Grandslam #31

THE GRANDSLAM

SRC BRIDGE SECTION NEWSLETTER

MAY/JUN 05 ISSUE #31

Message from the Convenor – Shamim Moledina
Many of us regret not learning bridge at an earlier age when our minds were sharper. It was therefore especially heartening to see 11 excited children from the Kid’s Club attend our Bridge Clinic on 14 March. Who knows; perhaps a future world champion has been given his first impetus.

We have some very exciting activities coming up. We are planning for an extended Cruise (with bridge of course) in September as well as our ever-popular Bridge Escapade to Genting in August.

Our section members may be disappointed to hear that we will no longer be allowed to hold special games on public holidays. The section’s money we would have normally spent on F & B on these occasions will now be channeled to bridge activities at other clubs.

2. SCBA 19th Inter-Club League and Cup

The initial team consists of Zain (Captain), BK Tham (Vice Captain), Leong, Shamim, Dorothy, Richard, Ting and Yung. More may be added if needed. The league will run from March to October. You can follow the results on http://www.bridgeleague.net/league.html

In our first league game at SCBA, we managed to beat CLRYX. Our players were Leong & Ting and Shamim & Zain. The score was 18 to 12.

Beginner Bridge Class

Our annual beginner bridge course attracted 14 participants. This year the format has been shortened and the emphasis will be on the play. On completion, those interested to firm up their knowledge of bidding will be given the option to sign up for phase 2 of the course.

Floating Partner at SRC Tuesday Bridge

No need to scrounge around for a partner when you want to play bridge at SRC’s Tuesday game. Just show up! Effective April, we will ALWAYS have a partner ready to play with you!

Superstar Virgo Bridge Cruise

We are working with Star Cruises (Superstar Virgo) for bridge facilities on a fantastic cruise to Laem Chabang and Ko Samui Island in Thailand. This is a special cruise of 6 Days and 5 Nights to these 2 exotic destinations from twin sharing prices as low as $580 for Fare + $120 Tax + $10 Special Facilities per person. Fare for 3rd and 4th person is just $410. Of course there are bigger and better cabins for your selection as well. The confirmed sailing dates are from 25th Sept (Sunday) to 30th Sept (Friday).

Why so reasonably priced? Firstly, these prices are directly from Star Cruises without any mark-up and secondly, you will have to pay 90 days in advance to get these prices! Watch out for details real soon.

Genting Bridge Escapade 2005

Our annual Bridge Escapade to the cool hills of Genting is being planned in August. As usual, our 5D4N vacation will have daily Bridge in a large private function room as well as snacks, prizes and discount coupons. There will still be a lot of free time to enjoy the numerous activities there. Tentative dates are 14th August (Sunday) to 18th August (Thursday).

SRC Tuesday Bridge Results – 2nd Nov to Dec 28th

DATE FIRST SECOND THIRD

1st Mar Yu/Ping B.K./Leong Zain/Joli

8th Mar Greg/Molly Yu/Ping Pat & Leong

15th Mar Yu/Ping Alan/PengHuat BK/Zain

22nd Mar Leong/Zain Alan/PengHuat Nancy/Ron Oh

5th Apr Dorothy/Richard Zain/Yu Carl/Chris

12th Apr

19th Apr

26th Apr

History of Bridge –First Professional Team

World Team championships, better known as the Bermuda Bowl, began in 1950 and saw the United States dominating until 1957. That year, Italy began its incredible streak of 10 consecutive Bermuda Bowl victories. The Italian Blue Team included some of the greatest players ever, like Garozzo and Belladonna. Not until 1970 would the United States win the heralded Bermuda Bowl, and then only in a field that did not include Italy's best lineup.

But the story of the United States team that won in 1970 is itself worth telling. In 1964, multi-millionaire Ira Corn decided to form a team that would eventually beat the fabled Blue Team. Bankrolling the project himself for years on end, Corn hired six well-known players to study and practice full-time at his Texas mansion. Known as the Dallas Aces, this team was the first of its kind; never before had players been paid as professionals to compete in bridge events.

The Aces won the Bermuda Bowl in 1970 and again in 1971, realizing the ultimate goal of their countless hours of hard work. These players make bridge their full-time career, making them formidable opponents of players in other countries that cannot find sponsorship.

Key Dates in Bridge

1742: The first book devoted to Whist appeared. Whist is similar to bridge but dummy’s cards are not revealed and are played by partner. The book was Edmond Hoyle's Short Treatise, which became a best seller.

Puzzle : Bridge Play Anagrams (tough)

Each of these phrases is an anagram of familiar bridge play words or phrases. Can you unscramble them? Lengths of the words are given in brackets.

1. DEAL PIG NONE (7,4)

2. LEAD SCARF (9 or perhaps 5,4)

3. AGITATED INSULT (8,6)

4. RE: VERY DUM SLAM (6,8)

5. ANN TOPS ACES-UP (4,2,7)

Puzzle : Winning without Winning

In Rubber Bridge, it is possible to win a without ever making a contract or defeating an opponent’s contract? In other words, even after your opponents make 2 games and get 700 rubber bonus and you have not made a single contract nor defeated any of your opponent’s contracts, can you still win? Can this ever be possible? Yes!! But how?

L I g h t e r S I d e O f B r I d g e

It’s All Relative

While a bridge tournament was going on, Satan suddenly appears! Everyone starts screaming and running for the front entrance, trampling each other in their determined efforts to get away from Evil Incarnate.

Soon, everyone is evacuated from the bridge club except for one man, who sit calmly in his chair, seemingly oblivious to the fact that God's ultimate enemy is in his presence. This confuses Satan a bit.


Satan walks up to the man and says, "Hey, don't you know who I am?"
The man says, "Yep, sure do."
Satan says, "Well, aren't you afraid of me?"
The man says, "Nope, sure ain't."
Satan, perturbed, says, "And why aren't you afraid of me?"
"Well, I've been partnering to your sister for 25 years."

What a Downer!

My wife made me join a bridge club. I jump off next Tuesday.

- Rodney Dangerfield

Make It Easy

Regardless of what sadistic impulses we may harbor, winning bridge means helping partner avoid mistakes.

Frank Stewart
Bridge Dikshunairy – Bozone

Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding bridge players that stops bright ideas from penetrating. Unlike the Ozone layer, the Bozone layer shows no sign of weakening.

Better You than Me

Learn from the mistakes of others. You won't live long enough to make them all yourself.
- Alfred Sheinwold

Reaching Your Potential

The difference between genius and stupidity at bridge is that genius has its limits.

Spouse Grouse

If you play bridge with your wife as a partner you need at least 20 points to open the bidding and it wouldn't hurt to have 25.

- Joe James

Bitter Half

When arguing while partnering their spouse, most men view it as a matter of wife or deaf.

Daffy-nit-shuns

Takeout Double — the one that your partner passes.

Bridge Movies

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea — Singapore’s chance of winning the Bermuda Bowl World Championship.

Important Bridge Rules

Rule of Eleven — the inevitable trick total whenever you bid a slam.

Brain Pain

Bridge is a self-inflicted punishment for people with too much time and intelligence.

Sign that You are a Bridge Addict

Your idea of a good time on a beautiful weekend is to go indoors and play.

Why Bridge is Better

You can stop in the middle and have a burger and a couple of beers.

Answer : Bridge Play Anagrams

1. Opening lead 2. Falsecard 3. Attitude signal 4. Dummy reversal 5. Coup en passant

Answer: Winning without Winning

However unlikely, it is theoretically possible for one side to go down 1 many times (-50) while claiming honors (+100 or +150) to get a positive score. If this happens numerous times, it will eventually produce a greater total than the opponents, even after they win two games and the rubber bonus.

End Play

My partner has just one minor flaw. He is still alive.

Zain Moledina

Editor

zaris@pacific.net.sg

March 1 2005