By Valerie Rhead
COMPETING BIDS
Try not to let your opponents play at the two-level if they want to be there. If they have bid One-Heart, Two-Hearts, discovering their magic eight-card fit, they are likely going to make it. Think back to other hands you have defended at the two-level. How many of them did your opponents make?
So consider bidding a long suit or make a reopening double to find a place where you and your partner might safely compete. Sometimes, you will be allowed to play the contract at the two-level. Even if your bid at the three-level goes down one or two, not vulnerable, it can often be a good sacrifice. Your minus 100 is a better result than letting them make Two-Hearts for a score of 110. This is especially important when playing duplicate bridge. It is less important in a social game. But, in many cases, your opponents will be pushed to the three-level where they might go down.
Because you entered the bidding, you will likely do better than if you sat dumbly silent. Now your partner will be able to make more effective leads. But a note of caution; don’t get carried away especially if you’re vulnerable. It’s more of a challenge vulnerable to get a favourable score. If you can push them to the three-level, it’s often best to leave them there and try to put them down. If you compete higher, you risk going down yourself, earning an undesirable minus score for a phantom sacrifice because they could not make their three-level contract.
Now, if the enemy has NOT found a fit, such as when the bidding has gone something like One-Spade, Two-Clubs, Two-Diamonds and responder makes a simple preference bid of Two-Spades, they probably do not have the magic eight-card fit. Let them be and don’t take the risk of bidding yourself.
PLEASE NOTE that my email has changed. If you wish to promote an activity in your bridge group, send the information to vrhead23@gmail.com 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 early. Contact Susan [email protected] for information and partnerships.
NOTE: Plan for our Summer Party of Dinner and Bridge Tuesday, June 21. Dinner at Tall Trees 4:30 for drink and to put in your food order. Bridge back at Trinity United. Also, there will be NO GAME on June 14 due to a function needing the activity hall.
The following winners are for Tuesday, Jun 7 with 9 tables playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Bob Schives and Bruce Elliott; 2. Mary Simonett and Kel Andresen; 3/4. Jim Smith and Joanne Garvey; 3/4. Chris Karn and Vern Foell; 5. Beryl Clayson and Paul Clayson; East-West 1. Fay MacDonald and Yvonne Cox; 2. Liz Barnes and Bev Howard; 3. Susan Marshall and Mary Whitehead; 4. Val Rhead and Peter Rhead; 5. Art Insley and Rod Dixon
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, Jun 6 with 13 tables playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 2. Fay MacDonald and Mary Whitehead; 3. Ann Cassie and Bruce Cassie; 4. Bev Parlett and Vern Foel; 5. Mary Luke and Donna McIntosh; 6. Carol Anne Robinson and Nancy Barber; 7. Mary Hogarth and Albert Eatock; East-West 1. Liz Barnes and Lyn Walisser; 2. Bob Schives and David Bryce; 3. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 4. Kathy Kent and David Kent; 5. Mary Mitchell and Susan Maddocks; 6. Art Insley and Don Evans; 7. Pat Davies and Sue Scott
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