Feb/Mar 2010 ISSUE #59
1. Message from the Convenor – Shamim Moledina
As this is my first message of the New Year, I would like to wish all of you a belated very happy, healthy and prosperous 2010 as well as for the upcoming Lunar New Year.
SRC was one of the hundreds of worldwide sites hosting the WBF/Ecats Charity Pairs (see below) to support the Haiti earthquake victims. This was our first worldwide simultaneous bridge event and the first club outside of the SCBA ever do so in Singapore. Our scores will be uploaded to the Ecats UK web site where they will be combined with thousands of other players playing the same hands so you can see how you fared in a very large field. Carlton Parker pre-dealt all the hands and directed the game brilliantly with the help of CF Chum. A big thank you to all those who helped and supported this event.
In May we are planning a Bridge section trip to Kuching to play in the open pairs/teams at the Kuching Bridge club. Also, our Beginner Bridge course by ACBL Instructor Carton Parker is scheduled to start on Saturday 10th April at 3pm. Section members who have previously gone through the course may attend FOC. (see below for more information)
In May we are planning a Bridge section trip to Kuching to play in the open pairs/teams at the Kuching Bridge club. Also, our Beginner Bridge course by ACBL Instructor Carton Parker is scheduled to start on Saturday 10th April at 3pm. Section members who have previously gone through the course may attend FOC. (see below for more information)
2. Resignations From the SRC Bridge Committee
Steven Chew has resigned from his position of Secretary in December 2009 due to other commitments. Vice Convener/Editor Zain Moledina has tendered his resignation effective 1st Feb 2010 for personal reasons. (This will be my last issue of “The Grandslam”. I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I had writing it … ed)
3. Procedural Controls
One of the requisites in the judicial system is “Not only must the system be fair but it must also be seen to be fair.” We who are responsible to manage bridge in our respective clubs should strive to achieve this same goal. Some of the suggestions below, though far from foolproof, can go quite a way to inject professionalism and transparency into the running of a bridge game.
1. Director: There is a tendency for players to resolve violations between themselves at a bridge table. Even if all parties at the table agree, this is still illegal. It is the job of the Director – plain and simple. He also has the responsibility of running the game. He should be able to handle all movements including those that require shared boards, bye stands, arrowswitch or board skips. This is not as difficult as it sounds because the set-up is easily available from free downloads from the Internet.
2. Cards and Scoring Controls: There should always be at least 2 people present when cards are shuffled by hand or dealt by computer. These boards or information about the hands should never be accessible to just one person especially if that person is also playing in that match or if his team is participating. 2 people must also be present to cross-check the score when it is being manually tabulated or entered into the computer.
3. Availability of Information: Players should be given sufficiently detailed information about their score promptly after the game. Sufficient time has to be given to them to check for anomalies or to appeal. Full results should be sent by the next day to those participants with email addresses.
4. Conflict of Interest: If a situation arises that the director is also playing in the match, special care must be taken. The knowledge of a hand on which the director has to rule may occasionally be unauthorized information. A simple glance at the board number and how many tricks are taken is more than sufficient to be considered UI.
4. WBF/Ecats Charity Pairs -- SRC on 26th Jan & KKCC on 28th Jan
The Charity Pairs organized jointly by the World Bridge Federation and ECATs Bridge UK was held over 6 days starting on Monday 25th January and ending on Saturday 30th. SRC was proud to host the Tuesday session and raised $260 for the recent earthquake victims via the Haiti Disaster Fund. (see Convenor Message above). Kampong Kembangan hosted the Thursday session with similar success. For full results and overall standings, press Ctrl and click this for SRC and this for KKCC. Worldwide results are based on data available on 31st January.
SRC result summary as follows:
1st Zain Moledina (SRC) & Trevor Li 67.3% (worldwide 16/648)
2nd Christopher Gregory & Sugi Sugiharto 62.7% (worldwide 7/648)
3rd Anne Lo & Purnawan Sutiono 59.6% (worldwide 225/648)
KKCC result summary as follows:
1st Anne Lo & Purnawan Sutiono 61.3% (worldwide 122/987
2nd Prof Yu Chun Yee (SRC) & Zhang Ping 57.5% (worldwide 273/987)
=3rd Dorothy Wong (SRC) & Ashim C. 57.1% (worldwide 202/987)
=3rd Tan Soh Hong & Suan Lin 57.1% (worldwide 161/987)
5. SICC X’mas Pairs – 5th Dec
Singapore Island Country Club had their annual Xmas game with caroling and all the usual Christmas fare. A turkey that survived the Thanksgiving holidays lost out this time round.
It must be some sort of a consistency record because SRC’s Shamim Moledina came second for the third straight year! This year it was with Prof C C Chen, in 2008 with SRC’s Murli Vassanmal and in 2007 with SRC’s Zain Moledina. Now how’s that for a silver touch!
The tournament was won by H S Ho & S K Wu.
6. SRC In-House Xmas Individuals – 13th Dec
Individual bridge tournaments used to be very rare at SRC – not any more! In order to achieve our objective of greater interaction, these tournaments have now become standard fare.
16 SRC members played 30 boards in 15 rounds with every other player as partner. With a time limit hanging over the players, some tried frantically to agree on bidding conventions at the start of each round. Others just smiled and relaxed knowing that the probability of any specific convention occurring in 2 deals was very small indeed … so why bother.
We had to return to the Stone Age and do manual scoring as there was no computer available and everybody was keen to see the results before going home. A “production line” was set up with a scorer, checker, tabulator and adder.
1st Pat Leong
2nd Zain Moledina
3rd Chris Wong
Top Newbie (tied) Ong Mui Siok & Steven Chew
7. CSC X’mas Pairs - 19th Dec
Once again, Chinese Swimming Club was running at a full capacity of 12 tables in their annual Pot Luck Xmas Pairs. As players streamed in with their goodies, the fare was consumed just as fast. With this basic need satisfied, the 48 players got down to the business of playing bridge. SRC players were in top form and dominated the proceedings.
2nd Dr. & Mrs. Sung (CSC) 62.1%
3rd Murli Vassanmal (SRC)/Shamim Moledina (SRC) 4th Ron Savage & Dot Wong (SRC)
8. SRC Xmas Pairs – 25th Dec
Our Xmas event was a 27 board affair followed by a simple dinner and lot of interaction between friends. The event was won by Chew Ai Leng and Rana Gill followed by Ng Chun Tat and Rajendra Krishnan with Molly Wee and Tan Soh Hong in third place.
9. BTCC Annual Pairs – 26th Dec
Congratulation to SRC’s Shamim Moledina and Prof C. C. Chen for winning the Senior section of the Bukit Timah CC annual pair event in both the Matchpoint and IMPs categories. In the overall open matchpoint section of 32 pairs, they were 5th. The match was won by Romulus Tan/Wei Seng followed by Poon Hua/Chua Gang, Tan Sock Ngin/Fong Kien Hoong and Alan Sia/Kimiko Endo. SCBA President Wong Choo Wai gave away the prizes.
10. Keppel Club New Year Eve Pairs – 31st Dec
15 pairs supported Keppel Club’s traditional potluck New Year eve game. There was a mountain of food and wine as well a huge turkey. The dessert spread included a fruit that was a cross between a jackfruit and a chempedak. After the game, some headed for the Karaoke lounge while others walked to the quiet seafront to watch the fireworks shooting over Sentosa on one side and Labrador Park
1st Zain Moledina (SRC) & Karol Crouse tied with Molly Wee & Henry Goh
3rd Chia and Chia
11. SRC New Year Pairs – 1st Jan
28 players attended the annual SRC New Years Pairs Tournament and that makes a total of 364 handshakes or hugs and good wishes going round. In line with almost everybody’s New Year’s resolution, the dinner menu was kept healthy with a minimum of hi-calorie sauces -- just simple mushrooms, broccoli, roast chicken, and fish. SRC pairs took 3 of the top 4 positions.
1st Trevor Li /Zain Moledina (SRC) 76.5%
2nd NW Leong/Pat Leong (SRC) 58.6%
3rd Susan Wee/Zhao Han Jie 54.9%
4th Dulari Uppal/Shamim Moledina (SRC) 54.0%
12. KKCC 2010 Opening Game – Jan 4th
After a 2-week closure for the holidays, Kampong Kembangan was back in business with a New Year game with loads of snacks, chocolates and cakes. The icing on the cake came in the form of Peter Arnett who was back for a holiday from Russia
1st Trevor Li/Zain Moledina (SRC) 63.9%
2nd Peter Arnett/Shamim Moledina (SRC) 62.2%
3rd Boon Chuan/Dorothy Wong (SRC) 59.4%
13. KKCC Individual Potluck Tournament – Jan 10th
The inaugural individual tournament at Kampong Kembangan CC consisted of 32 players who were split into 2 even groups – members and non-members. After a sumptuous lunch the chaotic business of first time partnership began. Many tried to spend a minute or 2 to clarify bidding systems but most just relaxed and let fate guide them through the 30 hands. Mr. Neo Tiam Boon, the CC's Management Committee's Chairman, and Mr Sheng Yizhe, who Chairs the Youth Executive graced the occasion and gave away the prizes.
KKCC Section
1st Zain Moledina (SRC) 67.2%
2nd Dr. Trevor Li 59.4%
3rd Tan Hong Choon 59.0%
Non-Members Section
1st Karol Crouse tied Yit Yun 56.7%
3rd Maureen Mah 56.1%
4th Prof Yu Chun Yee (SRC) 54.4%
14. KKCC Top Performer 2009
Congratulations to SRC’s Zain Moledina for winning the inaugural masterpoints prize (2H2009) based on the weekly games at Kampong Kembangan CC. Tan Yuet Wah won the “most improved” award.
15. Addition to Bridge Library
The Bridge Committee would like to thank Ms Karol Crouse for her kind donation to our library.
1. Laws of Duplicate Bridge
2. Take Your Tricks by Edwin Kantar
3. Bridge Magazine #98 Christmas 2009
These and other books may be borrowed for a period 2 weeks to members and guests.
16. SRC Tuesday Bridge Results from Dec 1st to Jan 19th
DATE FIRST SECOND THIRD .
Dec 2 Carl/Zain Dot/RonS AiLeng/Rana
Dec 9 Leong/Pat HongChoon/YuetWah Dot/RonS
Dec 16 Shamim/Perumal Leong/Pat Evelyn/Jane
Dec 23 HongChoon/YuetWah Zain/Vishu Murli/Alan
Dec 30 Vishu/RonOh Anne/Josephine Carl/Zain
Jan 5 Karol/Pheck Ping/Yu BK/Richard=Dot/RonS
Jan 12 Chen/Shamim Lorraine/RonS Ashim/Quresh=Yu/Zain
Jan 19 Dot/Ron Kohei/Shamim Carl/Chris
17. Bridge Beginner Course – 10th April 2010
For the best value beginner course in Singapore, register your friends and family now. The 8 classes will be held on Saturdays at 3-6pm by Mr. Carlton Parker. You can join by filling a registration form which is available at the SRC foyer or contact Shamim at zaris@singnet.com. SRC Bridge Section members who have previously gone through an SRC course may sit in at no cost. The course is heavily discounted for SRC members and also somewhat for guests to encourage the sport in Singapore.
18. Kuching Bridge Escapade – May 2010
19. Splitting Honours
A classic photo (right) from inventor of the strobe – Harold “Doc” Edgerton.
20. Puzzle : Two in a Row
(Answer below)
After a round robin tournament, your team is First – well done! However, to win the Super Bonus prize, you must now play another 3 rounds against the team that came in 2nd (stronger team, S) and the team that was 3rd (weaker team, W). Your team will have to play alternately against the other 2 teams. To win the Bonus you must win 2 in a row (not 2 out of 3). So, which is better, SWS or WSW? Or is there no difference? You are the captain of your team and get to choose the sequence. Remember! Your teammates are watching you!
BROKEN BRIDG –JQK (jokes, quotes & krap)
21. Complementary not Harmony
A great partnership is not when a perfect match comes along. More often it is when they learn to appreciate and leverage off their differences.
22. The Power of the One
During History lesson, the teacher briefly went through the Kings and Queens who rule countries. “But” the teacher continued, “There is a higher category of power. Can anybody tell me what it is?'
One child blurted out, 'Aces!'
During History lesson, the teacher briefly went through the Kings and Queens who rule countries. “But” the teacher continued, “There is a higher category of power. Can anybody tell me what it is?'
One child blurted out, 'Aces!'
23. End of the Rope
I always knew that if all else failed I could teach bridge – yup, all else did fail.
24. Expanding Horizons
Sheryl: Why not learn to play Bridge? It is gaining popularity everywhere.
25. Uplifting Spirits
I never drink alcohol while playing bridge. It interferes with my suffering.
26. How’s That Again?
Winning does not really matter, as long as you win.
27. No one around
I was matched up with another player when I showed up without a partner. All through the match, whenever I made a mistake, he would say "No Man is perfect"
Later I found out that his name was Norman.
Later I found out that his name was Norman.
28. Bottoms Up
I've always believed no matter how many games I win, I'm going to lose the next one.
29. Cart before the Horse
Some people are so busy learning the various conventions and gadgets of the game; they never fully enjoy the game.
30. Differing Views
Put 4 bridge players on the table and you’ll get 4 different opinions.
31. Road to Success
A champion Bridge player is an amateur who did not quit.
32. Double of Nothing
Joe knows absolutely nothing about the game; his wife plays twice as well.
33. How’s That Again?
Don't let worries get you down - play Bridge instead
34. Place of Honour
The Bridge club secretary was very apologetic, "I'm terribly sorry sir, but our registration for the match is full"
"Wait just a minute," the member argued, "If I told you that Zia Mahmood and Bob Hamman want to play, wouldn’t you register them?"
"Most definitely," she answered.
"Well,” said the member “since I happen to know that they both cannot make it, we’ll just take their slot"
"Most definitely," she answered.
"Well,” said the member “since I happen to know that they both cannot make it, we’ll just take their slot"
35. Rubbing it In
A Notice at a Bridge Club:
Those who failed the bridge course and are depressed with low self esteem, please attend the special extra class on Thursday at 7pm. Please use the back door.
36. Trumped
A bridge player accidentally got a girl pregnant. When he visited her and saw her condition, he offered to marry her. She said she will consult her family and get back to him. When he showed up the next day she said “Well after some discussion, we decided it was better to have a bastard than a bridge player in the family”
37. Between the Lines
Bridge is like a hot bath. It feels good while you’re in it, but the longer you stay in, the more wrinkles you get.
38. Puzzle Answer: Two in a Row
SWS. To win the bonus, your team MUST win the middle game. So it is better to play this against the weaker team, W. Now you have 2 chances to beat the stronger team, S, for the bonus. If you are still skeptical as to why sometimes you play against the stronger team twice is better than once, you just need to plug in some probability values for the 2 team and see for your self. Say if your team can beat S 60% of the time and W 70%. To win 2 in a row with SWS is (0.6 x 0.7) + (0.4 x 0.7 x 0.6) = 58.8 %. To win with WSW is (0.7 x 0.6) + (0.3 x 0.6 x 0.7) = 54.6%.
39. JQK till you Drop
For the LARGEST COLLECTION of Bridge Jokes, Quotes and Krap in the WHOLE WORLD (no joke!), visit http://bridgejokes.blogspot.com. These are extracted from past issues of THE GRANDSLAM. If you want to read the articles and puzzles as well, visit THE GRANDSLAM archives at http://bridge-newsletter.blogspot.com. (press Ctrl and click)
Zain Moledina, SRC Bridge
February 1, 2010,
