By Val Rhead
There are different forms of UNAUTHORIZED INFORMATION, both “intentional” and “unintentional”. Today we will deal with the kind of UNAUTHORIZED INFORMATION that is often less obvious at the Bridge table but still illegal.
Most players realize that if they want their partner to lead a Heart, it is not legal to clutch their chest as if they are in the midst of a heart attack. They know that they should not twiddle with their diamond engagement ring if they want the lead of a Diamond. Also, they know that they should not do as the two little old ladies did when playing against the two experts. The first little old lady led the four of Clubs which turned out to be the killing lead. When her partner got in, she returned the lead and got a ruff. At the end of the hand, one of the experts complimented her. “It’s really quite simple,” she replied innocently. “I know that when my partner makes a lead with her left hand, it’s always a singleton.”
There are a number of things you cannot do. Basically you cannot use hand signals or body language or facial expressions to communicate with your partner – to express pleasure or displeasure with partner’s actions. You cannot huff and puff when you do not agree with partner’s lead or bid, or when you, yourself, make a crazy mistake. Just keep a poker face. This scrutinizing of the opponent’s actions can be carried to extremes. My husband was once called out for giving UNAUTHORIZED INFORMATION by smiling. Our opponents at the tournament thought, incorrectly, that he was giving me a signal! I think the Director smiled even more strongly than my husband had when I told him my husband is a pleasant guy and smiles all the time.
All forms of UNAUTHORIZED INFORMATION are illegal at the Bridge table. However, such UNAUTHORIZED INFORMATION does take place sometimes at social Bridge and is ignored. It is assumed to be accidental and we carry on and play. Usually a partner does it unknowingly or reflexively and we just do not pay attention to it. All is fine and good. Let the hot shots legally fight it out when UNAUTHORIZED INFORMATION is detected in their sanctioned games.
We’ll continue next week with a further discussion about UNAUTHORIZED INFORMATION.
On another topic, I was pleased to have an inquiry from one of our readers about how to find older Doppler publications of my “Bridge Tip” columns. When you want to do a search in doppleronlline/Huntsville for my columns, look at the top right of the screen to find the “search” box. In this search box, type “duplicate bridge” and then hit “Enter”. In about five to ten seconds, approximately 120 items will show as being found. About 103 are my columns with the remainder being “Doppler Digests” which include a reference to my “Duplicate Bridge” columns.
My columns then are listed on your screen in groups of six with the most recent showing first. At the end of the six columns displayed, and perhaps after an advertisement, you will see “1 2 3…20” with the “one” highlighted because you are looking at the six most recent columns on the first page. You can then read my columns in sets of six by clicking 2 then 3 etc. always looking at the most recent. Be patient, there will be a pause of five to ten seconds after you click the page number. Or you can click “20” and work backwards from page 20 looking at the oldest columns which you will find around page “18”. Thanks for the inquiry. I hope this is helpful.
TOURNAMENT TRAIL:
Gold and Red Masterpoints, Orillia Regional
Sept 12-17, Barnfield Point Recreation Centre
500 Atherley Road, Orillia
Go to orilliaBridge.com and click on “Tournament” for details
SUMMER PORT CARLING DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
August 30 was the LAST GAME for the Port Carling Duplicate Bridge Club summer season.
The following winners are from Wednesday, Aug 30, 2017 with 11 pairs playing a Howell movement.
1. Gaye Kastning and Mildred Syron; 2. Valerie Rhead and Peter Rhead; 3. Bev Howard and Liz Barnes; 4/5. Mary Mitchell and Gwen Jocelyn; 4/5. Pamela Jardine and Ralph Mitchell; 6. Jean Sinclair and John Sinclair
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Games at the Huntsville Club are Tuesday 7:15 start, Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. For partners and information call Jan Roberts 705 635-2522 or email [email protected]
The following winners are for Tuesday, Sept 5 with 16 pairs playing a Mitchell movement.
North-South 1. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 2. Joanne Garvey and Bev Howard; 3. Betty Rintoul and Bev Howard; 4. Chris Karn and Vern Foell; East-West 1. Liz Graham and Sandy Graham; 2. Mary Simonett and Kel Andresen; 3/4. Mary Whitehead and Helen Pearson; 3/4. Susan Marshall and Jan Roberts
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 [email protected]
The following winners are from Monday, Sept 4 with 18 pairs playing a Mitchell movement.
North-South 1. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 2. Mary Luke and Donna McIntosh; 3. Bev Parlett and Vern Foell; 4. Gerry Flaherty and Ross Siemms; 5. Betty Rintoul and David Bryce; East-West 1. Art Insley and Don Evans; 2. Gaye Kastning and Bill Kastning; 3/4. Lyn Walisser and Bev Howard; 3/4 Pat Paterson and Tony Liming; 5. Joyce Payne and Malcolm Payne
Looking for more bridge tips? You’ll find them here.
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