FIRESIDE CHAT DECEMBER 2001
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Welcome and Announcements
Believer's FireSide Kindling
Bidding with Bridgboy
Pomo's Pointers
This is Your Captain Speaking
Moogal's FireSide Log
Ecofin's Forward to the Basics
Special Treats
Treble's Table Talk
And Finally Kaltica
.....................................................
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Hi all!
Welcome to the December, 2001 issue of FireSide
Chat, our monthly newsletter written for and about
our FireSide friends and events.
Be sure to read Moogal's FireSide Log this month for
the scoop from Vegas -- we have a couple of neat reports
from friends who were lucky enough to be there. We are
sooo jealous... sigh.
For pictures from the Las Vegas 2001 Fall Nationals:
http://www.members.home.net/cpward/vegas.htm
Our sincerest wishes to all of you for a very Happy
Holiday Season. We hope the past year has been good
to you, and that the coming new year will be even
better. We're looking forward to another year of
getting together with all of our friends at the FireSide
sessions, Mentor Cup Games, and many other OKbridge
activities. Maybe even some face-to-face events!
Houston in March, anyone?
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 Sara326@mediaone.net or Moogal at
Moocake@aol.com.
A special thanks to all of you who have been sending
us contributions for our "giggle breaks". We appreciate
everything you send, and use as many as we can. Keep
'em coming, please!
Please remember that the Bridgementor-L mail list
is available for discussions of bridge topics,
and, more importantly, as a forum in which you can
find immediate answers to your bridge questions.
To join, go to www.bridgementor.com and click on the
link for the discussion list.
OKbridge also 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 website 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.
This newsletter is also available online, at the
OKbridge website. They have our current edition
posted there under 'Publications' -- 'FireSide Chat'
and have provided links for all of our back issues.
Go to www.okbridge.com to find us, or to explore
the many fun and interesting areas available there.
FireSide is now providing us with a "hand of the week"
feature. Go to our new Hand of the Week site:
http://www.members.home.net/firesiders/fireside.htm
to check out the fun.
If, for any reason, you do not wish to receive these
mailings, please write to Believer at sara326@mediaone.net
to be removed from our mailing list.
...........................................................
CURRENT FIRESIDE SCHEDULE
Day Pacific Time Commentator
MONDAY 11:00 A.M. POOKA
MONDAY 5:30 P.M. BRIDGBOY
TUESDAY 11:00 A.M. SHEP
TUESDAY 8:00 P.M. CAPTAIN
WEDNESDAY 11:00 A.M. FREDW3
WEDNESDAY 5:30 P.M. LBROWN
THURSDAY 11:00 A.M. POOKA
THURSDAY 5:30 P.M. RAIJA & POMO
FRIDAY 11:00 A.M. BLUEBEE
FRIDAY 5:30 P.M. KALTICA
SATURDAY 11:00 A.M. WINTAKA/CAPTAIN
Commentators may change without notice,
according to their availability.
****************
Although there is no set fee for participating in
these "open to all" sessions, please note that FireSide
Bidding Practice Sessions operate with the support of
those in attendance. For information about how to
become a supporting member, please contact Kaltica at
cpw@escape.ca, or LBrown at Finesse@bestweb.net.
Thanks to all of you for supporting the FireSide sessions
in all the many different ways you have of doing so.
...........................................................
All articles herein (c) 2001 by FireSide Chat.
All rights reserved.
...........................................................
BELIEVER'S FIRESIDE KINDLING
============================
Hi all :-)
To start out, I received an email, following up on last
month's column, that I wanted to share with you:
"Hi Sara!
"I just read your article in this month's edition of
the FIRESIDE CHAT and I do have a suggestion to your
writer who complained about opps wanting to speed up
play. I also have a physical disability which slows my
play, but I'm not sensitive about it -- it's just
something I have to live with. Your reader should talk
to his/her partner and find out just how much he/she
is willing to disclose, and then post a disclaimer
(something along the lines of the posting required at
the beginning of each round during a tourney). If
partner doesn't want to disclose anything, then your
reader should accept all the blame him/herself and use
the excuse of family in the house (or pets, etc)."
KAREN SINGER (aka "wheels")
Thanks, Karen.
I have so much admiration for the many many OKb'ers who
are ill, or physically disabled somehow, or have other
issues they deal with every day, and just "live with it."
They accept their limitations, they don't whine or make
excuses, they are who they are. They know they have nothing
to apologize for, and invariably enrich the OKb experience
of those they play with and become friends with.
I consider myself very lucky to be able to be friends with
so many at OKbridge who I'd never have the chance to
meet in a FTF setting. Many of those friends are limited
physically and can't get out often to a bridge club, or any
of the many tourneys that go on all the time. Many of them
are physically limited, and still manage to get out anyway.
I can only imagine the courage and determination it takes to
do that... and I'm very afraid that I would not have either
of those in the same circumstances.
You might be surprised to learn how many of your OKb friends
are included in this group. Please keep them in mind when
you are feeling impatient with a slow bidder, when you are
getting grumpy with an uncoordinated typist... that slow
bidder or typist is trying his/her best. The only thing we
accomplish by trying to hurry someone is to make them more
flustered. Then they bid or type even slower, making us
even more frustrated! Think of the rewards though, of being
patient and getting to know that person, instead of going
off in a huff or having a temper tantrum. Some of the
nicest, most caring and giving folks I've met at OKb have
been folks who had a hard time getting their bearings,
learning their way around, or just can't type as fast as I
can. I'm lucky I was patient enough to get to know them.
I'm lucky that they come around to play with me, to talk to
me. It makes me feel special that they want to be my
friend.
OKbridge really is a very special place. I hope all of us
have the good sense to appreciate each other, to care about
the feelings of the folks we interact with every day. I
hope all of us remember to just treat everyone we meet at
OKb the way we want to be treated.
********************
You can write to Believer (Sara Stobbe) at:
sara326@mediaone.net
...........................................................
GIGGLE BREAK
Thanks to Tuna for this seasonal giggle:
CHRISTMAS SIGNS:
- From a toy store: "Ho, ho, ho spoken here."
- In a bridal boutique: "Marry Christmas."
- Outside a church: "The original Christmas Club."
- From a department store: "Big pre-Christmas sale.
Come in and mangle with the crowd."
- In a Texas jewelry store: "Diamond tiaras: $70,000.
Three for $200,000.
- A reducing salon: "24 Shaping Days until Christmas."
- In a stationery store: "For the man who has everything:
A calendar to remind him when payments are due."
...........................................................
BIDDING WITH BRIDGBOY
=====================
This past weekend I had the pleasure of participating in
the first FACT event, and had the extreme pleasure of being
partnered by Nina (PSYCHE), who carried me to a high finish
indeed.
One of my common areas of advice is to look for
opportunities for low level penalty doubles. Whether
you play IMPS or matchpoints, your opponents are often
bidding too much and offer at least a couple of good
chances for a swing every session. All you need to do
is take full advantage!
We received two such chances, and our scores swelled
after the hands. Here they are:
You pick up
S AK
H AQxxxx
D X
C Q10xx
You open 1H and hear 3S on your left, then a negative double
from partner. Your bid, white vs red? I figured that the
chances of finding partner with shortness in hearts was
good. Now I can see three or four tricks in our hand even
if she had nothing. Hearts rated to be breaking badly due
to the preempt. Could we really make 6C? That was possible,
but if not then trying for plus 500 seemed like a good
score. Minor suit slams in a competitive auction are not
easy to reach, and there was no guarantee it was making
anyway. So, I passed the double and waited.
The stiff heart lead gave us the HA, heart ruff, my two top
trumps, and partner had two tricks in the minors, for plus
500 and a very fine score. It beat all those in game
getting only 420.
Another hand I held:
S Axxx
H VOID
D Axxx
C AKxxx
and heard 1H on my right, X (by me), 2H from LHO, P - P,
back to me?
It seemed easy to X again and watch it go pass - pass -
pass. When the smoke cleared, another plus 500 against a
partscore!
Glad those people came to our table and opened with a light
hand and raised with very little -- standard operating
procedure for some! What is not, is making these doubles
and collecting the tops. They should be a standard part of
your basic thinking every time you play bridge.
Good scores should be graciously accepted in this holiday
season. But try not to be so giving except when you see
Bridgboy coming -- then give! give! give! because Nina and
I will take! take! take! :)
*************************
You can find Bridgboy (Bob Lavin) doing his FireSide
sessions on Monday evenings at 5:30 p.m. OKbridge time.
Anyone interested in one-on-one lessons on any topic of
the game may contact Bob at bridgboy@charter.net
Bob also now offers courses at OKbridge University. Go
to www.okbridge.com, or email him for more information.
...........................................................
GIGGLE BREAK
Thanks to Arrow for this giggle:
Subject: The next "Survivor"
Have you heard about the next planned "Survivor" show?
* 6 men will be dropped on an island with 1 van and 4
kids each, for 6 weeks.
* Each kid plays two sports and either takes music or
dance classes.
* There is no access to fast food.
* Each man must take care of his 4 kids, keep his
assigned house clean, correct all homework, complete
science projects, cook, do laundry, etc.
* The men only have access to television when the kids
are asleep and all chores are done: There is only
one TV between them and there is no remote.
* The men must shave their legs and wear makeup daily,
which they must apply themselves either while driving
or while making four lunches.
* They must attend weekly PTA meetings, clean up after
their sick children at 3:00 am, make an Indian hut
model with six toothpicks, a tortilla and one marker,
and get a 4-year old to eat a serving of peas.
* The kids vote them off based on performance.
* The winner gets to go back to his job.
............................................................
POMO'S POINTERS
===============
KEEPING PARTNER IN THE GAME
Partnership is the key to winning at bridge. Any time you
can make partner’s life a bit easier is an important step
toward having enjoyable and rewarding sessions. There are
many times when we might “help” partner.
DEFENSE: Signals will let partner know what suits to play
or avoid. Giving count signals will assist in his/her
ability to count declarer’s hand. Of course, signaling
will only be used when important information will help
partner (not declarer). Defending is a tough job – but
you might help lessen the burden with well thought out
carding (and leads). The method I use is: try to think
about partner’s possible problems and do your best to solve
those particular ones for him. This requires extra thinking
with most hands – even the terrible hands. In fact, the
poorer your hand, the more help partner will need in making
the right play or discard.
BIDDING: Evaluation of any hand centers around two
factors: a) high cards b) fit.
To judge your hand value, both ingredients are essential.
If you can raise partner’s long suit and refuse to disclose
the fit – his judgement will never be as good as good as it
might have been. Think about how to help partner in the
auction. If you have a great fit – let partner in on the
secret.
S J9853 After partner opens with 1D and you respond
H Q104 1S -- partner reverses with 2H.
D K982 Is your hand better than before? By a
C 5 mile!! Partner has shown 17+ points with
longer Diamonds than Hearts (probably 5/6
D's and 4 H's). Your support in Diamonds
is exceptional and you have a “key”
card in Hearts. Your meager hand has become
a great fitting hand – even with only
six points. Bid boldly in support of Diamonds.
S A98632 You open with 1S and partner responds with
H KJ 1NT. What now?
D AQ9 You could bid 3S to show the hand value
C KJ and length in S's. But I think 2NT is a better
bid, since partner might have a long suit and
will not appreciate its value if you persist
in S's. Partner might have C AQ9632 and a
singleton in S's. 2N keeps partner in the game!
Make bids that will enable partner to judge his hand
better – raise his long suit whenever possible.
Your hardest work at the bridge table is helping partner
make good decisions in the bidding and during the defense.
All of this effort will result in partner playing far better
than if you “force” him to make difficult (or impossible)
choices without your assistance.
********************
You can find Pomo and Raija doing their FireSide sessions
on Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m. OKbridge time.
(Except the second Thursday of the month, when the Fifth
Chair's Novice/Mentor Tourney is held.)
You can email Pomo at: reisig@oco.net
..........................................................
GIGGLE BREAK
Thanks to DavidRG for this one:
A secretary, a paralegal and a partner in a city law
firm are walking through a park on their way to lunch
when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a
Genie comes out in a puff of smoke. The Genie says, "I
usually only grant three wishes, so I'll give each of
you just one."
"Me first! Me first!" says the secretary. "I want to
be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care
in the world."
Poof! She's gone.
"Me next! Me next!" says the paralegal. "I want to be
in Hawaii, relaxing on the beach with my personal
masseuse, an endless supply of pina coladas and the
love of my life."
Poof! He's gone.
"You're next," the Genie says to the partner.
The partner says, "I want those two back in the office
after lunch."
......................................................
THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN SPEAKING
=============================
Pairs Board 1
IMPs Dlr: North
Vul: None
south
noteldy
S KQ8
H Q75
D 873
C A542
east west
S AJ3 S 9652
H AJT9 H K632
D KQ5 D J9
C T73 C KQ6
north
captain
S T74
H 84
D AT642
C J98
east south west north
noteldy captain
pass
1NT pass 2C pass
2H (all pass)
Opening Lead: SK
Result: +4
Score: -170, IMPs: -4.54
Playing time: 5:13
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
E 3 A-HA-HJ 9-C3 5 J
S SK-SQ 5 Q 7 A-D3 8
W 2 5 2 K-H3 6 J 6
N 4 7 4 8 C8 9 A-ST
This board is from our Nov 11 FACT, in which I know we all
had a really fun time.
I had the honor of being the partner of Marty (Noteldy), and
we were having a perfect game until this board came along...
then our game began to slide some. Here we fell victim to
the "Bath Coup"!
Pard led the Spade King ..2 ..4 (attitude) ..3! (setting us
up for the Bath coup!)
Trick 2.. Spade Q! .. and into the bathtub we went.. fully
clothed yet!
OK! "Bring on Board 2!" was our battle cry!
********************
The "Bath" Coup
Bath Coup is a coup where declarer, holding the AJx,
ducks an opening lead of KQx in hope that the suit
will be continued thereby promoting their Jack into
an extra trick. Below is a close relative... can you
figure out best declarer line?
********************
I thought you'd also like to hear of the "Pig Pen Coup",
an obscure and very rare relative of the Bath Coup...
The "Pig Pen" Coup
1C(north) P 2NT P
3NT
Lead is Spade K ...7 ...2 ...?
Plan the play... and take your time --
south
S 873
H A5
D K73
C AQJT6
east west
north
captain
S AJ4
H 842
D AQ2
C J985
Answer: trick one -- if you play spade 4 from hand
you run risk of a Heart switch, leaving you with a Spade,
3 Hearts (at least), and a Club loser if the finesse
fails...
If you win Ace and RHO has Club King, and Spades are
5-2, you run risk of 4 Spade losers and a Club...
Answer is trick one play the Jack, then an unsuspecting
LHO will continue Spades, and if Club finesse does fail,
your RHO will either be out of Spades or the Spades were
4-3 and there are only 3 Spade losers. 9 tricks in the
bank with Club finesse failing! You have just pulled
off the "Pig Pen Coup", aptly named because you refused
to take a "Bath".
********************
You will find Captain (Andy Anderson) doing his
FireSide sessions on Tuesday evenings, at 8:00 P.M.
OKbridge time, and every other Saturday at 11:00 A.M.
Captain is a full time instructor on OKbridge,
offering group or individual lessons for anyone
ranging from novice to advanced players.
Email Andy for more information - andy@imagewireless.ca
............................................................
GIGGLE BREAK
A big "thank you" to gail37 for this giggle:
New Dog Cross Breeds
Collie + Lhasa Apso:
Collapso, a dog that folds up for easy transport
Spitz + Chow Chow:
Spitz-Chow, a dog that throws up a lot
Pointer + Setter:
Poinsetter, a traditional Christmas pet
Great Pyrenees + Dachshund:
Pyradachs, a puzzling breed
Pekingnese + Lhasa Apso:
Peekasso, an abstract dog
Irish Water Spaniel + English Springer Spaniel:
Irish Springer, a dog fresh and clean as a whistle.
Labrador Retriever + Curly Coated Retriever:
Lab Coat Retriever, the choice of research scientists
Newfoundland + Basset Hound:
Newfound Asset Hound, a dog for financial advisors
Terrier + Bulldog:
Terribull, a dog that makes awful mistakes
Bloodhound + Labrador:
Blabador, a dog that barks incessantly
Malamute + Pointer:
Moot Point, owned by...oh, well, it doesn't matter anyway
Collie + Malamute:
Commute, a dog that travels to work
Deerhound + Terrier:
Derriere, a dog that's true to the end
Bull Terrier + Shitzu:
... Lets not go there
...........................................................
MOOGAL'S FIRESIDE LOG
=====================
Rest in Peace, OKB friends.
It is my very sad duty to tell you about the death of
several OKB members.
--------------------
Jerry Levine (TEEMAN) was a frequent partner of Bill
(WINTAKA) and Janie (BCCPAVE). I had the privilege
of meeting him in Toronto.
Jerry died in an automobile accident on his way to the
Las Vegas nationals. Janie had chatted with him on
this trip via Instant Message just the days before.
Michael, Jerry's son emailed his dad's on-line friends,
mentioning in particular how just the past weekend, Jerry
had been talking about how much he was enjoying the computer
and all his on-line friends.
Bill had already made plans to play with him in Las
Vegas and sent me his memories of Jerry:
"Jerry and I met at the Boston Fall Nationals in November
of 1999. I was looking for a partner for an evening bridge
game and we were introduced to each other and had a
pleasant and entertaining time. He found out I played
bridge on the internet as well and we subsequently played
about once every three or four weeks for the next few
years. I also met him in person again in July of this
year in Toronto and we played two days in the IMP pairs
at the Summer Nationals.
"When I first met Jerry in Boston, he introduced me to his
wife (Suzanne if my memory is correct) and we chatted for a
bit. I extend my condolences to her and to the rest of the
family on behalf of myself and all of us OKBridgers from
Winnipeg.
"I always had a great time with Jerry, his gruff manner
belied a very sharp mind and fascinating sense of humour.
He was right to the point, genuine, never pretentious, and
seemed to have the world in a clear perspective. Although I
confess to not really being an expert on the matter, he
definitely seemed to me to be Brooklyn to the very core.
"He was a person that certainly left me with an impression
that I will never forget, and I will have indelible memories
of the time I spent with him, both in person and on the
internet."
Our deepest sympathies to Jerry's entire family and to his
friends who obviously will miss him very much.
--------------------
Last month I had the pleasure of telling you about our most
recent Angelfish, Mary (MARYR). This month I have to tell
you that she passed away recently after a long illness.
Mary loved our Mentor Cup games, and she tried to come when
her health permitted. We had an agreement, she could leave
whenever she tired, and I would find her a sub...I hope it
gave her a little pleasure towards the end.
Her friend and partner Paul (GOBLUE7) wrote this, with tears
in his eyes, on Saturday night, a time when they often
played:
Mary Rodriguez (1943 - 2001)
"Mary was my very best friend on OKBridge. She always made
me feel good, no matter what our results were. Even when
things went wrong, Mary kept her sunny disposition. Her
attitude towards bridge was merely a small example of
her general outlook - I know NO ONE who has comparable
problems (health, and MANY others) yet I never knew her
to complain. Sometimes, I would watch her play a few -
she almost always played in pick-up games because she just
loved to meet new people - and her pard would "vocally"
get upset at her when (as usual:>:>) one of her rather
odd plays or bids didn't work out. She would just say
"I'll try to do better" or something like that - even
when it wasn't totally or even mostly her fault. Mary
KNEW that bridge is just a game. Talk about "turning the
other cheek." The woman truly was a saint! I am privileged
to have been her friend."
Paul Anderberg
goblue7
I asked Tuna, who was already saddened by the death of his
partner, Coral, to tell us a bit about Mary, also:
"My regular online partner Coral passed away last week at
89, you might have seen us playing together in tourneys
often.
"Friday I heard from Imo (LOL6013) that Mary was
hospitalized. I took down the phone number wrong, oh
what a difference a single digit can make, so I got a
dozen busy signals.
"When I finally got the right number and phoned Mary on
Saturday, I was amazed by her optimism, and how she took
time to ask me about my own little world. I would expect
many in her situation to be focused primarily on themselves
or the pain. That's just typically Mary, she continued in
her patented manner to be uplifting and optimistic, thriving
on some encouraging words the doctor had offered, giving her
hope that she could shortly return to all her dear friends
on OKb, and the chance to defy fate by spending one more
Christmas with her wonderful family.
"I waited a couple of days to call her again, since I knew
she needed rest with those invasive treatments. When I
called on Tuesday and was passed to the nurse's station, I
knew in dread what must have transpired.
"We will all sorely miss my dear Angelfish Mary. I hope
to see you all at the memorial for her set for Nov 25th at
11am OKB time."
Tuna played with Mary's good friend Imogene (LOL6013) in
Mary's memorial tourney, and he played with Sara (BELIEVER)
in the one for Coral, as she specced them frequently.
--------------------
On Oct 31, sadly we lost one of our Firesiders. Glenn (GORJ)
passed away after a long illness. Glenn, along with his
wife Juliet, was Colin's Wednesday night student. (GORJ
stood for GlennORJuliet). I had the pleasure of sitting
in at many of their games, and I can tell you from first
hand experience that Glenn was always a true gentleman,
friendly, eager to learn, and a delight to partner or opp.
Our deepest sympathies to his lovely wife Juliet, whose new
OKB name is Just-J.
We will surely miss Glenn, Mary, Jerry and Coral.
=====================================================
NOVICE/MENTOR TOURNEY
Once again, our NM tourney winners were paired that night
at the partnership desk! Thanks to our volunteer mentor
Steve (JustABoz) and congrats to MQ26 for carrying him
to a win! :)
Our other top finishers:
Thu Nov 8 18:00 2001
Rank Team Score
1 JustABoz/MQ26 62.48
2 knife/yetti 62.19
3 macc2/moth 60.96
4 lia/Svet 60.89
5 nanhenny/tuathas 60.78
6 macaw/shep 58.69
7 bobowen/jaycee 56.65
8 neophyte/tad 56.28
9 bs3nt/YBBWH 56.08
10 cory/jhemmer 54.85
11 pru/RFISCHE 54.36
12 juniebug/Moogal 54.34
13 cleo/Maureens 50.91
Mentors and novices, join us this month on the 13'th!
Email me at moocake@aol.com or Laurie (BAGEL27) at
bagelbroad@fscv.net if you would like to find a partner
ahead of time, we'll do our best to match you up! I
promise you a fun evening.:)
=====================================================
MENTOR CUP GAMES
Only one game this month, due to the FACT tourney.
Nov 18: Team PKV: PKV, Todd, Ask1 and Peter_5
Well done to all of you and to our other top
finishers -- see who they are on our webpage at:
www.escape.ca/~cpw/mtc.htm.
Email me at Moocake@aol.com to get on the reminder
list for these games. All welcome!
=====================================================
FACT: Fireside Amateur-Commentator Tourney
What a blast! It was fun, no stress, and the feedback
from everyone was basically "when are we going to do
this again?"
Congratulations to L-M and Biktop, who not only won the
FACT, but the entire tourney as well!
A huge well done to our second place finishers, Billy
(WINTAKA) and Irmgard (ULLI3), two of the most delightful
people you could know.
And in third place, the brilliant POMO who came up with
the idea, and his partner, my good buddy Eric (ETSAND).
A big thanks to *my* partner Dale (ECOFIN)...I promise
I will make at least ONE good bid next time:)
Our deepest appreciation to all who donated their time
to play in this, to all the bidders, and especially
to Sara, our auctioneer and hostess with the mostest,
who went through a few bottles of aspirin.
So who will come up with the idea for our next event??
Get those thinking caps on folks!
=====================================================
Those of us who know our dear, sweet Gail (GAIL37)
were not the least bit surprised to read the letter
on page 10 of the November 2001 ACBL Bridge Bulletin.
I reprint part of it here with the kind permission
of Brent Manley, editor:
To the Editor:
Five friends from North Texas went to Utah to experience
the beauty of the fall colors and play some bridge...
After several days of enjoying the peace of Bear Lake we
called Vi Corkle of Salt Lake City and received directions
to her city for the Fall Fling Sectional, run by Bob
Donaldson.
We were warmly greeted and introduced as the ladies from
Texas. We were made to feel welcome by all we met at
the tables.....
....In between the Swiss sessions, we were invited to
follow a local player, Gail Wix, to a Mexican restaurant.
We had a delightful meal and when we went to settle up
the bill, Gail announced it was her treat. We protested
to no avail.
Random acts of kindness are definitely not unknown in this
bridge community. We all had so much fun and were so
well treated that it made our trip an absolute success.
When I try to explain to friends why I love to play bridge
so much, I realize that I do not tell them about the
additional benefits, such as those friends we made in
Salt Lake City...
Loretta Green
Dodd City TX
===========================================================
Do you like quizzes? Check out Richard Pavlicek's
defensive play contest for December at:
www.rpbridge.net/7v57.htm
These are TOUGH but give it a try!
Although the November bidding contest is closed, you can
still have fun trying it out at:
www.rpbridge.net/7w57.htm
And if you wait until the results are posted, around
December 3, you will get immediate feedback on how
you did!
The page design is very nice, and easy to use, and
fun! Go take a look!
===========================================================
Emails from our friend Gladys (GLAD11) are always a delight:
"My heart is still with OKbridge and all the wonderful
people that helped me try to fit in. Flew up to Milwaukee,
Wisconsin on the 18th of September to celebrate my 90'th
Birthday with my dear little sister, LaRae. I have really
tried to SLOW down since I had my eye problem...it is OK now
but am going to take very good care so I shall not be using
them so much.
"But I did get an instructor to help me on the computer and
now do not panic. Maybe after the first of the year I will
get brave again.
"Thanks for thinking of me!
"Fondly, Gladys
"P.S. I copied the schedule just in case!"
We miss seeing you at OKB Gladys, and hope you are able to
put that schedule to use very soon!
===========================================================
What was Olivia (BAOL) doing at an Allentown restaurant one
morning? Not looking for a breakfast bridge game this time!
She was attending her high school reunion, the 67'th (not
a typo!) gathering of Allentown High School's Class of 1934.
Not surprising to anyone who saw her in action organizing
the OKB dinner in Toronto, Olivia was one of the movers and
shakers getting this reunion together.
Thru her efforts, 55 members and guests of the class, most
of whom are now 85 years old, showed up for breakfast and
reminiscing!
A wonderful time was had by all, and if I know Olivia, she
is already busy planning the 68'th!
===========================================================
A smiling face has been missing from OKB recently, but for
a good reason!
Here is what MINDY told her friends and would like all of
you hear:
"Hey Everyone........know I haven't been around OKB lately
and it's because of happy news. The steroid shots that I've
been having into my spine have worked. I HAVE MY OLD LIFE
BACK. How long it will last I really don't know, but I am
taking advantage of every second to do the things I haven't
been able to do in three years. So If you don't see me, just
remember, I am LIVING MY LIFE! and be happy for me.
"Will return to playing more bridge when I catch up on
living it up a bit. Thanks for all your support these past
two years. You have all gotten me thru some very tough
moments, and I love all of you.
"xoxoxo Mindy"
===========================================================
Many of us know Mike Yuen (MYUEN) by name from attending
Colin's FireSide Sessions (The MYUEN rule: 2NT is the LAST
part score we can play in). But now he will be known as the
boyfriend of a Venice Cup Winner!
His girlfriend PONY was on the winning German Venice Cup
team. She and Mike were also the ones who finished second
when Billy and "his partner" (Colin is still whining over
that designation by the tourney director) won the Calcutta
in Red Deer last year.
I had the pleasure of meeting Pony, and Mike, in Toronto.
By the way, "PONY" is pronounced "punny" and refers to
bangs (i.e. hair).
Congratulations!
===========================================================
Our very own Shelagh (SHEP) is featured in this month's
Spectator for her spectacular play on this hand:
Outstanding Tournament Hand of the Month
Making 4NT on this hand, played in an IMP competition
on July 17, was easy - 10 top tricks. Shelagh Paulsson
found a way to make an extra trick - not a big gain in
IMPs, but it always makes a player feel good to take one
more trick than anyone else.
Dealer: East Vul: Both IMPs, Bd 10
North
S T5
H T53
D AK76
C KJ62
West East
S 632 S QJ974
H K98 H Q764
D J953 D T8
C T75 C 84
South
S AK8
H AJ2
D Q42
C AQ93
West North East South
Eliza Shep
pass 2NT
pass 4NT pass pass
pass
Opening lead: 3D
Shelagh opened a 20-21 2NT, and Elizabeth Redrupp (ELIZA)
invited with her 11 HCP. With no extras whatsoever in an
absolutely flat hand, Shelagh of course declined the
invitation.
She won the diamond opening lead with the queen and crossed
to dummy with the KD. A finesse to the JH went to West's
king, and West continued with another diamond.
At this point Shelagh won the diamond, crossed to hand to
take two top spades and then ran the four club tricks,
ending in dummy. At this point, East was down to the good
QS and the QH. Shelagh made the key play here, leading her
last diamond. West won this trick, of course, but pity poor
East who had to make a discard. No matter what he sluffed,
Shelagh had the last two tricks. He actually pitched the 7H,
so Shelagh sluffed her 8S and took the last two tricks with
her AH and dummy's 10H.
Well done Shelagh!
========================================================
Rainbow/Spectrum/Kaleidoscope
If you missed Bill's Rainbow classes this time around,
don't make the same mistake with his Spectrum 2/1
series starting Saturday, December 8, and running Dec.
11, 15, 18, and 20 at 5:30 P.M. OKbridge time.
And you will have another shot at Rainbow, and also
Kaleidoscope, in January!
Rave reviews for the last series! A Rainbow student
told her local club friends about the classes, and TEN
of them signed up for the sessions, 4 or 5 of them taking
out new OKB memberships just so they could attend!
========================================================
Vegas --
Our travel editor, Gail (GAIL37), didn't have to be told
she had an assignment when she headed off to Vegas....
send a report! And knowing there were points taken off
for lateness, she wanted her A+:
"Have just returned from Las Vegas NABC's. It gets to be
more fun every time I go to NABC's!
"I arrived on Sunday afternoon, ran into Paul, my Salt
Lake F2F pard. He wasn't sure when I'd be in, and had
already made arrangements to play. No problem, I located
David (DAVIDRG) an hour before game time and dragged him
from his room over to the Hilton to play Swiss teams with
Paul. We had a great time, and did pretty well -- got
blitzed on the first match, but won the next 3, coming in
3'rd in the 299'er B section.
"Paul's new pard was really a nice player, and lives not
too far from David, so maybe they will be able to play some
F2F.
"While at the playing site, I was chatting with one of the
Directors, and as I was standing there, this woman comes up
and says "Are you Gail?" I said "yes", and she said,
"I'm Jayne! I just saw you from across the hall, and said
if I had to pick out Gail from across the room she'd look
just like that woman! So I had to come and see if it really
was you!" So hugs and more hugs and then she introduced me
to Jim (CALOKIE) and more hugs! Gee, NABC's are FUN!
"Next morning David and I had breakfast with Richie and
Raija Reisig (Pomo and Raija of the R & R show on Thursday
eves). Such a delightful pair! They kept us in stitches
with bridge stories!
"The plan was for David and me to play pairs in the
afternoon session. Suffice it to say, I got lost (so what
else is new?) David was really worried, and I was too late
to play in the session. This turned out to be a good thing
though, as he played with a lovely lady from Florida and she
agreed to play Swiss teams with David, Paul and me that
evening. This after a great dinner with R & R at Phillips
Supper House, a favorite of David's and a wonderful dinner!
R & R again regaled us with bridge stories, and an overview
of their online courtship culminating in their lovely
wedding. I asked Raija if she played that afternoon and in
her charming accent she responded "No, I'm on Strike! This
is my vacation!" :)
"Tues. afternoon, David and I played pairs. We had an
absolutely MISERABLE game, however try as we might, we could
not make *absolute* bottom. One pair did worse than we did,
although I have no idea how they managed it! Maybe it was
on the one hand that we almost got right! LOL After that
fiasco, David abandoned me... bridge-wise that is. And we
again had dinner with the Reisigs and Mrs. Sam (Tubby)
Stayman. What a delightful evening! Tubby then invited all
of us to dinner the following night.
"And I almost forgot...we met IngridH, and Fog (Don Joslyn).
David and I played against them on Tuesday afternoon...We're
trying to forget Tuesday afternoon altogether! LOL
"Played Teams again that night... Judi (MSLIZZZY) filled in
for David. And then I looked up..during the 2nd match...
and knew I was seeing Dann Kramer(POOKA)! Such a soft-
spoken man. He came and kibitzed Judi and me for a bit...
made one suggestion, very quietly, when Judi said, "I know
that's makeable, but I just couldn't figure it out". The
next day, he took me to breakfast with all his friends.
Lots more bridge talk! And lots of laughing! Dann has an
exceptional sense of humo(u)r! :)
"Anyhow, after playing til 11:30 or so...I finally got to
sleep about 1:00 am. At 3:00 am, the fire alarm goes off
and an announcement that the fire department has ordered
this part of the hotel evacuated... use the stairs
...ARRRRGGGGHHHH ... I'm on the 24th floor! But I threw
a few clothes on and managed to get down to the street.
David (on 27th floor) found me and we sat on the curb for
a bit.... yawning, wondering what was going on. The hotel
brought out blankets for people to use as it was cool and
many came without sweaters or jackets. After about 45
minutes or so, they allowed us to go to an unaffected area
of the hotel, where we waited a good 30-45 minutes until we
were allowed to return to our rooms. David said, "It's a
ruse! They just want us to gamble and not sleep!"
"I learned the next morning on the news that, yes, there
was a fire... on the 15th floor, confined to one room,
luckily...21 years to the day after the MGM Grand fire.
"David left that morning, early...not sure he was able
to go back to sleep. After breakfast (actually it was
lunch for me... a BLT) with Pooka, we returned to the
Hilton. I knew that Paul wanted to play KO's, and
since I was leaving the next morning, I had declined...
on the off chance that they might win and have to play
the next day. But I was still hoping that Judi might be
available. That was not to be. So I sorta hung around
the entry desk, and was asked if I could fill in. Sure...
so played with a nice man from Phoenix, and we did very
well, with no discussion to speak of. The unfortunate
part was that they put us in the wrong section... he had
too many points, so they penalized us, making us come in
5'th when we were in 2'nd with one round to go, and last
round was a really good one for us. :((
"The bad news of all this is there were people I didn't
get to meet. Paul (GUIDO) and I did a lot of message board
thing, but couldn't seem to get together at all...just kept
missing each other. And while I spoke to Shelagh (SHEP)
on the phone, we didn't see each other at all. I ran into
Billy Treble (WINTAKA) and chatted for a few minutes. I
did see people I had met in Toronto and even got to play
with one of them in our Tues nite Swiss team match...
although she played with her pick up pard, and I played
with my Salt Lake pard.
"Looking forward to Houston! And btw... there is a regional
here in Salt Lake City in May.... we'd love to see you!"
********************
More Vegas --
We always enjoy reading David's (DAVIDRG) reports
with their humorous perspective:
"I flew for the first time since September 11'th on
Sunday, November 18'th to Las Vegas via Phoenix.
It takes all day to fly anywhere anymore. I got
in about 4:00 PM. and wanted to rent a car (first
silly idea). So, after a very long wait, I took
the shuttle to Thrifty, where they promised me a
premium car for $34.95 per day. They didn't have
my reservation and I ended up with a compact car
for $39.95. Bummer. Oh, well. I drove to the
nearest supermarket to pick up "provisions", aka
Vodka (vitamin V) and snacks.
"I made it to the Sahara, where I have a room reserved
for $25 bucks a night, a real bargain, since the Hilton
was asking $129.00 a night. But, I knew if they were
selling rooms for $25, then I was going to ask for an
"upgrade". I haven't seen a $25 hotel room in years,
maybe never. So first thing, I ask for a suite. They
agreed to charge me $50.00 more. OK, first success.
(but more later). I get a one bedroom suite on the top
floor, 27th floor of the Angiers Tower at the Sahara.
I break out my provisions and make a cocktail, call
Gail37 and Rich and Raija, (all staying at the Sahara
across the street from the Hilton). Gail returns my
call in a few minutes and comes up to see my neat suite.
Gail insists we go play Swiss teams. I can't refuse Gail.
We go across the street via taxi.
"First session: In the first round we lose terribly, by 37
IMPS. OK, lets get it together. We won the next 3 rounds
and ended up placing 5'th overall in Flight A, for 1.77
red points. Hooray! We were thrilled.
"The next morning I hear from Rich and Raija. They invited
Gail and me to breakfast. They are so darling. Both of
them are wonderful. Raija looks like Snoopy and Rich really
looks like an alligator. Gail and I agree to take my
"stupid" rental car back to the airport, planning on playing
the afternoon session in 299'er Pairs. So, we finish
breakfast and hustle to take the car back to Thrifty.
Gail is following me, until the last exit on the freeway...
I go one way and in my rear view mirror, I see Gail go the
other way. OOPS. I get to Thrifty, and assume Gail knows
I can get back to the Hilton on my own (I am a Big Boy).
So, I immediately take the "Strip" shuttle back to the
Hilton. With about an hour's wait, worried about Gail out
there looking for me....I wait until the last second and buy
an admission for the afternoon pairs. There was a nice
woman, who said if Gail doesn't come, she will play with
me.
"Gail doesn't show, so Molly and I play in the pairs
competition. We got along great! We were doing pretty
well. I even knew to bid the second negative over Molly's
2C opener. She made a terrific 4 spades with little help
from my meager dummy. For those interested, I was so worried
about Gail, that I started at every table telling everyone:
"I am really worried about Gail".
"The most interesting board that Molly and I played was this
one:
"Molly opens 1H, RHO overcalls 1 Spade and I hold this:
S 6
H Q10x
D KQxxxxxx
C x
"What's your call holding 8 diamonds?
"I guess I was flustered, worried about Gail. I bid my own
suit first. 2D by me.
"LHO bids 4 spades. And Molly Doubles. I assume since I
have a stiff spade, Molly must be "rich". So I pass. 4SX
made. But 5H or 5D OUR way makes too. Darn.
"Question: What do you call an 8 card suit?
Answer: TRUMP.
"Gail finally showed about our 5'th table. What a relief!
"Molly and I placed 5 in flight A.
"We all took Rich and Raija out for dinner on Monday night
to one of Anne's and my favorite restaurants in Las Vegas.
Phillip's Supper House is off the Strip and nice and quiet.
A terrific place for all of us to talk. Rich told some
wonderful bridge stories on his friend Benito Garozzo,
"Papi" on OKbridge.
"We all go back to playing the evening session, and what a
struggle it was. We lost the first round AGAIN, but won
the next 3 rounds. The last 2 being only by plus 2 IMPS.
Something like, +50, -50, 400 (push), +50, -50, +50. We
ended up tied for 6th place, for .77 red points. Heck, it's
better than losing.:)
"On Tuesday, Gail and I play in the afternoon session. I
played like a moron. I drew trump, and with clubs in my
hand, KJx and AQxxx on the board, I played the KJ from my
hand, and then lead the low club to the board. Then guess
what? I called for "a club" meaning of course the Ace.
But the opponents forced me to play low. We finished NOT
LAST PLACE. Amazing!
"I don't wanna play on Tuesday night, unhappy with my
performance in the afternoon session, besides I have an
early morning flight back home. So, I bow out. We meet Pam
Aiken, Jerry Premo, and Kaybeck at the bar in the Hilton.
I also met Gerard, what a fun guy he is!
"I get back to the Hilton about 8PM and pack my bags,
leaving some clothes out for the morning. Then decide to go
try gambling at the tables. I don't do well, and go to my
big "impressive" suite (remember, I upgraded) on the top
floor about 1 AM. At 3AM, the Fire Alarms go off in our
rooms and demand that we all evacuate the Tower. I don't
believe it. So I try to stay in bed. But the Fire Alarms
and the announcements keep going off. At the third
announcement, I concede they must be serious. So, I walk
down 27 flights of stairs, with about 1000 people. On the
street it seemed like 400 fire trucks and 100 police cars.
(Ok, at 3 AM in the morning 50 fire trucks and 20 police
cars look like more), with lights flashing and sirens
blaring. We are forced across the street and sit on the
curb. After about 1 hour, they finally bring us blankets.
A half hour later, they let us back in the hotel via the
kitchens, and let us in the banquet area. Finally, about
5AM, we get to go back to our rooms. And I have a 6 o'clock
wake up call.
"I made it home, but of course, I was randomly chosen for
the full baggage inspection. Can you believe I still kept
my sense of humor? Happy Holidays!"
********************
For pictures from the Las Vegas 2001 Fall Nationals:
http://www.members.home.net/cpward/vegas.htm
===========================================================
And of course you know Gail won't stay put for very long
now that she is home from Vegas! A special note from her
for those OKB'ers who live in Australia and New Zealand:
I'm on the road again...well maybe it's air and sea. I'll
be taking a cruise out of Sydney, Australia on Jan. 24,
disembarking on Feb 7, in Auckland, NZ. The plan is to
arrive in Sydney on Jan 21. Ports of call, Melbourne,
Hobart, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Tauranga (for
Rotorua). I really do not pay attention to "where" our
FS'rs live, but I'd love to meet any of you that might be
able to meet the ship. Contact me at gail37bw@att.net
We'll make a plan!
========================================================
I am coming back down to earth after my daughter's
wedding last weekend. I am now a mother-in-law! I
thank all of you for your kind wishes, and if you
would like to take a peek, you can see the bride
and groom at:
http://hometown.aol.com/moocake/wedding.html
I'll be adding more pics, so check back again in
a week or so.
With all my best wishes for a happy and peaceful
holiday season!
Hugs to all...Janice
===========================================================
OKSCRIPT SEMINAR
Always wanted to learn OKScript? Kaltica will be
presenting a seminar on how to use this program on
Dec. 8 at 2:00 PM OKB time, after the early tourney.
Look for his table then!
Before arriving download and install the program
by going to :
http://www.escape.ca/~cpw/okscript.htm
If this fails, go directly to Mike Mardesich's
OKScript site at:
http://home1.gte.net/yweare/oks-home.htm
and download the SEMINAR version of OKScript.
Contact Kaltica or Moogal if you are having
trouble downloading or installing the program
before the seminar.
See you then!
=========================================================
MENTORING SESSIONS
Some of our commentators are offering group mentoring
sessions. This is an easy, fun, and very affordable
way to get both bidding and play instruction with your
partner, friends, or as a single participant. Email
the commentator if you want information on joining
one of the established groups with spots available,
or to discuss a session at your convenience.
Kibitzers are welcome at most sessions.
Watch this spot for future sessions from our other
commentators also!
********************
KALTICA
Colin is currently holding sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays,
Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Email him for more information.
You can contact Colin at cpw@escape.ca.
........................................................
LBROWN
Private lessons and group mentoring sessions
scheduled at times convenient for you. Please email
Laura at laura@bridgeisfun.com for more info.
........................................................
POOKA
Was anybody's favorite dwarf Bashful? If so...Pooka offers
a "private" group mentoring session, in a hidden table
format, for those who would prefer a closed setting for
their mentoring sessions.
Contact Dann at dann-kramer@home.com for more
information.
=======================================================
FIRESIDE MEMORIAL FUND
The next time you need to make a donation in honor of,
or in memory of, a friend or loved one, consider
Fireside! We'll notify the recipient of your donation
(minus the amount of course) and note your kind thoughts
here, in my column.
Send it to Laura (LBROWN) or Colin (KALTICA) just as with
your regular donations, but be sure to include an email
address for the recipient, and, if the honoree is an OKB
member, their username. Also, please note if you do NOT
want it publicized here. Would appreciate also that you
email me the same info that you put in your note to Colin
or Laura. Honor someone, and help FireSide at the same
time!
========================================================
December Events: (All times Pacific)
NOVICE/MENTOR TOURNEY: Thursday, December 13,
6:00 P.M. A low-key introduction to the tourney
experience, sponsored by Fifth Chair.....see
www.fifthchair.org for more info on this and
their other services, including getting a mentor.
MENTOR CUP TEAM GAME: Sunday, 5:00 P.M. December 2,
16, and 30. See www.escape.ca/~cpw/mtc.htm for info
and lists of past winners. To get on the mailing list
for this game, email me at moocake@aol.com.
OKSCRIPT SEMINAR: OKScript seminars are held as demand
warrants. Email Kaltica to schedule a session, usually
available on the same Sunday as the Mentor Cup Game,
at 2:30 p.m. OKScript is an add-on program that saves
you many keystrokes while playing on OKB by sending
prepared text to the table, opps, or lobby at the
push of a button. Try to download the program BEFORE
the seminar by going to www.escape.ca/~cpw/okscript.htm.
For more information, email Colin at cpw@escape.ca.
FIFTH CHAIR INSTRUCTIONAL EVENTS:
SAYC NOVICE TEAM GAME:
Saturdays, at 8:00 a.m. PACIFIC. Newcomers very welcome!
In addition to the team game, there will be an open
table for those waiting to join the team game. This
table will also have a commentator.
2/1 TEAM GAME FOR INTERMEDIATE PLAYERS:
Saturdays, 1:30 p.m. Pacific. Novices are welcome in
spectator mode.
Look for the words 5'th CHAIR beside the server's name,
in the table notes, to attend either of these sessions.
********************
Moogal (Janice Kofman) stays busy collecting all sorts
of news about our FireSide family members to share with us.
Please help her out by emailing her any news or stories you
are willing to share with the group.
Janice's email address is moocake@aol.com
...........................................................
GIGGLE BREAK
Thanks again to our favorite fish for this one:
Bad Leads
"Whist led to bridge-whist, which led to auction
bridge, which led to contract bridge, which led
to murder, divorce, suicide, mayhem and other
social evils." --Jack Olsen
.......................................................
ECOFIN'S FORWARD TO THE BASICS
==============================
Basic Principles
As I was watching Colin and Moogal play in a tourney this
week, there were two interesting hands that illustrate
important principles that occur quite frequently.
The first of these principles relates to declarer play
when playing match points. The key here is that since you
are playing match points, overtricks can be critical. You
are in 4S with no opposition bidding, and you hold:
S Axxxx
H x
D AK9
C AQxx
opposite a dummy which holds:
S Q109xx
H Kxxx
D Q
C xxx
The opening lead is a diamond, which you win in dummy with
the singleton QD. You lead a spade, and your RHO plays the
J, you win the ace and your LHO follows. At the table, this
declarer now played the AK of diamonds and pitched two clubs
from the board. The next play was a small heart.
At this juncture, you have made it much too easy for the
defenders, so when you lead the small heart your LHO plays
the AH and returns the club. You made it too easy for your
LHO. He knows to play the AH. There is no hurry to play
the AK of diamonds, and there is no reason to lead spades.
Look at what happens when, at trick 3, you lead the small
heart. Your LHO, holding AJxx, will duck - trust me, I
asked 5 different experts what they would play on that lead
at trick 3. Every one of them ducked, hoping to gain two
heart tricks. After your LHO ducks, you can now go about
your business of leading either a trump, or a club to your
Ace, and then playing the AK of diamonds. The principle:
Don't give opponents any more information than you have to!
In this case, it makes them guess as early as possible. By
the time you have played the A of Spades and the AK of
diamonds both opponents have a good sense of your holding.
Don't give them this information!
The second principle also occurs frequently. You hold the
following hand:
S xxx
H Q109xx
D xxx
C xx
Your LHO bids 1C, your partner overcalls 1S, your RHO bids
2C, you pass, your LHO bids 3C and your partner doubles.
Clearly this double is a reopening takeout double, since you
hold three clubs and both opponents have bid them. What do
you know about your partner's hand? He should hold
something like 5 spades, 3 hearts, 3 or 4 diamonds, and 1 or
2 clubs. With any other holding, he would have made a
takeout double at his first opportunity.
You have two options, you can raise spades or bid hearts.
The correct choice is to bid 3H. The principle to apply
here is that it is almost always better to MAKE THE WEAK
HAND THE DECLARER. You have many more ways of getting to
your hand with hearts as the trump suit. Conversely, it
rates to be very difficult for your partner playing a spade
contract to get to your hand.
Indeed, on this hand you actually make 4H and only 2S. This
idea of making the weak hand the declarer occurs much more
frequently that you would think. If you apply it you will
find that your scores will improve significantly.
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!
ecofin
********************
You can email Ecofin (Dale Bails) at: Ecofin2@aol.com
...........................................................
GIGGLE BREAK
A big 'thank you' to Tara for this one:
A momma asked her ten-year-old son if he knew about
the birds and the bees.
"I don't want to know!" the child said, bursting
into tears.
Confused, the mother asked her son what was wrong.
"Oh Mom," he sobbed, "at age six I got the 'there's
no Santa' speech.
"At age seven I got the 'there's no Easter Bunny'
speech.
"Then at age 8 you hit me with the 'there's no Tooth
Fairy' speech!
"If you're going to tell me that grown-ups don't
really have sex, I've got nothing left to live for!"
..........................................................
SPECIAL TREATS
==============
Another great story this month from Bob McPhee. Thanks,
Bob! Let us know when you want your own column full time,
eh? :-)
What A Gal
==========
Every now and again things happen which give you a lift.
It doesn't have to be spectacular. Maybe you smother that
10 with a backward finesse, or you get your change back
after a long distance call. Nothing too much out of the
ordinary. I'm sure you've experienced the feeling, it's
your day and nothing short of a blast from an oil tanker
will let the air out of your rubbers.
The setting is a regional Swiss, and we had won the previous
round. Beat a team of pros. Not by a lot, but a win is a
win. This was one of the crucial hands. I was in third,
and sorted a reasonable hand:
S J83
H AKQ107654
D 5
C K
and my partner Mrs. Whaley opened 1C. Righty passed, and I
mentioned the Hearts. Lefty passed, and with barely
noticeable pause, Mrs. Whaley called 1S.
I was wondering about those Spades. Now the old sniffer
smelled a slam, might even make a grand here. It took some
time, but finally it hit me on the forehead -- old keycard
for Spades should tell me what I need to know. So I bid
4NT, and Mrs. Whaley shows 2 with the Q, and with a much
longer hesitation I might add. 6H I bid, and a quick pass
on my left. And Mrs. Whaley, oh, oh no, not now dear! but
sure enough -- 6S, obviously given inspiration from the
ceiling consultation.
Well, by golly, I had not been counting on this development.
Sigh, that'll teach me for bidding 4NT for Spades. Well, I
can't bid 6NT; I may never be able to reach my hand.
Finally I drag out the 7H bid, and again Mrs. Whaley tests
me for screams with a long pause. My RHO (grinning! the
*^*&^) doubles. All pass this time and I begin my "I'm
sorry" speech which I have now memorized perfectly. You
can show a void in response to key card.......
Let me tell you, I'll never do this again. Lefty fidgets
and squirms a bit before selecting a Club. Now, this is the
complete hand:
S AQ65
H Void
D KQ4
C AQ5432
S 1097 S K42
H 83 H J92
D 1098762 D AJ3
C 96 C J1087
S J83
H AKQ107654
D 5
C K
I can sort of tell Mrs. Whaley isn't that pleased. There
was no smile at all when I asked, "no Hearts partner?"
She also placed that sturdy oak cane on her lap. It's the
baseball bat grip that terrorizes me, white knuckles, etc.
At least the guy didn't lead a Diamond. Now that I look
things over, in fact, this is really not the worst thing,
as the Spade hook will bring it home, I think. Then I'll
be back in the good graces of Mrs. Whaley. Assume that
the Jack of trumps falls, one hook, how bad is that?
So I won my King, and quickly played the AKQ of trumps and
down came Otto, as I pitched 2 Spades and a Diamond from
the table. I cashed another, having not made up my real
plan yet, calling for a Club. The guy that doubled did not
look at all concerned.
I bet he has the spade king, for a guy who looks so smug.
Two more trumps, and I notice righty is beginning to lose
that look.
Dummy is now:
S AQ
H Still none
D K
C AQ5
S K4
H Nope
D A
C J108
S J83
H 74
D 5
C -
I play one more trump because I can, and dump that Queen,
and righty... well righty also dumps a Spade. Now I lead
a Spade to dummy, and down comes the butcher, I cash the two
good clubs, getting rid of that Diamond and a Spade, trump
a Club to hand, and cash that Jack of Spades.
Mrs. Whaley beamed and released the grip on the cane.
Righty congratulates me on the play. He's a nice guy, but
I can't help turning the screw -- asking, "What kind of
squeeze was that, anyway?"
We compare scores and win this match by 8. Obviously we
are on a streak.
(Next month, da rest of the story)
********************
You can email Bob at: bobmcphee@hotmail.com
.........................................................
GIGGLE BREAK
(at least one of your editors remembers most everything on
this list very well... ok, ok, both... )
Age Barometer
=============
How many of these do you remember?
1. Blackjack chewing gum
2. Wax Coke-shaped bottles with colored sugar water
3. Candy cigarettes
4. Soda pop machines that dispensed bottles
5. Coffee shops with table side jukeboxes
6. Home milk delivery in glass bottles with cardboard
stoppers
7. Party lines
8. Newsreels before the movie
9. P.F. Flyers
10. Butch wax
11. Telephone numbers with a word prefix (Olive - 6933)
12. Peashooters
13. Howdy Doody
14. 45 RPM records
15. S&H Green Stamps
16. Hi-fi's
17. Metal ice trays with levers
18. Mimeograph paper
19. Blue flashbulbs
20. Beanie and Cecil
21. Roller skate keys
22. Cork popguns
23. Drive-ins
24. Studebakers
25. Wash tub wringers
If you remembered 0-5 = You're still young
If you remembered 6-10 = You are getting older
If you remembered 11-15 = Don't tell your age
If you remembered 16-25 = You're older than dirt!
....................................................
TREBLE'S TABLE TALK
====================
This month we have TWO submissions from Bill -- a report on
the FACT tourney, and his regular column. Enjoy!
********************
FACT Fun
========
I was in for a special treat in the FACT tourney,
partnering up with Irmgard Wagner (Ulli3) for the
first time. I'd kibitzed her playing with Colin
(Kaltica) during OKB tourneys on a few occasions
and was thrilled that she had put in a bid on me.
We decided to play the SARC card that she usually
plays with Colin, changed the names and were off
and rolling.
Pairs Board 4
IMPs
Dlr: West
Vul: Both north
Ulli3
S JT8732
H J82
D AK
C 54
west east
S KQ4 S A5
H QT5 H 743
D 32 D QT8
C AKT63 C QJ987
south
wintaka
S 96
H AK96
D J97654
C 2
west north east south
Ulli3 wintaka
1C pass 2C! 2H
2NT pass 3NT (all pass)
Opening Lead: H2
Result: -2
Score: 200, IMPs: 7.90
Playing time: 6:36
This was a fortunate result for us, as I chose
to overcall in my strength rather than my length at
the two-level. The opponents reached game in notrump
and partner led a heart, won by the ACE. A low heart
was now returned and declarer misguessed, putting in
the ten and losing to the jack, and we now took the
first six tricks in the red suits. For the free 2NT
bid, opener should have extra values and/or a secure
double stopper in hearts. Passing would have led to
a comfortable 3C instead of the ambitious 3NT game, as
East will not dream of trying for game since he has a
dead minimum for his inverted 2C raise.
Pairs Board 7
IMPs north
Dlr: South Ulli3
Vul: Both S 73
H QJ53
A Q98
west east
S AQ S KT9654
H 872 H T96
D AJ84 D T5
C J653 C 74
south
wintaka
S J82
H AK4
D KQ93
C KT2
west north east south
Ulli3 wintaka
1NT
pass 2C pass 2D
X 2NT pass 3NT
(all pass)
Opening Lead: H7
Result: -1
Score: -100, IMPs: -6.64
Playing time: 6:38
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
W H7 4 2 8 D8 J-SA-SQ-C3 5 6 J-DA
N 3 2 5 J-HQ-C8 3 7 9 Q-CA-D6 7
E 9 5 T 6 S6 7 4 5 4 ST DT S9 SK
S A-DQ-HK-H4 D3 T 2 8 K-C2 SJ 9 K
On this one I squandered the chance to net us
a really good score. I found out that opening leader
had led from a three-card holding in hearts, which should
lead me to the winning view in clubs. Unless West was
loath to make an attacking lead in spades, he probably
does not have great length in that suit. Since the
heart length is evenly divided and East rates to have
longer spades than West, that is an argument for placing
opening leader with the club length and taking a
third-round finesse against the jack in that suit. Plus,
my nerve endings were tingling that my LHO had the club
values. And those who ignore their instincts or the
"table vibes" usually get a poor score as a result. :{
Pairs Board 8
IMPs north
Dlr: West Ulli3
Vul: None S 2
H AKQJ7532
D
C A854
west east
S KQJ8643 S T9
H H 86
D T8753 D QJ64
C 6 C KQJ73
south
wintaka
S A75
H T94
D AK92
C T92
west north east south
Ulli3 wintaka
3S 4H 4S 5H
5S pass pass X
(all pass)
Opening Lead: HK
Result: -3
Score: 500, IMPs: -4.11
Playing time: 7:53
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
W S3-S4 J-SQ-D3 S6-D5 6 S8-DT-D7 D8 SK
N HK 2 H2 H3 H5 7 HJ A-HA C4 C5 8 HQ
E 6 9 T H8 J C3 Q 7 CJ 4 6 Q-CK
S 4 A-S5 7 K-HT A-C2 9 2 9-CT 9
This was a very interesting hand. Although
partner made a forcing pass over my 5H to show
interest in going on, the North hand is so
distributional that it should probably forge on
to slam once advancer competes with 5H. Partner
should have three "goodies" for his bid, so the
chances are reasonable that he might have enough
for the slam to come home. As little as KJxx in
clubs will give your side a fighting chance.
Moreover, looking at your own hearts, partner is
overwhelmingly likely to double rather than bid.
It's just one of those hands where you push on
and hope that dummy has enough values in the black
suits to enable slam to make. Even if slam is
destined to fail, the opponents might take a
sacrifice at the six-level as they may not be
sure whether or not your slam will be a claimer.
Pairs Board 10
IMPs east
Dlr: East Ulli3
Vul: Both S 8
H JT62
D KQT763
C K4
north south
S 72 S AJ64
H AQ54 H 83
D A942 D 8
C A86 C QT9752
west
wintaka
S KQT953
H K97
D J5
C J3
north east south west
Ulli3 wintaka
pass pass 1S
X 2D 2NT (all pass)
Opening Lead: DJ
Result: -1
Score: 100, IMPs: 5.44
Playing time: 3:56
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
N A-C6 2 4 9 H4 H5
E 7 K-DK-DQ-DT-D6-D3-S8
S 8 2 H3 H8 S4 S6 SJ
W DJ 3 5 S5 S3 CJ S9
Another exhibit of what happens when partner
makes a takeout double and you bid notrump instead
of your best suit. Once East bids diamonds,
South's 2NT is fraught with danger, when a simple
and encouraging 3C bid would have ensured a plus
score. North is just short of trying for game over
3C. As an aside, when your side has a minor suit fit
and the opponents have each bid a suit, cuebids SHOW
rather than ask for stoppers. When your adversaries
have bid only one suit, a cuebid of that suit ASKS for
a stopper.
Pairs Board 12
IMPs east
Dlr: West Ulli3
Vul: N-S S Q3
H 973
D 986
C QJT93
north south
S A875 S T42
H H AJT86
D A732 D KT4
C AK752 C 64
west
wintaka
S KJ96
H KQ542
D QJ5
C 8
north east south west
Ulli3 wintaka
1H
X 3H! (all pass)
Opening Lead: CA
Result: -3
Score: -150, IMPs: 0.94
Playing time: 6:03
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
N CA-CK A-C2 5 5 D7 D2 C7 A-D3 S7 8
E 3 9 3 T Q-CQ 7 3 9 6 8 9 CJ
S 6 4 2 H6 4 H8 T-HA-HJ-D4 K-DT T
W 8 H2-S6 HQ-S9 HK-H4 5 SJ Q 5 J-SK
We were quite fortunate here that the opponents
were playing responsive doubles through 3S, otherwise
we might have been bloodied rather severely in our 3H
contract. My suggestion is to use responsive doubles
only through 3D, and penalty doubles by advancer at
higher levels. The pre-emptive raise to 3H is rolling
the dice in a major way, with only three-card support
and no outside singleton or void. Responder is not
going to be a happy camper if opener takes the push
to 5H if the opponents bid a spade game.
Pairs Board 14
IMPs east
Dlr: East Ulli3
Vul: None S T652
H Q975
D J85
C T8
north south
S AQJ7 S K4
H AJT3 H K864
D A43 D KQT72
C KJ C 75
west
wintaka
S 983
H 2
D 96
C AQ96432
north east south west
Ulli3 wintaka
pass 1D 4C
X! pass 4H pass
4NT pass 5C pass
6H (all pass)
Opening Lead: CA
Result: -1
Score: 50, IMPs: 9.67
Playing time: 4:52
1 2 3 4
N J K-HA-HT
E T 8 5 7
S 7 5 4 6
W CA-C3 2 C2
On this one I jumped in with a "push the envelope"
4C pre-empt, after which the opponents reached the
doomed slam. Actually, there is play on a non-club
lead if declarer finesses correctly in hearts and sheds
his club losers on dummy's spades. However, being a
practitioner of the AAA theory on opening lead, I plunked
down the club bullet and the hand was finished quickly
when declarer found out the adverse trump break.
Pairs Board 18
IMPs north
Dlr: East Ulli3
Vul: N-S S AKJT52
H K7
D A6
C T84
west east
S Q643 S 7
H AQ93 H T854
D KJ7 D Q954
C Q5 C AJ96
south
wintaka
S 98
H J62
D T832
C K732
west north east south
Ulli3 wintaka
pass pass
1D X 3D pass
pass 3S (all pass)
Opening Lead: D4
Result: -1
Score: -100, IMPs: -3.33
Playing time: 7:55
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
W 7-DK 3 4 5 Q 3 Q-HA
N 6 A-SA-SK-C4 8 K-SJ 7
E D4 5 7 C6 A-C9 4 D9 5
S 2 3 8 9 2 K-H2 C3
This one is a matter of style. Colin would
argue that since our overcall range is a maximum
of 15 HCP, the North hand should double and then
bid spades later. I slightly prefer the "heavy" 1S
overcall followed by energetic bidding down the road.
Nothing wrong with either approach, but here North
had to come in at the three-level if she were going
to re-enter the fray and the result was a poorish
dummy and down two where we had a chance of beating
their 3D contract.
Pairs Board 21
IMPs east
Dlr: North Ulli3
Vul: N-S S AK74
H J72
D T64
C J94
north south
S 98653 S Q2
H Q3 H A84
D A73 D KQ982
C QT3 C AK2
west
wintaka
S JT
H KT965
D J5
C 8765
north east south west
Ulli3 wintaka
pass pass 1D 2H
pass 3H (all pass)
Opening Lead: DA
Result: -3
Score: -150, IMPs: 7.41
Playing time: 5:32
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
N DA-D3 3 T Q-D7 3 Q-S5 3 S6
E 4 6 4 9 J T A-H2 K-H7 HJ
S 8 K-CA-CK-C2 Q 2 4 Q A-D2
W 5 J 5 6 7 H5-SJ 9 T 6 C8
An example of where active bidding pays
a handsome dividend. My junky 2H bid placed
LHO in a quandary, not having the values for
either a negative double or a 2S bid. Irmgard
furthered the pre-empt with 3H, and now opener
had no clear bid. -150 with a notrump game on
their way was a nice pickup for our side. One of
those hands where the opponents got a poor result
and yet did not make a clear error in the bidding.
Pairs Board 23
IMPs east
Dlr: South Ulli3
Vul: Both S T987642
H Q92
D
C AQ4
north south
S QJ5 S AK3
H A64 H JT7
D KQ7 D T653
C 8753 C T92
west
wintaka
S
H K853
D AJ9842
C KJ6
north east south west
Ulli3 wintaka
pass 1D
pass 1S pass 2D
pass 2S (all pass)
Opening Lead: HJ
Result: +3
Score: 140, IMPs: 3.02
Playing time: 8:02
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
N 4 5 6 7 3 J-DK Q 5 A C7
E Q-ST 9 H2 A-S9 S2-S8 4 S4-S7
S HJ K-HT-D6 T 3 3 A-C2 7 C9
W 3 D2 5 A-C6 D4 8 D9 K-H8 DJ
A good illustration of the bailout technique.
Warned by my 2D rebid of a possible misfit, partner
valued her hand nicely and continued with 2S instead
of taking stronger action. Having opened a skimpy
twelve-count, I was less than thrilled with the course
of the auction and passed before the doubling commenced.
At some tables, the battle for the honour of naming the
trump suit continued up to the FIVE-level. A peaceful
+140 added to our IMP total on the afternoon.
Pairs Board 24
IMPs east
Dlr: West Ulli3
Vul: None S 842
H QJ852
D T6
C 874
north south
S JT73 S A6
H 43 H KT
D Q872 D AKJ
C KT6 C AQJ932
west
wintaka
S KQ95
H A976
D 9543
C 5
north east south west
Ulli3 wintaka
pass
pass pass 2C 2S
X pass 3C pass
3D pass 3S pass
4C pass 4D pass
5C (all pass)
Opening Lead: C5
Result: -1
Score: 50, IMPs: 7.87
Playing time: 7:20
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
N 6 T 2 8 7 3 K-DQ-H3 J
E 7 4 6 T C8-S2 H5 S4 2 8
S 9-CJ-DA-DK-DJ A-C2 S6 K C3-CQ
W C5 H7 4 3 5 5 D9 S9 A-SK SQ
Once again I ventured boldly into a strong
auction with a four-card overcall,warmly greeted
by responder. Had the 2C opener left the double
in with Ax of trumps, the denouement would have
been rather unpleasant for me, but he chose to
bid on, eventually reaching the minor suit game.
With partner known to be virtually bereft, I led
a trump, and with diamonds 4-2 with the doubleton
having the third club, declarer couldn't untangle
the diamonds to get his eleven tricks.
Pairs Board 26
IMPs north
Dlr: East Ulli3
Vul: Both S AQ9743
H A3
D AQJT
C 8
west east
S J S 862
H KQ9 H T72
D 8752 D K643
C QJT65 C K73
south
wintaka
S KT5
H J8654
D 9
C A942
west north east south
Ulli3 wintaka
pass pass
pass 1S pass 2C!
pass 3D pass 3S
pass 4S (all pass)
Opening Lead: H7
Result: +5
Score: 650, IMPs: -1.21
Playing time: 6:15
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
W Q J 5 C5 C6 2 7 8 CT CJ CQ H9 K
N A-S3 T 7-SA-DA-DQ-DJ-SQ-S9-S4-C8 3
E H7 2 K-S6 8 3 4 6 H2 HT C3 7 CK
S 4 K-D9 5 T H5 C2 C4 H6 C9 H8 A-HJ
On the last hand of the afternoon, I continued
to see the world through rose-coloured glasses, essaying
a Drury 2C response after partner's third seat opener.
Irmgard jumped to 3D and settled for game opposite my
retreat to 3S. Had I bid 4C instead or if partner tried
once more with 4H, we might have reached the slam. It's
not clear that 6S is a primo contract, but it would have
rolled home as the cards lie.
I enjoyed the FACT tourney immensely, renewing
acquaintances with old OKB friends and meeting new ones,
and the hands were fittingly quite interesting and
brimming with action. Thanks to Sara, Colin and all the
others who organized this event, which I hope will become
an annual celebration of the wonderful hosts, table managers
and participants who make up the Fireside group on OKB.
*************************
GIGGLE BREAK
Thanks to Wheels for this giggle :-)
Two old men were sitting on a park bench outside
the local town hall where a flower show was in
progress.
One leaned over the other and said, "Cripes! life
is boring, we never have any fun these days. For two
bucks, I'd take my clothes off and streak through the
flower show!"
"You're on!" said the other old fellow, holding up
two dollars.
As fast as he could, the first old man fumbled his
way out of his clothes and completely naked, streaked
through the front door of the town hall.
Waiting outside, his friend heard a huge commotion
inside the hall, followed by loud applause. The naked
old man burst out through the door surrounded by a
cheering crowd.
"How did it go?" asked his friend.
"Great!" he said, "I WON FIRST PRIZE AS A DRIED
ARRANGEMENT!"
********************
IMPROVING YOUR OPENING LEADS
In the preceding two lessons we have been discussing
what general philosophy to adopt regarding opening leads,
whether to go all out or play it close to the vest. Also,
we've looked at when to lead short suits, long suits and
trump. We've also talked about the relative merits of
leading from suits headed by the King or Queen, and whether
it's EVER a good idea to lead an ace. Now it's time to look
at some real-life opening lead problems from hands that were
played during the 2001 ACBL Summer Nationals in Toronto and
see how we do. All hands are Matchpoints.
1) North deals, no one vul.
You are West:
S 532
H 10632
D KJ107
C 93
The auction has gone 1C:1D:1S:2S:p. What is your lead?
Hearts, the unbid suit, appears to be a reasonable
option, but let's examine the auction. Responder will have
eight or nine cards in the pointed suits, so if declarer is
short in diamonds a crossruff may be beckoning on this hand.
Since dummy has shown around 8-10 points only and you have
enough to prevent the diamond suit from being established
for discards, a trump would be my choice.
The opponents' hands are:
North
S A94
H AJ9
D 986532
C 8
South
S KJ85
H K7
D Q4
C K10754
North's raise on three-card support was a reasonable
decision at matchpoints, since his hand suggests suit play
rather than a notrump rebid. It turns out that a heart
lead will give declarer a third trick in the suit for a
diamond pitch from hand, and he can play on clubs to score
at least two ruffs in dummy. A trump lead preserves two
diamond tricks for our side and inhibits South from
trumping club losers on table.
2) West deals, no one vul.
You are East:
S A963
H 64
D 9642
C 1072
The auction has gone 1H:2H:p and your opening salvo is?
This is one of those frustrating hands where anything
could be right or dreadfully wrong. My thought processes
would go like this: the Ace of spades is just too much of
a shot, especially since partner could have acted with a
double or overcall if he had spade length. A trump may not
have much positive effect on this hand since partner clearly
has a decent hand but is underneath the opening bidder,
meaning the finesses are probably working for declarer.
So that leaves a diamond or club lead, and I tend to lead
the SHORTER of the two suits since we may have the potential
for an extra trick if partner has values. Also, I have the
10 of clubs as opposed to nothing resembling an honour in
diamonds.
The entire hand is:
South
S KJ842
H A52
D J7
C 543
North
S 75
H QJ873
D Q85
C AK6
On a diamond lead, declarer sets up a trick in the
suit in time to discard a club from dummy and then ruff
the third round of clubs. A club lead ensures an extra
trick for the defense and may actually defeat 2H if
North misguesses spades. Mind you, this hand merely happens
to justify the club lead, which might not be a glittering
triumph on some other hands. But a club is a nice, thinking
lead that in this instance is rewarded handsomely.
3) North deals, NS vul.
You are South with:
S Q83
H 9
D J9754
C AQ84
The auction this time is 1C:1H:2S:2NT*:3S:4C:p. 2NT by
responder was a Lebensohl-type bid indicating a weak
preference for one of opener's suits. So what should be
our choice here?
Opener has shown at least 10 and probably 11 cards in
the black suits. This didn't seem to impress responder,
who applied the brakes short of game. The lead that seems
to beckon is the singleton heart or a fourth best diamond,
but consider this: how many spades is dummy going to have?
Not three, as he failed to raise a known five-card suit.
Perhaps two or maybe even one or none. So I led the ace of
clubs, hoping to prevent spade ruffs in dummy. I struck
gold with the trump lead, as the hand was:
West
S 10
H 87643
D KQ862
C J5
East
S AKJ92
H AJ
D void
C K109762
After the ace and another club, declarer had to lose two
clubs, a heart and a spade for down one. A heart lead lets
him ruff a spade on table and a diamond sortie is worst of
all, as partner's ace is ruffed out and declarer gets to
trump a spade AND discard a heart loser on dummy's diamond
now-established trick.
4) North deals, EW are vul.
You are West:
S 87
H QJ986
D 8
C 109753
You've heard the auction unfold 1NT:2D*:2H:3NT. Our
kick at the cat once again.
We dismiss the normal heart lead since dummy has shown
five or more of them with his Jacoby transfer. So what does
that leave? The singleton diamond is silly, and the club
looks pretty safe. The answer depends on what the form of
the game is, and perhaps on how things have been going for
you up until this point. The problem is that unless you
catch partner with four or more clubs, that lead is very
unlikely to defeat the contract, and at best will be a safe
choice that doesn't blow a trick. A SPADE, on the other
hand, could be productive if partner has length in the suit.
LHO can't have spades, as he failed to Stayman as he would
have with both majors. You don't know about declarer, who
could admittedly have length in the suit. But you won't be
giving declarer anything with the spade lead that he
couldn't do himself. I'd certainly go with a spade out of
the chute at teams, and even at matchpoints unless I were on
a huge game and just needed average results to coast home.
The entire hand on this occasion is:
North
S 943
H K10742
D A964
C Q
South
S QJ2
H A5
D KQ753
C KJ2
A heart lead boots a trick and a club lead enables South
to score up his game with two clubs, five diamonds and two
hearts. But a spade lead will limit him to eight tricks as
partner can take the ace of clubs and four more spades once
your side gets in.
5) East deals, no one is vul.
As West, you have:
S AJ105
H 75
D 6
C KQ7642
We've been in there bidding this time, as witness this
display of fireworks. p-1H-2C-p-3C-4D-p-5D-p-p-p.
Sounds like declarer has lots of red cards here, and
at most three black cards. If South has two clubs and
one spade, you are always entitled to three black tricks
regardless of what you lead. BUT...if declarer has the
guarded K of spades, you need to find a way of getting
partner on lead to return a spade at the second trick.
The way to do this is to HIDE your K of clubs and lead
the QUEEN instead. Your hope is that partner hops up
with the presumed ace to fire a spade back. Again, this
is the winning defense as the opponents' combined holdings
are:
North
S 763
H J108
D J10952
C 103
South
S K8
H AKQ64
D AK874
C 5
Partner will go up with his ace of clubs and, playing
declarer for the King, will shrug and put back a spade
for a one-trick set. Sure, he can do the same thing on
the King of clubs lead, but WILL he? If you lead the Q of
clubs instead, you GUARANTEE that partner will return the
suit you want him to play.
6) East deals, EW are vul.
West again, you are dealt:
S QJ
H K942
D A976
C A82
You are looking forward to bidding, but alas, to do so
would be fraught with danger as you listen to: 1D:1H:1NT:p.
so whaddaya sally forth with here?
Well, partner can't have much so what suit do you lead
to get your tricks going in? Or should we just attempt to
make a safe lead. And if so, what? I briefly considered
leading the Q of spades, but it wasn't going to accomplish
anything really positive, exposes your holding for everyone
to see and may waste a tempo if the opponents are 4-3 in
spades. I felt a diamond lead, even with opener bidding
the suit, was just as safe as a spade and a bit more
enterprising in terms of trying to establish tricks for our
side.
The layout on this one is:
North
S A976
H 10865
D void
C K10542
South
S K102
H AJ7
D QJ53
C QJ8
A major suit lead gives declarer lots of time to develop
his tricks, and he will probably finish with ten of them.
A diamond lead gets at least three tricks and maybe four
tricks in that suit along with your club ace, and nets you
a superlative result. Lucky, you might say, that dummy
was void and declarer had poor diamonds. But at the very
worst, a diamond lead would be fairly safe, and on a good
day......
7) North deals, both sides vul.
On lead again, (because of their bidding styles, Wintaka
is always on lead and Kaltica is always on play), you have
this threadbare collection:
S 1085
H J2
D Q87
C QJ863
The auction rambles along 1C:1H:1S:2D*:2H:4H:p, and you're
in the spotlight again. Responder's 2D bid was fourth suit
forcing.
Nothing is really an attractive choice here. But what you
DO know is that opener could very well be short in diamonds,
since he's bid two suits and then admitted to some degree of
support for responder. So it would not be a great surprise
if dummy were to have short diamonds. Your clubs are decent
enough to prevent that suit from running, and it's difficult
to know what is going to be happening in spades. I
generally hate leading trumps from Jx, as it may punt any
winners we might otherwise be entitled to, but here it could
well be the right defense.
And behind this door we have:
North
S AJ65
H Q84
D 2
C AK1072
South1
S K3
H K10653
D AJ953
C 2
A trump lead is indeed the ripper, as partner takes the
ace and plays another one, keeping declarer to one diamond
ruff on table. However, it could have been a different
story if we had:
South2
S KQ
H A10753
D A10xxx
C 2
How the trump lead converts two possible winners into NONE
and you wind up with egg on your face. We may not accept
it gladly, but that's bridge.
8) East deals, both sides vul.
You tried to switch chairs with pard, but he didn't want
any part of the opening lead quiz, so here you are as West
again with:
S 109543
H A74
D J5
C A54
and the opponents, having gained newfound respect for your
prowess, grind to a halt in a partscore (they always bid
GAME before, so that's progress) after 1D:1H:2C:2NT.
Some free spirit or an "unlucky" expert that can't stand
the mundane spade lead might try and strike gold by leading
one of the suits bid by your adversaries. Nope, this was
just your basic fourth highest from longest and strongest to
get the maximum result for your side, as the complete story
is:
North
S A7
H 102
D AK632
C 10976
South
S KQ2
H K983
D 108
C QJ62
A spade lead holds 2NT to seven tricks. The "innovative"
leads may let them romp home with eight or nine winners.
9) North deals, no one is vul.
You finally get a change of direction and take the South
chair, but it matters not as you get the pleasure of leading
again, this time from:
S Q9
H AJ107
D A107632
C 10
Your efforts to contest the auction were in vain as the
opponents sail briskly to game after 1S-2D-2S-p-4S-p-p-p.
The only lead that looks absolutely wrong is a trump, as
it will likely cost you a possible trick. The actual lead
at the table was the singleton club. With your 11 points,
the singleton lead is wildly unlikely to succeed, as you
need partner to have the ace of clubs or the ace of trumps.
If he has the ace of trumps you probably score your queen
anyway. So you are definitely putting all your eggs in one
basket with the club lead, and it may be bad news in any
number of ways if you can't get a ruff. This is a tough
one, but I'd lead the ace of diamonds to have a look. What
the hey, partner didn't raise my suit, on a good day he
might even have a singleton.
The complete picture is:
West
S KJ8
H Q54
D J54
C 9632
East
S A10762
H 32
D KQ
C AKQ7
Well, a club lead is a total fiasco. Fearing a ruff,
declarer plunks down the AK of spades, felling your queen
and now finesses twice against partner to bring in the club
suit without loss. On the Ace of diamonds lead, you see
the Q from declarer and now if you find the heart shift you
will likely get two hearts, a diamond and the Q of trumps,
as your expert declarer will probably go with the
percentages and finesse through partner.
10) North deals, no one is vul.
Back to the West seat for the next skill-testing
question, you clutching to your breast:
S 754
H 109654
D 2
C J765
Partner beams as he opens 1NT, but you disappoint him
severely as the auction continues 1NT-2C*-p-2D*-p-3C-p-p-p.
The 2C bid showed an unspecified one-suited hand, 2D was
forced and your RHO showed clubs as his suit. You to lead.
This is a fairly close decision. It would not be wrong
to lead our singleton diamond in the expectation of getting
two ruffs in the suit. The alternative is to be content
with your expected trump winner and embark on a forcing game
by leading a heart. The fact that partner opened 1NT
probably tilts the scales in favour of the singleton lead as
you will probably be able to reach his hand several times to
get your ruffs. As it turns out, either course of action
will be successful as the full hand is:
North
S Q10932
H K83
D KQ1085
C void
South
S AK5
H 7
D 973
C AQ10943
On a diamond lead partner takes the ace and gives you
a ruff, heart back to him for another ruff, and one or two
trumps yet to come for the defense. A heart lead is also
effective, as repeated taps will declarer with fewer trumps
than you hold. It's worth noting that the vaunted
Cappelletti succeeded in reaching a 6-0 fit instead of
either of the two eight-card holdings in spades or
diamonds. I don't think I'll be adding Capp to my bidding
arsenal anytime soon. :}
11) West deals, both sides are vul.
Rotating around to the North seat, you sit down in the
expectation of trotting out your fancy new bidding gadgets,
but woeful hands remain your destiny, as you are pondering
your lead once again after 2S:4S:p, your assets being:
S 62
H A64
D 10953
C Q964.
Your LHO had the opportunity to ask for a feature with 2NT
or for a short suit with 3C, according to their system, and
did neither. That means he is raising to game on sheer
power, in which case it likely doesn't make a whit of
difference what you lead, or possibly on a source of
tricks. If it's the latter, it might be a reasonable idea
to lead your ace and have a gander at dummy. The ace lead
WILL cost if your LHO has strong hearts but it's probably
worth taking that chance to get that peek at dummy. The
actual lead was the 10 of diamonds, which is indeed a spear
to the heart....of the defense, that is.
East
S KJ43
H J82
D AKQJ
C K7
West
S AQ10975
H Q107
D 4
C 642
Declarer won, yanked trumps and ditched his three losing
hearts on the top diamonds, making with an overtrick.
On the ace of hearts lead, partner will DISCOURAGE even
though he holds the king, since with AJxx of clubs he
doesn't mind a club shift. You then lead a LOW club,
promising an honour, and scoop up four tricks off the
hop for down one.
12) South deals, both sides are vul.
The session is drawing to a close and you've done
pretty well, but one final challenge awaits you before
they tally up the results. The opponents bound off to
their usual 3NT contract after 1D:1S;1NT:2NT:3NT:p.
Your hand this time is:
S QJ1032
H A842
D Q7
C 95
Spades would normally have been your choice, but should
LHO's bid of the suit lead you down a different path
and nudge you towards a heart lead instead?
At matchpoints this hand presents quite a dilemma,as a
spade lead COULD be right, but when it's wrong it may be an
utter calamity. And this is a "stretch" auction to game,
where the aggressive lead may hand it to them while a more
passive approach could leave them a trick short. However,
you may not defeat the contract on any lead BUT a spade.
This rates to be a neutral hand for the lie of the cards,
with nothing overwhelmingly good or bad happening for
declarer. I generally don't go passive unless it's totally
clear to do so, and I therefore would lead a spade. But
which one? The sequence lead of the Q may be a hindrance
for the defense in untangling their winners. Since you need
a helpful card in the suit from partner, be it the 9, Q or
K, if you DO push out a spade, it should be a LOW one, not
an honour. You know dummy has at least four spades and
declarer should have a balanced hand, so partner does not
have great length in the suit. The denouement to this hand
is:
North
S 87654
H 32
D KJ3
C AK74
South
S K
H KJ97
D A9642
C QJ6
A heart was the lead at the table, and declarer now took
partner's Queen with the King, finessed in diamonds and
wrapped up a quick ten tricks. The spade volley, on the
other hand, results in partner grabbing the ace at trick
one and returning another, with your side chalking up a
one-trick set.
So that was it, an even dozen brain-teasers for this issue.
Are you ahead of the game, treading water, or have you
sprung a major leak? See you next month, and good news,
our gentle reader will NOT be tormented with another
death-march of opening lead problems. At least not for a
few months, anyway.
********************
You will find Bill doing his FireSide sessions on
alternating Saturdays at 11:00 A.M. OKbridge time.
You can write to Wintaka (Bill Treble) at:
btreble@escape.ca
Wintaka and Kaltica present classes on:
SAYC (Rainbow Series)
2/1 (Spectrum series)
Precision (Prism Series),
and other selected bridge topics (Kaleidoscope series).
They also offer private/group lessons and/or supervised
play sessions. Email Bill (btreble@escape.ca) or
Colin (cpw@escape.ca) for more information.
...........................................................
GIGGLE BREAK
Thanks to Pringle for this one:
Smiling is infectious,
you catch it like the flu,
When someone smiled at me today,
I started smiling too.
I passed around the corner
and someone saw my grin
When he smiled I realized
I'd passed it on to him
I thought about that smile
then I realized its worth,
A single smile, just like mine
could travel round the earth.
So, if you feel a smile begin,
don't leave it undetected
Let's start an epidemic quick,
and get the world infected!
........................................................
AND FINALLY KALTICA
===================
No Sex, Please, We're Bridgers
Recently one of my students approached me privately
and complained that one of hir opponent's icons was unduly
suggestive. I smiled and said nothing.
Perhaps my student assumed that, given my reserved
nature and nationality, I too would be disturbed by such
a lurid display. Yes, it is true that I usually try to
avoid the subject entirely. And, yes, we Canadians are
renown as the unsexiest people on earth. Indeed, we may
be the only nation this side of Afghanistan that does not
have a sex symbol of its own. Even Australia, with a
quarter of our population, has TWO bona fide sex symbols:
Paul Hogan ("Crocodile Dundee") and Mel Gibson ("Mad Max").
Oh, sure, Canada has produced great talents (e.g. Molly
Ringwald, Stan Rogers, Wayne Gretzky, Neil Young, Leonard
Cohen, Gordon Lightfoot, Frank Lloyd Wright, etc.) and
some well known faces (e.g. Peter Jennings, John Candy,
William Shatner, Michael J. Fox, Jim Carey, etc.).
Ironically, during the early days of television the
Cartwrights of "Bonanza/Ponderosa" fame became "America's
family" even though not one but TWO of the actors were
closet Canadians (i.e. Lorne "Pa" Greene and Pernell
"Adam" Roberts). And, yes, some of these were very good
looking people, but sex symbols? Let's face it: Loreena
McKennitt may be ten times the musical talent that Madonna
is, but, well, she ain't no Madonna.
"But what does sex appeal have to do with bridge?"
one may ask. Everything and nothing.
While the game continues to grow outside of North
America, it has declined steadily here since its heyday in
the 1950's. While everyone agrees on the need to bring
in younger players, opinion is divided on how we can
best accomplish this. The ACBL initiated (but later
lost enthusiasm for) a program to teach bridge in junior
high schools. The 5th Chair has done yeoman work in
promoting bridge in universities. Until the early 1970s,
though, this would have been unnecessary; every
university already had a thriving bridge club!
Instead of focusing on how to solve the problem,
many of us have been distracted by finger pointing.
The ACBL's draconian conventional restrictions have
been blamed for driving away younger, more innovative
players. The greater expense of ACBL tournaments has
been mentioned, as has a decline in media coverage.
When was the last time face-to-face bridge was front
page news? The great Simms-Culbertson match?
While I agree that all of the above are contributing
factors, I think that the main reason for our inability
to recruit younger players is far more basic: the game
lacks sex appeal. When I say this, though, I get one of
two reactions: shock from some, "Well, DUH!" from others.
Since I don't want to "preach to the choir" I will address
my remarks to those who would be uncomfortable with using
sex appeal to draw youngsters to such a dignified game.
What many of us forget is that bridge was MEANT
TO BE a very sexy game. Its promoters and inventors
went out of their way to highlight the game's more
prurient aspects. Did you know that, in the 1920s
lexicon, the terms "vulnerable", "squeeze", "rubber"
and "slam" all had lurid double meanings? And that
this was no accident? All of this was very tasteful
for the most part, but unabashedly sexual nevertheless.
Accounts of the Culbertson's exploits rarely failed
to mention what a handsome couple they were. Eli was
presented as a 1930's version of James Bond while
Josephine was framed as a veritable Emma Peele.
Bridge flourished among the young.
We aren't talking about explicit, hardcore
sexploitation here. We were always more subtle
than that. Consider this question: What game
might MILLIONS of Star Trek fans suddenly want to
learn if they knew that Jerry "Seven of Nine" Ryan
played (and here comes the hint:) B-R-I-D-G-E? The
discovery that Omar Sharif was a bridgeplayer brought
hoards of people to the game. Women wanted to see
Omar, and men wanted to be seen with him. Did the
bridge organizations exploit this? They sure did!
Almost every copy of every bridge publication in the
world featured him. While better players got a textual
byline, Omar ALWAYS got a photo. Gee, I wonder why. :)
Online bridge may be the game's salvation. It
solves the problems of conventional restrictions,
expensive traveling to face-to-face tournaments and
has even drawn some national media coverage (as when
a reporter discovered that Warren Buffett and Bill
Gates play together on OKBridge). As for sex appeal?
Well...
Recently one of my students approached me privately
and complained that one of hir opponent's icons was
unduly suggestive. I smiled. And said nothing.
*************************
You'll find Kaltica (Colin Ward) doing his FireSide
sessions on Friday evenings at 5:30 P.M. OKbridge time.
Kaltica and Wintaka present classes on:
SAYC (Rainbow Series)
2/1 (Spectrum series)
Precision (Prism Series),
and other selected bridge topics (Kaleidoscope series).
They also offer private/group lessons and/or supervised
play sessions. Email Colin (cpw@escape.ca) or
Bill (btreble@escape.ca) for more information.
..........................................................
GIGGLE BREAK
A distinguished clergyman and a friend
were playing golf. It was a very close
match, and at the last hole the two were
only one stroke apart. The clergyman teed
up, addressed the ball, and swung his
driver with great force...slicing the
ball deep into the woods.
The clergyman glared, and bit his lip
while his face turned crimson, but said
nothing. His opponent looked at him for
a moment and then remarked, "Reverend,
that is the most profane silence I have
ever heard."
..........................................................