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Fireside Chat
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FIRESIDE CHAT FEBRUARY 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Welcome and Announcements
Believer's FireSide Kindling
Bidding with Bridgboy
Winning With Wishtrik
Hand of the Month
Brush Up Your Bridge
Bridge for the Club Player
Moogal's FireSide Log
BridgeHands eMag Newsletter
Treble's Table Talk
And Finally Kaltica
=======================================
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Welcome to the February, 2006 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
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) 2006 by FireSide Chat.
All rights reserved.
===============================================
BELIEVER'S FIRESIDE KINDLING
============================
Hi again :) and Wow! We have a huge newsletter for you this
month. We have a couple of new features -- Michael Nistler has
agreed to let us browse his "BridgeHands eMag Newsletter" and
borrow whatever strikes our fancy to share with you here in our
newsletter -- be sure to use the link in the piece I chose to
borrow this month to visit his site and read the rest of his
excellent newsletter!
We asked Marcia (Tarsh) West if we could feature her excellent
articles that she sends out as part of the Fifth Chair's
"Learning" program that she runs for OKbridge. She most
graciously agreed to let us republish them here for your reading
and learning pleasure. We are sure you'll find these a great
addition to your newsletter!
Of course our wonderful regular writers have new and fun articles
for you this month too... I am just so very pleased with all of
the articles we have for you this month! We hope you enjoy, we
hope you learn. Please let us know if you have any comments or
questions about anything in this newsletter.
And please, if you do appreciate the efforts put forth by our
contributors to this newsletter, let them know! You can support
them by contributing to the FireSide fund, by contacting them for
individual lessons or mentoring sessions, by attending their
FireSide sessions and participating in the bidding practices, and
by just making sure you tell them how wonderful they are :) Our
special contributors who are not FireSide commentators need to
know that you appreciate their efforts too. All they 'get' from
having their articles appear here is our thanks, so please let
them know how special they are!
Finally, I really want to thank PollyE for her efforts recently
in organizing a "card shower" for our FireSide commentators. I
know it really meant a lot to each one of them to receive their
package of thank you notes and cards -- it was a very nice thing
for Polly to think of and take the responsibility of making it
happen.
I also received a very nice note from Bezel, commenting on how
much she enjoyed and appreciated a recent FireSide session when
FredW3 filled in for Pooka. Susan wanted us all to know how much
she appreciated the information that Fred shared with the group,
and the efforts he went to to make sure that everyone understood.
We love to hear from you -- please take a few minutes and drop us
a note when you have something to share. It's very gratifying,
and it helps us to keep providing a quality program when we have
feedback.
Thanks, and take care.
Sara
********************
I need your help! My 'stash' of giggles for our "Giggle
Breaks" is getting awfully low... please remember to send
me any good, clean, non-offensive jokes that you run across.
********************
You can write to Believer (Sara Stobbe) at:
sarastobbe@aol.com or bb@wowway.com
===============================================
GIGGLE BREAK
Thanks to Luc for this giggle:
In case you needed further proof that the human race is doomed
through stupidity, here are some actual label instructions on
consumer goods.
On a Sears hairdryer -- Do not use while sleeping.
On a bag of Fritos -- You could be a winner! No purchase
necessary. Details inside.
On a bar of Dial soap -- "Directions: Use like regular soap."
On some Swanson frozen dinners -- "Serving suggestion: Defrost."
On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert (printed on bottom) -- "Do not turn
upside down."
On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding -- "Product will be hot after
heating."
On packaging for a Rowenta iron -- "Do not iron clothes on body."
On Boot's Children Cough Medicine -- "Do not drive a car or
operate machinery after taking this medication."
On Nytol Sleep Aid -- "Warning: May cause drowsiness."
On most brands of Christmas lights -- "For indoor or outdoor use
only."
On a Japanese food processor -- "Not to be used for the other
use."
On Sainsbury's peanuts -- "Warning: contains nuts."
On an American Airlines packet of nuts -- "Instructions: Open
packet, eat nuts."
On a child's Superman costume -- "Wearing of this garment does
not enable you to fly."
============================================================
BIDDING WITH BRIDGBOY
=====================
What is the most important bid in all of bridge? Whenever I ask
that question of any group I get a myriad of answers which
generally are reasonable and well thought out. Let me throw my
two cents into the discussion.
>From my experience the most important bid is opener's rebid.
When partner opens 1H, for example, I do not know much about his
hand. Yes, he has at least 5 hearts and at least 13 points, but
the range of possibilities after that is very wide. Is he single
suited minimum? Is he two suited minimum? Is he three suited
minimum? Is he one of these but minimum plus or a maximum hand? I
just don't know at this point and have to wait for more
information which will clarify the picture.
It is so important to make that proper rebid so you can limit
your hand as quickly as possible in terms of size and shape. We
all love when one of us opens 1NT because then one player is
established as the captain instead of both players floundering.
When one player is in charge then it is easier to bid. There is
less pressure on the partnership when both don't have to make
decisions about how high to bid. Anytime we can limit our hand in
terms of size and shape we release captaincy to partner and allow
him to add his points to ours to decide whether a partscore or a
game or slam is our partnership goal. And this all comes back to
opener's rebid which will begin to limit his hand -- a
clarification of the cards in his hand.
So when you decide what to bid, plan not only your first bid but
your second as well. That is what I call predetermination,
mapping out my plan of describing my hand for my partner's
benefit before I make even my first bid. What is the best rebid I
can make, so that my partner will able to see, in his mind's eye,
the 13 cards I am presently looking at. If I can answer that
question correctly then I am being a good partner and there is a
chances are in our favor that we will arrive at the best
contract.
********************
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 Caphotel for this giggle:
A wife walks in the kitchen and sees her husband holding a fly
swatter.
She asks him, "Why are you holding the fly swatter?"
The husband says, "I'm killin' flys."
She asks, "Well, have you killed any yet?"
He says, "Yep, three males and two females."
The wife, puzzled, says, "How can you tell what sex they are?"
The husband replies "Well, three were on a beer can, and two were
on the phone."
============================================================
WINNING WITH WISHTRIK
=====================
Avoiding Mechanical Errors
How often do you make an error totally unrelated to bridge?
Such as:
Leading out of turn
Bidding out of turn
Missorting your hand
Miscounting your points
Giving the wrong response to Blackwood
Pulling the wrong card
Insufficient bid
Revoking
How often do you make one of these errors?
Everyone makes these kinds of mistakes, so the objective is to
decrease the number of these errors.
Do you find yourself repeating the same mechanical error over and
over again?
Many of these plays are not random, just as many bridge errors at
the table are not random. Many people tend to make the same type
of mechanical errors over and over again.
Is there anything that one can do to reduce the number of these
errors made?
Yes - the first thing you have to do is to identify the types of
mechanical errors you make, and then try different techniques
that would help decrease these mistakes.
Some helpful hints to avoid some mechanical errors:
leading out of turn --
always lead face down.
bidding out of turn --
make sure you check the board twice for the dealer before
you make your initial bid (most bids out of turn are on
the initial bid).
missorting your hand --
recount your cards that you have 13, also review the
suits distribution in your head (such as 4-4-3-2 instead
of 4-3-3-2).
miscounting your points --
always count the points twice before bidding.
giving the wrong response to Blackwood --
review the responses to Blackwood in your head and make
sure the response and the number of aces corresponds.
Pulling the wrong card --
just play a little slower.
insufficient bid --
look at the auction carefully before making your bid.
revoking --
try to play a little slower.
********************
Wishtrik (Lynn Deas) presides at our Thursday evening
Fireside sessions, starting at 5:30 pm OKbridge time.
For lesson information contact Lynn at: lynn@lynndeas.com
=================================================================
GIGGLE BREAK
Thanks to Pringle for this giggle:
Just Take Me to Jail
A County Deputy pulled a car over on I-55 about 2 miles north of
the Missouri State line. When the Deputy asked the driver why he
was speeding, the driver answered that he was a magician and a
juggler and he was on his way to Branson to do a show that night
and didn't want to be late.
The deputy told the driver he was fascinated by juggling, and if
the driver would do a little juggling for him that he wouldn't
give him a ticket. The driver told the deputy that he had sent
all of his equipment on ahead and didn't have anything to juggle.
The deputy told him that he had some flares in the trunk of his
squad car and asked if he could juggle them.The juggler stated
that he could, so the deputy got three flares, "lit" them and
handed them to the juggler.
While the man was doing his juggling act, a car pulled in behind
the squad car, a drunk got out and watched the performance
briefly, he then went over to the squad car and got in the back
seat.
The deputy observed him doing this and went over to his squad
car,opened the door and asked the drunk what he thought he was
doing.
The drunk replied, "Might as well take me to jail, there's no
way on earth I can pass that test."
=================================================================
HAND OF THE MONTH
=================
This month we are pleased to present our 'Hand of the Month'
feature, with a big "thank you" to Gail Wix for formatting it
for us.
Taken from The 2005 Daily Bridge Calendar. For more information
call 1-888-453-1976, or email: calendar@interlog.com.
********************
Vul: E/W North
Dlr: S S AQJ82
H AQ8E4
D 2
C T73
South
S KT953
H 962
D AJ
C AJ9
West North East South
1S
2D 4D* P 4S
All pass
*Jump cue bid
Opening Lead DK
North's 4D bid is a jump cue bid showing a game-forcing spade
raise with a singleton diamond.
Spades are 2-1, West having the singleton. There is a 100% play
for this contract. Can you find it?
****************************************
S AQJ82
H AQ84
D 2
C T73
S 7 S 64
H 73 H KJT5
D KQT873 D 9654
C KQ42 C 865
S KT953
H 962
D AJ
C AJ9
Contract: 4S Lead: DK
********************
Win the opening lead, ruff a diamond high, draw two trump, cash
the HA (key play), return to the closed hand with a trump, and
lead a low heart covering whatever West plays. If West happens
to play the HT or HJ, cover with the HQ promoting a heart winner
for a later club discard. If West plays low, insert the H8. Say
East wins cheaply and returns a club ducked to West. What can
West play? A club goes smack into "jaws", your AJ.
If West returns a diamond, that gives you a ruff and a sluff and
your contract. Finally, if West exits with a third heart, cover
with the HQ. After East wins the HK, dummy's fourth heart
provides safe lodging for your losing club. The defenders have
no recourse to this line of play.
THE BOTTOM LINE
1. A single jump in an opponent's suit after partner has opened
is a splinter showing a singleton in the jump suit plus support
for partner's suit. It is a game force.
2. A double jump beneath game in a suit an opponent has bid
shows a void in the jump suit plus support for partner's suit,
i.e. 1C:1H, 4H (heart void). It is a slam try.
****************************
Hand and analysis by Eddie Kantar 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 Pooka for this giggle:
Then & now
1975: Long hair
2005: Longing for hair
1975: KEG
2005: EKG
1975: Acid rock
2005: Acid reflux
1975: Moving to California because it's cool
2005: Moving to Arizona because it's warm
1975: Trying to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor
2005: Trying NOT to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor
1975: Seeds and stems
2005: Roughage
1975: Hoping for a BMW
2005: Hoping for a BM
1975: Going to a new, hip joint
2005: Receiving a new hip joint
1975: Rolling Stones
2005: Kidney Stones
1975: Being called into the principal's office
2005: Calling the principal's office
1975: Screw the system
2005: Upgrade the system
1975: Disco
2005: Costco
1975: Parents begging you to get your hair cut
2005: Children begging you to get their heads shaved
1975: Passing the drivers' test
2005: Passing the vision test
1975: Whatever
2005: Depends
===========================================================
BRUSH UP YOUR BRIDGE
====================
By Marcia West @ Fifth Chair Foundation
We are excited to feature, starting this month, articles
written by Marcia West (Tarsh at OKbridge), that she has
most graciously agreed to allow us to share with you.
We thought you'd like to know a little bit about Marcia
(pronounced Mar-c-ia, NOT Marsha!), and we thank her for
providing us with this brief biography:
Marcia started to play bridge in 1953, is a silver life
master, and has been teaching the game of bridge since
the early '70ies. Being a bridge teacher/player has enabled
her to have friendships all over the world, teach this
wonderful game on cruise ships on vacation, and keep her
brain active, which is so necessary as we age. She is
presently the President of Fifth Chair Foundation; she
teaches at a nearby retirement community, and has private
students who are learning both bridge and duplicate bridge.
We think you'll agree that her articles are a very valuable
addition to this newsletter :)
*******************
MODERN BRIDGE BIDDING
Written by Marcia West, of Fifth Chair Foundation,
www.fifthchair.org
No Trump Distribution:
4-3-3-3 or 4-4-3-2 or 5-3-3-2 (5 card minor only)
26 HCP = game 33 HCP = small slam 37 HCP = grand slam
Quick Tricks - A = 1 AK=2 AQ=1 1/2 K=1/2
OPENING BIDS - 5 Card Majors, inc. Weak 2 Bids
SUITS: 1 OF A SUIT = 12 - 14
1 OF A SUIT, THEN JUMP to 2 NO TRUMP = 18 - 19
WE open our 5 card major suits, however with no 5 card major, we
open either 1 Club or 1 Diamond, as a convenient minor suit
opening. This bid promises an opening hand count, with at least
3 cards in the suit opened. This bid is Not Forcing.
When counting distribution, we use long suit count, rather than
short suit count, and only count short suit distribution once a
"golden fit" (8 card fit) has been found. Long suit count allots
one point for each card over 4 in a suit.
Short suit counting is used by responder when supporting opener's
suit bid, or by opener's rebid of support for responder's suit.
The short suit count is 5 points for a void, 3 points for a
singleton, and 1 point for a doubleton.
Always plan your bidding to describe your hand without distorting
your distribution. If your hand is 2-3-4-4, or 3-3-4-3 open 1
diamond and rebid 1NT over a major suit bid by partner. Open a
Major suit only with a 5 card or longer suit. Do not open 1
diamond with only 3 diamonds unless the hand is distributed
4-4-3-2.
OPENING NO TRUMP: 1NT = 15 - 17 HCP
Requires a balanced hand
With a balanced hand and 18-19 HCP, open 1 of a suit & then jump
to 2NT.
2NT = 20-21 HCP
3NT = Is now used for a gambling 3NT, which shows a 8 or more in
a minor suit, headed by at least AKJ, and has NO outside Aces.
Responder, with stoppers in at least 3 suits, passes. Without
stoppers responder bids 4C. If that's your suit, you pass,
otherwise you bid 4D.
RESPONSES TO NO TRUMP:
We use the Stayman Convention, Jacoby Transfers and Gerber
Convention over No Trump opening bids.
STRONGER BIDS With Balanced Hands = 22 - 24 HCP
With a balanced hand, open the Strong 2C, artificial and forcing
and then rebid 2NT over partner's response.
The Negative response to the Strong 2C bid is 2D.
The Positive response: bid 2H, 2S, 3C or 3D, which shows a 5 card
suit, headed by two of the top three honors (AKQ).
If you hold 25 TO 27 HCP, balanced, open the Strong 2C, and then
rebid 3NT.
If you hold 28 and higher HCP, open 2C, then search for slam.
JUMP SHIFTS AND REVERSES
REVERSE BIDS BY OPENER are done on no less than 16 high card
points, and are forcing.
JUMP SHIFTS BY OPENER are done on no less than 18+ high card
points and tend to say that you are unbalanced, with shortness in
unbid suits. Without shortness you would be rebid 2nt..
BOTH REVERSES AND JUMP SHIFT BIDS ARE FORCING, THE REVERSE FOR
ONE ROUND, THE JUMP SHIFT TO GAME.
A reverse is opener's rebid at the 2 level of a higher ranking
suit than he opened at the 1 level. You open 1C, partner says
1H, you now bid 2D. This is a reverse, since for partner to take
a preference for your first bid suit means he/she has to do so at
the next higher level.
Game Bidding With a Single Minor Suited Hand -
These are hands that are bid:
1 of either minor by you, 1H/1S by partner, 3NT by you.
The 3NT REBID shows a solid 7 card or longer minor suit, and
stoppers in either one or both unbid suits, hoping to take 9
tricks before the opponents are able to get 5 tricks.
Over suit contracts we use Roman Key Card Blackwood to
search for slam.
Strong Opening Suit Bids are made on hands that contain at
least 9 tricks in your hand. Refer to Modern Trick Counting
Length, at the end of this document.
Strong Bidding is opened 2C (artificial and forcing). Responder
makes a Positive Response of 2H, 2S, 3C, 3D, holding a 5 (FIVE)
card suit, with 2 of the top three honors. The Negative, or
Waiting response is 2D. Opener now bids his suit, and you are
forced for at least one round, either to raise partner's suit, or
show your own suit. A Second Negative bid is shown, if you have
no count, and no support for your partner, by bidding the
cheapest minor. If Opener has GAME in his own hand, after
bidding proceeds: 2C 2D by partner, opener 2 Spades, and partner
then bids 3C, second negative. After a Second Negative bid by
responder, Opener Now Must Jump to game, as partner can pass
3S. If Opener Changes Suits, Responder must continue bidding.
EXAMPLE:
Opener 2C, Responder 2D,
opener now bids 2S and partner responds 3C.
Now, opener bids 3D.
This bid is again absolutely forcing, since responder's first 2D
bid did not show a suit. Responder should now bid 3H with hearts,
3NT, 4 Clubs, with long good clubs, or 4D with diamond support,
and shortness in spades.
Because you open all strong hands with 2C, all other 2 level bids
become Weak 2 Bids.
The Weak 2 Bid, a preemptive bid, shows a 6 card suit, and at
least 6 to 10 high card points. If Partner holds 14 or more
points, and wishes to investigate game, he has a choice of bids.
He bids his own suit: Response to this is a raise for partner, or
show a side suit of your own, if you are in the upper range.
If Partner responds 2NT, he is asking you about your hand. Any
bid other than a rebid of your suit is forward going, showing the
upper ranges of your hand, and suggests that you have a high card
in the bid suit, so that partner may go to game in NT. If you
have the upper range 8-10 hcp in your suit, and No high cards
outside your suit, the Response to Partner is 3NT. If you open
2H, partner may pass, if he doesn't have the strength for game
OR, raise your suit, with about 6 points (called RONF = raise
only non forcing bid), with at least 3 cards in your suit, or bid
4 of your suit with at least 4 cards in your suit, which
continues the preempt.
Other Preemptive bids are based on long suits, at least 7 or more
cards in the bid suit, and not much outside trick taking values.
If you have a 7 card suit, and outside trick taking abilities,
open the bidding in 1 of your suit, not 3 or 4. Preemptive bids
make it VERY difficult for the opponents to find their fits.
Overcalls are based on 5 card suits. Partner of overcaller should
respond as it the overcaller had opened. Exception: Very seldom
are overcalls made with a 4 card suit. It must be a Very good
suit (AKQx).
Takeout doubles are based on hands that are opened by an
opponent, in which you also have an opening hand. You tend to
have shortness in the suit bid, but not always. Takeout doubles
ask partner to show his/her suit. If you have a good, long suit
of your own, and less than 18 high card points, just bid your
suit. With 18 or more High Card Points, you must first make a
takeout double, and then bid your suit.
After a Takeout Double Partner of opening bidder responds as
normal. Partner of Takeout Doubler should strain to bid, if you
have any count and suit length distribution. Responder to the
takeout double can count Suit Fit Points, since partner has
promised to support in any suit you bid.
Negative Doubles:
Part of the opening 5 card major system is a change in the low
level doubles, which become takeout doubles rather than penalty
doubles. The Take-Out Double occurs after opponents open the
bidding. The Negative Double is made after partner opens the
bidding, and the opponents have made an overcall. Thus, if your
partnership plays Negative Doubles, your Double is for Take-Out
when partner has opened with a suit and the player on your right
has overcalled in a suit.
Jacoby Two No Trump Bid In Response to an Opening Bid in a Major
Suit:
The bid of 2NT after an opening bid promises at least 4 card
trump support and at least 12 high card points. This bid is used
when you do not have a singleton. With a singleton, use the
splinter bid.
Michaels Cue Bid:
This bid comes after an opening bid on your right. If the
opponents open either a club or a diamond, a cue bid by you
promises both majors. If they open a major suit, a cue bid by
you promises the other major, and one minor.
Unusual No Trump:
This bid comes after an opening bid of a major suit, by an
opponent. Your jump into No Trump promises at least 5-5
distribution in both minors.
Roman Key Card Blackwood:
This bid supplants Blackwood, allowing that the King of trump
becomes the 5th Control.
4NT asks for Controls,
5C = 0/3 controls,
5D = 1/4 controls,
5H = 2 Controls without the Queen of Trump,
and 5S = 2 controls with the Queen of Trump.
MODERN TRICK COUNTS WINNERS:
There are usually only 3 tricks in each suit: the ACE, the KING,
and the QUEEN. In addition, ALL CARDS longer than 4 in a suit
count as tricks.
This hand is counted as follows:
AKQ AKJXXX AX KQ -
High Card Points = 26 High Card points
Distribution Points = 2 for the 5th and 6th hearts
Total Points = 28
Total # of Tricks this hand is expected to take = 10 tricks,
losing only the Q of hearts, a diamond and a club.
This hand is counted as follows:
Ax AKxxxxxx Ax x
High Card Points = 15
Distribution Points = 4 for the 5th,6th,7th and 8th hearts.
Total Points = 19,
Total # of Tricks this hand is expected to take 9 tricks, losing
a spade, a heart, a diamond and a club. If spades split, there
may be no losers, since the suit may split 8-2-2-1.
This hand is counted as follows:
Axxxx ---- Axxx Axxx
High Card Points = 12 high card points
Distribution Points = 1 point
Total Points = 13
Total tricks this hand is expected to take = 4 or 5 tricks, if
played in spades, and they split evenly. The three aces, and the
4th and 5th tricks in spades.
********************
Written by Marcia West, of Fifth Chair
Foundation -www.fifthchair.org
The Fifth Chair Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation,
run by volunteers. They do not charge for their information,
however it does cost to produce their work, so donations are
very welcome. Please send your check or money order to:
Fifth Chair Foundation
3055 80th Ave SE Su 102
Mercer Island, WA 98040-2954
USA
============================================================
GIGGLE BREAK
Thanks to Pringle for this giggle:
THE COMPUTER SWALLOWED GRANDMA
The computer swallowed grandma.
Yes, honestly its true.
She pressed 'control' and 'enter'
And disappeared from view.
It devoured her completely,
The thought just makes me squirm.
She must have caught a virus
Or been eaten by a worm.
I've searched through the recycle bin
And files of every kind;
I've even used the internet,
But nothing did I find.
In desperation, I asked Jeeves
My searches to refine.
The reply from him was negative,
Not a thing was found 'online'.
So, if inside your 'Inbox,'
My Grandma you should see,
Please 'Copy', 'Scan' and 'Paste' her
And send her back to me!
===========================================================
BRIDGE FOR THE CLUB PLAYER
==========================
The "Rainbow" Concept
The basic idea for this article started as a method for teaching
one of my students. I was trying to teach her the concept that
not all points are created equal, but she was uncomfortable with
releasing the concept of point-count. After all, we ALL started
off with point-count!
I realized that she has an artistic mind, and so I tried this
concept, and it seemed to work for her. I then tried this concept
with other students, and it seemed to help them also. So now I am
sharing it with all of you.
********************
Look at a rainbow. The colors of the rainbow are (in order) red,
orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. Look at it again.
Can you tell me EXACTLY where indigo changes to violet? Rainbows
are not striped -- they are a gradual blend from one color to the
next.
Bridge hands are the same way. For example, let's look at some
major suit raises, and assume you are playing "Bergen"-style
raises. The basic structure was presented to me thusly:
2-6 points and 4-card support is a "preemptive" raise to three.
7-9 points and 4-card support is an artificial 3C bid ("Bergen")
10-12 points and 4-card support is an artificial 3D bid
("Bergen")
13+ points and 4-card support is an artificial game-forcing 2NT
bid ("Jacoby")
So what would you bid with these hands (partner opens one spade)?
ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX
KT9x xxxx QJxx T9xx QTxx xxxx
x AT98x QJx KJTx x QJx
QT9xx x xxxx QJTx AKxxxx KJx
xxx xxx Jxx x Qx KJx
I hope that at least a few of them were tough to evaluate using
strict point-count. And a simple rule such as "Yes, support
points DO count" doesn't solve the problem either. That is where
the "rainbow" concept comes in handy. Let's view these hands as a
gradual blend from one to the next instead of clear-cut dividing
lines, and lets call the 'colors' by these names: Preemptive,
Constructive, Invitational, and Forcing.
Hand One has five high-card points. But I like it. I would
upgrade it to Constructive (and bid 3C). Are you "wrong" if you
call it Preemptive and bid 3S? Definitely not -- it is a matter
of judgment.
This is the essence of the rainbow concept...
Use your judgment to decide what a hand is worth, and then bid
accordingly. Your bidding on that hand will be consistent, and
your judgment will gradually improve.
Hand Two is somewhere in the rainbow where Preemptive is blending
into Constructive. Hand Three is also located somewhere in this
blend. Hand Four, despite the seven high-card points, is
approaching an Invitational 3D raise. Hand Five may only have 11
high-card points, but I am going to Force to game with 2NT. Hand
Six may also have 11 high-card points, but I am likely to demote
it to a Constructive raise.
You may disagree with me on any or all of these. That's OK! You
decide what a hand is worth, and then bid accordingly! This is a
key concept, let me repeat it: You decide what a hand is worth,
and then bid accordingly! Bidding in this manner eliminates one
of the most common 'club player' errors -- the dreaded "I changed
my mind" or "makeup" bid. The thirteenth commandment: Thou shalt
not second-guess thyself.
Try using this question as a good litmus test for your decision:
"After I make this bid, will I feel like I have described my
hand"?
Always remember: YOUR job is to describe YOUR hand to YOUR
partner, who is on YOUR side!
Happy bidding!
Jack Brawner
Trojanowl@aol.com
********************
While I used major-suit raises as the EXAMPLE for this article, I
use the rainbow concept in much of my teaching. Preemptive
bidding vs. passing vs. opening one. (Should I open this hand
one, two, or three? Or should I pass?) Third seat openers.
Two-club openers. Jump shifts. The list goes on and on.
The key concept is to use your judgment to decide what a hand is
worth, and then bid accordingly. Your bidding on THAT hand will
then stay consistent with your original judgment, and your
judgment will gradually improve because you are using it.
********************
Jack welcomes students of all levels for lessons.
Contact him for information at trojanowl@aol.com
=================================================================
GIGGLE BREAK
Another thank you to Pooka:
The people who are starting college this fall across the nation
were born in 1987. They are too young to remember the first
space shuttle blowing up on liftoff.
Their lifetime has always included AIDS.
Bottle caps have always been screw off and plastic.
The CD was introduced the year they were born.
They have always had an answering machine.
They have always had cable.
They cannot fathom not having a remote control.
Jay Leno has always been on the Tonight Show.
Popcorn has always been cooked in the microwave.
They never took a swim and thought about Jaws.
They can't imagine what hard contact lenses are.
They don't know who Mork was or where he was from.
They never heard: "Where's the Beef?", "I'd walk a mile for a
Camel", or "de plane, Boss, de plane".
They do not care who shot J. R. and have no idea who J. R. even
is.
McDonald's never came in Styrofoam containers.
They don't have a clue how to use a typewriter.
================================================================
MOOGAL'S FIRESIDE LOG
=====================
OKB Tourneys
============
Well done to all our Fireside friends who excelled in
the tourneys this past month!!
Mini Winners
============
Tue Jan 3 04:00 PM
Rank Team Score
1 lucinha/wheels 3.45
Sun Jan 8 12:30 PM
Rank Team Score
1 donna_1/skillick 62.62
Mon Jan 9 11:00 AM
Rank Team Score
1 arlene/captain 68.23
Tue Jan 10 04:00 PM Combo
Rank Team Score
1 lucinha/wheels 2.75
Thu Jan 12 05:30 PM
Rank Team Score
1 alan524/rcoop 3.38
Fri Jan 13 08:30 PM
Rank Team Score
1 peter-1/sam143 3.14
Sat Jan 14 12:30 PM
Rank Team Score
1 Kaltica/moogal 77.78
Tue Jan 17 12:30 PM
Rank Team Score
1 cod/tuna 82.50
Thu Jan 19 11:00 AM
Rank Team Score
1 jhbdel/Kaltica 66.74
Sun Jan 29 08:30 PM
Rank Team Score
1 sam143/wintaka 3.16
********************
Some of our Flight B and C tourney stars:
albertb, arrow, ask1, birdie, desiree, elgringo, frank-1, geod,
gmeier, imogene, julie, kitkat, lee-1, pollye, potts, riggin,
vino, janwa
********************
And we wanted to include these games, which we think
deserve "honorable mention"!
Sat Jan 7 04:00 PM
2 Kaltica/moogal 2.61
Fri Jan 13 11:00 AM
2 jhbdel/Kaltica 62.50
Tue Jan 17 11:00 AM
2 jhbdel/Kaltica 62.50
Wed Jan 18 11:00 AM
2 jhbdel/Kaltica 62.92
********************
"Well Done" to all of you! :)
************************************************************
FIRESIDE'S TEAM GAME
Our January winners are:
01-08-2006 TEAM GAUS271 Gaus271, Mbar, Judydee & Boo
01-29-2006 TEAM TUNA Tuna, Bliss, Pollye & LWilmot
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!
**********************************************************
>From Tuna's Angelfish column in the January Spectator:
Each January there is a little twist to the Angelfish award. It
is an opportunity to honor the cherished ones we have lost during
the previous year who are now truly Angels looking down upon us.
If you would like to include someone for next year's list, please
inform me. I will even organize a memorial tourney for them upon
request.
Gone but not forgotten fellow OKb'ers of 2005 are: Bigl, Brocky,
Butter, Chpndale, Davids, Fitzruth, Georgel, Garyi, Gcoales,
Jamelle, Jbrogan, Mayes, Ovidio, Ozross, Patty, Rexn, Sheba,
Traveler.
Rest in peace knowing that your many friends miss you.
**********************************************************
Get well wishes to Jenna (PRINGLE) who writes:
I am recuperating from a fractured humerus (not funny) in 2
places near the shoulder. I've been to the hospital, x-rayed, and
the doctors, A LONG SLOW PROCESS OF HEALING, then therapy for a
few months. I feel blessed as it could have been worse. I also
have good help -- my bridge partner of 8 years has donated his
precious time to assist me with transportation, and meals (he is
a great cook!). The neighbors have also been wonderful.
To my friends, I'm not on the computer much as it is
uncomfortable at times, so forgive my non e-mails!
----
Hope you are doing better Jenna, we miss you!
**********************************************************
Sadly, the bridge world suffered a tragic loss this month.
Mark Molson, internationalist, husband of Janice Seamon, and
brother- in-law of Mike Seamon (MIAMIWIZ on OKB), died suddenly
at the age of 56.
You can read the obituary at
http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?Id=LS16405116X
and take a moment to read the posted condolences, many of which
are touching notes from bridge greats around the world. It is
clear he will be sorely missed by family, friends, partners,
teammates and opponents.
There will be a memorial Mini at OKbridge for Mark on Feb 5th,
11 AM Pacific time.
**********************************************************
Our continued thoughts and prayers are with JOY, whose husband
Ken suffered a heart attack and is still struggling in recovery.
Joy wants everyone to know how much she appreciates the notes and
cards from those online and also sent through the mail.
We're thinking of you, Joy, and hope to hear some good news.
**********************************************************
How would you feel about sitting down against the Seamon or
Lair team? To me, it is one of the perks of this game and I
wish i got to do it more often, as scary as it is!
Lucky Dloye writes about doing just that in her blog this past
week..... playing with Dann (POOKA), Deb (FPDOC), Betsi (BETSI)
and Richard (PAXMAN).
Get the details here:
http://www.dloye.com/myblog/bBlog-0.7.4.tar/blog/
Well done, Dloye and Teammies!
**********************************************************
Nothing to do with bridge, but I loved this tip sent on to me
from the ACBL Unit 174 newsletter:
Free Information: Land line and cell phone companies are charging
$1 or more for 411 information calls. To get information FREE,
dial 1-800-FREE-411 without incurring a charge at all. (except
for the minutes required to make the call for cell phones.) You
can enter this number in your address book as "Information."
Here's why you can get it free: A commercial money-making
enterprise operates the service. Users navigate an automated
voice recognition system that asks for a location (city and
state), type of listing (business, government or residential) and
name.
Once the service has located an entry for the requested number,
it reads the information aloud. The company's funding works much
like commercial radio or television - businesses pay to sponsor
it in exchange for presenting their advertisements to customers.
A caller who requests a business number is first presented with a
short (12 seconds) audio advertisement for a sponsor who operates
a competing business in that area; the caller is then given the
option of being connected to either that competitor or the
business he originally requested. If no sponsor operates a local
competing business, then the caller hears no advertisement at
all. There would also be no ad for a residential number.
**********************************************************
Check out this article from Newsweek
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10684826/site/newsweek/
In its discussion of 'virtual therapy', it features OKB's
Martin Seligman (SELIGMAN), a University of Pennsylvania
psychologist as well as a skilled bridge player! His site
ReflectiveHappiness.com, an education in positive thinking,
offers subscribers monthly exercises designed to help them
appreciate their strengths and stop dwelling on their
weaknesses and painful experiences.
**********************************************************
Introducing The OKbridge Help Desk
OKBridge has announced an addition to Member Services; The
OKbridge Help Desk. The Help Desk is an online chat room
staffed by a member of the OKbridge Member Services Team.
The person staffing the room is called the OKbridge Guide.
The Guide is there to assist you in making your OKbridge
experience even better.
The Help Desk is available on the following schedule:
* Sun, 12 PM - 3 PM Pacific Time
* Mon, 2 PM - 5 PM Pacific Time
* Tue, 2 PM - 5 PM Pacific Time
* Wed, 10 AM - 1 PM Pacific Time
* Thu, 10 AM - 1 PM Pacific
To find the Help Desk:
* In OKPlus, click on the Open Tables tab and click on Help
Desk.
* In OKWin, look in the list of tables and players and
click on Help Desk.
* In OKWeb, look in the list of available tables and click
on the Help Desk Table.
**********************************************************
The First Bridge Biathlon by Richard Pavlicek
Despite a brief appearance in Salt Lake 2002, bridge has
disappeared from the Olympic scene, but I have a plan to
bring it back: Combine bridge and biathlon! Yes, it will
really work! Read all about it, as you aim your browser
at this new defensive play contest. Try it! It's fun.
http://www.rpbridge.net/8x65.htm
Results of the January poll "Island of the Coconuts" will
be posted February 4, 2006 at 21:00 GMT. For these, and
everything related to the monthly events, go to:
http://www.rpbridge.net/rppc.htm
**********************************************************
I hope 2006 is off to a good start for everyone....send me
your news!
Hugs...Janice
**********************************************************
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
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.
*****************************************************
February Events: (All times Pacific)
=====================================
FIRESIDE MENTOR CUP TEAM GAME:
==============================
Sunday, 5:00 P.M. February 19.
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.
DISCUSS LIST
============
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.
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.
********************
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 Wheels for these giggles:
Senior Moments
A very elderly gentleman, (mid nineties) very well dressed, hair
well groomed, great looking suit, flower in his lapel smelling
slightly of a good after shave, presenting a well looked after
image, walks into an upscale cocktail lounge Seated at the bar is
an elderly looking lady, (mid eighties). The gentleman walks
over, sits along side of her, orders a drink, takes a sip, turns
to her and says, "So tell me, do I come here often?"
**********
An elderly gentleman had serious hearing problems for a number of
years. He went to the doctor and the doctor was able to have him
fitted for a set of hearing aids that allowed the gentleman to
hear 100%. The elderly gentleman went back in a month to the
doctor and the doctor said, "Your hearing is perfect. Your family
must be really pleased that you can hear again." The gentleman
replied, "Oh, I haven't told my family yet. I just sit around and
listen to the conversations. I've changed my will three times!"
**********
Two elderly gentlemen from a retirement center were sitting on a
bench under a tree when one turns to the other and says.... Slim,
I'm 83 years old now and I'm just! full of aches and pains. I
know you're about my age. How do you feel?"
Slim says, "I feel just like a new-born baby."
"Really!? Like a new-born baby!?"
"Yep. No hair, no teeth, and I think I just wet my pants."
**********
Hospital regulations require a wheelchair for patients being
discharged. However, while working as a student nurse, I found
one elderly gentleman--already dressed and sitting on the bed
with a suitcase at his feet--who insisted he didn't need my help
to leave the hospital. After a chat about rules being rules, he
reluctantly let me wheel him to the elevator. On the way down I
asked him if his wife was meeting him. "I don't know," he said.
"She's still upstairs in the bathroom changing out of her
hospital gown."
============================================================
BridgeHands eMag Newsletter
Reprinted with permission from Michael Nistler, editor
and owner of BridgeHands eMag Newsletter. Visit his site,
and subscribe to this excellent publication, by going to
http://www.bridgehands.com.
********************
Grosvenor Gambit: Would you like to check in, Sir?
No, we are not talking about lodging. The Grosvenor Gambit
describes an illogical play which catches the opponent
"off-guard" to generate an extra trick or tricks through
deliberate misplay. In the June 1973 "Bridge World", Frederick
Turner created the fictitious character Grosvenor who had an
uncanny way of making an illogical defender play that would trip
up his opponents. As the story goes, the hapless declarer
naturally refuses to take the gift, assuming any sane defender
would make a rational play. Here's the classic example:
K87654
Q102 9
AJ3
Assume the declarer does not have outside entries to run dummy's
Spade suit. Declarer leads the SA and West falsecards playing the
S10. When the declarer follows with the SJ, West refuses the
trick by playing the S2. The declarer logically assumes both
opponents have two Spades, winning the trick with the SK in the
dummy. But when East surprisingly shows out, West's SQ wins the
third Spade trick and declarer is blocked from running the
dummy's long Spade suit. In real life, an unintentional Grosvenor
Gambit is probably a more common situation. Here's one that
professional Kit Woolsey avoided, detailed in the July, 1978
"Bridge World". First the hands:
J106
9842 K
AQ753
The play went Jack, King, Ace, 2. Next the play went 3 and West
made a slight flicker playing the 4. Kit judged a strong West
player would split their intermediate 9 8 holding. Yet playing
against this mediocre player who displayed a noticeable tremor,
playing the 6 seemed correct. Sure enough, the finesse worked
running 5 tricks. Still, occasionally a top player can pull off a
true Grosvenor against a formidable opponent, such as this 4
Heart contract by South:
64
QJ1083
AQ65
82
QJ1052 K97
5 7642
K1098 32
Q87 AJ104
A83
AK9
J74
K965
Declarer Steve Parker ducked the first Spade, winning the second
round. South then plays a low Diamond and a successful finesse to
the Queen. At this point, Steve thought things looked safe,
cashing the Diamond Ace, losing a Diamond, ruffing a Diamond with
a top Heart in dummy, drawing trump, and hopefully finessing the
Club to make game.
Ah, but Jeff Meckstroth was sitting West and could see what was
coming. So on trick 4 when Steve (South) cashed the Diamond Ace,
Jeff smoothly threw in his King! Ah, thought Steve, now there's
no reason to bother trying the Club finesse to make game; since
West is out of Diamonds, it seemed clear the Diamond Jack would
now score a trick after all. So the declarer drew 2 rounds of
trump, noting Jeff's (West) singleton. Steve then confidently
played the Diamond Jack, assuming Jeff could no longer trump it.
Oops, East ruffed it - so much for that Diamond winner! Worse
yet, East returned the fourth Heart, causing declarer Steve to
still lose a Club and a Diamond - down one. And so the Grosvenor
lives on. When we take a closer look at Jeff's hand, we can
appreciate the imaginative genius at work. Apparently Jeff
reasoned that both minor suit finesses were onside so the IMP
contract looked safe with normal play. Yet holding a singleton
trump meant partner held 3 or more Hearts that could help deplete
declarer's ability to ruff Diamonds. Sure enough, Jeff's
"Grosvenor" netted 2 Diamond tricks - touché!
See more on the Grosvenor Gambit:
www.bridgehands.com/G/Grosvenor_Gambit.htm
==============================================================
GIGGLE BREAK
These signs are in Martha Bolton's book "Growing Your Own
Turtleneck...and other benefits of aging." We thought they
might give you a smile or two.
S:) = "So how do you like my new toupee?"
/:) = "Can you tell I've got a comb over?"
{ } = "I don't remember these love handles being so
prominent before."
:-X = "Who needs to count carbs when you've got duct tape?"
}}-I = "Drat! My forehead's in my eyes again."
:B-( = "Is it just me or are the bags under my eyes
getting worse."
:-() = "I just had Botox. Can you tell?"
8-) = "Has anyone seen my glasses? I've been looking for
them for the last--Oh, silly me. They're on my face."
X:) = "Fred, take the propeller hat off and act your age!"
W
. . = "I know they're only four hairs, but do what you
_ can with them."
///
. . = "What do you mean the air-conditioner is broken?"
O
===============================================================
TREBLE'S TABLE TALK
===================
High-Level Bridge
Here in Winnipeg, we have four sectionals a year, and the one in
late January is aptly named the Polar Bear Sectional. Actually,
we've had a relatively balmy month here, the average temperature
hovering around the freezing point, the normal for this time of
our being a good 15 to 20 degrees colder. The explanation is
that my wife Sue (Sam143) is spending a few weeks back in
Colorado, where she originally hails from. When she returns
later this week, we'll no doubt plunge back into the deep-freeze
as a welcome-home present for her. :)
There has been somewhat of a changing of the guard in our bridge
circles over the last few years. An up-and-coming squad has
assumed the mantle of our chief rivals in the team events.
They've made tremendous strides and now are quite capable of
holding their own in our confrontations. Although we still beat
them a fair amount of the time, the margin of victory either way
is never more than 10-15 IMPs, and is often much closer. Over
the past weekend, three hands involved high-level decisions in
either the bidding or the play.
Our first exhibit is from the Swiss Teams, where the two hands
are:
West: S-AK H-AJx D-K10xxx C-- Ax
East: S-J9 H-xxxx D-AQJx C-KJx
Table 1 Table 2
West East West East
1D 1H 1D 2D
2NT 3D 3NT
4D* 4S*
5C* 6C
6D pass
Table 1 had a keycard action (1430-style) beginning with 4D and
culminating in a final 6D contract. Both responders showed a
limit raise in diamonds, but it was shown immediately at one
table and preceded by a 1H response at the other. This was a
critical difference in the bidding as it turned out because
opener valued his AJx of hearts as a useful holding and moved
toward slam.
At the other table, West didn't know partner had 8 or more red
cards, just that he was facing diamond support. Therefore, he
jumped to 3NT and that became the final contract. Slam needs
the Q of clubs or the KQ of hearts onside, not the worst one
we've been in but there were no favorable layout of the cards
here and 6D went down for a 12 IMP loss.
Next up is a play problem. You are in 6H contract. RHO has
opened 1S and doubled the slam when your side bid it.
Dummy: S-Axx H-9xx D-xxx C-A9x
Declarer: S-void H-AK108x D-AK C-KQ10xxx
The lead was a spade, and declarer won on table and ran the 9
of spades, playing for QJxx in in the doubler's hand. LHO won
the singleton Jack and now come to life with a club back, ruffed
by RHO for down one.
The winning line of play is a top spade and then give up a trick
to the Queen. Ruff the heart return, draw the rest of the
trumps, and then play on clubs. King first, then finesse dummy's
9, play off the Ace and go back to hand with a diamond to take
the rest of the tricks.
This was admittedly a tough choice. But if RHO is a competent
player, his double is suggesting a non-spade lead, and has to
be based on a void in another suit, looking at the wealth of high
cards your side has. The point is that RHO would not double on
merely trump length, as that gives declarer the information to
successfully bring in the trump suit. The only certain thing is
that opener has a club void. His precise trump holding isn't
quite so clear. And if he did in fact have the QJxx in hearts,
you must run the 9 from dummy as you won't be able to return to
dummy safely with a club, since it will be ruffed.
The winning line of play at the table is by no means clearcut,
but the important thing to realize is that the double was made
because clubs are 4-0, so you have to get the trump suit right,
bearing in mind that if LHO gets in you will go down if he clues
in that partner wants a club ruff.
Here's the final one. As East you hold with both sides
vulnerable:
S-AKJxx H-KQ10xx D-x C-Ax
North East South West
3D 4D pass 5D
pass ?
Your 4D showed the majors and willingness to play game.
Partner's 5D bid showed slam interest in at least one major
and should promise the Ace of diamonds. At the other table,
East bid 6D to ask partner to pick the trump suit, and partner
bid 6H, ending the bidding. At our table, the Michaels
overcaller decided to bid 6C to show the club Ace. This has
to be a cuebid since you've shown 10-11 major suit cards at
least with your initial action.
It turns out 6C is what partner needs hear, since his hand is:
S-x H-AJxx D-AJxx C-KQ10x
If he knows you have the other minor suit Ace, advancer will
likely bid a grand slam in hearts.
We'll see you again next month, and who knows, I might revert
to partscore hands. Naahhh, too mundane and boring.
********************
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 Tuna for this giggle:
The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail
instead of his tongue. -Anonymous
Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that
you are wonderful. -Ann Landers
If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go
where they went. -Will Rogers
There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your
face. -Ben Williams
A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he
loves himself. -Josh Billings
The average dog is a nicer person than the average person. -Andy
Rooney
We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we
can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best
deal man has ever made. -M. Acklam
Dogs love their friends and bite their enemies, quite unlike
people, who are incapable of pure love and always have to mix
love and hate. -Sigmund Freud
I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird
religious cult. -Rita Rudner
A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around
three times before lying down. -Robert Benchley
Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a
dog. -Franklin P. Jones
If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs
I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few
persons. -James Thurber
If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise. -Unknown
My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a
can. That's almost $21.00 in dog money. -Joe Weinstein
Ever consider what our dogs must think of us? I mean, here we
come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul --
chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we're the greatest
hunters on earth! -Anne Tyler
Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should
relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein
If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will
not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and
a man. -Mark Twain
You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you
a look that says, 'Wow, you're right! I never would've thought of
that!' - Dave Barry
Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives
whole. -Roger Caras
If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in
your pocket and then give him only two of them. -Phil Pastoret
My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already
thinks I am.
===================================================
AND FINALLY KALTICA
===================
Sectional
I got dragged into the local sectional's Swiss Teams last
Sunday. Moogal gave me strict orders not to win any silver
points without her. After six of eight rounds we were
contending for first.
On one hand in the fifth round we bid a Heart slam that
required nothing more than a friendly lead, a trump coup, two
finesses, a 4-3 Club break and a revoke...and that was one of
our BETTER slams!
It couldn't last, though. In the seventh round we were
pitted against Kai Cheng, one of Winnipeg's best experts. For
those who don't recognize the name, Kai was Bill ("Wintaka")
Treble's partner the year that he won the Red Deer Calcutta
without me. How good is Kai? I'll let you decide.
S- Jxxxxx
H- 10xxx
D-void
C-xxx
Your opponents are vulnerable, at IMPs. You hear this
auction:
RHO You LHO Pard
1H Pass 2C 4D
4H Pass 5C Pass
6C Pass Pass Pass
So what's the dilemma? You're not even on lead!
Well, Partner--a very conservative pre-emptor--leads the
D-King, which, by agreement could be from KQ or AK. Dummy hits
with:
Dummy: S- K
H- AKJ9xx
D- xxx
C-Axx
You: S- Jxxxxx
H- 10xxx
D- void
C- xxx
Do you ruff?
If you do, you might be preventing Partner with, say,
D-AKxxxxxx, from cashing two quickies to beat this one. You
might also be preventing Partner from setting up a Diamond
trick with D-KQJxxxx if Declarer cannot set up Hearts for
enough pitches.
The only time that ruffing is correct is when Partner
has a trick--likely the Spade Ace.
So do you ruff?
Kai thought for a few minutes at trick one. He began
by deciding that his partner would not put him in this spot
with D-AKxxxxx(x). He then decided that if Declarer needed
Heart pitches badly enough he would finesse the H-Jack. Kai
ruffed and returned a Spade. This was the whole hand:
Dummy: S- K
H- AKJ9xx
D- xxx
C- Axx
Pard: S- Ax You: S- Jxxxxx
H- xx H- 10xxx
D- KQJ109xxxx D- void
C- void C- xxx
Declarer: S- Q10x
H- Qx
D- A
C- KQJ10xxx
Down one! Your partner had NINE Diamonds!
Something told me our luck had changed. Sure enough,
in the last round our opponents bid four games, none of them
with a 25% chance of success, and chalked up pluses on every
one. Needless to say, our teammates reached none of these.
Our opponents also bid a 12.5% slam and accidentally left in
a takeout double for 800 against air.
It's never a good sign when, as you compare scores,
your teammates ask "They bid WHAT???" before chalking up six
big minus scores.
Oh, well. There's always OKBridge! :)
**********************
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 Benson for this giggle:
Grandpa's Country Wisdom
Don't name a pig you plan to eat.
Country fences need to be horse high, pig tight and bull strong.
Life is not about how fast you run, or how high you climb, but
how well you bounce.
Keep skunks and bankers at a distance.
Life is simpler when you plow around the stumps.
Mortgaging a future crop is saddling a wobbly colt.
A bumblebee is faster than a John Deere tractor.
Trouble with a milk cow is she won't stay milked.
Don't skinny dip with snapping turtles.
Words that soak into your ears are whispered, not yelled.
Meanness don't happen overnight.
To know how country folks are doing, look at their barns, not
their houses.
Never lay an angry hand on a kid or an animal, it just ain't
helpful.
Teachers, bankers, and hoot owls sleep with one eye open.
Forgive your enemies. It messes with their heads.
Don't sell your mule to buy a plow.
Two can live as cheap as one if one don't eat.
Don't corner something meaner than you.
It doesn't take a very big person to carry a grudge.
Don't go huntin' with a fellow named Chug-A-Lug.
You can't unsay a cruel thing.
Every path has some puddles.
When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
The best sermons are lived, not preached.
Most of the stuff people worry about happening, doesn't.
Lazy and Quarrelsome are ugly sisters.
=============================================================
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