These may sound a bit continental but the Swiss idea comes from chess. As there is insufficient time to play against everybody there has to be a sensible way of finding opponents other than by drawing lots or tossing a coin.

Starting positions.  In the first round it is decided by drawing lots.  You play a match (usually of seven or eight boards) against your opponents which is more than you play in the club where rounds are normally two or three boards. But it means you get the chance to learn more about your opponents - whether they are any good. At the end of the round the final score is calculated.  A ranking list is produced based on your total score for all matches so far.

Now this is where the Swiss element comes in - for the next round you are matched against a pair/team with the same score as you. Now you play another match and carry on for as many matches as there are in the tournament, moving up or down the field at the end of each round. The higher you get the tougher your opponents should be.

The other element in a Swiss event is that you only play against another pair/team once; so even if you are leading the field you cannot place against the pair/team lying second if you have played them before. You will be drawn against the leading contestant you haven't previously played.

At the end of the tournament the pair/team with the highest score wins.

Scoring

Scoring in Swiss Pairs events is done by the TD and the official scorers; scoring in Swiss Teams is easily done by the players. But in either case each match is played for 20 Victory Points. You share the 20 VPs between you and your opponents. You might win your match 20-0 or 14-6 or lose it 1-19.

You might even draw it 10-10. To win 20-0 in Swiss Pairs you have to score about 66% of the available Match Points whilst in Swiss Teams you have to win by 30 or more IMPs.

Swiss events are great fun and even if you are fairly new you will soon find your own level in the field.

If you live in Cambridge you might have just played in their very successful Novice Pairs competition.  There was a really impressive turnout of 14 full tables. 

Congratulations to the winners Geoff Burbidge & John Frampton who maintained a high score of 67.05% over two sessions.

Full ranking list here.

If you would like to find out more about Bridge in the Cambs and Hunts area go to http://www.cambsbridge.org.uk/

I do not pick up strong hands very often.  By strong I mean with half of the available points in the pack.  But I do remember what to do with them.  A flat hand with 20 - 22 HCPs playing Standard English or steam age Acol you open 2NT.  Partner simply raises you to game.
West leads the Heart Queen. Count your top tricks, four spades, one heart, four diamonds and posibilities in clubs. Obviously you must win the heart king now.  I would cash my eight top tricks ending in dummy.  Play the diamond Jack from dummy, East plays low, do you play the Ace or the 7 of clubs?