Muggitorial

My last Muggitorial finished by saying that any outstanding Club results would be published in the next Bulletin. I am a member of Newcastle B.C.; moreover I am the Secretary of the Club, Newcastle 's results were not included in the last Bulletin because I forgot................ There has been some discussion concerning the Bearn Semi-final It has been suggested that a proportion (say 25% of the matchpoints gathered should be carried over into the final.) A terrible idea, but it will be on the Agenda at the next AGM. The County Committee have also decided to abolish the 50p discount that married couples currently enjoy. The reason for its introduction is no longer valid, (in fact it never was, such couples got two of everything any­way) and our subscription Secretary describes it as 'an administrative nightmare'. My plea for- contributions was as successful as my declarer play i.e. modest at best. The next Bulletin will be subtitled, "'The Best of Bulletin No. 1 and No. 2" I'm sure you will enjoy re-reading those old classics again.

No one appears to know when the SCBA began, so no Centenary celebrations for us.

RWM

NEWPORT SWISS TEAMS CONGRESS RESULT

1. M. Harris, T. Smith. P. Jones, A. Moss
2. R. Martin, P. Stubbs, M. Swale, H. Goodwin (Yippee!)
3. B. Nicholls, Mrs. Fielding, Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell

GOLD CUP - ROUND 1 by Bob Beech

The match was memorable for two reasons. Firstly a poor tactical decision after 32 boards, and secondly for a partscore hand.

The tactical decision arose after we had established a 58 imp lead by board 24 with the opponents gaining imps on two hand only. On the next set we faltered and they picked up 14 imps. Still 44 up we would normally have taken a break at this stage, returning suitably refreshed and alert to-finish the last 16 boards as we bad started the first 24. However, they suggested we play on, promising to concede if they did not make a significant recovery in this penultimate set. We played on and lost a further 19 imps. Suddenly, with. 8 boards to go, we were only 25 up and had a match on our hands again! We took our break then!!

After some thought L.H.O. leads the S9 which runs to your Q. The contract look reasonably secure as R.H.O. appears to hold the SK and North should hold one of the heart honours for his double. Anyway no harm can be done by leading your diamond. North rises with the A and, to his partner's annoyance, exits with another trump. South this time contributes the K, which you win, and draw the outstanding trump with both Dummy and North discarding a club. You now lead your heart Q, North covers with the K so you win with Dummy's A and discard on club on the DK. Returning to hand with a diamond ruff, South playing the J and North small.

Time for a think. What can we deduce about the opponents' hands from the play so far? North had a problem with his lead so he probably does not have a safe club lead (AK or KQ), therefore AQ. South has shown up with 4 points so far and the club K gives him 7. If he held the DQ that would give him 9 points and he surely would have entered the bidding, so give that North. If South held 5 clubs with his 7 points he might have bid 3 clubs, so assume they are 4 - 4. That makes North's hand: xx, KJx, AQxx, AQxx. Now that 9 tricks are safe can we make any more?

North still expects me to hold the CK for my bid (substituting the CK for the J gives me a 12 count), and if I can paint a picture of my hand for him of: AQJxxx, Qx, x, Kxxx there are prospects of some extra tricks. Fortunately I hold the heart 2 and as South's first heart was the 3 North (assuming he watches the pips) may well picture his partner's holding as 8432, I lead the H6 to confirm the picture and North plays the J, his partner the 4. I can see that North is in trouble, he seems unable to recall what his partner played on the first heart lead. He opts for the false picture and exits with the DQ hoping to win the last 3 tricks with his AQl0 over my Kxx. It is now a simple matter to ruff the diamond, enter Dummy with the heart 10 to cash the other heart and last diamond discarding the two club losers from my hand. Making 11 tricks, the other hands being:

It would nice to say that the 2 imps gained on this board won the match but, in truth, we drew the last set 16 - 16 to go into the next round of the competition where we were due to play Martyn Harris' team.

SIX CLUBS - the contract Muggins teammates are allowing to make while he is going down in 3NT

SCBA RESTRICTED PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP Was held on Sunday, 30th September with 19 pairs competing. Despite having Muggins for a Director, a result did emerge:

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Sir,

It has come to our notice that more and more bridge players are giving up smoking. As life-long non-smokers we view this trend with considerable trepidation; for 15 years we have spent 2 or 3 evenings a week in smoke filled Bridge Clubs. Streaming eyes and sore throats are part and parcel of our evening's bridge, as is reaching through the choking fog to find the bidding board. As for the sweet smell of stale cigarette smoke that meets you on entering a Bridge Club, that is a thrill that we are reluctant to forego.

If all those former addicts, cannot find it in their hearts (or spades) to take up once again the wicked weed, then there is only one solution. Those bridge players who smoke must smoke more. Just a few extra cancer sticks an hour will aid their concentration, digestion and cure their colds. That it will also be an assurance to all those us who don't partake that 'times are not achanging', is a small side benefit which you should not begrudge us.

Yours faithfully,
Player, Capstan and Wills

Editorial Comment: It's nice to hear from the Bulletin's Solicitors on a topic not concerning libel suits. Geoff Davies and myself will do our best to oblige - we always do, of course.

First a couple of facts to aid our discussion :
A finesse is a 50% chance
The six outstanding cards of a suit will break 3-3 only 35½% of the time.

Unless of course you are National Master or better. If you keep a beady eye on the leading players in the County you will find that the probabilities change to 85% and 50% respectively. They will insist that this is not so, 'we don't take many finesses and almost never rely on 3 - 3 breaks it's all down to skill and expertise', they say. Don't you believe it. The probabilities alter according to who you are; because the good players are on the favoured side of the odds, and since the facts are true it follows that somebody must be adversely endowed with rotten percentages. A finesse becomes 15%, a 3-3 break plummets to 20% for these poor unfortunates. Who are these hard done to waifs of bridge? You and me of course. Write to your M.P. - the Laws of Probability must be changed so that they apply equally to all and only an Act of Parliament can swing it. Failing suitable action within the fabric of normal society we must fight from without. Join the revolution brothers and sisters!

The Staffordshire Branch of the National Liberation Front for the Freedom of the Odds will welcome new members. Write to me, the President,

'The Home'
Obfuscated Avenue,
Eastlands,
Staffs. NT7 1XX

Dear Sir,

Why does the Bulletin not publish letters? It cannot be that nobody writes to the Editor, can it? This would be a shame because a neglected Editor, realising he is not loved (or hated), could develop neuroses which may fester into extreme insecurity.

Our current Editor has always been on the wrong side of that thin line which separates the sane from those suffering from premature brain rot. In extreme cases it has been known for such people to make up letters and publish them. Fortunately it is an easy symptom to spot because such letters are usually silly and full of paranoiac garbage.

Yours faithfully
The Bulletin Psychiatrist

SYSTEMS, CONVENTIONS, T REATMENTS AND THINGS

There are numerous 'slam try' sequences available nowadays and if you use splinters and the Baron 2NT, a useful addition to your armoury would be:

The Three Notrump Response to One of a Major Opening
If you have no shortage and no outside suit you would care to either jump shift in or Baron 2NT with, then the 3NT response fills the gap.

The requirements are:

1. 4 + card support (Qxxx, Jxxxx or better)
2. No singleton or void
3. No outside potential trump suit worth mentioning.
4. 13+ high card points
5. 5+ controls (Ace = 2, K = 1; so 12 controls in the pack)

The bid is forcing to at least four of the agreed major. Opener's rebids are as follows:

What do I use 3NT response to minor as? Pretty standard stuff because I use inverted minor suit raises - I'm sure you can't wait to hear about them!

HE WHO HESITATES ......... by I.S. LOST

A soundly based overcall is one that is more likely to gain than to lose; it is wise therefore to consider the implications before deciding to intervene. However, in the following deal, from duplicate bridge, East pondered rather to long and the delay proved costly.

With neither side vulnerable West passed and North opened one heart. East's instinctive reaction was to overcall one spade, but instead he paused to think. His hand was certainly strong enough for an overcall near the top of the range in fact, and he had a good suit. If the enemy were able to buy the contract a spade lead from partner would not be unwelcome.

There were, however, certain disadvantages. First, the spade bid, would use up no bidding space and would undoubtedly help his opponents to judge the lie of the cards. In addition East's holding in the heart suit could be the first indication of a misfit, and if anyone was going to play a misfit he
would prefer it to be his opponents. East considered further, suppose he de­cided to pass. If South bids then East would have the chance to bid, his spades on the second round when the position was clearer. If South passed partner would probably protect. Having weighed up the pros and cons East eventually decided to go against the room and pass.

South who had been waiting patiently, paused for thought and then passed as did West. North had no difficulty in making seven tricks and the scoresheet revealed that this was a 'top' for N/S. West exclaimed indignantly "We have two spades on our way partner, why didn't you bid?" East began his explanation but it didn't impress his partner and in the end had to admit that he should have overcalled. It crossed his mind though that if he had passed smoothly over one heart then South, (a wily player) would have entered the auction and the end result would have been totally different.

Editorial Note: No doubt East learned a lot from this deal, but another point occurs to me concerning the ethics and proprieties. Any hesitation on East's part puts pressure on his partner if next hand passes too. However 'light' his normal protective manoeuvres are, in these situations (partner having clearly contemplated action) he must have the type of hand where re-opening the bidding is clear cut. If there is any doubt then he must pass, e.g. say West had Jxx, Q, Qxxxx, AJxx in the situation described. After a smooth pass by East it would not be unreasonable to reopen with this hand. It may turn out badly but that is the luck of the deal. If East has hesitated then any protective action by West is dubious because the risk is lessened. East was thinking of acting, therefore West can be reasonably sure that a fit exists and that his side has somewhere near the balance of points. He is in receipt of unauthorized information.

Replace the Q of diamonds with the A and it is clear cut; everybody would bid and no one will argue that you are taking advantage of a hesitation. As the man says, pass smoothly or bid - he who dithers gives partner the shivers. How about one of our senior players writing an article(s) covering these areas? An example for them to chew on:

The response to 4NT was prompt: the response to 5NT was made after some thought. Should the Tournament Director be called, and if so how would he rule?

THE COME-UPPANCE COUP

Afterword

The hand actually occurred in a team game. The preceding deal had seen me doubling an opponent's bid and my partner responding with a redouble! This really gave the Tournament Director a head scratching problem and reduced the rest of us to helpless laughter. It was inevitable that the next board would not be an easy 1NT because we were (a) still chuckling, and (b) a couple of boards behind time. At the end of the hand we were still finding life amusing, but our opponents had suddenly become sober individuals with sour faces. After an auction and result like that I don't blame them one bit.

HUBERT PHILLIPS BOWL FINAL 1984

The final between AIREY (which included Phil Topley, in his third major final of the season) and GOLDENFIELD was held at 'The Posthouse' Newcastle on Sunday, 9th September. Your Northern Roving Reporter and his mates were there to sample some of the action, and we joined the spectators in the Open Room after 25 of the 60 board match had been played. AIREY was trailing by 2500 aggregate points at this time and among the boards that followed there were these problems; just try-them for size.

You lead the heart 2, small, A, small and partner returns the heart 3, 10, J, K. Small club, 9, K, and your A. What now?

The conditions seemed far from ideal if you were expecting spectators. At one stage there were 10 of us plus the 4 players in a tiny hotel room, this left 3 or 4 people standing. No wonder no one wants to watch bridge. If the EBU can overcome the catering problem (do the players want a hot meal?), it would surely be better to play at a bridge club.

In problem (1) it is imperative that you return a diamond. Partner has J10xxx and the ace of spades, and while you can clearly set up a second heart trick for partner that only gives two hearts, a club and a spade. At the table the switch was found and the defenders came to 6 tricks (declarer can cash out for one off).

The second deal depends on the diamond suit. If South has Q1086 then 4 tricks are easy but can cope with the same holding with North? Declarer led the 3 and North played the 6; the safety play is to cover with the 7. This would be a poor play at pairs where overtricks are vital, but at teams the motto is 'contract first, overtricks second'. Declarer fell from grace when he rose with Ace and South discarded. The contract is now in the lap of the gods, North must be short in spades and hold the Ace of hearts. He was, and he did, and just to make declarers day his opponents in closed room had bid to six diamonds - so much for justice!

The choice of opening lead in (3) is easy when posed as a problem and I'm sure you all led a heart. Declarer had bit 1H on QJx and had been raised on Kxx, so in defence you can make 3 hearts and 2 aces. The defender led a spade and a game swing resulted, very unlucky.

The fourth hand is typical in so far as most of us would settle for 3NT (certainly at pairs) but 5D, 4NT or even 4S would be unlucky not to make if you were to risk going past 3NT. Given that you are losing by 3500 it would appear reasonable to at least explore for slam via 4D. Opener had

We left when they stopped for a meal with GOLDENFIELD about 3200 ahead with 15 boards to play. Both teams had been playing tight bridge with the leaders having the edge while also playing in the best of luck. There was a fight back by AIREY over those last boards but GOLDENFIELD hung on to win the 1984 Hubert Phillips Bowl.

INTER - CLUB MULTIPLE TEAMS OF FOUR

On Sunday 2nd September 1984 E. M. Horseley of Alsager B. C. ran an invitational multiple teams with great success. He suggested to the County that an Inter-club tournament of this type would compliment the County programme; the Committee agreed and will prevail upon him to run it again next season. There is a trophy to be won, good prizes down to fourth place, and next year local points will be issued.

Newcastle Bridge Club Results

THE SOUTHPORT BOWL Muggins Bids a Slam or Two

Off to Blackpool, (cold, wet and deserted in July 1983 - everyone must have heard I was coming), along with Headmaster, Detective and Captain Turf to make an assault on the NWCBA Swiss Teams Championship held at the Imperial Hotel. Detective, being a headstrong stallion requiring a tight rein if he's not to rush into Grand Slams (the unmakeable variety usually - although he makes half of them), was partnered by Captain Turf who is much experienced in equine matters. Consequently Headmaster and Muggins promised to supply a steady card and leave the swing production to our teammates.

Our first match produced a typical Muggins slam:

"Possibly a little thin", I apologise putting my load of grot face up on the table for all to admire.

Headmaster brought it home in scholarly fashion when North imagined he was being squeezed between diamonds and something and so discarded a diamond. 11 imps in and 17-3 in VP's took us up to table 2.

Here we met four visiting Americans; I don't think they were the Aces, but they beat us 15-5 in VP's anyway. Our teammates played well on this set and that's as much as I'm prepared to say about it.

Down to table 7 and the last match of this session.

A spade had to be lost. On the other table they climbed to 7H; a spade had to be lost. +14 imps.

South has Q10xx of clubs and must come to a trick, but the spade King is right. They make 12 tricks in 4S on the other table and 12 more imps gives us a 20-0 win. And so to dinner standing at equal fifth overall.

While the rest of us tuck into roast beef and Yorkshire pudding Detective has a salad; we all insisted he had salad because experience has taught us that he becomes somnolent after anything heavy, and he had a Ziggy Berger and chips for lunch. After a walk along a draughty promenade back to the hotel we rejoin the battle at table 3.

On the other table a more sophisticated approach unearths the 4-4 fit and 5C is the final contract. Our teammates bury it again with Ace of spades, Ace of diamonds, diamond ruff; 12 imps and an 18-2 victory.

Next we meet the leaders on table 1 and they are 10 VP's in front of us at this point. After 7 boards of this 8 board match we are 8 imps adrift and I pick up

An expert opponent leads the 7 of clubs from J107x (his second choice would have been a diamond from three small) and 12 tricks are assured. Somehow they missed this on the other table and 11 imps gives us a 3 imp win and 12-8 in VP's.

We retire to table 2 for the final match and hope for a biggish win to keep us in second place. Both vulnerable you are looking at

"The winners are team 32" announces the Tournament Director. Who are they, I wonder. "That's us" said Captain Turf.

WE................ARE................THE.................CHAMPIONS!!

Afterword

We tried again in 1984. Fred Dumbleton (Aleda Dumbleton, Dr & Mrs Kay) came second. We came home. Without the Southport Bowl.

• CROSS RUFF - Heard from the dog when his tail is stepped on.
• FINESSE - the clever play that Muggins found (which didn't work), while everyone else was engineering a mundane end play (which did).
• DISCARD - what Muggins says when he designates the card in dummy he wants his partner to play (as opposed to dat card).
• END PLAY - the last board of the evening.
• DOUBLE FINESSE - an infallible method of losing to an opponents KQ doubleton.

Editor: Roy Martin. Baron St., Fenton