By Valerie Rhead<\/p>\n
LET THE ENEMY PLAY THEIR SUIT OR SACRIFICE? THAT IS THE QUESTION<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThe five-level belongs to the opponents!\u201d How many times have I heard that and how many times have I decided to take a chance and raise my four-Heart bid to a big five-Hearts after my opponent\u2019s aggressive four-Spade bid. Usually I\u2019ve gone down one, or two, and likely have been doubled. Sometimes the down result is good! But, there\u2019s always that heart-stopping moment at the end of the play when we check the score traveller to see if they could have made their four-Spade contract. Of course, if they couldn\u2019t have made it, it\u2019s a phantom save and a bottom board, once again.<\/p>\n One of the readers of this column suggested today\u2019s topic. It\u2019s a difficult question to answer. Whole books have been written about it. A close reading of a book like \u201cThe Law of Total Tricks\u201d by the esteemed bridge writer, Larry Cohen, could provide answers. The \u201cLaw\u201d says that you can safely bid up to the number of trump your side holds, with some adjustments either raising the value of your hand or lowering it. For example, a flat hand (3,3,3,4) is a negative factor and suggests that the total tricks will be less than the number of trump. Another example: Extra length or voids suggests that the total tricks made will be greater. All this doesn\u2019t guarantee that you will make the contract, but that you will often get a better score with a sacrifice than letting your opponents play their suit.<\/p>\n You\u2019ve probably encountered hands, usually with lengthy suits, that could make a game or even a slam in either direction. More frequently, one hand can make game, but the other can\u2019t. The hand that can\u2019t may go down only a trick or two for a good score. Depending on vulnerability, you may be able to fare better declaring such a hand and going down than leaving them to play in their suit. If you\u2019re doubled and vulnerable and they\u2019re not vulnerable, this can be tricky. If you\u2019re down two tricks, that\u2019s a minus 500, which is a better score for them than the 420 they can make for their own game. If you\u2019re not vulnerable, you can afford to take more chances because down two tricks doubled now is only minus 300.<\/p>\n Just last week, our non-vulnerable opponents bid five-Hearts over our four-Spades. We doubled and they went down two for 300. Our four-Spades was made by other pairs for 420. Great bid by the enemy! Good sacrifice!<\/p>\n If you wish to promote an activity in your bridge group, send the information to vrhead@sympatico.ca<\/a> and I will include it in this column.<\/p>\n SYRIAN REFUGEE FAMILY FUNDRAISER HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB<\/strong><\/p>\n Games for the Huntsville Club are now Tuesday afternoon 1PM for the winter Jan\u2011Feb\u2011Mar, Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early. Call Betty 705-789-2560 bennettb@vianet.ca<\/a> or Susan at 705-789-7156 jasu.marshall@gmail.com<\/a> for information and partnerships. For the winter, the game now is held downstairs in the warm basement. To avoid the long stairs, enter from the door on Main Street.<\/p>\n The following results are for Tuesday, Mar 8 with 5 tables playing a Howell movement. 1. Heather Hockin and David Hockin; 2. Chris Karn and Vern Foell; 3. Liz Graham and Dorothy Russell; 4. Betty Fagin and Rod Dixon; 5. Jim Smith and Ralph Mitchell<\/p>\n MUSKOKA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB (Bracebridge)<\/strong><\/p>\n Games at the Bracebridge Club are at the Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Taylor Road 7pm Monday evenings. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. For information or partnerships, call Brian at 705-645-5340 brian_brocklehurst@sympatico.ca<\/a><\/p>\n The following results are for Monday, Mar 7 with 8 tables playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Pamela Jardine and Ralph Mitchell; 2. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 3. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 4. Bev Parlett and Vern Foel; East-West 1\/2. Ruth Thompson and Don Evans; 1\/2. Albert Eatock and David Bryce; 3. Kelly Andresen and Helen Pearson; 4. Betty Rintoul and Barb Forth<\/p>\n Don’t miss out on Doppler! Sign up for our twice-weekly email digest and get some of our top stories delivered right to your inbox.<\/strong><\/p>\n *<\/span> indicates required<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>LUNCHEON AND BRIDGE PARTY, ALL WELCOME
\n<\/strong>Saint Patrick\u2019s Day
\n<\/strong>12 NOON FOR LUNCH Thursday, Mar 17, 2016 $20 per person
\nSaint Joseph\u2019s Catholic Church, Bracebridge, 118 McMurray Street
\nPlease arrange your foursome and bring cards for your table.
\nFor Tickets, Call with four names Sylvia Miles 645-8556 sylviamiles@sympatico.ca<\/a><\/p>\n
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