Grandslam #34

THE GRANDSLAM

SRC BRIDGE SECTION NEWSLETTER

DEC 05/JAN 06 ISSUE #34

1.Message from the Convenor – Shamim Moledina

The theme of this issue is close to my heart – aging.

I have played bridge with 8 year old kids and 80 year old women and I can confidently say that, at least in bridge, age is not a major barrier. Sure it takes more time and effort to learn new conventions and visualise the card distribution, but if you want to do well, you have to make an effort to kick those sluggish brain cells into action. I should know. Like so many of our section members, I learned the game when I was on the wrong side of 50! I can honestly say, it was one of the very best decisions of my life. Just imagine being able to play successfully in open competition at this age – no handicap taken, no handicap given!

I feel sad when I see so many of our novices drop out of our beginner’s course. “Too difficult” “Cannot remember the cards” “Don’t like my partner’s attitude” “No time”. I have heard them all. I recall Bart asking Homer to help with his homework. Homer took one look and said “Too tough Bart, I am going for some beer!” On the other hand, most of us remember the late Mrs. Wong from SGCC who LEARNED the game at the ripe age of 80! No excuses; just effort and practice.

In Portugal, our Singapore Ladies Team struggled in the World Championships after a good start (they were second at one point). I am sure the experience was fantastic. Just imagine playing against the bridge equivalent of Beckham or Zidane!

On the home front, we did manage to win the People’s Association Open Pairs but lost in our own SRC Annual Pairs and in the Inter-Club.

2. SRC 6th Annual Open Pairs – Sunday 20th November

After a light lunch, the 20 pairs began their grueling 18 rounds of bridge. A new format was tried out under the able directorship of Ms. Jane Choo, who represented Singapore in the World Championship in Portugal. With each pair playing against every other pair but one, it won praises from everybody for its fairness and transparency.

The runaway winners were favorites Pat and John Shoesmith who were visiting Singapore after being based here 2 years ago. As a bonus, Pat also won the Crossword Puzzle prize for being the first to submit an all correct entry. Outsiders Molly Wee and Greg Basmadjian took 2nd place and Mr. and Mrs. Chia reaffirmed their consistency by taking 3rd ahead of Ron Savage and Rahim Rahmat.

In the SRC section the favourites were toppled as the first time partnership of BK Tham and Adelene Sheperdson (5th overall) beat Dorothy Wong and Richard Lim with Shamim and Zain Moledina coming in 3rd.

The bridge section would like to extend their appreciation to Social Chairman Mr. Richard Yong for gracing the occasion and awarding the prizes. They would also like to thank Sheryn Lim for the organisation, Carlton Parker for the computer scoring, the F&B department for an excellent dinner and so many others who helped in so many ways to make it a success.

3. World Bridge Championships 2005 Estoril, Portugal

After playing all the top bridge countries, our Singapore Ladies Team managed 18th position out of 22. Many of the matches were closely fought with minnows Singapore pulling off quite a few upsets – beating giants USA 2, China and tying England. The final record was 6 Wins 2 Draws 13 Losses. Not too bad for a first attempt from a country with a population of 3 million where 99% think Bridge is something you drive over! The main sponsors for the Singapore team were The Lee Foundation and the Singapore Sports Council.

The winner of the Ladies’ Venice Cup was France, followed by Germany, Netherlands and USA. The winner of the Men’s Bermuda Bowl was Italy followed by USA.

4. People’s Association 5th Annual Open Pairs - 8th October

The cordial and friendly atmosphere at the People’s Association 5th Annual Open Pairs event attracted 20 pairs to their Kallang facility. Several people actually brought along home made food and dessert to supplement the buffet lunch!

The homely atmosphere did not, however, diminish the intensity of the fierce competition. In the closest contest in its history, the top four positions were separated by a mere one percent! Such was the nail-biting finish of the tournament. It was touch and go right down to the very last of the 24 boards. At the end, Shamim & Zain Moledina of SRC/PA just nipped Rahim Rahmat and Ron Savage of PA to claim the title. Just behind in a tied 3rd were Molly Wee/Jenny Soh and David Chew/Tan Eng Choo. SRC had 6 players participating and all ended above 51% with Chris Wong/Carlton Parker at 6th, Richard Lim at 8th and Adelene Sheperdson taking 11th. Well done indeed.

5. History of Bridge

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."

6. SCBA 19th Inter-Club League

We ended our first Inter-club league in 6th place out of 11 with a record of 7 Wins 3 Losses. The winner in our division was Parc D’Rakes followed by LTA.

We were unbeaten in the first half of the year but dropped badly in the latter part when we lost several players who were traveling. Nevertheless a key objective was met as it was a learning experience for our players and to expose them to inter-club league.

7. SRC Pioneers Computer Based Bridge Class - October 14th
When the Bridge Section decided to experiment with a Computer-based Beginner Class, they were overwhelmed by the response! In order not to disappoint members, the class limit was increased from 16 to 23 and that still left 10 on the waiting list! The course material was downloaded from the Internet by B.K. Tham under the Freeware agreement and distributed to participants at no cost. This course was conducted by Zain and is believed to be the first of its kind in Singapore. The new methodology will make the game easier to learn as the participants can review the lesson at their own pace in the comfort of their homes.


The course format comprises of 4 computer based modules of 2.5hrs each and 4 practice sessions under the guidance of experienced players.
Another class is scheduled for February 2006.

8. Complimentary Snacks at SRC Bridge Game.

Good news for our regular Tuesday night supporters!

Effective October, one Tuesday every month will be chosen at random where we will provide snacks and food for all our participants. As there is no charge for the game and a floating partner is always available, what are you waiting for! It is the best Bridge deal in town!

9. Bridge Crossword Puzzle – created by Zain Moledina

This Crossword was specially developed for the 6th SRC Open Pairs Tournament.

Across Clues

1. Experienced partnerships often use more bidding ___ (11).

7. Small slams are sometimes called ____ (4) slams.

8. In NT contracts, ____ (6) is critical in the race to establish one’s suit.

9. The most famous Pakistani player.

10. When executing a ___ (5)-ruff, you should usually cash your side suit winners first.

13. A simple finesse ____ (5) half the time.

14. A part score in Rubber Bridge is known as a ___ (3).

17. The ____ (4) of Eleven helps partner to locate the high cards with declarer.

18. In team events, the scores are tabulated ___ ____ (2,4).

19. After the first card is led, the next player usually follows the guideline and ____ ____ (5,6) hand low.

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8

9 10
11 12
13 14
15 16
17 18

19

Down Clues

2. The ____ (6) of Bridge can be traced to the game of Whist.

3. The absence of a suit is known as a ____ (4).

4. New partnerships should keep conventions to a minimum

and stick to ____ ___ (7,4).

5. __ ____ (2,4) signaling systems, attitude and count is given before suit preference.

6. Game at NT requires ____ (4) tricks.

11. ____ (6) plays are most often used in Teams competition.

12. A passed hand will often ____ (6) the bidding to push the opponents higher.

15. With a running side suit, the usual strategy is to ____ (4) trumps first.

16. Many Bridge programmes are available on a Compact ____ (4).

10. Bridge Ethics – Talking During Game

Please be reminded that it is a serious offence to speak to your partner or make facial expressions while a game is in progress. This falls under the category of Illegal Communications and the offender may be heavily penalized. Call the director if it happens.

11. Tuesday Bridge Results from Sept 27th to Nov 22th

DATE FIRST SECOND THIRD

Sep 27 Lawrence/YewChung RonS/Leong=Molly/Greg=Yu/Ping

Oct 4 Shamim/Zain Greg/Molly Rana/RonS

Oct 11 Yu/Ping Alan/Carl RonS/Zain

Oct 18 Ron/Zain Helen/B.K Dot/Richard

Oct 25 Yu/Ping BK/Leong Dot/Richard

Nov 1 Greg/Molly Yu/Ping Leong/Pat

Nov 8 Dorothy/Richard *Irene/Shamim Joli/Murli

Nov 15 Jane/Kanan Yu/Ping Alan/Peng Huat

Nov 22 John/Pat S Jane/Nancy Shamim/Zain

*Congrats to Irene for her 2nd place finish on 8th Nov having just learned the game 6 months ago.

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

12. Good Old Daze

I remember my younger days when I used to play bridge. They were the days of whine and neuroses.

13. How Sweet It Is

Today I will gladly share my experience and advice, for there are no sweeter words than "I told you so."

14. Blunt Edge

Experience is a great advantage. When you finally have enough, you are too old to do anything with it.

15. Omega Tau Alpha

Experience is a crazy teacher because she gives the Test first and the Lesson afterwards.

16. Speaking From Experience

Bridge is definitely not habit forming. I should know. I have been playing for decades.

17. Trumped?

To play the game well may be a sign of an ill-spent life.

18. Aging in Comfort

Bridge is a great comfort in old age. It also helps you get there faster.

19. Bridge to Paradise

Married men who play bridge are lucky. They get to die sooner.

20. Water Under the Bridge

My grandfather gets really excited when he makes a slam. That is why he wears two pairs of pants when he plays bridge.

21. Two Reasons why Bridge is better

1. You get better as you get older

2. If your equipment gets old and bent, you can replace it for a dollar!

22. Answers to Bridge Crossword Puzzle

Across : 1.CONVENTIONS 7.MINI 8.TIMING 9.ZIA 10.CROSS 13.FAILS 14.LEG 17.RULE

18.IN IMPS 19.PLAYS SECOND

Down : 2.ORIGIN 3.VOID 4.NATURAL BIDS 5.IN MOST 6.NINE 11.SAFETY 12.REOPEN 15.PULL 16.DISC

Zain Moledina, Editor zaris@pacific.net.sg November 27, 2005