February 2006 Volume 5
All ACBL sanctioned games at The Bridge House will be Junior Fund games during the month of February. All games will award Sectional-Rated black points – about triple the normal points awarded for a regular club game. Therefore, all games will be $4.00 due to the extra fees imposed by the ACBL to offer the additional masterpoints.
Newcomer Game: A special and sincere thank you for the mentors in the Friday newcomer game: Linda DeSoto and Billie Supeter. These ladies donate their time to coach the new players and encourage them to become regular players. Without their assistance, the program would not be a success.
The newcomer game commences with a 30-minute lesson on the Standard American Yellow Card system that is played almost universally around the globe and on the internet. SAYC is a terrific system for newcomers and advanced players alike who do not want to employ a bunch of gadgets in their system. SAYC convention cards are available at acbl.org with an eight-page explanation booklet. The Bridge House also has a limited supply so if you are interested, ask for one. The lesson is followed by instructional play for two hours. The fee for this program is $3.00.
Saturday, February 4, 12:30 p.m. is an ACBL-Wide International Fund Game. This sectional-rated event awards 50% Red and 50% Black masterpoints. It is one of the rare times throughout the year where members can earn red points at the club level. This event will cost $5.00 due to ACBL fees.
You cannot win unless you play. I hope to see you on February 4th.
Intermediate/Advanced Lessons: Every Friday at 10:15 a.m. lessons are offered in a pre-duplicated board format with a hand record and analysis for future consideration. The participants encounter both declarer play and defensive problems that can be analyzed at the table – just like a regular game. The board is played and then discussed. You will learn how an expert views both types of problems to ascertain hand patterns where advanced plays become readily recognizable. The result is an enhancement of your bridge acumen. It is also fun!
Here are some problems the participants have tackled: Safety Play, Avoidance Play, Elimination Play, Simple Squeeze, End Play, Hold Ups, Opening Leads, Auction Analysis, Timing, Choice of Finesse, and Entry Creation.
The lessons are not a “course” in the sense that each week builds upon the previous week although it is easier to identify similar problems with regular attendance. Thus, you may attend any week when your schedule permits. The lessons are $5.00 and the feedback has been positive.
Branson Sectional: The annual Branson Sectional is February 23-25. “The Bridge House” Friday and Saturday games will not be held during this time. I hope many of you decide to attend. If you have never been to a tournament, now is the time. Players compete based upon their flight classification. There is also a newcomer game. The Chateau on the Lake is an excellent facility and the free Sunday brunch is superb.
STaC Tournament: March 13-19 is a District 15 Sectional Tournament at Clubs event. All games are sectional-rated and award silver points. Overall awards are district-wide on a percentage basis. The games are stratified. You can frequently win district-wide with a 60% game as a Flight C player, for example. In fact, 55% in Flight C will usually make the overalls in the district.
Between The Bridge House and the Mountain Home Duplicate Club, you will have five opportunities to win a ton of silver points. Last STaC, local players scored big and I hope we have a repeat for this one. You cannot win unless you play.
Friday, March 17, 12:30 p.m. will be a STaC game at The Bridge House. Bridge lessons and the newcomer game will be cancelled on this date.
Youth Bridge in Mountain Home: Due to a snafu at the High School (900 flyers were not distributed to the students), the status of bridge remains speculative. However, several teachers are very enthusiastic. Indeed, they want to participate in the program and with their support I believe the youth bridge program will become a reality. Hopefully, by this time next month, I will report that the program is operational.
Bridge Tip of the Month: Partner opens 1NT and your RHO interferes. What now? Unless you play a very complicated convention known as “Lebensohl” (not recommended for casual partnerships or players less than the advanced level), you need some method to attempt to stop the dastardly opponents from stealing your board. Here is a simple, but effective scheme that is easy to incorporate:
Partner opens 1NT:
Your RHO: Your action:
DBL Ignore it. If you intended to bid Stayman, Jacoby, or whatever, do it.
2§ DBL = Stayman. All other conventions, like Jacoby Transfers are “on.”
2¨ or higher Any bid by you is natural showing a decent hand opposite a 1NT opening bid and a good five-card suit or better.
A DBL is negative (takeout) showing a decent hand with tolerance for the unbid suits.
2NT = 8-9 HCP with a full or probable stopper in the RHO’s indicated suit(s).
For example, your RHO bids 2¨ alerted as showing the major suits. You hold:
ª T6 © 863 ¨ KJ97 § AT96
Playing the above scheme, you should DBL (negative) to show a tolerance for both minor suits and the HCP strength to compete in §s or ¨s on the three-level (your side has no less than 23 combined HCP).
Your partner, who has a balanced hand with 15-17 HCP, will know with your one bid what to do. She may bid 2NT (her strength is located in the majors), 3NT (she has stoppers in both major suits and probably a five-card minor that may produce five tricks in NT) or 3§ or 3¨ (a minor suit fit with a hand now unsuitable for NT).
If the opponents decide to compete further, your partner will be well positioned to know whether to penalize the contract, compete further, or simply pass.
Good Luck and God Bless