Pages 1-12 (3.1mb) - Mr Bridge

NEW YEARSOFTWAREQUIZ ANSWER♠ A K 6 5♥ K J 10♦ A K 6 4♣ A 10As dealer at game all,playing acol (12-14 NT),what do you open with thefollowing hand?Sally Brock2NT. It would seem to be aperfect example of the bid. Iwill be very interested ifpartner makes any sort ofslam try.Julian Pottage2♣. If you open 2NT,partner will (or at any rateshould) play you for 20points. This is becausehands with 20 points are somuch more common thanthose with 22. So, when youreally have 22 points andthey are good ones, it paysto open 2♣. Since I want tobe in game here if partnerhas, say, two queens (notenough to raise 2NT to 3NT)I open 2♣.Bernard Magee2NT. With 22 points and abalanced hand you fit neatlyin to the 20-22 range,required for a 2NT opening.Although you have two tens,these are not enough toupgrade your hand.HAPPY COUPLEIn the first issue of the NewYear, I usually makemention of my bridgeyresolutions which, by andlarge, I keep. This year,most of these have alreadybeen acted upon.The new play and defencequizzes introduced in thelast issue are continued andnew writers have joined myteam of contributors. Allhave been asked to explainbridge maxims and sayings.I have also featured lettersand comments that are shortand to the point on page 45.These I have nicknamed“shorties”. I do hope thatreaders will make good useof the form facing page 6provided for the purpose.REFLECTIONYour letters are beginning toreflect a growing uneasewith the EBU and itsstrategy for 2010 onwards.I have asked Ned Paul,pictured above, to clarify thecurrent situation byoutlining the pros and consof the new strategy forbridge clubs. Read what hehas to say and see how “Payto Play” will affect you andyour club.QPlus 8.8 and the BernardMagee teachingprogrammes are alwaystalked up by me becausethey are the best. So userfriendly and helpful.Judging by the calls andletters already coming in,Declarer Play, BernardMagee’s just published newprogram is his best yet. Andthe latest QPlus testedagainst other acol-playingprogrammes wins – easilysettling the occasionalrun-in with the Office ofFair Trading.ETIQUETTEThe guidelines on page 35have been formatted into anA4 size page. This I haveput up on my website, asmany clubs may wish todownload it and put it ontheir notice boards.GOOD LUCKSimon Lucas has verysuccessfully managed theMr Bridge Mail OrderService since its move toMarlborough in 2004.He is now setting up on hisown account to trade asSimon Lucas BridgeSupplies. I wish him well.CLEARANCEIt is the very nature ofprinting that volume is all.Mr Bridge Luxury Cards aremade in considerablequantities. To clear these,I offer them unboxed, intwelves, 6 red / 6 blue.12 packs £8, 24 packs £17,48 packs £32 and pro rata.The price includes postage.Offer must close 8 Februaryor as stocks permit. Pleaseallow 14 days for delivery.Orders by post only pleasewith cheques made payableto Mr Bridge Mail Order,Wagon Yard, London Road,Marlborough, SN8 1LH 01672 519219.SPONSORED QUIZThe BRIDGE 86 winner ofthe weekend for two at TheOlde Barn is Mrs Peverleyof Lutterworth, Leics.NEW QUIZAs dealer at game all, playingAcol (12-14 no-trump), whatdo you open with this hand?♠ A K 9 8 6 5 3 2♥ A K 7♦ A♣ JSend your entry using thecut-out form before20 February 2008. Oneentry per household, please.Consolation prizes vary.Stuart Adds, Leanora’shusband just had to be anaccountant but we had greatfun with all the differentsuggestions you posted in.The lucky winners are;Mrs J Simpson, Edinburgh.Dr M Box, Reading, Berks.Mrs C Betts, Wilmslow.Mr R Bowyer, Birmingham.Mrs D Oscar, Moseley.Mr P Dodson, Draycott.They each receive a DonaldRussell taster box. Some ofthe other entries are on pages58 and 59, together with aphoto Leanora and Stuarten route from the churchto the reception.Each box contain 8 servings.2 Sirloin Steaks2 Ribeye Steaks4 Rump Medallions4 Fillet MedallionsNormal price£54.87 including delivery.Special Price£39.90 including delivery. 01467 629666 or visitwww.donaldrussell.com/specialand quote special offer code:BRIDGE2.BEGIN BRIDGEIn addition to Acol Revisionat Staverton Park this Easter,I have a bridge for absolutebeginners course. At the endof the four-night beginners’course, participants should beable to play in a Chicago /rubber drive and not feel outof place at a gentle duplicate.Staverton ParkEaster – 20-24 March£299 inclusive4 nights full boardNo single supplement 01483 489961Page 4