Our website is www.pattayabridge.com Club News Sheet – No. 301

Our blogsite is www.pattayabridge.wordpress.com

My home phone is 038 422924 and my mobile number is 083 6066880 17^th Aug 2008

It is best to use my home number to contact me unless I am at the bridge club.

My e-mail is terry@pattayabridge.com or pattayabridge@yahoo.com

My MSN messenger ID is tj_quested@hotmail.com

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Mon 11^th 1^st Lewis & Terry 60% 2^nd Derek & Gerard 56%

Wed 13^th 1^st Bob P & Nick 63% 2^nd Lewis & Terry 54%

Fri 15^th 1^st Dave & Terry 61% 2^nd Arne & Svein 55%

Bidding Quiz Standard American bidding is assumed unless otherwise stated.

Hand A Hand B With Hand A it’s favourable vulnerability (them vul, you not).

Partner opens 1♦ and RHO bids 1♠, what do you do?

♠ QJ98 ♠ K103

♥ AQJ9 ♥ J52 With Hand B it’s favourable vulnerability again.

♦ 5 ♦ KQJ1086 Partner opens 1♣ and RHO bids 1♦, what do you do?

♣ AJ87 ♣ 8

Hand C Hand D With Hand C it’s favourable vulnerability again. You open

1♣ and LHO overcalls a weak 2♠; partner doubles (showing

♠ A1086 ♠ A63 4 ♥'s), what do you do?

♥ 10 ♥ KQ62

♦ KQ73 ♦ K8 With Hand D it’s both vul. LHO opens 3♥ and this is passed

♣ AK76 ♣KJ94 round to you, what do you do?

Hand E Hand F With Hand E it’s favourable vulnerability, you open 1♦ and

LHO overcalls 1♥, partner passes, what do you do?

♠ AK43 ♠ AQ72

♥ 74 ♥ AK6 With Hand F it’s favourable vulnerability, you open 1♣ and

♦ KQ84 ♦ - LHO overcalls 1♦, partner passes, what do you do?

♣ 1094 ♣ J76542

Hand G Hand H With Hand G it’s both vulnerable. Partner opens 1♠ and RHO

overcalls a weak 3♣, what do you do?

♠ J ♠ AK953

♥ 94 ♥ AKQ76 With Hand H it’s both vulnerable. You open 1♠ and LHO

♦ AK753 ♦ Q4 overcalls a weak 3♣, this is passed to you, what do you do?

♣ KJ1083 ♣ 9

Editorial

1) Brian Senior, bridge professional and journalist, has represented both Great Britain and Ireland at international level. He is in town and may be attending our Wednesday 20^th session.

2) One member suggested that we should change the start time to 2.00 p.m. , this would give people more time for their lunch and perhaps avoid sticky fingers during play. When the club first started we did indeed start at 2.00 p.m. but had to change to 1.00 p.m. when we moved to the Dianna Inn. Please let me know and if enough people show an interest we’ll have a vote.

The Club Championships

We currently have four contenders qualifying for the Gold Cup competition.

	Gold Cup = Best 30	Silver Plate = Best 10	Bronze Medal = Best 5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10	1821.3 Dave Cutler 1786.5 Sally Watson 1779.1 Ivy Schlageter 1764.1 Bob Pelletier	661.8 Dave Cutler 660.6 Sally Watson 657.5 Jeremy Watson 656.9 Hans Vikman 642.0 Lars Gustafsson 641.3 Ivy Schlageter 634.3 Derek & Gerard 626.5 Bob Pelletier 613.5 Terje Lie 611.4 Janne Roos …	342.3 Dave Cutler 341.9 Hans Vikman 341.1 Jeremy Watson 341.1 Sally Watson 336.9 Lars Gustafsson 335.3 Ivy Schlageter 328.5 Derek & Gerard 326.3 Tomas Wikman 320.5 Bob Pelletier 320.2 Terje Lie ...

A lucrative 1-level penalty – part 1 Board 3 from Monday 11^th

Some people believe that doubling for penalties at the 1-level is a waste of time – don’t you believe it.

Dealer: ♠ QJ98 West North(A) East South(E)

South ♥ AQJ9 - - - 1♦

E-W vul ♦ 5 1♥ (1) pass (2) pass dbl (3)

♣ AJ87 pass pass (4) 1♠ (5) dbl

all pass

♠ 10 N ♠ 7652

♥ K106532 W E ♥ 8 (1) Looks reasonable, but is the suit quality

♦ J32 S ♦ A10976 really good enough at this vulnerability?

♣ K32 ♣ Q65 (2) What did you bid with this North hand A

♠ AK43 in this week’s quiz? Obviously you can

♥ 74 make game but going for the penalty must

♦ KQ84 be best at this vulnerability.

♣ 1094 (3) What did you bid with this South hand E

in this week’s quiz? Double is automatic.

(4) Going through with the penalty plan.

(5) Words cannot express what I think of this bid

And what happened? North mis-defended and so they only got 800 instead of the 1400 on offer, it was still easily good enough for a clear top. 1♥ doubled would probably have gone for just 500 and a joint top to N-S.

The bottom lines: -

- You need a good suit to overcall at adverse vulnerability – experienced opponents are very likely to go for the penalty.

A lucrative 1-level penalty – part 2 Board 18 from Monday 11^th

Dealer: ♠ 9865 Table A

East ♥ Q1083 West(B) North East(F) South

N-S vul ♦ 96 - - 1♣ 1♦ (1)

♣ K93 1NT (2) pass 2♣ (3) pass

2NT (4) all pass

♠ K103 N ♠ AQ72

♥ J52 W E ♥ AK6 Table B

♦ KQJ1086 S ♦ - West(B) North East(F) South

♣ 8 ♣ J76542 - - 1♣ 1♦ (1)

♠ J4 pass (2) pass dbl (5) pass

♥ 974 pass (6) pass

♦ A7432

♣ AQ10

Table A: (1) Looks reasonable, but is the suit quality really good enough at this vulnerability?

(2) What did you bid with this West hand B in this week’s quiz? This East bid 1NT because he had a ♦ stop – the pair do not read the news-sheets and presumably don’t know how to get the huge penalty on offer?

(3) I don’t like 1NT because I have no ♦’s.

(4) I have ♦’s.

Table B: (1) South got away with it at Table A, but it may be a good idea to know if your opponents understand negative doubles before you overcall on suits like this, especially at this vulnerability.

(2) This is the correct answer to this week’s question B. Obviously you can get a monster score if 1♦ gets doubled, so pass and see if partner understands negative doubles.

(5) What did you bid with this East hand F in this week’s quiz? As it happens this East is the most fervent of advocates of the re-opening double and to him it’s automatic .

(6) Bridge really can be fun.

And what happened? East was the same North as the previous deal, but he got the defence right this time and collected the full 1400 on offer for a clear top. One other South played in 2♦ doubled and went for just 1100. 2NT made +3, 3NT made +1 for an average and one West played in 3♦ making +1.

The bottom lines: -

- Don’t listen to people who suggest that you should not make a re-opening double with a void – that just means more trumps in partner’s hand (?).

- The key to whether to re-open with a double or not is the quick/defensive tricks.

A lucrative low-level penalty – part 3 Board 2 from Wednesday 13^th

Dealer: ♠ 7 Table A

East ♥ KQ87543 West North East(C) South

N-S vul ♦ 1082 - - 1♣ (1) 2♠ (2)

♣ Q3 dbl (3) pass (4) 2NT (5) pass

3NT all pass

♠ QJ N ♠ A1086

♥ AJ96 W E ♥ 10 Table B

♦ J9654 S ♦ KQ73 West North East(C) South

♣ 84 ♣ AK76 - - 1♣ (1) 2♠ (2)

♠ K95432 dbl (3) pass (4) pass (6) pass

♥ 2

♦ A

♣ J10952

Table A: (1) I agree, always open 1♣ when 4-4 in the minors.

(2) With great shape this weak jump overcall looks reasonable, but is the suit quality really good enough at this vulnerability?

(3) A negative double, promising 4+ ♥’s

(4) With West showing ♥’s, North could not really show his suit.

(5) What did you bid with this East hand C in this week’s quiz? Difficult – both 1NT and 2NT show incorrect point ranges. This East chose the latter which is a slight overbid.

Table B: (6) This was my answer to question C. Look at the vulnerability. You have a good hand with good ♠’s and a mis-fit for partner – go for the penalty.

.

And what happened? 2♠* went -4 and 1100 to E-W. At another table it went only one down for just 200 to E-W. The two other E-W’s bid to 3NT, one made and one went -2.

The bottom lines: -

- Negative doubles are great – you can get huge numbers when partner makes a negative double and you pass, or when partner makes a penalty pass and you double automatically.

The one (1400) that got away – part 4 Board 26 from Friday 15^th

Dealer: ♠ J Table A

South ♥ 94 West North(G) East South(H)

both vul ♦ AK753 - - - 1♠

♣ KJ1083 3♣ (1) pass (2) pass 4♥ (3)

.pass 4NT (4) pass 5♠

♠ 2 N ♠ Q108764 pass 5NT (5) pass 6♦

♥ 53 W E ♥ J1082 pass 6♥ all pass

♦ J1096 S ♦ 82

♣ AQ7542 ♣ 6 Table B

♠ AK953 West North East South

♥ AKQ76 - - - 1♠

♦ Q4 pass (1) 2♣ pass 3♥ (6)

♣ 9 pass 3NT all pass

Table A: (1) What a terrible weak jump overcall, vulnerable to boot – his ‘excuse’ was that he had good shape with a ‘solid’ side 4-card suit (and he knew his RHO).

(2) What did you bid with this North hand G in this week’s quiz? It’s the same as usual – pass, and pass partner’s automatic re-opening double.

(3) What did you bid with this South hand H in this week’s quiz? A re-opening double is obvious and cannot lose – if partner does not have a penalty hand then you can show a good hand by bidding again. This particular South is a visitor and so presumably does not read the news-sheets and understand the re-opening double. Even so, 4♥ is a very poor bid - 3♥ is quite sufficient opposite a passed partner.

(4) Presumably asking for keycards.

(5) North wanted to play in 5NT but unfortunately that’s asking for kings. The auction was out of control after South’s silly 4♥ bid and they were getting a bottom whatever North did.

Table B: (1) This West sensibly passed.

(6) A forcing 3♥ is quite sufficient and leads to the best contract

.

And what happened? 6♥ went -2 for 200 to E-W. Both other N-S’s bid to the best contract (assuming West does not make the silly overcall) of 3NT, making exactly on both occasions.

The bottom lines: -

- Understand negative doubles and the ‘automatic’ re-opening double. Had South known about this tip that I mention in just about every new-sheet he would have got 1700 for 3♣*-6 instead of giving away 200.

- Don’t jump to 4♥ if 3♥ is forcing – you go past 3NT.

These last four articles are very instructive about having good quality suits to overcall. This is especially important at adverse vulnerability when experienced opponents are very likely to go for the penalty even at a low level.

What a silly contract! Board 23 from Monday 11^th

Dealer: ♠ KQ87 Table A

South ♥ 4 West North East(D) South

both vul ♦ AJ1073 - - - 3♥

♣ 752 pass pass dbl (1) pass

5♣ pass 5NT (2) pass

♠ 1074 N ♠ A63 pass (3) pass pass

♥ 5 W E ♥ KQ62

♦ Q62 S ♦ K8 Table B

♣ AQ10863 ♣ KJ94 West North East(D) South

♠ J95 - - - 3♥

♥ AJ109873 pass pass 3NT (1) all pass

♦ 954

♣ -

Table A: (1) What did you bid with this East hand D in this week’s quiz? There are only two sensible options and double is not one of them. I have no idea if this was meant as penalties, take-out, or “showing a good hand”. Whatever it was meant to be it’s obviously a very silly bid.

(2) Amazingly, East lucked out when partner bid the only 4-card suit except ♥’s. I’m not sure whether this 5NT bid or the original double was the worst. Surely 5NT is a Josaphine Grand Slam Force here?

(3) I would bid 7♣, and have a serious discussion with partner later.

Table B: (1) This is the totally obvious answer to question D, with pass being the other reasonable option.

.

And what happened? 5NT went -1 for a near bottom. When 3♥ was left in it made exactly. The other three tables bid the sensible 3NT and made exactly or +1.

The bottom lines: -

- A take-out double should be short in the suit bid and playable in the other 3 suits.

- Do not double if a No-Trump overcall describes your hand perfectly.

- 3NT is usually easier to make than 5NT.

Dave’s Column Here is this week’s Dave input involving the play of the hand.

North South You are North, declarer in 3NT after East has overcalled your

♠ A106 ♠ 93 strong 1NT opening with ♠’s. Partner raised to 3NT and East

♥ AKQ ♥ 1065 leads the ♠7 and West plays the ♠Q.

♦ 9873 ♦ AKQ42 Do you win the first trick? What is your plan?

♣ K85 ♣ 742

Dave’s Column answer Board 25 from Wednesday 13^th

Dealer: ♠ A106 West North East South

North ♥ AKQ - 1NT 2♦ (1) 3NT (2)

E-W vul ♦ 9873

♣ K85 (1) Multi Landy – showing a single suited major.

(2) Obviously the best bid.

♠ Q N ♠ KJ87542

♥ J87432 W E ♥ 9

♦ 1065 S ♦ J

♣ J106 ♣ AQ93

♠ 93

♥ 1065

♦ AKQ42

♣ 742 East leads the ♠7, plan the play.

There is virtually no case for ducking the ♠Q. For his vulnerable overcall of a strong NoTrump East figures to have the ♣A in addition to his string of ♠’s.

The danger in ducking is that West will switch to a ♣ and the opponents then make 4 ♣’s in addition to the ♠Q.

No, you definitely win the first ♠ trick. But did you notice the interior blockage in the ♦ suit? In order to run the ♦’s (assuming they are not 4-0) you must underplay the ♦9-8-7 under the ♦A-K-Q. This leaves you with the ♦3 which is then played under dummy’s ♦4. You score 5 ♦’s, 3 ♥’s and a ♠. Contract made.

And what happened at the Pattaya Bridge Club? One South decided to double a 2♠ bid by East and that made +1 for the E-W top. The other three pairs all arrived in the sensible 3NT contract. Two North’s noted the potential blockage and played as described to make the contract. The third started with the ♦3 and went -5 for 250 away. Fortunately for him it was not a complete bottom because of the afore mentioned 2♠*+1 for 870.

Leading Quiz

East

♠ AQJ9532 West North East South

♥ - - 1♣ 3♠ 5♣

♦ J986 pass pass pass

♣ 102

You are East, what do you lead?

An Informative Lead Board 13 from Wednesday 13^th

This hand demonstrates Lavinthal signals when ruffing to perfection.

Dealer: ♠ 106 West North East South

North ♥ AK2 - 1♣ 3♠ 5♣ (1)

both vul ♦ K10 pass (2) pass pass

♣ AJ9854

(1) A good bid, found at two tables.

♠ K72 N ♠ AQJ9532 (2) West would have bid 4♠, but now has to

♥ Q108763 W E ♥ - pass and hope to defeat the contract.

♦ A72 S ♦ J986

♣ K ♣ 102 So why is this in the news-sheet?

♠ 8 What would you lead from this East hand?

♥ J954 A ♦ lead gives declarer the contract - as at

♦ Q543 another table when North made 5♣ doubled.

♣ Q763

No, our intrepid East here led the ♠9! When West’s ♠K won he was momentarily startled but then knew exactly what was going on. He led the ♥3, East ruffed, led a ♦ to partner’s ♦A and got a 2^nd ♥ ruff for two down.

And what happened? 5♣-2 was good for E-W but not a top as one pair were allowed to play in 4♠ making. At another table 5♣* made (on a ♦ lead) and at the 4^th table East was left to play peacefully in 3♠ making +1. The bottom lines: -

- Underleading an ace is not usually a good idea, but if you have a void and want a ruff it sometimes works. Under these circumstances, lead a low card if you want to ruff a low ranking suit or a medium/high card (the ♠9 here was perfect) if you want to ruff a high ranking suit.

- Note also that West’s ♥3 asked for a ♦. If West did not have the ♦A but the ♠K was singleton the he would have led the ♥10 or ♥8 to ask for a ♠ back to ruff.

Bidding Quiz Answers

Hand A: Pass, and pass partner’s re-opening double. Normally it’s best to have 5 trumps for this action but at this vulnerability and with a mis-fit for partner it must be best.

Hand B: Pass, and pass partner’s re-opening double. Should be about 1400.

Hand C: Pass. This is a tricky one, 4441 type hands are always difficult. 1NT is an underbid and 2NT (as chosen by one player) is an overbid. But fortunately the vulnerability is such that you can go for the penalty and I vote for pass.

Hand D: 3NT, with pass a perhaps feeble but reasonable alternative. Double is ridiculous.

Hand E: Dbl, automatic.

Hand F: Dbl. With a trump void this is perhaps not so automatic, but you can be sure that partner wants you to double and you have good defensive cards, so keep partner happy. 1♠ is very lame in my opinion, but I’m sure there are many out there who say you cannot double with a void – they are wrong, especially at this vulnerability – you only need a two trick set.

Hand G: Pass, and pass partner’s automatic re-opening double.

Hand H: Dbl. If partner has a penalty hand (very likely) you want to co-operate as you have good quick tricks.