Duplicate bridge results and tip: Bidding reminders

By Val Rhead

1. An opening bid by Opener plus opening bid values in Responder’s hand equals a game unless you don’t have an eight-card fit, particularly in the minor suits, and you don’t have all suits stopped for No Trump.
2. A new suit by Responder is always forcing for one round.
3. A new suit by Opener is not forcing unless it is a Strong Jump Shift.
4. A Jump Bid such as One Spade to Three Spades is invitational to game. It is not forcing.
5. Opening bid values by both Opener and Responder are best shown by Responder showing a new suit. By doing so, Responder can determine the strength of Opener’s hand to determine whether or not they have Slam values. If Opener shows a minimum (12-14) or medium (15-17) or maximum (18-21) opening bid, Responder may jump to game or make further forcing bids to determine if slam is possible.
6. A Jump Bid such as One Heart to Four Hearts should be Pre-emptive showing lots of trump and low points.
7. He who knows goes. If as Responder you have enough for Four Spades, don’t leave it up to your partner. Make a forcing bid to explore for a game contract or a slam.
8. Sometimes you have to lie a little when making a forcing bid if you don’t have a good second suit. It’s more important to accurately show the value of your hand.
9. If your partner has bid two suits, you do not need extra points to give a Preference Bid. Partner has bid Hearts and Spades and you have only a singleton Spade, but two Hearts, raise partner’s Hearts.
10. If you make a mistake in your bidding such as, horror of horrors, by bidding a weak Two-Club bid, according to the rules of bridge, it is illegal to transmit unauthorized information. So please, in this eventuality, refrain from shouts of anguish, grunts or groans or negative body language. Hard though it may be, maintain a poker face even if your partner takes you to Six No Trump.

If you wish to promote an activity in your bridge group or ask a bridge question, send the information to [email protected] and I will include it in this column.

HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB

Games for the Huntsville Club are Tuesdays, 7:15pm, Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. Contact Jan Roberts 705-635-2522 or [email protected] for information and partnerships.

PLEASE NOTE: Starting this Tuesday, Nov 22, and for the rest of the winter, the game will be held downstairs in the warm basement. To avoid the long stairs, enter from the door on Main Street.

The following winners are for Tuesday, Nov 15 with 6 tables playing a Howell movement. 1. Chris Karn and Vern Foell; 2. Liz Barnes and Rod Dixon; 3. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 4. Bev Parlett and Barb Forth; 5. Barb Green and Peter Rhead; 6. Liz Graham and Dorothy Russell
MUSKOKA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB (Bracebridge)

Games at the Bracebridge Club are at the Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Taylor Road 7pm Monday evenings. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. For information or partnerships, call Brian at 705-645-5340 [email protected].

The following winners are from Monday, Nov 14 with 8 tables playing a Howell movement. 1. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 2. Art Insley and Don Evans; 3. Mary Hogarth and Albert Eatock; 4. Mary Mitchell and Susan Maddocks; 5. Ann Cassie and Bruce Cassie; 6. Pamela Jardine and Ralph Mitchell; 7. Joyce Payne and Malcolm Payne; 8. Bev Parlett and Vern Foell

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