By Val Rhead
As you know, a preemptive bid is made on a hand that contains a long suit (six, seven or eight cards) but less than opening points. The total points are calculated by adding up high-card points and length points (one extra point for each card held in a suit beyond four.) I’m sure that you’ve noticed that a six or seven card suit usually scores more tricks that a four-card suit. For that reason long suits are valuable.
Assume your opponents opened with a preemptive bid of Two Diamonds. You have a six-point or longer Spade suit with less than twelve points. Do not overcall the Two-Diamond bid. Pass! If your hand with a six-card Spade suit is worth 12 points or more, it is considered a full opening and you would overcall with a bid of Two Spades which is not a preempt. If you bid Two-Spades with the weaker hand, your partner wouldn’t know whether you had a full opening bid or a weak preemptive bid. A partnership has to communicate accurately so they know whether to settle for a part-score, stop in game, or soar ahead towards slam.
Not only does this guideline improve the accuracy of your bidding, it is also important that your opponents know the value of your hand. Bridge isn’t a game, like Poker, where you are allowed to fool the opponents. In Bridge, you have to hold the hand that you claimed you had when you made a bid.
Back when we were at the early stages of learning this wonderful but frustrating game, my partner opened Two Spades. No one else bid and the play proceeded. My partner played one Ace. He then played a second Ace. Finally, he played a third Ace. The opponents hand reached for the sky. “Director please, Director!”
My partner erroneously had considered his hand to be weak with nothing more than three Aces, and a weak Spade suit, only Ten high. That didn’t matter. Three Aces gave him more than twelve points. We were warned!
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.
IMPORTANT NOTICE – BRIDGE LESSONS – SAVE THE DATES STARTING APRIL 9
These lessons will be for all interested players who have some knowledge of the game. Both men and women are welcome, so bring your Bridge playing spouse as well as all your Bridge partners. No partner is required for the lessons; singles will be accommodated.
Lessons will start on Monday, April 9 and will run Mondays for 6 weeks. They will take place from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at the Royal Canadian Legion 168 Muskoka Rd, in Bracebridge (Just South of the OPP Station, off Cedar Lane). The price is $75 for all six weeks, or $15 for single lessons by cash or cheque (payable to “Nancy Barber” at the first lesson). Contact Nancy Barber – [email protected] or at 705 375 3620. Attendance must be confirmed in advance of the first lesson.
CFUW FUNDRAISER
The recent fundraiser for the Canadian Federation of University Women was highly successful and a lot of fun. Most people played Bridge, but other games were available. Eighty-Four people attended. Approximately $1,000 was raised to go into the bursary fund. This money is used to help Muskoka young women who find it difficult to fund their further education.
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Games at the Huntsville Club are Tuesday 1pm start for the Winter Season, Trinity United Church 33 Main Street in the Hearth Room. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. For partners and information call Liz Graham (705) 789-7187.
The following winners are for Tuesday, Feb 20 with 9 pairs playing a Howell movement. 1. Dorothy Russell and Susan Marshall; 2. Jim Smith and Ralph Mitchell; 3. Liz Graham and Sandy Graham; 4. Joanne Garvey and Betty Rintoul; 5. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst.
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, Feb 19 with 14 pairs playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Carol Anne Robinson and Nancy Barber; 2. Bev Parlett and Vern Foell; 3. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 4. Mary Luke and Donna McIntosh; East-West 1. Gail Lederer and Don Evans; 2. Lyn Walisser and David Bryce; 3. Betty Franklin and Lynda Ferguson; 4. Mary Mitchell and Jane Caughey
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