tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50915772739286955662024-02-18T11:55:18.858-08:00Danny BridgeI'm an improving bridge player living in Glasgow. I mostly play at The Buchanan Club with my wife Anna. See my resources here: dh2119.com/bridge.htmlDannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.comBlogger393125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091577273928695566.post-12580126432400716652024-02-18T10:12:00.000-08:002024-02-18T11:54:47.882-08:00Peggy Bayer Match 10 - Northern Ireland<p>Our final match is against Northern Ireland, who we beat comfortably last time. While they get going, my reflections on the whole weekend:</p><p>- Great meeting in person, rather than online. Everyone agrees about this<br />- It would be nice if the same set of boards were used in the two tournaments, so that we could all chat together about the deals<br />- The bridge has been of quite a variable standard. I think in this situation the focus should be on encouraging the newer players, which it has been<br />- Hotel has been good, apart from the disappointing lunches (for those having the soup)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1wT6FrpNFli8FJNPUYv9s4XlBZNC7bEKcfcZTpQPxxmmq9i0a_KrmEIG8JfTAyRdzKKZqxn80IQtbq4dHBfMlmO83nDw6HDjBLo4tvVCJVauC-v8zEDtDPo11iLxyyEqSuLHOSEJ4ix_dJjy0oMjbZ66RS_vUWABBtmY7uF6ALG-xzbKRJ5Ny-crTBqe/s490/b4.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="489" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1wT6FrpNFli8FJNPUYv9s4XlBZNC7bEKcfcZTpQPxxmmq9i0a_KrmEIG8JfTAyRdzKKZqxn80IQtbq4dHBfMlmO83nDw6HDjBLo4tvVCJVauC-v8zEDtDPo11iLxyyEqSuLHOSEJ4ix_dJjy0oMjbZ66RS_vUWABBtmY7uF6ALG-xzbKRJ5Ny-crTBqe/s320/b4.PNG" width="319" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>On this deal Al sitting South played in 4H. We've been working on dealing with losers in your hand (either by ruffing in dummy or throwing on dummy's winners), but here there's no need to do anything. Just draw trumps - 7 Hearts and 4 Spades means 4H+1, a game swing against 2H+3 at the other table (maybe a weak two passed out). <p>Later I sat in to watch our East-West pair bid to a very bad 3NT. <i>"I probably should have passed." </i>said West. <i>"Niamh, I hate you." </i>said East. The contract made, but I hope they don't do it again. I'm not going to print the board in case it encourages them.</p><p>We won the match comfortably - well done the youngsters!</p><p>Final positions in Peggy Bayer (U21)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilzKHNXRC6H9T_SUBCXxn6ZaLHiNh6T3JaHxj6eAOLK90An4eHgaPgumg-Lh6vVzP66eLpX1eAM_EgbJP_q9tFbWWUrvL4TujZHzpoe6LdSnVFn-uXSucaCmaAVdDudrj3-ig1p3ervgeWK6tjAHyIAJcpbhhrwbcWnv9DB8yX3ezErOwenWvdQnCBHNEB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="429" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilzKHNXRC6H9T_SUBCXxn6ZaLHiNh6T3JaHxj6eAOLK90An4eHgaPgumg-Lh6vVzP66eLpX1eAM_EgbJP_q9tFbWWUrvL4TujZHzpoe6LdSnVFn-uXSucaCmaAVdDudrj3-ig1p3ervgeWK6tjAHyIAJcpbhhrwbcWnv9DB8yX3ezErOwenWvdQnCBHNEB" width="221" /></a></div><p></p><p>And in the Junior Camrose (U26)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCWx2TqYIwZd_e6xI7Z56uzP0xh-fBNPo9uYxU3jUKMYwWVL44ZgAeKffwBiyD1v2eg61Jg0P3ErBdFUY5Pdmtmve-M_sL_GczHTpR_dBpEyuIkSoOS3qhIlzZ5gTj2GXpcMBsIgWXttmgXQn3QNTO0I7a55Nte3jqTG7q4BnGkwPH0aq9tRd5rIJitiy9" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="435" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCWx2TqYIwZd_e6xI7Z56uzP0xh-fBNPo9uYxU3jUKMYwWVL44ZgAeKffwBiyD1v2eg61Jg0P3ErBdFUY5Pdmtmve-M_sL_GczHTpR_dBpEyuIkSoOS3qhIlzZ5gTj2GXpcMBsIgWXttmgXQn3QNTO0I7a55Nte3jqTG7q4BnGkwPH0aq9tRd5rIJitiy9" width="218" /></a></div><p></p>All that remains is the final dinner and closing ceremony. Each federation has been asked to give a short speech. The other two Scotland coaches approached me and said they thought I should do it. Thanks guys. Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091577273928695566.post-8968109744271424932024-02-18T09:30:00.000-08:002024-02-18T09:30:07.300-08:00Peggy Bayer Match 9 - IrelandI've not been following this match at all, as faced with another light lunch of soup (the exact same soup as yesterday) I booked myself into the Sunday Carvery. <div><br /></div><div>It was magnificent. The beef was a little dry but more than made up for by the turkey. Then I went back to get some of the more pork, and Bobby the chef came back out to carve it for me. Desert was a Bailey's cheesecake and ice cream. I couldn't finish it all.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuSrNmTG_V_B5o390CruQlsmbtZSPJqJ1Tth9trSoZLzraTiRND9AWLiBo-zswzz0Wi8O9Kh-Bqvo9nTdEjjd-_R_b4IlmYJglT5NRG9BSBh_7-vCHbQji1o6q6_sWMHdUrm9vL-cUhgOIB3ArG2_xpFQNUT40RaDKB_6MRuShIzaKPEkQqj22cdhneMn/s4032/20240218_160735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuSrNmTG_V_B5o390CruQlsmbtZSPJqJ1Tth9trSoZLzraTiRND9AWLiBo-zswzz0Wi8O9Kh-Bqvo9nTdEjjd-_R_b4IlmYJglT5NRG9BSBh_7-vCHbQji1o6q6_sWMHdUrm9vL-cUhgOIB3ArG2_xpFQNUT40RaDKB_6MRuShIzaKPEkQqj22cdhneMn/s320/20240218_160735.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Looking over the scores now, this board was a good one.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbINsyMMNCV8nP8E-U6FRLrSSuPIoMDW45CF7OtRpy2OI7ORSxciAhggg_HsjSMv0n23n5Pjhfu7avBWjZIwfvS_YCbcYCSifs0_6G_MvKpHWqNSCRkox3gBH0XWdd6TL0EsoHHuW9wJuNorqSvS1eBMdAAowyArdLw6UtISm4oWK1GYor1qk02DLHy22S/s483/b10.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbINsyMMNCV8nP8E-U6FRLrSSuPIoMDW45CF7OtRpy2OI7ORSxciAhggg_HsjSMv0n23n5Pjhfu7avBWjZIwfvS_YCbcYCSifs0_6G_MvKpHWqNSCRkox3gBH0XWdd6TL0EsoHHuW9wJuNorqSvS1eBMdAAowyArdLw6UtISm4oWK1GYor1qk02DLHy22S/s320/b10.PNG" width="292" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Kevin played 4H as North. One way the defence can beat it is with a Club ruff, another is by setting up a Spade trick. If they do both they get it two off.<div><br />But presumably they did neither, and Kevin managed to set up his Diamonds as he made 4H.</div><div><br />On the other table Rachel and Isla bid to 4S East-West. This is an excellent contract, and only needs Diamonds to break kindly. In fact, one of the prepared deals in my classroom in Glasgow is almost exactly like this - although in that one Diamonds are 3-2 and you can make the contract. Here we went one off, but still a good board.</div><div><br /></div><div>Overall we lost 15-5, a similar score to against Ireland last time, and cementing us in 3rd place out of six overall. </div><div> </div><div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091577273928695566.post-26751725025663610232024-02-18T04:51:00.000-08:002024-02-18T09:07:25.960-08:00Peggy Bayer Match 8 - Wales<p>This time we're playing without Kevin - who's going to bid all the games and make them?</p><p>Not this guy.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfDIs3aeHYSeTEiHRJmlnUyjj3McKNWSJv4Tcw6mNSGM69U5_rG_MpLI7t3COnhyKIMKjqNTwUFU6TodlDldTHcX7RbBTCDdoPzqTzUwZcsYJAd933bT13tUjT9nhWVtfcnACggLWJlzdt4DmzLwiRAHkB8wMBdkkmz6nj5G_c0ipmQvR8aLNXNcvYW8s/s4032/20240218_122822.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfDIs3aeHYSeTEiHRJmlnUyjj3McKNWSJv4Tcw6mNSGM69U5_rG_MpLI7t3COnhyKIMKjqNTwUFU6TodlDldTHcX7RbBTCDdoPzqTzUwZcsYJAd933bT13tUjT9nhWVtfcnACggLWJlzdt4DmzLwiRAHkB8wMBdkkmz6nj5G_c0ipmQvR8aLNXNcvYW8s/s320/20240218_122822.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Timon remains on the bench, and it's up to Alexander to take the captain's armband. I sat in to watch the first board. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylWYaRuI9XSrCIUNMbb-I6fKqSHFj6AqCa0ZVm6zAHbgXcSFSZvjfTz_mNlvCvg3SItrh2DD_AvCPot4DPYTv94zf7Pl0jxR3vHPerkrFAg2rqqPFRf6YOQQ2xrXPV7PTpVlCwvnwkW1ZQJ9qPKW_c1ykEYvbS0ru1MRNR3P1sC5xSX8lwUOZ3lWSXeaT/s491/b2.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="477" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylWYaRuI9XSrCIUNMbb-I6fKqSHFj6AqCa0ZVm6zAHbgXcSFSZvjfTz_mNlvCvg3SItrh2DD_AvCPot4DPYTv94zf7Pl0jxR3vHPerkrFAg2rqqPFRf6YOQQ2xrXPV7PTpVlCwvnwkW1ZQJ9qPKW_c1ykEYvbS0ru1MRNR3P1sC5xSX8lwUOZ3lWSXeaT/s320/b2.PNG" width="311" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p>The Welsh West opened 1C, and Isla sitting North made a weak jump overcall of 2S. Our system is that we play weak twos, weak jump overcalls, but strong jump shifts opposite partner's opening bid. It makes sense to me.</p><p></p></div>The Welsh East bid 3D, which ended the auction (I'd play that as forcing, but it was passed out). Our defenders cashed their two Hearts and two Spades and that was 3D=.<div><br />On the other table the Welsh South was in a surprising 2NT. West lead a low Club. I've been trying to teach that the defender after dummy should lead dummy's weaker suit (<i>"lead through strength and round to weakness"</i>) East has a choice therefore between a Diamond or Heart. Presumably East chose an unlucky Heart, as declarer made 2NT for 6 IMPs to Wales.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our North-South did well to get to 4S here.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihaWJvefGQJoc_rSJMKWf1Nc77LbTnNrbfn1lVCVMwu8qZqOUAvWlcP4c0VGWiJuc25sqwlmNSfXiuuE_Akuuo5-HOOv9zXRdqrLxh8fmG4jIfsvptrs2TPzT6istiXN6UynZs_Y561oeDnB1M47-7snUHoScNt9fU0DTvzEVaBGNoqwkjGb8cW8h5KdSr" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="532" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihaWJvefGQJoc_rSJMKWf1Nc77LbTnNrbfn1lVCVMwu8qZqOUAvWlcP4c0VGWiJuc25sqwlmNSfXiuuE_Akuuo5-HOOv9zXRdqrLxh8fmG4jIfsvptrs2TPzT6istiXN6UynZs_Y561oeDnB1M47-7snUHoScNt9fU0DTvzEVaBGNoqwkjGb8cW8h5KdSr" width="263" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You get a Club lead. The most you can possibly lose is one trick in each suit, so your plan should be to avoid that. First your draw trumps, (either with a finesse or playing the Ace, equal odds). Then the key to the hand is you play Diamonds, setting up a winner to throw away a losing Heart on. It's a textbook hand. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />Unfortunately Wales have read the textbook but we haven't, and lost 12 IMPs here. The match is delicately poised 26-19 in our favour.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />Update - we lost.</div><div><p></p></div>Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091577273928695566.post-54832470447710697122024-02-18T01:50:00.000-08:002024-02-18T04:41:08.793-08:00Peggy Bayer Match 7 - NIBU<p>If you stay in a hotel for long enough you gradually stop having a massive breakfast and revert to your usual bowl of cereal. Second day and I'm day down to one fry-up plus muesli. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xlMzqt4sNkYdmPKesyPqFPHkSR_YkrrgYMSJT8dFlLdhEVaYfVDOC5lqMSRteC8mf_oqw27KuxK8zWop5TU3NljW1uivJL0EWtZWXLjNOY_LH-Z7Wz9VjfTwdjvm-Txo2ODUG3xAlnoXFwpFktNNj6DGMuZdJG22IWBHQ_u9Q4HX130OG4thWsw7g2On/s4032/20240218_085535.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xlMzqt4sNkYdmPKesyPqFPHkSR_YkrrgYMSJT8dFlLdhEVaYfVDOC5lqMSRteC8mf_oqw27KuxK8zWop5TU3NljW1uivJL0EWtZWXLjNOY_LH-Z7Wz9VjfTwdjvm-Txo2ODUG3xAlnoXFwpFktNNj6DGMuZdJG22IWBHQ_u9Q4HX130OG4thWsw7g2On/w300-h400/20240218_085535.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Today we have Northern Ireland up first, followed by Wales. The three debutants will be playing in both those matches, and in fact Isla has been promoted to be North and look after the 'bridge computer'.<p></p><p>The hotel feels quiet this morning, though all of the team have made it up for breakfast. I'm not sure if it's an Irish thing, but even late last night there were small children running around the lobby and bar. I get nervous on the parents' behalf if I see a five-year-old up after 7 pm. They should be watching <i>Gladiators </i>and getting ready for bed. </p><p>We've taken an early lead against NIBU, with Kevin steering in a 3NT. On the next board, we attempted 4S:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iIUNDx7k09Vr10eYlphBaRvIMCApvXeP7ySy0iqfwKzFRoLyi54fqx34OBEN4S3Li92PbjjJ47g1eOb7GmFIiZOWD863xpq0A4zVIiHdGxmjUq7zBFzvKe3rSdV7PSZs__RiwER5ZqVvn5CaijTYHyEMMBr5kDoWjt0_BFdR35vudqK4IXzjIBSeHeZu/s492/b8.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="492" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iIUNDx7k09Vr10eYlphBaRvIMCApvXeP7ySy0iqfwKzFRoLyi54fqx34OBEN4S3Li92PbjjJ47g1eOb7GmFIiZOWD863xpq0A4zVIiHdGxmjUq7zBFzvKe3rSdV7PSZs__RiwER5ZqVvn5CaijTYHyEMMBr5kDoWjt0_BFdR35vudqK4IXzjIBSeHeZu/s320/b8.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>It looks like you lose one Heart, three Diamonds, and one Club, and that's exactly what happened. The defence has to play Clubs at some point though, else declarer can throw a Club on the lucky 13th Diamond. When West has KQJ76 of Clubs that should be easy, and indeed it was two down.<p></p><p>On the other table Isla and Rachel bid tried 3H. With four obvious losers it made exactly. The usual rule when your side is declarer on both tables is that you profit if you make at least one contract, and indeed that was the case here for a 1 IMP gain. </p><p>Turns out that South mistakenly made a weak jump overcall with the South hand - which lead North to bid 4S. The better bid by South is just a 1S overcall I think.</p><p>The team brought in a succession of 3NT. They won 20-0. Next up is Wales. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091577273928695566.post-3729959694499815762024-02-17T16:32:00.000-08:002024-02-17T16:54:20.018-08:00Peggy Bayer - Bonus Speedball<p>Tonight there was the opportunity to enter the Speedball, a fun tournament played super-fast. The England players had been instructed to form teams with someone from another nation. This was an excellent idea, and might go some way to improving the public relations of the most hated team (from being so successful). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">However, I will be playing with Kevin from our Scotland side. He has been forced to play a simple Acol system in all the matches so far, so I have agreed we will instead play something a bit more complicated, to further handicap us in the limited-time format. My contribution is to insist on playing four weak twos. It will be a triumph if a weak two Clubs bid comes up (and we both remember it). </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJULPzzJHQUbtpZQKMtGP2VQ1Nn86cajyD5z6P6Z7B3cRVdEI7ywX6J0lOlisyxfDlCRHLl_kfQtPou3A6mT1HjYC2Ay68llVRpv2a7SXFuophUfYB6cjlEUc_bCEqYn9k7LJy39mFob0g3YR9VVhRYYxUIgDfLBOqtKSp5c4dFCSqmTd2fJQ-4QLZQLS/s2619/20240217_223713.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1386" data-original-width="2619" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJULPzzJHQUbtpZQKMtGP2VQ1Nn86cajyD5z6P6Z7B3cRVdEI7ywX6J0lOlisyxfDlCRHLl_kfQtPou3A6mT1HjYC2Ay68llVRpv2a7SXFuophUfYB6cjlEUc_bCEqYn9k7LJy39mFob0g3YR9VVhRYYxUIgDfLBOqtKSp5c4dFCSqmTd2fJQ-4QLZQLS/w400-h211/20240217_223713.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I thought it would be a good thing as a coach to play some hands, so I am more sympathetic with the players when they make mistakes, and this did indeed turn out to be the case. The very first card I played was a lead out of turn. I then checked that they were playing Four Hearts. No, it was Four Spades. Making, wasn't it? No, one off. I was all over the place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the second board I sharpened up:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>
<table align="center">
<tbody><tr><td><table style="width: 400px;">
<tbody><tr><td valign="top"><br />
<font size="-1">EW Vul</font><br /> S deal
</td><td><table>
<tbody><tr><td>♠ -
</td></tr><tr><td>♥ x x x x x x
</td></tr><tr><td> ♦ x
</td></tr><tr><td>♣ Q x x x x x
</td></tr></tbody></table>
</td></tr><tr><td height="20">
</td></tr><tr><td></td><td><table class="hand">
<tbody><tr><td>♠ A K x
</td></tr><tr><td>♥ A Q J x x
</td></tr><tr><td>♦ K J x x x
</td></tr><tr><td>♣ -
</td></tr></tbody></table>
</td></tr></tbody></table>
</td><td src="http://bridge.eusa.ed.ac.uk/genImg/tiny.bmp" width="20">
</td><td><table cellpadding="2">
<tbody><tr><td></td><td align="center">Kevin</td><td align="center"></td><td align="center">Danny
</td></tr><tr><th align="center">W</th><th align="center">N</th><th align="center">E</th><th align="center">S
</th></tr><tr><td align="center"><br /></td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">1♥
<r></r></td><td align="center"><br /></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td></tr><tr><td align="center">x</td><td align="center">4♥</td><td align="center">- </td><td align="center">6♥
</td></tr></tbody></table>
</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>
I opened 1♥, and after the double when Kevin shot to 4♥, raised to 6♥. After the Club lead I played the Ace of trumps (King didn't fall), used the Ace of Spades to throw a Diamond from dummy and cross-ruffed the rest. It's a strange hand as we've only got 20 points, and in fact most of them aren't useful. The only useful points are those in Hearts and the Ace of Spades.
</p><p>
After that I had visions that we might actually do quite well, and in fact we bid three more slams. 6♣=, 6NT+1, and 7♣x-2 after a Blackwood misunderstanding. But we had so many bad ones too. I messed up the system once, and criminally forgot about our four weak twos when Kevin opened a weak 2♣ and I assumed he was strong</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWBybCcu5EbmkbA_hPPU1Tbgl-yXbmVbBU-L0lcDGXvM_bAKHbdW0Lm19ymWhkH6CDh2hEvK8atQBr8bY3G4bvUNoXj57F60YmyI6g7tulWLAG1A2uccjfYzf6fcm1mDCWjN670RnKV40C952fbDT9TGbjajwDuO-A6qAfAIqtIIf83DjZ1R1uDo60QSJ/s4032/20240217_225647.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWBybCcu5EbmkbA_hPPU1Tbgl-yXbmVbBU-L0lcDGXvM_bAKHbdW0Lm19ymWhkH6CDh2hEvK8atQBr8bY3G4bvUNoXj57F60YmyI6g7tulWLAG1A2uccjfYzf6fcm1mDCWjN670RnKV40C952fbDT9TGbjajwDuO-A6qAfAIqtIIf83DjZ1R1uDo60QSJ/w300-h400/20240217_225647.jpg" width="300" /></a></p><p>
We declared the majority of hands, usually doubled, and usually off. Three times we had an eleven card fit, but bid too high with almost identical distributions and our opponents chose correctly to defend. Two of those misadventures were against my bridge nemesis, the England captain Michael Byrne. The last time we played, at least ten years ago, he also took me three off doubled in 4♠. I wonder if he remembers. Although he's <i>my </i>only nemesis, <i>he </i>may have several nemeses, like a man who is the Best Man at many weddings, but an evil version of that.
</p><p>
In the end despite playing very quickly and bidding a lot we only managed 43.6%. Not very good, but good enough to award myself a consolation pint of Guinness, £6.80.
</p><p>
Later I found out that the English pairs, who had generously agreed to partner players from other countries, had placed large cash wagers on which paiir would finish higher in the final rankings, rather like lords saddling Scotsmen as horses and riding them around the paddock for amusement.
</p><p>
The winning pair were two of the senior coaches, Anne Hassan and Diane Greenwood, who seemed to be taking it far too seriously (an impressive 61%).</p><p>I may struggle to get up for breakfast tomorrow.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091577273928695566.post-2035086539429986542024-02-17T10:03:00.000-08:002024-02-18T00:47:45.356-08:00Peggy Bayer Match 6 - England<p>With one match left in the day the team looked quite tired. Final push against England, trying not to lose 20-0.</p><p>In the interest of letting me go back to my room and change my wet shoes here is the second hand of the match:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0NsU2P5hTZCzoE7L0Ao8rHnCwcn2e83Fx4e-LY4NI7wbu9TuCynXw7NiWu4XQ_xFWME-mUsjlUZYZLGqbSUlwM3asTgsajoqMBSoGyQii_38i7PwjjgA2CIifyeUWd8kF3H17ZRDLwXpVf_7WTy7ul8rQ5AFJLdGJQlEhePjEkBF6uXTVGbgKGFK_bsA/s510/b2.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="510" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0NsU2P5hTZCzoE7L0Ao8rHnCwcn2e83Fx4e-LY4NI7wbu9TuCynXw7NiWu4XQ_xFWME-mUsjlUZYZLGqbSUlwM3asTgsajoqMBSoGyQii_38i7PwjjgA2CIifyeUWd8kF3H17ZRDLwXpVf_7WTy7ul8rQ5AFJLdGJQlEhePjEkBF6uXTVGbgKGFK_bsA/s320/b2.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">England tend to play a lot of hands. In one room the English South played 2S, probably after opening a weak two. He made 10 tricks when everything went nicely. In the other room the English East played 3D-2, presumably when West doubled the 2S opening. That contact went two down, for an early IMP for Scotland.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />A few too many boards got away from us, and we lost 18.3-1.7. We have therefore avoided a whitewash once again, and scored fractionally more victory points than the first time we played England.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4e_jihPuqSH1OGbwynM-EnVc2cbEpt8y5bTG4AY8gbgOg_Zc4UWwaixEX2Whr3aC0ryudaCuuTR8qF4Yl6CekfvnyNPIom6brUXfk8Ub8KtqXCGrW3wtVmZBi4-0aIEfyiVw0x-KURv7gvOEM9Q4RurINSE8pIloOZlwqjbx5nWURGUPnKSFbbySz-xy/s4032/20240217_193219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4e_jihPuqSH1OGbwynM-EnVc2cbEpt8y5bTG4AY8gbgOg_Zc4UWwaixEX2Whr3aC0ryudaCuuTR8qF4Yl6CekfvnyNPIom6brUXfk8Ub8KtqXCGrW3wtVmZBi4-0aIEfyiVw0x-KURv7gvOEM9Q4RurINSE8pIloOZlwqjbx5nWURGUPnKSFbbySz-xy/w300-h400/20240217_193219.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We remain in 3rd place, though slightly closer to 4th than 2nd now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091577273928695566.post-78535631309050299002024-02-17T09:57:00.000-08:002024-02-17T13:22:11.925-08:00Peggy Bayer Match 5 - Northern Ireland<p>Today it was soup for lunch. Just soup! I was waiting for the rest to come, but that was it. The soup was quite nice, but still somewhat disappointing. It was billed as a <i>light lunch</i>, but no one expected just soup.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5onENWYBMONgK81zEjVxSvwN6TP-bIG3nKD8vGNrmkTqQSKD923UX8U5ybedyvy_5x02qi5ncXaFD3yFBHEzaEkY1EYo_Eb34M-sSm6Q4NJo3I5lCSdj2hxYvhEqy0oO4PpqNbHYCHcs5Uv6Wk1N9SMGJ_o_th-29L8qK1J0mQ-FAv2TYs2oBP3X9Ol7q/s4032/20240217_145640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5onENWYBMONgK81zEjVxSvwN6TP-bIG3nKD8vGNrmkTqQSKD923UX8U5ybedyvy_5x02qi5ncXaFD3yFBHEzaEkY1EYo_Eb34M-sSm6Q4NJo3I5lCSdj2hxYvhEqy0oO4PpqNbHYCHcs5Uv6Wk1N9SMGJ_o_th-29L8qK1J0mQ-FAv2TYs2oBP3X9Ol7q/w300-h400/20240217_145640.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>I decided to walk half an hour through the countryside to the local shop, so the team had enough to eat. What did they want? "<i>Dairy milk, crisps, and general snacks</i>" they told me. I asked for more details. "<i>Rachel doesn't like Salt and Vinegar crisps, but I do.</i>"</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOV7qFacDYPq1lm4rIvK7T2HmR8hdaAwe52yCUKonro5p_q4YcNgg-ucr4VKVsa1vvbFTp4mVGK_iz6_MMFMdh_y2mZJg85anSaMPDTEp3zESQFnAvpMpvFCb7HaVr9MQkuwPnquNLHO6iQpZAAu7dozMjLqTnnlmPVdZrbJbepJWNpeE5orw-KHau7vHq/s879/20240217_161052.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="879" data-original-width="659" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOV7qFacDYPq1lm4rIvK7T2HmR8hdaAwe52yCUKonro5p_q4YcNgg-ucr4VKVsa1vvbFTp4mVGK_iz6_MMFMdh_y2mZJg85anSaMPDTEp3zESQFnAvpMpvFCb7HaVr9MQkuwPnquNLHO6iQpZAAu7dozMjLqTnnlmPVdZrbJbepJWNpeE5orw-KHau7vHq/w300-h400/20240217_161052.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />When I returned I caught up with the bridge. We did well against Northern Ireland. The highlight was this slam hand:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGoUxxbAcOIZvcisMtmaMTgopz0RV-hYQdNu_8G-KcQqJlpt0-QGlxttNdeeJ2ctWohkBpKLmnctuhZPfHQqbm-3jFOU8igrnu1XbnycMkxcUWod2BkCEhqNJVAZ7CTA_j9RKtv7mBmq6pMnwsnH1mypMq49E4SzS8vyfj3ufmA-cdQ888cakNf3f1bBQs/s580/b7.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="571" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGoUxxbAcOIZvcisMtmaMTgopz0RV-hYQdNu_8G-KcQqJlpt0-QGlxttNdeeJ2ctWohkBpKLmnctuhZPfHQqbm-3jFOU8igrnu1XbnycMkxcUWod2BkCEhqNJVAZ7CTA_j9RKtv7mBmq6pMnwsnH1mypMq49E4SzS8vyfj3ufmA-cdQ888cakNf3f1bBQs/w394-h400/b7.PNG" width="394" /></a></div><br />After South (Rachel) opened 2NT North (Kevin) transferred then drove to 6S. There were no problems in the play.<div><br />A couple of boards were played sideways (meaning Scotland declared four times) and had to be cancelled. Once that was sorted we came away with a 17-3 win, cementing 3rd place at half way. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOz-O-cpNJvlQpzcyBVfAicx0yUWlD6nEPrAsHxvFxpXVRPhCS1nkaykZDKFWMtYA2Y8XB10uh1Ruad7U8m3Vyn_R2BaQaFUMovnTu4BslvNG_n-IersfnNiSB-qZgOQ0-VPIY7pP0Yu87mGaSNQy8JZFAa_oL30zbYnD-mtGk8R-hrJZMyXdjV3mefHX/s1268/rank.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="519" data-original-width="1268" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOz-O-cpNJvlQpzcyBVfAicx0yUWlD6nEPrAsHxvFxpXVRPhCS1nkaykZDKFWMtYA2Y8XB10uh1Ruad7U8m3Vyn_R2BaQaFUMovnTu4BslvNG_n-IersfnNiSB-qZgOQ0-VPIY7pP0Yu87mGaSNQy8JZFAa_oL30zbYnD-mtGk8R-hrJZMyXdjV3mefHX/w640-h262/rank.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091577273928695566.post-70765240087515121802024-02-17T05:58:00.000-08:002024-02-17T06:27:30.211-08:00Peggy Bayer Match 4 - Ireland<p>My single room is on the second floor of the hotel, next to the executive rooms that have their own name. The hotel uses modern keycards, and I've had a bit of trouble using mine. Last night I couldn't get into my room, until a member of the Welsh team helped me out. "<i>That's my room</i>" he told me. "<i>You're next door</i>".</p><p>It's a long way from my room to the bridge area, especially as there are now some out-of-bounds corridors. The bridge group have been bumped for a more important event - the kids Disney disco. Looks fun, I can hear mostly Frozen songs and some from Moana.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Y0kBVSxgAOs-tJ71LV0Uw1OaKtXi72hw2B2Z5AspIcYi-1IHK8mBOnMcxKT1Eh5utUIgxaCAk07ZEj-KLoBmVsJGMdebgKfNRWz7spFX8j6xXDTLHwAVlfPBrQO5EkrcTazyco6tt2C7OWqvs1z583nu-Hxi-3jYxx-erbBrexg4Mm9WjSWZHsLjt89O/s590/B5.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="590" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Y0kBVSxgAOs-tJ71LV0Uw1OaKtXi72hw2B2Z5AspIcYi-1IHK8mBOnMcxKT1Eh5utUIgxaCAk07ZEj-KLoBmVsJGMdebgKfNRWz7spFX8j6xXDTLHwAVlfPBrQO5EkrcTazyco6tt2C7OWqvs1z583nu-Hxi-3jYxx-erbBrexg4Mm9WjSWZHsLjt89O/s320/B5.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Here's a board against Ireland that I like the look of. The first result that came in was our South declarer finished in 4Hx-2. A good result non-vulnerable. On the other table East made 4Sx. At the moment we have a narrow lead, and I have a hazelnut croissant. <p></p><div>We lost 17-36 IMPs for a 5-15 VP loss. Not bad.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VfQxh5vCRII3rDpFbRMVw5JM7tDg5YzEooar2EzLxmtly-PccBkJt_V07t0ACh2ZKojgk00V8I3aPvKd4Q48Uqp7gzs_W1vvIeGlDy5joa7VjVgir_cXP5Fbd7pwbYDJFcttE11XZ16TJoELDt2PYqjJehw2mQ5dqksodnsnVSf-QTUYAbOT7ZSQ0q29/s4032/20240217_120048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VfQxh5vCRII3rDpFbRMVw5JM7tDg5YzEooar2EzLxmtly-PccBkJt_V07t0ACh2ZKojgk00V8I3aPvKd4Q48Uqp7gzs_W1vvIeGlDy5joa7VjVgir_cXP5Fbd7pwbYDJFcttE11XZ16TJoELDt2PYqjJehw2mQ5dqksodnsnVSf-QTUYAbOT7ZSQ0q29/s320/20240217_120048.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091577273928695566.post-91102467180333754312024-02-17T02:17:00.000-08:002024-02-17T05:34:14.735-08:00Peggy Bayer Match 3 - Wales<p>After a big loss and a big win we currently sit third out of six. Big test this morning against Wales, with whom we are similarly matched.</p><p>Current scores at <a href="https://bridgeresults.org/o/2024_peggy_bayer/2024_peggy_bayers.asp">https://bridgeresults.org/o/2024_peggy_bayer/2024_peggy_bayers.asp</a></p><p>Whatever happens today, I was the real winner this morning as I arrived at breakfast at 8 am and stayed until nearly 10 am, taking in two full Irish breakfasts, a light continental and pocketing an apple and croissant for later.</p><p>I'm now staying in the bridge room to watch the start of the first match live, and help with the Bridgemate scoring. Unfortunately, the sixth member of our team is also hanging around, hoping to get a game I think.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzIVfTqP2AeNYQKIG8KFsozoLio-ULGFThbDGubWr5kaEfkqCEvOOYm84rmKf0Guo5GskdLWnfRA9BdaBgEDFk9faraZuK6XPlC_CVeuznNMTknlIr3-_Sx7Z5JeG0Hcy_mmculmyveTDxP0UVhpyWubt7w2Rp3EToC73aasuz07r0SR0wB6_czEMQJHW/s4032/20240217_095858.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzIVfTqP2AeNYQKIG8KFsozoLio-ULGFThbDGubWr5kaEfkqCEvOOYm84rmKf0Guo5GskdLWnfRA9BdaBgEDFk9faraZuK6XPlC_CVeuznNMTknlIr3-_Sx7Z5JeG0Hcy_mmculmyveTDxP0UVhpyWubt7w2Rp3EToC73aasuz07r0SR0wB6_czEMQJHW/w300-h400/20240217_095858.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />On my first board our most inexperienced declarer found herself in 3NT. <br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkCVgRlsliMLcz1HypTfgmGg74tY0MbLL5rDGAFXwlfAFkEWhCWOF32EZw9sIaZvzxS7bPc-8Pl3rJoaZihHn_0sEwWJnfAQWFmS08QBsPAKAmveiR2_dxTOQXAkP34OQ8v46y_nGETSg-c_siPCh67lshFO4MsNEKLg1yzM9OayxA4nooWqcNWseyOhH/s619/b3.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="619" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkCVgRlsliMLcz1HypTfgmGg74tY0MbLL5rDGAFXwlfAFkEWhCWOF32EZw9sIaZvzxS7bPc-8Pl3rJoaZihHn_0sEwWJnfAQWFmS08QBsPAKAmveiR2_dxTOQXAkP34OQ8v46y_nGETSg-c_siPCh67lshFO4MsNEKLg1yzM9OayxA4nooWqcNWseyOhH/s320/b3.PNG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /></div>The auction was textbook - East opened 1NT (12-14), West raised to 3NT.<div><br /></div><div>Declarer got the King of Hearts lead, which she took with the Ace instead of ducking (we'll discuss that later), then brought home the Diamonds to make her contract. Game in the bag!<br /><br />On the other table Wales were only in 2NT. If the online scores are to be believed, South led the 6 of Hearts, a weird choice.<br /><br />I think the best lead for South is a low Spade. Declarer wins the Queen of Spades from dummy, then I think the best play is a <i>low </i>Diamond from both hands. But that's all hypothetical, the important thing is Scotland got a game swing and are leading the match.</div><div><br /></div><div>This was an interesting play hand, in 2H from West.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFpKL8H1kjV4t838v8eXvDpH0Xmf2HlUDTe0X9xmY4iil7reb_FzVoSiyZrrbYAf71Nu_eHszPqPGEHBUGpTFDZ-qCC_PRDt1DBR5YyWhoqbUm94UIwdVoDHBZQtLQZc0qWizal11RJrczJz8FaIPHwmSKcA63KLuu5Xj9D6U3DHHBITxCNjjSOTtQDjRU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="589" data-original-width="607" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFpKL8H1kjV4t838v8eXvDpH0Xmf2HlUDTe0X9xmY4iil7reb_FzVoSiyZrrbYAf71Nu_eHszPqPGEHBUGpTFDZ-qCC_PRDt1DBR5YyWhoqbUm94UIwdVoDHBZQtLQZc0qWizal11RJrczJz8FaIPHwmSKcA63KLuu5Xj9D6U3DHHBITxCNjjSOTtQDjRU=w320-h311" width="320" /></a></div>The defence begin with two Clubs and a Spade from South.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our declarer, Niamh, did well. She won South's low Spade with the Ten, drew only three rounds of trumps, then ruffed a Club. She came to one Club, 5 Hearts and 2 Spades. There's one more trick in there if you only leave yourself enough trumps in dummy to ruff two Clubs (or set up a Diamond trick), but I'm not arguing with 2H=.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the other table Kevin pulled off some magic as North to make 4S. This looks like a decent contract, until you notice there are two trump losers, and the Diamonds are badly placed. A Diamond lead from East is helpful, but he got a Club lead. I expect the way to make it is still to play diamonds, and West ruffs with natural trump tricks.</div><div><br /></div><div>The two top teams, England and Ireland, are comfortably winning their matches, but the English declarer went down in the same optimistic 4S contract.</div><div><br /></div><div>We won 20-0 overall to keep us solidly in third overall.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've been encouraging my team to take their time when they see dummy - at least two minutes. The highlight of the match for me was when a Welsh defender was waiting for declarer to finish thinking and said <i>"I forgot who made the opening lead, it was so long ago."</i> That's a good sign.</div>Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091577273928695566.post-43057236561053173852024-02-16T14:54:00.000-08:002024-02-16T15:51:00.253-08:00Peggy Bayer Match Two - NIBUAfter the high of not-completely-losing to England the real test comes now against a similarly inexperienced Northern Ireland team. As the host they have two teams in the tournament, and we're up against the outfit known as NIBU. <div><br /><div>It's getting late on Friday night but with a team of five only one of us gets to go to bed (not me). Isla has been woken from her disco nap and is pairing Rachel sitting East-West. My advice to them is not to be shy; if they have good hands bid on. Sometimes passing is riskier than bidding. Al and Kevin hope to continue their success North-South. They had two small bidding understandings in the first set but otherwise did well.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKxbllsVIjTTPtmMsl_1GQToM7JqZ0NFwPn_TiIgniB0v1RwBVQFwt5i4etJK-AadMxrdk6akxutz14Ob0Bb1PXCTsGCFskcQw5o3-oZacBCeUgJ_bDMlE5jRVJRdlP-8hM_4MCtWhOodYMvkhHvd_pD4xtCW4PpUryzDtbpOmAV5wq3CQn2MJ0M8MO-9/s4032/20240216_214845.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKxbllsVIjTTPtmMsl_1GQToM7JqZ0NFwPn_TiIgniB0v1RwBVQFwt5i4etJK-AadMxrdk6akxutz14Ob0Bb1PXCTsGCFskcQw5o3-oZacBCeUgJ_bDMlE5jRVJRdlP-8hM_4MCtWhOodYMvkhHvd_pD4xtCW4PpUryzDtbpOmAV5wq3CQn2MJ0M8MO-9/w300-h400/20240216_214845.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />Kibitzing with Alisdair</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It seems I was wrong to fear the team would underbid.. This looks like a quiet hand, but apparently not.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXIiVaNOcgG5A3UBi4CRFInReSKXGxRywziFiR_6-rkbc5ZeCjs9d-k06Jxx4Gl85XNw1C36UWOGHNFS6kPgrLfzlyyeACDNPZCLDzOjN1i-kiMaceZCKzI-p82WJxL4Vn4BjVmqrNGpTRpynbscsb1BNIcqZjaIwNFM0NP1mb51x4sVbAz-CwMxXM_xI/s455/b1.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="455" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXIiVaNOcgG5A3UBi4CRFInReSKXGxRywziFiR_6-rkbc5ZeCjs9d-k06Jxx4Gl85XNw1C36UWOGHNFS6kPgrLfzlyyeACDNPZCLDzOjN1i-kiMaceZCKzI-p82WJxL4Vn4BjVmqrNGpTRpynbscsb1BNIcqZjaIwNFM0NP1mb51x4sVbAz-CwMxXM_xI/s320/b1.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">East-West found themselves in 3S-5, which surprisingly was a winning score, as their team-mates saved them. 4H from North looks doomed (losing a Spade, two Hearts, one Diamond), but Kevin found some magic and made it to give us an early lead.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Update - we are well ahead. Here's a 6NT Kevin made. I'll wait to hear about it from him later.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oE1IKa7CvkJldhXSq-tEWOUr9dJwRut_ZvEmdjzkF5LYpUmRRbERsF-CcwmplhdWwGEnu3zxTyvmJe8aPrJ4kosfP0OVVcawtzPykIo1DZNGnveho4U5UQiAThAidljp2Obg6otBYj_-zHiPbuH-wuvzOyHK3yJchD6vrxJCkOVDRo7Z2konyhABEyMA/s446/b2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="441" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oE1IKa7CvkJldhXSq-tEWOUr9dJwRut_ZvEmdjzkF5LYpUmRRbERsF-CcwmplhdWwGEnu3zxTyvmJe8aPrJ4kosfP0OVVcawtzPykIo1DZNGnveho4U5UQiAThAidljp2Obg6otBYj_-zHiPbuH-wuvzOyHK3yJchD6vrxJCkOVDRo7Z2konyhABEyMA/s320/b2.PNG" width="316" /></a></div><br />The double dummy solver says 11 tricks is the limit, but what do they know. He got the Ace of herts lead, which helps.Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091577273928695566.post-35338381922070466642024-02-16T13:12:00.000-08:002024-02-16T13:12:04.691-08:00Peggy Bayer Match One - Scotland vs England<p>The hotel met their first test as about a hundred of us gathered for what they'd claimed was a buffet. Options were rice of wedges, with vegetarian or chicken curry. <i>"Are there any nuts in here?"</i> I asked. Just this guy, said the jocular server. Later, I made a great joke of my own (see end of this post).</p><p>I was dubious that they had a single serving point for everyone but they got through the line pretty quickly (faster than school dinners my team observed), and there was time for a team meeting.</p><p>It was stressed that the players are representing the SBU, and have been generously funded by them. Turn up on time, no drinking until Sunday night if at all, and don't bring your phones into matches. Also, everyone makes a lot of mistakes and we're playing a lot of boards so take it easy on each other.</p><p>Here's a Scotland squad photo on my self-timer:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8R_6aThGyLPQhWHPO4vkVdxdpk7HSkh_Gwien4bJw1rPZH9xbo7sZ9wQR0V8iyGLZ0LF0LUW9o3SYAoJO51CIEdkwfAZefEYbyFYhHer9pJq3A1f-KeeudZ4O9tl3_JlGPs5m_z1U_-xC73CZ2qMUJzboNYtMV6ySeLUxhBr1Cmd00jHoGYTtOZd_4Nt/s4032/20240216_183939.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8R_6aThGyLPQhWHPO4vkVdxdpk7HSkh_Gwien4bJw1rPZH9xbo7sZ9wQR0V8iyGLZ0LF0LUW9o3SYAoJO51CIEdkwfAZefEYbyFYhHer9pJq3A1f-KeeudZ4O9tl3_JlGPs5m_z1U_-xC73CZ2qMUJzboNYtMV6ySeLUxhBr1Cmd00jHoGYTtOZd_4Nt/w640-h480/20240216_183939.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>And here's one of the junior girls as requested by Stirling University.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQCksGGhgaZCRiG5B3mQUcKeVGavBGGkcTQV8VsUyx8_8spmVNogOXd-X7QeZDBJgZ-9uA22qjn54JAQPmQU8eebXxgFRDF5Ir4m3TgAy4SZWppjL7SCKIyYr_zwcRPoq2PeZBs7x0UYsjsEIKUeXK4NjA_abGAhtRzlt_p44lsn0UxxmkSRTOhh-9f56/s4032/20240216_183225.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQCksGGhgaZCRiG5B3mQUcKeVGavBGGkcTQV8VsUyx8_8spmVNogOXd-X7QeZDBJgZ-9uA22qjn54JAQPmQU8eebXxgFRDF5Ir4m3TgAy4SZWppjL7SCKIyYr_zwcRPoq2PeZBs7x0UYsjsEIKUeXK4NjA_abGAhtRzlt_p44lsn0UxxmkSRTOhh-9f56/w400-h300/20240216_183225.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I decided not to stay and watch the match, but instead sit outside and follow remotely, nervously updating this website <a href="https://bridgeresults.org/o/2024_peggy_bayer/2024_peggy_bayerr.asp">https://bridgeresults.org/o/2024_peggy_bayer/2024_peggy_bayerr.asp</a></p><p>Each match is scored out of 20 Victory Points (VPs), and the nice bit about playing England is you expect to lose 20-0, so anything else is a bonus. To get to a 20-0 VP win you need to win by 60 or more IMPs, and since the match starts 0-0 the pressure is on England.</p><p>This was the first board of the weekend:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEil9WCPyy4cBxS0G-0ii9h12VRdxQBdmg7Z2Ey1yLYxrL6-Von97oTfti29SSZ23CMfc6OWyonSlOO-edHQX05izmGXZccwp5EOFo3J1_iDiTuX1mE7S7sVlqCIL1lWJZFba8MxXUkICrY1Lu3gJYU02bdeaX_oqbbhtS432wh6_IhugzanJJqlQBqvWd63" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="652" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEil9WCPyy4cBxS0G-0ii9h12VRdxQBdmg7Z2Ey1yLYxrL6-Von97oTfti29SSZ23CMfc6OWyonSlOO-edHQX05izmGXZccwp5EOFo3J1_iDiTuX1mE7S7sVlqCIL1lWJZFba8MxXUkICrY1Lu3gJYU02bdeaX_oqbbhtS432wh6_IhugzanJJqlQBqvWd63" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Our East opened an accurate 1NT (12-14) and played there. South lead the four of Hearts. Declarer now has two Heart tricks, the Ace of Diamonds, and if the Spade finesse works, four Spades. Since the Spade finesse does work, that ought to be 7 tricks in the bag. Something went wrong though and we finished 1NT-1.<p></p><p>On the other table the English East presumably opened 1D (playing a strong NT), and they got to the better contract of 2S, making with an overtrick. So immediately that's 5 IMPs to England.</p><p>There followed a succession of games, luckily all falling to our more experienced pair, and Kevin as declarer even make an overtrick not matched on the other table to give us an IMP back. </p><p>Now, ask yourself the question, what is the only way a good team can lose to a weaker team? By pushing too hard and overdoing it! And that's what happened just now, England bidding to 6C-1 while Scotland settled prudently in 5C. After five boards, that puts us in the lead in the match! It surely won't last, which is why I'm writing this now, at what I expect to the highpoint.</p><p>To be fair to England, the slam is excellent, just unlucky.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjS-JBNzX7yAoTwSLoYp0KpTiJ1hhEq0E_H_M_4LeTyygOdPLc1jgMiRJ6pWLBggPoBiovx8x4OVZgojjpbFdhLpslHazYrZf5en-ZHpUNibmgUJQpG700Vn5knzsAv1u_aOQIP6v01jB1b6mxW7D-cjRPx4Ros84fgYUi4TGX7VmdHG8I4SkKCp_VDFAe-" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="546" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjS-JBNzX7yAoTwSLoYp0KpTiJ1hhEq0E_H_M_4LeTyygOdPLc1jgMiRJ6pWLBggPoBiovx8x4OVZgojjpbFdhLpslHazYrZf5en-ZHpUNibmgUJQpG700Vn5knzsAv1u_aOQIP6v01jB1b6mxW7D-cjRPx4Ros84fgYUi4TGX7VmdHG8I4SkKCp_VDFAe-" width="271" /></a></div><br />There is hope of more to come as England have just recorded the unusual result of 4NT-1. Niamh made 4S for us so we're now 24-9 up. Dare I dream?<div><br /></div><div>We did not maintain that lead, and lost the for a </div><div><br />Still, it's money in the bank and 3 VPs in. Finally, my joke:</div><div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLaam7AnXt9h-f8rVj2lJxVx3oOxdrP6zGhu3IdBHAen1q1ucQt1LiK86kbpSVOzj3O5fcaLnQ_ydC5gn4Spb4UpAvoLcJLFT_NcxUoPpN9ivv9lDpDwMIiXuDJJOqn-3GLVFam_44sdOO5cwXf9s70oAknRZkio6rdkufyxIc_TqZU12l_g7TYyi2Dsur/s4032/20240216_181308.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLaam7AnXt9h-f8rVj2lJxVx3oOxdrP6zGhu3IdBHAen1q1ucQt1LiK86kbpSVOzj3O5fcaLnQ_ydC5gn4Spb4UpAvoLcJLFT_NcxUoPpN9ivv9lDpDwMIiXuDJJOqn-3GLVFam_44sdOO5cwXf9s70oAknRZkio6rdkufyxIc_TqZU12l_g7TYyi2Dsur/w300-h400/20240216_181308.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />To be said in a Scots voice:<br /><i>"Is that a pavlova, or am I wrang?"</i></div></div>Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091577273928695566.post-4582214148210508042024-02-16T09:01:00.000-08:002024-02-16T13:12:14.805-08:00Peggy Bayer 2024 - Introduction<p>I'm in Belfast with the Scotland U21 team, competing for the Peggy Bayer trophy against the other home nations. Scotland is also represented in the U26 event, called the Junior Camrose.</p><p>In my Peggy Bayer team we have captain Kevin and old-hand Alexander, who will be playing most of the matches. We also have three 15 year olds making their debut - it's a learning experience for Niamh, Rachel and Isla.</p><p>We'll aim not to lose 20-0 to England, and to be competitive with everyone else.</p><p>As the non-playing captain it's been a good day so far for me, as we have all made it successfully to the hotel. The bridge doesn't start until tonight at 7 pm, which is when the players do their bit. There were a few issues affecting the other Scotland team with missing passports and not realising there are two airports in Belfast, but I think they're all here now too.</p><p>Two of the youngsters in my charge are just back from a school trip to Iceland, where they said they didn't have too much free time. With their free time this afternoon they declined to play bridge as they didn't want to fog their minds before tonight's matches, and instead settled in on a sofa by reception. I asked if they had the WiFi password (silent nods) then went out to explore the local area.</p><p>Turns out the local area is a busy road and muddy tracks where I wasn't welcome. Much like Alan Partridge (also from Norwich) I angered a local farmer, and he came out to talk to me. <i>"Where exactly are you running to? There's liability issues with you being here you see." </i>I apologised and went back to the hotel.</p><p>La Mon Country House Hotel seems nice, but I get the impression that all the managers are off this weekend and the junior staff don't quite know what's going on. Hopefully they'll have dinner ready for us at 530. I'll be on high alert for dishes containing nuts as one of our team is allergic (she is well-prepared with three EpiPens).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicM7nx8X8j2omzsv9hON0NVle5bVKsNuI8e4_gpKs90Ruhu02jt_dm5RlDC0DNrYpAyRaRKcBSyQsoPDN2kdNu6YdXoroUsc9v8irxRrqw07P6N3QRjxuXmSm4vGnnaAEHCqoDTWFmBwD6q_RZde3rpmUkjnIAIV5wapmZ6OpGBQhy8DAigQBFNTxRJ_QE/s4032/20240216_130431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicM7nx8X8j2omzsv9hON0NVle5bVKsNuI8e4_gpKs90Ruhu02jt_dm5RlDC0DNrYpAyRaRKcBSyQsoPDN2kdNu6YdXoroUsc9v8irxRrqw07P6N3QRjxuXmSm4vGnnaAEHCqoDTWFmBwD6q_RZde3rpmUkjnIAIV5wapmZ6OpGBQhy8DAigQBFNTxRJ_QE/w300-h400/20240216_130431.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />Practice at the airport</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rcARa7ZJvlzl0tFaIzfsiQgfm3iQ0bKkNS0biKKUTYGNjtTzyAQH75X1ORwneYDxovOMdIuG8CX_CTiTrj13FU8kAjJs44SBMJAno48xM7ed2hoiLzTTw1JBUEiG4hfbanUt63LL4wMGg150YBijloxemh-NulZPi5I4pYbAaoAA0Zq3ChBW06m-ru3g/s4032/20240216_164006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rcARa7ZJvlzl0tFaIzfsiQgfm3iQ0bKkNS0biKKUTYGNjtTzyAQH75X1ORwneYDxovOMdIuG8CX_CTiTrj13FU8kAjJs44SBMJAno48xM7ed2hoiLzTTw1JBUEiG4hfbanUt63LL4wMGg150YBijloxemh-NulZPi5I4pYbAaoAA0Zq3ChBW06m-ru3g/w400-h300/20240216_164006.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />Single room</div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091577273928695566.post-5963351313234086632024-02-10T13:11:00.000-08:002024-02-10T13:11:53.284-08:00Glasgow vs Zimbabwe<p>When a school from Zimbabwe contacted the SBU looking for a
friendly bridge match they were put in touch with me, as the teacher of a
school club in Glasgow. I arranged the match on RealBridge, which turned out to
be between two schools in Harare, <i>Dominican Convent</i> and <i>St John’s</i>,
and <i>The High School of Glasgow</i> representing Scotland.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After the inevitable connection difficulties and general confusion
(<i>“you can leave the ID number blank!”</i>) it looked like we had maybe seven
or eight tables. Given that it’s always better to have substitutes than empty
spaces, I reduced it to six tables and combined some teams. After four rounds
of two boards each, these were the top three:<o:p></o:p></p>
<table align="center" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="2">
<tbody><tr><td><b>Glasgow #2</b> </td><td> Niamh R & Rachel Y, Kevin R & Michael K
</td><td> 61 VPs<br />
</td></tr><tr><td><b>Dominican #1 </b></td><td>Tinashe Z & Daniel R, Nomalangu N & Vongai T </td><td> 52 VPs<br />
</td></tr><tr><td><b>St John’s #2 </b></td><td>Susannah P & Gabriella B, Taona Z & Ngavatendwe N </td><td> 48 VPs<o:p></o:p></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s no coincidence that all of the top teams had
at least one pair that bid and made games (and Glasgow had two). Bidding and making
games is the key to success in Teams matches.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Overall it was quite a chaotic hour of bridge, but I enjoyed
seeing all the youngsters play and hope to do it again soon. Most of them had
never used RealBridge before, but that didn’t seem to matter much and they
picked it up very quickly. There were a few skipped boards for slow play, one
unusual 4♦x-8, but also some good play and plenty of potential for the future.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Below I’ve chosen three hands to write about, where there
are some good teaching points to pass on to the mostly beginners who were
playing. As it’s the most important part of the game, in each case I’m going to
focus on declarer play.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">In this deal two East-West pairs got to 3NT. Will it succeed?</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjzvS8kiZAazSw9_eFGAMjLCocWCHDTYlRGDVkdomkKyJOJqhp70a5tCf6FmJ4ZmgAEUBpKnC1sqSimJGe1GLvCSctnMowjO2kDLnFJFKBEG_UCIKy6ihqs3ZGwHfjbmvrVa5BFV_643QrLexxUgeJYBo-huJ8y4taVYbPo0HODfUdRJZ0h4ANviHJcCO/s378/B3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="217" data-original-width="378" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjzvS8kiZAazSw9_eFGAMjLCocWCHDTYlRGDVkdomkKyJOJqhp70a5tCf6FmJ4ZmgAEUBpKnC1sqSimJGe1GLvCSctnMowjO2kDLnFJFKBEG_UCIKy6ihqs3ZGwHfjbmvrVa5BFV_643QrLexxUgeJYBo-huJ8y4taVYbPo0HODfUdRJZ0h4ANviHJcCO/w400-h230/B3.png" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">I encourage my pupils to count top tricks in NT contracts. A
quick count reveals that this is one of those happy deals where we’ve been
dealt enough top tricks to make the contract (1 Spade + 0 Hearts + 6 Diamonds +2
Clubs = 9). In practice we might get an extra Heart too, but certainly there
are nine tricks there for the taking, and indeed both declarers in 3NT made the
game easily.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Here 4♥ from North-South was a popular contract, but it didn’t succeed as
often as it should have.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDoXwz3QP0dHvl8R5hg-_0ZVBObyAxC23PAs1Kn-bCLAVO7SBfep5rfGb0eeLZQ7A-P-rShV-iWJb1DA_PvAycLOUoRZwf5J6MeEmdfCuT-zxm9ZQSyLZn4lZqyz9Nx3IezdId7PL-W6F_bnakbm87kx4_zT9ksl7eRPB5SeyKotUDCXIhMnbZZUAF1wj/s378/B5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="210" data-original-width="378" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDoXwz3QP0dHvl8R5hg-_0ZVBObyAxC23PAs1Kn-bCLAVO7SBfep5rfGb0eeLZQ7A-P-rShV-iWJb1DA_PvAycLOUoRZwf5J6MeEmdfCuT-zxm9ZQSyLZn4lZqyz9Nx3IezdId7PL-W6F_bnakbm87kx4_zT9ksl7eRPB5SeyKotUDCXIhMnbZZUAF1wj/w400-h223/B5.png" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the 3NT contract above we counted sure winners, for this
high-level suit contract we instead count <i>expected</i> <i>losers in each suit.</i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In Diamonds there are two certain losers (but only two, as we
can ruff the third and subsequent rounds).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In all of Spades, Hearts, and Clubs we count ½ a loser –
meaning that sometimes we will lose 0 tricks and sometimes 1 trick, depending
on if a finesse in that suit succeeds. So depending on our luck with finesses we will lose 2, 3 or 4 tricks<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The correct way to play the hand is therefore to draw trumps with
a finesse, take the Spade finesse, then decide how to play Clubs.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In practice most declarer’s instead failed because they didn’t
draw trumps, and West got a ruff with the Ten of Hearts - the message being to draw trumps straight away unless you have good reason not to.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This last deal shows a useful technique, where we don't draw trumps straight away.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6U0jyIa2xQ1QgBA5KdChwwtcQH_VQAIeAFNKukXhzQ-s0tv9fuuGdwYwtJN5H26LKBemAAdEOUB8ZtjOZzRAtTLM5p-65EHBecFCHLitHCE-3GmZMOH6FNueL4KLbuPGtwXWOY46mI496qNfalI40PzDFPCvMF1MfkYYTQugiStpJTK_V7JV9Qk-l6uiY/s378/B7.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="378" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6U0jyIa2xQ1QgBA5KdChwwtcQH_VQAIeAFNKukXhzQ-s0tv9fuuGdwYwtJN5H26LKBemAAdEOUB8ZtjOZzRAtTLM5p-65EHBecFCHLitHCE-3GmZMOH6FNueL4KLbuPGtwXWOY46mI496qNfalI40PzDFPCvMF1MfkYYTQugiStpJTK_V7JV9Qk-l6uiY/w400-h234/B7.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Suppose we are sitting South as declarer in 2♠. We have four
trumps in each hand, plus a short suit in both our hand and dummy. The fact that we have these shortages means our plan should be to <i>cross-ruff</i> the hand. That means not drawing trumps at all, but instead
going from side-to-side ruffing everything we can.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On this deal cross-ruffing makes a lot of tricks. We can
make four Diamond tricks (Ace and three ruffs in dummy), four Heart tricks (Ace-King
and two ruffs in your hand), plus the Ace of Spades and Ace of Clubs. That
makes ten tricks total.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Well done St John’s declarer Emmanuel M who followed a
similar plan to make 1♠+2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><u><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></u><o:p></o:p></p>Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091577273928695566.post-29071704549407838082023-12-13T13:20:00.000-08:002023-12-13T13:20:12.975-08:00Buchanan vs Bonnyton<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Last night Anna and I played in a Realbridge match against Bonnyton, in Glasgow Division 1. Afterwards, Anna said she thought we might be Division 2 players. We lost the match 15-1 overall, although it was fairly close on our table.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />The opponents made several 24 point 3NT games, did better on the distributional hands (we missed the sacrifices), and benefitted when we underbid a couple of hands at the end. Overall it was quite a long evening, with a delayed start and a further delay while one of their team went to look for an iPad charger - turns out he was in Tenerife, hence he was the only one playing in a vest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />But amongst the 24 boards we had at least three or four triumphs. This was the best of them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJPPxxctaELqEJaM_86ZGrfR1vz3IinvDplSx3mBeI1XNTnF6rUvF2sgwlB-yKOTkRtjUsK1jJYZB_aqgadiGsvpVmzHQCfIG_S4R5qh7aNs5VtpKo92WcR7IFGMurhR1LHbhZedI_HamD11Hsg0rKPY_cEtu-dIc93AblUx43CKkxGwKT268VjaE4npm/s728/b1.PNG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="728" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJPPxxctaELqEJaM_86ZGrfR1vz3IinvDplSx3mBeI1XNTnF6rUvF2sgwlB-yKOTkRtjUsK1jJYZB_aqgadiGsvpVmzHQCfIG_S4R5qh7aNs5VtpKo92WcR7IFGMurhR1LHbhZedI_HamD11Hsg0rKPY_cEtu-dIc93AblUx43CKkxGwKT268VjaE4npm/s320/b1.PNG" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black;">Playing our weak NT system I opened the West hand a natural 1C. Anna replied 3C, which for us is 10-12 with Club support. She has a strange hand, and maybe should bid something different, but I'm not sure what. As we tend to do when we have a good minor fit, I bid 3NT.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black;">North lead a small Heart (the 5). I was a bit worried about my lack of a Diamond stop, but dummy has them well covered. In fact Spades are the issue. South won the opening lead with the Ace of Hearts and I dropped my Jack of Hearts. A great ruse. South continued with Hearts. I hastily took the King and 11 more tricks in the minors for 3NT+3.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black;">Afterwards North claimed the Spade switch was obvious, but I like to think my deceptive Jack of Hearts (looking like someone with JT or making KJ) fooled South into continuing Hearts. This was the full hand:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqI7mZfH7dzO2QplMFLlmJy0TNM3XllX_0tJuTB2dGIh37-nsl3jbv__Z3IsI4bOf0jffsmUdnixdke5YPH9BsHNM0LSZpY-U44wEPtYcK_WKbU3smI7PIAP98pOrGQHzQLK-glPj9aVvJx5LOBZPlbfVwwbGScPOwi8EGZgHyZ63bPBSFqroCC4xM4Whp/s739/b1b.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="730" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqI7mZfH7dzO2QplMFLlmJy0TNM3XllX_0tJuTB2dGIh37-nsl3jbv__Z3IsI4bOf0jffsmUdnixdke5YPH9BsHNM0LSZpY-U44wEPtYcK_WKbU3smI7PIAP98pOrGQHzQLK-glPj9aVvJx5LOBZPlbfVwwbGScPOwi8EGZgHyZ63bPBSFqroCC4xM4Whp/s320/b1b.PNG" width="316" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black;">You can see that on the other table our opponents played 5C-1, perhaps a sounder contract but much easier for the defence to take their three tricks. In the other match 5C made when the defence tried three rounds of Spades, and 3NT made on another Heart lead and continuation.</div> </div></div>Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091577273928695566.post-72519383226970123682023-11-02T09:51:00.001-07:002023-11-02T09:51:27.253-07:00Halloween bridge<p>John and I had an OK game last Tuesday, playing for Team Buchanan against Gilmorehill. The first hand we bid up to 6H, and I'm glad I was dummy as my hands were shaking from all the sugar from trick or treating. The slam made, but not much else did. Through misunderstandings and optimism I kept putting John in hopeless contracts. He played them well for down one, maintaining good concentration while dressed as a Jedi throughout.</p><p>In defence I was more alert than usual, and had a full count of declarer's points and shape for most hands. There was one I was proud of; after a disastrous AH lead setting up declarer's King I kept concentration and later ducked twice to cut declarer off from dummy and get the contract one off. That was the highlight. A lowlight was 2S-1 when I guessed trumps wrong with K9x opposite QTxxx. I first lead the Queen, then instead of finessing on the second round made the cowardly play of the King.</p><p>Another lowlight was the hand below. </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgLNhTlHjrsQLqx9H9IvnNrSQq-dPglUctmVB4bj4oKwiwFlViTPx6PhCkwmPNWKDfBrCUS8KlZ-fiWFsENAPeAA1OXfx0nYyxFMRMuPvrX4EFDsH5tQn7eYe0xntI2OjJryMs0vjVNRPy7yRT1OYO_05EN5rE7hIqeJwT77elBdO1yGslLP9ru9aCr7a/s632/B16.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="632" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgLNhTlHjrsQLqx9H9IvnNrSQq-dPglUctmVB4bj4oKwiwFlViTPx6PhCkwmPNWKDfBrCUS8KlZ-fiWFsENAPeAA1OXfx0nYyxFMRMuPvrX4EFDsH5tQn7eYe0xntI2OjJryMs0vjVNRPy7yRT1OYO_05EN5rE7hIqeJwT77elBdO1yGslLP9ru9aCr7a/s320/B16.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><p>After a poorly controlled auction I ended as East in 3H, where actually you'd like to be in game. They lead a Spade, and I immediately started on Diamonds. The defence won and played Ace and another Heart. At this point I can virtually claim nine tricks; four Hearts, two Spades, one Diamond and a Club. I just need to ruff a Diamond and return to hand with a Spade to draw trumps.</p><p>But I had another plan. Leaving the Jack of Hearts in dummy as a <i>trump policeman </i>I started on the Clubs. If they had of split I would actually get 11 tricks. But they didn't split; someone ruffed the second round of Clubs and now I only had 8 tricks.</p><p>This didn't both me too much at the time - I was glad I wasn't in 4H, but I did wake up at 5 am the next day with an uneasy feeling then the correct play on this hand occurred to me. 3H-1 when I should have had 3H=.<br /><br />In the end we lost the match 4-12. </p>Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091577273928695566.post-30293269610346643642023-10-19T11:43:00.001-07:002023-10-19T11:43:38.912-07:00Derryvolgie Bridge ClubDespite numerous visits to Belfast, this was the first time we managed to get to the local bridge club. Several times during the day I put our system card in front of Anna but she waved it away, insisting that she was going to play on instinct alone. As it she got lucky, as there were no difficult bidding hands. Her declarer play was also excellent, making crucial overtricks on all her contracts.
<p>I played a single contract of 2♠, which got 21% after I should have done better.
<p>We got a few gifts from lax declarer play, but also suffered when the local declarers bid ambitious contracts and made them. During the first half I was wondering if we should have gone on the more challenging Thursday-night game, but then a series of 0% scores reassured me we were in the right place. The low-point was when doubling them in 2♥, making with an overtrick.
<p>
It was a friendly atmosphere and nice talking to people. Anna hasn't since commented on the poor quality of my chat so I assume it was OK.
<p>
Here's an interesting hand from early on.
</p><p>
</p><table align="center"><tbody><tr><td>
<img alt="" border="0" width="300" src=<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDi5mHkLCReI2JZbR5jvoezIon7IRNQgCeU84HDABGG9yy1yLAJpXezsFgiWoJh3DcZ55RTOlz43CY5H45pJdJUuwjXxcc807MSkyePAwzFbAndAIB6wwUYL9PcE6U65uX9_SUVy9LcAG7CU7G59XI8SRF-0kKjkLsdxcG7b_t7Dw0atttwfIYpBaNI3k/s1600/B9.PNG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="292" data-original-width="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDi5mHkLCReI2JZbR5jvoezIon7IRNQgCeU84HDABGG9yy1yLAJpXezsFgiWoJh3DcZ55RTOlz43CY5H45pJdJUuwjXxcc807MSkyePAwzFbAndAIB6wwUYL9PcE6U65uX9_SUVy9LcAG7CU7G59XI8SRF-0kKjkLsdxcG7b_t7Dw0atttwfIYpBaNI3k/s1600/B9.PNG"/></a></div>
</td><td>
<table align="center" cellpadding="2">
<tbody><tr><th align="center"></th><td align="center">Danny</td><th align="center"></th><td align="center">Anna
</td></tr><tr><th align="center">W</th><th align="center">N</th><th align="center">E</th><th align="center">S
</th></tr><tr><td align="center"></td><td align="center">1♥</td><td align="center">-</td><td align="center">1♠
</td></tr><tr><td align="center">-</td><td align="center">3♥</td><td align="center">-</td><td align="center">3NT
</td></tr><tr><td align="center">-</td><td align="center">-</td><td align="center">-
</td></tr></tbody></table>
</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>
I opened 1♥ and rebid 3♥. I was close to rebidding 3♣, who knows where we would end up then. As it is Anna bid a sensible 3NT, and got a Diamond lead.
<p>
She won with the Ace and with the aid of a Heart finesse took 9 tricks. This scored exactly 50%, beating a few pairs who stopped short of game and one in 4♠. Those in Hearts took 12 tricks.
<p>
Overall we came third with 59%. Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091577273928695566.post-72185219138446499992023-10-11T12:12:00.001-07:002023-10-11T12:12:47.582-07:00Team Buchanan vs HamiltonThis Glasgow league match started at 1930 to accommodate us and I just made it on time, after finding a parking space on Cadzow street. When I reassured the rest of them that John was arriving soon on the train there was general uproar: "<i>The train?</i>" but he got there in time to start.<div><br /></div><div>In the first half we barely had any hands. In fact the strongest hand I had all night was 14 points. So lots of defending. Once when declarer in 2NT finessed I smoothly ducked my King, and the contract went down one. Afterwards John explained that if I just defended normally and took my King and returned his suit it would have gone two off.</div><div><br /></div><div>This was a rare hand I got to play:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBsYNQM3xcUy8W3jEYukTSQWyfaXKHepgLfR8c-5CTTOQ4RuLQljPIJJxCArOvuGR4t4Fq8rP2gAqZQneZks0zFVKwdLarFzBbaH42rdHvZgEkcm91iydYVDL5pia-9iFeSj7rFZuJ0ixdGi-Onxo7osYWYs9Klg5jZoqrlwezMv0AiJKRCQDysRSXgD0/s1074/B9.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="1074" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBsYNQM3xcUy8W3jEYukTSQWyfaXKHepgLfR8c-5CTTOQ4RuLQljPIJJxCArOvuGR4t4Fq8rP2gAqZQneZks0zFVKwdLarFzBbaH42rdHvZgEkcm91iydYVDL5pia-9iFeSj7rFZuJ0ixdGi-Onxo7osYWYs9Klg5jZoqrlwezMv0AiJKRCQDysRSXgD0/w400-h266/B9.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I opened the South hand 1H and rebid 2H. </div><div><br /></div><div>On seeing dummy it looks like I possibly have one loser in each suit. But when the lead was a Club, I thought I was going to take 10 tricks. Heart to the Ace revealed the bad news, and now as well as two Aces I now have three trumps to lose, which luckily I can afford as I'm only in 2♥.</div><div><br /></div><div>I made 2♥= but possibly we should have been in game. Twice more we stayed low, once making 3♥= then 3♠+1, so maybe we were slightly underbidding.</div><div><br /></div><div>Apart from that things went well. I got rather warm and might have been sweating a lot as one of the opponents tactfully said that I was very warm-blooded.<br /><br />On the final hand the opponents were about to play 2♥, but I made a takeout double. The opponents were shortly in 5♥, which I felt obliged to double. Obviously it then made, for a bad finish of -550 points, but overall Team Buchanan had done enough to win the match 15-1.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div>Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091577273928695566.post-7886594136110710912023-09-22T11:48:00.000-07:002023-09-22T11:48:00.697-07:00Team Buchanan vs St MungoThis was the second match of the season for the newly formed Buchanan team, but the first outing for John and I. Last week e had a practice night at the club, and have also been using the Cuebids App. It was therefore good that we didn't have any bidding misunderstandings, and played a reasonable game. Although I was able to remember the more complicated parts of our system I still haven't quite got the philosophy of playing five-card majors and 2/1, and sometimes I'm surprised by how weak John's hand is.
<p>
The first hand I played was 4♠x-2 after John raised my 1♠ opener straight to game on a zero-count. Unfortunately this time the opponents weren't making anything (except 3NT, so technically we got the par score). Near the end I opened 1♥ with a nice 17 count and after John made a simple raise went straight to game. It had no play, unless an opponent revoked, which they did, but we were nice and let them take it back.
<p>
The other three hands I played all went off one or two, where if I'd have guessed right I'd have made it. Guessing right is the hallmark of good players, and I didn't have it tonight. This was my only highlight:
<p>
<table align=center>
<tr><td><table width=400>
<tr><td valign=top><br>
<font size=-1>Love all</font><br> S deal
<td><table>
<tr><td>♠ A K Q x x
<tr><td>♥ Q x x
<tr><td> ♦ x
<tr><td>♣ A K x x
</table>
<tr><td height=20>
<tr><td><td><table class="hand">
<tr><td>♠ x x
<tr><td>♥ A K x x x x
<tr><td>♦ A x x
<tr><td>♣ J x
</table>
</table>
<td src="http://bridge.eusa.ed.ac.uk/genImg/tiny.bmp" width=20>
<td><table cellpadding=2>
<tr><td><td align=center>Danny<td align=center><td align=center>John
<tr><th align=center>W<th align=center>N<th align=center>E<th align=center>S
<tr><td><td><td><td align=center>1♥
<tr><td align=center>- <td align=center>4♦* <td align=center>- <td align=center>4♥
<tr><td align=center>- <td align=center>4NT* <td align=center>- <td align=center>5♦
<tr><td align=center>-<td align=center>7♥
</table>
</table>
<p>
John opened the the South hand 1♥ and I knew that the only cards I cared about were the missing keycards; ♥AK and ♦A. But for some reason I feared an immediate Blackwood might be misunderstood so went through an unnecessary splinter. When I found John did have the keycards I duly bid 7♥.
<p>
West led a Heart. With 12 top tricks the obvious thing is ruff a Diamond for the 13th. So win the first Heart in dummy with the Queen, then cross to the Ace of Diamonds, ruff a Diamond, and cross back to hand to draw trumps. Although neither John or I spotted this at the time trumps were 2-2 and he duly made 7♥=. The other tables all made 13 tricks in 5♥, 6♥ and 6♥, so a good board for Team Rowan.
<p>
Overall we lost the match by a mere 1000 points, leading to a 10-6 loss.
Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091577273928695566.post-70174591529931755122023-08-08T13:29:00.002-07:002023-08-08T13:29:20.582-07:00Southwold SummerAnna and I played an evening at the Sole Bay Bridge Club. We mostly defended, and mostly defended well, but the key to doing well in Matchpoints is to get a few gifts from your opponents, and that helped us to 66%. I had a couple of deep thinks (very slow) that made no difference.
<p>
We also played a few hands with Christine and Stanley. A few times we pushed them to high in the bidding, so when I doubled them in 5♥ they were expecting to go down. What would you lead from:
<p align=center>
♠ A 9 8 x x x
♥ x x x
♦ K x x x
♣ -
<p>
Your side has bid and raised Spades, and they've bid and raised Hearts.
<p>
I found the bold lead of a low Spade,. In a book of bridge stories this would definitely be the lead to beat the contract, putting Anna in with her King of Spades to give me a Club ruff. It's not good playing it safe and starting with the Ace of Spades, as it's too likely declarer or dummy has a singleton Spade, then you lose the chance to put partner in for a ruff. I specifically lead the ♠2, to ask for a low suit return.
<p>
Turns out it didn't matter which Spade I lead. This was the whole deal:
<p>
<table align=center>
<tr><td><table width=400>
<font size=-1>All Vul</font><br>W deal
<tr><td><td>
<table class="hand">
<tr><td>♠ K
<tr><td>♥ Q T 9 x x
<tr><td>♦ J x x
<tr><td>♣ J x x x
</table>
<td><tr><td>
<table class="hand">
<tr><td>♠ A 9 8 x x x
<tr><td>♥ x x x
<tr><td>♦ K x x x
<tr><td>♣ -
</table>
<td align=center>
<table>
<tr><td>
<tr><td><td align=center><font size=-2>7<td>
<tr><td align=center><font size=-2>7<td><td align=center><font size=-2>9
<tr><td><td align=center><font size=-2>17<td>
</table>
<td>
<table class="hand">
<tr><td>♠ Q J x x
<tr><td>♥ -
<tr><td>♦ A Q x
<tr><td>♣ x x x x x x
</table>
<tr><td><td>
<table class="hand">
<tr><td>♠ x
<tr><td>♥ A K J x x
<tr><td>♦ x x x
<tr><td>♣ A K Q
</table>
</table>
<td src="http://bridge.eusa.ed.ac.uk/genImg/tiny.bmp" width=20>
<tr><td><tr><td>
<table cellpadding=2 align=center>
<tr><th align=center>Danny<th align=center>Christine<th align=center>Anna<th align=center>Stanley
<tr><th align=center>W<th align=center>N<th align=center>E<th align=center>S
<tr><td align=center><td align=center><td align=center><td align=center>1♥
<tr><td align=center>2♠<td align=center>4♥<td align=center>4♠<td align=center>5♥
<tr><td align=center>x<td align=center>-<td align=center>-<td align=center>-
</table>
</table>
<p>
There are four top losers, but look at how my lead lets 5♥x make. Declarer's Spade loser disappears when he wins his singleton King, a nice surprise. Then he draws trumps and runs the Clubs, throwing a Diamond loser.
Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091577273928695566.post-71060919986390688522023-06-23T01:17:00.005-07:002023-06-23T01:17:55.883-07:00Return to Buchanan ClubJohn and I made a return to face to face bridge on Monday with a most welcome game at the Buchanan. It's been over a year since either of us played a real match, and it was great to be back at the club. It was still light outside and with a cool breeze, perfect conditions for bridge!
<p>
As usual, John and I handicapped ourselves by playing his system (or maybe it's oringally his partner's Frazer's system). It's not a bad system, but is fairly unfamiliar to me. I spent much of the week before reading it, and even made a couple of online quizzes to test my understanding. On the second board I bid 3♥ to show a Club singleton, which to my surprise John alerted as a Diamond singleton!
<p>
Despite the misunderstanding I ended in a reasonable 6♥. In fact, without the misunderstanding I may well have ended up in 7♥, and six was high enough. The small slam made exactly for 73%, as most people were in it.
<p>
In my featured deal below we made a lot of tricks
</p><p>
</p><table align="center"><tbody><tr><td>
<img alt="" border="0" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6t0tM8cAGQP2Oi1JO-B5eu5qYjvPO2uvo33D1PHCK1iNocfS1mAXPDQQ2L3yxIGO6XLQR9nmLeFNqZ8jvrbwZ_2etRgyPglvTtZkeK6BIFDy7Uing7jpPxZVmDY-vVK-tyVsKIH6RXx0XBkiWyQWOiZ4ajTYDQTM4dETy3bapSSj9UaCEHBWFqJzyEAo/s1600/b1.PNG"/>=
</td><td>
<table align="center" cellpadding="2">
<tbody><tr><th align="center">John</th><td align="center"></td><th align="center">Danny</th><td align="center">
</td></tr><tr><th align="center">W</th><th align="center">N</th><th align="center">E</th><th align="center">S
</th></tr><tr><td align="center"></td><td align="center">-</td><td align="center">1♣</td><td align="center">-
</td></tr><tr><td align="center">1♦</td><td align="center">-</td><td align="center">3♣</td><td align="center">-
</td></tr><tr><td align="center">3♠</td><td align="center">-</td><td align="center">3NT</td><td align="center">-
</td></tr><tr><td align="center">-</td><td align="center">-</td><td align="center">
</td></tr></tbody></table>
</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>
I had the big East hand and opened 1♣. John replied 1♦, and I thought about a speculative 3NT but went for the more sensible 3♣. When John rebid 3♠ I went for the NT game.
<p>
I got a Heart lead, and immediately looked to the Club suit. If Clubs are 3-2 I just have to lose one Club, and if one defender had exactly Queen-Ten then I can win all the Clubs. Even if they are 4-1 without an honour dropping I still have a good chance of nine tricks (four Spades, three Hearts, two Clubs). Is there any benefit in leading low to the Jack? I couldn't think of any, so played Clubs from the top and waas rewarded with all 13 tricks.
<p>
We got 77% as although nearly everyone played 3NT, some made only 12 tricks.
Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091577273928695566.post-87989614523241946652023-05-04T11:43:00.003-07:002023-05-04T11:43:59.349-07:00HighSchoolOfGlasgow vs Lithgae PlayersLast night my team of ex-school pupils suffered another loss in Division 1 of the SBU Bronze League.
<p>
This was surely the unluckiest board:
</p><p>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="400" src="https://www.bridgebase.com/tools/handviewer.html?bbo=y&lin=pn%7Csjkhall%2Charry_12%2Cfhjhall%2CI_IO%7Cst%7C%7Cmd%7C1S89H269QKAD3JC68K%2CS57JAH8JD568C47JQ%2CS36H3457D7KC2359A%2C%7Crh%7C%7Cah%7CBoard%2015%7Csv%7Cn%7Cmb%7C1H%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7C3H%7Can%7C4%20card%20H%20suit%20-%208%20losers%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7C4H%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cpc%7CCQ%7Cpc%7CC2%7Cpc%7CCT%7Cpc%7CCK%7Cpc%7CHA%7Cpc%7CH8%7Cpc%7CH3%7Cpc%7CHT%7Cpc%7CHK%7Cpc%7CHJ%7Cpc%7CH4%7Cpc%7CD2%7Cpc%7CC6%7Cpc%7CC4%7Cpc%7CC9%7Cpc%7CD4%7Cpc%7CCA%7Cpc%7CS2%7Cpc%7CC8%7Cpc%7CC7%7Cpc%7CC3%7Cpc%7CS4%7Cpc%7CH9%7Cpc%7CCJ%7Cpc%7CH2%7Cpc%7CD5%7Cpc%7CH5%7Cpc%7CD9%7Cpc%7CC5%7Cpc%7CDT%7Cpc%7CS8%7Cpc%7CD6%7Cpc%7CS3%7Cpc%7CSK%7Cpc%7CS9%7Cpc%7CS5%7Cpc%7CSQ%7Cpc%7CH6%7Cpc%7CS7%7Cpc%7CS6%7Cpc%7CD3%7Cpc%7CD8%7Cpc%7CDK%7Cpc%7CDA%7Cpc%7CDQ%7Cpc%7CDJ%7Cpc%7CSJ%7Cpc%7CD7%7Cpc%7CST%7Cpc%7CHQ%7Cpc%7CSA%7Cpc%7CH7%7C" width="100%"></iframe>
<p>
Defending 4♥ West made the normal looking lead of the Queen of Clubs. This caught his partner's ten, and declarer was then able to pick up the Clubs and make the contract. On another lead there are at least five losers.
<p>
Conceding 4♥= was a doubly bad result as East-West have an easy Spade game. I've encouraged East to bid more next time and weigh in with 3♠.
<p>
On the other table our North-South pair did well not to push too hard and wisely sold out to 3♠, which made with two overtricks.
<p>
Overall we lost the match 24-53 IMPs which translates to about 4-16 I'd guess.Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091577273928695566.post-40208739833952895412023-04-28T04:10:00.005-07:002023-04-28T04:10:54.779-07:00HighSchoolOfGlasgowJuniors vs AardfapIt's school exam season, which meant I only had two Juniors available for my team this week. Phil and I stepped in to be the other pair. In this match we had the pleasure of playing against Peter Edmond's Bearsden Improvers Club. Peter is also a former HSOG maths teacher (like Phil) so it was a true reunion.
<p>
I like Phil's style, as like me he is always on the lookout for a possible game and slam, and together we bid pretty aggressively. This produced some very good results, though this is not one of them:
</p><p>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="400" src="https://www.bridgebase.com/tools/handviewer.html?bbo=y&lin=pn%7CPhil%20Moon%2C1925x%2Cdkham%2C1911x%7Cst%7C%7Cmd%7C4S79AHD68QAC246JQA%2CS38TJH25D2359KC38%2CS456KH478D4TJC579%2C%7Crh%7C%7Cah%7CBoard%206%7Csv%7Ce%7Cmb%7C4H%7Cmb%7Cd%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7C4S%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cpc%7CHA%7Cpc%7CS7%7Cpc%7CH5%7Cpc%7CH4%7Cpc%7CCA%7Cpc%7CC8%7Cpc%7CC5%7Cpc%7CCT%7Cpc%7CC2%7Cpc%7CC3%7Cpc%7CC9%7Cpc%7CCK%7Cpc%7CD7%7Cpc%7CD6%7Cpc%7CDK%7Cpc%7CD4%7Cpc%7CH2%7Cpc%7CH7%7Cpc%7CH9%7Cpc%7CS9%7Cpc%7CSA%7Cpc%7CS3%7Cpc%7CS4%7Cpc%7CS2%7Cpc%7CD8%7Cpc%7CD2%7Cpc%7CDJ%7Cpc%7CSQ%7Cpc%7CHK%7Cpc%7CC4%7Cpc%7CD3%7Cpc%7CH8%7Cpc%7CHQ%7Cpc%7CC6%7Cpc%7CD9%7Cpc%7CS5%7Cpc%7CSK%7Cpc%7CHT%7Cpc%7CCJ%7Cpc%7CS8%7Cpc%7CDT%7Cpc%7CH6%7Cpc%7CDQ%7Cpc%7CD5%7Cpc%7CDA%7Cpc%7CST%7Cpc%7CC7%7Cpc%7CH3%7Cpc%7CSJ%7Cpc%7CS6%7Cpc%7CHJ%7Cpc%7CCQ%7C" width="100%"></iframe>
<p>
On both tables East opened 4♥. This is definitely not my choice, as you might miss slam, or your partner may sacrifice when in fact you have lots of defence.
<p>
Phil had the big South hand and took the reasonable decision to double. He got to response he didn't want, 4♠, and had to pass.
<p>
In 4♠ I got the expected ♥A lead. How do you play it?
<p>
In fact the best option is to duck this trick, throwing a Club or Diamond from dummy. Then when East continues Hearts (as he surely would) you can ruff it, draw a couple of rounds of trumps with the Ace-King, finesse Clubs and run winners. The defence just gets that one Heart at the start, and two trumps. It needs a lucky layout in Clubs (and Spades 4-2 oddly) but works here.
<p>
It's an interesting deal in that the winning play relies on ducking, in a suit contract, which you don't see often.
<p>
This duck did not occur to me at the table. I was just trying for as many tricks as possible, and planned to ruff two Hearts in dummy. The problem with this is that each time you ruff a Heart you have no entry back to hand. I finished on 4♠-3. On the other table East-West pushed on to 5♥, which South gratefully doubled and beat by two tricks.
<p>
Despite the 14 IMP loss on this board, we scraped home to win the match 50-45.
Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091577273928695566.post-322856451158348952023-04-12T15:07:00.007-07:002023-04-13T07:56:57.694-07:00Sole Bay Bridge Club<p>Anna and I are on holiday in Suffolk and took advantage of the trip to visit the Sole Bay Bridge Club again. This was our first time playing here in a while, and it is always very enjoyable. There was a nice atmosphere and a brisk 21 boards. We mostly got good results but three times I tried to be clever, and three times it backfired.
<p>
The first time was when I thought for ages, and finally decided it was safe to duck my winners in the hope of setting the contract two. To my surprise declarer then took the rest! Well done Jenny and Alan. In my analysis of the hand I'd forgotten that the ♦A was still out there, what a blunder.
<p>
Then I had this promising hand:
<p align=center>
<align=center>♠x ♥x ♦Qxxxx ♣AKxxxx
<p>
First to bid, no-one vulnerable. I probably should have opened 3♣, but decided to pass. Then Anna bid 1NT and I considered several options (including minor suit Stayman) before passing. I definitely should have transferred to 3♣ now.
<p>
Anna had a rough time in 1NT, the Clubs did not come in and it was 1NT-2.
<p>
My third bodge was in a competitive auction. I pushed on to 4♥, thinking the opposition would surely be making 4♣. It went one off (fine), but I think 4♣ might have been failing too. Everyone else played 3♥=, so I suppose we have to say well bid to Vivien and Linda for pushing us too high.
<p>
Despite my off-night Anna did well and we finished with a winning score of 64%.
<p>
Here's an interesting hand:
<p>
<table align=center>
<tr><td><table width=400>
<tr><td valign=top><br>
<font size=-1>Love all </font><br> S deal
<td>
<table class="hand">
<tr><td>♠ Q T
<tr><td>♥ x x x
<tr><td>♦ K Q x x
<tr><td>♣ A K x x
</table>
<td><tr><td>
<table class="hand">
<tr><td>♠ x x x
<tr><td>♥ x x
<tr><td>♦ A x
<tr><td>♣ Q T 9 8 x x
</table>
<td align=center>
<table>
<tr><td>
<tr><td><td align=center><font size=-2>14<td>
<tr><td align=center><font size=-2>6<td><td align=center><font size=-2>14
<tr><td><td align=center><font size=-2>6<td>
</table>
<td>
<table class="hand">
<tr><td>♠ K
<tr><td>♥ A K Q x x
<tr><td>♦ J T 9 x x
<tr><td>♣ J x
</table>
<tr><td><td>
<table class="hand">
<tr><td>♠ A J 9 8 x x x
<tr><td>♥ J x x
<tr><td>♦ x x
<tr><td>♣ x
</table>
</table>
<td src="http://bridge.eusa.ed.ac.uk/genImg/tiny.bmp" width=20>
<td><table cellpadding=2>
<tr><th align=center>Anna<th align=center><th align=center>Danny<th align=center>
<tr><th align=center>W<th align=center>N<th align=center>E<th align=center>S
<tr><td><td><td><td align=center>3♠
<tr><td align=center>-<td align=center>-<td align=center>-
</table>
</table>
<p>
It was a simple auction at our table; 3♠ passed out. I agree with the 3♠ opening bid; you'd like stronger Spades but it's a decent seven card suit with a singleton.
<p>
North is close to a raise. You have three Heart losers but it's likely that partner has shortage (not today though). You expect about four losers (one Spades, two Hearts, one Diamond), so at Teams might bid an optimistic 4♠. Here North did well to pass.
<p>
With the East hand I was thinking about a double of 3♠. If partner inevitably bid 4♣ I'd just have to pass. But North looked like she had a good hand so I chose to pass, and was glad I did when I saw such a good dummy.
<p>
In defence to 3♠ Anna lead a Heart. I took three top tricks then a Diamond for 3♠=. Anna was quick to notice that if I switch to a Diamond after winning my the first Heart then we can beat it, as Anna can then throw her small Diamond on a top Heart and get a Diamond ruff for the fifth defensive trick. I have to admit this never crossed my mind.
<p>
I think if Anna leads the Ace of Diamonds, a fairly normal lead after the pre-empt, we might have found the winning defence. One table did as the result was 4♠-2, but another table presumably lead a Club and conceded 4♠=. A two trick swing on the opening lead.
Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091577273928695566.post-10042780042987764652023-02-22T13:20:00.002-08:002023-02-22T13:20:30.573-08:00HighSchoolOfGlasgow vs Acuity<p>
With the Peggy Bayer last weekend three of our team were busy catching up on University work, so the reserves were brought in for this league match against last season's champions. I played with Kevin, and Harry with Phil Moon.
<p>
As the host of the match I was responsible for the setup, so take full blame for accidenally leaving the <em>barometer</em> on, meaning we could all see the scores. I also take the blame for this one:
</p><p>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="400" src="https://www.bridgebase.com/tools/handviewer.html?bbo=y&lin=pn%7Ckevin18r%2Cjra123%2Cdkham%2Cnmed%7Cst%7C%7Cmd%7C1S679TH8TAD789C6JQ%2CS3AH45QD246TQAC79%2CS245KH379JKD35C45%2C%7Crh%7C%7Cah%7CBoard%203%7Csv%7Ce%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7C1D%7Cmb%7C1H%7Cmb%7C2C%7Cmb%7C2H%7Cmb%7C3D%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7C3H%7Can%7Casking%20for%20stop%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7C3N%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cpc%7CS2%7Cpc%7CSJ%7Cpc%7CST%7Cpc%7CS3%7Cpc%7CDK%7Cpc%7CD7%7Cpc%7CD2%7Cpc%7CD5%7Cpc%7CDJ%7Cpc%7CD8%7Cpc%7CD4%7Cpc%7CD3%7Cpc%7CS8%7Cpc%7CS9%7Cpc%7CSA%7Cpc%7CS4%7Cpc%7CDA%7Cpc%7CH3%7Cpc%7CC2%7Cpc%7CD9%7Cpc%7CDQ%7Cpc%7CC5%7Cpc%7CC3%7Cpc%7CH8%7Cpc%7CDT%7Cpc%7CH7%7Cpc%7CH2%7Cpc%7CS7%7Cpc%7CD6%7Cpc%7CC4%7Cpc%7CH6%7Cpc%7CHT%7Cpc%7CC7%7Cpc%7CH9%7Cpc%7CCA%7Cpc%7CC6%7Cpc%7CCK%7Cpc%7CCQ%7Cpc%7CC9%7Cpc%7CHJ%7Cpc%7CC8%7Cpc%7CCJ%7Cpc%7CH4%7Cpc%7CHK%7Cpc%7CHA%7Cpc%7CH5%7Cpc%7CS5%7Cpc%7CCT%7Cpc%7CS6%7Cpc%7CHQ%7Cpc%7CSK%7Cpc%7CSQ%7C" width="100%"></iframe>
<p>
Expecting a Heart stopper of something like AQx, I went for a surpise Spade lead. Declarer collected the next ten tricks, and as the hand revealed itself I realised that partner must have had the Ace of Hearts all along. Perhapas it's time for an agreement of what it means when we double their cuebid in our suit, then Kevin can double 3♥ when he has the Ace like this.
<p>
I also take responsiblity for making an ever so slightly light overcall on <nobr> ♠854 ♥AQ985 ♦74 ♣J76 </nobr>, leading to conceding 5♦x. Because I'd left the barometer on, I could see that we'd just lost 26 IMPs.
<p>
We pulled it back though. Kevin and I bid aggressively to keep them out of a few games (which Harry and Phil made), and defended well to beat a few games (which Harry and Phil made). My favourite hand though is a rare part score, played at the other table:
<p>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="400" src="https://www.bridgebase.com/tools/handviewer.html?bbo=y&lin=pn%7Cdd666%2CPhil%20Moon%2Cwdd42%2Charry_12%7Cst%7C%7Cmd%7C1S4JH6JAD78QC237TQ%2CS367AH57D2349JC46%2CS2KH2489TDTKAC9JK%2C%7Crh%7C%7Cah%7CBoard%2011%7Csv%7Co%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7C1N%7Cmb%7C2S%7Cmb%7C3C%7Cmb%7C3S%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cpc%7CSJ%7Cpc%7CS3%7Cpc%7CSK%7Cpc%7CS5%7Cpc%7CS2%7Cpc%7CS8%7Cpc%7CS4%7Cpc%7CS6%7Cpc%7CD5%7Cpc%7CD7%7Cpc%7CD9%7Cpc%7CDT%7Cpc%7CHT%7Cpc%7CHQ%7Cpc%7CHA%7Cpc%7CH5%7Cpc%7CHJ%7Cpc%7CH7%7Cpc%7CH2%7Cpc%7CHK%7Cpc%7CD6%7Cpc%7CDQ%7Cpc%7CD2%7Cpc%7CDK%7Cpc%7CH9%7Cpc%7CH3%7Cpc%7CH6%7Cpc%7CS7%7Cpc%7CD3%7Cpc%7CDA%7Cpc%7CS9%7Cpc%7CD8%7Cpc%7CST%7Cpc%7CC2%7Cpc%7CSA%7Cpc%7CH4%7Cpc%7CDJ%7Cpc%7CH8%7Cpc%7CC5%7Cpc%7CC3%7Cpc%7CD4%7Cpc%7CC9%7Cpc%7CC8%7Cpc%7CC7%7Cpc%7CC4%7Cpc%7CCJ%7Cpc%7CCA%7Cpc%7CCT%7Cpc%7CSQ%7Cpc%7CCQ%7Cpc%7CC6%7Cpc%7CCK%7C" width="100%"></iframe>
<p>
The 2♠ overcall is borderline but it finds good support and with 1NT making could lead to a gain. There look to be five inescapable losers - one Spade, one Heart, two Diamonds and a Club. If the Heart Ace is onside you can throw a Club from dummy, but that fails here. Harry played on Diamonds and eventually set up the suit when they split 3-3 and could throw two losing Clubs from hand. Of course the defence had plenty of time to switch to Clubs and foil this plan, but never did, so the hard work paid off and Harry made 3♠=.
<p>
We won the match by 78-33 IMPs and will climb back up to about mid-table.
Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091577273928695566.post-34378022253741701722023-02-19T12:13:00.003-08:002023-02-19T12:13:39.759-08:00Peggy Bayer 2023 - Round 9 Scotland vs England<p>First, team photos from today:<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45sNMABN3UWp3NlFQ3a2Ae4pI06TweHO-KmOAkzRLXpGUKSm_q-uWwr1T6IszEPGdDk7fDN6bL4Gxeq-ilmnhNjNBI8UXVAC4j4SsYSROeRbFTmV1mDh1uoknLSD4WguWs6inaVcLrOhxq9eVspRcdUhgfbLsQc1TNr2bb0LhU4drPaRixSlasKjOsw/s4032/20230219_151404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45sNMABN3UWp3NlFQ3a2Ae4pI06TweHO-KmOAkzRLXpGUKSm_q-uWwr1T6IszEPGdDk7fDN6bL4Gxeq-ilmnhNjNBI8UXVAC4j4SsYSROeRbFTmV1mDh1uoknLSD4WguWs6inaVcLrOhxq9eVspRcdUhgfbLsQc1TNr2bb0LhU4drPaRixSlasKjOsw/w400-h300/20230219_151404.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />Scotland Peggy Bayer (U21)<br />Jamie Day, Michael Kennedy, Harry Stuart, Al Duncan, Kevin Ren</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JUNGrLSFcys8LqLqkhIB8qijB0-fYhDz8jRsRF1ef3dYUyf7SQ35jdjT1fD5uj2u2fOnZD7QhpxPw3sk5tTu_YOnuSvol4V-SK-rwhCEC5huo8uXyQYA_xVibfwR44qs48XAth3PxUlPbnWTjurGyjDM7e3MMCeRWFhgm98KDjBQoR5X2Nwu7F6Bpw/s4032/20230219_151014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JUNGrLSFcys8LqLqkhIB8qijB0-fYhDz8jRsRF1ef3dYUyf7SQ35jdjT1fD5uj2u2fOnZD7QhpxPw3sk5tTu_YOnuSvol4V-SK-rwhCEC5huo8uXyQYA_xVibfwR44qs48XAth3PxUlPbnWTjurGyjDM7e3MMCeRWFhgm98KDjBQoR5X2Nwu7F6Bpw/w400-h300/20230219_151014.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />Scotland Junior Camrose (U25) team plus NPC Alisdair</div><br /><br />I am now away from the event (work Monday morning) so followed this last match on my phone on a replacement bus service somewhere in North-West England. <br /><p>With another new face, Tamsin Munro was promoted to our U21 team it was an untested quartet hoping to upset the runaway leaders England in the final match. <br /><br />We got off to a great start, as did Scotland U25, also playing against England. The final result in our match was England 47 IMPS, Scotland 45 IMPs. Not bad turnover for 16 boards. Could we have won? Who knows, but a great result. The final standings are therefore</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3li3Y3VT17_oHVb6bV-Ey0oWogr4vE-uGShUpIJfasqv985KlwLjfpwFzF9PFR14B1_IRg7z2q4DCCkxqsC_fB19SWx6rAh3tEFUJpZzXMDnKMFelXnSpX1hRtr7vaYMF9dqvMcFW1wieTEXHLC9LoMU0RF5Vm8j8NS_AyLRM4FHCFoo3zfZX-UGpqg/s351/table.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="215" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3li3Y3VT17_oHVb6bV-Ey0oWogr4vE-uGShUpIJfasqv985KlwLjfpwFzF9PFR14B1_IRg7z2q4DCCkxqsC_fB19SWx6rAh3tEFUJpZzXMDnKMFelXnSpX1hRtr7vaYMF9dqvMcFW1wieTEXHLC9LoMU0RF5Vm8j8NS_AyLRM4FHCFoo3zfZX-UGpqg/s320/table.PNG" width="196" /></a></div>For those 99 Victory points we beat Northern Ireland three out of three times (just), Ireland twice, and England no times (nearly at the end though).<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>In the U25 Scotland heroically held on to beat England in the last match and end the event on a high. Their final standings:<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5bZNRXpzobiIORhIG1veXNZgWmCmiOsw8_9pAEitTMQcUPDcQUhr9tO0gp0wht2zuegQ0DQKPteI3KcZVtmwKFHBDjsJzwj4QRb50IFnNxovMec4o-DITNSb9jLTwtcpoJGrX4784kTiu322SwCYoDUIRLjiOb2-rsRUou4RbZtSke3uKpFmF2gvKA/s520/table2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="216" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5bZNRXpzobiIORhIG1veXNZgWmCmiOsw8_9pAEitTMQcUPDcQUhr9tO0gp0wht2zuegQ0DQKPteI3KcZVtmwKFHBDjsJzwj4QRb50IFnNxovMec4o-DITNSb9jLTwtcpoJGrX4784kTiu322SwCYoDUIRLjiOb2-rsRUou4RbZtSke3uKpFmF2gvKA/w166-h400/table2.PNG" width="166" /></a></div>Playing each team twice, Scotland scored one great win against both England and EBU Juniors, and surprisingly the only team they didn't beat was Wales.<p>As the players have dinner and prepare for the closing ceremony, here are some of my reflections on the whole event.</p><p>Great to play in person. I met a few people I've seen online who knew me by name but had never met me. I was starstruck by seeing Sally Brock. Many of the Juniors I've seen in online matches and were very friendly. There is definitely a community of adults working hard to promote Junior bridge.<br /><br />The standard was not as high as at the European Junior Championships. No big surprise there. But as Michael on our team said, that meant that we could actually win a match which was nice.</p><p>The bridge all went very smoothly. Well done to the tournament directors and anyone else working behind the scenes. The only hiccup was that at one point we were scoring 16 board matches on a 12 board victory point scale (using last year's spreadsheet). It was me who noticed this and pointed it out, even though it cost my team some fraction of a victory point. <br /><br />The hotel had perhaps taken on more than they could handle and struggled somewhat with the meals, with the hardworking staff having to work extremely hard to serve everyone. The first dinner was in fact not even finished before the bridge began (I got a lemon meringue pie and Ireland pocketed one each for later but most didn't get dessert).</p><p>Scotland showed some promise for the future. Our U25 team I would say need to be more disciplined in the bidding. They forgot their system a few times or bid on inappropriate hands and punted far too many slams. But they have a huge amount of talent and can beat good teams. The U21 team was disciplined in bidding, and I think have the most to learn from more solid declarer play and defence. As non-playing captain they were very easy to manage.</p><p>England did the right thing fielding a weaker team - their U16 played in the U21, and still won it but had a few close matches (and famously lost to Northern Ireland, and nearly to us at the end).</p><p>I have just been sent a message about a hand to feature on the blog, but that will have to be for another time, I'm signing off now until next year.</p><p><br /></p>Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697396246838428198noreply@blogger.com0