By Valerie Rhead
OPENING THE MINORS
What do you do when you open your hand to discover 13 high-card points, two spot cards in each of spades and hearts, four Diamonds and five Clubs? Some of us think the best course of action is to open one Diamond with the idea that two Clubs will produce a convenient rebid.
The problem is that your partner may respond in one of the majors. When you make a rebid of two Clubs, your partner, who has no support for either of your suits, will make a preference bid in your first-bid suit, which he assumes is your best suit. Oops, if he has just two little Diamonds, this bid will result in you playing in a six-card fit. This is never fun.
What to do? With four Diamonds and five Clubs and 13-16 points, start your bidding with one Club. If the partner responds with two of a major, for which you have no support, rebid one No‑Trump. You can do this even if you have a singleton in partner’s suit. If you are lucky and have three-card support for the partner’s suit, you may raise her. Perhaps this gives you a seven-card fit. But in modern bridge, many players are happy to play at a low level with a seven-card fit. A seven-card fit beats a six-card fit any day.
If you have the same four Diamonds and five Clubs distribution, with 17 or more points, you are strong enough for a reverse, so you can freely bid the one Club bid followed by the two Diamond bid. A reverse is a bid that shows a strong hand because it forces the partner to respond at a higher level.
For more information on frequent mistakes at bridge, read David Bird’s book, “52 Bridge Mistakes to Avoid.” I can attest that I’ve made many of them, but I don’t think I’ve made all 52 –at least not yet!
If you wish to promote an activity in your bridge group, send the information to [email protected] and I will include it in this column.
Fundraiser for Danny Schamehorn
At the Orillia Legion Dec 4 @ 7:30PM – Two bands will be performing.
More Info on Orillia website http://orilliabridge.com/
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Games for the Huntsville Club are Tuesday evening 7:15, Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early. Call Betty 705-789-2560 [email protected] or Susan at 705-789-7156 [email protected] for information and partnerships. For the winter, the game is now held downstairs in the warm basement. To avoid the long stairs, enter from the door on Main Street. Circle your calendar for the Christmas Party Dec 8, 4:30 at Tall Trees, game back at Trinity. Sign up for the party Nov 24 and Dec 1. There will be games as usual 7:15pm Tues Dec 22 and Dec 29. Starting Jan 5 the game moves to the afternoon 1pm for Jan-Feb-Mar.
The following results are for Tuesday, Dec 1 with 7 tables playing a Howell movement. 1. Liz Barnes and Rod Dixon; 2. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 3. Chris Karn and Vern Foell; 4. Jim Smith and Ralph Mitchell; 5. Fay MacDonald and Yvonne Cox; 6. Mary Simonett and Kel Andresen; 7. Beryl Clayson and Paul Clayson.
MUSKOKA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB (Bracebridge)
Games at the Bracebridge Club are at the Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Taylor Road 7pm Monday evenings. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before game time. For information/partnerships, call Brian at 705-645-5340 [email protected]
The Bracebridge game is cancelled Monday Dec 21 and Dec 28.
The following results are for Monday, Nov 30 with 9 tables playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 2. Mary Luke and Donna McIntosh; 3. Fay MacDonald and Yvonne Cox; 4. Hazel Bowes and Gail Lederer; 5. Mary Hogarth and Albert Eatock; East-West 1. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 2. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 3. Art Insley and Don Evans; 4. Betty Rintoul and Heather Ingram 5. Joanne Garvey and Kelly Andresen.
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