By Val Rhead
It was a dark and stormy night and four canoeists sat in a tent. A lantern hung overhead and flashlights were nearby. Each player held a Bridge hand. One bid, “Two Hearts,” and the bidding continued, “Three Hearts, Pass.” Rain splattered gently on the tent roof as the canoeists led and then played to each trick. They laughed as they reviewed the day’s events as they played. Particularly they chuckled as the two male paddlers recounted how they had diverted the young black bear, that was swimming towards their island, back to the mainland. “Down one,” said the scorekeeper and the next hand was dealt.
Social Bridge is played in many situations and with different intensities. It’s a fun, relaxing game played in a tent on a rainy night during a canoe trip. In other venues, perhaps the players are intent on playing “good Bridge” and following the rules (at least most of the rules). With other groups it may be intended as a learning experience and table talk is encouraged, such as “What’s the meaning of that bid, partner?” or “How do you bid a Transfer if you have a long minor suit?” In many games, it’s simply a relaxing activity around which both women and men discuss and solve life’s difficulties. Author, Carol Shields wrote a successful play, Thirteen Hands, in 1993 about the positive effect that a long-standing Bridge club had on the lives of its members, assisting them in dealing with problems of aging, and family, and generally reducing their isolation.
The two styles of Bridge, Social and Duplicate are similar in many ways. Players who are good Social players can easily transition into good Duplicate players. Good Duplicate players, usually do well playing Social Bridge, but even they “have to have the cards.” Therein lies one of challenges with Social Bridge. If you don’t get good cards, you can’t get a good score and it can get pretty boring. On the other hand in Duplicate, even if a player has poor cards, he can often do well by playing a good defense.
Sometimes skilled Duplicate players can become frustrated by Social players who carelessly give all kinds of unauthorized information to their partners. For example, they may first bid One Heart, only to correct it to One Spade. Sometimes, they amazingly think out loud. “My Hearts aren’t really very good. But OK, One Heart.” Sometimes, though, they unwittingly give information to their opponents. The opponents certainly are allowed to take advantage of any of these tidbits that are dropped their way.
A perceived advantage of Social Bridge, is that it is more “social.” Players feel free to talk about non-Bridge topics such as how to prepare a vegetarian lasagna or the latest antics of the American President. But Duplicate Bridge is also “social,” it’s just that the chitchat is confined to times after the bidding and the play of each hand are finished, and between rounds when waiting for other players. More about the Duplicate side of Bridge next week.
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 try to include it in this column.
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Games at the Huntsville Club are Tuesday 7:15 start, Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. For partners and information call Jan Roberts 705 635-2522 or email [email protected]
The following winners are for Tuesday, Sept 26 with 12 pairs playing a Howell movement. 1. Susan Marshall and Jan Roberts; 2. Bruce Elliott and Rod Dixon; 3/5. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 3/5. Ann Cassie and Bruce Cassie; 3/5. Fay MacDonald and Yvonne Cox; 6. Mary Simonett and Kel Andresen
MUSKOKA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB (Bracebridge)
Games for the Bracebridge Club are Mondays 7pm, Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Taylor Road. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. For information or partnerships, call Brian at 705-645-5340 or email [email protected]
The following winners are from Monday, Sept 25 with 18 pairs playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 2. Jinty Stewart and Jane Insley; 3. Fay MacDonald and Mary Whitehead; 4. Bev Parlett and Vern Foell; 5. Mary Hogarth and Albert Eatock; East-West 1. Art Insley and Don Evans; 2. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 3. Frank Vagnoni and Gerry Lawrence; 4. Ann Cassie and Bruce Cassie; 5. Kathy Kent and David Kent
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