By Val Rhead
I recently was playing a nice, friendly game of social bridge. I studied my hand. It contained seventeen high card points and one length point for a fifth Club—a total of eighteen points according to my usual method of hand evaluation. Oh, what the heck. I opened One No Trump which should show fifteen to seventeen points. I guess you could say the devil made me do it.
My partner grimaced and twisted and turned as she considered her response. Talk about unauthorized information. You’re always supposed to bid with no suggestive body movements or facial expressions that indicate either agony or extreme elation. “Two Clubs” (Stayman), she finally muttered showing at least eight points by agreement. The bidding continued and we ended up in a game contract of Three No Trump. Her hand came down. “Just seven points,” I thought to myself. “Sorry partner,” she apologized. “I’m a little short.”
I played the hand and we made it. My partner grinned happily. I explained, “What happened was that you overbid and I underbid! Your bid invited me to go to game if I had a maximum hand, which I did, so I bid the game.” Because I had that extra point, it worked this time. But it’s usually much more accurate for each of us to bid our hands correctly. Next time we bid like this, we probably won’t be this lucky. Maybe we’ll both end up overbidding and we’ll be down, down, down. Sometimes, two wrongs make a right. But, don’t count on it.
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.
TOURNAMENT TRAIL: Silver Masterpoints, North Bay Sectional
|April 20-22, 2018 at the North Bay Elks Club, 325 Elks Lane
Pairs Friday 1 & 7pm and Saturday 10:30am & 3pm; Sunday Swiss 10am
To confirm the details, read the information flyer: Click on “Tournaments” at http://acbl.org, your opportunity for fun and to earn silver points.
Stratification based on average:
Open A = 1500+, B = 500-1500, C = 0-500, also 299 game and 0-50 newcomer game
IMPORTANT NOTICE – BRIDGE LESSONS – SAVE THE DATES STARTING APRIL 9
Tips on Bidding and Playing To Bring Success At The Table
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.
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Please NOTE new time 7pm: Games are now on EVENING PLAY for the Summer, Tuesday 7:00pm Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. For partners and information call Liz Graham (705) 789-7187
The following winners are for Tuesday, Apr 3 with 7 pairs playing a Howell movement. 1. Val Rhead and Gail Lederer; 2. Yvonne Cox and Helen Pearson; 3. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 4. 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]
The following winners are from Monday, Apr 2 with 16 pairs playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Mary Luke and Donna McIntosh; 2. Val Rhead and Joanne Garvey; 3. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 4/5. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 4/5. Gail Lederer and Hazel Bowes; East-West 1. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 2. Yvonne Cox and Helen Pearson; 3. Frank Vagnoni and Gerry Lawrence; 4. Els Vandenberg and Isabel Hellberg
Looking for more bridge tips? You’ll find them here.
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