21 minute read
Bridge
Michael O’Loughlin has Take this side suit in a trump contract: enjoyed teaching bridge for over 40 years; his book, ♦ " # 6 5 4 3 2 “Bridge: Basic Card Play” is available from the Contract Dummy Bridge Association of ♦ " #K J 9 W E ♦ " #A Q 10 8 Ireland (01 4929666), price:E10. Declarer ♦ " #7 Calling all Novices – Winning a trick may look far-fetched but on the expected 4-3 split as above (62 per cent), you can set up and enjoy a fifth-round length winner. You’ll
♣ 8 6 5 4 3 2
Entries
An Entry is a card which allows the shifting of the lead from one hand to the other. It provides a means of access into your own hand or into partner’s hand.
An entry is like a taxi — you use it to get from one place to another. When you are developing extra tricks or eliminating extra losers, it’s often important to be able to get from one hand to the other with ease. An entry enables you to do so.
The North hand is the dummy: North A 6 3 - - South North A 9 2 Dummy K Q J 10 4 South ♣?? W E ♣ ??
Declarer
The number of entries required to set up a suit is equal to the number of ruffs plus one (to get back at the end). Take this side suit in a trump contract:
How would you play these cards, so that you have two entries to the dummy? If you play the ♣ 7 4 and the Ace on the same trick, there’s only one entry to the dummy. You have to make sure that, if the Ace is first used as an entry, you play an honour from declarer’s hand, so that there is still a card in declarer’s hand smaller than the 9. You don’t know how the six opposing clubs will split. You’ll naturally hope for a 3-3 split but a missing even number of cards does not usually split evenly (3-3 is just a 36 per cent chance). You can hypothesise. You don’t know how the six opposing clubs will split. You’ll naturally hope for a 3-3 split but a missing even number of cards does not usually split evenly (3-3 is just a 36 per cent chance). You can hypothesise. If you have four dummy entries, you can set up clubs if they split 4 The Ace in dummy is no longer an entry, because declarer, South, has a void in the suit. Not only must there be a winner in the dummy, South North A Q 10 K J 9 South If you have four dummy entries, you can set up clubs if they split 4-2 (lose a club; three club ruffs; back at the end to enjoy two long cards). If you have three dummy entries, you’ll need clubs to split 3-3. If you have just two dummy club; three club ruffs; back at the end to enjoy two long cards). If you have three dummy entries, you’ll need clubs to split 3-3. If you have just two dummy entries, I’m afraid you can forget about setting up dummy’s clubs for the lack of entries. I hope there’s a Plan B. but there must also be a smaller card in declar- Experiment to see if you can get three entries entries, I’m afraid you can forget about setting Experiment to see if you can get three entries to the dummy. Play the 9 to er’s hand to lead to the winner. Give declarer at to the dummy. Play the 9 to dummy’s 10, then up dummy’s clubs for the lack of entries. I hope dummy’s 10, then the J to dummy’s Q and, finally, overtake the K with least one card in this suit: the J to dummy’s Q and, finally, overtake the K with dummy’s A. How many entries do you there’s a Plan B. dummy’s A. How many entries do you have to declarer’s hand (South)? Two: North A 6 3 2 have to declarer’s hand (South)? Two: Play the 10 to the J and then overtake the Q with the K. Play the 10 to the J and then overtake the Q with the K. dummy entries, I’m afraid you can forget about setting up dummy’s clubs for the lack of entries. I hope there’s a Plan B. South Suit Establishment: Suit Establishment: how many how many entries? Now the 2 is the link to dummy. entries? Let’s look at a different arrangement of cards: Take this side suit in a trump contract:Take this side suit in a trump contract: ♦ " # 6 5 4 3 2 Winning a trick may look far-fetched but on the expected 4-3 split as above (62 per cent), you can set up and enjoy a fifth-round length winner. You’ll lose the first round; you’ll get over to dummy in another suit (that’s one entry) to ruff a second diamond; you’ll get over to dummy (that’s a second entry) to ruff a third diamond; you’ll get over to dummy (that’s a third entry) to ruff a fourth diamond. And you’ll need a fourth West leads theu K, the top of a sequence. dummy entry to enjoy the fifth diamond. As usual, you, as declarer start by counting
North Q 6 3 A K 2 South ♦ " #K J 9
Dummy W E Declarer
♦ " #A Q 10 8
higher than the nine, and there is a smaller card, the 4, in declarer’s hand. Often there may be more than one entry within a given suit. Take the Ace and put it in the dummy: How could you get to the dummy (North)? Play the 2 and win the trick with the Queen. You ♦ " #7 might have to look carefully to identify an entry. Winning a trick may look far-fetched but on the expected 4-3 split as above West leads the ♦ K, the top of a sequence. As usual, you, as declarer start by Let’s look at this layout:(62 per cent), you can set up and enjoy a fifth-round length winner. You’ll counting your losers because you are in a suit contract: dummy can help North lose the first round; you’ll get over to dummy in another suit (that’s one eliminate some of your losers, but you are still left with two losing Diamonds 9 2 entry) to ruff a second diamond; you’ll get over to dummy (that’s a second and two losing Clubs: one loser too many. It’s often a good idea to doubleSenior Times l March - April 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie 31 A K Q J 10 4 South Is there an entry to the dummy? The 9 is an entry because the opponents don’t have a card entry) to ruff a third diamond; you’ll get over to dummy (that’s a third entry) to ruff a fourth diamond. And you’ll need a fourth dummy entry to enjoy the fifth diamond. The number of entries required to set up a suit is equal to the number of ruffs plus one (to get back at the end). Take this side suit in a trump contract: check by counting your winners: 2 winning Spades, 6 winning Hearts, 1 winning Diamond = 9, 1 trick short. The only place from which the vital 10th trick can materialise is the long Spade suit in dummy. If the Spade suit breaks 3-3 you will be able to set up 2 extra Spades winners but if the Spades break 4-2 (more likely) you will be able to set up the 1 extra trick you need but only if you conserve your entries to dummy. West leads the ♦ K, the top of a sequence. counting your losers because you are in a suit contract eliminate some of your losers, but you are and two losing Clubs: one loser too many. check by counting your winners: 2 winning Spades, 6 winning Hearts, 1
your losers because you are in a suit contract: dummy can help eliminate some of your losers, but you are still left with two losing Diamonds and two losing Clubs: one loser too many. It’s often a good idea to double-check by counting your winners: 2 winning Spades, 6 winning Hearts, 1 winning Diamond = 9, 1 trick short. The only place from which the vital 10th trick can materialise is the long Spade suit in dummy.
If the Spade suit breaks 3-3 you will be able to set up 2 extra Spades winners but if the Spades break 4-2 (more likely) you will be able to set up the 1 extra trick you need but only if you conserve your entries to dummy.
Win the opening lead with the u A. Lead the ♥ 2 to the ♥ A: the ♥ 2 is useless as an entry. Play ♠ A, ♠ K and ruff a Spade high: you can afford to. When the Spades don’t break 3-3, you enter dummy by means of the♥ K or♥ 10 and ruff another Spade high. Now you enter dummy by means of your remaining honour in Hearts, at the same time drawing an opponent’s last trump.
You triumphantly cash dummy’s 5th Spade for your 10th trick. 4 ♥ made.
A famous bridge hand: The James Bond hand
Known – Known – from the days of Whist – as the Duke of Cumberland Hand: Known – from the days of Whist – as the Duke of Cumberland Hand: from the days of Whist – as the Duke of Cumberland Hand:
In the Ian Fleming novel Moonraker, Sir Hugo Drax, is suspected of cheating at bridge. Because of Bond's skill at cards, M invites him to discern Drax's method of cheating. a purportedly rigged hand dealt to the son of George III, the King of England, resulting in the loss of a £20,000 wager. a purportedly rigged hand dealt to the son of George III, the King of England, resulting in the loss of a £20,000 wager. a purportedly rigged hand dealt to the son of George III, the King of England, resulting in the loss of a £20,000 wager. When Bond finds that Drax is using a shiner (i.e., a highly polished silver cigarette case that allows him to read the cards as he deals), M goes along with a plan of Bond's to Free bridge emails: If you wish to receive free teach Drax a lesson and discourage him from further cheating. During a very highstakes bridge game, Bond switches in a cold deck, making Drax believe he has an extraordinarily good hand that in reality allows Bond to achieve a grand slam, costing Drax £15,000. Known – from the days of Whist – as the Duke of Cumberland Hand: a purportedly rigged hand dealt to the son of George III, the King of England, resulting in the loss of a £20,000 wager. ----Q 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 A Q 10 8 4 bridge emails which include lessons, videos & quizzes please email me: michaelolough@yahoo.com 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 Bond South 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 Meyer West 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 M. North Drax East
--- 7C! --- P --- P X
Four copies of Michael 7 6 5 3 2 XX 7 6 5 3 2 7 6 5 3 2 6 5 4 3 2 10 9 8 7 2 J 10 9 --O’Loughlin’s best-selling Bridge: Basic Card play to be won! 6 5 4 3 2 10 9 8 7 2 J 10 9 --10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 --6 5 4 3 2 10 9 8 7 2 J 10 9 --Dealer: South (Bond) ----Q 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 A Q 10 8 4 Dealer: South (Bond) A K Q J A K Q J A K K J 9 Dealer: South (Bond) A K Q J A K Q J A K K J 9 While the crafty 007 only has 8 points in his hand, by finessing Drax's Club ten aces and promoting his long Diamond suit, he establishes a whoppin 13 tricks! Dealer: South (Bond)
7 6 5 3 2 Bond Meyer M. Drax West’s opening lead is the J. Bond ruffs on the table and drops the South West North East Drax’s hand. He leads a club from dummy and Drax’s nine is covered with 7C! P P X the ten. Another diamond ruff on the table fells Drax’s ace. A further club XX from the table catches his jack. Then the ace of clubs takes his king. As Drax surrenders this last trump, he sees for the first time what might be happening. His eyes squint anxiously at Bond, waiting fearfully for his next card. Has Bond got more diamonds? Surely Meyer must have them guarded as he led them? Drax waits, his cards now slippery with sweat. A this point in his story Fleming recalls how Morphy, the great chess player, used to never raise his eyes from the board until he knew his opponent could not escape defeat. Now, like Morphy, Bond lifts his head and looks straight into Drax’s eyes. Then he slowly draws out the queen of diamonds and plays it on the table. Without waiting for Meyer to follow, he puts down the eight, seven, six, five, four of the suit and his two winning clubs. For more information on this hand, amongst others, see the fascin book: Tales from the Bridge Table by John Clay, a wide-ranging and entertaining history, and an especially vivid portrait of Contract Bridge.
Senior Times, in association with Michael O’Loughlin and the Contract Bridge Association of Ireland are offering four copies of Bridge: Basic Card Play in this competition. To enter simply answer this question: How much did James Bond’s Grand Slam cost Drax?? Send your answer to: Bridge Competition, Senior Times, Box Number 13215, Rathmines, Dublin 6. The first four correct answers drawn are the winners. Deadline for the receipt of entries is 20th April 2021.
--6 5 4 3 2 --- A K Q J 10 9 8 7 2 Dealer: South Q 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 (Bond) A K Q J J 10 9 A Q 10 8 4 A K --- K J 9
Known – from the days of Whist – as the Duke of Cumberland Hand: a purportedly rigged hand dealt to the son of George III, the King of England, resulting in the loss of a £20,000 wager. While the crafty 007 only has 8 points in his hand, by finessing Drax's Club ten aces and his next card. Has Bond got more diamonds? Surely Meyer must have them guarded as he led them? Drax waits, his cards now slippery with sweat. At this point in his story Fleming recalls how Morphy, the great chess player, used to never raise his eyes from the board until he knew his opponent could not escape defeat. Now, like Morphy, Bond While the crafty 007 only has 8 points in his hand, by finessing Drax's Club ten aces and promoting his long Diamond suit, he establishes a whopping 13 tricks! West’s opening lead is the J. Bond ruffs on the table and drops the K in Drax’s hand. He leads a club from dummy and Drax’s nine is covered with the ten. Another diamond ruff on the table fells Drax’s ace. A further club Bond Meyer M. Drax South West North East 7C! P P X XX While the crafty 007 only has 8 points in his hand, by finessing Drax's Club ten aces and promoting his long Diamond suit, he establishes a whopping promoting his long Diamond suit, he estab- lifts his head and looks straight into Drax’s from the table catches his jack. Then the ace of clubs takes his king. As 13 tricks! lishes a whopping 13 tricks!Drax surrenders this last tru eyes. Then he slowly draws out the queen of mp, he sees for the first time what might be West’s opening lead is the u J. Bond ruffs on the table and drops the u K in Drax’s hand. He leads a club from dummy and Drax’s nine is covered with the ten. Another diamonds and plays it on the table. Without waiting for Meyer to follow, he puts down the eight, seven, six, five, four of the suit and his two winning clubs. happening. His eyes squint anxiously at Bond, waiting fearfully for his next card. Has Bond got more diamonds? Surely Meyer must have them guarded as he led them? Drax waits, his cards now slippery with sweat. At this point in his story Fleming recalls how Morphy, the great chess player, West’s opening lead is the J. Bond ruffs on the table and drops the K in Drax’s hand. He leads a club from dummy and Drax’s nine is covered with the ten. Another diamond ruff on the table fells Drax’s ace. A further club from the table catches his jack. Then the ace of clubs takes his king. As diamond ruff on the table fells Drax’s ace. A For more information on this hand, amongst used to never raise his eyes from the board until he knew his opponent Drax surrenders this last trump, he sees for the first time what might be further club from the table catches his jack. Then the ace of clubs takes his king. As Drax surrenders this last trump, he sees for the first time what might be happening. His eyes squint anxiously at Bond, waiting fearfully for others, see the fascinating book: Tales from the Bridge Table by John Clay, a wide-ranging and entertaining history, and an especially vivid portrait of Contract Bridge. could not escape defeat. Now, like Morphy, Bond lifts his head and looks straight into Drax’s eyes. Then he slowly draws out the queen of diamonds and plays it on the table. Without waiting for Meyer to follow, he puts down the eight, seven, six, five, four of the suit and his two winning clubs. happening. His eyes squint anxiously at Bond, waiting fearfully for his next card. Has Bond got more diamonds? Surely Meyer must have them guarded as he led them? Drax waits, his cards now slippery with sweat. At this point in his story Fleming recalls how Morphy, the great chess player, used to never raise his eyes from the board until he knew his opponent AT THE END STICK IN THE COMPETITION PANEL THAT WAS USED IN 32 Senior Times l March - April 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie For more information on this hand, amongst others, see the fascinating could not escape defeat. Now, like Morphy, Bond lifts his head and looks THE LAST ISSUE. EVERYTHING IS THE SAME EXCEPT THE QUESTION IS book: Tales from the Bridge Table by John Clay, a wide-ranging and entertaining history and an especially vivid portrait of Contract Bridge. straight into Drax’s eyes. Then he slowly draws out the queen of diamonds and plays it on the table. Without waiting for Meyer to follow, he puts DIFFERENT AND THE DEADLINE IS 20TH APRIL 2021
Bridge Getting started: for absolute beginners
MINIBRIDGE
A player needs some way to judge how good her hand is. The time-honoured way is to give a value of 4 to an Ace, 3 to a King, 2 to a Queen and 1 to a Jack. These are called High Card Points (HCPs for short) because one is allocating a Point value to one’s High Cards. These values make sense as an Ace is better than a King, a King better than a Queen and a Queen better than a Jack.
If you are familiar with the card game “Beggar my Neighbour” in which 4 cards are played on an Ace, 3 on a King, 2 on a Queen and 1 on a Jack this will help you remember.
In MiniBridge, starting with the Dealer, each player announces the number of High Card Points in their hand. The partnership with more HCPs then plays the hand. If both partnerships have the same number of high card points (i.e.20 each), the hand is redealt. From within the partnership with the more HCPs, the player with more High Card Points becomes what’s called the Declarer. (If both partners have the same number of High Card Points then the player who announced her points first becomes Declarer). Declarer has a certain target to aim at: she has to make 1 trick for every 3 HCPs his partnership holds, i.e.
21 – 23 HCPs requires 7 Tricks 24 – 26 HCPs requires 8 Tricks 27 – 29 HCPs requires 9 Tricks 30 – 32 HCPs requires 10 Tricks 33 – 35 HCPs requires 11 Tricks 36 – 38 HCPs requires 12 Tricks 39 – 40 HCPs requires 13 Tricks.
This is a simple formula: the side with the majority of the High Card Points divides that number by 3, ignoring any fractions: the result is the number of tricks that Declarer has to win.
An Example: East: “3”; South: “14”; West: “10”; North: “13”
Note that 3 + 14 + 10 + 13 has to add up to 40, the total number of points in the deck.
Since N/S have more points (27) they become the Declaring side. And since South has more points (14) than North, South becomes the Declarer. The Declaring side have 27 points in total: therefore, South has to try to win 27 ÷ 3 = 9 tricks.
The player on Declarer’s left leads the first card. Generally, she will lead the lowest card from the suit in which she has 4 cards because the suit she has the most cards in is potentially her best source of tricks. West decides to lead a ♥ because that is the suit she has the most of. West decides to lead a low ♥ because she needs some help from her partner in order to win tricks in the ♥ suit. She starts by leading the card face down. Then her partner gives her the nod to confirm that she is the correct person to lead. Now, she turns the lead face up and the second player, i.e., Declarer’s partner, become Dummy. For the duration of this deal Declarer makes the decision as to which card to play each time from Dummy’s hand, as well as which card to play from her own hand.
Dummy does not take any part in the play of the cards. It is Declarer’s job to marshal her combined resources i.e., the cards in her own hand + those in Dummy. Declarer has declared that she is going to win 9 tricks. After the opening lead has been turned face up, Dummy places all her 13 cards face up on the table. Dummy’s cards should be arranged in suits, facing Declarer. Dummy (North) arranges her cards from the highest to the lowest, in suits, in columns, facing towards her partner, South. For the duration of this deal Declarer (South) makes the decision as to which card to play each time from the North hand, as well as which card to play from her own hand.
Declarer should now spend a little time planning how she is going to make her required number of tricks.
For the purpose of illustratration this photo shows a different deal in which the ♥ 7 has been led and Dummy has spread her 13 cards on the table facing Declarer: To return to our original example:
After the ♥ 4 has been led and Dummy has displayed her cards, Declarer should spend a little time making a plan: where are her 9 tricks going to come from?
She counts 6 top tricks i.e. tricks that she can win straight away, without giving up the lead: ♠ AK, ♥ AK and u AK. But where are the other 3 tricks to come from?
The only possible source is the Club suit. She sees that if she gives an opponent 1 trick in the club suit i.e., ♣ A then she will have set up 3 tricks in the Club suit for her side. Accordingly, as soon as she wins the first trick she immediately sets about knocking out the ♣ A. Declarer must take care to retain her ♠ AK, u AK and other top card in ♥ in order to keep control in those three suits while she goes about her business of knocking out the ♣ A.
When Declarer makes or exceeds her required number of tricks her side is awarded a score.
To be continued in the next issue.
For the purpose of illustratration this photo shows a different deal in which the ©7 has been led and Dummy has spread her 13 cards on the table facing Declarer: To return to our original example: Absolute Beginners Classes: If you have never played Bridge before or if you know of anyone who wishes to take up Bridge, I would recommend the Absolute Beginners online classes given by Grand Master Thomas MacCormac: thomas@grandmasterbridge.com
