Grandslam #45 Oct/Nov 07

THE GRANDSLAM
SRC BRIDGE SECTION NEWSLETTER
October/November 07 ISSUE #45


1. Message from the New Convenor – Shamim Moledina
Yes! I am back as your convenor. I have a nice balance of 2 very experienced and knowledgeable guys – B K and Zain, and 2 bright ladies – Pat and Adelene -- in my committee. I hope I will be able to pass the baton over to them when my term expires (oh please, please).
We have had a bumper crop of events and activities which you can read in the articles below. I am especially pleased that for the very first time, we will have a training course for ourselves. Bridge is a game where there is always much more to learn. When our partner “tell us off”, instead of feeling bad, we should view this as a free hands-on lesson … and thank him! Try this next time and see the shock followed by a smile on his face! I am sure I speak on behalf of most of my bridge friends that we want to become better players because winning is fun. We do not want to be couch potatoes talking about past glories. We want to be right here … today … at the ripe age of 60 … achieving success in open tournaments!
Viva la Bridge!

2. SRC Bridge Section 7th AGM- 19th August
A light lunch preceded the Bridge Section’s Annual General Meeting. Convenor Carlton Parker welcomed members of the MC – Vice President Capt Francis Koh, Social Chairman Richard Yong and Games Control Board Chairman Terrence Sheperdson – for gracing the occasion. He thanked them for the monetary and moral support they had shown throughout the years. He also acknowledged the Bridge Committee, Section Members and the SRC staff for their hard work to make the Section successful in organizing events. He added, tongue-in-cheek, that the section was so popular that everybody from the PR department wanted to be the coordinator for the bridge section! In just the past year we have had Syqin, Sheryn, Arwen and now, Siti.
The elections were then held and all positions were uncontested.
Position 2007/8 In-Coming 2006/7 Out-Going
Convenor Shamim Moledina Carlton Parker
Vice-Convenor B. K. Tham Shamim Moledina
Treasurer Pat Leong B. K. Tham
Secretary Adelene de Roza Richard Lim
Editor Zain Moledina Zain Moledina

In-coming Convenor Shamim thanked all those present. This is the first time that the committee has had more ladies than men. She believes that with 2 “brand-new” members, the committee will be able to come up with new ideas to spur the section forward.

3. SRC 7th Annual Open Teams Tournament – 19th August
Once again the tournament was a bedrock of excitement enhanced by the round by round “Live” display of the results on the overhead screen. By dinnertime and halfway through the round robin tournament of 35 boards, the teams were segregated into different bands. Defending Champions SRC Rouge et Noir held a narrow lead over SRC Amigos Para Siempra. Further behind and jostling for 3rd was SRC Pawn and D’Rakes,
It was neck to neck right down to the wire with everything at stake in the final round where coincidentally, each team was playing against their nemesis. Shrugging off the challenge, both Rouge et Noir and Pawn convincingly won their last round and cemented their position with SRC Blues sneaking in ahead of D’Rakes to make it a clean sweep for SRC. Social Chairman, Mr, Richard Yong proudly presented the prizes.
1st SRC Rouge et Noir – Zain Moledina (Capt), Shamim Moledina, Dr. Trevor Li,
Caio Feilhaber
2nd SRC Amigos Para Siempra -- N. W. Leong (Capt), Pat Leong, Dr. Siak, Tanny Siak
3rd SRC Pawn – Prof. Yu Chun Yee (Capt), Greg Basmadjian, Zhang Ping,
Shawn Tham
4th SRC Blues – Carlton Parker (Capt), Chris Wong, Dorothy Wong, Nancy Oh
Crossword Puzzle (see below) Ron Savage. Consolation Koh Sei Hian, Rahim Rahmat
Co-Directors : Carlton Parker & Zain Moledina

4. SRC Inaugural In-House Handicap Pairs – 18th Sept
In an innovative move to ensure that every section member has a chance to win, a “handicap” pairs event was held. A percentage was allocated to each SRC player based on past results – from 0% to 8% -- which was then added to the scratch percentage attained.
The 7 pairs played only 18 boards (nett) and there were several first–time partnerships to spice up the misunderstandings! The element of luck therefore played bigger role.
In a rare streak of coincidence, the scratch results showed that 2 pairs were tied for first and 3 pairs tied for third!! However, once the handicap was added, the results were as follows:-

1st Zain Moledina (0) & Florence Tan (5) 59.7 + 5 = 64.7%
2nd N. W Leong (2) & Pat Leong (2) 59.7 + 4 = 63.7%
3rd Richard Lim (2.7) & B K Tham (3) 47.2 + 5.7 = 52.9%
4th Dorothy Wong (1.5) & Greg B (1) 47.2 + 2.5 = 49.7%
5th Yu Chun Yee (0) & Shamim Moledina (0.5) 47.2 + 0.5 = 47.7%
Special thanks to Carl for calculating the handicap and the computer scoring

5. Advanced Training – Oct 7th Onwards
The Bridge Committee is extremely pleased and proud to announce that we have engaged Mr. L L Wong to help in the training of our experienced Section Members. We have initially engaged him for a series of 5 lessons every Sunday at 2pm on October 7th, 14th, 21st + 2 more dates to be announced.

L L (as he is called) is widely recognised as among the very best players in Singapore with countless victories to his credit. Among his regional successes include winning the Indonesia Open Teams in 1990. He was also three-time Open Pairs champion at the Malaysia Open. He also was runners-up in the Pesta Sukan Super Pairs to the famous Hackett brothers from England by a mere half a match point.
His non-playing profile includes being Chairman of Chess and Bridge society in Nanyang University, coach for Singapore Ladies team for Venice Cup in Estorial (Portugal 05), coach for victorious Singapore Youth Team in the PABF (06) which later won the bronze medal in the World Championships (07).
Glad to have you on board, L L!

6. Tanglin Club Double Teams Invitational – 18th August
As defending champions, we were once again invited to the 2nd Annual Double Teams event. This time, however, we were pipped into second place by the home team. Japan Club was third. Congratulations to our team of Carlton Parker (Capt), Chris Wong, B. K. Tham, Richard Lim, Prof. Yu Chun Yee, Zhang Ping, Dr. Trevor Li & Zain Moledina.

7. Serangoon Gardens President Cup – 9th Sept
Have you ever played bridge when the cards were NOT shuffled and dealt out 3 and 4 at a time? Well, it is called “goulash” and it is sometimes done in friendlies to “spice” up the game and arguments! The unsuspecting 25 pairs who took part were definitely in for a surprise! Perhaps shock is a better word!
Our bouquets and brickbats (depending on how well you did!) go to Serangoon Gardens Country Club for this daring experiment in their annual open pairs event. Almost every hand had 7, 8 or even 9-card suits and voids were as common as the puzzled look on the bridge players faces. Distribution probability theory had taken a day off.
It was clearly the day for conservative bidders as many contracts succumbed to 5-0 trump splits and first round ruffs. As the dust finally settled on this most interesting 26 boards, our newly installed convener, Shamim and her partner Murli were runners-up just behind the Chias. Congratulations!
1st CL Chia & BY Chia (CSC) 67.99%
2nd Shamim Moledina (SRC) & Murli Vassanmal (SRC) 67.04%
3rd LL Wong & CC Ting (SCBA) 64.20%
4th Prof. Yu Chun Yee (SRC) & Zhang Ping 63.25%
They were followed by Eric & Alice Luk (CSC), Chua Gang & C C Seet (SCBA), Lilio & Thong (SCBA), Mohammed & Trevor, Pat & Leong (SRC) and Caio & Zain (SRC).

8. CSC In-House Handicap Pairs – 12th August
We are pleased to report that our SRC members who are also members of Chinese Swimming Club did very well in their In-house Handicap Pairs Event. Murli was runners-Up and Pat & Leong took 3rd. Congratulations!
1. Sng TC & Foo DW 61.25%
2. Alice Luk & Murli Vassanmal 56.67%
3. Pat Leong & Leong NW 55.00%

9. Bridge Rules of Thumb
We end our series on bridge tips with these …
1. When the dummy has a 5-card suit or more, consider setting it up for discards.
2. Consider delaying drawing trumps when dummy has some trumping power.
3. Lose the "inevitable" losers to set up your tricks before the "maybes."
4. Picture the traveling score slip and don't settle for a bid or play that will give you a below-average score.
5. When in doubt, bid.

10. Genting Bridge Escapade #9 – August 12th to 16th
Yes, it was another quick getaway to Genting with a full coach of 26. Three friendly games were arranged in-between the many activities available. Special thanks to Pat and Veronica for being floating partners.
Day 1 : 1st Leong & Zain 2nd Yu & Ping 3rd Rana & Shamim 4th Nagiah & Sara
Day 2 : 1st Yu & Ping 2nd Pat & Shamim 3rd Ron S & Dorothy 4th Helen Cheng & Ron Oh
Day 3 : 1st Yu & Ping 2nd Leong & Shamim 3rd Adelene & Helen Tham 4th Ron Oh & RonS
Special mention goes to Pat & 82-years-young Mr. Yeo for coming in 6th on the final day!
Anagram Puzzle Prize : Nancy Oh Consolation : Pat Leong

11. SRC Tuesday Bridge Results from Aug 7th to Sep 11th
DATE FIRST SECOND THIRD .
7th Aug Evelyn/Yung Yu/Ping Zain/Caio             
21st Aug Molly/Jenny James/Jin_Meng Nancy/RonOh
28th Aug Dulari/Anu B_K/Richard Carl/Chris        
4th Sep Carl/Chris Zain/Shawn Shamim/Dulari      
11th Sep Evelyn/Nancy EngChoo/RonOh Carl/Chris        


Points to Ponder – Points to Ponder – Points to Ponder
12. I Think that I Think
The greatest obstacle to become a good bridge player is not ignorance -- it is the illusion of knowledge.

13. Between the Lines
A good bridge player hears one bid and understands two.

BROKEN BRIDG –JQK (jokes, quotes & krap)

14. Three Reason Why Men Prefer Bridge
No one will ever tell you that you will go blind if you play bridge by yourself.
It is perfectly acceptable to play bridge with a total stranger.
Your partner won’t mind if you have a beer during Bridge.

15. Three Reasons Why Women Prefer Bridge
When playing bridge, everybody finishes at the same time.
When you see a really good bridge player, you don't have to feel guilty about imagining the two of you together.
The phrase "could be short" carries no negative connotations.
16. Daffy-Nit-Shuns - Bridge
Bridge is a weapon of mass distraction. (For more puns, visit http://feghoots.blogspot,com )

17. Struggling in the Mud
Bridge Players don’t get much respect. We are ranked right there at the bottom with the Lawyers, Politicians and Financial Consultants.

18. Getting Physical
I have read several Bridge Books but I find them impossible to understand. The only thing useful I did with them was when I utilized a simple squeeze to endplay an irritating fly.
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© Developed for SRC Bridge Section by Zain Moledina. All rights reserved.
Across
1 Convention used when opponents interfere with partner’s 1NT opening.
5 It is a legal bid as long as your partner is equally confused.
6 A throw-in is a form of ____-play.
8 The governing bridge body in Singapore is the S____.
9 A player _____ when he has a suit but fails to follow.
11 SRC’s 2005 Inter-Club Team name.
13 The 11-across team came in _____.
15 A bid which shows first round control in a suit.
16 It is better to register early for an event than to _____-___ on the day itself.
17 A _____ ____ bid asks partner for help in a particular denomination.
Down
1 When the auction is over, the ____ ___ ____ becomes the trumps.
2 If a revoke is not established, the revoker has to take the card ____.
3 The director has the right to penalize a player who makes too much _____.
4 A popular lead against NT contracts is from the ______ ____.
7 Common opening leads from 3-card suits without honours are MUD and ____.
10 Blackwood is used to ___ for aces.
12 An “Average Minus” score is usually _____ to 40% of the maximum points available for the hand.
14 Bridge master or teacher, maybe.

20. Daffy-nit-shuns - Bridge
Bridge : Extremely addictive and only curable by death

21. How’s That Again?
I always advise my Bridge partner not to give advice.

22. Confusion Says …
Man must try everything once …. except bridge and suicide.

23. Delivering the Male
Playing Bridge is an old English tradition, like unwed mothers.

24. Daffy-nit-shuns – Singaporean
A Singaporean is someone who thinks Bridge is something you cross over.

25. Queen of Diamonds Off-side
My biggest mistake at the Bridge Tournament was to let my wife go shopping by herself.

26. Final Resting Place
Bridge is the last resort for those who don't know how to idle.

27. Inspiration from Above
There will be times when playing a bridge hand, you will be stuck. Should I finesse? Should I play for a drop?  Maybe I should eliminate a suit first? But perhaps I should draw trumps first? Just in case, should I duck one round to rectify the count?

In such tough situations, go down on your knees, put your hands together, close your eyes, bow your head and ask yourself "What would Curly do?"
(for the benefit of the younger generation, Curly was a member of the slapstick trio, The 3 Stooges)

28. Pass One Club
I don't want to belong to any (bridge) club that will accept me as a member.
- Groucho Marx or Woody Allen

29. Crossword Answers
Across : 1. Lebensohl 5. Psychic 6. End 8. CBA 9. Revokes 11. Odyssey
13. 4 th 15. Cue 16. QueueUp 17. Trial Suit
Down : 1. Last Bid Suit 2. Back 3. Noise 4, Longest Suit 7. TON 10. Ask
12. Equal 14. Guru

Zain Moledina – Editor October 1st 2007
Email : zaris@pacific.net.sg
Archives: http://bridge-newsletter.blogspot.com/