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Fireside Chat
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FIRESIDE CHAT AUGUST 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Welcome and Announcements
Believer's FireSide Kindling
Bidding with Bridgboy
Fifee's Solid Gold
Hand of the Month
Dealing With Dann
Moogal's FireSide Log
Treble's Table Talk
And Finally Kaltica
=======================================
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Hi all!
Welcome to the August, 2003 issue of FireSide
Chat, our monthly newsletter written for and about
our FireSide friends and events.
We hope you enjoy all of this month's articles and
features. Please feel free to write to us with any
comments, questions, ideas, or whatever, that you may
wish to share. This newsletter is for and about you,
and we want you to feel welcome to participate. Just
email Believer at sarastobbe@aol.com or Moogal
at Moocake@aol.com.
A special thanks to all of you who have been sending
us contributions for our "giggle breaks". We appreciate
everything you send, and use as many as we can. Keep
'em coming, please! :-)
You can find current and past issues of this "FireSide
Chat" newsletter posted at our FireSide web site:
http://www.firesides.net/thechat.htm
If, for any reason, you do not wish to receive
these mailings, please write to Believer at
sarastobbe@aol.com to be removed from our mailing
list.
===========================================
CURRENT FIRESIDE SCHEDULE
Day Pacific Time Commentator
MON 11:00 A.M. POOKA
MON 5:00 P.M.* BRIDGBOY
TUE 11:00 A.M. BRIDGBOY
TUE 5:30 P.M. WINTAKA
WED 11:00 A.M. FREDW3
WED 5:30 P.M. DIANEW
THU 11:00 A.M. POOKA
THU 5:30 P.M. WISHTRIK
FRI 11:00 A.M. BLUEBEE
FRI 5:30 P.M. KALTICA
Commentators may change without notice,
according to their availability.
(*starts 1/2 hour earlier on Monday night)
*******************
Although there is no set fee for participating in
these "open to all" sessions, please note that FireSide
Bidding Practice Sessions operate with the support of
those in attendance. For information about how to
become a supporting member, please contact Kaltica at
kaltica@mts.net, Moogal at moocake@aol.com, or
Believer at sarastobbe@aol.com.
Thanks to all of you for supporting the FireSide sessions
in all the many different ways you have of doing so.
We want to thank our commentators for their dedication
and caring. Please, think of them when you are thinking
of taking private lessons, paying a professional to play
tourneys with you, getting involved in a group session
mentoring program... most, if not all, of our commentators
and contributors to this newsletter are available for those
services. Just think how much easier it is to learn
from someone who's already a friend!
*******************
All articles herein (c) 2003 by FireSide Chat.
All rights reserved.
===============================================
BELIEVER'S FIRESIDE KINDLING
============================
Hi :-)
First, my apologies that this is arriving so late.
I got home from California, and crashed for a few
days -- just getting my energy back now, and Friday
I leave for Calgary for 12 days! At least I'll be
home in plenty of time to get together next month's
newsletter!
I had a really nice time in California. We played
almost every day at the bridge site (one night off
to have dinner with a group of friends), and seeing
familiar faces at the FireSide dinner was really
fun. When we weren't playing at the Nationals, we
had the cards out at the Wilson's house, and played
there! Is there a Bridge-anon? It may be time for
me, and another person I know, to go sign up...
I just wanna say to my partner, JustJill, that for
someone who wasn't so sure about playing face-to-
face bridge, you sure caught on fast! You were
awesome, pard.
More bridge activities this month for several of our
FireSide staff, be sure to check Moogal's Log to see
the dates we will have no sessions. Come September,
and we should be back to normal operations again.
A big thanks to all the Table Managers for keeping
things running smoothly during these hectic few weeks
of the Nationals, and the Regional in Calgary.
Gonna quit yacking at you so I can get this newsletter
in the mail -- hope you enjoy this month's articles and
jokes!
See you in September, and/or at FireSide!
Sara
********************
You can write to Believer (Sara Stobbe) at:
sarastobbe@aol.com
============================================
GIGGLE BREAK
Thanks to Benson for these:
ONE LINERS!
A diet is when you have to go to some length to change your
width.
You are drunk when you feel sophisticated but you are not
able to pronounce it.
A bill collector came to my house the other day, so I gave
him a huge stack of old bills.
Funny, I don't remember being absent minded.
If there were no such thing as bears, what kind of hugs would
we give?
Eat, drink, & remarry.
A leading authority is anyone who has guessed right more than
once.
For every person with a spark of brilliance, there are about
ten with ignition trouble.
=================================================
BIDDING WITH BRIDGBOY
=====================
What is the most important card in any bridge hand? The answer
should be the ace of trumps! The owner of that card controls
the tempo and timing of the hand. If it is declarer he can
lead with it and capture honors. If it is the defense, they
can dictate when it shall be won! Declarer usually has to draw
trumps to avoid allowing the opponents to ruff in, and can
lose valuable tempo if they are allowed to dictate when that
ace hits the table.
Let's look at a simple example:
Declarer Dummy
S K1086 S QJ54
H A83 H KQ9
D 1082 D AQ94
C KJ9 C 82
We are in 4 spades. First we count losers in any trump suit
contract. We can see that we have one in spades, 2 in
diamonds, and 2 in clubs. There are numerous guesses possible
in this hand in the minor suits, as well as the need to draw
trumps.
We win the heart lead and can afford to lead spades. We lead
to the first trump trick and everyone follows low. We lead a
second round and RHO shows out but LHO does not win that ace a
second time! Now who is in control? If we lead a third round
of trumps he can win and lead the last trump taking out all
our trumps. Suddenly the defender has control of our hand --
stubbornly holding the ace of trump in order to dictate tempo.
So the next time you are lucky to be dealt that valuable ace,
cherish it and keep control by considering at least one duck
-- that way you still retain control of the hand.
********************
You can find Bridgboy (Bob Lavin) doing his FireSide
sessions on Monday evenings at 5:00 p.m., and Tuesdays
at 11:00 a.m. OKbridge time.
Anyone interested in one-on-one lessons on any topic of
the game may contact Bob at bridgboy@charter.net
===================================================
GIGGLE BREAK
Thanks to Gail37 for these giggles:
From the "excuse me" newsletter:
1. In school one day, a teacher asked my six-year-old nephew
why his handwriting wasn't as neat as usual.
He explained, "I'm trying out a new font."
2. I was interviewing a jeweler for a story I was writing on
giving new life to old jewelry, and I asked him to tell me
about his most memorable client.
"It was a divorced woman who had me make a pair of
earrings from her inscribed wedding band," he remembered.
"One earring read, 'with all,' and the other, 'my love.'
When I asked why she had wanted it done that way, she
answered, 'To remind me that the next time anyone says
that to me, I should let in go in one ear and out the
other.'"
=====================================================
FIFEE'S SOLIDGOLD
=================
Two Way CheckBack
This month we are going to discuss how to best approach the
following common situation as the responder.
Opener Responder
1C 1H
1NT ???
The Goren approach to this auction is 'secondary jumps' are game
forcing (3C 3D 3H & 3S). Suit rebids at the two level below
responder's first suit are signoff (2C, 2D and 2H). With Goren,
new higher ranking suits (2S) were one round force. All NT bids
would be natural raises.
Two improvements came into being around the late 60's or early
70's. The first was to treat the situation much like a weak NT
opening with 12-14 HCP using 2C as Checkback Stayman with
opener's first obligation being to show 3 card support.
The other, which is advocated by Hardy, Lawrence, and Bergen, is
to bid the other minor for this purpose. This has been named New
Minor Forcing and is usually abbreviated as NMF. It became part
of SAYC when SAYC was created in the late 80s.
Which is the better way? That is a debatable matter.
Let's use this auction as we examine the issue:
Opener Responder
1C 1H
1NT ???
Those in favor of using NMF would bid 2D and argue 'responder can
still sign off in 3C (partner's suit) on an appropriate weak
hand.'
Proponents of using 2C for all Checkback auctions say, 'using 2C
as the checkback saves valuable bidding space when opener does
not have either major. Over 2C, opener will answer 2D to deny
either major; over 2D, HE WOULD HAVE TO ANSWER 2NT. This wasted
space impedes the auction when responder wants to continue in a
major.'
They also argue, 'it's a waste of effort to try to play 2C or 2D
because the opponents will usually balance.'
We believe the arguments for 2C as Checkback Stayman are more
valid, and consider NMF the 3'rd choice in dealing with
continuations after a 1NT rebid.
The best choice by far, in my opinion, is the method Bobby
Goldman invented called TWO WAY CHECKBACK. Not only is it
POWERFUL! It is SIMPLE!
It works like this: ( 1X stands for one of any suit )
Opener Responder
1C 1X
1NT 2C
2C is an artificial checkback bid showing
Exactly invitational strength (10-12 HCP)
Opener Responder
1C 1X
1NT 2D
2D is a game forcing artificial checkback
Opener Responder
1C 1S
1NT 2H
2H offers a choice of playing in either 2H
Or 2S and shows 4+ hearts and 5+ spades.
Opener Responder
1C 1Maj
1NT 2Maj
2 of the same major is a closeout.
Opener Responder
1C 1S
1NT 2H
2H offers a choice of playing in either 2H
Or 2S and shows 4+ hearts and 5+ spades.
Opener Responder
1C 1X
1NT 2NT 3NT or 4NT
All NT rebids are natural.
Opener Responder
1C 1X
1NT 3C or 3D
3 of either minor is a sign off.
Let's look at the Goldway Two Way CheckBack responses to 2C and
2D in detail.
After any 1 over 1 bid and a 1NT rebid by opener, a 2C or 2D bid
by the responder is artificial, much like a Two Way Stayman bid,
asking opener to clarify his distribution. This convention is
used regardless of what suit was opened or responded. The
purposes of Two Way CheckBack are:
More accurate exploration of marginal game hands;
a clear line of demarcation between what is forcing and what is
simply invitational; and greater distributional clarity as slam
auctions evolve.
These gains in bidding accuracy greatly outweigh the small loss
of being unable to play in a 2C part score and mostly unable to
play in 2D.
2C - Invitational CheckBack in detail.
Responder's 2C rebid over 1NT shows exactly invitational values
(10+ to 12 HCP). Responder may pass opener's 3'rd bid. More
importantly opener may pass responder's 3'rd bid. Opener's
responses to 2C are, in order of priority:
1. Support responder's major suit with three card support.
2. Show an unbid four card major suit.
3. Bid two diamonds to deny major suit length.
Auctions After a Major Suit Response, Invitational CheckBack in
action:
Opener Responder
1C 1S
1NT 2C [2C - 10-12 HCP (Invitational CheckBack)]
2H
Opener shows 4 card Heart suit and denies 3 card spade
support.
A 2NT or 3NT bid is natural. The point range is the same as a
direct notrump bid, but responder shows his five card major by
using CheckBack before raising NT.
Responder's hand:
S KJxxx H KQx D Qxx C xx
Opener Responder
1D 1S
1NT 2C
2S 2NT
A 3NT rebid, after invitational checkback, may seem a bit
surprising. One logical reason this could occur is to avoid
giving the opponents an opportunity to make a lead directing
double of 2D.
Responder's Hand
S QTxxx H Kxx D Qx C AKx
Opener Responder
1C 1S
1NT 2C
2D 3NT
Any suit bid by the responder on the third round shows length in
the suit and is invitational, but nonforcing.
Responder's hand:
S KJxxxx H Qxx D Kx C Jx
Opener Responder
1D 1S
1NT 2C
2D 2S
Opener Responder
1D 1S
1NT 2C
2S 3S
Bids at the three level are also just invitational, including
jumps, raises and new suits.
2D - Forcing CheckBack in detail:
A 2D rebid by responder is a game force. It doesn't state
anything in particular other than 'We are definitely going to
game'
Opener's priorities in answering to 2D is similar to that over
2C, but with more latitude for expression.
1. Support responder's major suit with three-card support.
2. Show an unbid four card major suit.
3. Bid 2NT to deny major-suit length.
4. Rebid 3 of your own suit to show a strong five card suit or
any six card suit or
5. Show a second minor suit,
2D as Forcing CheckBack allows us more room for investigation
into the best game or slam and Two Way CheckBack is far superior
to New Minor Forcing with these hands.
Continuations after 2D follow natural bidding concepts. The
auction progresses naturally without deep inferences. Opener
should not conclude responder has a five card major unless
responder rebids the suit or jumps to 3NT after direct support.
Some examples of continuations are:
Opener Responder
1C 1S
1NT 2D
2S 3NT
3NT confirms 5 spades & offers a choice
of games.
Opener Responder
1C 1S
1NT 2D
2S 3S
3S makes spades & is a slam try.
Opener Responder
1C 1S
1NT 2D
2S 4C or 4D or 4H
Splinter slam try in spades
Opener Responder
1C 1S
1NT 2D
2S 3C
Shows 5+ spades & 4+ clubs, slam try.
Opener Responder
1D 1S
1NT 2D
2S 3D
Shows only 4 spades & 4+ diamonds.
Opener Responder
1C 1S
1NT 2D
2S 2NT
2NT suggests only 4 spades. 2NT looks for other
distributional information from opener (for instance, a
rebiddable diamond suit or a 4 card club suit).
That's all there is to this simple Goldway device, but don't
underestimate how powerful it can be in clarifying this
particular handtype.
For questions or more information or to do bid-em-ups pertaining
to Two Way Checkback contact me at bandersn@mountain.net.
Best of luck at the table.
================================================================
GIGGLE BREAK
Thanks to Kaltica for this one:
Really Important Stuff Kids Have Taught Me...
It's more fun to color outside the lines.
If you're going draw on the wall, do it behind the couch.
Ask why until you understand.
Hang on tight.
Even if you've been fishing for 3 hours and haven't gotten
anything except poison ivy and a sunburn, you're still better
off than the worm.
Make up the rules as you go along.
It doesn't matter who started it.
Ask for sprinkles.
If the horse you're drawing looks more like a dog, make it a dog.
Save a place in line for your friends.
Sometimes you have to take the test before you've finished
studying.
If you want a kitten, start out asking for a horse.
================================================================
HAND OF THE MONTH
=================
(A huge 'thank you' to Gail Wix for all her hard work putting
this together for us! We couldn't do it without her help!)
From The 2003 Daily Bridge Calendar. For more information
call 1-888-453-1976, or email: calendar@interlog.com
********************
Vul: E/W
Dlr: W
South
S 87
H KQ4
D AT6
C 87632
West North East South
1d 3H 3S ?
All pass
South has a relatively common decision. Your partner
preempts and you have to decide how high to raise. What
would you bid?
What did happen was that South bid 4H and West raised to
4S. East asked for aces, learned that west had two, and
settled in 5S, just making.
What do you think about that?
*****************************************
Here are all four hands.
S 3
H J986532
D 43
C AT9
S AJT4 S KQ9652
H AT H 7
D Q98752 D KJ
C J C KQ54
S 87
H KQ4
D AT6
C 87632
Contract: 5S/E Lead: HK
********************
Partner has a weak suit (bet you thought you had no heart
losers),
but he has nice shape. In a heart contract, you will take six
heart tricks and two aces. Eight tricks. This is about what
South can expect. The next question is this. Is there a hope
in the world that South can expect to defeat 4S, let alone 6S?
I [Mike Lawrence] would bet all the frogs in my fish
pond against all the mosquitoes in your back yard that
West and East have at least a game.
If so, South should anticipate that West is going to bid
4S and bid 5H first. South can see that 5H rates to be a
safe contract. If doubled, it should be good for eight
tricks, which is enough at this vulnerability.
Now look at the East hand. Say that South bids 5H and West
guesses to bid 5S as many would. Might East bid 6S? If he
does, you will set it and get a super result. If they double
you in 5H, you will go set 500 for an acceptable score. And if
they guess right and bid 5S and can stop there, you are back
where you started. Two out of three results are good for you
and one is normal. Good odds.
********************
Hand and analysis by Michael Lawrence, courtesy of the
Daily Bridge Calendar, published by Ashlar House Inc.,
Brampton, ON, Canada. Reprinted with permission.
(Special thanks to Lee Daugherty and Dann Kramer.)
===================================================
GIGGLE BREAK
Thanks to Luc for this giggle:
Eye halve a spelling checker It
came with my pea sea it plane
lea marks four my revue miss steaks eye kin
knot SEA. Eye strike a key and type a word
And weight four it two say
weather eye am wrong or write It shows
me straight a weigh . As soon as a mist ache is maid
it nose bee fore two long And
eye kin putt the error rite It;s rare
lea ever wrong. I have run this poem threw it
I am shore your pleased two no It's let
her perfect awl the weigh My checker
tolled me sew !
=====================================================
DEALING WITH DANN
=================
Hello bridge fans.
For those who admit to reading this column regularly, you know I
promised something on Lebensohl for this issue. Now, while not
part of SAYC, Lebensohl is a very valuable addition to it.
Lebensohl comes into use after the opponents bid over our NT
openers.
ie 1NT-2D-???
Partner wants to know about a stopper in opponent's suit, and
whether we have game values.
Now first thing to remember is "Direct Denies". (DD)
Using DD
1NT-2D-3NT
-tells pard we have enough points for 3NT
BUT! Denies a Diamond stopper!!
OK, so now you ask, "what if we have them stopped??"
Second thing to remember - "Slow Shows" (SS)
Now it's time to let you know another part of the convention!!
Once interference occurs we no longer treat 2NT as invitational.
(If we have an invite in NT and a Diamond stopper we tend to
double for penalties. Take the fielders choice - a sure plus.
Without a stopper, 2NT just gets messy when pard bids 3NT
expecting a stopper which we don't own.
Avoid that argument. Losing a natural 2NT is not a big loss.)
*****2NT asks partner to bid 3Clubs-then we clairify after why we
asked pard to do this.
2NT is alertable, and may be explained as a relay to 3 Clubs.
Similiarly 3C is also alertable, explained as forced to relay
by 2NT.
Back to our example
1NT-2D-2NT!-P
3C!-P-3NT
We have shown pard not only enough values for game, BUT by taking
the slow route to game we show a Diamond stopper (SS).
Ok you keen types already have this figured out. For those
reading this early in their day, if we want only to play in 3C
we can relay pard into 3C and pass!!
This opens up another part of Lebensohl-you didn't think I'd
suggest a convention without loads of toys to it did ya????
First we will look at when we can show pard a suit in 3 ways
1-bidding it at the 2 Level: in our example
1NT-2D-2H.
Here we tell pard we have hearts BUT no game interest!!-we are
only competing for a part score
2-relaying and then bidding the suit: from our example
1NT-2D-**2NT-P
3C**-P-3H-
this shows partner an invitational Heart hand. That would be
promising 5+ Hearts and invitational values-looking for partner
to raise to game with a fit and a NT hand partner likes
3-a jump bid in a suit to force partner to game
Again the keeners are already here-but for those of us on our
first pot of coffee-back to the example we all love by now!!
1NT-2D-3H
We jump a level to show pard 5+ Hearts and game values.
Since we have forced game partner now can show us a little about
their NT opener
1-with a fit and a min NT-raise to game in partners bid suit
2-with no fit and a stopper in the Opp's overcalled suit we can
bid 3NT
3-With both a fit and a Maximum NT, we cue-bid a suit showing
pard both a fit a nice NT opener, and a first round
control-possibly on our way to slam not just game!
4-with no fit and no stopper-we cringe and run away-actually
this happens very rarely and I'm just covering it because we
should all be prepared to realize nothing is perfect.
Here's a flaw for those who like to find flaws. As usual in
bridge we deal with it as we feel best fits the
hand/time/situation-we make it fit one of the other 3 above.
Heaven forbid we must invoke judgement!!
(Note: If we don't open off shape NT's this will occur a lot
less frequently!!)
Alright now we can handle showing pard suits, bidding our NT
games with and without a stopper.
So how about stayman??? - and with/without a stopper even!!
Stayman within Lebensohl-a cue bid of the opponents overcalled
suit is treated as stayman. We clairify whether we have a
stopper by our old friends Slow Shows (SS) and Direct Denies
(DD).
We'll step out with a new example to shake things up!
1NT-2H-????
We have 4 spades game values and no heart stop?? Lebensohl lets
us describe this hand to partner perfectly - we cue-bid the opps
suit
1NT-2H-3H!**-stayman denying a heart stopper (DD).
Similiarly 4 spades shows a heart stopper and game values
1NT-2H-2NT**-p
3C**-p-3H**
We have cue bid the opps suit again but via the slow route.
So (SS) we show pard our 4 card spade suit and! the opps
suit(Hearts) stopped.
OK, there is a lot to digest with Lebensohl and I hope we do
take a very serious look at adding it to the arsenal we take
to battle at the bridge table (it would be one of my must
toys-ahead of Blackwood even!!) so next month I'll follow this
article up with a few twists and turns to the convention and
some special circumstances and how we adapt/handle them!!!
Till then as always happy bridging all!!
********************
You will find Pooka (Dann Kramer) doing his FireSide
sessions on Monday and Thursday mornings, at 11:00 a.m.
OKbridge time.
Dann is available for one-on-one lessons, group mentoring
sessions, and/or tourney play.
For more information, write Dann at: Dann-Kramer@shaw.ca
===========================================================
GIGGLE BREAK
New Personnel Policy
DRESS CODE:
It is advised that you come to work dressed according to
your salary. If we see you wearing $350 Prada sneakers &
carrying a $600 Gucci bag we assume you are doing well
financially and therefore you do not need a raise. If you
dress poorly, you need to learn to manage your money better,
so that you may buy nicer clothes and therefore you do not
need a raise. If you dress in- between, you are right where
you need to be and therefore you do not need a raise.
SICK DAYS:
We will no longer accept a doctor statement as proof of
sickness. If you are able to go to the doctor, you
are able to come to work.
SURGERY:
Operations are now banned. As long as you are an
employee here, you need all your organs. You should not
consider removing anything. We hired you intact. To have
something removed constitutes a breach of employment.
PERSONAL DAYS:
Each employee will receive 104 personal days a year.
They are called Saturday & Sunday.
VACATION DAYS:
All employees will take their vacation at the same time every
year. The vacation days are as follows: Jan.1, July 4 & Dec. 25
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE:
This is no excuse for missing work. There is nothing you can
do for dead friends, relatives or coworkers. Every effort
should be made to have non-employees attend to the arrangements.
In rare cases where employee involvement is necessary, the
funeral should be rescheduled in the late afternoon. We will
be glad to allow you to work through your lunch hour and
subsequently leave one hour early, provided your share of
the work is done.
RESTROOM USE:
Entirely too much time is being spent in the restroom.
In the future, we will follow the practice of
going in alphabetical Order. For instance, all employees
whose names begin with 'A' will go From 8:00 to 8:20,
employees whose names begin with 'B' will go from 8:20 to
8:40 and so on. If you're unable to go at your allotted
time, it will be necessary to wait until the next day when
your turn comes again. In extreme emergencies, employees
may swap their time with a coworker. Both employees'
supervisors must approve this exchange in writing. In
addition, there is now a strict 3-minute time limit in
the stalls. At the end of three minutes, an alarm will
sound, the toilet paper roll will retract, the stall door
will open and a picture will be taken. After your second
offense, your picture will be posted on the company
bulletin board under the "Chronic Offenders" category.
LUNCH BREAK:
Skinny people get 30 minutes for lunch as they need
to eat more so that they can look healthy. Normal size
people get 15 minutes for lunch to get a balanced meal to
maintain their average figure. Fat people get 5 minutes for
lunch, because that's all the time needed to drink a Slim
Fast and take a diet pill.
Thank you for your loyalty to our company. We are here to
provide a positive employment experience. Therefore, all
questions, comments, concerns, complaints, frustrations,
irritations, aggravations, insinuations, allegations,
accusations, contemplations, consternation and input should be
directed elsewhere. Have a nice week.
Management
===========================================================
MOOGAL'S FIRESIDE LOG
======================
OKB Tourneys
Well done to all our Fireside friends who excelled in
the tourneys this past month!!
Mon Jul 7 11:00 2003
Rank Team Score Boards
1 logwg/marilia 3.39 12
Thu Jul 10 12:30 2003
Rank Team Score Boards
1 brocky/imogene 2.79 12
Thu Jul 10 16:00 2003
Rank Team Score Boards
1 dbetter/pama 69.56 12
Tue Jul 22 19:00 2003
Rank Team Score Boards
1 Harmon/tuna 4.66 10
Wed Jul 30 11:00 2003
Rank Team Score Boards
1 Kaltica/moogal 1.46 26
We didn't waste any IMPs winning this one.:)
There are now 12 tourneys a day, getting harder for me
to check each one....so if you win a tourney, let me
know! We want everyone's name up in lights!
****************************************************************
NOVICE MENTOR TOURNEYS
Congrats to our winners of the two Novice-Mentor tourneys in
July.
And well done to all our top finishers:
Thu Jul 10 18:00 2003
Rank Team Score Boards
1 janine/luvlee2b 63.73 19
2 AndyEdw/queenhrt 62.89 19
3 cal1/magda 56.92 20
4 mam105/yourprd 55.64 20
5 Kaltica/txbridge 54.59 20
6 DCorn/patd2 54.24 20
7 pmh/sannick 50.70 20
Sat Jul 19 12:00 2003
Rank Team Score Boards
1 csilla/memi 67.75 20
2 cal1/magda 61.25 20
3 anna2/peter_5 55.00 20
4 dslt/seawind 52.38 20
5 brixi/mas 50.97 18
So, mentors and novices, join us this month on the 14'th and
on the 16'th - email Sandra at sandree@attbi.com if you would
like to find a partner ahead of time. We'll do our best to
match you up! I promise you a fun evening.
****************************************************************
MENTOR CUP GAME
July 27 Team BOBOWEN: Bobowen, Queenhrt, Pringle and Unicorn
July 13 Team BOBOWEN: Bobowen, Queenhrt, Pringle and Unicorn
Visit our website at www.firesides.net/mtc.htm for info and
lists of all our top placing stars. To get on the email reminder
list for these games, contact me moocake@aol.com - all welcome!
****************************************************************
Get well wishes go out to Olivia (BAOL) who had major surgery
this month. Word from her son is that she is being feisty and
recovering as well as can be expected, which is very good
news! I hope by the time you are reading this that she is out
of the hospital, either at home or resting at an assisted
living facility for a few days.
I know all Firesiders are thinking of you Olivia and sending
their best. We hope to see you back on line very soon!
****************************************************************
Many of you take part in the Saturday team game hosted by
Fifth Chair, and I know you will be delighted to hear about
August's Angelfish!
Tuna writes in the Spectator:
I wish to second Tarsh's motion of Tom Douglas "Tad" of
Rochester New York, USA for Angelfish!
Tarsh (a past Angelfish herself) writes:
I would like to nominate "Tad" for this month's Angelfish
award. Tom has been unceasing in his devotion to the novice
program on OKbridge: he moderates during the Saturday morning
SAYC team game; he assists in getting mentors and novices to
participate in the two novice tournaments that take place on
OKbridge each month; he has been serving on the board of the
Fifth Chair Foundation since shortly after its inception and
he maintains the Foundation's webpage. In addition, his
cheerful and supportive attitude towards the novices is
exemplary.
Marcia West (Tarsh), coordinator of the Novice Mentor program
for OKbridge
Congrats to Tom! And we Firesiders aren't surprised to see Jane
(Neophyte) on the list of nominees this month!
****************************************************************
*** SPECIAL OFFER! ***
If you missed the special July promotion, it's not too late
because it has been extended into August and September!
Renew in August or September and get a free year of
tournaments!
This daily schedule (Pacific time) is listed in the stats for
"Tourney" "TourMini" & "TourMidi":
Sunday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday Tournaments. The
majority of the Maxis (26 or 27 boards) are IMPs while the
majority of the Minis (12 boards) and Midis (18 boards) are
matchpoints:
6:00 a.m. MP (mini)
9:00 a.m. MP (mini)
11:00 a.m. IMP
11:00 a.m. MP (mini)
12:30 p.m. IMP (mini)
2:00 p.m. MP (mini)
4:00 p.m. IMP
4:00 p.m. MP (mini)
5:30 p.m. IMP (mini)
7:00 p.m. MP till August 15th, then changes to...
7:00 p.m. MP (midi) *NEW Format effective August 15th, 18 bds*
"TourMidi"
7:00 p.m. IMP (mini)
8:30 p.m. MP (mini)
Saturday/Monday Tournaments. Same times as the other days, but
flipped so the majority of the Maxis are matchpoints while the
majority of the Minis and Midis are IMPs.
6:00 a.m. IMP (mini)
9:00 a.m. IMP (mini)
11:00 a.m. MP
11:00 a.m. IMP (mini)
12:30 p.m. MP (mini)
2:00 p.m. IMP (mini)
4:00 p.m. MP
4:00 p.m. IMP (mini)
5:30 p.m. MP (mini)
7:00 p.m. IMP till August 15th, then changes to...
7:00 p.m. IMP (midi) *NEW Format effective August 15th, 18 bds*
"TourMidi"
8:30 p.m. IMP (mini)
To seek out suitable partners, the unmanned "TourPard" table is
open 24 hours a day for your convenience.
---
This applies whether or not you already have a tourney
membership! It's a great deal, and once you try the tourneys
you'll know why we love them so. To take advantage of this
limited-time offer, simply email help@okbridge.com or call toll
free 1-888-OKbridge.
****************************************************************
While we list the lessons offered by the commentators who
write for The Chat, we want to note that our other
commentators also give lessons in most shapes and
sizes....mentoring games, tourney play, partnership coaching,
just about whatever type of lesson you could envision.
Please feel free to contact any of them for lessons:
Colin/Kaltica kaltica@mts.net
Bill/Wintaka btreble@shaw.ca
Lynn/Wishtrik lynn@lynndeas.com
Dann/Pooka dann-kramer@shaw.ca
Bob/Bridgboy bridgboy@charter.net
Diane/DianeW diane@walkersweb.org
Bernard/Bluebee Bernardh@btinternet.com
Fred/FredW3 Please msg on OKB
The lessons can be more affordable than you might
think, especially mentoring games. We think our
commentators give you your money's worth when you
chose private lessons, and they really value your
business. Maybe you can hint to a loved one what
you would like for your next birthday!
****************************************************************
The Game Is Afoot by Richard Pavlicek
Sherlock Holmes is in big trouble and needs your help. Make
six contracts or end up in Professor Moriarty's piranha tank!
Try it. It's fun. And don't worry about overtricks because
it's plus-or-fishfood scoring!
http://www.rpbridge.net/7x41.htm
Results of the July bidding poll "This Land Is Your Land"
will be posted August 3.
Poll/Quiz: http://www.rpbridge.net/7y41.htm
Analyses: http://www.rpbridge.net/7y48.htm
Scores: http://www.rpbridge.net/7y47.htm
Overall: http://www.rpbridge.net/7w97.htm
Bot Results: http://www.rpbridge.net/7y97.htm
If you aren't inclined to try, maybe this is more your style:
Bidding Mix-Up
Each of these silly phrases is an anagram of a familiar bridge
word or phrase that pertains to bidding. Can you unscramble them?
1. CAVE ROLL
2. BOLD WACKO
3. WOW! BAD KITE
4. DOPY AUNT BELLE
5. TIMID VERB, PEEP
6. AVID JAM FORCERS
7. GET ONE VALUE BID
8. N.T. REBID SLIP
9. MANGLER OF CARDS
Answers at the end of this column. See more fun puzzles at
Richard's web site, www.rpbrige.net
And congratulations to Richard's son Rich Pavlicek for winning
the Mini Spingold at the Long Beach NABC!
Mini Spingold I KO Teams
41 Teams
86.70 1 Barbara Wallace - Mark Yaeger, Miami FL; Lisa
Kow, Concord CA; Rich Pavlicek Jr, San Mateo CA;
Brian Gunnell, Jaxville Bch FL
****************************************************************
Firesiders roll at the Long Beach Nationals! How nice to see
these names, several more than once. I hope I didn't miss
anyone, especially with the web site problems due to the storm
in Memphis....if so, just let me know, and I can correct the
oversight next month. We want to give everyone the recognition
they deserve!
EDUCATION FOUNDATION OPEN PRS
190 Pairs
A B C
14.45 2 Robert Lavin, East Longmeadow MA;
Patricia Wright, Charlotte NC
204.00
(BRIDGBOY and PATRICIA)
10.83 3 1 1 Adam Meyerson - Charles Garrod,
Pittsburgh PA
202.00
(Adam is DNGRPLAY)
1ST FRI AFT 100/200/300 38 Pairs
A B C
4.10 1 1 1 David Greenlees - Dave DuVal,
Danville CA
108.00
(David Greenlees is DAVIDRG)
1st Fri Eve 299er Teams 16 Teams
A B C
1.14 3 David Greenlees - Dave DuVal,
Danville CA; Tom Dwyer, Dublin CA;
Christopher Stack, Pittsburg CA
31.00
18.04 3/4 Howard Einberg - Robert Kent, Los Angeles CA; Bob
Gorsey - Carole WeinsteinGorsey, Acton MA;
Stanley Weiner, Las Vegas NV; David Sokolow,
Austin TX
(Howard is CaptHook)
Side Series 2 88 Pairs
A B C
4.55 2 Ian Wilson, Irvine CA; Paul
Friedman, Saint Paul MN
180.00
(IAN and GUIDO)
Porpoiseful Kos-2
13 Teams
21.71 1 Howard Einberg - Robert Kent, Los Angeles CA; Leo
Bell, Long Beach CA; Stanley Weiner, Las Vegas
NV; David Sokolow, Austin TX
1SUN AFT 299ER SWISS TMS
18 Teams
A B C
1.52 2 Jane McCoy, Pleasanton CA; Don
Dachner, Tracy CA; David Greenlees,
Danville CA; Carol Smith, Berkeley CA
44.00
1st Sunday Board-A-Match
34 Teams
A B C
2.80 2/4 Ian Wilson, Irvine CA; Sandra
Cropper, San Juan Capo CA; Jim
McFall, Los Alamitos CA; Paul
Friedman, Saint Paul MN
13.50
MON EVE 299ER PAIRS 28 Pairs
A B C
0.70 6 Sara Stobbe, Dearborn Hts MI; Jill
Wilson, Irvine CA
142.50
(Believer and JustJill)
MON-WED SIDE GAME SERIES 76 Pairs
A B C
4.55 4 2 Ian Wilson, Irvine CA; Paul
Friedman, Saint Paul MN
200.42
DODGER KO BRACKET 7
12 Teams
12.73 1 Paul Bernhardt, Salt Lake City UT; Gail Wix, Salt
Lake Cty UT; Sue Lambert, Laguna Woods CA;
Eleanor Chandler, Titusville FL
(Gail is GAIL37)
Wed All Day KO'S Br 8
8 Teams
7.13 2 Robert Harken, Chandler AZ; Patti Landwehr, Mesa
AZ; Clara Curtis, Palm Springs CA; Patty Tappan,
Scottsdale AZ
(Patty Tappan is PATTY)
Wed All Day KO'S Br 11
8 Teams
1.50 3/4 Sue Lambert, Laguna Woods CA; Eleanor Chandler,
Titusville FL; Gail Wix, Salt Lake Cty UT; Paul
Bernhardt, Salt Lake City UT
WAYMISH KO BKT 4
16 Teams
24.53 1 Joshua Donn, Chestnut Ridge NY; Dan Kasture,
Centreville VA; Diane Walker, Gaithersburg MD;
Rae Dethlefsen, Reston VA
(Diane is DIANEW)
Thur-Fri Side Game Series
92 Pairs
A B C
1.15 6 Sara Stobbe, Dearborn Hts MI; Paul
Friedman, Saint Paul MN
168.00
Mini Spingold II KO Teams
36 Teams
14.55 5/8 Adam Meyerson, Pittsburgh PA; Greg Humphreys,
Charlottesville VA; Qixiang Sun, Mountain View
CA; Theodore Hwa - Ho-Lin Chen, Stanford CA;
Samuel Ieong, New Haven CT
WAGAR WOMENS KO TEAMS
21 Teams
100.00 1 Lynn Baker, Austin TX; Karen McCallum, Exeter NH;
Kerri Sanborn, Stony Point NY; Debbie Rosenberg,
New Rochelle NY; Lynn Deas, Schenectady NY; Beth
Palmer, Silver Spring MD
(Lynn Deas is WISHTRIK)
Mixed B-A-M Teams
42 Teams
44.00 5 Carolyn Bjorklund, Los Altos CA; Curtis
Cheek, Huntsville AL; Lynn Deas, Schenectady
NY; Billy Miller, Las Vegas NV; Irina
Levitina, Fair Lawn NJ
33.13
Patty wrote about her good luck in hanging around the
partnership desk, finding a pick-up team for the 3 session
KOs, and winning 4.76 gold and 2.37 red! She enjoyed seeing
everyone at the dinner get-together Monday evening. She had a
great time playing with David (DAVIDRG) one afternoon, even
though they played well but not quite enough to win anything.
She especially enjoyed kibitzing DianeW playing in one of the
Spingolds and wishes we all could have been there!
David writes: Gosh, I love going to the Nationals! I can
play bridge 3 times a day every day for as many days as I can
take it!
I drove down from northern California on Friday, checked my
bags at the hotel and made my way over to the beautiful Long
Beach Convention Center in time to check the partnership desk
for the afternoon session in 299r pairs. Dave Duval was
working the partnership desk as a volunteer from the Long
Beach area and decided he wanted to play with me. Well, we
had a great game, and a great time. And came in First
Overall, getting a trophy and our pics taken. Nice start!
Plus, I made a new friend!
I played 9 sessions in Long Beach and won something in 6
sessions. I picked up 7.30 red points in 5 days. I am happy
:) Guess I will have to try for some gold points when the NABC
comes to Reno.
My gang from our local game came in on Saturday. Mary, Patty,
Jessica and Maureen came in first for Saturday night Swiss
teams. And, Jessica and Maureen came in second on Thursdays
in the BIG NABC 199r game for 12.75 points (2 gold) (They even
got their pics in The Bulletin!) Hooray for Danville!!!
Monday night was our prearranged Dinner at King's Fish House 3
blocks from the convention center. I made advanced
reservations for 12, warning the restaurant that it could be
as many as 16. I was off only slightly, as 30 people showed
up. I hope I don't forget anyone here. We had Gail37,
Believer, Guido, Ian with wife Jill, Patricia, Bridgboy,
DianeW (she still owes me a kiss), Patty, and Virginia
(Explorer) with husband Frank, Ashford (Sandy),and the GREAT
Mytmoss. We were thrilled to have Lynn Deas (WISHTRIK) and
her entire FIRST PLACE Wagar team join us.
After Monday dinner, I decided to go kibitz the second session
of the Spingold. It's amazing to be able to sit at the elbow
of some of my favorite bridge stars. I sat next to Larry Cohen
playing with David Berkowitz. I introduced my self to Ralph
Katz (I told him I was a fan of his 15 year old son Sam). I
met Ira Chorush (IRAC) and his partner Hement Lall.
Now no NABC report would be any good without some bridge
stories. So, here are a couple. When Larry Cohen is declarer,
he studies the dummy, the opening lead, and REARRANGES his
hand so that at the least the first 4 tricks are in order and
folds his hand playing only the top 4 cards without looking.
Neat huh? While kibitzing Ira Chorush, vs 3nt Ira led the Jack
diamonds from AJTx. Declarer asked Hement Lall "What's that?"
and without pausing Hement answered "It shows the Jack!"
I got to meet some of the young "bridge brats" in the 299r
room. Dana Berkowitz, 15 year old daughter of Lisa and David,
is darling. I got a compliment from Jimmy Casen (son of Drew
Casen) on my play of hand ( it felt like a real compliment
anyway).
see ya'll at Fireside,
Love, David
Gail (GAIL37) didn't disappoint me....here is her usual
charming report:
Great time in Long Beach! I roomed with Patty (PATTY) Tappan.
She's as sweet as ever. My F2F pard, Paul (not on OKB) and I
arrived on Sunday morning and decided to play Swiss Teams on
Sunday. That afternoon, one of the teams we played against
was MYTMOSS and RATBOY. It was great to meet Jim (RATBOY) as
we sometimes worked together when I was Managing the Saturday
Morning Team Games and he was one of our favorite
commentators. We did have a successful event with our pickup
teammates, though, so we decided to drop out and we played imp
pairs in the evening.
Monday we teamed up with two ladies from Florida and
California, who had been hooked up by a mutual friend and
played a KO. We ended up winning that on Tues. evening! We
did so well we decided to try a 3 session KO on Wed, and came
in third. That gave me enough gold points that I never HAVE
to go to another NABC. Of course that doesn't mean that I
won't! LOL
David Greenlees (DAVIDRG), managed to organize a dinner, and
we had a great time at King's Fish House Monday evening. Sara
(BELIEVER), Paul (GUIDO), Ian (IAN) and Jill (JUSTJILL) were
there. Lynn Deas (WISHTRIK) joined the party. She is really
looking good after her long hospital stay. Diane Walker
(DIANEW), Mike Moss (MYTMOSS) and ASHFORD were at the party
too. I was delighted to meet Virginia (EXPLORER) as I see her
so often at FS. Patty was at the dinner, and I'm leaving
someone out... actually think I'm leaving out 2 or 3 someones.
Weather was lovely, not the heat of AZ or UT. I saw lots of
folks that I've seen at other NABC's, which is half the fun of
going!
I hope to get to New Orleans, but I'm hedging my bets on that
one, as I'm going to have my other knee done the end of
September. I'll just have to see how I'm doing, come that
time :))
Gail
PS.. I do have pictures, but my digital camera is new, so I'm
being very careful about downloading to my puter. When I get
them done, I'll send to Colin and he can put them up on the FS
website. :)) [Ed. note: We'll post that link next month, look
here for it]
Diane (DIANEW) wanted everyone she met to know how much she
enjoyed putting faces to some of her favorite names such as
her intrepid table manager, Gail (Gail37)! She was happy to
win a KO (and I was remiss in not mentioning KOs she has won
along the way at regionals in Buffalo, Scranton and Saratoga!)
And I know Lynn was delighted to see everyone also and feel so
welcomed!
Sorry I missed all the fun!
****************************************************************
I'm off to another bridge adventure! On Friday I leave for
Calgary -- which is not easy to get to from Miami I found!
Dann has kindly offered to drive me to Red Deer where Colin
and I (and Dann and his pard) will play in a Calcutta. I
sorta understand -- it seems people will bid on us (I hope!)
and we also have to buy half of ourselves back from our
owners. Colin says the good news is that we are bound to go
cheap :))
Then it is back to Calgary where we'll play in the Regional
there. I am looking forward to seeing a lot of OKB friends,
some for the first time...Sara, D'loye, Gail (FRODO), Andy
(CAPTAIN) and his wife Curley, Marlene (NANTICA) and Bill, and
I am sure I am forgetting people here.
***NOTE***
Dann's, Bill's and Colin's sessions will be cancelled during
this time:
Colin's will not be held Friday Aug 8 and Aug 15, 5:30 PM
Dann's will be not held Monday Aug 11, Thursday Aug 14, and
Monday Aug 18, 11:00 AM
Bill's will not be held Tuesday Aug 12, 5:30 PM
We apologize for the inconvenience, please stop by one of our
other sessions that week!
Should have some good stories for you next month! Till
then....take care:)
Hugs...Janice
Answer
1. Overcall 2. Blackwood 3. Weak two-bid 4. Penalty double
5. Preemptive bid 6. Five-card majors 7. Negative double
8. Splinter bid 9. Grand slam force
***********************************************************
We know that it isn't always easy to find a 'friendly' game.
We hope this new site will be a plus in your OKB experience
by helping our friends schedule games with each other.
Visit:
http://www.firesides.net/playdate.htm
and follow the directions to set up a table others can join, or
to join a game someone else has scheduled. You'll receive emails
notifying you as others join the same games.
If you wish to reserve a seat in one of the listed mentoring
games, which are supported by the people attending, we
suggest you do so, and also contact the mentoring commentator
for info.
We have tested this site, but we won't be surprised to hear
of a bug or two. Please let us know at kaltica@mts.net if
you encounter any problems serving, joining, or canceling a
game, or if you have any suggestions.
Have fun!
********************
Have a comment you'd like to make about the FireSide program?
An event or announcement you'd like to share with the rest of
us? A question you'd like answered? Here's a great place for
us to visit every day and keep up with each other:
http://www.firesides.net/chatline.htm
********************
Can't remember if this is a Mentor Cup week or when the next
Fireside session is? Get the complete schedule of events at:
www.firesides.net/whatsup.htm
Bookmark this page, and check back often. You don't want to
miss anything!
For those of you who use a credit card to support Fireside,
it's easy now! Go to:
www.firesides.net/support.htm
*********************
FIRESIDE UTILITY SITES
http://www.firesides.net/checker.htm
http://www.firesides.net/dealhand.htm
********************
And if you haven't had a chance to check them out yet,
here are some links to some of the quizzes that Colin has
developed to enlighten us:
www.firesides.net/staymantest.htm
www.firesides.net/sayctest.htm
www.firesides.net/sarctest.htm
www.firesides.net/spectrumtest.htm
www.firesides.net/bidstest.htm
www.firesides/net/IGITSAP.htm
(Note that IGITSAP must be in CAPS.)
Give them a try! They are fun and instructive.
**********************************************************
August Events: (All times Pacific)
===============================
NOVICE/MENTOR TOURNEY:
Thursday, August 14, 6:00 P.M. and Saturday,
August 16, at 12:00 P.M. A low-key introduction
to the tourney experience, sponsored by Fifth Chair...
see www.fifthchair.org for more info on this and
their other services, including getting a mentor.
MENTOR CUP TEAM GAME:
Sundays, 5:00 P.M. August 24.
See www.firesides.net/mtc.htm for info and lists
of past winners. To get on the mailing list for
this game, email me at moocake@aol.com.
OKSCRIPT SEMINAR:
OKScript seminars are held as demand warrants.
Email Kaltica to schedule a session, usually available
on the same Sunday as the Mentor Cup Game, at 2:30 p.m.
OKScript is an add-on program that saves you many
keystrokes while playing on OKB by sending
prepared text to the table, opps, or lobby at the
push of a button. Try to download the program BEFORE
the seminar by going to www.firesides.net/okscript.htm.
For more information, email Colin at kaltica@mts.net.
FIFTH CHAIR INSTRUCTIONAL EVENTS:
=================================
Interested in getting a mentor to play with you periodically
in your learning of this wonderful game? Please contact
tarsh1@mindspring.com and ask for a mentor.
SAYC Novice Team Game:
Saturdays, at 8:00 a.m. PACIFIC. Newcomers very
welcome! In addition to the team game, there will be
an open table for those waiting to join the team game.
This table will also have a commentator.
2/1 Team Game for intermediate players:
Saturdays, 1:30 p.m. Pacific. Novices are welcome in
spectator mode.
Look for the words FIFTH CHAIR beside the server's name,
in the table notes, to attend either of these sessions
You can also go to the Fifth Chair Foundation webpage:
www.fifthchair.org if you have any bidding questions.
After clicking on the webpage, find the Ask Anything section.
Write an email to Lucy, and she will be most happy to answer
your questions.
OKbridge offers us an email discussion opportunity,
the Discuss List. You can join that list by emailing them
at Discuss-Request@okbridge.com and put the word 'subscribe'
in the subject line. You can also participate in the
discussions via the OKbridge web site now, just go to the
members area at www.okbridge.com and you'll find the Discuss
List there at the bottom of your opening page.
********************
Moogal (Janice Kofman) stays busy collecting all sorts
of news about our FireSide family members to share with us.
Please help her out by emailing her any news or stories you
are willing to share with the group.
Janice's email address is moocake@aol.com
=====================================================
GIGGLE BREAK
Thanks to Benson for this giggle, too:
The head of a small industrial company posted DO IT NOW signs
all around his office and plant in hopes of getting better
results from his workers.
Some weeks later, when asked why he was removing the slogans,
he said, "It worked too well: the bookkeeper skipped with
$20,000; the chief clerk eloped with the best secretary I've
ever had; three salesmen asked for raises; and the workers in
the factory joined the union and are out on strike."
========================================================
TREBLE'S TABLE TALK
===================
Shrouded in Mystery
One of the expressions we constantly hear bandied about
in bridge literature is "judgment". This elusive quality that
radiates from the top players is something that we mere mortals
strive for continually, like King Arthur's knights on their
quest for the Holy Grail. And like those timeless heroes, we
are occasionally blessed with an insight, a glimpse into the
true essence of the game. But we are never permitted to grasp
the chalice and sip from it, that is but a fleeting dream.
Alright, for those of you that I haven't put to sleep
with that dreary monologue, we have a troika of puzzles to
solve this month. Two are from the CNTCs that I played in
this June, and the other is from a club game last week.
` First up, as North we get dealt, vul against not:
S-- QJx H-- 98xxxx D-- A10x C-- K
North East South West
1D 1H
?
So, what's our poison here? We could pass and then
decide whether to leave in or take out a reopening double by
partner. Alternatively, we could bid 1NT. Also in the
ballpark is a negative double, although it lacks the fourth
spade, or a raise to 2D on only three-card support.
Let's rate the alternatives:
1a) Pass and leave in a reopening double by partner. This
COULD work, but normally we should have better trumps
to penalize the enemy contract. On a bad day, the opponents
could make 1H with our side cold for game or slam.
1b) Pass and then remove a double by opener. This SOUNDS
good, but the problem is we'd have to JUMP in some way
to show that we have passed a 10-count. However, we don't want
to get to the three-level when there may be no eight-card fit.
2) Bid 1NT. Well, the good news is that we have a SIXTH-
round stopper in hearts. The bad news is that they only have
to take five tricks to defeat any 3NT contract that we might
reach.
3) Negative double. Shows the values, but IF opener has
spades, that could result in an unplayable 4-3 fit, with the
four-card holding being forced with repeated heart leads.
4) 2D. Now I'll be the first to says this is NOT a perfect
hand for raising diamonds. However, it's about the right
points, and the odds are fairly good that South has a five-card
suit for his opening 1D bid if, as appears likely, (s)he has a
singleton or void in hearts.
Now, at the table, the auction went:
North East South West
1D 1H
1NT pass 2D pass
pass
The combined hands were:
North: S-- QJx H-- 98xxxx D-- Axx C-- K
South: S-- K10x H-- void D-- KQ9xxx C-- Axxx
And our side played a hand that was cold for slam in
an inglorious 2D. Although 1NT was a questionable bid, the
pass at North's next turn was just silly. Once partner
removes 1NT and shows extra length in diamonds, this ten-
count becomes an absolute goldmine. There are two ways for
responder to show a good hand for diamonds. One is the
straightforward raise to 3D. However, opener will expect
some wasted values in hearts and may not proceed any further.
The way to show the super-duper hand is to bid 2S, which
is an "impossible" bid, since responder CAN'T have spade
length, having failed to either bid 1S or make a negative
double on hir previous turn. Such bids usually support the
last bid suit and a hand that revalues to MORE than what
your original bid has promised. So now we could have:
North East South West
1D 1H
1NT pass 2D pass
2S pass 3C pass
4D pass 4H pass
5C pass 5D/6D pass
pass pass
After the 2S bid followed by the jump in diamonds
and the subsequent 5C cuebid, opener might even consider
a slam, although he might prudently sign off in 5D.
NOW let's consider how the auction might have
gone with an immediate 2D raise:
North East South West
1D 1H
2D pass 3C pass
4C pass 6D pass
pass pass
Once North raises diamonds and then shows the
K of clubs, South will almost certainly bid the slam, as
he assumes a 10-card fit. It turns out that isn't the
case, but 6D will still flutter home.
Now, for a hand where the bidding is a lot friskier,
with EW vul against not:
West: S-- Ax H-- Ax D-- KQ10xx C-- K9xx
East: S-- xx H-- KJ10xxx D-- AJxx C-- x
South West North East
1S 2D dbl 3H*
4S 5D pass pass
5S pass pass pass
3H by East was a fit-showing jump, showing 9-10
cards in hearts and diamonds. East thought this was NOT
a forcing pass auction, since the overcaller had not bid
4NT or 5C over 4S. West contended that it WAS a forcing
pass situation, as he'd bid 5D vul against non-vul opps,
and therefore should be expecting to make hir contract.
East volleyed back that anyone that couldn't find a slam
bid opposite a fit showing jump was guilty of cowardice
under fire. In any event, +150 on a hand that EW can
make a vulnerable game or slam was not the juiciest of
results to bring back to their teammates.
Fortunately, I've had this discussion with my
partners, and the general agreement is that we do NOT
take vulnerable against not sacrifices. So the 5D bid
here creates a forcing pass auction when the opponents
bid on to 5S. Consequently, East must either double 5S
or bid on to 6D.
However, I'd say that West doesn't completely
get off the hook. Assuming that partner can be depended
upon to have a GOOD heart suit and decent trumps for the
fit-showing jump, overcaller should envision a possible
slam and give serious thought to bidding 6D at that
point. A 5C bid would also be forward-going here, since
with a huge diamond fit and overcaller being on lead,
there is no point in bidding 5C other than to invite slam.
Finally, we have another choice of whether or not
to bid on, with the game being matchpoints and we are in
the North chair with:
S-- 10xxxxxx H-- A D-- Qx C-- Qxx
We hear the bidding proceed:
North South
2C
2D 2H
2S 3NT
?
Now responder has to decide whether to correct
to 4S on hir seven-card suit. Before we decide, though,
remember that the 2D bid, which promised values, has
created a game-forcing auction. So let's consider also
THIS sequence:
North South
2C
2D 2H
2S 2NT
?
What, if any difference, should exist between
2NT and 3NT? First, we assume that for the 2H rebid,
partner should have at least a mildly unbalanced hand.
If South had rebid 2NT, that would allow North room
enough to show extra length in the spade suit. Instead,
opener has jumped to 3NT, cramping the auction and not
allowing room for partner to bid out hir distribution.
That should mean that opener has 0-1 spades and the
ONLY contract he wants to play is 3NT. Using that
logic, responder should pass. Opener had, in fact,
1=6=3=3 distribution with the minors well stopped.
Anyway, I'll see you again next month when
I return from my next bridge adventure in Red Deer
and Calgary.
********************
You can write to Wintaka (Bill Treble) at: bbtreble@mts.net
You will find Bill doing his FireSide sessions on Tuesdays
at 5:30 P.M. OKbridge time.
Wintaka and Kaltica present classes on:
SAYC (Rainbow Series)
2/1 (Spectrum series)
Precision (Prism Series)
and other selected bridge topics (Kaleidoscope series).
They also offer private/group lessons and/or supervised play
sessions. Email Bill (bbtreble@mts.net) or Colin
(kaltica@mts.net) for more information.
================================================
GIGGLE BREAK
Thanks to Kaltica for these:
For all you lexiophiles (lovers of words)
1. A bicycle can't stand alone because it is two-tired.
2. What's the definition of a will? (It's a dead giveaway).
3. Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
4. A backward poet writes inverse.
5. In democracy it's your vote that counts; In feudalism it's
your count that votes.
6. She had a boyfriend with a wooden leg, but broke it off.
7. A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.
8. If you don't pay your exorcist you get repossessed.
9. With her marriage she got a new name and a dress.
10. Show me a piano falling down a mineshaft and I'll show you
A-flat minor.
11. When a clock is hungry it goes back four seconds.
12. The man who fell into an upholstery machine is now fully
recovered.
13. A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in
Linoleum Blown apart.
14. You feel stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.
15. Local Area Network in Australia: the LAN down under.
16. He often broke into song because he couldn't find the key.
17. Every calendar's days are numbered.
18. A lot of money is tainted. 'Taint yours and 'taint mine.
19. A boiled egg in the morning is hard to beat.
20. He had a photographic memory that was never developed.
21. A plateau is a high form of flattery.
22. The short fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small
medium at large.
23. Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in
the end.
24. When you've seen one shopping centre you've seen a mall.
25. Those who jump off a Paris bridge are in Seine.
26. When an actress saw her first strands of gray hair she
thought she'd dye.
27. Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead to know basis.
28. Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses.
29. Acupuncture is a jab well done.
===================================================
AND FINALLY KALTICA
===================
A Fine Point
In my experience, good cardplayers are far more
common than good bidders. The stereotypical example
is the rubber bridge circle who can "play the spots
off the cards" but whose bidding methods and skills
are rudimentary. Indeed, the very raison d'être for
the Firesides is to address the area when most of us
need the most help: bidding!
Giorgio Belladonna once said that bidding was
80% of bridge. This is particularly true in flighted
or bracketed events where differences in cardplay
ability is likely to be less pronounced. At the
world class level, for example, the squeezes and
delicate endplays that we find so difficult are
child's play to everyone in the field. Far fewer
swings will derive from cardplay (other than the
opening lead, especially) than from bidding. What
serves to separate the winners (say, the Italian Blue
Team of the 1960's) from the losers will be bidding
technique, judgment and system.
Consider a situation where you hold a hand with
a poor suit where opening seems like a decision best
left to a coin toss:
S- J9753 H- K76 D- Q76 C- AQ
I would not fault a pass or a 1S opening bid
here. If the decision seems clear to you, please
feel free to adjust this example hand to one which
you would consider a toss-up choice.
In third or fourth seat we would let the form
of game decide matters. Opposite a passed hand
game seems unlikely, but we have more than our
share of HCPs and hold the boss suit so we should
be odds-on for a part score. At Matchpoints, then,
we open--especially if playing Drury--and hope for
more small pluses than minuses. At IMPs, we pass.
The odds of +420 or +620 in game are negligible;
far more common will be -500 after some disastrous
misfit.
In first or second seat, though, form of game
is less decisive. So the questions are:
1. Should we open in FIRST seat?
2. Should we open in SECOND seat?
What is the difference between first and
second seat? Partner isn't a passed hand in
either case?
Here is a hint: the way to show a good hand
with a bad suit is to pass and come in later.
Can you answer the two questions now?
The answers lie in anticipation. Consider
any of these three common auctions with you as
Dealer:
a) Pass 1C Pass 1D
b) Pass 1C Pass 1H
c) Pass 1D Pass 1H
In all three cases we can pass in comfort,
knowing that RHO's red suit response guarantees
that we WILL get another chance to bid. Hence,
we CAN Pass in FIRST seat and describe our
good-hand-bad-suit dilemma via the standard
pass-then-bid approach. But if we are in SECOND
seat we might not be able to pass that red suit
response by RHO--it might get passed out!
Pass Pass 1C Pass
1H Pass Pass Pass
Given our Spade length it is entirely
possible that our Partner may NOT be able to
balance when the red suit response is passed
around. Since we cannot pass twice, we should
not pass at all. Hence, we should be more
inclined to open marginal hands with bad suits
in SECOND seat than as Dealer.
Subtleties like this are the type of things
that good, experienced bidders consider and
discuss amongst themselves. Indeed, that may be
a sign of our own individual areas of expertise.
Player who start conversations with "How do you
play this hand?" are usually good cardplayers.
Those who begin with "What do you bid with this
hand?" are often the good (or at least developing)
bidders. This is simply a matter of focusing on
our strengths.
Maybe we should start a column where experts
explain WHY they make some of their more
eye-brow-raising bids. :)
**********************
You'll find Kaltica (Colin Ward) doing his FireSide
sessions on Friday evenings at 5:30 P.M. OKbridge time.
Kaltica and Wintaka present classes on:
SAYC (Rainbow Series)
2/1 (Spectrum series)
Precision (Prism Series),
and other selected bridge topics (Kaleidoscope series).
They also offer private/group lessons and/or supervised
play sessions. Email Colin (kaltica@mts.net) or
Bill (bbtreble@mts.net) for more information.
=====================================================
GIGGLE BREAK
Thanks to BobW for these:
Courtroom statements
Judge: I know you, don't I?
Defendant: Uh, yes.
Judge: All right, tell me, how do I know you?
Defendant: Judge, do I have to tell you?
Judge: Of course, you might be obstructing justice not to
tell me.
Defendant: Okay. I was your bookie.
From a defendant representing himself .
Defendant: Did you get a good look at me when I allegedly stole
your purse?
Victim: Yes, I saw you clearly. You are the one who stole my
purse.
Defendant: I should have shot you while I had the chance.
Judge: The charge here is theft of frozen chickens. Are you the
defendant?
Defendant: No, sir, I'm the guy who stole the chickens.
Lawyer: How do you feel about defense attorneys?
Juror: I think they should all be drowned at birth.
Lawyer: Well, then, you are obviously biased for the
prosecution.
Juror: That's not true. I think prosecutors should be drowned at
birth, too.
Judge: Is there any reason you could not serve as a juror in
this case?
Juror: I don't want to be away from my job that long.
Judge: Can't they do without you at work?
Juror: Yes, but I don't want them to know it.
Defendant: Judge, I want you to appoint me another lawyer.
Judge: And why is that?
Defendant: Because the Public Defender isn't interested in my
case.
Judge (to Public Defender): Do you have a comment on the
defendant's motion?
Public Defender: I'm sorry, Your Honor. I wasn't listening.
Judge: You are charged with habitual drunkenness. Have you
anything to say in your defense?
Defendant: Habitual thirstiness?
----------------------------------------------------
Defendant (after being sentenced to 90 days in jail): Can I
address the court?
Judge: Of course.
Defendant: If I called you a son of a bitch, what would you do?
Judge: I'd hold you in contempt and assess an additional five
days in jail.
Defendant: What if I thought you were a son of a bitch?
Judge: I can't do anything about that. There's no law against
thinking.
Defendant: In that case, I think you're a son of a bitch.
=====================================================
Fireside Chat Issues
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Ocbober, 2001
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November, 2001
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December, 2001
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January, 2002
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February, 2002
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March, 2002
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April, 2002
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May, 2002
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June, 2002
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July, 2002
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August, 2002
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September, 2002
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October, 2002
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November, 2002
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December, 2002
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January, 2003
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February, 2003
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March, 2003
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April, 2003
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May, 2003
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June, 2003
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July, 2003
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August, 2003
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September, 2003
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October, 2003
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November, 2003
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December, 2003
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January, 2004
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February, 2004
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March, 2004
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April, 2004
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May, 2004
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June, 2004
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July, 2004
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August, 2004
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September, 2004
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October, 2004
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November, 2004
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December, 2004
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