Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Grandslam #5

THE GRANDSLAM
SRC BRIDGE SECTION NEWSLETTER

MAR/APR 2001 ISSUE #5

Message from the Convenor
My apologies for the delay of this issue of THE GRANDSLAM as I was out of town. On my return, I was informed that our 2001 budget has been approved.

We now have our own notice board at Basement 1 opposite the metal lockers. If you have any bridge news or interesting hands to display or put into THE GRANDSLAM, do let me know. Additional lighting has also been added to our Bridge Room. Now you do not have an excuse if you confuse the Hearts and the Diamonds!!

Three years ago, Shamim and I had a vision to start Bridge at SRC. We started with no players, no facilities, no money and a game few at SRC knew much about. Fortunately, we had help from outside friends and supporters to train, build up and sustain a critical mass of players. We went through many joys and disappointments. The goal was achieved when we became a section in July 2000, thanks to the current MC. The highlight was when our young section won 3 of the top 6 positions at our Inaugural Tournament against much more experienced players and clubs. Truly an inspiring start.

The reason I am writing this is to inform all of you that Shamim and I have decided NOT to stand for re-election in 2001. We have been in the forefront and have dominated the bridge scene at SRC for the past 3 years. It is time for us to take a backseat and let new blood chart the future course of our section. However, we will still be there to provide support and I hope to continue as editor of this bi-monthly newsletter.

SRC Monday Bridge Results – 8th Jan to 12th Mar 2001
DATE PAIRS FIRST SECOND THIRD
8 Jan 9(Ind) Ron Lee Chin Angela

22 Jan 7 Richard/Zain Eng Choo/Alan Carl/Ron

29 Jan 6 Ron/Zain Eng Choo/Veronica Jansie/Yun Yee

5 Feb 7 Ron/Zain Dorothy/Adelene Carl/Chris

12 Feb 6 Dorothy/Adelene Richard/Angela Lee Chin/Isabel

19 Feb 7 Dorothy/Eng Choo David/Peter Carl/Ron

26 Feb 7 David/Peter Angela/Stella Richard/Ai Leng

5 Mar 9 Lee Chin/Isabel Mr/Mrs Leong Jansie/Helen

12 Mar 8 Lucy/Zain Helen/Jansie David/Peter
3. Bridge Hand : Two suits are better than one

This hand occurred on Board #5 on 12 March


BIDDING : S bid H & D

N bid C & S

NORTH CONTRACT : 6NT

S : A J 5 2 DECLARER : SOUTH

H : 10 2 OPENING LEAD : C3
WEST D : 7 5 EAST

S : 7 3 C : K J 10 8 2 S : Q 10 9 6 4

H : 9 8 7 H : A J 5

D : 9 6 4 2 D : 10 8 3

C : Q 7 5 3 C : 9 6

SOUTH

S : K 8 The C3 was covered by C10 which won.

H : K Q 6 4 3 12 Tricks are easy if the CQ can be picked

D : A K Q J up. If Declarer goes for this Club suit option

C : A 4 at once by cashing CA, SA and CK and if it

fails, he will not have enough entries to go after the Heart Suit. Declarer should realise that he has only one clear entry to dummy – the SA – and he has to lose to the HA in any case. To establish the Heart suit he needs to lead hearts twice from the board towards his high Hearts. So after winning the C10, he leads the H10 covered by HJ and won by the HQ. Now he unblocks the CA and enters dummy with the SA and cashes the CK to see if the CQ drops. It does not. Now he can lead H2 from the board and makes the contract as the hearts split 3-3 with the HA with East. In all, he makes 2 Spades, 3 Hearts, 4 Diamonds and 3 Clubs Tricks.

Things to note on this hand. First, it is an unnecessary risk to do the Spade finesse. Even if it works, declarer still needs to tackle Hearts and Clubs for his 12 tricks. Second, East must cover the H10 with his HJ in case declarer finesses the H10. Declarer had bid Hearts and probably has the Q & K but maybe not the H9. Third, East must not grab his HA winner immediately. If he does this, declarer cannot go wrong. Declarer does not yet know the Hearts are 3-3 but East does.

This hand typifies several basic bridge declarer principles.

1. Counting your Winners (therefore rejecting the Spade finesse option)

2. Establishing your slow tricks quickly (Hearts)

Playing a low card towards your high card (Hearts),
Preserving your entries (SA)
Establishing your long suit (Clubs, Hearts)
Editor : Zain Moledina

19th March 2001

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