By Peter Rhead
WHEN TO OPEN A TWELVE-POINT HAND
Most of us follow the convention to open with a 13-point hand. Sometimes our 13-point hand is pretty crummy but Bridge is a bidder’s game. You have to get your bid in when you have the opportunity.
So what happens when you have a 12-point hand? Many players will open a 12-point hand under certain circumstances. There are good 12-point hands worth opening and there are bad 12-point hands that you should PASS. Consider a hand with only three Aces. It appears to be just a 12-point hand – what some players call “Aces and Spaces”.
But consider this. When the point system was developed, the proponents were actuaries who arbitrarily assigned whole numbers to the honour cards for the sake of simplicity. In fact, Aces are worth slightly more than four points each, Kings are worth about three, and Jacks and Queens are worth slightly less than the one and two points assigned them. So your three-Ace hand is a good 12-point hand that should be opened. After all, it increases the value of some of the cards in your partner’s hand. For example, if your partner has a King in a suit where you hold the Ace, the King becomes more valuable.
Likewise a 12-point hand like: AKQJxx xxx xx xx (xx are non-honour cards) should be opened One-Spade because the combination of honours and length points makes the hand more valuable. Whereas a hand like Axxxxx Kxx Qx Jx, which also has 12 points, should not be opened, but could be good as a support hand for responding to a partner who opens. The two worthless doubletons in Diamonds and Clubs are liabilities for opening. Just PASS.
Next week we will look at opening with “Two And One-Half Quick Tricks”.
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 try to include it in this column.
PORT CARLING UNITED CHURCH WOMEN FUNDRAISER
LUNCH, BRIDGE AND EUCHRE PARTY, ALL WELCOME
12 NOON FOR LUNCH Friday, Sept 20, 2019 $20 per person
Port Carling Community Centre (lower level) Check-In 11:30
A great opportunity to enjoy companionship while supporting a cause. Arrange your foursome and bring necessary supplies for your table. Please pre-register by Sept 18 by calling Kathy Haller 705-375-0914.
TOURNAMENT TRAIL: Gold and Red Masterpoints, Orillia Regional
Sept 17-22, 2019 Barnfield Point Recreation Centre
500 Atherley Road, Orillia
For details follow this link: https://tournaments.acbl.org/schedule.php?sanction=1909088
NEW SOCIAL BRIDGE GAME IN HUNTSVILLE
Games are at the SUMMIT CENTRE Thursdays, 7pm.
PLEASE NOTE that our NEW VENUE for Bridge DURING THE SUMMER UNTIL SEPT 5 is the Summit Centre “Don Lough Warming Area”. This room is located on the second level of the Summit Centre accessible by taking the right-hand stairs (elevator) after Passing through the main entrance. The room does not have a kitchen; hence, please bring your own beverage (we will still provide snacks).
NOTE: ON SEPT 5 WE RETURN TO THE REGULAR VENUE, ACTIVE LIVING CENTRE, AT THE BACK OF THE SUMMIT CENTRE.
This week will be our last in the Jack Lough Arena sitting area; we return Sept 5 to the 2nd floor ACTIVE LIVING CENTRE (where tea & coffee will be available) (same time & day – 7 pm on Thursday).
Just come – with or without a partner. Please arrive 10 minutes before game time. For information, please contact Donna or Peter Tikuisis at 647 471 1774 or [email protected].
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.
PORT CARLING SOCIAL BRIDGE CLUB
Games for the Port Carling Social Bridge Club are Monday evening 7pm 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]
We will play holiday Monday Sept 2, 2019
Results for Monday, August 26th, 2019: 1. Irene Bond & Dorothy Beckman, 4,910 points; 2. Nick & Ann Kristoffy, 3,570 points; 3. Louise Kirbyson & Mavis Hall, 3,430 points
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Games are Tuesday 7pm Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive with your partner at least 10 minutes before game time. For partners and information call Jan Roberts 705 635-2522 or email [email protected]
The following winners are for Tuesday, Aug 27, 2019 with 20 pairs playing a Mitchell Movement North-South 1. Vern Foell and Rod Dixon; 2. Beryl Clayson and Paul Clayson; 3. Joanne Garvey and Barb Green; 4. Diane Taylor and Martin Taylor; 5. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; East-West 1. Karen Ahermaa and Wanda Zyla; 2. Liz Graham and Dorothy Russell; 3. Yvonne Cox and Jim Smith; 4. Marjorie Clark and John Clark; 5. Liz Barnes and Bev Howard
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.
The following winners are from Monday, Aug 26, 2019 with 15 pairs playing a Howell movement. 1. Lyn Walisser and Bev Howard; 2. Sheila Jenset and Karen Harder; 3. Sandy Retter and David Scarlett; 4. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 5. Mary Whitehead and Helen Pearson; 6. Gail Lederer and Sue Lawson; 7. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 8. Pat Davidson and Myrna Rosemeyer
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!
0 Comments