By Val Rhead
Look for a reason to BID, not for an excuse to PASS. Bridge is a bidder’s game and you have to be in there to compete. Sometimes you have to make inferences about the nature of your hand in order to understand fully its value.
Consider these two almost identical hands. You are the opener. In one hand you were dealt Spades AQXXX and an outside Ace – 10 points plus a length point. In another hand you were dealt the same values Clubs AQXXX and an outside Ace – 10 points plus a length point. But these are two very different hands when you are thinking whether or not to open. Argumentatively the first hand is just too good to PASS – Spades is the BOSS suit. You do not have six Spades and you have only eleven points but do something!
In the first case, opening one Spade might be one option to an aggressive player. However, opening two Spades gives your partner a better idea of the contents of your hand, including lead direction, and takes away two levels of bidding from your opponents – very obstructive. Your agreement is six Spades in length – so you lie a little! In the second case, just PASS because you are not going to obstruct your opponents by bidding an aggressive one Club and you need seven clubs for a pre-empt of three Clubs to make it worthwhile for your partner.
More detailed logic is explained in Marty Bergen’s two books, “Points Schmoints” and “More Points Schmoints.” Says Marty Bergen in his book “More Points Schmoints” (P9), “When in doubt, open!” The books are available at vinceoddy.com
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.
Saint Patrick’s Day LUNCHEON AND BRIDGE/CARD PARTY, ALL WELCOME
JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC CHURCH CWL FUNDRAISER
12 NOON FOR LUNCH Thursday, Mar 16, 2017 $20 per person
Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church, Bracebridge, 118 McMurray Street
Please arrange your foursome and bring cards for your table.
For Tickets, Call with four names Claudette Wheeler 705-646-2829 [email protected]
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Games at the Huntsville Club for the winter until the end of March are now Tuesday 1pm, Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. April 4 we are back to Tuesday 7:15 start. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. For partners and information call Susan Marshall 705 787-5454 or email [email protected]
PLEASE NOTE: For the rest of the winter, the game will be held downstairs in the warm basement. To avoid the long stairs, you also may enter from the door on Main Street.
The following winners are for Tuesday, Mar 7 with 8 pairs playing a Howell movement. 1. Mary Simonett and Kel Andresen; 2. Jim Smith and Ralph Mitchell; 3. Chris Karn and Vern Foell; 4. Bev Howard and Gail Lederer; 5. Betty Rintoul and Hazel Bowes
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.
The following winners are from Monday, Mar 6 with 15 pairs playing a Bump Mitchell movement. 1/2. Lyn Walisser and Don Evans; 1/2. Pamela Jardine and Ralph Mitchell; 3. Kathy Kent and David Kent; 4/5. Betty Rintoul and David Bryce; 4/5. Bev Parlett and Vern Foell; 6. Gail Lederer and Hazel Bowes; 7. Carol Anne Robinson and Nancy Barber; 8/9. Betty Fagin and Bev Howard; 8/9. Mary Mitchell and Susan Maddocks
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