3♣) a fit. After this new suits are splinters. 3♣ is 5
card Stayman, 3♦ is 5-5 ms FG, 3♥/♠ 1-3-(4-
1M – 3M is a limit raise 5) / 3-1-(4-5) and FG. 4♣ is 5-5 majors, game
Inverted minors are played. 1m – 2m is F2NT only, 4♦/♥ = ♥/♠s (then 4NT = RKCB and
and 1m – 3m is pre-emptive. Over 1m – 2m, new suits are Exclusion).
2NT is a WNT and is non-forcing, 3m is unbal- 1NT rebid = 12 – 14 with 2♣ a puppet to 2♦
anced and non-forcing. All other bids are at least to play in 2♦ or make an invitational bid, 2♦ is
quasi-natural and FG game forcing checkback, new suits at the 3 level
are 5-5 FG and higher bids are auto-splinters.


Jump 2NT rebid = 18 – 19 with natural Jumps when a bid of the suit one level lower is
continuations. forcing are splinters, as are four-level responses
in a lower-ranking suit to 1♥/1♠. Jumps when
After 2 over 1, 2NT is 12-14 balanced or 18-19 the previous level is forcing are splinters.
balanced and 3NT is 15-17 range with a reason
not to have opened 1NT 4th suit = game-forcing.
3NT rebid after a one-level response shows a When responder’s suit is raised a return to open-
good suit and a good hand. er’s suit is forcing.
After 2NT, 20-22, 3♣ = Stayman, 3♦/3♥ = Slam bidding:
transfers, 3♠ = slam try with both minors. Four-
Roman Key Card Blackwood (1 or 4, 0 or 3, 2,
level bids are as after 1NT opening.
2 + trump Q).
Kokish is played after 2♣ opening (2♣-2♦-2♥-
Exclusion Blackwood only in clear circum-
2♠-2NT is 25+ balanced FG, and 2♣-2♦-2NT
stances including a jump to the five-level in a
is 23-24 balanced NF)
new suit and after 1NT – 4♦/♥. Responses are
Initial response: 0, 1, 2.
Jump shifts are weak at the two-level and invita- Cue-bids are Italian style, that is the lowest con-
tional at the three-level. Bidding and rebidding trol is shown regardless of whether it is first or
a suit is invitational, bidding and jump rebid- second round or a positive or negative control
ding a suit is FG (eg 1♦, 2♥ is weak, 1♦, 1♥, and skipping a suit denies a control in that suit.
2♣ 2♥ is invitational; 1♦, 1♥, 2♣, 3♥ is FG). Exception: a negative control in partner’s suit is
not shown immediately.
2NT after 1♣/1♦ is natural and invitational
without 4M. The default for 5NT is “pick a slam”.
2NT after 1♥/1♠ = game-forcing with 4+ card Competition:
support. Continuations in new suits are splin-
Responsive and competitive Doubles through
ters, 3♥/♠ extras with no singleton, 3NT =
3♠ – after that, Doubles are value-showing, not
18-19 balanced, 4 new suits are 5-5 good suits,
4♥/♠ minimum balanced. penalties.
Continuations: Negative Doubles through 3♠ – after that, Dou-

bles are value showing, not penalties.
1x – 1M – 2M promises four-card support or
three-card support and an unbalanced hand. After a 1M opening bid and an overcall, 2NT =
Balanced hands with three-card support rebid four-card limit raise or better and a cue-bid is
1NT a three-card limit raise or better, raises are pre-
emptive, change of suit forcing one round but
Reverses are forcing for one round after a one- not FG. New suits at the three-level are FG.
level response. The lower of 2NT and 4th suit
encompasses all weak hands, responder’s rebid After a 1m opening and an overcall, 2NT is nat-
of own suit is F1 but not necessarily strong, all ural and invitational and the cue-bid is a limit
other bids are FG. raise or better, raises are pre-emptive, change
of suit F1 but not FG, new suit at the three-
All high reverses are game-forcing. level is FG.


Fit-jumps after opponents overcall or take-out Defences:
Double.
Against all pre-empts, take-out Doubles with
Fit jumps after our overcalls. Jump cue-bid is a Lebensohl responses – same structure as above.
mixed raise (about 6-9 with four-card support)
2NT is rarely natural in competition (except as
Double jumps are splinters. defined above). Possibilities include Lebensohl
or scramble if game is not viable.
Lebensohl applies after interference over our
1NT. An immediate 3NT shows a stopper but Over 2M, 4♣/♦ are Leaping Michaels (5,5 in
not 4oM, 2NT then 3NT shows a stopper and ♣/♦ and oM, FG). Over Natural weak 2♦, 4♣ =
4oM, 2NT then cue-bid shows no stopper but Leaping Michaels (5, 5 in ♣ & a M with 4♦ to
4oM immediate cue-bid shows no stopper and ask for M). Over 3♣, 4♣ = Ms and 4♦ = ♦&M
no 4oM. In summary 3NT at any time shows with 4♥/♠ as P/C. Over 3♦, 4♣ = Nat and
a stopper and cue-bid at any time denies one, a 4♦ = Ms. Over 3♥, 4♣/♦ = Nat, 4♥ = ♠&m,
jump to 3♠ (eg 1NT – 2♥ – 3♠) is FG. 4NT = ms. Over 3♠, 4♠/♦/♥ = nat, 4♠/4NT
= two-suiter
2NT is rarely natural in competition (except as
defined above). Possibilities include Lebensohl Over their 1NT, Double = pens, 2♣ = majors,
or scramble if game is not viable. 2♦ = 1 major, 2♥/♠ = 5♥/♠ & 4+m 2NT =
minors or game-forcing 2-suiter.
Overcalls:
Over a strong 1♣, natural, Double = majors,
After a 1M overcall, 2NT = four-card limit raise
1NT = minors, Pass then bid is strong.
or better and a cue-bid is a three-card limit raise
or better, raises are pre-emptive, change of suit
forcing one round. Fit jumps, jump cue is a
mixed raise (about 6-9 and four trumps)
After a minor-suit overcall, 2NT is natural and
invitational and the cue-bid is a limit raise or
better, raises are pre-emptive. Fit jumps, jump
cue is a mixed raise (about 6-9 and four trumps)
Weak jump overcalls, intermediate in 4th.
Michaels cue-bids. 1m -2m = Ms, 1M – 2M
= oM and m with 2NT asking for the m, inv+
and 3m P/C
Send stamped addressed envelope to Chess & Bridge Ltd for WBF style Convention Card. You will be
able to find a link to the new Convention Card on our web site.
IMPORTANT! New email address!! Starting with Set 311 (the first of the next cycle), please send entries to:
marksandcomments@gmail.com The existing address will be checked for a month or two.


WEST Bid these hands with those on the following
Hands for the page with your favourite partner; then turn to
March 2017 Partnership Profile Partnership Bidding inside to see how your score
compares to that of the experts
Hand 1. Dealer North. None Vul. Hand 5. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
♠ 86 ♠ Q42
♥ AKJ76 ♥ KQ75
♦ J82 ♦ AQ864
♣ Q74 ♣ 7
North opens 1♣* (2+♣). If East overcalls 1♠ South doubles North overcalls 3♣ and South raises to 5♣.
Hand 2. Dealer East. NS Vul. Hand 6. Dealer South. EW Vul.
♠ A65 ♠ K Q 10 2
♥ 64 ♥ J32
♦ Q76 ♦ —
♣ K9843 ♣ A 10 9 7 4 2
South overcalls 1♠, North raises to 2♠ and South bids 3♠. South opens 3♥ and North raises to 4♥.
Hand 3. Dealer West. E/W Vul. Hand 7. Dealer North. None Vul.
♠ A873 ♠ AQJ86
♥ KJ4 ♥ A62
♦ A532 ♦ Q
♣ 94 ♣ K962
South overcalls 3♥. North opens 2♥ (weak).
Hand 4. Dealer West.N/S Vul. Hand 8. Dealer West. EW Vul.
♠ Q 10 9 7 2 ♠ 10
♥ Q J 10 8 ♥ A5
♦ 10 ♦ Q642
♣ 10 3 2 ♣ AK9765
North opens 1♦ (2+♦) and South raises to 3♦, North then
bidding 4♦.
BIDDING COMPETITION Why not enter a bridge hand or bidding problem of your
own for use in BRIDGE Magazine?
SET 314
♠
(for the MarchCompetition) ♥
My answers are (the Adjudicator)
♦
1. ♣
♠ ♠
2. ♥ ♥
3. ♦ ♦
♣ ♣
4. ♠
5.
♥
♦
6. ♣
7. WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
8.
Total marks: Name: (please print)

Email to marksandcomments@gmail.com
or post to: Bidding Competition (292), Address:
John Carruthers, 1322 Patricia Blvd.
Kingsville ON N9Y 2R4, Canada Telephone: ___________________________________
Entries must be received by

31st March 2017.


EAST Bid these hands with those on the previous
Hands for the page with your favourite partner; then turn to
March 2017 Partnership Profile Partnership Bidding inside to see how your score
compares to that of the experts
Hand 1. Dealer North. None Vul. Hand 5. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
♠ K Q 10 7 4 3 ♠ A K 10 3
♥ Q ♥ A942
♦ 76543 ♦ KJ7
♣ A ♣ A6
North opens 1♣* (2+♣). If East overcalls 1♠ South doubles North overcalls 3♣ and South raises to 5♣.
Hand 2. Dealer East. NS Vul. Hand 6. Dealer South. EW Vul.
♠ 10 ♠ 87
♥ A3 ♥ A
♦ A K 10 5 3 ♦ A K J 10 7
♣ Q7652 ♣ KJ853
South overcalls 1♠, North raises to 2♠ and South bids 3♠. South opens 3♥ and North raises to 4♥.
Hand 3. Dealer West. E/W Vul. Hand 7. Dealer North. None Vul.
♠ K9642 ♠ 7
♥ A2 ♥ 94
♦ J ♦ AKJ8743
♣ A K 10 8 3 ♣ Q 10 3
South overcalls 3♥. North opens 2♥ (weak).
Hand 4. Dealer West.N/S Vul. Hand 8. Dealer West. EW Vul.
♠ K854 ♠ 953
♥ AK654 ♥ KQ87
♦ — ♦ AK
♣ AK85 ♣ QJ43
North opens 1♦ (2+♦) and South raises to 3♦, North then
bidding 4♦.
BIDDING COMPETITION
Set 312 Top Scores The new year seems to be a good time for IMPORTANT!
a few reminders.
Well done Peter Hawkes, just one point New email address!! Please send entries
shy of a perfect score! Peter wins ₤50 • It is up to the entrant to know the to:
worth of Master Point Press books from system; we accept your first bid, no
alternatives “in case that’s not the system”. marksandcomments@gmail.com
Chess and Bridge. One back on 78 is
• Insufficient bids will be made The existing address will be phased out
Mike Perkins, who receives ₤25 worth,
sufficient. this month.
and tied on 77 are Graham Johnson,
Olga Shadyro and Nick Simms. The • Other illegal bids score zero. IMPORTANT!
random draw awarded ₤15 worth to Olga • Only one entry per subscription is
and ₤10 worth to Graham. allowed for prize purposes.
Other good scores: • You may change a bid as long as it is
Grand Prix will return
76 Tony Burt, Andrew King, Derek before the deadline. next month.
Markham Please review your bids prior to sending
74 Simon Hill, Axel Johannsson, Tugrul them! They are not looked at until time
to score when it is usually too late to
Kaban, Bill Linton
correct an obvious error.
73 Chris Bickerdike
Only your top five scores are included in
72 Jeff Callaghan, Nigel Guthrie, Dudley the Grand Prix total. Reporting on the
Leigh, Stuart Nelson, George Willett Grand Prix standings will start when Set
71 Phil Callow, Norman Massey, Andy 313 is scored.
Poole Thank you to the readers who submit
70 David Barnes, Harald Bletz, Bill problems. We may not be able to use
Gordon, Alan Sant, Chris Shambrook them all but please keep them coming





BOOKS FROM MASTER POINT PRESS
Master Point Press are the world’s leading bridge book publisher and winner of many bridge publishing awards. A list of Masterpoint titles
can be found below - for full details on each of these titles please visit www.bridgeshop.com. Recent releases are highlighted in bold.
Please note, winners of the Bidding Competition do not get the 10% Subscriber discount when redeeming their prize
VOUCHERS and a deduction will also be made to cover the cost of postage. For further details please call 020 7288 1305
Deadly Endplay (fiction) Allen, Ken £12.95 Falsecards (New Edition) Lawrence, Mike £14.95
Shades of Grey (fiction) Allen, Ken £11.95 Tips on Bidding Lawrence, Mike £12.95
Six Steps to Winning Declarer Play Apfelbaum, Jay £11.95 Tips on Cardplay Lawrence, Mike £13.95
I Love This Game Auken, Sabine £12.50 Tips on Competitive Bidding Lawrence, Mike £12.95
25 Bridge Myths Exposed Bird, David £10.50 Encyclopedia of Card Play Techniques Levé, Guy £21.95
Arrow Through the Heart (fiction) Bird, David £11.95 Bridge Squeezes Complete Love, Clyde. E £14.95
Bridge Endplays for Everyone Bird, David £12.95 Bridge, Probability and Information MacKinnon, Robert F. £12.95
Bridge Squeezes for Everyone Bird, David £11.95 Win the Bermuda Bowl with Me Meckstroth & Smith £11.50
Clever Plays in the Trump Suit Bird, David £12.95 Competitive Bidding in the 21st Century Miles, Marshal £11.50
Defensive Signaling at Bridge Bird, David £11.95 Inferences at Bridge Miles, Marshall £11.50
Off-Road Declarer Play Bird, David £11.95 It's Your Call Miles, Marshall £12.95
Somehow We Landed in 6NT Bird, David £12.95 Modern Constructive Bidding Miles, Marshall £11.95
Winning Duplicate Tactics Bird, David £12.95 My System: The Unbalanced Diamond Miles, Marshall £11.95
Winning Notrump Leads Bird & Anthias £10.95 Bridge in the Menagerie (fiction) Mollo, Victor £13.95
Winning Suit Contract Leads Bird & Anthias £10.95 Card Play Technique Mollo & Gardener £14.95
Leading Questions in Bridge Brock, Sally £11.95 Diamonds are the Hog’s Best Friend (fiction)
Mollo, Victor £13.95
Bridge at the Edge Brogeland & Bird £13.95 Last Call in the Menagerie (fiction) Mollo, Victor £13.95
Following the Law Cohen, Larry £9.95 Swings and Arrows (fiction) Mollo, Victor £13.95
Larry Cohen's Bidding Challenge Cohen, Larry £9.95 The Hog Takes to Precision (fiction) Mollo, Victor £11.95
To Bid or Not To Bid Cohen, Larry £11.50 Kickback: Slam Bidding at Bridge Munger, Robert £7.95
Death in Duplicate (fiction) Coplea, Carole £13.95 First Book of Play Problems O’Connor, Patrick £10.95
Standard Bidding with SAYC Downey & Pomer £11.95 Second Book of Play Problems O’Connor, Patrick £10.95
A Modern Approach to Two-Over-One Eichenbaum, Ken £8.95 Bridge Behind Bars (fiction) Pottage & Smith £12.95
I Shot My Bridge Partner (fiction) Granovetter, Matthew £9.50 Clues from the Bidding Pottage, Julian £10.95
Murder at the Bridge Table (fiction) Granovetter, Matthew £9.50 Defend These Hands with Me Pottage, Julian £11.50
Bridge Conventions in Depth Granovetter & Granovetter £13.95 Play or Defend? Pottage, Julian £8.95
Bridge Master Vs Bridge Amateur Horton, Mark £11.95 Defend or Declare? Pottage, Julian £11.95
Misplay These Hands with Me Horton, Mark £11.95 Deadly Hold-Up Priebe, Jim £11.95
The Hands of Time Horton, Mark £10.50 Double Elimination: A Bridge Mystery (fiction)
Priebe, Jim £11.95
The Mysterious Multi Horton, Mark £12.95 Takeout Double: A Bridge Mystery (fiction) Priebe, Jim £11.50
Duplicate Bridge at Home Horton & Gittelman £12.95 Positive Declarer Play in Bridge Reese & Pottage £10.50
The Bridge Magicians Horton & Kielbasinski £11.50 Positive Defense in Bridge Reese & Pottage £10.50
For Love or Money Horton & Senior £12.95 The Extra Edge in Play Reese & Pottage £10.95
The Rabbi’s Rules Horton, Mark £12.95 Accurate Cardplay Reese & Trezel £12.95
Building a Bidding System Hughes, Roy £11.50 Imaginative Cardplay Reese & Trezel £12.95
Canada’s Bridge Warriors Hughes, Roy £15.95 Modified Italian Canapé System Rexford, Ken £8.95
Card by Card Hughes, Roy £11.50 New Frontiers for Strong Forcing Openings Rexford, Ken £8.95
Fantunes Revealed Jacobs, Bill £9.95 Overcalling Opponent's 1NT Rexford, Ken £6.95
Polish Club International Jassem,Krzysztof £10.95 Really Unusual Notrump (R.U.N.T.) Rexford, Ken £7.95
Patrick Jourdain’s Problem Corner Jourdain, Patrick £12.95 Variable Key Card Blackwood Rexford, Ken £8.95
Advanced Bridge Defense Kantar, Eddie £13.95 Breaking the Bridge Rules Rigal, Barry £12.95
Classic Kantar Kantar, Eddie £9.50 Rodwell Files: Secrets of a champion Rodwell, Eric £17.95
Defensive Tips for Bad Card Holders Kantar, Eddie £14.95 25 Bridge Conventions You Should Know Seagram & Smith £10.50
Kantar on Kontract Kantar, Eddie £10.50 25 Bridge Conventions You Should Know: Seagram & Bird £9.99
Modern Bridge Defense Kantar, Eddie £13.95 Practice Makes Perfect
Roman Keycard Blackwood - 5th ed. Kantar, Eddie £13.95 25 More Conventions You Should Know Seagram & Bird £10.50
Topics in Declarer Play Kantar, Eddie £13.95 25 Ways to Be a Better Defender Seagram & Bird £10.50
Improve Your Bidding Judgment Kimelman, Neil £12.95 25 Ways to Compete in the Bidding Seagram & Smith £10.50
The Right Bid at the Right Time Kimelman, Neil £12.95 25 Ways to Take More Tricks as Declarer Seagram & Bird £10.50
The Thin Line Kimelman, Neil £12.95 Bidding at Bridge: A Quizbook Seagram & Bird £9.95
365 Winning Bridge Tips Kleinman, Danny £13.95 Declarer Play at Bridge: A Quizbook Seagram & Bird £9.95
Human Bridge Errors Kleinman & Straguzzi £10.50 Defensive Play Quizbook: A Quizbook Seagram & Bird £9.95
A Bridge to Inspired Declarer Play Laderman, Julian £12.95 Planning the Play of a Bridge Hand Seagram & Bird £12.95
A Bridge to Simple Squeezes Laderman, Julian £11.95 Pocket Guide to Defensive Play Seagram & Bird £6.95
Bumblepuppy Days Laderman, Julian £14.95 The Canterbury Bridge Tales - Silver & Bourke £9.95
Still Not Finding Squeezes? Laderman, Julian £7.95 Should I or Shouldn’t I? Drawing trumps Smith, Marc £12.95
25 Conventions for ACOL Players Landry & Horton £11.95 25 Steps to Learning 2/1 Thurston, Paul £10.50
Complete Book on Overcalls (2nd ed.) Lawrence, Mike £13.95 North of the Master Solvers’ Club Vine, Frank £11.95
Complete Book on Passed Hand Bidding Lawrence, Mike £13.95 Bridge at the Enigma Club (fiction) Winkler, Peter £11.95
Complete Book Takeout Doubles (2nd ed.) Lawrence, Mike £15.95 The Lone Wolff Wollf, Bobby £15.95
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NEW HONORS BOOKS FROM

Scramble Stayman examines (1) which types of hands

Doug Bennion is the creator of Barbara Seagram’s Practice

The tactics in this book evolved from analysis of thousands

David Oakley is a retired electronics engineer, who learned

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ÖREBRO | SWEDEN | JULY 28 - AUGUST 6, 2017

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What would East lead?

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Would you be confident of reaching 7♣ with your regular partner?

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The Winners' Circle

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What a nasty problem for West!

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It looks as if South's 2♣ was the start of a scramble.

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Here North was declarer which made a big difference.

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