By Val Rhead
TRANSPORTATION, PART ONE: PLAN THE FIRST CARD YOU PLAY
The Magic of Bidding series concluded last week. Now that you have bid your contract correctly, you have to make it! Have you ever had that sinking feeling when you have enough tricks to make your contract, but you need the three good tricks that are sitting in the dummy and you have no way to get there? You have a transportation problem!
Some of the people I play with have taken a Bridge course recently where they have learned that, before they begin the play of a hand, they must make a plan. They must sit staring at their hand and the dummy even before they play on the opponent’s opening lead. “Rosabelle it’s your turn!” the opponents helpfully remind her after a short period of inaction. “I know, I know,” she says in an irritated voice. “I’m making my plan.”
Well, she is right. That’s what the teacher told them to do. “Make a plan before you play your first card from the dummy.” She is playing No-Trump. If she hurriedly played the Ace of Diamonds on the Diamond lead, it can be a disaster if that entry to the board (dummy hand) is needed later. Her plan shows six Hearts sitting in dummy just waiting to be established. Unfortunately though, she has only one small Heart in her hand to lead to the high Hearts in dummy. Three rounds of Hearts establishes that suit but she lost the third round. That Diamond Ace she guarded with her life is her entry. She may have had to concede a couple of Diamond tricks at the beginning of play to guard the Diamond Ace, but when she finally returned to the board with the Diamond Ace, she could now run the three Heart tricks that she had established.
I know it takes a few extra seconds to plan the play of your hand. But, it’s worth it. If you are playing this hand in a No-Trump contract, you first must count your winners. Do you need to create some more winners to make your contract? How will you do it? Usually, you will establish another suit, such as your good Heart suit, which will give you more winners. As you cash in those tricks, it will give you the chance of throwing off any losers in the other hand.
If you were playing a hand in a suit contract, you would count losers. How are you going to reduce the number of losers? First, check to see how many entries you have to the board? Unfortunately, the two small Spade trump in dummy’s hand do not help. But in your plan, after you have cleared the Trump suit, is there a suit in dummy that can be developed for a few extra tricks? Check to see how many entries you have to the board? Be particularly suspicious that there is a problem when you notice that you only have a limited number of entries to the board, but you have a suit sitting on the board that will be a source of tricks. Here again, the only entry is the Ace of Diamonds to the established Heart suit. Perhaps it will be better to concede tricks to the opponents and let them have their good Diamond tricks before you draw Trump and establish the Hearts. Then muscle in with your Diamond Ace. You can take your good Heart tricks on the board and hopefully make your contract.
If you wish to promote an activity in your bridge group or ask a bridge question, send the information to vrhead23@gmail.com and I will try to include it in this column.
NEW SOCIAL BRIDGE GAME IN HUNTSVILLE
Games are at the SUMMIT CENTRE FOR ACTIVE LIVING, THURSDAYS 7PM
in the multi-purpose room 2nd floor (elevator) (back entrance of Summit Centre)
Just come – with or without a partner.
For information, please contact Donna or Peter Tikuisis at 647 471 1774 or donna.tikuisis@sympatico.ca.
For now, this game will be played following Chicago Rules (allowing both fast and slow games). You will keep your same partner for the entire evening. Cost is $1.50 per person. Parking is outside the North Entrance opposite Heritage Village Railway Station.
PORT CARLING SOCIAL BRIDGE CLUB
Games for the Port Carling Social Bridge Club are Monday afternoon 1pm at the Port Carling Community Centre, 3 Bailey Street. Please arrive with your partner at least 10 minutes before game time.
For information, contact Andree or Scott 705-764-3827 sfstaples6@gmail.com
Winners for Monday, Jan 21st, 2019 1. Kathy and Jim Haller 4600; 2. Els Vandenberg and Peter Rhead 4580 very close; 3. Sue Daglish and Scott Staples 3100
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Games at the Huntsville Club are Tuesday afternoon 1pm, Trinity United Church 33 Main Street (side door, three steps up in the Hearth Room). Please arrive at least 15 minutes early. For information and partnerships call Liz Graham (705)789-7187 or email at lizgraham41@gmail.com
The following winners are for Tuesday, Jan 29, 2019 with 6 pairs playing a Howell movement. 1/2. Mary Simonett and Kel Andresen; 1/2. Helen Pearson and Jim Smith; 3. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 4. Vern Foell and Rod Dixon
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 brian_brocklehurst@sympatico.ca
The following winners are from Monday, Jan 28, 2019 with 6 pairs playing a Howell movement. 1/2. Val Rhead and Joanne Garvey; 1/2. Mary Luke and Donna McIntosh; 3. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 4. Mary Mitchell and Isabel Hellberg
Looking for more bridge tips? You’ll find them here.
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