By Val Rhead
Jerry Helms is a professional Bridge Teacher who writes regularly in the Bridge Bulletin, the monthly publication of ACBL (The American Contract Bridge League). My husband and I attended a lecture by Jerry at the recent Ottawa Regional Bridge tournament. One of Jerry’s mottos, which he terms “Jerryisms” is “Look for Reasons to Bid Before Finding Excuses to Pass.”
His lecture was about No Trump bidding. It brought to mind all the bridge players I have heard who say such things as “I didn’t bid No Trump on that hand because I had a doubleton.” Jerry bids No Trump with a doubleton, even with two doubletons, and even with a singleton (as long as it is either an Ace, King or Queen and there is no other doubleton in the hand in accordance with the latest rules).
Jerry showed several hands on a white board and discussed how they should be bid, or perhaps more importantly, how they should not be bid. Before making the first bid, players should consider what their second bid is going to be. Are these hands most likely going to be played in No Trump or in a suit? The hands below are given in the order, Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs. Partnership agreement to open One No Trump is 15-17 high card points.
Qx KQJT9 AJx QJx This hand should be opened One No Trump. It may end up in a Heart contract if partner indicates Heart support.
Ax QJ AKQxx AKT9 This hand is in the No Trump family of hands and should be opened Two Clubs followed by Two No Trump as opener’s second bid to which partner may respond Stayman, Transfer, or Three No Trump.
AQ Jx Qxxxxx AKx This hand should be opened One No Trump. Whenever possible, a No Trump game contract is preferable to a game contract in a minor suit.
Just keep in mind that even the best bidding is not always perfect. According to Jerry, a seventy-five percent success rate is accurate bidding.
For more information and strategies about opener’s second bid, follow Jerry Helms at www.jerryhelms.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.
FERN RESORT, ORILLIA, Bridge Getaway Weekend
By ACBL Bridge Teacher GREG COLES
Seminars and Games
Tips in Bidding, Play and Defense
Friday – Sunday Oct 21-23, 2016 $395 per person double Plus Tax and Service
This is another fun opportunity to continue the learning process that never ends.
For more information and registration, go to www.fernresort.com OR (705)325-2256 / 1-800-567-3376
OR Greg (705)717-4133 [email protected]
CFUW MUSKOKA BRIDGE FOR BURSARIES FUNDRAISER
LUNCH AND BRIDGE PARTY, ALL WELCOME
12 NOON FOR LUNCH Friday, October 21, 2016 $20 per person
Gravenhurst Senior’s Centre 480 First Street North
A great opportunity to enjoy bridge, companionship and support for young women in Muskoka to go to college and university. Please arrange your foursome and bring cards for your table. To register, please provide all four names to either: Cathy Genereux 705-687-2157 [email protected] or Carol Wilson 705-646-2567 [email protected].
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.
The following winners are for Tuesday, Oct 18 with 8 tables playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Mary Simonett and Kel Andresen; 2. Bruce Elliott and Rod Dixon; 3. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 4. Chris Karn and Vern Foell; East-West 1. Susan Marshall and Jan Roberts; 2. Fay MacDonald and Yvonne Cox; 3. Bev Parlett and Barb Forth; 4. Ann Cassie and Bruce Cassie
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, Oct 17 with 9 tables playing a Howell movement. 1. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 2. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 3. Mary Luke and Donna McIntosh; 4. Gerry Flaherty and Ralph Hair; 5/6. Art Insley and Don Evans; 5/6. Fay MacDonald and Mary Whitehead; 7/8. Val Rhead and Peter Rhead; 7/8 Mary Mitchell and Gwen Jocelyn
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