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Fireside Chat
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FIRESIDE CHAT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Welcome and Announcements
Believer's FireSide Kindling
Bidding with Bridgboy
Winning With Wishtrik
Diane's New Column
Hand of the Month
Brush Up Your Bridge
FireSide Log
Special Treats
BridgeHands eMag Newsletter
Treble's Table Talk
And Finally Kaltica
=======================================
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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, Moogal
at moocake@bellsouth.net, Or Neophyte at
jane@tmarvin.fsnet.co.uk.
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. KALTICA/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. DIANEW/WISHTRIK
FRI 5:30 P.M. WINTAKA/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
============================
Hello,
You know I feel such a CHEAT!
WHY?.....I get to read the articles before you do!
We have some great things for you this month.
If you enjoyed a specific article.why not write and tell them?
So enjoy
Jane (Neophyte)
==========================================
>From Sara: Jane has some family issues she's having to deal
>with
at home this month, so I agreed to finish the newsletter --
especially since she had most of it already done anyway! Makes
it easier!
Unfortunately, I had out of town company here the past few days
so I got way behind on finishing this up :( My apologies for the
late mailing, and I hope you all find it worth the wait!
We have a new column starting this month by DianeW. Watch for
her column, titled "Diane's New Column" just for this month. We
need a name for the column, so please send us some ideas!
I know you'll enjoy her first article, "Rabbit Rules", and it
should help you with some of those "rule(s) of".. that all the
commentators keep telling us about!
Welcome Diane! We are very excited about your article!
We also have a very special "Special Treat" this month from our
old friend Captain! Don't miss it :)
********************
Wow, once you put something on the internet, it STAYS on the
internet :)) It still amazes me constantly.
I received the following email recently regarding a poem we used
as a 'giggle break' almost 5 years ago!
Our apologies to Joanne Bailey Baxter for not crediting her for
the poem at that time. We had no way of knowing who the author
was :(
We decided to reprint the poem for your enjoyment in this issue,
with proper thanks to the author this time for her wonderful
creation!
********************
"My mother wrote this poem many years ago and has had it
published in several local papers and senior group newsletters.
"She would just like to see her name listed as the author.
"Thank you, Dave Baxter"
-----------
When I'm an Old Lady
Author: Joanne Bailey Baxter, Lorain, OH
When I'm an old lady, I'll live with my kids,
and make them so happy, just as they did.
I want to pay back all the joy they've provided,
returning each deed. Oh, they'll be so excited.
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids.)
I'll write on the wall with reds, whites and blues,
and bounce on the furniture wearing my shoes.
I'll drink from the carton and then leave it out.
I'll stuff all the toilets, and oh, how they'll shout.
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids.)
When they're on the phone and just out of reach,
I'll get into things like sugar and bleach.
Oh, they'll snap their fingers and then shake their head,
and when that is done I'll hide under the bed.
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids.)
When they cook dinner and call me to meals,
I'll not eat my green beans or salads congealed.
I'll gag on my okra, spill milk on the table,
and when they get angry, run fast as I'm able.
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids.)
I'll sit close to the TV, through the channels I'll click,
I'll cross both my eyes to see if they stick.
I'll take off my socks and throw one away,
And play in the mud until the end of the day.
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids.)
And later in bed, I'll lay back and sigh,
and thank God in prayer and then close my eyes,
and my kids will look down with a smile slowly creeping,
and say with a groan. "She's so sweet when she's sleeping!"
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids.)
©Copyright April 1991 -- Joanne Bailey Baxter, Lorain, OH
********************
And thank YOU, Dave Baxter for letting us know about your mother!
********************
Finally, Jane and I would like to take a moment during these
changes that are going on at OKbridge to thank Tuna for all the
wonderful things he did for us. Tuna always supported our
Fireside program, and we've had a lot of fun teasing him in our
newsletter, and getting to know him better when he'd join us for
the Sunday evening team games. Tunes has been a great friend to
us Firesiders, and we want him to know how much we appreciate
him. We hope to see lots of him in the future! Tunes, we miss
you! Please come and visit us at Fireside!
Sara (believer)
=====================================================
GIGGLE BREAK
Thanks to Benson for these:
Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting. ~Author Unknown
What a bargain grandchildren are! I give them my loose change,
and they give me a million dollars' worth of pleasure. ~Gene
Perret
Perfect love sometimes does not come until the first grandchild.
~Welsh Proverb
A grandmother is a babysitter who watches the kids instead of the
television. ~Author Unknown
Never have children, only grandchildren. ~Gore Vidal
Becoming a grandmother is wonderful. One moment you're just a
mother. The next you are all-wise and prehistoric. ~Pam Brown
Grandchildren don't stay young forever, which is good because
Pop-pops have only so many horsey rides in them. ~Gene Perret
When grandparents enter the door, discipline flies out the
window. ~Ogden Nash
Grandma always made you feel she had been waiting to see just you
all day and now the day was complete. ~ Marcy DeMaree
Grandmas never run out of hugs or cookies. ~Author unknown
Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our
hearts forever. ~Author Unknown
If I had known how wonderful it would be to have grandchildren,
I'd have had them first. ~Lois Wyse
My grandkids believe I'm the oldest thing in the world. And after
two or three hours with them, I believe it, too. ~Gene Perret
If becoming a grandmother was only a matter of choice, I should
advise every one of you straight away to become one. There is no
fun for old people like it! ~Hannah Whithall Smith
It's such a grand thing to be a mother of a mother - that's why
the world calls her grandmother. ~Author Unknown
MORE of these after :-
==========================================================
BIDDING WITH BRIDGBOY
=====================
Having a fit is the key to any successful contract .
We loathe the misfit hands and wish only for a good fit with
partner in one of our suits.
You pick up this hand:-
S AK109X H A109X DAQX C A .
After you use your fingers plus your toes you decide this is good
enough to open 2 clubs. Partner bids 2 diams and you try 2
spades.. now partner bids 3 diamonds.
OK -- what does partner have?
We know he does not have spade support of 3 or more or he would
have raised our suit immediately.
He also has 5 or more diamonds so we have found our fit!
We are playing this hand in diamonds!
We have all the controls but would like partner to get that
message also.
I think we should jump to 6 diamonds.Now. that may seem excessive
but I think we can use our sp suit to throw away any losers. PLUS
we can ruff clubs on our dummy so slam looks like a good gamble
.It will also guarantee all the aces in our hand.
If we were missing one... we would ask partner if he had it.
So by our failure to do that, we show all the missing controls
and invite partner to bid 7 diamonds if he wants to.
Partner should be able to read our hand for what it is..
All the aces, a good sp suit and good diamonds for support.
Now if his meager hand fits this he can make the final decision.
I think partner should raise to 7 diamonds.
This is his hand.
S XX H X D KJ10XXX C JXXX .
He knows he can use your spades to throw any losers. The biggest
two features in his hand are the stiff ht and having 6 diamonds
not five.
Those two features are like having an extra ace and the king of
hearts
.Getting to the right slam, namely diamonds , vs spades is
important. Bidding and making 7 diamonds earns the top score of
all.
By the way... if you are in 6 spades by mistake can you make it
on a ht king lead?
Let us see...
to repeat
dummy S XX H X D KJ10XXX C JXXX
YOU S AK109X H AXXX D AQX C A
YOU NEED A MIRACLE IN THE SP SUIT TO OCCUR.
So play for it.
Win the ace of hts and duck a spade at trick two. You need a 3-3
split and protection against ht leads. So if you went to church
today and spades split 3-3 you will make 6 sp, but I will make 7
diam with less fan fare and keep away the gray hairs.
********************
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
More from BENSON....
An hour with your grandchildren can make you feel young again.
Anything longer than that, and you start to age quickly. ~Gene
Perret
The best baby-sitters, of course, are the baby's grandparents.
You feel completely comfortable entrusting your baby to them for
long periods, which is why most grandparents flee to Florida.
~Dave Barry
I wish I had the energy that my grandchildren have - if only for
self-defense. ~Gene Perret
Grandmother-grandchild relationships are simple. Grandmas are
short on criticism and long on love. ~Author Unknown
Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do.
Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little
children. ~Alex Haley
Grandmother - a wonderful mother with lots of practice. ~Author
Unknown
A grandparent is old on the outside but young on the inside.
~Author Unknown
JUST A FEW MORE...
======================================================
WINNING WITH WISHTRIK
=====================
WHAT IS MICHAELS?
Michaels is a bid to show a very specific hand type. A Q bid of a
minor promises at least 5-5 in the majors. You could also be 6-5
in the majors. If you choose to Michaels with 6-5 in the majors
you will not be able rebid your 6-card suit without substantial
extra values. A Q bid of a major promises 5 in the other major
and at least 5 cards in an unspecified minor. If you have a
6-card major and a 5-card minor just overcall the major first and
then your minor at your next opportunity to bid.
HAND TYPES
Must have at least 5 cards in each of the two suits shown. The
point count can vary depending upon your partnership style. (Some
people play that you would have either have a bad hand or a good
hand whereas others bid Michaels regardless of the high card
points.)
HOW DO I FIND OUT PARTNER'S UNKNOWN SUIT?
You should bid 2NT. This is not a game try but rather an inquiry
as to partner's minor.
HOW DO YOU SHOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUR HAND AND STRENGTH?
If the opponents bid again you can double which would show the
Michaels hand with extra values in terms of HCPs.
UNUSUAL 2NT
This is a jump to 2NT over the opponents opening bid to show both
of the lower unbid suits. The same principle applies as in
Michaels regarding your suit lengths, It GUARANTEES at least 5
cards in each suit but once again the HCPs can vary depending
upon your partnership style.
********************
Wishtrik (Lynn Deas) presides at our Thursday evening Fireside
sessions, starting at 5:30 pm OKbridge time, and every other
Friday morning at 11:00 am.
For lesson information contact Lynn at: lynn@lynndeas.com
===========================================================
GIGGLE BREAK
Last few from Benson..
One of the most powerful handclasps is that of a new grandbaby
around the finger of a grandfather. ~Joy Hargrove
It's amazing how grandparents seem so young once you become one.
~Author Unknown
If your baby is "beautiful and perfect, never cries or fusses,
sleeps on schedule and burps on demand, an angel all the time,"
you're the grandma. ~Teresa Bloomingdale
Grandchildren don't make a man feel old; it's the knowledge that
he's married to a grandmother. ~G. Norman Collie
Grandparents are similar to a piece of string - handy to have
around and easily wrapped around the fingers of their
grandchildren. ~Author Unknown
A grandmother pretends she doesn't know who you are on Halloween.
=========================================================
DIANE'S NEW COLUMN
==================
We are very excited to present our newest contributor to this
newsletter, Diane (DianeW) Walker. Welcome aboard, Diane, and
thanks for a great article! Now to come up with a NAME for this
column, please send us your ideas, folks!
*********************
Rabbit's Rules
--------------
Bidding Rules
1. Rule of 2 and 3 - how high to preempt.
This is sometimes called Rule of 1,2 and 3 to include
bidding against non-vulnerable opponents. The numbers refer to
the number of tricks you can safely go down. When the opponents
have a game, you should be willing to sacrifice as long as you go
down less than the value of their game. In all cases they will
double you. So if they can make a vulnerable game for +600 or
+620, then you can go down 2 vulnerable for -500 or down 3
non-vul for -500. But if they can make a non-vulnerable game for
+400 or +420, then you can only afford to go down 1 vulnerable
for -200 or down 2 non-vulnerable for -300.
2. Rule of 15 - guide to opening in 4th seat.
The Rule of Fifteen states that the Fourth Hand should
open the auction if the number of High Card Points and the number
of SPADES equal 15 or more.
These points are also called Pearson Points (I don't know
why). The reasoning behind the Rule of Fifteen is that more often
than not, high card points are very likely evenly divided between
the two partnerships. Therefore, Fourth Seat should open only
with a spade suit. Possession of the spade suit makes it very
difficult for the opponents to buy the contract.
3. Rule of 20 - opening point-shy distributional hands.
Add your high card points to the number of cards in your
two longest suits. If the total equals twenty or more, then you
should open.
For example:
6
AQ965
A10965
42
This hand has 10 high card points and 10 cards in the two
longest suits. Since that adds to 20, open 1H. Notice that your
points are all concentrated in your two suits. This makes your
hand more valuable. If your 10 points were scattered outside
your suits, then the hand would not be worth opening.
Counting Rules
When you are declaring or defending, you can get a
reasonable count on many hands by subtracting the face card lead
from the appropriate number to get the number of higher cards in
the other 3 players' hands. What they all have in common is 15.
Fifteen? Yup. 15. Find out the lead style - 3rd, 4th, 5th best -
and subtract the style number from 15 to get the number from
which you must subtract. So if they lead 4th best, subtract 4
from 15 to get 11. Now follow the rule of 11. If they lead 3rd
best, 3 from 15 = 12. Follow the rule of 12. And if they lead
5th best, 15-5 = 10. Follow the rule of 10. Sometimes partner's
lead is a singleton or doubleton, especially against a suit
contract. If "it doesn't add up" that's probably the case.
1. Rule of 10 - If I subtract 10 from 15 (there's that pesky
15 again) I get 5 so this rule applies to 5th best leads.
Here's an example:
Q63
K10854 92
AJ7
West leads the 4, his 5th best. So following the rule,
subtract 4 from 10. 10-4=6.
There are 6 cards higher than the 4 in the north, east,
and south hands. As east, that tells you that declarer has 3
cards higher than the 4 because you can see 2 in dummy (the queen
and the 6) and 1 in your hand (the 9). As a bonus, since you
happen to be looking at the 2 in your hand and the 3 in dummy,
you know the lead was partner's lowest card in the suit.
Therefore, you know that partner has exactly 5 cards in the suit
and declarer has exactly 3 cards in this suit.
As declarer, you know that east has 1 card higher than
the 4 because you can see 3 in your hand and 2 in dummy. But
since you cannot see the 2, you do not yet know if west has 6 and
east has 1 or if west has 5 and east has 2.
2. Rule of 11 - If I subtract 11 from 15 (again the 15!) I
get 4 so this rule applies to 4th best leads. Here's an
example:
Q63
K10854 92
AJ7
West leads the 5, his 4th best. So following the rule,
subtract 5 from 11. 11-5=6.
There are 6 cards higher than the 5 in the north, east,
and south hands. As east, that tells you that declarer has 3
cards higher than the 5 because you can see 2 in dummy (the queen
and the 6) and 1 in your hand (the 9). Since you can't see the 4,
you don't know if pard has led from a 4- or 5-card suit. For the
same reason, you know that declarer has either 3 or 4 cards in
the suit.
As declarer, you know that east has 1 card higher than
the 5 because you can see 3 in your hand and 2 in dummy. But
since you cannot see the 2 or 4, you do not yet know if west led
from a 4-, 5-, or 6-card suit.
3. Rule of 12 - If I subtract 12 from 15 (that 15 again) I
get 3 so this rule applies to 3rd best leads. Here's an
example:
Q63
K1085 942
AJ7
West leads the 8, his 3rd best. So following the rule,
subtract 8 from 12. 12-8=4.
There are 4 cards higher than the 8 in the north, east,
and south hands. As east, that tells you that declarer has 2
cards higher than the 8 because you can see 1 in dummy (the
queen) and 1 in your hand (the 9). You do not yet know if pard
has led from a 3- or 4-card suit. The second round will usually
tell you. If pard has 3, then declarer has 4. If pard has 4 then
declarer has 3.
As declarer, you know that east has 1 card higher than
the 8 because you can see 1 in dummy (the queen), and 2 in your
hand (the ace and jack). You don't know for sure if west has led
from a 3- or 4-card suit.
When they announce 3rd and 5th or 3rd and low, you'll have to let
the bidding and maybe the play help you decide if it's 3rd or
5th. Be prepared for either. And be prepared for it to be a
singleton, a doubleton, or just some unusual lead an opponent
chose this moment to make!
********************
You will find DianeW moderating at the Wednesday evening Fireside
sessions at 5:30 PM, and every other Friday morning at 11:00 AM.
For information about private lessons, mentoring, or tourney
play, please contact Diane at diane@walkersweb.org
===========================================================
GIGGLE BREAK
And yet one more joke from Benson!
There was a man and he was just waking up from anesthesia after
surgery, and his wife was sitting by his side. His eyes fluttered
open and he said, "You're beautiful!" and then he fell asleep
again.
His wife had never heard him say that so she stayed by his side.
A couple minutes later his eyes fluttered open and he said
"You're cute!"
Well, the wife was disappointed because instead of "beautiful" it
was "cute." She said "What happened to 'beautiful'?
His reply was "The drugs are wearing off!"
===========================================================
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.
>From The 2006 Daily Bridge Calendar. For more information call
1-888-453-1976, or email: calendar@interlog.com
********************
Vul: Both North
Dlr: S S AJ754
H 7
D A54
C AKQT
East
S --
H AQ852
D KT76
C 8652
West North East South
2S*
P 6S All pass
*Weak-two bid
Opening Lead HJ
South's 2S shows a weak-two opening, about 6 - 10 points, with
six spades.
West leads the HJ. East wins with the HA, South playing H9.
What should East play at trick two?
***********************
S AJ754
H 7
D A54
C AKQT
S Q9 S --
H KJT643 H AQ852
D 982 D KT76
C J9 C 8652
S KT8632
H 9
D QJ3
C 743
Contract: 6S Lead: HJ
**********************
East took the HA and had to decide what to return. If declarer
is missing two spades, including the king, declarer will have to
guess the spade position no matter what you return.
Unless South has a singleton or club void, the CJ will come down
in two or three rounds. If declarer has no spade loser, South
thus has six spade tricks, four clubs and the DA. If South has
no heart to ruff, then as long as East does not give South a
trick, the contract will fail when the diamond finesse loses.
Only a club return does not concede the contract. A heart back
gives declarer a ruff-and-discard. South pitches a diamond now
and another on the fourth club. A diamond back gives declarer
two diamond tricks. A club back gives declarer nothing that he
does not
********************
Hand and analysis by Michael Lawrence, courtesy of the Daily
Bridge Calendar, published by Ashlar House Inc., Brampton, ON,
Canada. Reprinted with permission. (Special thanks to Lee
Daugherty and Dann Kramer.)
==========================================================
GIGGLE BREAK
================
This one has been making the rounds:
SUPERMARKET SURROUND SOUNDS
The new Supermarket near our house has an automatic water mister
to keep the produce fresh. Just before it goes on, you hear the
sound of distant thunder and the smell of fresh rain.
When you approach the milk cases, you hear cows mooing and
witness the scent of fresh hay.
When you approach the egg case, you hear hens cluck and cackle
and the air is filled with the pleasing aroma of bacon and eggs
frying.
The veggie department features the smell of fresh buttered corn.
I don't buy toilet paper there any more.
===========================================================
BRUSH UP YOUR BRIDGE
====================
By Marcia West @ Fifth Chair Foundation
Marcia/Tarsh
REBIDS BY OPENER
Opener has three types of hands:
minimum range 13-15 Pts
medium range 16-18 points
maximum range 19-21 points
If minimum:
a) pass if partner raises your suit or bids 1NT
b) raise partner's major suit with 4 cards in it
c) bid a 4 card major if higher than responders bid
d) bid 1NT
If medium:
a) rebid at the two/three level, responder may pass
b) bid a new suit even when higher ranking than opening suit,
which might force responder to the three level
If maximum: make sure game is reached
You have opened the bidding with 1 heart, partner has responded 2
hearts.
Fill out points range and rebid.
1) 987 2) Q7 3) 1072
KQJ983 AQ7632 AQJ65
A5 KJ AKQ
AJ J72 A2
HCP ____ HCP ____ HCP ____
DIST.PTS ____ DIST.PTS ____ DIST.PTS ____
TOTAL PTS____ TOTAL PTS____ TOTAL PTS____
RANGE ____ RANGE ____ RANGE ____
REBID ____ REBID ____ REBID ____
You opened 1C, partner responded 2c. Fill out points range and
rebid.
4) Q82 5) 73 6) A108
KJ52 K4 KQ4
A63 A42 AJ
KJ4 AKJ632 KQ1084
HCP ____ HCP ____ HCP ____
DIST.PTS ____ DIST.PTS ____ DIST.PTS ____
TOTAL PTS____ TOTAL PTS____ TOTAL PTS ____
RANGE ____ RANGE ____ RANGE ____
REBID ____ REBID ____ REBID ____
You have opened the bidding with 1S on the hands below. Partner
responded 1NT
What are your points, range and rebid.
7) KJ873 8) AK953 9) AJ9842
1042 6 743
A96 KQJ9 AQ8
AJ J42 4
HCP ____ HCP ____ HCP ____
DIST.PTS ____ DIST.PTS ____ DIST.PTS ____
TOTAL PTS____ TOTAL PTS____ TOTAL PTS____
REBID ____ REBID ____ REBID ____
10) AQJ643 11) AKJ42 12) KQJ83
A72 K9 94
9 AQ4 ---
KJ10 Q95 AK763
HCP ____ HCP ____ HCP ____
DIST.PTS ____ DIST.PTS ____ DIST.PTS ____
TOTAL PTS____ TOTAL PTS____ TOTAL PTS____
REBID ____ REBID _____ REBID ____
Raising responder's suit - You opened the bidding with 1C.
Partner responded with 1S.
This is forcing, so you must bid again.
13) J876 14) Q742 15) AJ32
8 109 ---
A93 AK QJ96
AKQ76 K8742 AKJ72
HCP ____ HCP ____ HCP ____
DIST.PTS ____ DIST.PTS ____ DIST.PTS ____
TOTAL PTS ____ TOTAL PTS____ TOTAL PTS____
REBID ____ REBID ____ REBID ____
Opener bids a second suit at the 2 level
When opener plans to bid a second suit, he must be careful.
When opener's second suit is higher ranking than the first AND
cannot bid at the one level
0pener must have at least a medium hand to bid the second suit at
the higher level. (This bid is called a reverse).
What kind of hand has opener below; balanced or unbalanced. Is
Responder forced to bid?
a) Opener Responder b) Opener Responder
1H 1NT 1H 1NT
2d 2s
HAND _______ HAND _______
TOTAL POINTS_______ TOTAL POINTS_______
MUST RESPONDER BID ____ MUST RESPONDER BID____
Opener has bid 1d, partner responded with 1s...give points,
range, and rebid
16) 98 17) 3 18) K5
K104 K84 A82
AJ86 KQ962 AKJ842
KQ54 AJ106 94
HCP ____ HCP ___ HCP ____
DIST.PTS ____ DIST.PTS ____ DIST.PTS ____
TOTAL PTS____ TOTAL PTS____ TOTAL PTS____
REBID ____ REBID ____ REBID ____
When responder bids a new suit opener must bid again.
Responder forces the bidding if he jumps.
Bidding has gone a) Opener 1H Resp 3H
b) Opener 1h Resp 2NT
Your hand is: S 106 H AJ842 D K95 C A42
How many points has responder shown in
a)____ b) ____ What is opener's rebid?
a)____ b) ____
Answers to Lesson 5
1 15 hcp, 2 distributions pts, total 17, range medium rebid 3 H
2 13 hcp, 2 distribution pts, total 15, range minimum,
especially cause high card counts are in short suits, pass
3 20 hcp, 1 distribution, 21 total, maximum range, rebid 4H
4 14 hcp, no distribution pts, total 14, range minimum, pass
5 15 hcp, 2 distribution pts, total 17, medium range, rebid 3C
6 19 hcp, 1 distribution point, total 20, maximum range, rebid
3NT as you have stoppers in all suits
7 13 hcp, 1 distribution, total 14, range minimum, pass
8 14 hcp, 1 distribution, total 15 better than a minimum, since
hcp in long suits, bid 2d
9 11 hcp, 2 distribution, total 13, minimum, 2S- rebid the 6
card suit since shortness in C
10 15 hcp, 2 distribution, total 17, medium, jump to 3 spades
11 18hcp, 1 distribution, total 19, maximum, rebid 3nt
12 17 hcp, 2 distribution, total 19, maximum, jump to 3C
13 14 hcp, 1 distribution - originally, but now 4, total 18,
medium jump to 3S
14 12 hcp, originally no distribution - now 2, minimum bid 2s
15 16 hcp, 1 distribution originally, now 6 distribution, maximum
jump to 4 S
a unbalanced- otherwise he would pass 1nt, count up to 15,
minimum range, responder not forced to bid
b unbalanced, 16+, responder must bid once more
16 12 hcp, no distribution, total 12, minimum range, rebid 1nt
without S fit
17 13 hcp, 1 distribution, total 14, minimum range, rebid 2C
since unbalanced
18 15 hcp, 2 distribution, total 17, medium range, rebid jumping
in own suit to 3D
Marcia/Tarsh
Fifth Chair Foundation, founded by volunteers,
to teach bridge on the internet. Contributions
help us defray the costs of our site.
Please send your check to:
Fifth Chair Foundation
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********************
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, 9.30 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
===========================================================
GIGGLE BREAK
Thanks to Pringle for this one:
POLICE THEMES
15 Police Comments
The following 15 Police Comments were taken off of actual police
car videos around the country.
#15 "Relax, the handcuffs are tight because they're new. They'll
stretch out after you wear them awhile."
#14 "Take your hands off the car, and I'll make your birth
certificate a worthless document."
#13 "If you run, you'll only go to jail tired."
#12 "Can you run faster than 1200 feet per second? In case you
didn't know, that is the average speed of a 9mm bullet fired from
my gun."
#11 "So you don't know how fast you were going. I guess that
means I can write anything I want on the ticket, huh?"
#10 "Yes, Sir, you can talk to the shift supervisor, but I don't
think it will help. Oh ... did I mention that I am the shift
supervisor?"
#9 "Warning! You want a warning? O. K., I'm warning you not to do
that; again or I'll give you another ticket."
#8 "The answer to this last question will determine whether you
are drunk or not. Was Mickey Mouse a cat or a dog?"
#7 "Fair? You want me to be fair? Listen, fair is a place where
you go to ride on rides, eat cotton candy, and step in monkey
DOO."
#6 "Yeah, we have a quota. Two more tickets and my wife gets a
toaster oven."
#5 "In God we trust, all others we run through NCIC."
#4 "Just how big were those two beers?"
#3 "No sir we don't have quotas anymore. We used to have quotas
but now we're allowed to write as many tickets as we want."
#2 "I'm glad to hear the Chief of Police is a good personal
friend of yours. At least you know someone who can post your
bail."
And.........THE BEST ONE !!!!!!!
#1 "You didn't think we give pretty women tickets? ... You're
right, we don't. ... Sign here....
========================================================
FIRESIDE LOG
============
Fireside News:
We heard from Olivia Barnes (Baol) that her regular partner
Juliet (just-j) is very unwell at the moment. She recently
suffered a series of mini strokes. We send all our best wishes to
Juliet and her family for a full and speedy recovery. (Neo)
********************************************************
FIRESIDE'S TEAM GAME
September winners:
09-17-2006
First Place: Team Frodo Frodo, Eds, De and
Neophyte
Second Place: (tie) Team J21 J21, Redlin, Pollye and
Oink
Team JW7 JW7, Grommet_, One236 and
JerryS1
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!
**NOTE** The Team Game is now being played once a month, on the
first Sunday of each month. If that happens to be a holiday
weekend, it will likely be played on the second Sunday.
**********************************************************
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
Fred/FredW3 FredW3@burntmail.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.
*****************************************************
Events: (All times Pacific)
=================================
FIRESIDE MENTOR CUP TEAM GAME:
==============================
First Sunday of each month, at 5:00 P.M.
See www.firesides.net/mtc.htm for info and lists of past winners.
To get on the mailing list for this game, email Moogal 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-Subscribe@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: Saturday 9.30 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.
============================================================
GIGGLE BREAK
Thx to Pringle for these .....
Things to Think About...
Does a clean house indicate that there is a broken computer in
it?
Why is it that no matter what color of bubble bath you use the
bubbles are always white?
Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale?
Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes
that something new to eat will have materialized?
On electric toasters, why do they engrave the message "one
slice"? How many pieces of bread do they think people are really
gonna try to stuff in that slot?
Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their
vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put
it down to give the vacuum one more chance?
Why is it that no plastic garbage bag will open from the end you
first try?
How do those dead bugs get into those closed light fixtures?
===========================================================
SPECIAL TREATS
==============
This month it is from CAPTAIN.
Thx Andy!
********************
Jane "Neophyte" asked me if I could write an article for Fireside
newsletter.
Well here goes.. a hand from our local club.
Test your declarer play in 6D sitting West after North had
overcalled your 1D with 1S and led off with the Club King.
First good bridge lesson.. do your thinking before playing to
trick one!! ..now take your time and no peeking!!
IMP-11 North Dlr: West
Board 8 S AJ872 Vul: E-W
H Q98
West D Q2 East
S K4 C KQ2 S Q96
H AKJT H 642
D KJT7643 South D A95
C S T53 C A654
H 753
D 8
C JT9873
Answer:
Trick one! Did you win the club ace?.. WRONG!
Assuming the spade Ace to be with North.. a fair assumption with
the spade bid ..
Ruff the Club trick one. pull trump leaving the trump 9 in dummy
and landing in hand with the Diamond King to lead a spade "4"
North is caught is what is called Morton's fork!.. She cannot
afford to take the spade Ace and she cannot afford not to!!
If she chooses:
To rise with spade Ace. you can now pitch 2 hearts losers ..one
on the established spade Queen and one on the and the Club Ace
(notice you preserved that diamond nine for an entry to harvest
the Spade Queen/Club Ace)
If North chooses not to rise with the spade Ace. . you win Queen
and dump that spade king loser on the club ace.(you preserved
that card trick one) and try the heart finesse for a possible
overtrick
Hope you enjoyed!
********************
Thank You Andy.....
Captain .Andy is available for lessons on all aspects of
the game, including one on one mentoring.
===========================================================
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.
BridgeHands eMag Newsletter
===========================
Taken from the February 2006 BridgeHands eMag Newsletter:
********************
Hand Evaluation, part 2 - Enter the "Rule of 20"
Last month we found the "Rule of 15" provides a secondary hand
evaluation methodology when a hand does not have sufficient
strength to open the bidding using a traditional point count (and
partner is a passed hand). The "Rule of 20" provides yet another
tool to consider holding a marginal hand. Better yet, you can use
this in any seat, even when partner isn't a passed hand. Rule of
20 - add the sum of cards held in your two long suits to your
high card points. If the total is 20 or greater and your honors
are in the two longest suits, open the bidding. The idea here is
that when you have a two-suited hand (5-4, 5-5, or longer), the
hand may generate extra tricks based on the suit length -
particularly when you have a suit fit with partner. Bridge author
Marty Bergen is credited with inventing this handy tool in
"Points Schmoints". However, when some players complained the
method didn't always work well, Marty clarified the two long
suits must contain the honors, published in "More Points
Schmoints". Here's a few hands:
S A K Q 3 2
H J 10 9 2
D 5 4
C 3 2
10 HCP, 5 Spades and 4 Hearts = 19, not quite enough to open. But
if you recall our Rule of 15 lesson last month, we could open the
hand 1S in fourth seat (some play third seat as well).
S K 10 8 4
H A K J 3 2
D 5 4
C 3 2
11 HCP, 4 Spades and 5 Hearts = 20, so open 1 Heart.
S 10 8 3 4
H A K J 3 2
D 5 4
C K 2
Same 11 HCP, 4 Spades and 5 Hearts, but unfortunately the Club
King is not "working" with our two long suits so we should pass
for now. Incidentally, the reason we have this restriction is
that outside honors do not carry their weight helping promote the
long suits. Secondly, outside honors are often useful as
defensive tricks.
Used correctly, the Rule of 20 is a fine hand analysis tool to
evaluate minimal hands holding nine or more cards in two suits.
===========================================================
GIGGLE BREAK
PART TWO FROM PRINGLE...
Considering all the lint you get in your dryer, if you kept
drying your clothes, would they eventually just disappear?
When we are in the supermarket and someone rams our ankle with a
shopping cart than apologizes for doing so, why do we say, "It's
all right?" Well, it isn't all right so why don't we say, "That
hurt, you stupid idiot?"
Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that's
falling off the table you always manage to knock something else
over?
Is it true that the only difference between a yard sale and a
trash pickup is how close to the road the stuff is placed?
In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in
summer when we complained about the heat?
How come we never hear father-in-law jokes?
If at first you don't succeed, shouldn't you try doing it like
your wife told you to do it?
The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four persons
is suffering from sort of mental illness. Think of your three
best friends, if they're okay, then guess what, it's you.
==========================================================
TREBLE'S TABLE TALK
===================
RAZOR-THIN!
During a recent sectional and the Friday night bidding practices
I host on OKBridge, we had a series of interesting hands on which
a number of different results were possible. All of the decisions
taken in the bidding were understandable, but for the most part
they didn't work out. The first example is from a knockout
teams, where you hold with both sides vulnerable, as South:
S-- Ax H- A109xx D-- Jxx C-- Jxx
The auction begins:
Partner RHO You LHO
1D 1H pass 1S
pass 2S pass 3S
pass pass ?
For the record, your side is playing 2/1 with 11-14 1NT openings,
and LHO's 1S advance to partner's overcall was a one-round force.
Responder had two choices after the 1H overcall, to take
immediate action with 1NT or to pass, intending to convert a
reopening double by partner for penalties. Frankly, I don't have
a clearcut preference between the two options, so I wouldn't
quibble with the initial pass.
RHO's 2S didn't promise extras as he was forced to bid, and now
LHO tries for game with 3S. Your side has at least half the deck
in points and your adversaries are at the three-level. Is it time
to express doubt?
The player holding these cards doubled, but that smacks of a
matchpoints tactic to me that entails some risk at teams. You'd
expect to take three or four tricks against a heart contract,
assuredly, but the opponents are now in SPADES, which diminishes
the value of your hand. Against 3S, you'll get both major suit
Aces and perhaps the nuisance value of the heart split will grow
up into another trick. But evaluate your hand at 2.5 tricks and
give partner the same for the opening bid, and you're still only
looking at defeating their contract by one trick.
>From my previous TTT rants, you know by now my opinion about
>thin
doubles of partscores into game. The sad conclusion to this hand
was that declarer had a void in hearts opposite dummy's KQJxx,
your Ace of hearts gets ruffed out, they have a ten-card spade
fit and 3S doubled makes.
The next exhibit is also from a team game, the final-day
Swiss.
This time you have:
S-- A9xx H-- AKQ9 D-- Qx C-QJx
And the bidding starts with a flurry of activity:
RHO you LHO partner
1D dbl 1S pass
2C ?
With the initial double, you were planning to take further action
when next you got the chance.
However, the opponents have bid three of the four suits while
partner has remained on the sidelines.
Does this affect how you proceed now?
There are three choices here:
2H, pass, or a second double.
2H is right on points but partner will expect at least five of
them. Also, the minor suit holdings are pretty soft and even if
there is a heart fit, you won't be able to ruff spades easily,
with opener on your right likely having shortness.
Pass is likely the choice I would have made at the table,
figuring there would be negligible game prospects at best and not
willing to risk life and limb to battle for a partscore.
Double is also reasonable, as it confirms the major-suit length
and shows extra values. It's not 100% penalties, although it
should have at least 3 of RHO's suit and be convertible if
advancer has no obvious bid.
Why am I sympathetic towards a double here after being vehemently
against it on the previous hand? Because we aren't doubling the
opponents into game as was the case on the first example.
Partner had: S-- 10xx H-- xxx D-- A98x C-Kxx
Over 2H, he will drive to a notrump game that fails against best
defense (4H is even worse).
A second double turns out to be a huge winner,as partner will
leave it in, and double an attempted runout to diamonds.
Pass will also result in a plus, albeit a smaller one.
Hand #3 comes from last night's bidding practice, where a
potential game was missed:
North: S-- AQ10x H-- K9xx D-- Kxxx C-- xx
South: S-- J9x H-- A108x D-- AQxx C-- xx
The bidding:
North South
1D 1H
2H 3H
pass
12 opposite 11, but game needs either the K of spades onside, or
hearts to play for no losers. You don't need a 3-2 diamond split
as dummy's spades give you a discard. The K of spades was in fact
offside, but South's RHO has QJ doubleton of hearts, so 10 tricks
was easy. The invitational reraise didn't help NS, so what's the
answer?
There are two, one being that responder should bid game
willy-nilly based on the double fit, which seems vaguely
unsatisfying. Even 3D, which is a help-suit game try, leaves
opener a difficult choice. The game try that will propel us to
game here is 2S on responder's Jxx suit.
I'm a firm opponent of making a help-suit game try on three
small, and this is only minutely different. My position is,
however, that the minimum to accept a HSGT is Q10x or better (Hxx
does not cut it).
If that is the partnership agreement, then a 2S game try can be
made with responder's hand. But what if opener raises to 4S? The
answer is that in the help-suit game try lexicon, that is not
permitted. You can raise the help-suit, but not if it takes you
past game in responder's original suit. So we'd have here:
North South
1D 1H
2H 2S
3S 4H
pass
As I mentioned at the table, however, not reaching game on these
combined hands is not a terrible sin by any means. It takes the
10 and 9 of both major suits to create reasonable game prospects,
and how can you ever know that for sure?
The last hand also made it's appearance in last night's Fireside:
West: S-- AKJ8x H-- KQ D-- Ax C-- K10xx
East S-- void H-- 10xx D-- K9xxx C-- QJxxx
The auction went:
South West North East
1H dbl 2H pass
pass 2S pass pass
pass
Doubling and then bidding a suit shows a very good hand,
particularly when advancer hasn't bid at hir turn. With no spade
fit or heart stopper, East passed and a decent 5C game was
missed.
Should advancer have bid after the 2H raise? If I have an unbid
major as advancer, I'll get involved with as few as 7-9 points.
Here, though, you'd be doing it with a minor and at the
three-level. I think you'd need 9-11 points to do that, and so I
agree with East's first pass.
However, with 5-5 in the minors and a better hand than we've
shown thus far, I think it's worthwhile to try locating a fit
once partner has shown 17 or more points. Consequently, I'd bid
3D and then 4C if that bid is available next time around.
I was asked at the table if West could have jumped to 3S to show
the 20-point hand. My reply was that I would also expect a
six-card or longer suit for a double followed by a jump. However,
West could double again, and then bid spades, to show only five
spades but half the deck in points. Note what this does to the
East hand. With 5-5 in the minors and partner showing
considerable extras with the repeated double, advancer should now
jump to 4NT, willing to play game in West's best minor suit.
We'd now have:
South West North East
1H dbl 2H pass
pass dbl pass 4NT
pass 5C pass pass
pass
Like the other three hands in this collection, this is razor-thin
bidding judgment, where it's a matter of nuances rather than a
cut-and-dried action. That's what makes bridge a delightful if
somewhat frustrating game all at the same time.
********************
You will find Bill doing his FireSide sessions on Fridays or
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 Lucy for this giggle:
An Old Cowboy's Advice:
Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.
Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.
Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled.
Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.
Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.
Do not corner something you know is meaner than you.
It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.
You cannot unsay a cruel word.
Every path has a few puddles.
When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
The best sermons are lived, not preached.
Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen
anyway.
Don't judge folks by their relatives.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think
back, you'll enjoy it a second time.
Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't botherin' you none.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop
diggin'.
Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.
The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with,
watches you from the mirror every mornin'.
Always drink upstream from the herd.
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from
bad judgment.
Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin'
it back in.
If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try
orderin' somebody else's dog around.
==========================================================
AND FINALLY KALTICA
===================
Four Suit Transfers
Some of our students asked how Four Suit Transfers work so I
thought we'd go over them in this month's article.
Opposite a 1NT or 2NT opening we transfer into a 5-card major the
usual way, by bidding Diamonds (with Hearts) or Hearts (with
Spades). Everything after such a transfer remains unchanged.
What makes Four Suit Transfers different is the way MINOR suit
length is treated. In SAYC, only 2S (or 2NT:3S) is available for
length in EITHER minor. Opener rebids in Clubs (or, in more
refined methods, NT with superior Diamonds) and now Responder
either signs off in the minor or bids something higher as a slam
try. This, then, is the first difference between the methods:
SAYC needs 1NT:3C and 1NT:3D for invitational hands since 1NT:2S
can handle only signoffs or slam tries.
If playing Four Suit Transfers we bid Spades with Clubs or NT
with Diamonds. Thus, 1NT:2NT is a transfer to Diamonds and must
be alerted and explained as such. Bear in mind that 2NT:3NT is
also a transfer to Diamonds. If we are going to raise NT, then,
we must use a Staymanic Club bid which, for this pair, does NOT
show a 4-card major. Thus, the Staymanic Club bid must be alerted
as well.
2NT 3C* = "Does not promise a 4-card
major."
any 3NT = Signoff.
The advantage of Four Suit Transfers comes in Opener's first
rebid. If Opener has a fit for the promised minor AND a
better-than-minimum hand Opener bids the step IN BETWEEN. Thus,
1NT:2S:2NT shows a Club fit WITH EXTRAS. In this way the 2S bid
can serve as an invite; if Opener rebids 1NT:2S:3C Responder
knows that Opener is missing a fit for Clubs and/or extras.
Thus, an invitational Responder can pass a 3D rebid after
1NT:2NT. Any new suit bid by Responder (e.g. 1NT:2NT:3H or 3S)
is a slam try.
So what are the disadvantages of Four Suit Transfers (other than
the chance of forgetting that we are playing them)?
The main disadvantage comes in the Staymanic sequences that we
must initiate in order to raise the NT opening. These allow LHO
to double 3C with that suit and gives the opponents information
about Opener's hand that is of little use to Responder.
More importantly, perhaps, is that it complicates a sequence like
1NT:2C:2H:2S or 2NT:3C:3H:3S as a ST TOMAS slam try. There is
now the possibility that Responder actually has 4 Spades and a
non-slammish hand. The solution is rather simple, and requires
only that Opener jump to 3NT if maximal but lacking 4 Spades.
1NT 2C - Stayman, possibly without a major.
2H 2S - ONE round force. "Bid HIGHER than
2NT with 4 Spades, please."
2NT = 2-3 Spades, minimum, else bid 3NT.
Responder can pass 2NT.
Another sequence that is different is:
1NT 2C
2H 2S - Slam try or Spades.
3H 3S - NOT forcing. 3H = 4-4 in the
majors, minimum.
Had Opener rebid 3C (4=4=2=3) or 3D (4=4=3=2) showing a maximum
with 4 Spades all rebids by Responder force game.
1NT 2C
2H 2S - Slam try or 4 Spades, inviting game
at least.
3C 3S - Because 3C showed a maximum with 4
Spades, this is forcing.
Any non-game rebid over Opener's NT bid is forcing, while game
bids other than 3NT invite slam.
i) 2NT 3C
3H 3S - Forcing. 4 Spades, GF, or any slam
force with a major.
3NT 4H - Slam try in Hearts. 3NT denied 4
Spades.
ii) 1NT 2C
2H 2S - Slam try or 4 Spades, forcing or
inviting game.
2NT 3C = Natural, slam try with the blacks.
3D = Natural, slam try with the
pointeds.
3H = Natural, slam try with a 4-4 Heart
fit.
3NT = Game force with 4 Spades, no
interest in slam.
All in all, Four Suit Transfers are a fine convention for those
well versed in ST TOMAS and willing to devote the time to
learning the refinements.
********************
You'll find Kaltica (Colin Ward) doing his FireSide session
Tuesday or 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!
=============================================================
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