By Val Rhead
A bridge convention is a special bid that is used to describe the strength and shape of a bridge hand. Its use can assist a partnership in finding the optimal contract. Players are wise not to try to learn too many conventions all at once. Being over-ambitious may lead to errors and frustrations. Something to consider when deciding what conventions to use is whether or not that new convention will be used frequently enough to justify the time you will take to learn it, and the space in your brain it will take to remember it.
When we were in Ottawa at the Regional Tournament there, we attended some lectures by the professional bridge player and teacher, Jerry Helms. Jerry writes a column in the Bridge Bulletin, the monthly magazine produced by the American Contract Bridge League that is sent to all members of ACBL.
Jerry has a list on his web site of the conventions that he thinks are basic, and the most beneficial, to all bridge players. Included on his list, for those that should be learned first, are the following: STAYMAN and JACOBY TRANSFERS – These two conventions are used after your partner opens with One No Trump or Two No Trump. They will help you find the “magic eight-card fit” in Hearts or Spades or a minor suit fit. LIMIT RAISE – This shows your partner that you have support for his suit and 10 to 12 points. WEAK TWO BIDS – This shows your partner that you have a good six-card suit and LESS than opening points. With a six card suit and opening points, bid one of the suit. MICHAELS CUE BID and the UNUSUAL TWO NO TRUMP – These two conventions allow you to show two suits at once from which partner can pick one. BLACKWOOD AND GERBER – These two conventions allow you to find out how many aces your partner has if you’re contemplating slam.
To find out more details about using these conventions, go to ACBL.org and in “search” type “Commonly Used Conventions” or visit jerryhelms.com Jerry Helm’s web site.
Using conventions can be helpful, but remember to follow the KISS formula; Keep It Simple Sweetie. Otherwise, they can get you into trouble. As proof of this, we played against Jerry Helms a year ago at the Ottawa tournament. He was playing with a partner he hadn’t played with for a while. The partner mixed up a convention and we put them down four tricks. Alas, I seem to remember, they probably got tops on most of our other boards.
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.
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Starting Nov 22 and for the rest of the winter, the game will be held downstairs in the warm basement. To avoid the long stairs, enter from the door on Main Street.
The following winners are for Tuesday, Nov 8 with 6 tables playing a Howell movement. 1. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 2. Mary Simonett and Kel Andresen; 3. Liz Graham and Dorothy Russell; 4. Susan Marshall and Jan Roberts; 5/6. Mary Hogarth and Albert Eatock; 5/6. Jim Smith and Ralph Mitchell
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, Nov 7 with 8 tables playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Val Rhead and Peter Rhead; 2. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 3. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 4/5. Rena Laventhal and Arno Liebster; 4/5. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; East-West 1. Art Insley and Don Evans; 2. Ralph Hair and Gerry Flaherty; 3. Jeanette Heeneman and Hans Heeneman; 4. Lynda Mochrie and Wayne Mochrie; 5. Joanne Garvey and Betty Rintoul
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