NORTH HAMPTON BRIDGE CLUB

Hi All,

Glad to be back online after the holidays. I was sent the board shown below.

North

ª 9 8 6

¨ J 10 9 7 5 2

§ J 3

West East

ª K 10 5 ª A J 7 2

¨ A Q 3 ¨ K

§ A 10 4 § Q 8

South

ª Q 4 3

¨ 8 6 4

§ K 9 7 6 5 2

Suppose West opens 1 Club and East responds 1 Heart to force opener to describe his hand. West rebids 2 Hearts to promise 13-16 points and at least 4 Hearts. East rebids 2 Spades, a control bid, and West rebids 3 Clubs, another control bid.

If now East now jumps to 4 Hearts, is that a stop bid or should West continue? West has clearly described his hand to East, the Captain, and East has chosen to stop short of the slam. East knows what West has and West is not really sure what East has. West must pass.

Suppose instead that East rebids 3 Diamonds, another control bid. West must rebid 4 Diamonds, another control bid, to show the Ace which greatly improves partner's King. East still sees several possible losers, but he also sees around 35 points, a good fit and all the Aces. If East isn't satisfied, he can bid 4 Hearts which would definitely be to stop, but DSS will always bid the slam.

Dave

Hi All,

I know we've all got the Covid Blues. Penny has come forward just when we need a smile. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do. Dave

Happy Holidays

This COVID thing's getting harder to swallow.

With nine months gone by and still more to follow.

But we can't lose our humor. We can't lose our hope,

Though it's easy to moan and it's easy to mope.

Catch up on projects, clean closets, scrub floors,

Whatever you choose you must do it indoors.

After a while the closets are clean, the projects all done.

Now what, you wonder, what shall I do for some fun?

No movies, no parties, no family or friends.

Aaagh! We cry loudly, will this ever end?

Take a deep breath, have patience. We don't have a choice.

Find something to take your mind off the trouble and noise.

Sudokus are good. Word puzzles, too.

But if you want something REALLY good to do,

Play Bridge! Seriously, that's my advice.

It's amazing how fast the time goes. So quick! In a trice!

Dave's lessons come through, even though he's not here.

"You must show preference." I hear in my ear.

Or perhaps an echo from a lesson long past

On reverses or transfers, maybe the rebidding class.

I admit it's not like a partner sitting across

to reassure and comfort when you've taken a loss,

Or smiling delightedly when you've made a hard bid.

(Plus the computer doesn't know how to kid.)

It's true. Missing Thursdays is a hard cross to bear.

Perhaps the New Year will see us back there.

Until then, though, I hope your Holiday's healthy.

When you reconvene Thursdays, we'll all feel quite wealthy

To see friends again and get back to normal.

No need to break ice, no need to be formal.

I guess we'll just have to wait for awhile

And try to stay positive, face the day with a smile.

Happy Holidays to you! Happy New Year as well.

I hope your 2021 is incredibly swell.

Question of the Week 20

Happy Holidays