By Val Rhead
Christmas is coming. How about asking Santa to bring you a set of bidding boxes? Bidding boxes, as the name implies, are used to help you in the bidding part of a Bridge game. The boxes usually are made of plastic in various colours. They contain a stack of cards, one for each of the many bids players can make. The bidding cards range from a card for making a One Club bid to a card for making a Seven No Trump bid, and all the bids in between these two extremes.
Now, why on earth do you need special cards to make bids rather than saying them out loud? Bidding boxes originally were made for Duplicate Bridge games where all pairs play the same hands. I’m sure you can imagine the difficulties that would ensue if you overheard the players at an adjacent table make a slam bid of Six Spades. Then perhaps you heard their disappointed remarks when the contract goes down two tricks. “How could I make it partner? The trump was split five zero.” As you are scheduled to play that same hand next, it would be hard to resist using this unauthorized information to make the unfair decision to bid only game on that hand. Bidding boxes overcome this problem.
Unauthorized information from oral bidding is not a problem in Social Bridge when all are playing different hands. But, there are other advantages of bidding boxes. Many older Bridge players have hearing problems and often don’t hear correctly bids that are made orally. How often have you heard a player wail plaintively, “I didn’t hear their double.” Also, having the bidding cards displayed on the table as the bidding progresses aids those of us with memory issues. How often do you hear a player at Social Bridge exclaim, “May I have a review of the bidding?” when with bidding boxes, all the bids are displayed on the table.
Bidding boxes are simple to use. You open the box. The cards are in suit order from the lowest level (One Club) at the rear of the box to the highest level (Seven No Trump) in front. Then there are a few extra cards including the green PASS cards, the red “X” Double cards, and the blue “XX” cards for Redouble.
To make a bid with the bidding cards, place your thumb on the card that names your bid, such as One Spade, and take it and all the cards behind it. Place it on the table in front of you on your left side with the bid facing your partner. When it is your turn to make your next bid, such as Three Hearts, place your thumb on that card and take all the cards behind it. Place it on the table overlapping the earlier bid in such a way that both bids are visible.
When your bidding is finished, replace any PASS and DOUBLE cards into their own section. Then, scoop up all the remaining bidding cards together and return them to the box.
Consider giving bidding boxes a try. Many players enjoy using them, not only when they’re playing Duplicate, but even when they’re at home playing one table of bridge with friends.
Tell Santa you want a set of four bidding boxes for the New Year. Inform him that he can get them at Vince Oddy, our Canadian supplier: vinceoddy.com or [email protected] or phone (905) 727-2300. There are a variety of styles available (I recommend the “Bridge Partner” or “Bid Buddy” style) from about $50 for a set of four boxes.
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.
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]
REMINDER: The game is cancelled December 26. The game resumes with the Winter Season afternoon schedule of 1pm on Tuesday, Jan 2. Please arrive 15 minutes early.
The following winners are for Tuesday, Dec 19 with 9 pairs playing a Howell movement. 1. Vern Foell and Rod Dixon; 2. Mary Simonett and Kel Andresen; 3. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 4. Fay MacDonald and Yvonne Cox; 5. Liz Graham and Dorothy Russell
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]
REMINDER: The game is cancelled Dec 25 and Jan 1 and resumes Jan 8.
The following winners are from Monday, Dec 18 with 13 pairs playing a Howell movement. 1. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 2. Kathy Kent and David Kent; 3. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 4/5. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 4/5. Frank Vagnoni and Gerry Lawrence; 6. Gerry Flaherty and Ralph Hair
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