Grandslam #20

THE GRANDSLAM
SRC BRIDGE SECTION NEWSLETTER
JUL/AUG 03 ISSUE #20

1. Message from the Outgoing Convenor – Carton Parker
We all know how Bridge is played, but how many of these gems are you familiar with?
The 1933 film "Grand Slam" is probably the only Hollywood film to feature bridge as its subject, hoping to capitalize on the popularity of the game at the time. Film stars Loretta Young and Paul Lukas are involved in a highly publicized bridge match. It's a comedy with some very funny moments even for today's bridge player. Unfortunately, this film is not available on DVD or VHS, and is rarely shown anywhere.
The American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) has 3,272 sanctioned clubs as of 31 May 2003.
The word "bridge" may have come from Russia. The Russian word for the game Whist was "biritch," meaning announcer or herald because Bridge players announce their contract bids.
In 1958, Charles Goren appeared on the cover of Time magazine and was dubbed "The King of Aces." The inside story explained the basic rules of bridge and proclaimed it the "United States' No. 1 card game."
Mrs. Anthony Fly, of Little Rock, Arkansas, filed for divorce, giving as one of the reasons that her husband refused to make up a foursome for bridge when she asked him, although he would never refuse anyone else. The divorce was granted as reported by Reuters in 1932!
Mahatma Gandhi, not only played bridge, but also used the game to illustrate the relationship between 'karma' (fate) and 'dharma' (the actions of man), i.e. karma is the hand dealt and dharma is what the player does with it.
If you think the hand you saw the other day was strange, it is nothing compared to all four players each being dealt all thirteen cards of a suit. The exact odds are 2,235,197,406,895,366,368,301,559,999 to one! Such a deal was first claimed in March 1892.
You can help make our Bridge sessions more enjoyable by being a good host or guest at the table and greeting others in a friendly manner. Always praise good bidding and play of the opponents. (Or your partner, even!) Quickly complete the scoring and move for the next round, especially if other players are waiting.
Finally, it has been my honour and privilege to serve as your Convenor for the past year and wish the incoming committee the very best.
2. Bridge Section 3rd AGM 29th June 2003

13 Bridge members attended the AGM. As there was a quorum, the meeting started promptly at 1.15pm after some snacks. Convenor Carlton welcomed the members and focussed on the activities of the section. In addition to winning both the major tournaments at SRC, the section has also done well in external events. In addition, 2 training classes were conducted, which increased the membership to 31.

Treasurer B. K. Tham stated that while the amount in the Section Fund was modest, the increase was significant when compared to last year.

New bridge section member Renee Tan stated that SRC’s Monday session moved too fast for beginners. The committee explained that the pace of the Monday session was actually slower than at outside tournaments. In order to finish by 10.30pm, the current pace had to be maintained. However the committee will try to arrange an informal bridge session on Tuesday to cater for beginners. This will be much slower and have more discussions.

In line with the past practice of the SRC Bridge Section, Carlton graciously stepped down as Convenor so as to allow others to have an opportunity to lead the Bridge Section. For the 4th successive year, all positions were uncontested.

SRC Bridge Committee for 2003/04
Convenor: B. K. Tham
V. Convenor: Shamim Moledina
Treasurer: Carlton Parker
Secretary: Chris Wong
Editor: Zain Moledina

3. Past SRC Bridge Committees

For the record, the past committees were as follows:-

2000 (Founding) 2001 2002 .
Convenor Zain Moledina Chris Wong Carlton Parker
V. Convenor Shamim Moledina Dorothy Wong Dorothy Wong
Treasurer Chris Wong Carlton Parker B. K. Tham
Secretary Dorothy Wong Shamim Moledina Shamim Moledina
Editor -- Zain Moledina Zain Moledina

4. 3rd SRC Annual Inter-Club Teams

This year’s inter-club team’s event surpassed the prior ones in terms of organisation and excitement. Tournament Director Peter Arnett used “live” computer scoring so that the intermediate results were projected on to the big screen in the 1883 Lounge. This generated a huge interest as members of the teams rushed forward to see how they were faring and to work out new strategies.

The 9 high stress grueling rounds clearly took their toll on the players. There were 2 major disputes, which were amicably resolved by Peter. In addition, 2 players left the tournament prematurely.

It was a very close fight all the way and when the dust (cards?) settled, Chinese Swimming Club’s team of Eric Luk, Kan Ming Kwong, Alice Phang and Yap Tek Kiat had beaten the People’s Association Men’s Team of Ron Savage, Rahim Rahmat, Koh Sei Hian and Alan Chua. Singapore Island Country Club was third.

SRC, which had won the tournament back to back for the past 2 years, were perhaps over-diluted this year by distributing its key players across 4 separate teams. SRC took 4th through Zain & Shamim Moledina, Dorothy Wong and Richard Lim and 5th through Pat & Mr. Leong, Prof. Yu and Helen Ang.

The Bridge Committee would like to thank SRC PR and F&B Department for the organisation and food, Carlsberg Singapore for the door gifts, Mr. Richard Yong, Chairman Social Sub-committee for presenting the prizes and Mr. Peter Arnett for a job well done as Tournament Director.

5. 3rd Annual Bridge Escapade #3 to Genting Highland
There is still time to sign up for this value-packed bridge tour on July 20-24. You can contact Shamim at 64486664 or email zaris@cyberway.com.sg for details and vacancies.

6. CSC - May 3rd and June 28th Open Pairs

22 pairs competed in Chinese Swimming Club’s May 3rd open. This time round the event had several very strong pairs participating. SRC’s Zain, who partnered Peter Arnett, won the match.

1st Zain Moledina (SRC) & Peter Arnett
2nd I Nan Liu & Lan Foo (SCBA)
3rd Y L Chan & C C Seet (SCBA)
4th Simpson & Simpson (TCC)
5th CW Wong & Nancy Yang (SCBA)
6th Alan Chua & Lena (CCC)
7th Gang Chua & Siew Chuan Tan (SCBA)

The June 28th event had 22 pairs competing. SRC’s Zain and Shamim took 2nd place with Carlton & Chris at 4th. Well done.
1st Chia & Chia (SCBA)
2nd Zain & Shamim Moledina (SRC)
3rd Simpson & Simpson (TCC)
4th Carlton Parker & Chris Wong (SRC)
7. DOPI or not DOPI – that is the Question
Double Zero Pass One or DOPI (doe pee) is a common system used to handle interference, usually when using RKCB. For example, if partner bids 4NT and the RHO interferes with 5S, some of the lost replies can be recovered using DOPI. Double to show 0/3 aces and Pass to show 1/4.

As always, when using conventions in bridge, there is no substitute for common sense. There are times when you have information that your partner does not and you must make adjustments accordingly.

At the May 3rd CSC tournament, the example given above occurred with Hearts as trumps. I had one Keycard so the textbook reply was “pass”. However, I was holding a 4-card Spade suit with honours. These cards would be wasted points to my partner in 6H but very potent in the defense of 5S. The better response was therefore “double” to show zero keycards in order to discourage partner from going to slam.

5SX became the final contract and the result was down 4 (800pts). A check on the traveler showed several 4H+1 (650pts) and 6H-1 (-100).

8. Goodbye Mrs Wong
On June 20th 2003, Mrs Wong Cheng Neo passed away at the age of 89. Her grace and kindness touched everyone who knew her. She was a regular bridge player at SGCC and occasionally played at SRC as well.

Mrs. Wong decided to LEARN bridge at the age of 84 -- an age where most bridge players would have long ago called it a day. She took to the game like a duck to water and soon became a force to reckon with. One can only imagine what a player she would have become if she had picked up the game in her youth! True to her personality, she was active until about 3 month ago when her health suddenly declined.
Her presence at the bridge sessions will be sorely missed.

9. SRC Bridge Results – May 5th to June 30th
DATE Pairs FIRST SECOND THIRD
5 May 10 Anna/Peter Shamim/Molly Greg/Kanan
12 May 11 Rahim/Ron S Dorothy/Richard Shamim/Molly
VESAK 15 David/Michael Zain/Shamim Kanan/Jane
19 May 8 Ron Oh/Alan Richard/Dorothy Molly/Jane
26 May 11 Chris/Carl Anna/Peter Zain/Henry
2 Jun 10 Zain/Henry Greg/Jane EngChoo/Veronica
Ron S/Rahim
Jun* 12 Zain/Henry Shamim/Molly
Yu/Helen
16 Jun* 13 LeeChin/Isabel Shamim/Molly Anna/Peter
23 Jun 11 Anna/Peter Chris/Carl Pat/Leong
30 Jun 9 Zain/Henry Anna/Peter Shamim/Molly
Pat/Leong

* Congratulations to Lee Chin and Isabel for upsetting the favourites with their winning performance on June 16. A Special Mention goes to Shirley and Ek Hwang who have just completed their beginner’s course and achieved a credible 46.67% in their very first tournament on June 9th – well done and welcome aboard!


10. Quotes from Zia
Below are some quotes from Zia Mahmood, one of the top players in the world today and arguably, the most flamboyant.
On Ethics
“I believe strongly that equity and the spirit of the laws of bridge are of utmost importance. I believe in what's fair and I take it to such an extent that if someone accidentally drops a card on the table, I refuse to take advantage (of that information). That's not how I want to win."
On Transcending Barriers
“Bridge is impervious to society's traditional barriers of age, colour, religion or beliefs. Put it down to the magic, the spell that the game mysteriously weaves, bewitching all those who come into contact with it."
? ? Puzzles ? ? Puzzles ? ? Puzzles ? ?
11. Commonest & Rarest Bridge Contracts

1. Name the 3 most common contracts in order?
2. Name the least common contract? (See 21 below for answer)
12. Fewest HCP – Game
Against best defense, what is the fewest number of High Card Points a partnership may hold and be able to make Game against best defense? (See 22 below for Answer)

13. Daffy-nit-shuns – Optomist/Pessimist

In a tournament, an Optimist feels that if the finesse works, he will get a good score. A Pessimist feels that even if the finesse works, it is going to be a flat board anyway.

13. So True

Incomprehensible good luck beats skill anytime.

15. Blurred Vision

In Bridge, you cannot depend on your judgement when your imagination is out of focus.

16. Daffy-nit-shuns – Winning

Winning is how high you have bounced after you hit bottom.

17. Humility?

Remember to show humility when you win a tournament and are congratulated for your efforts. For those of you who don’t know what humility is, it is the ability to look appropriately shy while explaining to people how wonderful you are.

18. How’s That Again?

If you are not confused, you are just not thinking clearly.

19. Discarding a Loser

Late during a bridge lesson, the teacher covered the part on how to discard a loser. He then saw one of his students, a middle-aged lady, dozing off at the back of the class.

Raising his voice, he called out “Mrs. Smith, can you explain to the class on how to get rid of a loser?”

She staggered up groggily and replied “I divorced him many years ago.”

20. “Bath Coup then En Passant then Suicide Squeeze”

If you think fishermen and financial consultants are the biggest bluffers, you should ask a bridge player how he made his most difficult contract.
21. Answer : Commonest & Rarest Contracts
The most common contracts are, in order: 3NT, 4S & 4H.
The least common contract is 5 NT.

22. Answer : Fewest HCP – Game

Don’t despair if you pick up a hand with no HCP and so does your partner. You can actually bid an unstoppable game in the majors with 0 HCP! For example:
S 5 4 3 2
H —
D 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
S Q J C 2 S A K
H A K Q J 10 9 H 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
D Q J 10 D A K
C Q J S 10 9 8 7 6 C A K.
H —
D —
C 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3

4S cannot be stopped with any defense. Basic strategy is to lose a club, ruff a club, draw trumps and run the clubs. A cold game with no HCP! Twilight zone surely! To add insult to injury, with a likely heart lead you can even get an overtrick by discarding the C 2 and ruffing in hand. With careful play, you will still have a trump left to enter your hand to run your clubs.

You may be wondering why EW did not the bid a cold 7NT. Well, firstly, this is just a made-up puzzle to show that game can be made with no points. Secondly, if you really want to “rationalize” it, you can do so by noting that EW could have been non-vulnerable and NS vulnerable. As such, 4S down 6 doubled would give EW 1700 points, which is higher than the 1520 points for 7NT. Not a totally unreasonable expectation by EW, holding 40 HCP including all 4 top trumps.

23. Contributions Welcomed!

Do you have an interesting trivia on bridge? Perhaps a joke or an amusing experience? Or maybe some information that would be useful to others? Whatever it is, do feel free to forward it to me at zaris@cyberway.com.sg for publication in The Grandslam.

Editor: Zain Moledina
1st July 2003