By Valerie Rhead<\/p>\n
SYSTEMS ON \u2013 SYSTEMS OFF<\/strong><\/p>\n This is not an April Fools\u2019 Day joke. Your opponent can steal your bid! But you can do something about it!<\/p>\n \u201cDo you play \u2018Systems On\u2019 or \u2018Systems Off\u2019?\u201d a new partner may ask you. What he is asking is whether or not you play Stayman or Transfers if there has been interference in your bidding of No-Trump contracts. Some novice players may feel that these conventions are a bit too complicated. If the opponents have interjected a bid into the middle of their auction they prefer to play \u201cSystems Off\u201d and all bidding is natural. The downside of this is that often they will be prevented from using these two very useful conventions. After all, aren\u2019t those wicked opponents always trying to mess up your bidding?<\/p>\n It\u2019s really quite simple to circumvent this interference. If you bid one No-Trump and your left-hand opponent bids two Clubs. Your partner must simply \u201cdouble\u201d to indicate a stolen bid. He wanted to bid two Clubs as a Stayman bid saying he has a four-card major and asking whether or not you have one. With the \u201cdouble\u201d partner can still give you this information. This is known as \u201cSystems On\u201d.<\/p>\n You open one No-Trump and the interfering opponent bids two Diamonds. Your partner can \u201cdouble\u201d that bid to indicate a stolen bid and a transfer to Hearts. If it was the Spade suit your partner wanted to show, he can simply bid two Hearts over the two Diamonds for a normal transfer.<\/p>\n Now, what do you do if that annoying opponent bids two Spades and you want to transfer to Hearts? With \u201cSystems On\u201d you can still do the transfer by bidding three Diamonds. As you are being forced to bid at the higher level, you will, of course, have to be stronger. This can be a problem if you have a good five-card Heart suit but a low point count. In that case, you will have to bow to the opponents and pass. Maybe they will get into trouble!<\/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 CFUW MUSKOKA BRIDGE FOR BURSARIES<\/u> FUNDRAISER FERN RESORT, ORILLIA, Bridge Weekend HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB<\/strong><\/p>\n Games for the Huntsville Club have changed now to EVENING PLAY for the Summer and Fall, Tuesday 7:15pm, 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. The evening game continues downstairs in the warm basement until the crowd becomes too large. To avoid the long stairs, enter from the door on Main Street.<\/p>\n The following results are for Tuesday, Mar 29 with 4 tables playing a Howell movement. 1\/2. Chris Karn and Vern Foell; 1\/2. Liz Barnes and Rod Dixon; 3. Susan Marshall and Betty Bennett; 4. Mary Simonett and Kel Andresen<\/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.<\/p>\n The following results are for Monday, Mar 28 with 7 tables playing a Howell movement. 1. Lorna Wagner and Pat Feaver; 2. Joanne Garvey and Kelly Andresen; 3. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 4. Bev Parlett and Vern Foel; 5. Ruth Thompson and Don Evans; 6. Mary Luke and Donna McIntosh; 7. 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>SPRING LUNCH AND BRIDGE PARTY, ALL WELCOME
\n<\/strong>12 NOON FOR LUNCH Friday, April 15, 2016 $20 per person
\nGravenhurst Senior\u2019s Centre 480 First Street North
\nPlease arrange your foursome and bring cards for your table.
\nFor Tickets Call Cathy Genereux 687-2157 candggenereux@sympatico.ca<\/a> or Carol Wilson 646-2567 caw1@sympatico.ca<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>By ACBL Bridge Teacher GREG COLES
\n<\/strong>Seminars and Games for both Duplicate and Progressive Bridge
\n<\/strong>Tips in Bidding, Play and Defense
\n<\/strong>Workshop: Avoiding Simple Mistakes
\n<\/strong>Friday \u2013 Sunday Apr 22-24, 2016 $395 per person double Plus Tax and Service
\n<\/strong>This is another fun opportunity to continue the learning process that never ends.
\nFor more information and registration, go to www.fernresort.com<\/a> OR (705) 325-2256 1-800-567-3376<\/p>\n
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