president’s messagedistrict4.info/4spot/june13.pdf · many thanks to joann glasson for managing...

District Director’s Report 3

From the Four Corners 5

Master Solvers Club 11

Valley Forge Regional 17-18

District 4 Stars

New Ranks

19-24

For Novices Only 25

A Spot 4 the Advancing

Player

29

Upstate NY Regional 25

Harrisburg Regional 26-27

Tournament Index 35

Inside this issue:

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

TOM WEIK

Greetings to all reading this edition of the 4Spot, and a special welcome to to those just beginning to play this marvelous game of bridge. May there be many enjoyable games in everyone's future. Future game opportunities can be found on our district website. Many thanks to Joann Glasson for managing this excellent site. I greatly enjoy

examining the tournament calendar that is located there. There is an element of anticipation as I look forward to the future events I might play, along with memories of past competitions at the various game sites. I feel blessed that tournament bridge has become part of my life. I am sure that you join me. Speaking of sites, I experienced the Bala Golf Club venue for the first time when I attended the Unit 141 Annual Meeting, brunch, and game. As I gobbled down French toast and the like, I peered out through the bank of windows and over the beautiful golf course, feeling at peace with the world. Although the tranquility was shattered when I saw my score, I came away with great appreciation for our access to this great setting. Thank you, Mike Giesler, for your leadership in arranging for us to play bridge at Bala. I will see you all there at our Valley Forge Regional, which is straight ahead. Another fabulous site for duplicate games and tournaments is right in my backyard. If you attended the

(Continued on page 4)

JUNE 2013

A publication of District 4 of the American Contract Bridge League

DISTRICT 4SPOT - JUNE 2013 -

PRESIDENT TOM WEIK [email protected] 1ST VICE PRESIDENT BOB PRIEST 2ND VICE PRESIDENT DAN BOYE SECRETARY BILL BAUER TREASURER RICK ROWLAND DISTRICT DIRECTOR CRAIG ROBINSON 215-699-6134 [email protected]

EDITOR

Elaine Landow 2556 Morris Road Lansdale, PA 19446 215-699-6134 e-mail: [email protected]

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without per-

mission of the editor.

DISTRICT 4 WEBSITE - DISTRICT4.INFO

Unit Websites

112 - acblunit112.org 120 - nepab.com 121 - unit121bridge.com 133 - lvbabridge.org 141 - philadelphiabridge.info 168 - web2.acbl.org/hosted/units/unit168/index.htm 190 - unit190.org 217 - unit217.nepab.com

Deadline for

September

issue

August 11


DISTRICT DIRECTOR’S REPORT

CRAIG ROBINSON

[email protected]

Is there a bubble in the ACBL? Membership increases between 1% and 2% every year, now topping 167,000. The average age of our membership has gone north of 70 (and that is without knowing the age of 38,000 of our members). As people age some become incapacitated and can’t get out to play bridge, others pass on. The new members don’t play as much as the older members used to play. So there is the bubble; our members are playing fewer sessions. We first noticed this at NABCs. We have been below forecast about 12 consecutive NABCs. At first we thought whoever was doing the forecast was just not doing it very well. In St. Louis, after four days attendance was up 14% compared to St. Louis in 2007. Over the last six days we lost all of that and 6% to spare. Members are playing less and leaving earlier. Sound familiar? For years the weekend days were the biggest days at our regionals, now Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are our peak days. Why? My theory has been that so many of our members are both retired and grandparents, so they have more activities with the grandchildren on the weekends. And although that is a good theory, there is also a good chance they are tired and just go home. Unit 190 runs it sectionals at The Bridge Studio in Wilmington which is the largest club in District 4. They have been toying around with running sectionals into the week days instead of the traditional sectional of Friday, Saturday and Sunday. And owners Harold Jordan and Tom Ciconte are rarely wrong. Club attendance for years has been greatest on Monday and then decreases throughout the week and then plummets on weekends. Christmas was on Tuesday last year versus Sunday in 2011. So clubs lost a Tuesday game on Christmas, and Monday games on Christmas eve and New Year’s eve in 2012 compared to one Sunday and two Saturdays in 2011 and 8% of December tables. Clubs are down almost 8% ACBL-wide through the first three months of this year. 65% of all clubs experienced a decline. We are still studying the numbers from 3000+ clubs to see if we can find an error. Most units in District 4 had no clubs with increases in attendance in 2013 versus 2012. One exception was Bridge Alert in Warminster Pa. that showed an increase of 209 tables (~30%) and that doesn’t count a Monday night game in the same facility with a different sanction which was up another 40 tables. Congratulations to club owner Dotty Ehling.


recent Wyomissing Sectional held at the Highlands, you were undoubtedly bowled over, as I was. Be sure to attend the next game at this site. It is incredibly attractive, spacious, and comfortable. Yes, the competition bowled me over also. I was extremely pleased to learn that the ACBL has become the Alzheimer Association's inaugural partner in its Longest Day program. The Longest Day, June 21, is in honor of those fighting Alzheimer's disease, their loved ones and the daily efforts of caregivers. The theme this year is to "do something you love." Careful! Sixteen hours of consecutive activity are advised! ACBL clubs across North America are planning a very full day of bridge activities. It just so happens that this year's longest day falls during our Valley Forge Regional. Thanks to Lewis Klein for coordinating volunteers to raise funds. Please consider making a contribution to this most worthy cause. The regional will display a promotional table.

I recently gave a talk on bridge to members of an organization that I belong to. The purpose of my speech was to encourage more people to play bridge. In addition to describing the game and the enjoyment it provides, I spoke at length about the benefits of the intellectual challenges and social interaction of the game. Some studies have shown that playing bridge can be effective in reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of mental impairment associated with aging. The Longest Day program provides an excellent opportunity to get this message out. In the previous 4Spot, I encouraged recognition of those that contribute so much to organized bridge. Let's include those who have passed the scene but left their mark. I believe that the focus should be on people who labored above and beyond the call of duty, people widely loved by other players, and the greats of the game. There are many deserving of this recognition. As I write this, I am reflecting on my late friend and partner, Harlow Lewis. He was a true champion, but more importantly he was always kind and always a gentleman. Harlow, you left your mark on all who knew you.

(Continued from page 1, President’s Message)

Which is the largest? (A) the number of legal bridge

auctions, (B) the number of bridge deals, or (C) the

number of feet to the nearest star.

Answer

(A) The number of possible bridge auctions is almost

beyond comprehension, a 48-digit number! The number

of possible bridge deals is in the octillions, a 29-digit

number. To put these into perspective, consider that

the number of feet to the nearest star is only an 18-

digit number.


190 121

217

133 112

120 141

168

From The Four Corners

CENTRAL NEW YORK 112

Mike Mihevc 315-823-4242

[email protected]

I just returned from our local Mohawk Valley Bridge Club and have to mention that our favorite player, Florence Hagan, who will have celebrated her 103rd birthday before this publication, won again. Florence plays at least two times a week and rarely finishes out of the money. In April we had our annual awards ceremony at the Webster Sectional. William S. Port, Steven J. O'Brien , Murray Tanzman, JoAnn Filipe, Carolyn Bernstein, Arlene M. Rainome,

Eileen Schuchman, Roberts P. McDonald, Jr., and Richard W. Fox were all honored for attaining Life Master. Numerous other awards were also given and I would like to thank Margie Spence for coordinating the event. As I’m sure you’ve noticed, the number of events has slowly dwindled over the last few years. I urge all Board Members, Club Managers, and tournament players to promote each and every of our Unit 112 events. A lot of effort goes into running each sectional and without your support, you’re going to see more of our events cancelled. Upcoming sectionals include Watertown, June 1-2 and Webster, July 13-14. The Liverpool Regional will be held Monday, July 22nd thru Sunday, July 28th

. Visit our website or the district website for more details.

NORTHEASTERN PA 120 Walter Mitchell 570-709-0850

[email protected]

We celebrate and commemorate a number of significant happenings in Unit 120. Unanimous praise came from the many folks who attended the Wilkes-Barre Regional in March. Kudos to Chair Ray Depew, hospitality "Diva" Judy Argento and bulletin editor Beth Rosenthal for such a successful event. Sadly, Ray has announced that he will be stepping down after 13 years as tournament chair, and our heartfelt thanks go out to him for his tireless efforts on behalf of duplicate bridge in Northeastern PA.


Sara Eisner and Al Shrive took top honors and the trophy for a year after winning the Jeanne Leise Tourney at Mohegan Sun Casino. A new club has opened in East Stroudsburg, under the management of Dave Forth. He along with Bill Haynes, Joann Mauger and Jacqueline James serve as directors on an unusual rotating

basis. The group meets every Friday at 10 a.m. at 62 Analomink Street. A partner is guaranteed & delicious refreshments are served! The unit annual meeting is set for 12:30 p.m. Sunday, July 28th in Stroudsburg. Two sessions of bridge along with a bountiful sit-down dinner will follow for just 20 bucks! Make your reservations now by calling Bill Haynes (570-595-3333) or Kate Shumaker (570-629-2412). How are you doing on my challenge to invite just one non-duplicate bridge player to play with you? E-mail me your comments and reactions of those you invite. Let's all do what we can to help make this great game warm and inviting.

BERKS MONTGOMERY 121 Sue Wessner 610-972-5327

[email protected]

Our Unit has just completed a huge campaign for recruitment of new members. This campaign, along with the dedication of several of our members has introduced over 35 “newcomers” to bridge. Dr. and Mrs. John Alderman have contributed so much of their time to coordinate this huge endeavor. Additionally the following people have opened their homes to teach people: Anne & John Alderman, Emily & Bill Troutman, Bill Sedlis, Hilda Gernsheimer, Jeri Kozloff, Dorothy McCormick, Jack Berry, Marlene Winkleman, Louise Remley, and myself. On Monday, April 29th, we had all of our Newcomers together in the Bridge Room At The Villa, for a gathering and informal meeting, followed by a lesson and play. They now have become part of a 0-199 game that was put into place specifically for them to play amongst their peers every Monday, known as Bridge At The Highlands. At noon there is a complimentary lesson followed by an invitational game. For more info please call Sue at 610-972-5327, Brian at 484-838-0977 or Lee at 610-678-0457. The Unit was very appreciative of the contribution ACBL provided for Units to lighten the burden for advertising costs. Our Annual Pro-Am Unit game was a success. Thanks to Jack Gechter and Jerry Hartle, co-chairmen. Winners of the event were Marlene Winkleman and Barbara Willar. It was a great day of mentoring. Please mark your calendars for upcoming events: June 9th, Individual Game, 1 pm at the Bridge Room At The Villa. July 14th, Summer Picnic , noon at the Bridge Room At The Villa. With regret the Board accepted the resignation of Irish Murphy, whose work schedule has forced him to travel. Dr. C. Harold Cohn will replace him. Additionally, Eugene O’Brien will take over as new Tournament Coordinator for our Fall Sectional ([email protected] 610-

Eisner & Shrive

Haynes, James, Mauger, Forth


921-1491.) Congratulations to Vicky Sokoloff and Suzie Payne for achieving Bronze Life Master. And to Evelyn Drezner who is now a Club Master, and Carl Ziegler for Jr. Master.

LEHIGH VALLEY 133 Dave Kresge

215-536-8839 [email protected]

The unit held its Spring sectional on April 26 thru 28 April, top point winners were Richard Claussen, Pete and Marie Filandro, Stephen Goldstein and Leslie Paryzer. Upcoming unit games are the Pro-Am pairs on Tuesday 5/28 at 6:45PM in Bethlehem, Monday, June 10 pairs at 7:00 PM in Bethlehem, Sunday, June 30 at 2:00 PM at the senior center, board a match teams; Wednesday, July 3 at 7:00PM in Bethlehem, pairs; and Sunday , July 14 at 1:00 PM in Bethlehem, Pro-Am Teams. Special congratulations to unit members Arnold Kritz and Gary Hillenbrand for winning the opportunity to represent the District in the Flight B GNT Teams in Atlanta. Congratulations also to Arup Mukherjee for becoming a Bronze Life Master and to Rhoda Prager for becoming a Diamond Life Master. The unit was saddened by the passing of members Bette Cohen and William Heske.

PCBA 141

John Marks 215-891-0602

[email protected]

The election of Unit Officers for the year took place on March 13, 2013. The new officers are: President, Mike Giesler; Vice President, Meyer Kotkin; Secretary, Wendy Dechadarevian; Treasurer, Phyllis Taxin; Business Manager, John Marks. Bruce Lang was added to the PCBA Board of Directors to fill a vacancy. The April (Spring) Sectional Tournament was held on April 12 – 14, 2013 at the Bala Golf Club, 2200 Belmont Avenue, Philadelphia, PA. Marty Rabinowitz, Narberth, PA led all the other players with 22.66 master points; Ken Cohen, Philadelphia, PA was second with 17.96 master points and Neal Satten of Wynnewood, PA was third with 17.35 master points. There was plenty of great hospitality at this tournament and the Bala location is very popular. The Annual PCBA Membership Meeting and the Sonny Jaspen Trophy Game took place at Bala Golf Club on Sunday, April 28, 2013. An excellent brunch was served in the morning followed by brief meeting where the Unit President read the treasurer’s Annual Report and announced the winners of “The Ace of Clubs” and “Mini McKenney” awards for the various categories. Meyer Kotkin (Cherry Hill, NJ) and Corey Krantz (Drexel Hill, PA) successfully defended the Sonny Jaspen trophy and were winners of the trophy two years in a row.


Unfortunately, the Unit 141 Shore Spring Sectional Tournaments that was to be held on May 17 – 19, 2013 at the Oakcrest High School in Mays Landing, NJ had to be canceled this year because of a function that was occurring that weekend at the school. It has been decided to cancel all future sectional tournaments at this site, mainly because of lack of attendance and support. The PCBA “Late Summer” Sectional tournament will be held on September 6 to 8, 2013 and “Fall” Sectional tournament will be held on October 11 to 13. Both sectional tournaments will be held at Bala Golf Club. The following is the Sectional Tournament schedule for 2014; all the tournaments are scheduled to be held at Bala:

January 10 to 12: PCBA New Year

February 7 to 9: PCBA Winter

March 14 to 16: PCBA Spring

September 12 to 14 PCBA Summer

October 10 to 12 PCBA Fall

The PCBA Sectional Tournaments at Clubs (STAC) for are scheduled for the following weeks in

2014:

April 7 to 14

November 10 to 16

The following are important future dates to remember:

2013 Valley Forge Regional at the DoubleTree by Hilton, June 17 to 23.



The District 4 STAC, Monday, August 19 to Sunday, August 25, 2013

The District 4 STAC, Monday, August 18 to Sunday, August 24, 2014 and

Philadelphia Spring North American Bridge Championships (NABC) March 8 to 18, 2018

Hope to see at all of these above events.

CENTRAL PENN 168

Kelly Zeller 717-246-8034

[email protected]

Hello again Unit #168 Members. Did you know? ……. On the 4th Wednesday of every month there is a Swiss team event in Harrisburg that starts

at 7 PM. Dinner is served at 6:15. There are 2 brackets. It is well worth the time and energy to play, watch for the Harrisburg schedule and let Bob Priest know you are coming.

Edward Scanlon, Manager of Bridge Boardroom, runs a Saturday Night Special, usually the 4th Saturday of the month. $20.00 per person for an evening of Bridge, Dinner, Dessert


and Fun. And the biggest “Deal” for Bridge this Summer is the Harrisburg Regional in July! July 22-

28 Harrisburg Split Regional, Park Inn by Radisson, 5401 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg PA 17050 (Just off Routh 581 - 7 miles West of Harrisburg) $81 Bridge Rate (717) 697-0321 (7 day cancellation necessary to avoid charges). Tournament Chairs: Bob Priest (717) 579-5665, e-mail: [email protected]; Partners: Andie Sheaffer. Lots of KO’s, early play times, evening Compact KO’s, plenty of chances to GO for the Gold right in our very own Unit 168 neighborhood.

All this information is on the Unit website with access to all Tournament & Club information.

See you at the Tables. ☺

DELAWARE 190 Marie Filandro 302-234-0623

[email protected]

Upcoming events in Unit 190 include our second annual First State Southern Sectional. It is set for Thursday, July 18 - Saturday, July 20th at the Lewes Presbyterian Church in Lewes, Delaware. Open and Stratified Pairs will be held on Thursday and Friday, and Swiss Teams will be played on Saturday. Game times and a complete schedule are available on the unit website. www.unit190.org. In the recent ACBL-wide Senior Pairs, Nancy Steele and Perry Drevo were 2nd overall in District 4 and Charlotte Wheatley and Terry Dutton were 4th overall in District 4. Congratulations! As a point of interest…Marie Grabowski is currently working on a new Unit 190 Directory and it will be available at clubs within our unit soon. We are welcoming a new DSBA board member. Eli Solomon will be replacing Mike Mocella, who has been doing a wonderful job as Intermediate/Newcomer Chairperson. Mike and Diane Mocella will be moving to Florida. Goodbye and best of luck to them and “hello” and thanks to Eli. We also thank DSBA member Caroline Hughes who has agreed to give a brief presentation to the District 4 Board Meeting during the Valley Forge Regional. Caroline has been talking to newcomer and intermediate players and will be sharing their opinions about what keeps newer players interested in bridge at the meeting. As always our members are advancing in rank - lots of them! New Life Masters are Lou Ann Carter and Pieter Vanbennekom; new Bronze Life Masters are Sandy Anzilotti, Lydia Boyer, Mervin Jones, Edward Maser, Christine Matus, and William Shriver; Stephen Miller is our newest Silver Life Master and Iara Erb has achieved Gold Life Master. Congratulations and continued success to all.

http://www.unit190.org


SUSQUEHANNA 217 Jacqueline Humilovich

814-237-5534 [email protected]

The Spring out of Winter Bridge Tournament was held at the Williamsport Bridge Club from April 5-7. The winners of The 2012 Mini-McKenney Award and the Helen Shanbrom Ace of Clubs Award were recognized on Sunday. As usual the club members, led by Sue Pierce, provided a well-organized tournament with great competition and wonderful hospitality. Thank you to all of those who contributed to this successful event. The next event for Unit 217 will be the State College Sectional Tournament to be held June 7-9 at the Boalsburg Fire Hall in Boalsburg, PA. Open pairs sessions will take place on Friday and Saturday at 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM each day. The Swiss Teams competition will begin at 11:00 AM on Sunday. It will be a two session event with lunch between sessions. Last year was the first time the event was held at this location and it was a perfect place for the tournament. Please plan to attend as many sessions as possible. Two members of the State College Bridge Club have reached new masterpoint levels. Congratulations to Dolores Ritter who recently achieved the rank of Bronze Life Master and to Steve Deutsch who is now a Sectional Master!

2013 DISTRICT 4 GNT WINNERS

Open

Ken Cohen, Neal Satten, Thomas Weik, Rick Rowland

Flight A

Albert Shrive, David Meyer, Donald Dalpe,

Richard Olanoff, Barry Cohen, Nick Straguzzi

Flight B

Barry Dehlin, Carl Perchonock, Arnold Kritz, Gary Hillenbrand

Flight C

Barbara Hughes, Rita Zymblosky, Mary Donahue, Jane Bovard


DISTRICT 4 MASTER SOLVERS CLUB HENRY BETHE, DIRECTOR

[email protected]

I recruited a number of guest panelists from BridgeWinners. Kevin Bathurst,

Josh Donn, Danny Sprung and John Diamond are all District 4 “expats.” Steve

Bloom is a grandmaster and near neighbor from D3. Leo LaSota is by far the most

successful internet masterpoint gatherer with over 10,000(!) internet MP to

date. Andrew Gumperz is a semi-pro from San Francisco who is active in helping

junior bridge players. Michael Rosenberg is - Michael Rosenberg. I was very

disappointed by the lack of solver answers. Only four with many regulars

missing.

Problem 1.

Imps, Neither Vul, Dlr West

South holds

S - K3 H – 75 D – 1096 C – KQJ973

West North East South

1C X 1H ??

1N 25(7)(64); P 21(5)(105); 3C 16(3)(25); 2C 9(0)(19)

The issue on this hand is whether South can bid clubs naturally. In an era where all opposing 1C bids are suspect at best, and partners often double with balanced good hands, it seems to me that South has to be able to bid clubs. I would bid 2C. While the values are right for 3C, I still have some respect for opponent’s who bid a suit. By the way, how do you play 1C – P – 1A – 2C? I play it is natural. I also play 2A is natural. If 2C is natural, what does double of 1H mean? What does 2H mean? In bygone days players often psyched a one-of-a-major response after 1C-X. This is far less common today, which means one might use double of the response as takeout rather than penalty. Then there is also the question of whether we still have some strong forcing action. Lots of questions to discuss with partner. Greco: Pass. I will bid clubs later, of course. It does not feel like a 1NT bid.

Straguzzi: 1NT. I suppose one could make a case for treating 2C as natural here (because 2H is available as an

unambiguous forcing bid), but it's not for me. I have a constructive hand with clubs stopped and partner has suggested

the other three suits, so this ought to be fine. If it's right to play in clubs, maybe I'll get another chance to bid them. White: 2C. Natural; 3C would be preemptive.

S. Teukolsky (& R Teukolsky): 3C. This is a rare bid, but partner should have no trouble reading it as natural. Marlow: 3C. This has to show good club values, although I am unsure whether partner will play me for anything outside the suit to try for game. I would rather bid 2C as natural, which is my agreement with most of my partners, but I think my partner here is more likely to believe I have a 2-suited hand in the unbid suit.

Rowland: 1NT. I must be blind but I see no alternative.

Goldberg: 3C. I would also be happy with DBL, if it is not penalty, followed by 3C.

Raskin: P. We very likely have no fit and the same might be true of the opponents. If we had an agreement that a

club bid by me might be natural, that would be a possible call but I feel that biding now would just throw us into mass

confusion.

Filandro. P. The immediate impulse was to bid 1NT (8 - 10 HCP, balanced hand, clubs stopped). But because it is a

bidding contest I had time to ponder. If partner has a classic 4=4=4=1 without the spade ace, I'd be lucky to take 4

tricks, and with it I'd take about 6 tricks. On defense I expect 6 or 7 tricks. Isaacs: 2C. (I’ve changed this answer from 1N to 2C and back several times). At the one level, partner can’t expect stoppers in both suits if I bid 1N but he could expect at least 3 hearts. His double probably indicates spades and diamonds (not hearts); if he has hearts stopped then my 2C bid should help him decide on bidding No Trump. The bottom line: 1C by West only promises 3 clubs, so partner should figure that I have a real club suit and some points. If I don’t tell her now , I’ll never get the chance.


Wachsman: 3C. I know of no other way to show 9-11 HCP with a good 6 card suit in clubs. It is not a special cuebid or a splinter. Call me old fashioned Foster 2C. Had East NOT bid, I would have called THREE clubs. My bid of 2C now becomes a "free bid", since partner would have had another call even if I had passed. 2C shows just about what I have for a free call: 7 to 9 HCP's with clubs and fewer than 4 spades, with the opponents having bid hearts

Robinson: 1NT – I do have values and a club stopper, and a source of tricks Martin Wuest: 3C: With long and excellent clubs I want to bid NOW. How else will we ever reach 3N, if partner has

AJxx, KQx, KJxx, 10x? 2♣ will of course be understood as a cuebid so in my opinion 3♣ stands out a mile. Passing now

won’t solve anything and may cause a lot of problems later on. Martin is a good young German player. 1N seems wrong. If no trump is to be played, it almost certainly should be by partner, not me. Martin’s point that he wants to bid now makes sense (to me) but as to level I am perhaps influenced by partner’s actual hand: S-J984 H-KJ64 D-AK53 C-6. Nobody could make much of anything. Nick S. suggests that 2H is an unambiguous force. I think it shows hearts, probably five, and some but not a lot of high card values. I don’t know what creates a force.

Problem 2.

Imps, N-S Vul, Dlr North

South holds

S – K7 H – A2 D – Q8743 C – Q1094


-- 1H 1N* X

3S P P ??

“Raptor” 4S, 5 card minor, 8+-12

Pass 25 (7)(68); 3N 20(6)(42); X 15(2)(73); 4C 12(1)(0); 4H 5(1)(3)

Here we are looking at a problem generated by an unfamiliar defensive convention. It is unfamiliar here, but very popular in Europe. It may immigrate. There are several questions to be considered. Was the double of 1N sensible? What should 2C or 2D immediately over 1N mean? Can we derive these from general principles? My feeling when I faced the problem was that double of 1N should be like a redouble, and that two of a minor should be natural and non-forcing. Analogous to what I play after 1H-X, if you will. Robinson: P. They should have 9 spades. Can they make this? If they have 7 spade tricks they should have enough

outside to get two more. Double can’t be right, 3NT is unlikely, 4D is out of partnership, so I pass. White: Double. LOTT. They have 9 spades, probably. More likely 8 than 10. No reason to think we can make NT on a spade lead; too likely the opening lead sets up 4 spade tricks and we don't have 9 without letting them back in. Isaacs: Double. You can support hearts adequately at the four level, or either minor if partner takes out the double. Partner knows you don’t have spades and therefore must have a minor fit somewhere. West is preempting and therefore weak, and if by some wild chance North does have 3 Spades to the Ace or Queen they’re going down a lot of tricks despite the good vulnerability!

Straguzzi: X. Drat. Endplayed again. 3NT might be a smaller minus, but it's a more certain one, too. I need to

double in tempo so that partner is free to pull it. He should be able to tell from the auction and his hand that I don't

have a trump stack, just cards.

Greco: 3NT. I don’t like this very much but if I catch right both contracts might be making or even if I am two down

they might be making. If they only have a 4-4 spade fit that increases my chances of making.

Rowland: 4H. I have to do something. Double at IMP’s is out. 3NT seems likely to fail unless we have nine tricks

off the top. At least the bad breaking hearts will be onside.

Wachsman: 3NT. IMPs requires me to bid a game in the most likely spot. .

Raskin: 4C. Double is too risky and this hand might just play well since it seems likely that partner has a real club

suit.

Filandro. P. Looking at my suit lengths, East's most likely shapes are 4=2=2=5 or 4=1=3=5. I can see neither 9 fast

tricks for 3NT, nor 11 tricks at our minor, nor 5 sure defensive tricks against 3S. I suspect we are +50 versus a

probable +130 in our best minor - IF we could find it and stop at the 4-level. Marlow: Pass. I obviously did not plan ahead in the previous round of bidding, as I think 2D or even 2NT would have


better stated my hand and made my choice here clearer. Forced to guess, I do not see an obvious game and the opponents, with distribution plus an apparent 9-card fit, are not obviously going down, so I choose to go quietly.

S. Teukolsky: X. "Partner, it's our hand, do something intelligent." This is not a safe bid, so passing and hoping for a

small plus may be right, especially if the SK is under the ace.

R. Teukolsky: P. They got me! I'm not going to double their 9 or 10-card fit, because if partner passes, I won't

survive the stress. If we missed our 4H or 5 of a minor game---well, no one promised that life would be fair. Foster: Pass By a slim margin, to bid 3 NT or to double is too risky, especially at this vulnerability, though either one could be right, and better than a pass. West has "fixed us" with his 3 spade call, and "when you're fixed, stay fixed." Ken Mohr: P. Double for me shows a good hand, similar to a redouble of a T/O double. Game seems unlikely; 3NT might be on, but partner's pass suggests a minimum opener. I won't double here, as I don't expect to get rich on it and it could end in disaster. So I pass with one other possible choice. Since 2C or 2D over 1NT would be natural F1, 4C here could mean choose clubs or diamonds. This seems a narrow target though, 3S and four of a minor both making. Could just as easily be the other way around.

I confess: I was hoping for some enlightenment, either from the panel or on “Bridgewinners.” I found - not much.

It turned out, on the actual hand, that both 3S by them and 5D by us were cold. Partner had S – xx, H – Kxxxx, D –

AKxx, C – Kx. The 3S bidder was 5-5 in the majors with essentially no high cards but solid heart spots. Was partner

supposed to bid over 3S? Or pull 3N? Or pull a double of 3S? I have promoted Raskin’s 4C bid because I think

partner would bid 4D over that. I found part of Ken Mohr’s comment interesting: that we could have bid two of a

minor forcing over 1N. That is probably a better treatment than non-forcing.

Problem 3.

Matchpoints, E-W Vul, Dlr E

South holds

S – J85 H – 3 D – AK1074 C – Q1052


-- -- P P

2S 3H P ??

Pass 25(13)(131); 3S 12(3)(48); 4D 11(1)(8); 3N 6(0)(32); 4H 1(0)(4)

This is a more common theme. An opening preempt, partner overcalls, we have values but no trumps and no stopper in the opened suit. If we choose to bid, what do various bids mean, particularly as we are a passed hand. Most of our panel and a solid majority of the Bridgewinners voters thought pass was indicated. They might be right. S. Teukolsky: P. This is a tougher situation at IMPs, where we might have a game in a minor, but even there I see no

way to explore safely. Most likely we would just end up in 4H, which is a much more tempting target for them to

double.

Rowland: P. Partner played me for some of the missing values when bidding 3H. No fit and three bad spades are

just more reasons not to bid.

Greco: Pass. Just a guess but its matchpoints and I hope this is our last plus. We might make 3NT or 5 of a minor

but 4H seems like a lot.

Goldberg. Pass. Without a fit, anything else seems like guessing to me. Partner could have doubled and then bid

hearts, but didn't. RHO didn't bid 3S, so I won't be surprised if partner has 2 or 3 spades. It seems unlikely we have a

big minor suit fit, or values for game. Isaacs: 3S. I play this as an “asking” bid; if partner has a spade stopper he bids No Trump. Clearly if I had 2 hearts or more and points I’d have bid 4H; therefore I don’t and he should bid something else if he can. If the something else is again hearts, he better have a good 7 card suit to the A-K-Q… White: 4D. Too good to pass. Maybe we will make whatever contract we end up in.

Raskin: P. If partner can make 4H he rates to have a hand that is a 4H bid over 2S, a hand with 8+ playing tricks.

Filandro. P. My 3rd Pass of this set! Guarantees I'll be the lowest scoring panelist - oh well. Partner only overcalled,

so is limited. He plays me for about 7 - 8 HCP after a preempt. I have a little more than that, but fewer hearts than

expected and a death holding in spades. Foster Pass My partner has less than a full opener for her 3H call, because if she did have a full opener, she would have doubled since we play Lebensohl over opponent's weak two bids. I expect her to have 6 or even 7 hearts with about 11 or 12 HCP's, and if so, we are already high enough.


Marlow: 3S. Maybe pass is best, but I cannot help myself when holding a good 5-card suit plus a possible partial stopper in spades. If I have just hung partner, well, it will not have been the first time. Wachsman: Pass. I hope to go plus in 3H and am not inclined to look for magic.

R. Teukolsky: 4D. Forward going, natural. I think this hand is too strong to pass, despite the singleton heart. This is the

kind of hand that causes marital problems. Bill Hall: 4D. Too big to pass. Too few immediate cashers for notrump, unless we get very lucky. Too few hearts to raise.

Sorry, but ugly as it is, I am backed into bidding 4D. Why so much pessimism? You don't KNOW that you have a misfit, or

that partner's heart spots won't hold up in 4H. You do know that your pass will end the auction.

Straguzzi: 3S. What a nightmare. Pass could be right, but it's an awfully deep position with this many points and a

partner who just overcalled freely at the three level opposite a passed hand. I admit that 3S is ugly, but maybe we can

make 3NT, or 4H, or a zillion tricks in a minor suit. I think Bill Hall’s comment from Bridgewinners is spot on. 3S, I think, says I love hearts, and I am too good to just bid 4H. Thinking that it looks for a spade stopper or for another suit from partner is just wishful. 3N is just hoping. Another case of preempts make problems. Problem 4.

Matchpoints, Both Vul, Dlr S

South holds

S – K5 H – AJ52 D – AQ C – 108654


-- -- -- 1C

P 1D P 1H

P 3H P ??

3S 25(8)(99); 4D 19(6)(30); 4H 17(4)(83); 3N 3(0)(8)

We play “Walsh.” That is to say we bypass diamonds to bid a four card major with weaker hands. As I learned, this does not create a set of common understandings. Well, it does create a few: 1C-1D-1N is bid on all balanced minimum hands, and may conceal either or both majors. 1C-1D-1M promises an unbalanced hand and therefore real clubs. But there is still the question of whether a 5-4-2-2 hand with five clubs and a four-card major is balanced or unbalanced. Beyond that there seems to be some (maybe a lot of) debate. For a raise to 3M can responder have an invitational hand with a four-card major and longer diamonds, or does possession of a four card major promise a game force? I have tried both, and prefer to play that it creates a game force. If that is the case, is a raise to 2M a game force? We had a long discussion of that here, and concluded that the single raise of partner’s major should be a constructive three-card raise. But this lack of agreement leaves open whether the auction we have had is forcing or not. Could responder have an eleven-count with 4=5 in the red suits? I would say that even if he does we should now be in a force as long as you have reasonable standards for opening the bidding. These answers see this as a minimum opening bid, partner’s raise as “invitational,” and, therefore, no reason to do anything other than bid game. White: 4H. To quote Bethe, "I must be blind but I see no alternative."

Robinson: 4H. Must be right. The opponents will blow a trick on opening lead.

Straguzzi: 4H. Wow, assuming that partner's 3H is invitational, this looks automatic. What am I missing? Wachsman: 4H. The Walsh sequence is game forcing and since my hand is no better than a 7 loser hand as promised by my opening bid, I must deny first round spade control. My partner can still make a slam try with a 5 loser hand or better. Foster 4 H I don't think my hand is quite worth any slam try.

A second group cue bids their strong diamond honors. Filandro. 4D. My hand has grown enormously. All 14 points are golden. By denying a club control, I allow partner to

sign off with 2 fast club losers, move toward slam with a club control, and push hard toward slam with club shortness. But doesn’t this deny a spade control as well? What would you do with S-xx and C-Kxxxx? Raskin: 4D. We were in a game force once partner took any raise of hearts, so his jump has to show extras. The DAQ

rate to be golden so let’s let partner know that we have interest and good diamonds. Isaacs: 4D. Partner has not supported clubs at any time; he may, therefore, be void or singleton and I have no wasted values in clubs. His diamond suit rates to set up and the opening lead comes to my hand. Since the bidding appears to call for a spade lead, my King is protected. Partner hasn’t limited his hand at all, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see he’s thinking of slam and it


would likely make with as little as S-Axx H-KQxx D-KJxxx C-x. On the other hand, if he is a minimum for the jump he can always end the auction with 4H.

S. Teukolsky: 4D. Since 2H by partner would have been game forcing in Walsh, I presume partner is making a

slam try. We're worth one cue bid below game with AQ in partner's first suit.

R. Teukolsky: 4D. Partner is showing a game-forcing hand, and my diamond holding is worth its weight in gold, so

I'm not going to bid a wooden 4H.

The largest group bids 3S, mostly without comment. This is partly because the imported panelists were almost unanimous in bidding 3S. I agree with them, but then I use Italian style cue bidding: if you bypass a suit you deny first or second round control unless you come back and pick the suit up later. So in my style bidding 4D would deny both a club and a spade control. This might be a good hand for “serious or non-serious 3N.” If you play “serious” then 4D by this hand would say “I’m only doing this as a courtesy because your hand is unlimited.” If you play “non-serious” then this hand looks like a clear 3N saying “I’m not broke for slam purposes, but I’m not very eager.” Marlow: 3S. Playing Walsh, this is game-forcing, and I have a very good hand with my doubleton AQ in partner’s suit. I do not care for 3NT with my poor clubs and doubleton spade – my hand seems much more suit-oriented.

Goldberg: 3S. I cue bid my spade control. Partner is unlimited and it won't take that much from him to make a

slam, especially if his shape is 3451,

Rowland: 3S. If partner can cue bid 4C, I’ll try 4D.

Greco: 3S. I am not exactly sure what this is supposed to show in Walsh; presumably a G.F. hand with hearts. If

so, I have a good hand so I will start showing my spade control and go from there. I assume partner has no

shortness for lack of splinter.

Leo LaSota had one of the rare 100s on the panel. Among regulars, Craig Robinson had a fine 92, just ahead of Eric Greco’s 91. I would have had a 65, well behind Chris Marlowe and Bill Foster and all panelists. Panel 1 2 3 4 Score

Leo LaSota 1N P P 3S 100

Craig Robinson 1N P P 4H 92

Kevin Bathurst 3C P P 3S 91

Eric Greco P 3N P 3S 91

Pete Filandro P P P 4D 90

Andrew Gumperz 1N 3N P 3S 90

Josh Donn 1N 3N P 4H 87

John Diamond 3C 3N P 3S 86

Connie Goldberg 3C 3N P 3S 86

Danny Sprung P N/A P 4H 84*

Michael Rosenberg P 3N 3S 3S 82

Steve Bloom 1N P 3S 4D 81

Rick Rowland 1N 4H P 3S 80

Steve Bloom 1N P 3S 4D 79

Nick Straguzzi 1N X 3S 4H 79

Ray Raskin P 4C P 4D 77

Saul Teukolsky 3C X P 4D 75

Ros Teukolsky 3C P 4D 4D 71

Solvers

Bridgewinners P X P 3S 86

Chris Marlowe 3C P 3S 3S 78

Bill Foster 2C P P 4H 76

Morton Isaacs 2C X 3S 4D 55


D4 Bidding Challenge Summer 2013 Answers to [email protected] not later than July 1, 2013. Please format your answer as #. Last Name: Answer. Comment. e.g. 1. Smith: 4H. Not smart enough to find something else. Put your full name somewhere in the e-mail. Please note: Our methods are 2/1 with Walsh, not BWS. Problem 1. Imps, N-S Vul, Dlr West; You, South hold S – A875 H– J52 D– K7643 C– 9

West North East South 1C 1H P 2H 3C 3D P ?? NOTE: 3D IS A POTENTIALLY ARTIFICIAL GAME TRY.

Problem 2. Imps, N-S Vul, Dlr South; You, South hold S – A7 H– AK D– 743 C– AQ9542

West North East South -- -- -- 1C 1D X 3D* ?? * 3D PREEMPTIVE Problem 3. Imps, Neither Vul, Dlr North; You, South hold S– A H– A108 D– A87432 C– 964

West North East South -- 1C P 1D P 1H P ?? IN THE “WALSH” CONTEXT, 1H SHOWS AN UNBALANCED HAND, POSSIBLY 4-4-1-4, OTHERWISE AT LEAST 4-5 IN HEARTS AND CLUBS. Problem 4. Matchpoints, Both Vul, Dlr S; You, South hold S– 654 H– K D– QJ952 C– AKJ4

West North East South -- -- -- 1D P 1H P 2C P 2S* P ?? * 2S FORCING TO GAME, POSSIBLY ARTIFICIAL


WILKES-BARRE REGIONAL March 4 - 10, 2013

1 65.23 Ken Cohen, Philadelphia 2 65.23 Rick Rowland, Wilmington DE 3 48.42 Neal Satten, Wynnewood PA 3 47.59 Thomas Weik, Reading PA 5 36.77 Joann Glasson, Pennington NJ 6 35.36 Leo Birmingham, Whitney Pt., NY 7 34.95 Elaine Landow, Lansdale PA 34.95 Craig Robinson, Lansdale PA 34.95 Bob Glasson, Pennington NJ 10 31.12 Carl Berenbaum, Elkins Park PA

1 106.83 Joann Glasson, Pennington NJ 2 105.00 Eric Greco, Wynnewood PA 3 55.61 Rhoda Prager, Boca Raton FL 4 47.79 Meyer Kotkin, Cherry Hill NJ 5 46.41 Corey Krantz, Philadelphia 6 45.09 Gail Bell, King of Prussia PA 7 43.01 Albert Bingaman, Reading PA 8 42.83 Ray Depew, Kingston PA 9 42.82 Norman Dressler, Kingston PA 10 37.61 Ala Hamilton-Day, Rose Valley PA


RANK CHANGES MARCH 2013

Michael Adelizzi Allentown PA

Susan Baechle Rochester NY

Rosalie Barish Ply Mtg PA

Jill Bellas West Chester PA

Allen Bergerson Rochester NY

Sandy Butters Montoursville PA

Ben Casey Haverford PA

Dee Derosa Syracuse NY

Erdem Ergin Shepherdstown WV

Joan Ergin Shepherdstown WV

Mary Frederick Horseheads NY

William Goldstein Philadelphia PA

Phyllis Gunther Oneonta NY

Sheila Hirschfield Holland PA

Peggy Olson Dover PA

Karyl Pecora Oneonta NY

Mary Ellen Petcavage Bear Creek Twp PA

Barbara Rea Malvern PA

Jayne Reddie Doylestown PA

Rick Reynolds Utica NY

Wayne Rosenberger Philadelphia PA

Judy Webb Ephrata PA

Elisabeth Williams Wilmington DE

Shirley Wunsch Doylestown PA

Donna Zebley Doylestown PA

JUNIOR MASTER


Phyllis Accardi Hanover PA

Lynn Ahwesh Camp Hill PA

Guy Arie Rochester NY

Sally Basch Elkins Park PA

Jay Bonovitz Merion Station PA

Virginia Briggs Dallastown PA

Linda Churla Waverly PA

Betty Cohen Cheltenham PA

Nancy Eiler Easton PA

Diane Fearen Camp Hill PA

Ed Frampton Plymouth Meetin PA

Alexander Gillett Philadelphia PA

Cecile Hund Mechanicsburg PA

Cecile Ianno Jamesville NY

Steven Kanovitz York PA

James Koss Medford NJ

Linda Kuenne Easton PA

Bill Kutrzyba Philadelphia PA

Myrna Marcus Jenkintown PA

Mary Lou Mulrooney Wilmington DE

Maureen Munn Fairport NY

John Oksten Paulsboro NJ

Barbara Patterson Furlong PA

Osgood Peck Franklin NY

Prem Premakumar Media PA

Claire Rolin Philadelphia PA

Phyllis Walmer Hummelstown PA

CLUB MASTER


SECTIONAL MASTER

Nina Albert Philadelphia PA

Susan Anthony Flourtown PA

Dolores Birnbaum Cherry Hill NJ

Jane Bovard Waverly PA

Craig Duncan Rochester NY

Elliot Gillispie Elizabethtown PA

Jack Gillispie Elizabethtown PA

Jeffrey Goldstein Newtown PA

Bruce Gorman Petersburg NJ

Nancy Haile Wilmington DE

Kathleen Kingston Rochester NY

Alice Manley Clarks Summit PA

Burton Mass Jenkintown PA

Barbara McCaffrey Denver PA

Fran McCaffrey Denver PA

Barbara Nelson Ocean View DE

Cathy Pasztor Penfield NY

Arnold Poltenson Manlius NY

Donald Swart Ithaca NY

William Tondat Fairport NY

Deborah Holt Weil Berwyn PA

Margaret Woolard Springfield PA


Joseph Battaglini Mt Laurel NJ

James Boyer Mechanicsburg PA

Marlene Chiavacci Clarks Summit PA

Carol Decker Wilkes Barre PA

Sallie Ehinger Lansdale PA

Devera Garber Yardley PA

Gabriel Garber Yardley PA

Marc Goldberg Harrisburg PA

Charles Goldman Havertown PA

Eileen Greenberg Meadowbrook PA

Frederick Holdsworth Doylestown PA

Shirley Knerr Allentown PA

Jane Leimkuhler Langhorne PA

Barbara Levinson Bala Cynwyd PA

Florence Marcus Philadelphia PA

Lois May Kingston PA

William Menche Pocono Pines PA

Lucian Platt Rosemont PA

Susan Rauch Chambersburg PA

Sara Rose Huntingdon Vly PA

Marc Rothschild Medford NJ

R Shenkin W Chester PA

Charles Stoner III Manheim PA

Sandy Tilney Philadelphia PA

Eva Train Willow Street PA

Ruth Witman East Earl PA

REGIONAL MASTER

Kathleen Harter Mechanicsburg PA NABC Master

Donald Hill Mercersburg PA NABC Master

Kim Holm Greenville DE NABC Master

Sherell Morris Lancaster PA NABC Master

Kathrin Platt Bryn Mawr PA NABC Master

Bill Schlaepfer Philadelphia PA NABC Master

John Strange Wilmington DE NABC Master

Harry Stutts Chambersburg PA NABC Master

NABC MASTER


Jerry Horn Margate City NJ

Ann Silverstein Lancaster PA

NABC MASTER

Elaine Friedenberg Blue Bell PA

Michael Klein Bethany Beach DE

Patricia Richards Pottstown PA

John Tampanello King of Prussia PA

Erma Waters Doylestown PA

NABC MASTER

Deborah Klinger Lancaster PA

Elizabeth Mallon Bethany Beach DE

BRONZE LIFE MASTER

W Scott Lacey Jr Binghampton NY

Eric Seevers Lancaster PA

Ronnie Silverman Audubon PA

Barbara Thayer Wilmington DE

LIFE MASTER

Gary Hillenbrand Lehighton PA

Nina Nicolaisen York PA

NABC MASTER


Harrisburg PA (Split Site) Regional in Mechanicsburg PA

Park Inn by Radisson

5401 Carlisle Pike

Mechanicsburg PA 17050 (Just off Route 581 - 7 miles West of Harrisburg)

$81 Bridge Rate (717) 697-0321 (7 day cancellation necessary to avoid charges)

All two session pairs games pay 1st and 2nd Overall across Liverpool NY & Mechanicsburg

PA sites

Golden Opportunity A (300-750), B (100-300) GOLD points for Overall and Sec Top in A

Bracketed KOs and Compact KOs handicapped, if only two brackets

Bracketed Swiss – Top and Bottom bracket sizes at Director Discretion, all others 8 teams

each

Side Game Series strata: 0-300, 300-750, 750+

Under 500 MP games may be flighted and stratified at director discretion

MidChart permitted (when ACBL allows) in all top Brackets and in the A/X teams

Full Novice/Intermediate Program Novice Party Friday between sessions

Expert Lectures 45 minutes before every game

Tournament Chairs: Bob Priest (717) 579-5665

e-mail: [email protected]

Partners: Andie Sheaffer (717) 581-1003 - Dorothy Disney (0-500 points) (717) 697-4189

Free Parking


“Kill the Ump!” Most bridge players are terrific sports. They call the director when there’s confusion or a mix-up at their table and they accept the ruling with a pleasant “thank you,” even when the ruling goes against them. And then they get on with the game, enjoying the cards and camaraderie. The wonderful majority of players realize that, in a club game especially, the director is eager to create an atmosphere of relaxation and fun, applying the rules fairly, but also trying to keep the focus on friendship and enjoyment. The Laws of Duplicate Bridge support this atmosphere, as they are designed not to penalize players, but to equalize the playing field. There are, however, a very few who make things…shall we say, “interesting” for the director. Now, I know this doesn’t apply to anyone reading this column, but I want to introduce you to some of these strange types, just in case you run into them somewhere, and give you some tips on how to survive your time at their table. First, we’ve got The Elephant. This player is characterized by an absolute inability to accept the ruling and move on. Three weeks later, he is still perseverating on a decision, grumbling at every table he goes to about the “bad” ruling he received lo those many days, even weeks ago. The Elephant is a terrible bore; his retelling of the long-ago events is designed to stir others up and whip them into a frenzy of righteousness usually reserved for anti-war activists. All it does is make his tablemates uncomfortable and bored. You can also see these folks on TV at sporting events, yelling “Kill the Ump!” The Elephant is rarely a happy person; we must take pity. Try to distract him from his tirade with perhaps a joke or a peanut or two. Next, there is the Junior Director. Usually well-meaning, this is often someone who received a tidbit of information on rulings which he expects the director to apply when called. For example, once upon a time he revoked and was given a two trick penalty. Now Junior Director thinks he’s equipped to rule on revokes. Next time the director only gives a one trick penalty, and JD is incensed. JD doesn’t realize that the situation is different this time. He also is usually unaware of the subtleties of The Law, equalize, not penalize. JD is the person for whom the saying, “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing,” was written. It’s very hard to convince him that his knowledge is indeed partial and doesn’t apply in this case. Often JD has a real interest in The Law, and if nurtured, may actually become interested in learning more, and maybe becoming a director himself. Then he can take the abuse!!!

by

MARTI RONEMUS

[email protected]


Please remember that you must never accept a ruling from anyone but the REAL director!! The final type is the most dangerous: Junior Joe. Junior Joe is named after the late Senator Joe McCarthy. For those who don’t remember, Joe McCarthy was determined to rid the country of possible communists. He held senate hearings where hundreds of people were questioned about their political leanings. No hint of communism was too small for Tailgunner Joe to track down.

Junior Joe feels about infractions of The Law the way McCarthy felt about the Red Menace. JJ watches every move made by his opponents. The instant there is the smallest infraction, he calls the director. Did someone pause to think? “Director!! Hesitation!” Only waited four seconds instead of the “required” ten after the stop card came down? “Director!” JJ is often right about the infraction. What is wrong is his sense of proportion. With this guy, the director might as well just park a chair at his table.

It’s where you’re going to be for the night. JJ is determined that there not be the slightest hint of impropriety or imperfection in the behavior at his table. In doing so, he also manages to wring out every drop of fun and pleasure from the boards played at his table. JJ would make a great prison warden, or possibly IRS agent. What he doesn’t make is a pleasant bridge companion. How do you deal with this rare avis? Play the boards with as little fuss a possible and move on to the next table. Poor guy…no one wants to linger and chat with him. There has never been a call by a ref, director or ump in the history of sports that made everyone happy. We know when we answer a call that at least two people are going to be unhappy when we leave. We also know that 99% of you are terrific examples of sportsmanship. You are aware that you may not like the call, but that’s the way it goes, and you’ll probably like the next one. You have a sense of proportion and know how low on the ladder of life events a “bad” call really is. Thank you for being polite when you call us and remembering that, after all, it’s just a game. Keep in touch…I love hearing about your experiences in the world of bridge and enjoy answering your questions. I have an answer for everything, and once in a while it’s even right.


This is a continuing series of articles written for the advancing player. I welcome any questions or suggestions about future articles. Please send them to the publisher. Who knows? You may be mentioned in a future article! Since beginning this series, I have been asked about several conventions. Keep asking! Your questions give me direction about what the next article should be about. In this article we will point out the singular advantages of counting Declarer’s high card points. Here is your hand and the auction. You are West. ♠ J 5 4 ♥ 10 7 6 ♦ 10 6 3 ♣ A 9 8 7. As dealer you pass. North opens the bidding with 1S. Your partner passes, and South responds with 1NT. North does not alert this bid. After you pass, North raises to 2NT, which South raises to game. The final contract is 3NT. You are on lead, and you lead the ♣9 (top of a sequence). North puts down the dummy, which is: ♠ - A Q 8 6 2; ♥ - K 4; ♦ - K Q; ♣ - Q J 6 3. South calls for the ♣3 from the dummy, and partner plays the ♣10. South wins with his ♣K. He now leads the ♠T to the ♠A and then cashes the ♦K and ♦Q. You follow with the ♦3 and ♦6 while partner plays the ♦9 and ♦J. Declarer plays the ♦2 and ♦4 to these two tricks. After cashing these four winners, declarer now calls for the ♥4 from dummy. Your partner plays the ♥A on this trick. Declarer follows with the ♥8 and you with the ♥6. Your partner now plays the ♥3, on which declarer plays the ♥9 and you the ♥7. Declarer now plays the ♣Q, on which your partner contributes the ♣4 and declarer the ♣2. What do you know at this point? It would be best if you wrote down your conclusions before reading on, but saying them out loud is better for the learning process than merely thinking up your answer. Done? Ready? Declarer bid 1NT, non-forcing. That means he will have at most ten high card points. We saw the ♣K at the first trick. We know that declarer has the ♦A as well, even though we did not see that card just yet. The answer lies with partner’s play of the ♦J as declarer was cashing the ♦K and ♦Q. Partner would never allow both of these honor cards to holding the ♦A and ♦J. Therefore, declarer has the ♦A. That makes for seven high card points so far. Let us turn our attention to the heart suit. Declarer led a low heart from dummy, away from the ♥K. If partner held the ♥A and ♥Q, he would have won the ♥Q at that point. Therefore, declarer has the ♥Q. That brings declarer’s high card count to nine. Partner must have the ♠K. Once you know that partner has the ♠K, the winning defense is pretty easy. Just win this club lead and return a club to set up a winner in that suit. Declarer wins this trick and puts you back on lead by returning the ♣6. Partner discards the ♥3 and ♥5, while declarer plays the ♣5 before discarding the ♦5. You will certainly lead a spade at this point, but which one? If declarer started with the ♠T and ♠9, you have to lead a low spade to give declarer a guess. If declarer started with only the ♠T, you should lead the ♠J to make sure of getting the most

A Spot 4 the Advancing Player

by Jay Apfelbaum

[email protected]


tricks possible. Which is best? Again, it would be best if you wrote down your conclusions before reading on, but saying them out loud is better for the learning process than merely thinking up your answer. Done? Ready? So far, we have seen declarer show up with one spade, two hearts, three diamonds and three clubs. We know that declarer has the ♦A and ♥Q, although we have not yet seen those cards. Partner’s play of the ♦J on the second round of that suit indicates he started with only two cards in that suit. That means declarer started with six diamonds. So, declarer cannot have more than the one spade we already saw. Lead the ♠J to make partner’s life easier. Here is the complete hand:

North ♠ A Q 8 6 2 ♥ K 4 ♦ K Q ♣ Q J 6 3

West East

♠ J 5 4 ♠ K 9 7 3 ♥ 10 7 6 ♥ A J 5 3 2 ♦ 10 6 3 ♦ J 9 ♣ A 9 8 7 ♣ 10 4

South ♠ 10 ♥ Q 9 8 ♦ A 8 7 5 4 2 ♣ K 5 2

There is no doubt that declarer went astray in the play. A more clever player might have returned a club at trick two, or perhaps lead the ♠T at trick two but play low from dummy rather than the ♠A after West played low. However, mistakes and misreads are part of the game. It is our job to take in all of the information at our disposal and do the best we can with it.


Tournament Schedule

May 31- June 2 Wilmington DE 36

June 1 - 2 Watertown NY 37

June 7 - 9 Kingston PA 38

June 7 - 9 Boalsburg PA 39

JUNE 17 - 23 VALLEY FORGE PA REGIONAL (KING OF PRUSSIA) 17-18

JULY 1 - 7 RESTON VA REGIONAL (District 6) 30-31

July 13 - 14 Webster NY 40

July 18 - 20 Lewes DE 41

JULY 22 - 28 UPSTATE NY SPLIT REGIONAL (LIVERPOOL) 25

JULY 22 - 28 MECHANICSBURG PA SPLIT REGIONAL (HARRISBURG) 26-27

August 11 York PA I/N 42

AUGUST 12 - 18 BALTIMORE MD REGIONAL (District 6) 34

August 19 - 25 District 4 STaC Clubs

September 6 - 8 Philadelphia 43

September 20-22 Wilmington DE 44

September 21-22 Cicero NY 45

September 27-29 Williamsport PA 46

September 27-29 Wyomissing PA 47

September 28-29 Canandaigua NY


Syracuse Fall Sectional

September 21-22, 2013

Cicero Fire Hall Corner of Routes 31 and 11

Cicero, NY

Events Schedule

Saturday, September 21, 2013: 11:00 a.m. Stratified Open Pairs 3:30 p.m. Stratified Open Pairs

Sunday, September 22, 2013:

11:00 a.m. Stratified Swiss Teams- Two Session play-through (Based on average master points)

Food: Two slices of Pizza & Pop will be available on Sunday for $4.00 each

Stratified Events: Unlimited/1500/500 Information & Partnerships: Bob Simard 315-656-3204; [email protected] Directions to the Tournament Site: From the North: Take Route 81 Exit 30 Cicero. Turn right onto Route 31 West go second traffic light. Fire Hall is on the northwest corner of Routes 11 and 31. From the South or the NY State Thruway Exit 36: Take Route 81 North to Exit 30 Cicero. Turn left onto Route 31 West to first traffic light. Fire Hall is on the northwest corner of Routes 11 and 31. Motels: Fairfield Inn: 3979 Route 31 West (315) 622-2576 Comfort Suites, 5875 Carmencia Drive, Cicero NY - (315) 752-0150 Holiday Inn Express, 5860 Carmencia Drive, Cicero NY - (315) 288-5700

president’s messagedistrict4.info/4spot/june13.pdf · many thanks to joann glasson for managing...

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