By Valerie Rhead<\/p>\n
RESPONDING TO A SUPER HAND<\/strong><\/p>\n What do you answer when your partner makes a strong opening Two-Club bid? You know that opener has 22 points or more. The sad thing is that when this happens, you often have something like two jacks or even a hand with no cards with pictures on them at all. There are several ways to respond. We will look at the convention that says \u201cIf you don\u2019t have at least an Ace, a King or two Queens, you bid Two Hearts!\u201d Horror of horrors, this shows that you have a bust hand? The opener then sets the contract. After all, theoretically opener could have as many as 40 points.<\/p>\n This convention continues as follows for responder\u2019s first bid. If you do have at least an Ace or King or two Queens in the hand, you bid Two-Diamonds. This bid is forcing to game. Opener now can explore the hands to find the correct contract and you can\u2019t pass short of game. If you have eight or more points and a five-card suit, bid the suit. And what do you bid if your suit is Hearts? Bid Two No-Trump! It takes a little getting used to and may be hard to remember at first, but it works. Two No-Trump in this convention means a real Heart bid by you! Tres simplement.<\/p>\n So to review. Two-Clubs \u2013 opener\u2019s bid, Two Diamonds \u2013 positive response by you that is forcing to game. Two-Hearts \u2013 bust bid by you \u2013 opener sets the contract. Two No-Trump by you shows five hearts and eight or more points in your hand. Two-Spades, Three-Clubs or Three-Diamonds reply by you to opener\u2019s strong Two-Club bid, shows a five-card suit and eight or more points anywhere in the hand. These are the hands I love. Have fun.<\/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 TOURNAMENT TRAIL: Silver Points, North Bay 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 to EVENING PLAY until December 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 winners are from Tuesday, Apr 5 with 6 tables playing a Howell movement. 1. Chris Karn and Vern Foell; 2. Mary Whitehead and Helen Pearson; 3. Mary Simonett and Kel Andresen; 4. Jim Smith and Ralph Mitchell; 5. Liz Barnes and Rod Dixon; 6. Val Rhead and Peter Rhead<\/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 winners are from Monday, Apr 4 with 8 tables playing a Bump Mitchelll movement. 1. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 2. Kathy Kent and David Kent; 3. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 4\/5. Betty Fagin and Hazel Bowes; 4\/5. Bev Parlett and Vern Foel; 6. Lorna Wagner and Pat Feaver; 7. Mary Luke and Donna McIntosh; 8. Val Rhead and Peter Rhead<\/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>April 22-24, 2016 North Bay Elks Club, 325 Elks Lane
\n<\/strong>Pairs Friday 1 & 7pm; Saturday 10:30am and 3pm; Sunday Swiss 10am
\nTo confirm the details, read the tournament flyer at http:\/\/tournaments.acbl.org\/schedule.php?tourid=23270<\/span>
\n<\/a>Your opportunity for fun and to earn silver points.
\nStratification based on average:
\nOpen A = 1500+, B = 500-1500, C = 0-500, also 299 game and 50 newcomer game<\/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
\nA great opportunity to enjoy bridge and companionship while supporting young women in Muskoka attending college and university. Please arrange your foursome and bring cards for your table. For Tickets Call Cathy Genereux 705-687-2157 candggenereux@sympatico.ca<\/a> or Carol Wilson 705-646-2567 caw1@sympatico.ca<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>With 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><\/span> OR (705)325-2256 1-800-567-3376<\/p>\n
\n