STOP!!!
- Count your tricks and your losers.
- Plan your play.
- Plan your entries.
- Ask your opponents about their leads and carding system.
Try to make your decision before you look at the solution. No peeking!
The following hands are your test. Give yourself 10 point for each time you made the contract, and 0 for making the wrong decision. Be honest! Did you score well?
For the purpose of this test we'll assume, about the leads:
- 4th best against NT always promises an honor, denies sequence (3cards sequence, full or broken vs NT, and 2 card sequence vs trump).
- Low lead in Partner's suit promises honor.
- 2nd best from a suit without honor.
- 10 and 9 leads are either top of nothing (1098x, 987x) or 2 higher (KJ10xx, Q109xx)
Start the test now!
- Against 4♠, West leads the ♥A. West overcalled 2♥ and East bid 4♥. What do you do?
- You play 6♠ and West leads the ♥2. What do you do?
- You play 4♠ and West, who overcalled 2♦, lead the ♥6. What do you do?
- You play 3NT after East opened the bidding with 1♠. West leads the ♥5. What do you do?
- You play 3NT and West leads the ♣5. What do you do?
- South plays 3NT. Partner leads the ♥10 to the suit you overcalled. What do you do?
- Against 4♥ West leads the ♦2. What do you do?
- You play 5♦ and West, who opened 3♥ (preemptive) as dealer, lead the 2♠. What do you do?
- You play 3NT and West leads the ♥4 (4th best, promises honor). What do you do?
- South is playing 3NT and partner leads the ♣4 (4th best, promise honor). Declarer plays low from dummy. What do you do?
- Count your tricks and your losers.
- Plan your play.
- Plan your entries.
- Ask your opponents about their leads and carding system.
- 4th best against NT always promises an honor, denies sequence (3cards sequence, full or broken vs NT, and 2 card sequence vs trump).
- Low lead in Partner's suit promises honor.
- 2nd best from a suit without honor.
- 10 and 9 leads are either top of nothing (1098x, 987x) or 2 higher (KJ10xx, Q109xx)
- Count your tricks and your losers.
- Plan your play.
- Plan your entries.
- Ask your opponents about their leads and carding system.
- 4th best against NT always promises an honor, denies sequence (3cards sequence, full or broken vs NT, and 2 card sequence vs trump).
- Low lead in Partner's suit promises honor.
- 2nd best from a suit without honor.
- 10 and 9 leads are either top of nothing (1098x, 987x) or 2 higher (KJ10xx, Q109xx)
- Count your tricks and your losers.
- Plan your play.
- Plan your entries.
- Ask your opponents about their leads and carding system.
- 4th best against NT always promises an honor, denies sequence (3 cards sequence, full or broken vs NT, and 2 card sequence vs trump).
- Low lead in Partner's suit promises honor.
- 2nd best from a suit without honor.
- 10 and 9 leads are either top of nothing (1098x, 987x) or 2 higher (KJ10xx , Q109xx)
- You play 3NT and West lead the ♥7 (4th best). What do you do?
- You play 3NT and West leads the ♦6. What do you do?
- Against 3NT West leads the ♥5 (he also made a 1♥ overcall). What do you do?
- You play 7♠ and W chose to lead a club. What do you do?
- You play 6♥ on a spade lead. What do you do?
- You play 6♥ and West leads the ♦7. What do you do?
- You play 3NT and West leads the ♠5. What do you do?
- You play 3NT and West leads the ♠2 (4th best).
- You play 6♥ on a ♣J lead. What do you do?
- You play 4♠ on a ♣J lead. What do you do?
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Trick 1 Decisions - Part 3
If you enjoyed Part 1 and Part 2 of this test, lets go ahead with more hands. And remember! After you see the dummy, before to run the trick to your hand...
STOP!!!
Try to make your decision before you look at the solution. No peeking!
The following hands are your test. Give yourself 10 point for each time you made the contract, and 0 for making the wrong decision. Be honest! Did you score well?
For the purpose of this test we'll assume, about the leads:
Start the test now!
21. Partner leads the ♠4 against 3NT (South opened 1NT and on North's stayman he bid 2♦). What do you do?
22. South plays 3NT and West leads the ♠9, after you overcalled 1♠ (North opened 1♦ and South bid 3NT). What do you do?
23. North opened the bidding with 3♦ and South bid 3NT. What do you lead?
24. South opened 1♥, North bid 1♠, South rebid 2♣ and North passed. What do you lead?
25. South plays 4♥. What do you lead?
26. South plays 4♥. What do you lead?
27. South plays 4♠ after the above bidding. What do you lead?
28. Against 4♠ your Partner leads the ♥K. What do you do?
29. You play 5♦ and West leads the ♥Q. What do you do?
30. You play 6♣ and West leads the ♠2. What do you do?
STOP!!!
Try to make your decision before you look at the solution. No peeking!
The following hands are your test. Give yourself 10 point for each time you made the contract, and 0 for making the wrong decision. Be honest! Did you score well?
For the purpose of this test we'll assume, about the leads:
Start the test now!
21. Partner leads the ♠4 against 3NT (South opened 1NT and on North's stayman he bid 2♦). What do you do?
22. South plays 3NT and West leads the ♠9, after you overcalled 1♠ (North opened 1♦ and South bid 3NT). What do you do?
23. North opened the bidding with 3♦ and South bid 3NT. What do you lead?
24. South opened 1♥, North bid 1♠, South rebid 2♣ and North passed. What do you lead?
25. South plays 4♥. What do you lead?
26. South plays 4♥. What do you lead?
27. South plays 4♠ after the above bidding. What do you lead?
28. Against 4♠ your Partner leads the ♥K. What do you do?
29. You play 5♦ and West leads the ♥Q. What do you do?
30. You play 6♣ and West leads the ♠2. What do you do?
Monday, November 21, 2016
Trick 1 Decisions - Part 2
If you enjoyed Part 1 of this test, lets go ahead
with more hands. And remember! After you see the dummy, before you play
to the first trick....
STOP!!!
Try to make your decision before you look at the solution. No peeking!
The following hands are your test. Give yourself 10 point for each time you made the contract, and 0 for making the wrong decision. Be honest! Did you score well?
For the purpose of this test we'll assume, about the leads:
Start the test now!
11. You are defending 4♠ after you opened 1♦ and partner supported with 2♦ (declarer overcalled 1♠ and after his partner supported with 2♠ he bid 4♠). Partner leads the ♦Q. What do you do?
12. You play 6♠ on a Club lead. What do you do?
13. You opened 1♠ and opponents reached 3NT after South bid Club twice (6 cards) and showed a Spade stopper. Partner lead the 2♠.What do you do?
14. You play 6♥ and West leads a trump. What do you do?
15. South plays 3NT after the auction shown below. Partner leads the ♠5 and declarer plays low from dummy. What do you do?
16. You reached an ambitious 3NT and you got a Spade lead. What do you do?
17. South plays 3NT (bidding went 1NT-3NT) and Partner leads the ♥J. What do you do?
18. You play 3NT and West leads a low Spade to East's ♠Q. What do you do?
19. You are in 6♠. West, who opened the bidding with 1♥, lead the ♠J. Obviously, all the missing points are with West, so finesses are useless. What do you do?
20. You play 3NT on a ♦9 lead (top of sequence or 2 higher cards). What do you do?
Stay tuned for Part 3 of the test!
STOP!!!
Try to make your decision before you look at the solution. No peeking!
The following hands are your test. Give yourself 10 point for each time you made the contract, and 0 for making the wrong decision. Be honest! Did you score well?
For the purpose of this test we'll assume, about the leads:
Start the test now!
11. You are defending 4♠ after you opened 1♦ and partner supported with 2♦ (declarer overcalled 1♠ and after his partner supported with 2♠ he bid 4♠). Partner leads the ♦Q. What do you do?
12. You play 6♠ on a Club lead. What do you do?
13. You opened 1♠ and opponents reached 3NT after South bid Club twice (6 cards) and showed a Spade stopper. Partner lead the 2♠.What do you do?
14. You play 6♥ and West leads a trump. What do you do?
15. South plays 3NT after the auction shown below. Partner leads the ♠5 and declarer plays low from dummy. What do you do?
16. You reached an ambitious 3NT and you got a Spade lead. What do you do?
17. South plays 3NT (bidding went 1NT-3NT) and Partner leads the ♥J. What do you do?
18. You play 3NT and West leads a low Spade to East's ♠Q. What do you do?
19. You are in 6♠. West, who opened the bidding with 1♥, lead the ♠J. Obviously, all the missing points are with West, so finesses are useless. What do you do?
20. You play 3NT on a ♦9 lead (top of sequence or 2 higher cards). What do you do?
Stay tuned for Part 3 of the test!
Monday, November 7, 2016
Trick 1 Decisions - Part 1
"Thank you partner, small please."
How many times you said this sentence two seconds after you saw dummy? It seems natural to run the trick to your hand, but before you do so:
STOP!!!
Here are some hands where making the right decision will determine whether you make or go down in a makeable contract. Try to make your decision before you look at the solution.
No peeking!
The following hands are your test. Give yourself 10 point for each time you made the contract, and 0 for making the wrong decision. Be honest! Did you score well?
For the purpose of this test we'll assume, about the leads:
How many times you said this sentence two seconds after you saw dummy? It seems natural to run the trick to your hand, but before you do so:
STOP!!!
Here are some hands where making the right decision will determine whether you make or go down in a makeable contract. Try to make your decision before you look at the solution.
No peeking!
The following hands are your test. Give yourself 10 point for each time you made the contract, and 0 for making the wrong decision. Be honest! Did you score well?
For the purpose of this test we'll assume, about the leads:
Monday, October 10, 2016
In general, and in particular
Moses is 95 years old and still functioning! He goes to the swimming
pool every morning, he shops by himself, still drives his car and...
plays bridge once a week with his 3 "young" friends (Well... not really
young, but young in their soul and anyway younger than he is).
That is how it went for the last 50 years, once a week, every time in another home.
Bridge has always been the "apple of discord" for him and his wife. Not only because when it was his turn to host, the house was full of people and shouting till the small hours, but also because every time after playing Bridge he was impossible!
His head was still in the game, thinking about the played hands, and his wife was simply unable to communicate with him. He was distracted and couldn't manage to focus on anything whatsoever, for at least one day after playing bridge.
After last evening's bridge session, Moses was thinking about this hand, which he managed to make:
South deals, none vulnerable:
West lead the ♥Q. Moses won the ♥A. He realized West was 5-5 in hearts and clubs. At first, he estimated that West couldn't have a singleton diamond because West showed 5-5 in general and, in particular, he didn't lead a diamond, which meant that it was more likely he would lead that suit with a singleton.
So Moses played two rounds of trump to verify his "theory" but after West followed to the second spade it was clear that diamonds don't break nicely (2-5-1-5 or void in diamond).
So... if East has ♦QJx there is a loser in diamond in addition to the sure club loser. What to do? He thought it over for a while before he found the solution: After the second spade round he continued with the ♥K, throwing a club from dummy, heart ruff, ♦AK (West discarded a club on the 2nd diamond) and then he played the ♣J from dummy and the ♣K from hand. West won the ♣A but was end played: no matter if he continues with heart or club – Moses can ruff in dummy and throw his diamond loser from hand.
The Bridge finished at 2AM and as usual Moses kept on thinking about the hand while driving back home.
So much he was focused on it, that he forgot to stop at the red light and bumped into a police car.
"Are you drunk, Sir?", asked the police officer.
"Drunk? No. I'm just old. I admit, I had a glass of wine during our Bridge play, but I doubt that without it my poor driving skills would be much better," admitted Moses.
"And where, might I ask, are you speeding like that at 2AM?" continued the police officer.
"I'm not really speeding. I'm a slow driver usually. But to your question – I'm late for a lecture on 'Bridge, and its bad influence on marriage in general, and on my driving skills in particular'," said Moses.
"Really? And who is giving lectures at this hour of the night?" asked the skeptical policeman.
"My wife!" answered Moses with despair.
That is how it went for the last 50 years, once a week, every time in another home.
Bridge has always been the "apple of discord" for him and his wife. Not only because when it was his turn to host, the house was full of people and shouting till the small hours, but also because every time after playing Bridge he was impossible!
His head was still in the game, thinking about the played hands, and his wife was simply unable to communicate with him. He was distracted and couldn't manage to focus on anything whatsoever, for at least one day after playing bridge.
After last evening's bridge session, Moses was thinking about this hand, which he managed to make:
South deals, none vulnerable:
West lead the ♥Q. Moses won the ♥A. He realized West was 5-5 in hearts and clubs. At first, he estimated that West couldn't have a singleton diamond because West showed 5-5 in general and, in particular, he didn't lead a diamond, which meant that it was more likely he would lead that suit with a singleton.
So Moses played two rounds of trump to verify his "theory" but after West followed to the second spade it was clear that diamonds don't break nicely (2-5-1-5 or void in diamond).
So... if East has ♦QJx there is a loser in diamond in addition to the sure club loser. What to do? He thought it over for a while before he found the solution: After the second spade round he continued with the ♥K, throwing a club from dummy, heart ruff, ♦AK (West discarded a club on the 2nd diamond) and then he played the ♣J from dummy and the ♣K from hand. West won the ♣A but was end played: no matter if he continues with heart or club – Moses can ruff in dummy and throw his diamond loser from hand.
The Bridge finished at 2AM and as usual Moses kept on thinking about the hand while driving back home.
So much he was focused on it, that he forgot to stop at the red light and bumped into a police car.
"Are you drunk, Sir?", asked the police officer.
"Drunk? No. I'm just old. I admit, I had a glass of wine during our Bridge play, but I doubt that without it my poor driving skills would be much better," admitted Moses.
"And where, might I ask, are you speeding like that at 2AM?" continued the police officer.
"I'm not really speeding. I'm a slow driver usually. But to your question – I'm late for a lecture on 'Bridge, and its bad influence on marriage in general, and on my driving skills in particular'," said Moses.
"Really? And who is giving lectures at this hour of the night?" asked the skeptical policeman.
"My wife!" answered Moses with despair.
Friday, August 19, 2016
A look across the street
Angie was upset. She'd been in the auto repair shop for two hours now.
She bumped into the car in front of her and now she was forced to wait
till her car was ready. She had a terrible morning. The driver of the
other car yelled at her and suggested something about a law against
women behind the wheel. Then, her husband yelled at her when he found
out she had an accident. The police officer yelled at her, and her boss
yelled at her: "Why are you not at work yet?".
Her nerves were shattered after losing a day of work, and absorbing quietly all the (well-deserved) yelling around her. She arrived at the bridge club in the evening in a bad mood.
"How did it all happen?" asked her partner after she heard about the accident.
"Well... I saw a very handsome man across the street, wearing elegant clothes, with gray hair and a fancy wise look. He looked at me and I... turned around to look at him, instead of looking at the road, and I bumped into the car in front of me," said Angie and blushed.
"What are you, a highschool girl? – You are a married woman, with children and grandchildren. How come you are looking at strangers across the street?" asked her partner with a shaming look.
"What's that got to do with me looking at nice looking people?! And I got enough yelling today" said Angie frustrated.
On this hand, her partner went down, because she also... got distracted by a handsome stranger across the street:
Dealer East, none vulnerable:
West lead the ♦10. East Won the ♦A and continued with the J♦ to declarer's ♦K.
After some thoughts, South continued with a 3rd diamond and tried to ruff it with dummy's ♠J but East overruffed with the ♠Q and continued with low heart. West took the trick with the ♥Q and continued with a 4th club and East ruffed it with the ♠8 to set the contract: 2 aces and 2 ruffs for the defense.
"I tried to ruff a diamond for 3 reasons: to get a ruff in dummy, to try to promote the long diamonds and to enter dummy to get the ♣A so that I can discard my heart loser on it.
Angie burst: "That ♣A is just like my handsome guy across the road. Now you know how I felt when I looked at that man – just like you looked at the ♣A. It seemed handsome to you, but you don't really need it and if it was not there – you wouldn't have had an accident. Instead, you would have played a heart at trick 3. West could win that trick and let East ruff a diamond, but there are no more entries between opponents for a second ruff. Defense will get 2 aces and 1 trump trick and the rest is yours, without the ♣A, as the diamonds are high. Also, if West gets the heart trick and continues with a spade – You win the ♠A, ruff diamond with the ♠J and East overruffs with his ♠Q, but that is opponents' last trick because your diamonds are high.
Well? What do have to say in your defense?" summed up Angie with a smile.
"You know what, you are right! That ace across the street was indeed my handsome guy," said her partner, and they both burst into laughter.
Her nerves were shattered after losing a day of work, and absorbing quietly all the (well-deserved) yelling around her. She arrived at the bridge club in the evening in a bad mood.
"How did it all happen?" asked her partner after she heard about the accident.
"Well... I saw a very handsome man across the street, wearing elegant clothes, with gray hair and a fancy wise look. He looked at me and I... turned around to look at him, instead of looking at the road, and I bumped into the car in front of me," said Angie and blushed.
"What are you, a highschool girl? – You are a married woman, with children and grandchildren. How come you are looking at strangers across the street?" asked her partner with a shaming look.
"What's that got to do with me looking at nice looking people?! And I got enough yelling today" said Angie frustrated.
On this hand, her partner went down, because she also... got distracted by a handsome stranger across the street:
Dealer East, none vulnerable:
West lead the ♦10. East Won the ♦A and continued with the J♦ to declarer's ♦K.
After some thoughts, South continued with a 3rd diamond and tried to ruff it with dummy's ♠J but East overruffed with the ♠Q and continued with low heart. West took the trick with the ♥Q and continued with a 4th club and East ruffed it with the ♠8 to set the contract: 2 aces and 2 ruffs for the defense.
"I tried to ruff a diamond for 3 reasons: to get a ruff in dummy, to try to promote the long diamonds and to enter dummy to get the ♣A so that I can discard my heart loser on it.
Angie burst: "That ♣A is just like my handsome guy across the road. Now you know how I felt when I looked at that man – just like you looked at the ♣A. It seemed handsome to you, but you don't really need it and if it was not there – you wouldn't have had an accident. Instead, you would have played a heart at trick 3. West could win that trick and let East ruff a diamond, but there are no more entries between opponents for a second ruff. Defense will get 2 aces and 1 trump trick and the rest is yours, without the ♣A, as the diamonds are high. Also, if West gets the heart trick and continues with a spade – You win the ♠A, ruff diamond with the ♠J and East overruffs with his ♠Q, but that is opponents' last trick because your diamonds are high.
Well? What do have to say in your defense?" summed up Angie with a smile.
"You know what, you are right! That ace across the street was indeed my handsome guy," said her partner, and they both burst into laughter.
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Ex Champion
Jane's house is full of bridge trophies. On all the shelves, in the
closets, it the balcony, in the bedroom and even in the toilet there
were special shelves installed. There are trophies from local tourneys,
national tourneys, international tourneys, bridge festivals, leagues,
the national team and from some tourneys abroad.
Today, Jane in no longer plays much. Still, every now and then, she's going to the local club to keep in shape.
When her grandchildren were younger, they used to be highly impressed:
"Grandma, where did you win this trophy?" and
"Grandma, how come you are such a champ?" and a million of other such questions.
Jane always smiled and told them patiently the story of each trophy, while the kids were sitting around her absorbing every word she said.
Meanwhile, they grew up and learned how to play bridge. The questions these days are around the game itself.
"Grandma, tell us about the greatest hand you ever played," asked the youngest grandchild, last time they visited her.
Jane thought for a long time and finally said: "There were so many... but this hand is really special"
Dealer South, E-W vulnerable:
West led the ♦A.
"Why is this hand so special?" asked her grandchild.
"Because I managed to make my contract with closed handed while others, which analyzed the hand afterward, didn't manage to find the solution looking at all hands," said Jane and laughed.
"Let's see if you manage to find the solution with open cards," she challenged her grandchildren.
(Dear readers, you are welcome to try to help the grandchildren find the solution before you read on.)
After 15 minutes they gave up and asked for the solution.
"Well, it is easy to see that if clubs are 3-3 I have 12 tricks off the top. However, I found a way to make my contract even if East had doubleton club and doubleton heart.
I ruffed the lead and played ♣K, then club to ♣A. Now I continued with a third club from dummy.
If East discards, I win the trick with my ♣Q and ruff my fouth club in dummy with the ♥9.
East did ruff the third club and so I played low from hand. He continued with the ♠J and I won with my ♠A. Next I played the ♥A, continued with the ♣K, throwing spade from dummy and followed with the ♠K and spade ruff.
That way I managed to avoid a spade loser (or a club loser, if East doesn't ruff the club)," completed Jane her analyzis, with her grandchildren clapping hands in excitment.
"WOW grandma, what a champ you are!"
Today, Jane in no longer plays much. Still, every now and then, she's going to the local club to keep in shape.
When her grandchildren were younger, they used to be highly impressed:
"Grandma, where did you win this trophy?" and
"Grandma, how come you are such a champ?" and a million of other such questions.
Jane always smiled and told them patiently the story of each trophy, while the kids were sitting around her absorbing every word she said.
Meanwhile, they grew up and learned how to play bridge. The questions these days are around the game itself.
"Grandma, tell us about the greatest hand you ever played," asked the youngest grandchild, last time they visited her.
Jane thought for a long time and finally said: "There were so many... but this hand is really special"
Dealer South, E-W vulnerable:
West led the ♦A.
"Why is this hand so special?" asked her grandchild.
"Because I managed to make my contract with closed handed while others, which analyzed the hand afterward, didn't manage to find the solution looking at all hands," said Jane and laughed.
"Let's see if you manage to find the solution with open cards," she challenged her grandchildren.
(Dear readers, you are welcome to try to help the grandchildren find the solution before you read on.)
After 15 minutes they gave up and asked for the solution.
"Well, it is easy to see that if clubs are 3-3 I have 12 tricks off the top. However, I found a way to make my contract even if East had doubleton club and doubleton heart.
I ruffed the lead and played ♣K, then club to ♣A. Now I continued with a third club from dummy.
If East discards, I win the trick with my ♣Q and ruff my fouth club in dummy with the ♥9.
East did ruff the third club and so I played low from hand. He continued with the ♠J and I won with my ♠A. Next I played the ♥A, continued with the ♣K, throwing spade from dummy and followed with the ♠K and spade ruff.
That way I managed to avoid a spade loser (or a club loser, if East doesn't ruff the club)," completed Jane her analyzis, with her grandchildren clapping hands in excitment.
"WOW grandma, what a champ you are!"
Friday, July 8, 2016
Fata Morgana
Stella is a very dominant person in the club. It is simply her
character to be dominant. When she expresses her opinion, she does so
as if everyone else thinks or feels the same way as she does (even if
it's not so).
A year ago she almost caused a "club players' rebellion". And why?
Because the club owner brought new cards to the club. Cards where diamonds were orange and clubs were gray (hearts remained red and spades were still black). He meant well, as the idea was to prevent players from missorting their diamonds and hearts, or clubs and spades, as it sometimes happens.
"You can't play with such cards! They are fake! Diamonds should be red like a watermelon is red. Did you ever eat an orange watermelon?" she yelled at the club owner. Before he even got to open his mouth, she continued:
"Every player here is against these cards! If you don't remove them at once - we ALL are going to move to another club!" she said and turned around without waiting for a response (of course, she never bothered to ask anyone else's opinion).
The club owner didn't want trouble over such a small thing, so the good old red and black cards were back in business.
And then, one day, this deal came up, when Stella was playing against Kamal Kazarel (also known as "Kamikaze" for his wild bids):
Dealer East, All vulnerable:
"You bid 7♥ VUL? You really are kamikaze. Prepare yourself for a painful death," said Stella (sitting East) and laughed loudly.
After the Double, West led the ♥Q.
Dear readers, you will never guess what happened next! It is very clear that the defense have 3 aces to win so... clear down 3, right?
However... here's what happened at the table:
At trick 1 Stella won the Ace of "Hearts" (declarer "dropped" the ♥K), and immediately played the ♣A.
The director was called to the table.
"Lead out of turn" said Kamal to the director.
"Are you nuts?!" shouted Stella . "First you bid like a madman and now you make things up. You bid hearts first, and so my partner was on lead," she said.
"I'm talking about the 2nd trick, the ♣A. I won the first trick with the ♥K so now it's my turn to lead to trick 2..." And then, checking trick 1, it was shown that Stella had played the ♦A to that trick, thinking all the time she was holding the ♥A!
The outcome of this move was severe: The 1st trick remained as it was and the ♣A was left on the side as a penalty card. Stella tried to protest but the director explained:
"At trick 1 you had no hearts and so you chose to discard your ♦A, which is a legal move. However, playing the ♣A is an illegal move, as your lead was out of turn. The ♣A is therefore a penalty card which should be played on the first legal opportunity, unless declarer accepts it now."
"I don't accept. Let it remain a penalty card."
And so Kamil played his ♥A, and when Stella wanted to discard a low card from her hand, the director said:
"Wait!" He took the ♣A and played it to the 2nd trick.
"What are you doing??!!" screamed Stella.
"Well, this is the first legal opportunity, and therefore you need to play it now as you have no hearts to follow suit," said the director, slightly amused.
Kamal continued, and could not stop laughing while he played. After the ♦A and ♣A were out of the way, he played 3 rounds of clubs, throwing the spade loser from dummy, cashed his high ♦K and cross-ruffed the remaining cards.
He tried to sound serious when he said: "7 made, doubled," but he couldn't control himself and burst into an infectious laughter again, causing the rest of table (including the director) a good laugh too.
Stella was extremely upset: "I want you to change that ridiculous score at once, or I shall leave this club and never return!"
The director did not get intimidated: "Be my guest. The door is over there," and he pointed his finger at the door.
"The club owner will definitely hear of this!" she cried.
"Hear what? That you confused a diamond with a heart, or that you want me to rule against the rules, as long as it is for your benefit? I suggest you stop the drama and move to the next hand," said the director in a serious tone and left the table.
Kamel's partner, still smiling, tried to cheer her up: "Real Fata Morgana, these red aces. I wish they brought back those orange and gray minor suits decks. No way you could have made that mistake holding an orange ace of hearts... You would have spotted it at once as being a diamond and put it right where it belongs..."
A year ago she almost caused a "club players' rebellion". And why?
Because the club owner brought new cards to the club. Cards where diamonds were orange and clubs were gray (hearts remained red and spades were still black). He meant well, as the idea was to prevent players from missorting their diamonds and hearts, or clubs and spades, as it sometimes happens.
"You can't play with such cards! They are fake! Diamonds should be red like a watermelon is red. Did you ever eat an orange watermelon?" she yelled at the club owner. Before he even got to open his mouth, she continued:
"Every player here is against these cards! If you don't remove them at once - we ALL are going to move to another club!" she said and turned around without waiting for a response (of course, she never bothered to ask anyone else's opinion).
The club owner didn't want trouble over such a small thing, so the good old red and black cards were back in business.
And then, one day, this deal came up, when Stella was playing against Kamal Kazarel (also known as "Kamikaze" for his wild bids):
Dealer East, All vulnerable:
"You bid 7♥ VUL? You really are kamikaze. Prepare yourself for a painful death," said Stella (sitting East) and laughed loudly.
After the Double, West led the ♥Q.
Dear readers, you will never guess what happened next! It is very clear that the defense have 3 aces to win so... clear down 3, right?
However... here's what happened at the table:
At trick 1 Stella won the Ace of "Hearts" (declarer "dropped" the ♥K), and immediately played the ♣A.
The director was called to the table.
"Lead out of turn" said Kamal to the director.
"Are you nuts?!" shouted Stella . "First you bid like a madman and now you make things up. You bid hearts first, and so my partner was on lead," she said.
"I'm talking about the 2nd trick, the ♣A. I won the first trick with the ♥K so now it's my turn to lead to trick 2..." And then, checking trick 1, it was shown that Stella had played the ♦A to that trick, thinking all the time she was holding the ♥A!
The outcome of this move was severe: The 1st trick remained as it was and the ♣A was left on the side as a penalty card. Stella tried to protest but the director explained:
"At trick 1 you had no hearts and so you chose to discard your ♦A, which is a legal move. However, playing the ♣A is an illegal move, as your lead was out of turn. The ♣A is therefore a penalty card which should be played on the first legal opportunity, unless declarer accepts it now."
"I don't accept. Let it remain a penalty card."
And so Kamil played his ♥A, and when Stella wanted to discard a low card from her hand, the director said:
"Wait!" He took the ♣A and played it to the 2nd trick.
"What are you doing??!!" screamed Stella.
"Well, this is the first legal opportunity, and therefore you need to play it now as you have no hearts to follow suit," said the director, slightly amused.
Kamal continued, and could not stop laughing while he played. After the ♦A and ♣A were out of the way, he played 3 rounds of clubs, throwing the spade loser from dummy, cashed his high ♦K and cross-ruffed the remaining cards.
He tried to sound serious when he said: "7 made, doubled," but he couldn't control himself and burst into an infectious laughter again, causing the rest of table (including the director) a good laugh too.
Stella was extremely upset: "I want you to change that ridiculous score at once, or I shall leave this club and never return!"
The director did not get intimidated: "Be my guest. The door is over there," and he pointed his finger at the door.
"The club owner will definitely hear of this!" she cried.
"Hear what? That you confused a diamond with a heart, or that you want me to rule against the rules, as long as it is for your benefit? I suggest you stop the drama and move to the next hand," said the director in a serious tone and left the table.
Kamel's partner, still smiling, tried to cheer her up: "Real Fata Morgana, these red aces. I wish they brought back those orange and gray minor suits decks. No way you could have made that mistake holding an orange ace of hearts... You would have spotted it at once as being a diamond and put it right where it belongs..."
Monday, June 13, 2016
The magicians
Bob and Bernard are magicians. They call themselves The 2Bs. They are
also world class Bridge players.
"No wonder they get first place every time. They are cards wizards," complained one of their opponents to the TD.
"They might do card tricks at their shows, but I can guarantee they are honest when they play Bridge," replied the TD.
Once, at a tournament, they got to prove their magic skills. After the tourney was over, while waiting for the results, most players remained indoors, eating and drinking. The following hand was given by one of they players as a double dummy problem:
Dealer East, All vulnerable
"With all cards in view, you need to bring 4♠ home," said the player. The lead is the ♥8.
Bernard was outside, talking on the phone, but Bob solved the hand quickly.
"Wow, are you a magician or what?" asked the man who gave the riddle. "How did you solve it so fast?"
"Well, it is easy, as I can see the whole deal. But I will challenge you for a little bet: My brother is outside, and didn't see this board yet. I bet a round of beer that he can solve it without seeing opponents cards. I'll construct a bidding sequence for him, and will also let him know that the ♥8 lead is a 2/4 lead (where 4th promises a honor, 2nd denies honor)," said Bob with a smile.
Brief silence followed, so Bob added:
"We'll give him 5 minutes to solve it... What say you? A bet or not?"
As they all concluded it is impossible to solve that hand with closed cards (after all, they didn't manage it with open cards), the bet was set for a round of drinks. It was also agreed that Bob will not be present when Bernard shows up (it is well known that magicians can communicate in a secret language).
Where is Bob?” asked Bernard when he came back.
"He is working on a new trick to make himself disappear, and since you don't see him – it seems to work. However, before he vanished, a bet was made and you are a part of it. You need to make that 4♠ doubled contract, and if you fail, you owe us a round of drinks".
The hand was given to him:
Dealer East, All vulnerable
Click NEXT in the diagram to see the opening lead
"You have 5 minutes, starting... NOW!"
Bernard was busy with the hand and after 5 minutes he heard: "Time is up! What is your solution?"
"I take the ♥A, ruff heart, play club to ♣Q, ruff heart, club to ♣A, ruff heart and cash ♦AKQ. This is the end position now:
"I play a spade now, giving the hand to West's top singleton honor. When he continues diamond or club I throw a club from dummy. East is forced to ruff with the ♠10 and play spade away from his remaining ♠AJ. My ♠Q is the 10th trick".
"Amazing! What a wizard! How did you know ♥'s were 4-4? And ♠'s 4-1? And that West had a stiff top honor? And that club finesse is working?" Questions fired from all sides, and then silence fell to hear Bernard's answer:
"The bidding and the lead helped:
The lead meant that the ♥KQ is with East. The first double suggested East has majors and about 10-11 points since he was a passed hand. The second double confirmed that spades are breaking bad. Since East has no opening, and since I placed the ♥KQ in his hand, he has no room for ♠AK in his hand = one of them, likely the ♠K, has to be with West, along with the ♣K, as Easy is already marked with ♠AJ and ♥KQ. First double also suggests that East has some ♦ tolerance. So... There it is. And now I can play the hand as if all cards are open. Did Bob make it?"
"He made it double dummy. And then he made up that bidding, saying you will solve it with closed hands," came the answer with a sigh of admiration.
"Yes, he was always the clever and inventive one," said Bernard with a smile...
"No wonder they get first place every time. They are cards wizards," complained one of their opponents to the TD.
"They might do card tricks at their shows, but I can guarantee they are honest when they play Bridge," replied the TD.
Once, at a tournament, they got to prove their magic skills. After the tourney was over, while waiting for the results, most players remained indoors, eating and drinking. The following hand was given by one of they players as a double dummy problem:
Dealer East, All vulnerable
"With all cards in view, you need to bring 4♠ home," said the player. The lead is the ♥8.
Bernard was outside, talking on the phone, but Bob solved the hand quickly.
"Wow, are you a magician or what?" asked the man who gave the riddle. "How did you solve it so fast?"
"Well, it is easy, as I can see the whole deal. But I will challenge you for a little bet: My brother is outside, and didn't see this board yet. I bet a round of beer that he can solve it without seeing opponents cards. I'll construct a bidding sequence for him, and will also let him know that the ♥8 lead is a 2/4 lead (where 4th promises a honor, 2nd denies honor)," said Bob with a smile.
Brief silence followed, so Bob added:
"We'll give him 5 minutes to solve it... What say you? A bet or not?"
As they all concluded it is impossible to solve that hand with closed cards (after all, they didn't manage it with open cards), the bet was set for a round of drinks. It was also agreed that Bob will not be present when Bernard shows up (it is well known that magicians can communicate in a secret language).
Where is Bob?” asked Bernard when he came back.
"He is working on a new trick to make himself disappear, and since you don't see him – it seems to work. However, before he vanished, a bet was made and you are a part of it. You need to make that 4♠ doubled contract, and if you fail, you owe us a round of drinks".
The hand was given to him:
Dealer East, All vulnerable
Click NEXT in the diagram to see the opening lead
"You have 5 minutes, starting... NOW!"
Bernard was busy with the hand and after 5 minutes he heard: "Time is up! What is your solution?"
"I take the ♥A, ruff heart, play club to ♣Q, ruff heart, club to ♣A, ruff heart and cash ♦AKQ. This is the end position now:
"I play a spade now, giving the hand to West's top singleton honor. When he continues diamond or club I throw a club from dummy. East is forced to ruff with the ♠10 and play spade away from his remaining ♠AJ. My ♠Q is the 10th trick".
"Amazing! What a wizard! How did you know ♥'s were 4-4? And ♠'s 4-1? And that West had a stiff top honor? And that club finesse is working?" Questions fired from all sides, and then silence fell to hear Bernard's answer:
"The bidding and the lead helped:
The lead meant that the ♥KQ is with East. The first double suggested East has majors and about 10-11 points since he was a passed hand. The second double confirmed that spades are breaking bad. Since East has no opening, and since I placed the ♥KQ in his hand, he has no room for ♠AK in his hand = one of them, likely the ♠K, has to be with West, along with the ♣K, as Easy is already marked with ♠AJ and ♥KQ. First double also suggests that East has some ♦ tolerance. So... There it is. And now I can play the hand as if all cards are open. Did Bob make it?"
"He made it double dummy. And then he made up that bidding, saying you will solve it with closed hands," came the answer with a sigh of admiration.
"Yes, he was always the clever and inventive one," said Bernard with a smile...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)