2023 Devonshire Cup and Plate |
The Finals of the Devonshire competitions took place on Tuesday 14th March following earlier rounds played on Tuesdays since 10th January.
The Devonshire Cup was won by the Roehampton Red team who repeated their success of last year. In a match which was tied at half time they defeated RAC Spitfire who were playing in the Final for the first time. The Devonshire Plate was won by Hurlingham Pigeons who reversed a small half time deficit to defeat RAC Morgan. The 14 teams contesting this year's Cup and Plate enjoyed exciting matches of knock out duplicate rubber bridge as they have since 1946.
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Last updated : 17th Mar 2023 13:18 GMT |
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Distortion – An Essay by Tony Scouller |
One of my pet hates in bidding is distorting the responder’s hand to bid a four - card major. Dare I remind my reader (hopefully a few left) of several adages I have flogged in my columns.
- There is no point in bidding bad four card majors without playing strength. Jxxx useless, unless P has 4 as well and honours.
- If you want to know how good your suit is look at the fourth card.
- Queens are overvalued devalue the points.
- Broken suits need support opposite. They are not good to play in without it.
B5 at Woodcote threw up all these on 13/3. These were the EW hands (rotated for convenience).
S. Q82 S.A1095
H.AKJ9632 H. void
D.QJ D.874
C.10 C.QJ9542
West deals and is vulnerable. He has 13 points but 5 of those are Q,J. Stick one of them in the broken H suit! The hand is weaker than it looks. He probably opens with 1H and East must respond. He would like to bid 2C but the hand is not worth it. Should he simply pass? With gritted teeth, 1S. The opener now realises how weak his hand is and says 2H. Minimum, decent suit not forcing. East does not like this but must pass. At the table he now felt guilty about suppressing his broken clubs. Why? He bid 3C, forcing game try, shows 5S and at least 4C. West gives preference to 3S which is passed out for -300 and a bottom.
I could not resist the hand as it combines all my hobby horses.
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Last updated : 16th Mar 2023 12:17 GMT |
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RAC v QUEENS CLUB |
Monday 13 March saw the return of Queens Club to the RAC for our annual friendly match. Firstly Queens Club are just the nicest bunch of players so I was really looking forward to seeing them again. After a small issue with finding cards to play with we managed to get going and at halftime RAC were 16imps up. After a most convivial dinner with much laughter we managed to get back to the Bridge tables all feeling a little full and sleepy and played our next 12 hands. In all honesty we were all feeling a bit tired by the end and I’m not saying a lovely dinner with wine had anything to do with this! Fortunately the RAC managed to stay ahead by 10imps to win the match. Ultimately we all had a lovely evening catching up with our friends at Queens Club and that’s what really matters! Special thanks to Lester who arranged the Bridge movements for us and kept us going.
Fiona
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Last updated : 15th Mar 2023 22:37 GMT |
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BRIDGE UPDATE MARCH 2023 |
Pall Mall Bridge Newsletter, March 2023 |
Hello Everyone, |
As March comes upon us there is a slight glimmer of spring in the air, and with it thoughts of long summer days on holiday. As I write I am very excited to be on the Eurostar heading to Amsterdam to see the Vermeer Exhibition at the Rijksmuseum. |
Beware the Ides of March, wrote a very famous playwright, Caesar did not heed the warning and things ended badly for him. I must say I was hoping metaphorically things did not end the same way for me after describing the price increases in my last newsletter! Having said that, I am really very happy to report our table numbers have increased quite significantly over the last few weeks and the old vibrant feel of Thursday night Duplicate is alive and kicking. Many players have commented on how good it is to see our numbers swell, long may it continue. |
The start of the year also saw our new Mentor/Mentees joining us on the first Thursday of every month. March sees our third session, it is really good to meet some more intermediate players and help them on their way to playing with us on a weekly basis. It goes without saying that we welcome them and will encourage all Mentees as much as possible. |
On Tuesday 7 February the Club took part in the Triangular Committees’ Match. This year it was a 20 board match, the participating clubs were Hurlingham, Roehampton and the Royal Automobile Club. At half time the Club was in second position with a positive score. At full time I am happy to report that the Club won and the Cup is back at Pall Mall. Pair of the match with an impressive score were John Craggs and Robin Kilborn. Well done to the entire team, it is nice to see the cup back where of course it belongs! |
We had great pleasure in welcoming our friends from the MCC to the Club on Wednesday 22 February. Ever since we resumed our annual bilateral match a few years ago, after a hiatus, we have been unable to prevail except for the one occasion when we played against the MCC on BBO during the pandemic! Our visitors generously conceded the Club were overdue a well deserved victory and so we did by 64 Imps. The match was played in a very convivial atmosphere as one would expect among good friends. |
Thursday 23 March brings one of many members favourite events, the Ross Cope Swiss Teams Event. I started learning to play Bridge just as Ross’s time sadly came to an end. I do remember his passing was met with great sorrow and I have been told many times that he was an absolutely charming gentleman. Ross strongly supported our “Bridge School” at the Club. The tuition has been wonderful and many players in the duplicate have come via the fantastic teaching at the Club. Ross is always remembered by his friends with great affection so it is only right that we remember him with a wonderful cheerful event. |
We will indeed celebrate his life at our Ross Cope Swiss Teams Event on Thursday 23 March. This is a teams match so you all need to get into groups of four. Do reserve your teams spot as soon as possible, there will be sandwiches and refreshments. |
Please do not forget if you are interested in playing at any of our inter club matches do get in touch with our Match Secretary, Marina, she is always looking for good players and we want to include as many of the Bridge Circle as possible to represent the Club at our matches. |
I am delighted to say we have finally managed to arrange a match with the House of Lords which will take place on Wednesday 22 November, we will go to the Palace of Westminster for tea at 4.00pm and then play cards. If you are interested again please let Marina know. |
I would again like to remind all our players that any rudeness during our “Club nights” on Thursday will simply not be tolerated by the Club. We all come along to meet friends and have a fun evening together playing cards. There is no need to be rude or abusive and if this occurs the Club will take strong action. |
I have started a WhatsApp group for people to find Bridge partners each week and generally to keep in touch throughout the month. The Chess Circle have something similar and it is very popular. If you would like to join I would simply need your mobile phone number and you would need to download the WhatsApp App from the Apps store. Sorry there are many “apps” words in that last sentence!! |
In addition to the above, there is a full Beginner and Intermediate Programme run by our teachers, Mike Eden and Anne Catchpole. |
I advise all players to visit the Club’s BridgeWebs page often as any news will be posted there throughout the month. |
Important Dates For Your Diary |
Thursday 23 March: Ross Cope Swiss Teams Event
Tuesday 18 April: Upstairs Downstairs Match
Monday 15 May: Centenary Cup
Sunday 2 July Bridge Summer Party at Woodcote Park
Monday 23 October: St. James's Club Bridge Drive
Sunday 29 October: Ross and Bob Bowman Championship Pairs
Thursday 14 December Christmas Party |
Best wishes |
Fiona McWatters
Chair
Pall Mall Bridge Committee |
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Last updated : 15th Mar 2023 17:06 GMT |
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RAC v HURLINGHAM |
On 14th January, after 2 years suspension due to Covid, the Hurlingham hosted their customary Swiss Teams event. In spite of the poor weather, the District Line not running and 2 fierce peacocks guarding the entrance door, 26 teams took part. 8 RAC members decided to represent their Club. RAC Morgan, that stood first from the 3rd to the 6th round, thanks to a very un judicious bid from your truly, finished third. The other team also ran. The atmosphere was very friendly and sociable, old friends were met anew including the David Burn who gave us a bridge masterclass in years past.
Marina
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Last updated : 10th Mar 2023 11:09 GMT |
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Match Calendar 2023 |
The following match was organised in 2022:
22nd February - Our first more testing match of the year will be held at Pall Mall against the MCC, team that we haven’t managed as yet to beat: Lester (Captain), Andrew, David G, Paul W, Marina, David Ma, Michael and Davd W.
MARCH is going to be extremely busy as we the following games to play:
13rd March - Queen’s at home 7pm Terrace Room - Fiona (Captain) Henry, Andrea, Howard S, Howard W, Oliver, Richard and Mark,
27th March - Royal Mid Surrey awat at the Royal Mid Surrey Golf Club in Richmond, at 12.45, lunch and 24 boards.. It is with great pleasure that I can announce that our own Tony Scouller will be able to take part. The rest of the team are Pralab, Helge, Pearse, Andrew, Brigitte, Nick and Sacha.
29th March - AELTC away at 15.30. Marina, Colin, Pascale, John C, Lester, Trevor S, Sally and Paul Found..
Also in the calendar
19th April - Woodcote Park away – lunchtime
8-9 June – ACF at home
20 June - Roehampton away – mid afternoon
20 October - NYU away in New York
22 November - House of Lords - away
Anyone interested kindly drop me a line. I have been asking you to express your preferences as long as I can remember, please do so.
Marina
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Last updated : 25th Feb 2023 16:10 GMT |
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A Historic Win |
We had great pleasure in welcoming our friends from the MCC to the RAC on the 22nd February. Ever since we resumed our annual bilateral match a few years ago, after a hiatus, we have been unable to prevail except for the one occasion when we played against the MCC on BBO during the pandemic.
In the past I think we have either been undone by the slope in away matches and/or been unable to resist the wine on offer home and away. Our visitors generously conceded the RAC were overdue a well deserved victory and so we did by 72 Imps. The match was played in a very convivial atmosphere as one would expect among good friends - the fine meal and wine helped too! The RAC was represented by Marina and Paul, Andrew and David G, Michael and David M and Lester and David W in a scratch partnership.
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Last updated : 25th Feb 2023 16:04 GMT |
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Triangular Cup |
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The Triangular Cup is competed annually between teams of 8 comprising current and past members of the Bridge Committees of Hurlingham, Roehampton and the RAC. Hurlingham won the cup in its first year in 2019 and after a gap due to the pandemic the RAC has won in 2022 and 2023.
Our 2023 team comprised:
Team Blue: Michael B, John K, Robin and John C
Team Red: Marina, Colin F, Ina and Pauli
Hurlingham took a halftime lead of 5 imps over RAC with Roehampton trailing a further 32 imps behind in third place. To our surprise we had a terrific second half, lead by the outstanding performances of John Craggs and Robin with the whole team turning out overall winners by 31 imps over Hurlingham in second and Roehampton some distance in third place.
Roger Lawson, Chair of Hurlingham Bridge, as host gave a rousing after dinner speech congratulating the RAC on our victory and thanking everyone for making it such an enjoyable occasion, particularly Gitte who officiated as TD.
RAC to host in 2024.
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Last updated : 13th Feb 2023 09:53 GMT |
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PIANOLA |
We now subscribe to "Pianola", a service that gives interesting analysis and stats of your results from each session, as well as showing how they have been progressing over time. To get started, please give your Email address to Victor (brianplaysbridge@gmail.com) and you will receive a signup link next time you play duplicate at the club. Some of you may be familiar with Pianola from other clubs, and Victor will be able to add the RAC to your profile.
Victor Lesk
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Last updated : 28th Apr 2022 12:53 BST |
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