Minnesota Bridge

Are We Lucky? YES WE ARE!!

It's "Chilly-Willie" time now!

But with superb people helping at our bridge games.
Food available at various times.

Silver points for those who can grab 'em!

And those who work hard to keep our games super duper!

Tournament Chair:
     Larry McIntyre
        email:   [email protected]

Plus Kimberly Hayward
Tournament Director
AND
Helping with Partnerships

Check out all the details
And have a great time!!

Bridge Center of St. Paul
          Holiday Sectional

       December 9-11, 2022

          2603 6th Ave East
      North St. Paul, MN 55109

 

ACBL Unit 103

Dear Kerry,      Bridge Center of St. Paul           Holiday Sectional        December 9-11, 2022           2603 6th Ave East       North St. Paul, MN 55109 Game Times: 10:00am & 2:30pm            Fees:   $11 per person per session Food:  Friday/Saturday on your own various local resturants walking distance.            Sunday lunch provided during Swiss. Enjoy the season and win some Silver Points. Share some holiday cheer and bring some non-perishable food items. Food items donated to the North St. Paul Area Food Self. See the attached flyer for details. Tournament Chair:      Larry McIntyre         email:   [email protected]  Partnerships:      Kimberly Hayward         phone: 651-271-3500         email:   [email protected] Tournament Director:      Kimberly Hayward Notice: In accordance with ACBL safety protocols:  PROOF OF COVID VACCINATION REQUIRED before being admitted to the playing area. Masks optional unless a player asks opponants to wear masks at their table.

The No-Trump Ladder!

THE NO-TRUMP LADDER

By Steven Gaynor

How many of you play a no-trump ladder?  Ok, why do you not all have your hands up?  Yes, you all play it whether you know it or not! 

When you have a balanced or semi-balanced hand you have a specific and unique way to tell partner exactly how many HCP’s you have within 1 or 2 points.  Let’s look at a typical ladder, most common among duplicate players.

Your hand shapes (with no particular order to the suits) are normally 4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2, or 5-3-3-2.  6-3-3-2 is also OK in some instances.  How do you show your HCP’s?  Here is my ladder.  You should discuss these ranges with your partners and revise them if you like.

12-14: Open you convenient minor and re-bid 1N.  You just about guarantee you do not have 15 HCP when you re-bid 1N.   This way partner can pass those 9 or bad 10 counts knowing game is a long shot at best.

15-17: Open 1N*.  Consider doing this even with a 5-card major.  How else will you get your partner to know your HCP strength?  Take a hand with 2 spades and 5 hearts (2-5-3-3) and 15-16 HCP.  You open 1H and partner responds 1S.  Your next call is a big lie.  You are too strong to bid 1N, you do not have enough hearts to re-bid them, you cannot raise spades, and you do not have a 2^nd suit to show.  So lie about your heart length at the start and show your partner your overall strength.   It is just about always better to tell the truth about your strength when you have to tell one lie or another.

18-19: Open with your normal suit bid and jump to 2N (or raise partner’s 1N response to 2N).  If you jump to 3N you should be showing a long running suit (usually the minor you opened) and are hoping to get the lead early and cash nine fast tricks.  Partner’s first bid usually covers a suit in which you have shortness and no stopper.  It does NOT show the 18-19 HCP hand.  That is what 2N shows.  You should not have two bids that can mean the same thing.

20-21: Open 2N*. 

22-24: Open 2C and re-bid 2N*.

25-26: Open 3N*.The 25+ hands come up as often as the systemic bids (gambling, solid suit, etc.).

27-29: Open 2C and re-bid 3N*.  This rarely comes up unless you are my opponent at Rubber Bridge.

30-37: Check the deck to make sure it is not from a pinochle game.

*To keep things simple, I recommend that you use your normal responses over any strong NT opener or overcall (Stayman/transfers, etc.) no matter what level partner bids his strong NT (1, 2, 3).  If you do the same thing all the time you will not have to worry about it.

Current ACBL rules concerning 1 no-trump opening bids:

1. You MUST announce the range.  Please get used to this.
2. Opening with a singleton is OK as long as the singleton is a Q, K or A.
3. You cannot have a doubleton if you open with a singleton.
4. Examples of illegal 1 NT opening shapes include:
   1. 6-4-2-1
   2. Any hand with a void or two singletons.
      
                        Our thanks to Steve for these lessons!
      
            Part of our education is that we are ALWAYS LEARNING!

 

Let's Fall in Love.....

Have you played bridge for more than a short while?  If so, then you likely are aware that it simply doesn't stay the same forever.  I remember when I went to college in Madison Wisconsin - learned to play all sorts of card games - and even a little bit of bridge.  From Madison, I headed to grad school and ended up in the Land of 10,000 Lakes!! I fell in love with Minnesota - then met a relative who enjoyed bridge.  

He encouraged me to occasionally play in St. Paul - so I did.  And although he was a super smart guy and quite nice, too - we rarely played a lot.  Though I enjoyed our games, I truly was a beginner, had a long trek from Minneapolis to the north - and didn't learn that much.

THEN I met a guy who asked me to play one evening - and we were second in an event!  Boy was I excited - especially when we were given trophies that were almost as tall as I was!  That was it; even though I still did not play a huge amount of bridge, playing more - and/or kibitzing - was a true treat.

I have been playing bridge literally for many decades....  so I've seen extreme changes over the years; some good and some not so wonderful.  I surely recall having regionals where almost every seat in TWO BALLROOMS were taken by players; THAT'S how many of us were fascinated and excited by bridge!

As we all know, though, the last few years have brought changes that truly are distinct from decades of our games.  Some have been good - but others have been painful and sad as we see so many games dwindling....  I know that there are some who think that the "death knell" of bridge is on its way...  And while it is impossible to predict, my view is one of hope that much that is not so hot now  will change greatly for the better.  And yet again, we'll see new players and juniors and retired folk - along with talented super stars - returning to the game like no other.

My goal?  I have a few.  One is as I mentioned; as fear of covid diminishes, we'll see more players return.  And once that happens, more will become intrigued with bridge, irrespective of their expertise and/or their beginning experiences.

I think that my greatest hope is that we will see many fall in love again.  Some will simply enjoy a game of bridge every week or two.  Others will become so fascinated, games will grow and grow - beginners will turn into intermediates - and then perhaps experts - and/or super stars!

Whether you are a casual player or one of Minnesota's amazing top players - I hope your enjoyment continues on - and more and more of us return to being bridge lovers!

We can do it!  Please share YOUR THOUGHTS about bridge in 2022.  What are your thoughts for growth?  What do you think creates the most fun and fascination?  What are the most thrilling bridge experiences you've had - and - the most crushing?

I do have my own thoughts that I hope to share.  And please do join me!  Many of us have fallen in love with bridge in the past - yet current circumstances have made playing more challenging for many.  We can fall in love again.   We can create the fun and amazement.  We can entice non-bridge players to be with us!

                                                  Let's do it!!!  

 

Balderson Team Wins Grand National Team Qualifier!

Sunday’s Grand National Team Game
And Our Thanks to John Koch
For Sharing the Exciting Finale!

              Tony Ames held a Grand National Team qualifier at Edina this past Sunday and the Balderson team narrowly edged the Grue team, 113 to 108.  The key hand in the Balderson-Grue head-to-head was a well-timed decision by Terry Beckman to balance at the two level with a four-card suit.  Here is Board 13:

♠  A K J 3                          Kerry           Koch            Joey             Terry

♡ K 9 5 4                           1♡                Pass              1NT             Pass

♢ 9 5 4                              2♣                Pass              2♡                2♠!

♣ K 2                                All Pass

Not many would risk hazarding a vulnerable two-level overcall with a four-card suit.  Terry inferred that his partner was short in hearts and therefore likely to have length in spades.  Partner did have four spades and a singleton heart.  It ended in a 7-IMP gain. 

          Paul Meerschaert advises his partners to be reluctant in taking sacrifices against freely bid games and slams unless the expected loss will be negligible.  Two of our matches were decided by questionable sacrifices.  Here was Board 2:

                     ♠ A 8 7 5 3 2

                     ♡ K Q 9

                     ♢ J

                     ♣ A 10 9

♠ 6                                    ♠ J 10

♡ 7 6 5 3                          ♡ J 8 4

♢ A 10 6 5 4                     ♢ Q 9 8 3 2

♣ Q 7 2                             ♣ J 6 4

                     ♠ K Q 9 4

                     ♡ A 10 2

                     ♢ K 7

                     ♣ K 8 5 3

          Vulnerable against not, South at both tables opened one notrump and West overcalled two diamonds, promising diamonds and a major.  At our table, North-South found their spade fit, invoked Roman Keycard, and settled in five spades. 

At the other table, Bob and Cindy Balderson reached six spades.  East, however, detected a five-five diamond fit and played partner for slightly better cards, and took the seven diamond save.  This was doubled and went for 1,700.  (The defenders grumbled for about two seconds that they passed up on the 2,000).  This was 14 IMPs, and more than offset our side’s failure to reach a grand slam on the previous hand.

          Later in the round, Board 16 showed up:

                      ♠ 8 5 3

                     ♡ K 6 5 3

                     ♢ 6 3

                     ♣ Q J 8 5

♠ K 6 4 2                           ♠ A Q J 10 9

♡ A 4 2                             ♡ 10 9 7

♢ 7 5 4 2                           ♢ A Q 9 8

♣ 4 2                                 ♣ 6

                     ♠ 7

                     ♡ Q J 8

                     ♢ K J 10

                     ♣ A K 10 9 7 3

          I was East and I opened one spade.  South overcalled two clubs, and Terry bounced into four spades.  North, noting the favorable vulnerability, tried five clubs.  There was no double, but South had only ten tricks in clubs, while four spades would have been two down. 

The lesson of these hands is that unless you are very sure of the relative values of the hands, there is nothing wrong with defending the opponents’ game (or slam) contract.

          One last deal deserves discussion—Board 1:

                     ♠ Q 10 4 2

                     ♡ Q J 10 9 5 4

                     ♢ 4

                     ♣ 10 9

♠ A K 7                             ♠ 9 3

♡ A K 2                             ♡ 7 2

♢ K 7 6                             ♢ A Q J 9 5 3

♣ A K J 8                          ♣ Q 7 4

                    ♠ J 8 6 5

                     ♡ 8 3

                     ♢ 10 8 2

                     ♣ 6 5 3 2

          At our table, North began with a weak two hearts.  This was passed around to West, who doubled with his 25-count.  East and West were playing Lebensohl, so East’s three diamonds promised eight points or so.  West could reasonably visualize 11 tricks and he took what he viewed as a practical leap to six notrump.  The queen of clubs and the sixth diamond brought the trick total to 14.

          Is there a better approach in dealing with these hands?  Yes.  When a player has a powerhouse and needs to find something extra, he should cue bid the opponents’ suit.  In this instance, the cuebid asks, “Do you have your minimum, or do you have anything more?”  In this country, a player announces a minimum by returning to his bid suit.  Thus, with ♠Jxx ♡xx ♢AQJxx ♣ xxx, he bids four diamonds. 

Many European players are a mite more sophisticated: their negative response after a double and cuebid is a one-step suit, i.e. three spades.  Any other bid shows something extra.  For example, four diamonds might show ♠Jxx  ♡xx  ♢AQJxxx  ♣ xx, i.e. an extra diamond.  The takeout doubler can ask again by cue bidding a second time, i.e. four hearts.  This time with the actual hand, ♠xx ♡xx ♢AQJxxx ♣Qxx, East would bid five clubs.  The point of all this is that the powerhouse hand does not have to make a unilateral decision on his second bid.  All he needs to do is to have confidence that his partner will continue to cooperate in response to his cuebids.

          The Brits call the one-step response “Herbert.”  In the old days when I was playing a lot with Tony Ames, we used Herbert negatives whenever we doubled and next cue bid.  Responder made a “Herbert negative” with up to 3 or 4 points.  The powerful hand then scrambled to find a decent landing spot.  Responder’s rebid of the major showed five.  Consider these hands:

You                        Partner

♠ K 6                      ♠ 8 5 4 3         

♡ A 10 4                 ♡ 9 7 6 3         

♢ A K 6                  ♢ 4        

♣ A K 10 5 3          ♣ 9 8 7 2 

South      You             North      Partner

1♠             Dbl             Pass         2♡

Pass         2♠              Pass         2NT

3♣           All Pass

After the cuebid, partner bids the next strain to show a bust.  Conventional bidders may get too high here if they have to rebid hearts to deny extras.

You                        Partner

♠ K Q 8                  ♠ 10 9 7 4   

♡ A                        ♡ 8 4 3               

♢ A 10 9 3             ♢ K Q 8 5     

♣ A K 9 7 5            ♣ 8 4             

South           You         North         Partner    

1♡                Dbl         Pass            1♠             

Pass            2♡           Pass            3♢

Pass            4♢           Pass            5♢

All Pass

This time you have questions about spades as the trump suit, so you cue bid the enemy suit.  Partner has extras and bids his second suit, leading to a diamond game.

Our best wishes to the Balderson Team
as they battle in the Grand National Teams

We hope everyone enjoyed the fine event
Great seeing everyone - and Thanks for Competing!

Share Your Stories in Austin with Minnesota!

The Fall Nationals are Underway!

 

We'd love to hear what's happening for Minnesotans in Austin!

If you have a bit of free time, please share your stories with us!

Whether you wish to highlight amazing feats at the table - 

Minnesotans who have won events - or were right "up there" -

Thrills and chills - or a heartbreak so close that demonstrates how tough bridge can be.

For those of us who could not make it to Austin, we'd be delighted to hear about highs and lows, fabulous plays, fun in Austin when not At the Table - and more.

Those at the Nationals - if you are able to share the good, bad and the ugly,

we'd appreciate it Big Time!!

THANKS!!

 

 

 

Home Again, Home Again - Jiggity Jig!

Steve Gaynor sent this message to me from a recent regional in Detroit.  I love how many of us did indeed struggle and sweat as we began to learn the mega-complexities of our amazing game!

Here is a fun hand from the regional in Detroit last week.    It meant a lot to go back home where I struggled so in my first 12 years of bridge and come away with some good results.  I told one of the players who is currently in his struggling era that his turn will come, just stick to it.  

 

Board 26 – All vul – Dealer East

A K 10 7 6 

K 6 5 

Q J 10 9 8 

                        ---

9 5                                           8 2 

Q 10 9 4                                  A J 8   

A K 4                                       5 3

A Q 9 6                                    J 10 8 5 4 2

 

Q J 4 3                        

7 3 2 

7 6 2 

K 7 3

E          S          W         N

P          P          1N        2D*

P          2H**     P          2S

3C        3S        4C        4S

P          P          5C        P

P          X          All pass

Jean & I went to Detroit to play in the first live ACBL regional since the pandemic started.  Several ACBL dignitaries were also in attendance like Executive Director Joe Jones, BOD president Georgia Heth, Director of Operations, Greg Coles and District 12 BOD representative, Dennis Carman.

After the defense took two spade tricks, North shifted to a diamond.  Unsure of how to play trumps, Jean decided to use the Murray Applebaum Discovery Play (play side suits to get info on distribution before tackling trumps) and hooked the hearts.  Finding North with three, she now played South for all the missing clubs, figuring that North would not enter this auction vulnearable without 5-5.  Plus 750 was worth all the matchpoints and helped us to a nice overall finish in the two session regional pair event.  Murray, a consistent winner of open events was also one of most charming, witty players who graced the Twin City bridge tables.  I hope he was up there watching his famous play succeed.

Murray Applebaum was a long time Minnesota player and a true character.  I, like Steve, do hope that Murray is looking down on our Minnesota contingency of competitors and remembering the years and years of fun, excitement - and occasional agony! - that we all face At the Table!

 

Grand National Teams Super Flight - Rich Newell Team and Highlights

Rich Newell's team faced many professional and elite players - but alas -

did not make the cut to today's events.  Yet Rich was kind enough to give us some of the details

of what happened to his team.  Just BEING in the event was an achievement; thanks, Rich!

 

The rank next to each opponent was how they finished the event out of 24 teams.  I sat out rounds 1 & 2

Round 1 vs Patel RANK 19 (Mike & Steve / Mike & Barry)

Only one other pair bid this vulnerable game which cannot be set, so that was a loss of 12.   Another game swing in each direction, and we lost some partscores.

 

Round 2 vs Jacobs/Vogel RANK 23 (Mike & Steve / Mike & Barry)

Well, there’s one way to get to the slam, preempt on 11hcp and tell your partner you have a good suit and a good hand.

At the other table George Jacobs and George Vogel bid 1H 2D 2H 4S (1430) 5D (2 no Q) and Clade bid 7NT.  Double dummy the jack of diamonds must be led and wasn’t, but after cashing the spades and diamonds south doesn’t have any trouble holding on to the queen of spades and ten of diamonds so -1 and 20 IMPs to Flader, which was our margin of victory.   Only two people tried 7NT so our luck equalized a bit.

Result: Win 33-13, 17.21 VP, 19.35/40 

 

Round 3 vs Debbie & Michael Rosenberg RANK 3 (Rich & Tony / Mike & Barry)

3C was not the strongest superaccept.  3S was unspecified shortness which turned out to be clubs.  The ten of diamonds was a good lead but no way for declarer to go wrong, lose 13 in a match that was lost by 19.

 

Round 4 vs Apfelblum RANK 21 (Rich & Tony / Mike & Steve)

I’m familiar with a pair on this team; Art Korth (ArtK78) and his partner GuyMath.  They are aggressive nonvul opening all 10+hcp hands, I’ve played against them many times on BBO. 

As west I played four spade partials which all gained IMPs, helping us to a 12-6 win.  Curiously my pair of +110’s  were BOTH passed out at the other table.  On one of those hands I bravely bid 2S vulnerable 3^rd seat with the west hand below.  They won two clubs, a heart, a diamond, and a diamond ruff, but never got the trump going and at the end I had a high cross ruff.  North should have sent his 87 to disturb my K6, curious.  The top teams would have me scrambling for the double dummy result of -100.

Ages ago Toby & I played a 10-12 NT nonvul and we once had success in the Silodor Pairs - I distinctly recall Toby leaving the table telling me he was thrilled at +90 knowing the hand would frequently get passed out.

Result: Win 12-6, 12.57 VP, 35.39/80 

 

Round 5 vs Munday,Oshlag,Sealy,Foster RANK 11 (Rich & Tony / Mike & Barry)

Perhaps I should bid 1NT forcing and maybe Tony could have braved 2S but I don’t know if that would have prevented this slam.  The other team bid 1N forcing and north’s 2S bid (Michaels) resulted in an immediate 4H contract by our teammates, but the 4D splinter bid was key.

All my takeout double did here was clarify to north that their heart suit was working.  5D is only down 1 but my hearts are now worthless, and if Tony has more than one heart now it could easily go for -500.  So the opponents were +420 N/S and +130 in 4D E/W at the other table, lose 11.

Result: Lose 0-34, 0.71 VP, 36.10/100 

 

Round 6 (Mike & Steve, Mike & Barry)

At this point I find out that the team with Will Engel and Ron Ashbacher (RANK 24) withdrew after 4 rounds with a score of 14.41/80, causing a sitout.  Whichever team presumably near the bottom of the leaderboard receives that sitout and 12 victory points.  Well for round 6 that team is us, so we are at 49.7/120 with two rounds to go and about 6 victory points shy of 16^th place.  Usually a 3-way in a swiss match tells you you’re not doing so well, but here they rest you and give you 12 victory points. 

Result: Sitout, 12 VP, 65.52/140

 

Round 7 vs Sloofman RANK 22 (Rich & Tony / Mike & Barry)

This was one of the weakest teams.  I was also south and at both tables it went low to the ace of hearts and another.  At my table the king was won and a club to the ten and jack, giving Tony a crucial tempo to set up hearts, and from there it was an easy down 1.  At the other table the queen of heart was won in dummy and a club to the queen.  South chose to duck this to preserve his entry and Mike lost to the J next, but with South shutout from the fourth heart Mike was able to get two tricks from the spade suit to win 10.

Result: Win 28-5, 17.42 VP, 65.52/140

At this point we are 16^th, we just need a win!!! 

Round 8 vs Robinson RANK 8 (Rich & Tony / Mike & Barry)

We got nickled and dimed here, nothing quite worth extending this.

Result: Lose 1-14, 5.07 VP, 70.59/160 

And we finished 18^th .

Tuesday Evening Swiss Teams Returns to the Twin Cities!

Tony Ames, both one of our top players and one of our finest directors, posted the results for the initial offering of the Tuesday Evening Swiss Teams.  Congratulations Harry, Barry, Kerry and Michael Lee Howland (MLH - your parents couldn't rhyme you, too?!?)  A nice finish for their team, and so great to see people enjoying the fun of battling as teams for a change, too.

I also asked Kerry if he would write up a little bit of what happened that evening - and he most cordially obliged.  Big thanks to Kerry, congrats to their team, and hope all of our players had fun with our new event!  Kerry's story comes next, results after that...  And I hope that more of our competitors will rally to the next Tuesday Evening Swiss Teams event!  
******************************************************************************************************************

The Plymouth Bridge Club has a new Swiss Team event every Tuesday night. After ironing out a few glitches, the Swiss format has been approved for prime time.

 

Harry and Barry invited Kerry and Michael (not rhyming any more) to play with them in the inaugural event.  We played last night.

 

One positive swing came on a slam hand. I held AQxxxx Qxxx x xx. Michael and I play precision, so most hands not opened 1C have fewer than 16 HCP.  Our weak two’s are 8-13, thus opening 1S and rebidding 2S shows 14-15 without jumping.

 

I opened 2S, pard bid 3C (relay to3D, then showing 5 hand types).  I bid 3D, pard bid 4C (exclusion for Clubs). Double by David Neiman, pass, we play R2D2 (redouble and double show second step 0 or 3), so pass shows 1.

 

Michael bid 6S, and held KJxx AKJx, AKxxx, void. Easily makes 7. 

 

A fun way to start the season.

 

Kerry

 

*****************************************************************************************************************

Subject: Tuesday Evening Swiss Teams

Reply-To: [email protected]o

Winning all 4 matches for a VP total of 61, Harry Sapienza, Barry Purrington, Kerry Holloway and Michael Lee Howland won the initial offering of the Tuesday Evening Swiss Teams.

Results were:

 

Rank	Name	Score (VP20)	Points
1	bpurringto+hsapienza,Kellog+MNgoofer	61.00	0.80
2	Cbalderson+Windsurff,Peg Waller+Ron1005	54.00	0.56
3	darlene789+jn55345,dlweiss+vswing1	47.00	0.40
4	rharha+sharonroe,tempport+bxley	45.00	0.24
5	ice33+farmboy7,caught1+njskag	33.00	0.08
5	laz49+slamster,dytrevor+dgoodrie	33.00	0.08
7	Long Lake+lvettel,slomovas+lmlhopkins	26.00	0.08
8	Nancy w T+fishtuc,L D Schram+Mike Stein	21.00	0.08

Help! I Need Somebody!

With the seismic events that have happened around the world - and to our game - bridge is quite different in a number of respects these days.  Additionally, it appears that MN Bridge is not receiving stories from players: problem hands, amusing incidents, thrills and chills!  It's also great to know what's happening to our newer players, our top experts and more.

As I am not able to play bridge right now (but I'm a committed kibitzer), I would like to call on YOU, our Minnesota devotees, to submit any stories, hands, triumphs, heartaches and the like that you think would be of interest to our players.  Long or short; technical or belly laughs - feel free to send 'em in!

Bill Voedisch was kind enough to offer a "wowzer" of a quickie!

At last nights St Paul Swiss, Denny and i had a 2,000 score.  That's their contract, doubled, red, down 7. 

19 IMPS for the good guys!

 

Wow - somebody sure needed some help last night!  And thanks to Bill for sharing his and Denny's story.  If you haven't racked up a big number ever - you haven't lived!  Play at your favorite game and see how high you can go!

 

And - thanks in advance for sharing YOUR bridge tales!

 

 

 

One Hand - A Micro Analysis of Bidding Opportunities

 

Mike Cassel is not only one of Minnesota's successful and expert players. He is also someone who gives a great deal to our community, in a variety of ways. One of those ways is to give players hints on how to "up" their game.

Now that we duplicate bridge players are playing online - or nothing - Mike sees interesting hands and likes to share them.  Along with some wisdom for all, Mike has sent us both a good hand to weigh along with additional good advice.

Thanks, Mike!  And we hope that many are enjoying the online Minnesota bridge games - along with all sorts of other online bridge activities!  Enjoy!

(Mike's article is below the line in a PDF.  Only format your webmaster could manage!)

Online Bridge - Making Lemonade Out of Lemons!

Steve Beatty - Creative Genius

Throughout Minnesota and the rest of the world, bridge players are bemoaning the inability to go to the club (or the tournament or the world championships) - and play bridge with their favorite partner and teammates. Yet - we have an opportunity to make "lemonade out of lemons."  

What does that have to do with bridge?  This. Every day, there are a multitude of bridge games going on at BridgeBase Online. If you want to play against friends, join a speedball tournament, set up an event of your own or sign up for one of the very many tournaments available literally 24 hours a day - you can do it!  And - even if you're not terrifically familiar, once you start you'll learn the ropes and have a great time.

 

Walt Schafer - Brilliant Mad Genius!

A couple of nights ago, I decided to watch the tournament that Grand Life Master Walt Schafer (from Iowa and now California) cleverly has arranged for people every night. It's a "star" Swiss pair competition, with pairs playing usually between 25-30 boards among one another.  (One needn't have a star by their name, yet the event is challenging with a number of Hall of Fame participants in it.)

Walter was playing with another top player, Steve Beatty from Washington, when this interesting hand arose:

  KQ9542

                            AKJ8

                             KJ

                             6

 

J873                                   A

10                                       Q76532

982                                     Q64

KQ432                               AJ9

 

                             106

                             94

                             A10753

                             10876

   

West passed, Steve (north) opened 1S and east chimed in with 2H.  Walter, never one to be shy, doubled showing the minors.  After a pass from west, Steve added up his values and strength and jumped to 3NT.

East chose to lead a heart. The contract looks doomed, does it not?  After the opening lead, a club shift will be obvious.

But.... wait.

After the 4th best heart lead, dummy followed, west played his stiff 10 - and Steve won.... the king! 

Steve now played a diamond to dummy and ran his 10 of spades. East won the ace, perforce - and not realizing Steve's brilliancy at trick one - led another heart!  Steve was now able to win the NINE in dummy and hook a spade.  When the smoke cleared, Steve had taken 3 spade tricks, FOUR heart tricks and his two diamonds.

This is how you turn disaster into treasure - or  - lemons into lemonade!

If you like, try your hand at playing virtually at Bridge Base Online. Games around the clock; all sorts of events with various levels of ability available.

Here's to fun online and exciting hands like this one!  Thanks, Steve and Walter!

An Inconvenient Truth

 

Afraid no "live" bridge to be offered yet. But - the next best thing!

Big thanks to director, teacher, mentor and fine player Steve Gaynor for a great article!

Enjoy; it's below the line in a PDF. 

On Top of the World!

Sean - Morgan - Julia - Zeren

 

Yesterday, February 24th, collegiate teams from all over the U.S. competed in the second Collegiate Tournament.  This exciting event would deliver a subsidized trip to the top 3 teams to compete in the Summer 2020 NABC collegiate event in Montreal.

We were thrilled to have multiple students from Minnesota competing in the Collegiate Tournament. And we are head over heels excited for the team from U of MN - "Gopher the Squeeze" - who not only won a trip - but were first overall!  Indeed - not only did the team win the event, they were victorious in every match throughout the day!  Quite the accomplishment!

Major congratulations to Sean McNally, Morgan Johnstone, Zeren Shui and Julia White for the big win in a big way!  We wish them the best in Montreal!  

I was chatting with Morgan last night, after the team's huge win.  After requesting some details from their day, Morgan contacted Sean; he was kind enough to send lots of details from each match on how they bulldozed their way to victory!

Please note a few items. I copied Sean's email to me about their match without editing. I thought it might be more fun and of interest to all to read one of our most talented young players' impressions and views of their matches.

Yet I feel compelled to add a few of my own thoughts to those of Sean's. 

Part of what makes our game so incredibly fascinating and compelling is how tough it is.  Our students, talented as they are, have only been playing for a few nanoseconds in contrast to thousands of others - including world class players from around the world. Sean refers to "embarrassing hands" and luck. Yet, the greatest players to ever compete at bridge commit atrocities at the table - or bring home a great result due to enormous good fortune.

At the end of the day, what really matters is that we try our hardest to do our best, never stop learning, are good teammates and partners and treat everyone with respect. 

My view is that all our Minnesota collegiate players are doing exactly that; kudos to them all!

For now, though, lots of applause to  Sean, Zeren, Morgan and Julia!  Clearly, to win every single match they were doing a lot right - and - we wish them the best of luck in Montreal continuing to do lots right - and grabbing some good fortune, too!

**************************************************************************

• • Match 1 - UMN - Gopher the Finesse
  • Match 2 - Carleton
  • Match 3 - Princeton
  • Match 4 - Caltech
  • Match 5 - Northwestern
  • Match 6 - CMU

It's a lot of boards to go through to pick something interesting.  I'd like to highlight board 5 of match 4.  I managed to go down in a cold vulnerable 4H I should make (I had a count on the hand minus one card.  It is clear and completely safe to run the c9 in the end position.  You'll see what I mean.)  BUT the girls covered my butt.  They were in 3Dx+2.  Nice to go down in a cold vulnerable game and WIN 11 imps.

 

The award for luckiest game goes to board 4 of Match 5.  Zeren and I were in 4H, needing merely the stiff K of diamonds and then the sJ onside so that lefty gets squeezed in the pointed suits. (okay, the way it was played we *should* have gone down but the fact it's actually cold is absurd).  Yes, we should just be in 3NT...

 

Tons of embarrassing hands in there, and a couple decent ones as well.  I hope you enjoy.  Thanks so much for your constant support!!

Rowan and Martin in Memphis

We are very fortunate to have bridge players in and from Minnesota ranging from expert to world class.  (Be sure to look for a post in the very near future about Steve Garner - the player whose team just won the Vanderbilt in a very tough field - and - the Mott-Smith Trophy for most masterpoints won at the Memphis NABC.)

Steve moved from the Twin Cities to Chicago long ago. Fortunately for us, however, we have other class acts and talented competitors still here.  Paul Meerschaert and Rob Schachter are two.

Big thanks to Paul for sharing this intriguing, interesting and entertaining article from Memphis with us!

 

 

Rowan and Martin

 

Some of the younger bridge players may not know who I am referring to, but most of us remember the Comedy Team of Rowan and Martin.  During the early 70’s they had a popular TV Variety Show called Laugh-In.  It was one of my favorite shows in my youth.  Dan Rowan played the Straight-Man setting up the one-liners for the comedy talent of Dick Martin.  Some other famous Comedy teams using this formula were Martin & Lewis, Abbot & Costello, and Laurel & Hardy.  For some of the younger generation they might think of Penn & Teller or Tina Fey & Amy Poehler.

I present a hand from the recent National in Memphis that had me feeling a bit like Dan Rowan.  My partner on my recent trip to Memphis is Rob Schachter.  Most local players know Rob.  I have been blessed to know Rob for 40+ years now!  For those of you that only know Rob at the table, let me introduce him to you a little. 

To say that Rob is a gentle, kind, and respectful person is the truth, what many of you do not know is that Rob earned bread for his family playing the commodities market.  Now I do not know much about the intricacies of what this entailed. I do know that among the many talents needed to succeed in this demanding field is understanding the Mathematics of Risk and Reward.  Let’s look at a hand from Memphis where Rob used this understanding to not only pull off a fast one, but also left me feeling a little like Dan Rowan.

In first seat I pick up a nice hand, I am looking at:

AQ64  K9862  Q7  A9

I am playing Flannery today so my choices are to open 2D showing this shape, or to open 1H and reverse with 2S.  The latter choice is a possible bid as I am also playing Precision so my 1H bid is limited to at most 16 HCP balanced, or 15 points unbalanced.  I decide that the heart suit is not good enough to be forcing my partner to the 3-level in my anchor suit.  So instead I open 2D Flannery despite it being technically 1 point past our intended range for the bid.  (Our agreement is that 2D shows a GOOD 10 to 14 HCP points)  I am pleasantly surprised to hear Rob bid 3D which is artificial showing interest in Slam.  My 3H bid is forced, and Rob follows up with 4H.  The bidding so far has been:

2D – Shows 5 or 6 hearts, 4 spades and a minimum.  Defined as 10-14

3D – Shows slam interest in Hearts, Spades, or Other.  Usually NT

3H – Forced response waiting to hear what partner has in mind

4H – Shows slam interest in hearts, but also denied either minor suit Ace to Q-Bid

It is clear I need to do something moving forward.  My hand again is:

AQ64  K9862  Q7  A9

A possible hand for partner consistent with this bidding could very well be:

Kxx  AQxx, Kxx, Kxx

This makes 6H virtually cold.  I have two options.  One is to just bid Key-Card Blackwood.  This of course breaks the ‘Rule’ of never bid Key-Card with 2 losers in a suit, but also leaves the opening leader in the dark.  My other option is to follow up with a 5C Q-Bid letting partner know that I am worried about 2 diamond losers.  The drawback of course is that my LHO is listening in on our conversation and also knows this is what is stopping me.

How does he know this?  With no more than 1 loser in each minor I would just have a clear cut 4NT Key-Card bid available.  This means my partner and LHO know I don’t have any of these possible minor suit holdings:

Kxx, x

Kx, Kx

x, Axx

Ax, Ax

Now it is Rob’s turn to bid.  He is looking at a nice hand that a first glance many people would just sign off in 5H with.  His hand is:

KJ5  AQJ, 95, KJ872

Remember what I said Rob did to put food on the table.  I never asked Rob if he did a quick algorithm to work out the likely percentage that LHO might not have a diamond holding he wanted to lead from, or he just employed a little psychology and dared LHO to lead a diamond.  It worked though.  LHO was looking at:

72  1054  AJ843  Q104

LHO now has a legitimate problem to solve.  He has heard me announce that I am mainly worried about 2 Diamond losers.  He has also heard my partner say that wasn’t a problem.  Does he try and cash 2 diamonds or does he knock out my club ace before his Diamond Ace is dislodged?  After all my minor suit holding might be xx diamonds, and Ax in clubs. Rob might hold KQxx in diamonds and xx in clubs!

After his club lead 6H making 7 is quickly scored up leaving poor LHO muttering to himself!

*****************************************************************************************************************

I offer up another quick hand from Memphis where Rob was faced with a similar situation.  He Held:

AQ5  AKQJ1087  62  J

Rob in first seat starts things with 1C – Precision.  Strong, Artificial, and Forcing.  The bidding on this hand is:

Rob:  1C – Strong Artificial Forcing

LHO: 1D – Natural

Me – Double – sets up a game force promising at least 8 HCP, any distribution.

RHO – 2D – Natural

Rob – 3H – This is trumps partner, my suit is strong enough to play opposite a void!

LHO – 3S – Natural

Me – 5H – I think we might have a slam here, but I have 2 diamond losers

RHO – Pass

Rob – Pass

The difference here of course is the opponents know they have diamonds.  The Risk-Reward odds are not in his favor.

I never thought I would end up some day playing the Straight-Man in a comedy act.  But I was, and I must admit I enjoyed the role.  To be honest I have always been more of a straight man as a bidding partner, but I will remember this one, and who knows maybe some day I will learn the intricacies of playing the comedy half of a bidding partnership!

 

 

 

 

 

The Game with Challenges Forever

About 45 years ago, I came to Minnesota to attend grad school. I had learned to play bridge as an undergrad, but rubber bridge only.  I focused on my studies and other activities my first few years here - and then got introduced to duplicate. 

Roughly when this sweet photo of Kerry Holloway, wife Cara and daughter Megan was taken, I met Kerry and he took this newbie under his wing. While we both play with others, Kerry and I have had a partnership for over 40 years now!

 

 

Along the way, I added another very talented and long time partner; Bill Kent of Iowa City.  Between Kerry and Bill, I've played literally thousands and thousands of hands with each of them. You'd think that we'd have every agreement down pat by now, and never be on different wavelengths.

But - you would be wrong.

This past Friday night at the Minneapolis Grand Slam Club, I held this hand:  AQ95, Q754, AJ7, 42. After 2 passes, my RHO opened 1D. Though my shape wasn't quite right, I judged to double. With both majors and 13 hcp, I decided doubling rather than passing or guessing which major to bid was the lesser of evils.

LHO bid 1H, Kerry bid 1S and RHO passed.  What now?

Well. Had my LHO passed and had Kerry then bid 1S, I, too would have passed. Without the 1H bid, my call would show at least 16+ HCP and at least 4S.  But, since Kerry took a "free bid" (bidding when he was not forced to do so), I knew he had some values.  Thus, I raised to 2S, showing a reasonable opener with at least 4S - but not extras.  

LHO passed, and to my surprise, Kerry bid 4S! 

Alas; not surprisingly, given that he was only able to bid 1S the first time, we didn't have enough "wood" for Kerry to take 10 tricks.  Here is the layout:

                                                       

Dealer: W Vul: None	North  ♠ KJ764  ♥ K96  ♦ 84  ♣ 863
West  ♠ 83  ♥ J1032  ♦ KQ10  ♣ QJ95		East  ♠ 102  ♥ A8  ♦ 96532  ♣ AK107
	South  ♠ AQ95  ♥ Q754  ♦ AJ7  ♣ 42

 

What happened?

A Passion for Bridge - and More!

 

Many who play in our state (and beyond!) know Paul Meerschaert.  Paul is one of our top players.  He has had fine accomplishments at the table, including two second places in NABC events; the 10K Mixed Swiss in 2016, and the Silidor Open Pairs in 2018.

Paul not only is a thoughtful and successful competitor, he is an excellent teacher. And - who better to instruct, than his honey; Sandy Fisher? 

Although having been playing a far shorter time than Paul has, Sandy is bright and an eager student. Paul was kind enough to write up a bit about his travels with Sandy - and how the two of them share their love of bridge ... and one another!

Thanks, Paul - and - enjoy, everyone!

 

Applying New Knowledge

 

I wish more people played competitive bridge.  When I think of all the millions of people that enjoy playing games of one sort or another it amazes me that more don’t take up this pastime on at least an occasional basis.

Then I get to play in a casual setting and see the variety of approaches and styles that different people play this game with.  This is when reality sets in and I comprehend the difficulty that all the “RULES”, and “GUIDELINES”, that new players have to navigate and learn to be successful players. 

It taxes my memory thinking of all the conventions and lessons I had to remember just to start to be successful at this game.  No wonder more people do not want to spend the time and effort needed to have success at this demanding sport.  The best way I think is to focus on why we do this or that and let players use their imagination to find a way to both enjoy the game, and have success at it.  Emphasis on ENJOY!

A few years back I met a delightful, charming, and beautiful woman that had a real passion for the game, but who had little practical experience playing at anything but a beginning or intermediate level.  She won my heart though with her gung-ho attitude and sincere desire to master as much of this game as time permitted.

As part of her personality is one of aggression and optimism, I recognized two traits I think are essential to success.  While she is still stunned by all the pass cards I use in a typical session, she is eager and quick to apply any new thoughts I present her, whether I pass, bid, or double!

Act with Shortness

In simple terms what this means is that if the decision is close, act with shortness in the opponent’s suit, and be cautious with length, especially with three cards in their suit.  So, if your RHO opens 2S pass with something like Kxx, Qx, A109xx, Kxx -  but bid with x, KQx, A109xx, Kxxx preferably with a takeout double. 

So, playing with my girl I pick up this hand:

KJx, K108x, J109x, Qx

After she opens 1D, I hear a 1S overcall from my RHO.  A negative double seems appropriate so that is my bid. LHO has something to say and bids a preemptive 3S. Partner places the 4S bid on the table. 

Hmmm. I take a little time after this bid as I want to give my partner a chance to correct it to 4H if that was her intent.  I want to say, “Are you sure that is what you want to bid?” but instead put 4NT on the table. 

5H is my partners quick response.  I am not sure if she is answering Aces or just showing hearts but I do have good diamond support, so I give 6D a try letting partner convert to 6H if she wishes.  Plus 920!

Before I present her hand remember what I said about her personality.  Aggressive Optimism!  Her hand is:

Void, J542, AK752, AJ73

Apparently, game was a no-brainer, so when I said act with shortness….she applied it to what her real goal was!

 

Bidding after Partner Opens a Weak 2

Partner open 2H and I am looking at a decent but not great hand, I have:

xx, QJxx, KQxx, KQ10x

While game is unlikely partner could have Axxxxx of heart and Axxx on the side, which would make game makeable on a finesse for the heart K.  As we are playing matchpoints today I do not think that is likely.  But as we have 10 hearts, they likely have a good fit somewhere, likely spades. I want to do something to try and make it harder for the opponents to enter the auction.  Perhaps 2NT asking for a feature will be enough to scare them off if the decision is a close one.  So that is my bid. 

No luck.  My LHO is there with 3S, but my partner is not deterred; 4C is her bid.  Is this a secondary suit, or just the club Ace? 

My RHO calls 4S and I have a decision to make.  As both sides are vulnerable, my main focus is that 5H is probably not making, and as I have no idea whether 4S is on I prefer defense to taking what I think is probably a minus score in 5H. 

Partner is not done yet, though,and concludes the auction with a penalty double.  As partner could have something like Kx, Kxxxxx, xxx, Ax, or KJx, 109xxxx, x, Axx I pass this in hopes of a nice plus score.  Alas partner’s hand is x, A109xxx, xx, AJxx, 4S is cold and 5H succeeds if partner can apply the Rabbi’s rule and drop the K of hearts offside.

It is then that my partner asks why I employed a feature ask without 15+ HCP, as that is what she was taught was correct.  On reflection I can imagine many teachers saying just this.  As a decent weak 2 is about 7-9 HCP one would need about 15-17 to get up to the recommended 25-26 recommended for game.  I try my best to explain that not all games need 25 pure HCP,  and also that 2NT might be used either as a bluff, or in a situation where you think you can count the required number or tricks for game.  I can see these new thoughts circulating in her head.  I cross my fingers hoping I explained it well enough!

It is not long before I find out as the next day, I pick up this hand:

x, KQJ109x, xxx, Q10x

After I open 2H, partner is there with a 2NT feature ask.  As I have a good suit and a useful club holding, I decide this hand is good enough to show a club feature.  Partner smiles as she bids me a heart game and puts down this dummy:

KJ108x, Ax, xx, A98x

With a spade opening lead from Q9x, xxx, Ax, Kxxx I end up making 5 when they play their partner for the singleton spade.  And the very next hand I pick this up:

xx, AJ10xxx, Kxx, 10x

After I open 2H in 2^nd seat partner again asks for a feature and as I now have the more traditional feature and a good suit, I am happy to show it with 3D.  Partner's 3NT bid becomes the final contract.  Opening leader does not find the best lead with Jxx, xxx, AQ10xx, AJ. What would you lead?  This time opening leader chose their 4^th best diamond.  After this lead 3NT is cold, partners hand is:

AKxxx, Qx, Jx, K08x

4S, 3NT, and the 6D hand come back to back to back.  3 nice results that net us all the available match points for the round.  My partner perhaps got a little carried away on the slam hand, but even if that contract had failed, we would still be scoring 67% for the round.  And nothing beats the smile I am rewarded with after this round. 

So, tip for the day is: 1) Act with shortness.  Which translates to if you think the action is close, let shortness propel you to stretch a little.  And 2) there are many reasons to proceed over a weak 2, if you can envision a good result, go for it!!

Paul Meerschaert

Steve Gaynor on Responsive Doubles

 

Steve Gaynor and his partner at the bridge table and in life, Jean, have many the successful game.  This hand was of interest to them. Steve kindly wrote it up with some wise advice for us all!  

Thanks, Steve!

 

RESPONSIVE DOUBLES IN ACTION

By Steve Gaynor

 

A hand from the Orlando Regional, Jan 9 morning session.

Board 22
East Deals
E-W Vul

	♠ Q 9 7 5 ♥ A   ♦ KQ9763 ♣ A 2
♠ A 6 2 ♥ K Q 7 6 ♦ A T 4 ♣ 6 4 3		♠ T 4 ♥ 9 8 3 2 ♦ J 2 ♣ K T 9 7 5
	♠ K J 8 3 ♥ J T 5 4 ♦ 8 5 ♣ Q J 6

 

E              S              W           N

P             P             1C           1D          

2C           ?

 

Do you have responsive doubles in your arsenal?  Here is an example of how they can be of benefit.

Normally I recommend that if you are forcing partner to the three level you ideally would be 5-5 with tolerance (Jx or better) for partners’ suit.  On this hand partner needs only to bid at the two level, so non-vulnerable at matchpoints, a responsive double by South looks best.  That will get you to your spade contract and you may very well buy it at the 2 level for a decent score. 

If E/W persists, they may even drive you into game which can be made on this hand.  However, if South passes, North can do no more than rebid diamonds, probably ending the bidding.  +130 for N/S gets only 4.5 of 26 matchpoints, +170 gets 15.5 and bidding game was worth 25. 

Rochester, MN player Dave Hoffman was in the event and he and his partner were one of the few to get to 4S on this deal.  Thanks to soft defense they made 5! 

Fortunately, we did not play against them!

Reeling 'Em In

Son Arne with Fisherman Dad Peder

 

The Granite City Sectional in St. Cloud ended yesterday.  Results are not available yet; they'll be posted as soon as available.

In the meantime, however, Steve Gaynor was kind enough to report a most entertaining "fish tale" from the tournament. Think that age 91 is simply too old to be still playing winning bridge?  Then you are not familiar with Peder Langsetmo!  Steve presents the super story below.

Thanks for the story, Steve!  And Peder - you keep on baiting the hook!

 

HE'S THE FISHERMAN; I'M THE FISH - YOU'LL SEE, KER-PLOP!

 

Playing in the 25 table pair/team game at the St Cloud Sectional on Friday we came up against Peder Langsetmo and his son Arne.  Peder, with over 10,000 masterpoints and a Platinum Life Master, is now 91 years old and has been around a long time winning events.  He has always been an imaginative player.    Arne does not have as much experience at the game, but his dad has shown him some of the finer points and Arne has picked them up quite well.

Anyway, I am West. White versus red, I pick up J9763, A42, 82, AT5.  The bidding starts with Arne sitting North.

N             E              S              W

2D           2S           4D           4S

P             P             5D           ?

 

What would you do?  I am thinking I have the ‘death holding’ in diamonds (2 small) and a couple of Aces.  5 spades looks like it may be a bit rich and partner must have a trick over there for her bid.... So with two aces, I double. 

I have long preached that when a good player makes what looks like a bad bid, he has a surprise up his sleeve.  So he does. 

Peder took a bit of a risk that we may pass out 4D, but he was pretty sure I had some spades and values. Thus, he envisioned me bidding so he could reel me in with his 5D call. 

I swallowed the bait hook, line, and sinker.  Dummy was void in spades and had good hearts and clubs. When diamonds went 2-2, I could take my two aces, but nothing else. 

Five spades would have been a good sacrifice.  When will I ever learn?

The whole deal:

 

                                ♠105

                                ♥10

                                ♦AK9764

                                ♣J762

 

                ♠J9763                         ♠AKQ842

                ♥A42                            ♥863

                ♦82                               ♦Q10

                ♣A105                          ♣ 83

 

                                   ♠none

                                   ♥ KQJ975

                                   ♦J53

                                   ♣KQ94

 

 

 

 

I Dream of Two Suiters

 

Rich Newell, one of Des Moines' top players, shared a fun article about two suiters with us. Thanks, Rich - and - enjoy, those of you who crave distributional monsters!

 

ATTACK OF THE TWO-SUITERS

by Rich Newell

 

One of my best partners during the Minnesota phase of my bridge habit was a Canadian named Scott Martin who, sadly, died in his mid 40’s.  Anyone who knows me knows I crave 70% games (I have had 3 of them).  For Scott, the dream was being dealt 13 cards in two suits, something I don’t think he ever experienced. 

Well this fall 2-suiters have been running amok in my life.  On October 21 I was with Toby White at a sectional in Omaha and was dealt this hand:

ME                              TOBY

♠ -                                ♠ J73

♥ AKQ7654               ♥ 9

♦ QJT765                   ♦ 984

♣ -                               ♣ KJT975

Unfortunately the opponents were bold enough to bid to the level of 5♠ which makes, so my 6♥ sacrifice was only due to result in an average board.  I got a 4-1 trump split and Toby didn’t provide any assistance with the diamond suit.  Even more unfortunate, the shock of the hand caused me to lose track of the trump situation and I went down an extra trick for a near zero.

Then on November 7 I found myself in the Los Angeles area at a seminar.  I picked up a partner at the Beverly Hills Bridge Club and this occurred:

ME                              PARTNER

♠ -                                ♠ ??????

♥ -                               ♥ ??

♦ AJT9xxxx                ♦ Kxx

♣ AKJ9x                     ♣ Qx

The auction started 1♦ by me, 1NT by LHO, 2♠ by partner.  Now I bid a timid 3♣ which was about to end the auction until RHO chimed in 3♥.  Now 4♦ by me, 4♥ by LHO, 5♦ by me, and 5♥ by RHO to end the auction.  I really didn’t think I had too much defense although I probably should have doubled out of principle since partner made a free bid and RHO procrastinated.

Dummy came down:

♠ AKTx                                  

♥ AQxx                                  

♦ Q                 

♣ Txxx                       

I turned to LHO and inquired why she didn’t make a takeout double over 1♦?  Well she was clearly a beginner who was not well versed in doubles, so she bid 1NT to show her 15 HCP.  Declarer had six hearts and two queens to her name, going down two and scoring a top board.  I was quite dumbfounded by the turn of events.

 

The trifecta just arrived today, November 14.  This hand was in a BBO ACBL matchpoint game and was much kinder to me:

ME                              BOT (CHO)

♠ AKQJ65                  ♠ -

♥ AKJ8753                ♥ Q92

♦ -                                ♦ JT754

♣ -                               ♣ QJ985

The bot in front of me opened 1♦ making my task simple enough.  I bid 2♦, partner bid 2♥, and I raised to 7♥ which scored 86%: 4 people tied this result, 11 weren’t in a grand, and 2 didn’t ruff out a spade and went down.

 

SO EXACTLY HOW LIKELY IS ALL THIS?

 

The probability of getting all 13 of your cards from 26 particular cards in the deck is:

26C13 / 52C13 = 1 in 61,055

But this would be for a specific situation like hearts and spades.  As there are 4C2 = 6 ways to choose which two suits your cards will come from, it becomes 

6 x 26C13 / 52C13 = 1 in 10,176.

If you play one game of 26 hands of bridge every week, you would expect to be dealt one 2-suiter every 7 ½ years.  It’s quite amazing that I was dealt three of them in less than a month.   

Happy Thanksgiving - Happy Hand

Celebrating with family and friends? Winging your way to the Fall NABC in Orlando?  Whatever your plans, we wish you a fine Thanksgiving - and wish our friends competing at the Nationals much luck and fun!

Speaking of which .... our thanks to frequent contributor and competitor Steve Gaynor. This most recent contribution is part of what keeps us coming back to the game.  Just "Wow"! 

See Steve's amazing hand below!