This year I took 15 pupils with me to Edinburgh, to join challengers from George Heriots and Stockbridge Primary. My pupils were in P7, S1 and S2, so ranging in age from 10-13 years old. Last year our top pair finished 3rd East-West, could they do better this year?
(Read my 2025 report and I also have a 2016 report)
Due to tighter school restrictions about staffing, I wasn't allowed to take all the pupils on my own. Step forward janitor Andy Tierney, who not only offered to accompany us but also provided a minibus, saving the effort of two trains and a bus.
We arrived in good time and drew cards for seating. An adult accompanied each table. I was very impressed by what I saw on the first two boards.
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In Minibridge each player first counts their points to determine the declarer, who then chooses the contract. Here with 16 opposite 10 our South, Catriona, chose 3NT.
West lead the Jack of Diamonds. Declarer won this with her Queen. Let's be generous and assume that at this point declarer counted her tricks. Assuming she did, she would have found 1 + 4 + 1 + 2 = only 8 tricks. Need to find one more.
Declarer took her Heart tricks, then turned to Clubs. She played the King of Clubs then took a finesse, leading to her Jack of Clubs. This lost to West's Queen, but the defence could only two three more Diamonds and declarer had made her ninth trick, getting a third one out of Clubs. Well played!
Making 3NT= was worth 80%. The top score was 3NT+2ne . Otable played 4H-1, and the rest languished in a part score.
West lead the Jack of Diamonds. Declarer won this with her Queen. Let's be generous and assume that at this point declarer counted her tricks. Assuming she did, she would have found 1 + 4 + 1 + 2 = only 8 tricks. Need to find one more.
Declarer took her Heart tricks, then turned to Clubs. She played the King of Clubs then took a finesse, leading to her Jack of Clubs. This lost to West's Queen, but the defence could only two three more Diamonds and declarer had made her ninth trick, getting a third one out of Clubs. Well played!
Making 3NT= was worth 80%. The top score was 3NT+2ne . Otable played 4H-1, and the rest languished in a part score.
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On the next deal our declarer Evita wisely chose 4H, and correctly drew trumps and remembered that her 9 of Diamonds was a winner. 4H+2 was worth 90%, tying with or beating most pairs who bid game.
If I could somehow teach two things to all novice declarers, it would be to count tricks, and to count trumps. If you could do these two simple things you'd win the tournament easily.
For defenders I would start with just one thing. Don't lead unsupported honours, meaning don't lead a high card unless you have a whole block of high cards. Very often I saw defenders lead a stray King or Queen and give declarer gift after gift.
Anyway, the standard was better this year than last year I think, and the organisation was excellent. The bridge club were extremely accommodating, and even turned the coffee machine back on after the tournament ended so I could have another cup. Fiona Robertson had all the boards and movement worked out, not an easy task when you don't know how many pupils are coming.
Anyway, the standard was better this year than last year I think, and the organisation was excellent. The bridge club were extremely accommodating, and even turned the coffee machine back on after the tournament ended so I could have another cup. Fiona Robertson had all the boards and movement worked out, not an easy task when you don't know how many pupils are coming.
The final results are here: New Melville Bridge Club.
Congratulations to our top pair, Hanlin and Noah, who went two better than last time and were the overall winners this year.
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