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Fireside Chat
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FIRESIDE CHAT MAY 2005
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Welcome and Announcements
Believer's FireSide Kindling
Bidding with Bridgboy
Special Treats
Hand of the Month
Dealing With Dann
Bridge For the Club Player
Moogal's FireSide Log
Treble's Table Talk
And Finally Kaltica
=======================================
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Welcome to the May, 2005 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@bellsouth.net.
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/FIFEE
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 who attend. For information about how to
become a supporting member, please contact Kaltica at
kaltica@mts.net, Moogal at moocake@bellsouth.net,
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) 2005 by FireSide Chat.
All rights reserved.
===============================================
BELIEVER'S FIRESIDE KINDLING
============================
I was surfing some of the OKb websites and found this at Tuna's
website (http://www.okbridge.com/membersclub/tourneys/tuna/)
I thought it was neat, finding what all these abbreviations mean
in one place, so I copied them to use in my column.
There are a lot you probably don't need to know here, but also
many that are used at OKb quite a bit. There are probably some
not on the list, too, so if you have any to add send 'em to me!
Thanks, Tuna :) YTB!* WALT!**
===============================================
2 Too
4SF Fourth suit forcing
Ace? Who has the Ace I'm going to claim
AFK Away From Keyboard
B Back now
BBIAB Be Back In A Bit
BBL Be Back Later
BD Board (hand)
BFD Big "Friendly" Deal
BFN Bye, for now
BLK Blackwood
BRB Be Right Back
BRB5 Be back in 5 mins
BTW By the way
C See
CC Convention card
CHO Center hand opponnent
CL Claim?
CONN Connection (internet) speed
CU See you (later)
CYA See ya
DD Double Dummy
DISC Has no ping, disconnect him
DISCO "
DR Direct raise
EG Evil Grin
F Forcing
FJ Fit jump
FJR Forcing jump raise
FOFL Falling On Floor Laughing
FSF Fourth suit forcing
FWIW For what it's worth
FYI For your imformation
G Grin
GD&R Grin, duck, and run
GD&RVF Grin, duck, and run -- very fast
GF Game force
GLP Good luck, partner
GSF Grand slam force
GT Game try
H'S? How are the hearts? I'm going to claim
HA, HAHA, HEHE, HEH, HOHO That's funny
HH Hand hog
HUM Highly Unusual Methods
I Invitational
IANAL I am not a lawyer (followed by legal opinion)
IC I see
ID User Identification (e.g. tuna)
IJR Invitational jump raise
IMCO In my considered opinion
IMHO In my humble opinion [the speaker is never hu
IMVHO In my very humble opinion
IOW In other words
ISP Internet Service Provider
J2N Jacoby 2 No Trump
JFYI Just for your information
JR Jump raise
JS Jump shift
JX Jacoby transfer
JXF Jacoby transfer
KIBITZ To watch all hands or spectate (spec)
LEB Lebensohl
LMAO Laughing my arse off
LOL Laughing out loud
MSS Minor suit stayman
MST Minor suit take out
MTO Minor Take out
NBD No big deal
N No
NC Non-competitive
NEG Negative double
NEWBIE New User
NF Non-Forcing
NFI No "Friendly" Idea
NL Not lucky
NMF New minor forcing
NOYB None of your business
NP No problem
NS New suit
NT Nice try
NTP Nice try, partner
OBS Dummy: Sit "observe", so we don't waste a precious
comparison
OIC Oh, I See.
ONTO Over no trump only
OTL Out to lunch
OTOH On the other hand
OTTH On the third hand
PLS Please
PMFJI Pardon me for jumping in
PMP P my pants
P Pre-emptive
PEN Penalty
PITA Pain in the arse
PRE Preemptive
Q Cue-bid or Qualify
R Are
RD Reverse drury
RE Re-hello
RESP Responsive x
REV SMITH Echo in NT to encourage/discourage opening lead suit
RKC Roman key card
ROFL Rolling on floor, laughing
ROFLOL Rolling on floor, laughing out loud
RS Real soon
RSN Real soon Now
RTFHF Read the "friendly" Help File
RTFM Read the "friendly" Manual
S Smile
SAC Sacrifice
SAX South African Transfer
SAYC Standard American Yellow Card
SHD Should
SJS Strong Jump Shift
SKIP Cancel this bd by skipping it please
SPEC To Watch all hands (kibitz)
SQZ Squeeze
SUPP Support x or xx
TA Thanks (British)
TIA Thanks In Advance
THK Thinking
THX Thanks
TKS Thanks
TO Take out
TTFN Ta Ta For Now
TTYL Talk to you later
TX Texas transfer
TXT Texas transfer
TU Thank you
TY Thank you
TYP Thank you, partner
TYPO Usually asking for an undo
U Unusual
U You
U2N Unusual 2 No Trump
UI Unauthorized Information
ULP Unlucky, partner
UNDO Request to undo the previous typo of bid or play
URW You are welcome
USDCA Upside down count and attitude
UUP You are up
W Weak
WAG Wild Ass Guess
WD Well done
WDP Well done, partner
WEG Wicked Evil Grin
WJR Weak jump raise
WJS Weak Jump Shift
WTG Way to go
XF Transfer
Y Yes
YMBJ You must be joking
YY Yawning form boredom
ZZ Putting me to sleep
ZZ,YY Boring me
! Alert
----
*You're The Best
**We All Love Tuna
********************
You can write to Believer (Sara Stobbe) at:
sarastobbe@aol.com or bb@wowway.com
===============================================
GIGGLE BREAK
Thanks to Luc for this giggle:
It was time to haul in the hay from the fields, so my husband,
Verner, hired a high school student to help. After a few minutes
of listening to the boy trying but failing to get the tractor
started, Verner asked him, "Did you try choking it?"
"No," muttered the student, "but that's not a bad idea."
===============================================================
BIDDING WITH BRIDGBOY
=====================
This month we shall look at the differences between team play and
matchpoints with regards to slam bidding. When we are playing
teams, safety foremost is our watchword. As long as both teams
are in some slam contract, it will not matter much if you are in
six of a minor, six of a major or six notrump as long as you
make your contract. The lure of the extra 10 points gained from
notrump vs. a major or minor is miniscule, so you certainly want
to declare the contract where you feel most confident of success,
if you are playing team games. There is never any reason to push
and stretch for one imp! Now, in matchpoint events our thinking
has to change. The lure of the top score is so tempting that
sometimes we might even ignore a cold minor suit slam to try for
the riskier 6NT score. If both contracts are succeeding, our
matchpoint score between plus 1370 and plus 1440 is huge. The
exact same thinking would apply if we have to decide between 6 of
a major and 6NT. Do we try to earn a top by being plus 1440 or
safer with plus 1430? These matchpoint issues are constantly
challenging us when we have to make these important decisions.
Here are a few examples to test ourselves.
S 2
H A32
D Q6
C AKJxxxx
Partner opens 1NT. How should we bid? There are some hands that
can not make a slam and others where 6C makes and 6NT goes down
one. It may just depend on an opening lead to defeat us. So
possibly jumping to 6NT has some merit. Let them make the guess
and by definition they are allowed to guess wrong! We could be
super scientific and describe our hand and try and judge
accurately but sometimes blasting earns us a top score also.
S J642
H KQ2
D AJ3
C AJ2
Again partner opens 1NT. What do we do? I would ignore that
lousy 4 card spade suit and flat hand with no ruffing values and
just think notrump. It seems reasonable to make a quantitative
notrump raise (4NT) and see if partner has a maximum for his
opening bid. If so 6NT it is. If not then we rest in a safe
contract of 4NT. While it is possible we belong in a trump suit
fit, my hand tells me to ignore that possibility.
In closing, I have tried to point out some of the differences in
our thinking and strategy between team and matchpoint events
during the last six months. Hopefully this will help each of you
to remember the objective of the game and enable you to use these
principles to achieve some tops! Good luck to you all!
********************
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 Pringle for this giggle:
YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 2005,WHEN....
You accidentally enter your password on the microwave.
You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.
You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of 3.
You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.
Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is
that they don't have e-mail addresses.
You've sat at the same desk for four years and worked for three
different companies.
Your boss doesn't have the ability to do your job.
You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see
if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.
Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of
the screen.
Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't have
the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for
panic and you turn around to go and get it.
You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your
coffee.
You start tilting your head sideways to smile. :)
You're reading this and nodding and laughing.
===========================================================
SPECIAL TREATS
==============
Another chapter from Dloye :) enjoy!
*********************
More Incredible Mini Adventures
Or
Ms.Bids R US
This month we got a short sharp lesson on how to handle the "but
my pd obviously forgot our agreement." Here's the agreement. My
partner humors me and we play Capp over the opponents no trump in
direct only. It's for better bridge minds than ours to hash out
whether that's the best agreement, but for better or for worse,
it's ours, because *I* like it!
So, here's the auction:
P 1N P P
2S P 2N P
?
And into the tank. What to do? What to do? The hand is no
heavy weight, about 11 hcp and 6 2 2 3 distribution. It's
pretty clear that we're in screw up land. I can tell you for
sure what is the wrong thing to do. Don't bid 3c. It looks a
lot like you are fielding.
The axiom is trust partner, verify and iron out Ms.Bid later.
So, the *Right* thing to do is pass. Partner has heard your bid,
knows your CC and wants to play 2n. Really.
Meanwhile, join us. Sara and I do gifts in all seasons. But we
sure have fun trying to play this game.
********************
If you have a "Special Treats" story you'd like to share
with us, we'd love to include it in one of our future
issues! Just send it to Sara at sarastobbe@aol.com or
to Janice at moocake@bellsouth.net. Don't worry about it
being "perfect" -- we'll fix it! Just type it up and send it :)
================================================================
GIGGLE BREAK
Rabbi: Little Joey, who was that elderly man I saw you with at
the service?
Little Joey: That was my grandfather.
Rabbi: On your mother's side or your father's side?
Little Joey: Oh, he sticks up for both of them.
================================================================
HAND OF THE MONTH
=================
This month we are thrilled to present our 'Hand of the Month'
feature, with a big "thank you" to Gail Wix for formatting it
for us.
>From The 2005 Daily Bridge Calendar. For more information call
1-888-453-1976, or email: calendar@interlog.com.
********************
Vul: N/S North
Dlr: N S AK3
H K6
D AJT5
C Q652
South
S 542
H AJT952
D K72
C T
West North East South
1NT P 4H
All pass
Opening Lead: SJ
At the risk of provoking the Society of Finessers, I will state
that losing a finesse is a double disaster: it costs one trick
and gives the defenders a chance to lead to another.
You're South in the deal for today, and West leads the SJ against
your 4H contract. (Many modern pairs use *transfer* responses
and would arrange for North to be declarer at 4H.) You take the
SA, and if you're a staunch member of the Society, you note that
a two-way finesse for a queen is available in each red suit. If
however, you want to give yourself the best chance for ten
tricks, consider carefully. How should South attack this
contract?
*****************************************
S AK3
H K6
D AJT952
C Q652
S JT98 S Q67
H Q84 H 73
D 86 D Q943
C K873 C AJ94
S 542
H AJT952
D K72
C T
Contract: 4H Lead: SJ
********************
South, a Society member, won the first spade, cashed the HK and
finessed with the HJ. West took the HQ and led another spade.
South won, led a diamond to his king and drew the last trump. He
next led a diamond to dummy's DT. East produced the DQ, and the
defense cased a spade and the CA for down one.
South must resign from the Society, at least for this deal, and
cash the HA and HK. This play may cost a trump trick but gains
time. When both defenders play low, South next takes the DK and
the DA and leads the jack. East wins and leads a spade, but
South wins and throws his last spade on the high DT, losing one
diamond, one trump and one club.
********************
Hand and analysis by Frank Stewart, courtesy of the Daily
Bridge Calendar, published by Ashlar House Inc., Brampton, ON,
Canada. Reprinted with permission. (Special thanks to Lee
Daugharty and Dann Kramer.)
===========================================================
GIGGLE BREAK
Thanks to Pooka for these groaners:
How do you catch a unique rabbit?
Unique up on it.
How do you catch a tame rabbit?
Tame way, unique up on it.
How do crazy people go through the forest?
They take the psycho path
What do fish say when they hit a concrete wall?
Dam!
What do you call a boomerang that doesn't work?
A stick
What do you call cheese that isn't yours?
Nacho cheese.
What do you call Santa's helpers?
Subordinate clauses.
What do you get from a pampered cow?
Spoiled milk.
What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire?
Frostbite.
What lies at the bottom of the ocean and twitches?
A nervous wreck.
What kind of coffee was served on the titanic?
Sanka.
=============================================================
DEALING WITH DANN
=================
Strong Minor-Suit-Oriented Hands -Part 2- competition
We will look at strong minor suit hands in competition.
A reverse still holds true over opp's interference - we express
to partner the length and strength of our suits/hand.
1C-p-1H-1S
2D
We might well still have this example hand from last time:
S A2
H Q2
D AKJ7
C KQJ98
Here we have a hand we will open 1C and reverse into 2D over
partner's response, then partner knows our clubs must be longer
than our diamonds.
We still make the same calls as last time. Partner knows we were
planning a reverse so knows our relative suit lengths, and that
we have good values within our reverse suits; part of playing
disciplined reverses is when it happens in competition partner
knows we have good defense in our suits and the other suits may
or may not have any values in them.
Again, sticking to the rules will help partner judge where the
hand belongs; whether to defend against the opps, bid on, or
try for a no trump game.
If our reverse only tells partner a vague shape and a strict
point count, partner is less informed for their decision if the
opps further interfere.
1C-p-1H-1S
2D-3S*-???
holding S KJ7
H J943
D Q1093
C A3
we can bid 3NT without worrying if we have enough tricks. We
should have 8 or 9 minor tricks and opp's suit stopped.
When the opponents interfere in our auction, the only bid they
leave us is a Q bid of their suit to tell pard we own a great
hand. Be careful with using this though, it also shows partner a
fit for the suit they responded. That is why we still reverse or
jump rebid in the minors to show pard the good hand - to remove
confusion between Q bids showing all strong hands, and Q bid to
agree trumps as partners responded suit. If partner has raised
one of our suits before opps interfere then we can use the Q bid
to show extra strength.
1D-p-2D-2H
3H
S 2
H A8
D AKT72
C AKJT7
Again a hand from last time. We opened 1D and planned on jump
rebidding clubs, showing partner not only the values of the hand
but that diamonds are equal to or longer than clubs. Once partner
has raised diamonds, we can Q bid to tell pard we have a great
hand and we want them to further describe their hand. Note that
it's only a coincidence that we have a heart control. The Q bid
says strong hand - it is not a control Q bid. This hand also
would try 3H:
S -----
H K3
D AJ10932
C AKQ92
One of the other things we need to keep in mind after
interference - not just with minor suit hands but any hand
generally - a bid after the interference shows a hand we are
not embarrassed we opened, either extra values or extra
distribution should be present. Following this restraint
will help partner evaluate their responding hands better,
so while we like to bid, we do need a reason to do so after
interference.
As in all cases at the bridge table, the more we define our hand
to partner the better decisions they will make - so try to stay
within our definitions of what's required and partner will play
well for us!
Hope this little article helps ease any concerns about minor-suit
-oriented hands we had remaining.
********************
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: pspeard@telusplanet.net
============================================================
GIGGLE BREAK
Thanks to Benson for this brain-strainer!
For those who thought the hardest part of Physics 101 was the
constant conversion from MKS or CGS units to English units, here
are some useful English system conversions.
Ratio of an igloo's circumference to its diameter: Eskimo Pi
2000 pounds of Chinese soup: Won ton
1 millionth of a mouthwash: 1 microscope
Time between slipping on a peel and smacking the pavement: 1
bananosecond
Time it takes to sail 220 yards at 1 nautical mile per hour:
Knot-furlong
365.25 days of drinking low-calorie beer because it's less
filling: 1 lite year
16.5 feet in the Twilight Zone: 1 Rod Serling
Half of a large intestine: 1 semicolon
1000 aches: 1 megahurtz
Basic unit of laryngitis: 1 hoarsepower
Shortest distance between two jokes: A straight line
453.6 graham crackers: 1 pound cake
1 million-million microphones: 1 megaphone
1 million bicycles: 2 megacycles
365.25 days: 1 unicycle
10 cards: 1 decacards
1 kilogram of falling figs: 1 Fig Newton
1000 grams of wet socks: 1 literhosen
1 millionth of a fish: 1 microfiche
1 trillion pins: 1 terrapin
10 rations: 1 decoration
100 rations: 1 C-ration
2 monograms: 1 diagram
8 nickels: 2 paradigms
2.4 statute miles of intravenous surgical tubing at Yale
University Hospital: 1 I.V. League
100 Senators: Not 1 decision
===============================================================
BRIDGE FOR THE CLUB PLAYER
==========================
Fourth Suit Forcing
In many ways, "New Minor Forcing" (NMF-- which we discussed last
month) and "Fourth Suit Forcing" (4SF) are similar conventions.
Both are used by responder. They are both in the "I have a good
hand but I need you to tell me more about your hand" category.
When playing a two-over-one style, a jump by responder with their
second bid is "only" invitational. Conventions -- "new minor
forcing" and "fourth suit forcing" -- are used with stronger
hands. One basic principle is to save bidding room with stronger
hands. (This style is sometimes referred to as "secondary jumps
invitational.")
For example, in these sequences,
1D - 1S - 2C (or 2D) - 3S
1D - 1S - 1NT - 3S
the 3S bid is invitational, showing a good 6-card suit, but it
can be passed. With a game-forcing hand, use either the NMF
('new minor forcing") or 4SF ("fourth suit forcing") convention.
4SF works thusly:
When responder, with his second bid, bids the "fourth suit", this
bid is alertable. IF ASKED, I suggest the following explanation:
"Partner may or may not have that suit. It is artificial and
forcing to game." And this is true. Partner indeed MAY OR MAY
NOT have the bid suit. Opener's obligation is to describe his
hand to the best of his ability. Here are a useful set of
agreements to have after a 4SF bid:
If the fourth suit is a major, raise with four of them. This is
rare.
(1D - 1S - 2C - 2H!- 3H) (1C - 1D - 1H - 1S!- 2S)
Show three-card support for partner's original major.
(1D - 1S - 2C - 2H! - 2S) (1D - 1H - 1S - 2C! - 2H)
(1C - 1H - 1S - 2D! - 2H) (1H - 1S - 2D - 3C! - 3S)
With a stopper in the "fourth suit", bid NT. Do not jump, as you
are already committed to bid at least game.
(1H - 1S - 2C - 2D! - 2NT) (1D - 1S - 2C - 2H! - 2NT)
Lacking the ability to do any of the above, make the bid that
describes your hand the best, or just make a cheap (space-saving)
bid...
(1H - 1S - 2C - 2D! - 2H -- "I don't have three spades or a
diamond stopper. This does not
promise extra hearts.)
(1H - 1S - 2C - 2D! - 3C -- "I don't have three spades or a
diamond stopper, but am probably
at least 5-5 in hearts and clubs.")
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
There are uncountable nuances to fourth-suit-forcing that a
regular partnership can work out over time, but this is enough to
get started and use it effectively.
Keep it simple for now: bidding the "fourth suit" sets up a game
force, and then bid fairly naturally. You will frequently find
that responder actually HAS the fourth suit, but you will then
usually wind up in NT.
Here are some keys for responder to keep in mind:
Use 4SF when you want to find out if partner has three-card
support for your original major.
Use 4SF when you need a stopper in the fourth suit to bid 3NT.
If you DON'T use 4SF, partner can PASS, even if you jumped!
4SF is useful to set up slam-exploration auctions.
4SF is useful with a big fit in partner's second suit.
Happy Bidding!
Jack Brawner
(Trojanowl@AOL.com)
********************
Jack welcomes students of all levels for lessons.
Contact him for information at trojanowl@aol.com
============================================================
GIGGLE BREAK
Thanks to Gail37 for this giggle:
Here is an exercise suggested for seniors, to build muscle
strength in the arms and shoulders. It seems so easy, so I
thought I'd pass it on to some of my friends. Just don't over-do
it.
Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty
of room at each side. With a 5-LB. potato sack in each hand,
extend your arms straight out from your sides, and hold them
there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, then
relax.
Each day, you'll find that you can hold this position for just a
bit longer.
After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-LB. potato sacks. Then
50-LB.potato sacks, and eventually try to get to where you can
lift a 100-LB. potato sack in each hand and hold your arms
straight for more than a full minute.
After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each of
the sacks.
===========================================================
MOOGAL'S FIRESIDE LOG
=====================
FIRESIDE NEWS
Have you been sad and disoriented because you miss Bill on
Tuesday nights and Colin on Friday nights? Well, cheer up, your
commentators are back where they started -- Bill on Tuesday and
Colin on Friday, at 5:30. Stop by say hello! And a big thanks
to our Table Managers for those sessions -- Sue (SAM143), Frank
(ELGRINGO), and Andre (ANDRE55) for putting up with a bit of
confusion during the change-overs back and forth.
********************************************************
OKB Tourneys
Well done to all our Fireside friends who excelled in
the tourneys this past month!!
Sat Apr 2 07:00 PM
Rank Team Score
1 believer/dloye 3.28
Thu Apr 7 12:30 PM
Rank Team Score
1 fpdoc/POOKA 73.00
Fri Apr 8 12:30 PM
Rank Team Score
1 Kaltica/ulrika 63.13
Mon Apr 11 04:00 PM
Rank Team Score
1 barr/skillick 71.81
Mon Apr 11 05:30 PM
Rank Team Score
1 ask1/esjub9 64.10
Mon Apr 18 04:00 PM
Rank Team Score
1 Kaltica/moogal 66.07
2 hawes/skipw 65.71
Tue Apr 26 09:00 AM
Rank Team Score
1 dloye/POOKA 3.59
Tue Apr 26 04:00 PM
Rank Team Score
1 frank-1/hipolito 67.78
Our Flight B/C tourney stars:
Riggin, Imogene, AlbertB, Benson, Ask1, Frank-1, Arrow, Gmeier,
Lsscott, MaryS, Todd, Alon9, Desiree, Kitkat, Neophyte, PollyE,
Elgringo, DSLT, Hawes, Julie, Potts, Dloye, Believer, GrahamG,
Helen477, JudyDee, Madwolf, Ed4, Bernadin, Maureen1, Wilse,
Macavity
We encourage you to change your flight to B or C so that you are
competing on an appropriate level -- you can do this on the OKB
website home page. Look for "Change my flight" in the box where
your icon appears. This is OKB's way of letting everyone have a
chance to get some pond points. And, as more and more of you
change your flights, the flighted results will be more realistic.
And, remember, if you do place in the overalls, you are still
eligible for the higher awards!
And thank you to Sara who is now checking the tourney results for
our Fireside friends!
**********************************************************
FIRESIDE'S TEAM GAME
Our February winners are:
04-03-2005 TEAM GAUS271 Gaus271, Judydee, Woohoo & Mbar
04-17-2005 TEAM PETER_5 Peter_5, Todd, Skillick & PKV
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 us at firesider@aol.com - all welcome!
**********************************************************
NOVICE MENTOR TOURNEY
Well done to all our top finishers:
Thu Apr 14 06:00 PM
Rank Team Score
1 macavity/tuna 58.33
2 analisa/Sarah 58.33
3 anneS/wheels 54.17
4 hawes/msc 52.08
Be sure to show up on the second Thursday each month (May 12th
this month) for your chance to play in this fun, easy-going
session of an OKB mini. You may be encouraged to try the daily
ones!
**********************************************************
Big congrats to PATTY who achieved Life Master! Everyone is just
delighted for her...lots of good wishes here for one of
Bridgboy's dedicated TMs, and her club in Scottsdale had a party
for her! We're proud of you Patty!
**********************************************************
Congratulations to Grandma Janie (BCCPAVE) who welcomed the
arrival of Evan Daniel Moser on April 7, 2005 @ 2:30 PM. Weight 7
lbs. 13 oz. Mother and baby doing well. Grandparents very
happy!
**********************************************************
Get well wishes to our Fireside friend and devoted team game
captain, Bob (BOBOWEN), who will be having cataract surgery,
and then some further surgery, over the next few weeks.
We will miss you Bob and look forward to your presence at
our games very soon!
*******************************************************************************************************************
Warm wishes to Wendy (CHILLI) who has been absent from OKB since
the birth of her daughter Rose. Just wanted to say we miss you
and hope you are able to come back and play with us again soon!
**********************************************************
Stolen Crown Blinds Union by Richard Pavlicek
Are the crown jewels missing? Can anyone in the union see?
Who knows, but you'll have to take a look a this new bidding
poll to find out. Simply select your calls on six problems
from a past tournament. You might even be able to guess the
location from my clues. Try it! It's fun.
http://www.rpbridge.net/8w33.htm
Results of the April play contest "Gamebusters!" will be
posted May 3, 2005 at 21:00 GMT. For these, and everything
else related to the monthly events, go to:
http://www.rpbridge.net/rppc.htm
--------
Richard knows how to keep us amused and on our toes.... he posed
the following question on rec.games.bridge:
If one side has all four aces and all four kings, what is the
*fewest* number of tricks it can win in notrump with best play
and defense?
Note: This is not a "nullo play" puzzle; declarer must try to win
the most tricks as usual.
[Don't answer too quickly...I know I did! Solution at the end of
my column.]
**********************************************************
Lynn (WISHTRIK) has missed the last few of her Fireside
sessions -- she is dealing with medical tests and some
treatments. We wish her well and hope she will be back with us
very soon!
On a lighter note...did you ever wonder why Lynn calls herself
Wishtrik on OKB? Do you know what a wishtrick is?? Take a look
at
http://www.acbl.org/news/wishfulTricking.html
for all these answers!
**********************************************************
We love hearing from our readers! I hope you enjoy this
travelogue -- written by Nancy's (NANCOR) husband. (Are you
taking an interesting trip? Even if it doesn't include any
bridge? Send me some stories, we are in need of them to fill our
travel section!)
----------
A LITTLE BLOW BY BLOW REPORT ON THE TRIP TO PARIS
ECRIT D'ABORD EN FRANCAIS
FIRST DAY - FRIDAY. We took off from Atlanta at 20 minutes to 6
in the evening. We headed toward the North East flying a great
circle route to France, similar to the one Lindbergh flew. Our
flight took us over Long Island Sound, the gulf of Maine, North
of Nova Scotia, across Prince Edward Island and out over the
Atlantic. We had a tail wind of 120 miles per hour and a ground
speed of 640 miles per hour. We flew over Ireland, England, the
English Channel and finally France. The flight to Charles de
Gaulle airport, just northeast of Paris lasted seven hour and
thirty minutes. Because we had lost 6 hours on account of the
time change, it was 7:20 Saturday morning.
SECOND DAY - SATURDAY. After getting our baggage, my daughter
Carolyn who had just arrived from Washington DC, found us. It was
a good thing that she did because we were totally "at sea." We
took the shuttle to the hotel Muguet; rue Chevet, in the 7th
arrondissment. While we were waiting for Jim and Kari (our son
and daughter-in-law) we walked over to see l'hotel des invalids,
which is quite near to the hotel Muguet. It should have been
named l'hospital des invalids because it was a home for wounded
soldiers built by one of the medieval Louises. The edifice also
included Napoleon's tomb and among others, the tomb of Marshall
Foch. (You remember Napoleon and Marshall Foch [World War I]
don't you?} There was also a war museum which dealt mostly with
World War II. When Jim and Kari arrived we took the Metro across
the Seine to La Place de Concorde where Louis XV and Marie
Antoinette were executed. It is also the eastern end of the
Champs Elysées, the western end being the Arc de Triomph. There
we viewed l'obelisk de Luxor and we decided to start walking east
along the south side of the Seine. It was rather cold but we
continued walking, passing numerous kiosks of used book sellers,
poster and card sellers, along the sidewalk until we reached
Notre Dame Cathedral. Nancy got some info on the times of the
Sunday morning masses. We had some coffee in a little restaurant
near the church and then went back to our hotel to scout the
area and find a place to have dinner. We were all tired and went
to bed early. My feet hurt like he..!
THIRD DAY - SUNDAY. Nancy and I went to the 8:30 mass at Notre
Dame. The others went to watch the Paris Marathon (which is why
we came in the first place). They returned later with a couple of
baguettes, a sausage, cheese, grapes, wine and some pâté de fois.
We lunched sumptuously in our hotel room. Then we went to the
Louve where we spent the afternoon (Not adequate). When the
museum closed we took the metro to la tour Eiffel. We didn't have
dinner until 9pm because of all the activity.
FOURTH DAY - MONDAY. We got up late. After breakfast we went to
see La Sainte Chapelle. By the way, by now I had noticed two
things. One, pigeons were everywhere and two, the Parisians are
smokers. It seemed to me that nearly everyone was smoking, men,
women, young people, adults, and old people. Instead of visiting
the Latin Quarter which is near Sainte Chapelle, we decided to go
and take a walk through Montmarte because the weather was so
nice. There, we visited Sacre Coeur and after that I bought some
posters. We also saw the Moulin Rouge from the outside which is
nothing like it was in the days of Toulouse-Lautrec. Now, it is a
glitzy dinner- theatre where you can dine and watch the bare
breasted beauties dance. Then the ladies decided to go to the
Galleries-Lafayette to do some shopping. We were all tired and
went to bed right after dinner. My feet hurt like he.. again.
FIFTH DAY - TUESDAY. After breakfast we walked to the Museé
Rodin which is the Rodin Museum. It is not far from the Hotel
Muguet. The museum is full of Rodin's work, the most famous being
"The Thinker". Then we took the metro to the Latin Quarter where
we viewed Saint Supplice (church) and Saint Germain des Pres
(oldest church in Paris dating from the eleven hundreds). I was
the last in line as we entered the church and as we went in I
felt a little pull in my right pants pocket. I turned around and
there were two young girls behind me, twelve or thirteen years
old. They had their heads together and were studying some maps or
brochures. I felt in my pocket and nothing seemed to be missing.
I should add that there were signs everywhere, especially in the
metro telling everyone to watch out for pickpockets. I turned
around and entered the church and stopped. They remained in the
vestibule, turned around and went out of the church. I went back
to the church door and watched them as they walked across the
square. One turned back and looked at me. As they rounded the
corner of the church one turned back for a last glance. I told
Carolyn that I thought my pocket had been picked. Indeed it had!
I lost a metro pass (which expired that day). Fortunately, my
money was in the other pocket. I'll bet that their Fagin gave
them hell! I didn't report it to the police. After the excitement
we went to see the Sorbonne but we couldn't get in. We had a
glass of wine in "la place Sorbonne". The traffic was frightful.
I would never try to drive in Paris.
SIXTH DAY - WEDNESDAY. We left early for the Loire Valley in a
mini van provided by the guided tour. As in Paris, all the
flowering trees and shrubs were blooming. The landscape was
similar to that of the Midwestern United States. We traveled
through several pretty little villages which were well
maintained. We visited the Chateaus of Chenonceax, Cheverny, and
Chambord. It would take too much time and space to describe them.
They were however, very beautiful and interesting. The Loire
valley is beautiful. It was good to get outside the city and into
the country. Is the real France Paris? I don't think so.
SEVENTH DAY - THURSDAY. After breakfast we walked to le museé d
Orsay. (The d'Orsay museum). The museum presents the whole range
of French fine arts between 1848 and 1914; the most famous works
presented there are those of the impressionists. We spent the
entire morning and part of the afternoon there. Because I felt
like I was coming down with a cold, I went back to the hotel to
take a nap. The others had lunch and spent the rest of the
afternoon shopping.
EIGHTH DAY - FRIDAY. The sky was gray and there was a light rain
when we took off from Paris for Miami, one hour late. The flight
lasted nine hours and fifteen minutes. Because of the delay
arriving in Miami we missed our connection to Orlando. What to
do? There was another flight from Miami which would arrive in
Orlando at 9:15 PM. The problem was that the last shuttle from
Orlando to The Villages would leave at 9:30 PM. We said a short
prayer and went aboard. Happily, we took off 15 minutes early and
when we reached Orlando, our baggage arrived immediately. We got
to the shuttle almost 30 minutes ahead of its scheduled
departure. A taxi was waiting for us when we arrived at the town
square and finally we got home 24 hours after getting up that
morning. If you plan on taking a trip to Paris, my advice is to
have plenty of money and be prepared to walk.
Written in French and translated to English by Bernard P. Berry
April 8, 2005 to April 15, 2005
**********************************************************
Each time I finish a column I cannot believe that another month
has flown by...seems I was just filing the last one! Happy
Mother's Day to all our Mom's (and daughters, sisters, aunts and
friends!)
Are you, or do you have a child, grandchild, or someone else,
graduating in the next month or two? Let me know, so we can give
that person the kudos that the achievement deserves.... with a
mention right here!
Hugs to you all
Janice
-----------
Solution to Richard's Fewest Tricks puzzle:
The answer is 4!
AK8765432
AK32
-
-
QJT9 -
QJT987654 -
- QJT9
- QJT987654
-
-
AK8765432
AK32
West leads a heart to set up hearts before dummy can set up
spades; else declarer makes 9 tricks.
Note, there are other constructions with the same answer
involving 7-6 or 8-5 distributions.
**************************************************************
While we list the lessons offered by the commentators who
write for The Chat, we want to note that some of our other
commentators and newsletter contributors 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 pspeard@telusplanet.net
Bob/Bridgboy bridgboy@charter.net
Diane/DianeW diane@walkersweb.org
Bernard/Bluebee Bernardh@btinternet.com
Fred/FredW3 Please msg on OKB
Patricia/Fifee andersonscorner@atlanticbb.net
Nightowl/Jack trojanowl@aol.com
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
choose private lessons, and they really value your
business. Maybe you can hint to a loved one what
you would like for your next birthday!
***********************************************************
Rainbow and Spectrum Series Online!
The popular Rainbow (SAYC and play) and Spectrum (2/1-GF)
series have been automated for your convenience. You can take
any of the lessons at your leisure simply by clicking on either
of these links:
http://www.firesides.net/rainbows.htm
http://www.firesides.net/spectrums.htm
Enjoy!
***********************************************************
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 with PAYPAL! 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.
*****************************************************
May Events: (All times Pacific)
===============================
NOVICE/MENTOR TOURNEY:
======================
Thursday, May 12, at 6:00 PM, OKb time.
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.
FIRESIDE MENTOR CUP TEAM GAME:
==============================
Sundays, 5:00 P.M. May 1, 15. NO game Memorial
Day Weekend.
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 firesider@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, 11:00 a.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@bellsouth.net
=====================================================
GIGGLE BREAK
Thanks to Bezel for this giggle:
GOOFY NUTRITION FACTS
For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on
nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all
those conflicting medical studies:
1. Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks
than Americans.
2. Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than
Americans.
3. Africans drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart
attacks than Americans.
4.. Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and suffer fewer
heart attacks than Americans.
5.. Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats
and suffer fewer heart attacks than the Americans.
CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is
apparently what kills you!!
============================================================
TREBLE'S TABLE TALK
===================
Jacoby Transfer Bids Revisited - Part 2
A growing number of players that employ Jacoby transfer responses
to a 1NT opening use them in conjunction with Texas transfers.
The principle with Texas is the same as with Jacoby, where the 4D
and 4H bids are transfers to hearts and spades respectively.
Some question the necessity of using the Texas extension, but
it's not as if you're sacrificing bids you'd like to have for
natural purposes, since you'd normally like to play 4H from
partner's side of the table and with a forcing hand in diamonds,
you'd prefer to keep the auction below 3NT. Why, though, do we
need it cluttering up our already "loaded" convention card?
There are two kinds of hands specifically that demonstrate
the need for Texas.
a) S-AJ10xxx H-Kx D-KQx C-Kx
b) S-AJ98x H-KQx D-QJx C-Kx
When partner opens 1NT, you'd like to set spades as trump and ask
for keycards with hand a). The second collection is a different
story, however, here you'd like to transfer and then bid a
quantitative 4NT to invite slam if partner is maximum for the 1NT
opening bid. The glitch here is that if only Jacoby is being
used, we'd have to transfer and bid 4NT on one of these hands
and just take our best guess on the other.
c) S-AQ10xxx H-xx D-QJxx C-x
d) S-AKJxxx H-Qxx D-AJx C-xx
On hand c), responder wants to sign off in game, with no interest
in greater things. With the companion hand d), it's a different
story, as we have a mild slam try but the five-level could
easily be in jeopardy even if we had an adequate way of enquiring
for keycards.
The guideline for using Texas is that it's never a slam INVITE.
Responder will either be signing off in game or following up with
a keycard ask. If we follow this principle, we can recognize
that a) and c) are Texas hands, where we bid 4H and then pass 4S
or ask with 4NT. On hands b) and d), where we have slam
interest, Jacoby comes to the fore, where responder's subsequent
four-level bid is invitational to slam. The only difference is
that with a five-card suit, our next bid is in notrump (2H and
then 4NT, and with six or more, we will rebid our long major (2H
and then 4S).
A treatment that is gaining in popularity is the idea of
"super-accepts" by the opening 1NT bidder after a Jacoby transfer
response. In short, if opener is so excited about his hand
that he's doing cartwheels upon hearing a transfer bid from
partner,
he might offer some encouraging news by doing something other
than woodenly bidding two of responder's major. The common
denominator for any game try by opener is a maximum hand and
either four of responder's suit (so the three-level should be
safe according to the Law of Total Tricks), or at least a very
good three-card holding. Let's get down to specifics, where you
open 1NT and hear 2D by partner, transferring to hearts:
1) S-Ax H-K10xx D-AKx C-Kxxx
In support of hearts, this hand values to 18 points. Game is
possible opposite many 6- and 7-counts from partner, and he will
not be taking further action unless we describe the quality of
the hand with a jump to 3H.
2) S-Ax H-AQx D-AKxx C-109xx .
Here, we have a maximum again, suggesting more progressive action
than 2H, but not with the four-card support that we saw in the
first example. A 2NT by opener would show precisely a maximum
with three hearts to two top honors. Doesn't it seem a trifle
silly to be bidding notrump when we have a fit for hearts? Well,
since responder could have an extremely bad hand for the
transfer, if opener has only two of partner's suit, we just
follow orders and don't overrule partner, who for the time being
has the captaincy. So any bid other than 2H promises support,
even if it's a new suit:
3) S-Ax H-AJxx D-AKJ10 C-xxx
This time, opener wants to focus on telling partner about his
good hearts and the source of tricks in the diamond suit. Ergo,
3D would be a fit-showing bid showing a maximum with the bulk of
opener's values in diamonds and hearts.
4) S-QJx H-Axx D-AQxx C-KJx
We needn't super-accept with all maximum hands. This 17-count is
extremely "quacky", and if responder passes our 2H bid, we are
unlikely to be missing game.
The following hand came up in a team game earlier this month,
which caused me to change my stance about venturing past the
two-level with a mediocre three-card holding in partner's major:
5) S-AKx H-Kxx D-Kx C-Axxxx
I bid 2H, partner subsided in that contract and game was frigid
as her hand was
S-Qx H-QJ10xx D-J109x C-xx.
A club was led, but three rounds of spades took care of the
potential loser in that suit and we lost only a heart and two
diamonds. This 17-point hand is all Aces and Kings, and that
justifies a super-accept of some kind by opener, with 2NT being
the likely candidate.
One final note on super-accepts is that most partnerships will
use a retransfer to place the declarership of the major suit
contract in opener's hand. We'd have, for example:
Opener Responder
1NT 2D*
2NT* 3D*
or
1NT 2D*
2S* 3D*
On the first auction, opener is showing in the vicinity of 17
points with three hearts, and on the second he's showing four
hearts with a concentration of values in spades. And now
responder's 3D says nothing about that suit, but is merely
repeating the earlier attempt to transfer, and opener should now
bid 3H.
That was quite the mouthful, but hopefully you will be a lot more
comfortable in major suit transfer auctions from here on in. See
you again next month!
********************
You will find Bill doing his FireSide sessions on Tuesdays
at 5:30 P.M. OKbridge time.
Bill is available for private/group lessons and/or
supervised play sessions. Email Bill at (btreble@shaw.ca)
for more information.
================================================
GIGGLE BREAK
Thanks to Benson for this one:
Our Amazing Language
We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes;
But the plural of ox is oxen, not oxes!
One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,
Yet the plural of moose is certainly not meese!
You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice;
Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.
If the plural of man is always called men,
Why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen?
If I spoke of my foot and show you my feet,
And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet?
If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,
Why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth?
We speak of a brother and also of brethren,
But though we say mother, we never say methren!
And the masculine pronouns are he, his and him,
But imagine the feminine, she, shis and shim!
===================================================
AND FINALLY KALTICA
===================
Cuebidding
Imagine holding the following hand:
S- Kxxxx H- Axx D- Axx C-Kx
IMPs, both vul. You open 1S. Partner responds 2NT,
Jacoby. While your hand isn't a dead minimum--those six
Neapolitan controls (i.e. 1 for any King, 2 for any Ace)
are wonderful--it is only 14 HCPs and the distribution is
as flat as it could be. With the admonition that "these
5-3-3-2 hands are never as good as they look" ringing in
your ears you choose to jump to 4S to show a minimum.
At this point you are used to hearing Partner either
Pass or bid 4NT, Blackwood. This time, though, Partner
surprises you with a cuebid of 5C.
Question #1: Aside from the fact that Partner has a
control in Clubs, what else would you infer
about her hand from this 5C bid?
I would infer that Partner has EITHER a void in some
suit OR a suit that lacks a first or second round control.
She may not wish to use Blackwood with a void, lest you
include the Ace of that suit in your response. More common,
though, is the situation where Partner has 2+ quick losers
in a suit and needs to hear you cuebid it en route to slam.
Question #2: So what do you rebid over 5C? 5D or 5H?
This is a style issue but I would estimate that about
75% of experts would bid 5D, cuebidding up the line, rather
than 5H. This space-saving Maxi-Flex choice allows Partner
to rebid 5H if she has a control there.
Suppose Responder rebids 5S over your 5D cuebid.
Question #3: What is Partner looking for now?
At first blush we would answer: "A Heart control."
Indeed, this is the "correct" answer, but there is a chance
that Partner has a Diamond void and is discouraged by your
5D cuebid. Is there any way to distinguish between these
two possibilities? Many pairs play a jump in a new suit as
Exclusion Blackwood. To illustrate, for some pairs Responder
could bid 6D over 4S to ask for Aces OUTSIDE Diamonds, but in
this case 6D might already get us too high. A better choice
for such a Partner would have bid 1S:4D:any:4NT, which is
Exclusion Blackwood even in standard methods.
Thus, we are going to proceed under the assumption
that Responder lacks a Heart control after:
1S 2NT
4S 5C
5D 5S
Clearly, looking at the H-Ace we cannot Pass 5S.
Question #4: So what do we rebid?
a) 5NT?
b) 6C?
c) 6H?
d) 6S?
One of these bids is dead wrong and one is sloppy.
What ones are correct?
If we had H-King or a singleton Heart, knowing that
Partner lacks the H-Ace, we would sign off in 6S. Why bid
anything else when we KNOW that a small slam is the highest
level contract that we can make? Bear this point in mind
as we proceed.
So what do we rebid with the H-Ace? After all, if
Partner knows that we have the ACE of Hearts she may be
interested in a GRAND slam!
The next most obvious choice is 6H to guarantee the
Heart Ace. But what if Partner needs to know that we
have the C-King as well as the H-Ace? Thus, the correct
answer so far is 6C--which MUST show the C-King AND the
H-Ace. Remember the point made earlier: ANY bid OTHER
than 6S is going to PROMISE the H-Ace.
When we consider 5NT things get a little murkier. It
must show H-Ace, since we aren't bidding 6S. But is it:
i) a Grand Slam Force ("Pard, bid 7S with S-AQ.")
ii) a cuebid of a Spade honour?
iii) a cuebid of the Spade Queen?
First, it is NOT a Grand Slam Force since Opener is
the "slave" in this auction. Having limited our hand
via 4S we cannot now invite 7S; that is Responder's job.
Secondly, 5NT is NOT specifically the S-Queen, since
this happens only after an RKC 4NT bid has located all
of the Key Cards.
1S 4NT = Roman Key Card Blackwood for this pair.
5C 5S = Signoff if Opener has 0 Key Cards.
5NT = S-Queen with 3 Key Cards.
Thus, in our 1S:2NT:4S:5C:5D:5S auction 5NT would
show any one of the top three trump honours. Therefore,
5NT is the perfect choice, right?
Not so fast, Kowalski! Many experts will, indeed,
bid 5NT to show the Spade honour (i.e. the King here).
This will make it very difficult for Opener to show the
Club King, though. Over our 5NT Responder could keep
trying with a cuebid at the six level, seeking "extras".
Looking at the C-King in addition to the 3 Key Cards
we've shown so far, we "up the line" cuebidders might
yet reach 7S.
Other experts will find the opposite approach a
little easier: cuebid 6C now and, if Responder cuebids
6D, rebid 6H with the H-King, 7S with a trump honour or
sign off in 6S if Opener has neither the H-King nor a
trump honour.
The choice between 5NT and 6C, then, will be left
as a matter of style. It won't matter much, though;
both methods should allow a patient pair to reach 7S
if that is Responder's interest. The important point
is for Opener not to presume that, just because Partner
may have H-xxx, a grand slam is out of the question.
Our job as Opener is to show what we have and let "the
boss" make the final decision, aided by accurate info.
I told you this was an easy game! :)
**********************
You'll find Kaltica (Colin Ward) doing his FireSide
sessions on Friday evenings at 5:30 P.M. OKbridge time.
Colin is available for private/group lessons and/or
supervised play sessions. Email him at (kaltica@mts.net)
for more information.
Rainbow and Spectrum Series Online!
The popular Rainbow (SAYC and play) and Spectrum (2/1-GF)
series have been automated for your convenience. You can take
any of the lessons at your leisure simply by clicking on either
of these links:
http://www.firesides.net/rainbows.htm
http://www.firesides.net/spectrums.htm
Enjoy!
=====================================================
GIGGLE BREAK
Thanks to Pringle for this giggle:
CHILDREN AND THE CHURCH
A little boy was attending his first wedding. After the service,
his cousin asked him, "How many women can a man marry?"
"Sixteen," the boy responded.
His cousin was amazed that he had an answer so quickly. "How
do you know that?"
"Easy," the little boy said. "All you have to do is add it up,
like the Bishop said: 4 better, 4 worse, 4 richer, 4 poorer."
=============================================================
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