Duplicate Bridge results and tip: Useful conventions worth learning, part thirty-four

By Peter Rhead

Disturb opponent’s No-Trump (DONT) defense against 1NT

Last week we started a conversation about defense against One No-Trump (1NT) openings by the opposition. Your opponent opens One No-Trump. It is your turn to bid. You might have an opening One No-Trump yourself or you might have a long suit of seven-card length and zero points. What are your options?

We discussed Cappelletti, the first of two better-known conventions for defense against One No-Trump openings. No less valuable, the second, DONT (Disturb Opponent’s No-Trump) is this week’s convention. Players make a choice according to their bidding style but their partner has to agree with the choice or you are in big trouble. Unlike Cappelletti, DONT does not have a penalty double because it happens so rarely that you also have a One No-Trump opening.

DONT was invented by Marty Bergen (nominated for the 2020 Bridge Hall of Fame). Like Cappelletti, DONT tries to maximize your number of hands worth bidding following opponent’s One No-Trump opening. Using DONT, the basis of your defense is two-fold depending on the following two holdings. Otherwise you PASS.

First you double to show a one-suited hand. Partner then must bid Two Clubs unless opponent bids, then partner is off the hook. Otherwise you correct if Clubs is not your long suit.

Second you have a two-suited hand (5-5 or 5-4) and you are not vulnerable. Your bid shows the lower ranking of the two suits. Therefore Two Hearts shows both majors, Hearts and Spades. Two Diamonds shows Diamonds and an undisclosed major. Two Clubs shows Clubs and an undisclosed higher ranking suit (Diamonds, Hearts or Spades). Two No-Trump shows both minors.

In each of the above two-suited hand overcalls, Two Hearts, Two Diamonds, Two Clubs, partner bids the next higher suit if he cannot support your suit with three cards. You correct if partner’s bid is not your second suit. To your Two No-Trump bid showing both minors, partner responds with his best minor at the three level and there the part score will be played unless the opponents continue bidding.

For more information, read DONT Defense to 1NT by Barbara Seagram in 25 More Bridge Conventions, page 55.

Next Week: Gambling 1NT

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.

SOCIAL BRIDGE GAME IN HUNTSVILLE
AT THE SUMMIT CENTRE FOR ACTIVE LIVING, THURSDAYS 7PM
In the multi-purpose room 2^nd floor (elevator) (back entrance of Summit Centre)

Just come – with or without a partner. Please arrive 10 minutes before game time. For information, contact Donna or Peter Tikuisis at 647 471 1774 or [email protected].

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 for the Winter 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 [email protected]

Results for Monday, Jan 27, 2020 1. Susan & Ted Daglish 4170 points; 2. Anna Wilson & Gil Little 2590 points; 3. Joan & Len Frost 2400 points

HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB

Games are Tuesday 1pm Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive with your partner at least 10 minutes before game time. For partnerships and information call Jan Roberts 705 635-2522 or email [email protected]

Note: The game has changed to 1pm Tuesday for the Winter.

The following winners are for Tuesday, Jan 28, 2020 with 7 pairs playing a Howell Movement 1. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 2. Helen Pearson and Jim Smith; 3. Vern Foell and Rod Dixon; 4/5. Gerry VanLierop and Ron Groulx; 4/5. 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 with your partner 10 minutes before game time. For information contact Brian at 705-645-5340 [email protected]

The following winners are from Monday, Jan 27, 2020 with 8 pairs playing a Howell movement. 1. Joanne Garvey and Jim Smith; 2. Gail Lederer and David Bryce; 3. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 4. Kel Andresen and Vern Foell

Looking for more bridge tips? You’ll find them here.

Don’t miss out on Doppler!

Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox three times per week!