THE GRANDSLAM #53 Feb/Mar 09

THE GRANDSLAM
SRC BRIDGE SECTION NEWSLETTER
Feb/Mar 09 ISSUE #53


1. Message from the Convenor – Zain Moledina
The SRC Bridge Section is among the most active in Singapore. In a typical year, we organise 2 major and about 10 “special” tournaments plus an overseas bridge escapade. In addition, we teach 2 beginner courses, participate and sponsor over 20 external events including the 2 leagues, publish 6 bi-monthly newsletters, hold weekly bridge sessions, maintain an on-line archive and even get involved in community service activities. There is also a range of “ad-hoc” stuff like organising special classes, upgrading the skills of our members, operating a library, doing members’ survey with follow up actions and much more. So why are we so active? The answer is no secret. Basically, it is funding and people.

We have had a long and close relationship with the SRC Management Committee who understands and endorses the benefits of providing a mental sport and recreation alternative to club members. As a result, in addition to our section’s fund-raising activities, we get the bulk of our monetary support from SRC. Our successes in tournaments reinforce the long tradition of sporting excellence at SRC which in turn, justifies the funds and support we get.

The second factor – people – seems obvious enough and I don’t really need to emphasize on our dedicated hard-working committee and members. However, I do want to mention a key point – we frequently change our Convenors. This is quite rare among clubs in Singapore. By changing convenors, we automatically ensure that the section remains transparent and fresh ideas come into play. In our 9 years of existence, we have had 5 different Convenors. Instead of giving reasons as to why they should remain Convenors, they have actively identified, trained and encouraged their own replacement. How refreshing! (no pun intended)

2. SRC’s First ACBL Accredited Bridge Teacher – Carlton Parker
Congratulations to Carlton Parker for passing the ACBL Teacher Accreditation Program during his trip to the US earlier this year! (He is also an accredited tournament director)
His 10-hour course focused on successful teaching techniques using the ACBL Bridge Series materials to demonstrate them. The course included hands-on experience and also addressed the business side of teaching bridge. The material was from Eddie Kantar, Pat Harrington, Audrey Grant, Barbara Seagram and Roberta Salob. In addition, a short segment had been provided to show teachers how to make a lesson plan using material that did not come with a teacher’s manual. Participant also had to pass a written examination at the end of the course.

3. Beginner Course – Saturdays 3-6pm 28th Mar to 16th May
Our very own ACBL Accredited Teacher, Carlton Parker (see above), has kindly consented to teach our upcoming Beginner Course. Spanning 8 weeks, it will incorporate the latest 2008 teaching techniques and methodology.
This top quality course defies common sense with its low price tag. Bridge Section Members can get a refresher by repeating the course for just $20+ which is less than $1 per hour of instruction! For SRC Members, the price is $45+ and comes with a year’s membership to the Bridge Section. The rate for Guests is $80+ which is the best value in town.
Contact Siti at siti.pr@src.org.sg or Shamim zaris@singnet.com.sg for info and registration.
4. Rules Governing Guests Playing Bridge at SRC
We sincerely welcome non-SRC members to participate at our weekly Tuesday games and other matches. This exposure is beneficial to our members as it allows us to be tested against stronger and more varied opponents. This also expands our social interaction within the bridge fraternity. Nevertheless, guests should realise that they are here to play bridge and perhaps to supplement that with F & B. They are, however, not allowed to make use of other club facilities or loiter around without the presence of SRC members. In addition, they are to behave in a polite and friendly manner. The bridge committee will not hesitate to take action against violators.

5. Team (Imps) vs Pair (Matchpoint) Play Strategy … by Prof Yu Chun Yee
At a recent pairs tournament, both matchpoint and Imps scoring methodology were used simultaneously. This created some interesting and diverging results which illustrated a significant difference in the 2 scoring systems and hence the strategy and mentality of the players.
In Teams, declarer's priority is to ensure the safety of the contract, particularly in Game and Slam. Conversely, the defenders, by hook or by crook, have to defeat the contract regardless of the overtricks they may end up giving away to the declarer.
In Pairs, a declarer has to be mindful of the “par” contract which will then govern his game plan. His focus is to score more points than average by going with those odds which will gain an extra trick even though it might risk the contract. A defender must avoid giving away a cheap trick. A good chance to kill an overtrick is preferable to a limited chance of beating the contract.
The subject of bidding, of course, is another story altogether.

6. Know the Law – Card Played
When is a (legal) card considered played? The declarer must play his card if it is face up and close to the table. If he specifies or touches a card in dummy (not rearranging or accidental), it is considered played. For a defender, it is even stricter. If it is possible for his partner to see the card, it must be played it even if his partner may not have seen it! Bottom line – think before you play.

7. SRC Hari Raya Haji Holiday Special – 8th December
We did not sacrifice any goats but still got a full house of 14 pairs and good results. As it was an afternoon game, there was ample time for a leisurely 27 boards followed by a simple dinner.
1st Dr Trevor Li & Zain Moledina (SRC) 63.3% 2nd David Ong & Capt. Ho 59.3%
3rd Caio Feilhaber & Murli Vassanmal (SRC) 58.6%

8. SICC Xmas Pairs – 21st December
Caroling and Christmas food accompanied this annual event at the Singapore Island Country Club. It was a great result by the sole SRC pair in a field of 19. Shamim Moledina (SRC) repeated her 2nd position from last year, this time with regular partner Murli Vassanmal (SRC). The event was won by Anu Sehgal & Shyamala Kanagasundram with 57.3% narrowly edging their 56.5%.

9. CSC Year End “Pot Luck” Special – 28th December
Do you know that there is a Howell Movement for 13 tables? Yes it is true. 25 pairs had to get up after every 2 boards and look for their next table! Not a pleasant sight but at least everyone got some exercise after sampling huge variety of great food and desserts they had earlier contributed and consumed. Congrats to Pat and Leong for their solid performance.
1st Koon Wah & Lay Choo 2nd Purnawan & Tan Jin Meng
3rd Pat Leong & NW Leong (SRC) 4th Henry Eng & Zain Moledina (SRC)
10. SRC Christmas Holiday Game – 25th Decenber
There was no turkey as we decided to spare their lives after their successful escape from the Thanksgiving table a few weeks earlier. Also no ham -- who needs more lard, right? And no caroling either -- we sing terribly anyway, But then again, with our modest dinner, we had the really important things – good friends, good cheer and 27 hands of good bridge. Even without serving dessert, we still managed to get some icing by being represented in all 3 positions.
1st Zain Moledina (SRC)/Henry Eng 69.3% 2nd Prof Yu Chun Yee (SRC)/Zhang Ping 62.0% 3rd Dorothy Wong (SRC) & Ron Savage tied with Molly Wee & Tan Soh Hong 53.7%

11. SRC New Year Special – 1st January
26 blurry-eyed bridge players somehow managed to shake off the hangover of the night before and participate in the SRC's New Year Bridge Special. With the help of a lot of black coffee, they started the New Year the way they loved best -- playing bridge.
Concentrating on the cards was difficult enough and the non-stop string of 26 games did not make matters any easier! Fortunately everyone was in high spirits (no! not the liquor, the mood!). The tournament went off smoothly in a jovial mood with lots of laughter in between.
While waiting for the scores to be tabulated, everyone enjoyed the excellent fried fish and chicken curry except, of course, the fish and the chicken themselves.
SRC represented pairs put in a solid performance taking 3 of the top 5 places.
1st Dr Trevor Li & Zain Moledina (SRC) 61.7% 2nd Seah Beng Tee & Teodor Izmirev58.3%
3rd Firoz Khimji/David Ong 55.8% 4th Murli Vassanmal/Shamim Moledina (SRC) 55.0%
5th Leong N W & Pat Leong (SRC) 53.8%

12. SRC Lunar New Year Special – January 27th
18 Bridge players took a break from their busy schedule to join in the merriment of SRC’s Lunar New Year Special with their bridge friends. Special mention must go to Chris Wong who wore a dragon-embroidered traditional silk shirt that totally out-classed all others at the function. His blush was actually redder than his shirt as he became the center of attraction for all the ladies!
Although the Bridge Pairs were initially badly outnumbered by the Mandarin Oranges Pairs, by the time dinner ended, the situation was reversed. Then they were off once again to continue their celebrations with relatives and friends.
1st Trevor Li & Zain Moledina (SRC) 64.6% 2nd Seah Beng Tee & Teodor Izmirev 61.1% 3rd Alex Wong & C C Lim 57.9% 4th Shamim Moledina & Murli Vassanmal (SRC) 57.1%

13. SRC “Bye Bye Bibik” Individual Special – January 31st
It was a sad day for the bridge fraternity as we bade farewell to the best bridge room we ever had at SRC. Situated on the highest level, it had a fantastic view of the Esplanade, the Colonial Buildings, the Sea and the Singapore City Skyline. Wow! On the practical side, the huge space easily catered for our increased bridge attendance. With the karaoke rooms well beyond earshot, the quietude allowed deep concentration that is so crucial in competitive bridge. As the Bibik and the rest of the 3rd floor give way to the new residential rooms by February, we will once again return to the Tessensohn Room on the 2nd floor.
Section members played an individual game o 22 boards followed by a Lo Hei Dinner.
1.Ron Savage 70.5% 2.Adelene de Roza 63.6% 3.Zain Moledina 58.0% Top Novice:Hilda Tan

14. Puzzle : The James Bond Hand (medium difficulty)
What is the highest HCP hand you can hold and still not defeat a Grandslam? (answer at bottom)

15. Upcoming Events – National League & Premier League
We will be defending our title this year in the Premier League. Team members are Prof Yu (Capt), Shamim (V, Capt), Murli, Carlton, Chris, BK, Richard and Zain.
In the National League (previously called Inter-club), the SRC Dreamers will be playing in the 2nd Division since we won the 3rd Division last year. Team members are Zain (Capt), Prof Yu (V Capt), Prof Chen, Dr Trevor Li, Shamim, Murli, Ping and Shawn.

16. Three Things You Don’t Know About Cards.
1. Cards are not made with a single sheet but with 2 pieces glued together with black opaque glue. This is to ensure that nobody can see through the backs of the cards.
2. If you look at the edge through a microscope, you will see that the 2 sheets have been pressed into a V-shaped knife edge. This is to facilitate shuffling and reduce fraying.
3. The background colour is not pure white but has a faint blue-green tint. This is to reduce glare and therefore, eyestrain.
The next time you are the dummy, take a good look and admire the technology that have gone into the design of these humble-looking pieces of paper.

17. Who's Who In Bridge - Politicians
Most people are aware that former Chinese Premier Deng Xiao Ping and American President Dwight Eisenhower both played a strong game of bridge. The profile of important people in their cabinet shows a clear bias towards fellow bridge players! For those who play Bridge, this is not all that surprising as everybody know that the player's personality shows through during the game. For example, can he keep cool under pressure and make a tough contract? Is he a team player or does he quickly bid No Trumps to become the declarer as often as possible? Is he abusive or patronizing towards his partner and opponents?
There are regular tournaments that pit the US Congress against the corporate world. And the annual House of Commons versus the House of Lords in Britain. This is just the tip of the iceberg and the list goes on and on in many other countries. Yup, in fact so many politicians play bridge that it gives bridge a bad name...

18. SRC Tuesday Bridge Results from Dec 2nd to Jan 20th
DATE PAIRS FIRST SECOND THIRD .
Dec 2 9 Nancy/RonOh Dot/RonS BK/Richard
Dec 9 16* Zain/Caio Beng Tee/Teodor Evelyn/Jane
Dec 16 13 Dot/RonS BK/Richard Zain/Caio
Dec 23 14 Dot/RonS Shamim/Beng Tee Pat/Leong
Dec 30 14 Yu/Ping Shamim/Chen Dot/Ron
Jan 6 12 Thomas/Zain RonOh/Nancy Ping/Yu
Jan 13 12 Zain/Shawn Shamim/Chen Nancy/Ron Oh
Jan 20 14 Rana/Ai Leng Trevor/Zain Nancy/Ron Oh
*A record of 16 pairs! Thanks for the wonderful support! Also the first time an arrowswitch skip Mitchell Movement was used at our regular session.


BROKEN BRIDG –JQK (jokes, quotes & krap)
19. Ahhhhh……
The only reason I prefer Bridge to the movies is that the toilets are usually much closer.
20. A Hell of a Time
A Singaporean bridge player dies and goes to hell. While down there the Devil notices that he is not suffering like the rest. He checks the gauges and sees that it's 40 degrees Celsius and about 80% humidity. So the Devil goes over and asks why he's so happy. He says, "I like it here, the temperature is just like Singapore."The Devil isn't happy with the answer. He goes over and turns up the temperature to 45 degrees and the humidity to 90 percent.But the Devil again finds him standing around just as happy as can be. The Devil again quizzes him again. "This is even better; it's like a day at the beach in Singapore."The Devil, now upset, decides to really make the Singaporean suffer, so he turns the heat up to 55 degrees and the humidity to 100 percent.Once again, he goes looking for the guy, and finds him even happier than before! He turns to the Devil and says, "This is great, I am getting a free sauna."The Devil goes back to the thermostat and says, "I have been using the wrong strategy. I'll get this guy this time" He turns the temperature down to minus 10 degrees and sets the weather control to SNOW. "Let’s see what he has to say about THIS."A little while later, the Devil finds the guy -- only NOW he's jumping up and down for joy and yelling, "Hell has frozen over! Singapore has won the Bermuda Bowl"
21. Heading UpSam: Notice any improvement since last year?Partner: You combed your hair, didn't you?

22. Goldwater Rule
A suggestion from Tournament Director Harry Goldwater that barring obvious consequences, a lead out of turn should generally be accepted. The rationale being that if a player does not know whose lead it is probably does not know the right lead either!

23. Mind over Madder
Bridge is the last refuge of brain damaged intellectuals.

24. How’s That Again?
I tried to learn Bridge but it was too difficult, so I grew underarm hair instead.

25. 7-Up
I am taking a beginner Bridge class. Today’s lesson was on bidding. I have no idea what the instructor was saying but he praised me for being able to count to seven.

26. No Kidding
A bridge player who talks about how he played his hands is worse than a mother who talks about her kids.

27. Modern Times
I gave my young nephew a pack of cards; He spent 5 minutes looking for the battery slot.

28. Alternate Strategy
I have bought a couple of Bridge Books but I find them impossible to understand. The only useful thing I did with them is when I killed an irritating fly.

29. Long and Winding Bridge
A champion Bridge player is an amateur who did not quit.

30. How’s That Again?
If you cannot annoy somebody, there is little point in playing Bridge.

31. Wake-up Call
What is hard and pink in the morning?
The Financial Times Bridge column.

32. Insufficient Bid
The biggest problem with buying a pack of bridge cards is that brains are not included.

33.Two Singletons
You should try everything once, except bridge and suicide.

34. How’s That Again?
There is only one thing worse than playing bridge -- and that is not playing bridge.

35. No I to Eye
Bridge has proved that you can sit for hours in front of somebody without once making eye contact.

36. Second OpinionSam: My doctor says I can't play BridgePartner: Oh, he has partnered you too, huh?

37. Puzzle : The James Bond Hand - Answers
What would you do if your vulnerable opponents bid 7C and you (as West) are holding a never-in-a-lifetime 33-pointer -- S:AKQJ H:AKQJ D:AKQ C:KJ? Surely you will put on your widest Cheshire Cat smile and Double. After Declarer Redoubles, you will slowly see your hand and your smile totally evaporate.
This is because you are holding a (slightly modified) rigged hand originally used to trick the Duke of Cumberland and later to fleece Drax, a James Bond's villain, out of 15,000 pounds in Ian Fleming's novel “Moonraker”.
Dummy North held S:Void H:Void D:98765432 C:AQ1098 and Declarer S: 10987 H:6543 D: Void C: 765432. A trump finesse with 3 diamond ruffs sets up the diamonds for 13 tricks... ouch!
The bidding? In the book, JB just opens 007C which clearly smells of fraud. In the modern context, perhaps W opens a strong 2C, N overcalls with an unusual NT and finally a 7C “sacrifice”. Of course, Unusual NT was not invented yet in 1955 when the novel was written.

38. JQK till you Drop
For the LARGEST COLLECTION of Bridge Jokes, Quotes and Krap in the WHOLE WORLD (no joke!), visit http://bridgejokes.blogspot.com/. These are extracted from past issues of THE GRANDSLAM. If you also want to read the articles and puzzles as well, visit THE GRANDSLAM archives at http://bridge-newsletter.blogspot.com/
Zain Moledina, SRC Bridge Section Convenor
February 1, 2009, zaris@singnet.com.sg