N°46 • February 2024
THE GREAT BRIDGE BOOM
SOMETHING THAT HAS ALWAYS CONTRIBUTED TO THE POPULARITY OF THE GAME IS THAT YOU CAN PLAY AGAINST THE VERY BEST IN THE WORLD FOR THE COST OF AN ENTRY FEE.
by Mark Horton
Imagine how much it would cost to play a set of tennis, or a round of golf with a champion. Could that explain the current surge in popularity?
The recent Festival in Reykjavik, Iceland, attracted hundreds of players from around the world, and the Opening Ceremony was televised live on the national news. Bridge is so popular in the country that it is integrated into Icelandic schools, and classes are filled so quickly that waiting lists have to be created.
In North America, the Hilton Head Regional event at the beginning of this month went way past 2000 tables and there are reports that hotels for the upcoming ACBL Nationals in Louisville and Toronto are rapidly selling out.
Online events also continue to thrive. The fourth edition of the recently completed Transatlantic Seniors Cup event organised by the Polish Bridge Union attracted 26 teams, and 18 teams have already registered for the February ALT event.
Almost all these contests are broadcast on Bridge Base Online, enabling supporters and aficionados to follow the action.
Number 46 – Monthly – February 2024 – Director of publication Olivier Comte – Publisher Éditions de Presse Spécialisée Le Bridgeur – WOJO – 43 rue Camille Desmoulins, 92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux – France – Executive Director Karine Meyer-Naudan – Editorial Committee Michel Bessis – Muriel Clément-Philippe Cronier-Mark Horton-Vincent Labbé-Norbert Lébely-Karine Meyer-Naudan–Assistant Editor-in Chief Vincent Labbé – Editorial Secretary +
Muriel Clément – Adverts Bridgerama Muriel Clément 01 42 96 25 50 – Subscriptions 01 42 96 25 50 – Art Director Isabelle Le Squer-Fontaine/Maya – mayatom@me.com – Translation Monika Kummel – Legal Deposit february 2024, N°7.680 – Joint Committee – 1118 K 85690 – ISSN 0184-8127.
CONTENTS
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
Balancing
COMFORT ZONE I’m a firm believer in making the game as enjoyable as possible but that doesn’t mean I have to let the opponents have a comfortable time during the auction. So, here’s an auction that almost never occurs when…
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
Bridge Bidding Tips
Bridge Bidding Tips is a great addition to the knowledge base for intermediate duplicate bridge players. Players are often in doubt about borderline cases; the tips in this book will address these concerns and improve your bidding.There are many nuances to…
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
FULLY LOADED!
Match par quatre.
Sud donneur,
Nord-Sud vulnérables.
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
Find the mistake – February 2024
In this game, East-West have reached a good contract. However, mistakes were made during the auction by one or the other protagonist (and most often by both). Your job is to find those mistakes. You get 2 points for each mistake found…
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
Jump bids in competitive auctions
North-South have reached a very poor contract. As so often, each of the two players considers that his partner is responsible for the accident. And you, what do you think? This month we will be looking at:Jump bids in competitive…
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
Report – French Cup: quarter-finals.
From THE quarter-finals of the French Cup Take the place of Quentin Robert, who recently won the French mixed pairs championship, together with his partner Anne-Laure Tartarin. But today, you play in the quarter-finals of the French Cup with Pierre…
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
RESPONDING TO A TAKEOUT DOUBLE [PART 2]
Last month, we looked at the basic structure for responding to your partner’s one-level takeout double. In this continuation of that topic, we will consider two more situations that may arise after the same start to the auction. So far,…
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
SPOTTING THE SPOTS
On this deal from a top tournament, I heard of no declarer who made 4 Hearts, although a couple of declarers were heard muttering into their cappuccinos about missing a chance. W N E S 1♠ Pass Pass 2♥ Pass…
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
A WHOLE HOST OF LITTLE PROBLEMS
This Month… THIS MONTH YOU’LL BE SOLVING A WHOLE HOST OF LITTLE PROBLEMS. MAKE YOURSELF COMFORTABLE IN THE SOUTH SEAT. YOU ARE THE DEALER (NONE VULNERABLE) WITH THE FOLLOWING HAND: ♠ A93♥ A8♦ K1094♣ K1097 What is your opening bid?You…
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
Misplay this Hand with Me – February 2024
Based on his bestselling trilogy of books, Misplay These Hands with Me, Misdefend These Hands with Me and Misbid These Hands with Me, Mark Horton shows you how to avoid misplaying, misdefending and misbidding hands. In the semifinal of an…
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
WHAT DO YOU LEAD AS WEST? – February 2024
1. ♠ 932♥ 543♦ J632♣ QJ4 W N E S 1♦ 1NT Pass 2♣ Pass 2♥ Pass 3NT Discover the right lead ♦3: Lead the Diamond 3, third and fifth in partner’s suit. My advice: when partner opened 1♦, 1♥ or…
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
OPEN YOUR EYES, DON’T FALL ASLEEP!
Match par quatre.
Nord donneur,
Nord-Sud vulnérables.
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
ANTICIPATING AND STRIKING BACK
ANTICIPATING ADVERSITIES TO COME AND STRIKING BACK WISELY: THE REAL STRENGTH OF DEFENSE LIES IN FINDING THE RIGHT SWITCH. W N E S 1NT Pass 2♥ Pass 2♠ Pass 2NT Pass 3NT Lead: ♣4. The 3, 10, and finally the Ace…
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
RESPONDING TO PARTNER’S TAKEOUT DOUBLE [PART 2]
In this traditional section of BRIDGERAMA+,we invite you to bid with the partner of your choice. Ready to bid ? West’s hands East’s hands The expert’s eye You have access to this section because your partner has shared this article with…
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
ABTA Provides the Answers
This month’s questions come from a friendly match between teams representing Norway and Manchester. Grand Life Master Patty Tucker was inducted into the ACBL’s Hall of Fame in 2019. For the last several decades she has devoted more time to…
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
Balancing
COMFORT ZONE I’m a firm believer in making the game as enjoyable as possible but that doesn’t mean I have to let the opponents have a comfortable time during the auction. So, here’s an auction that almost never occurs when…
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
Bridge Bidding Tips
Bridge Bidding Tips is a great addition to the knowledge base for intermediate duplicate bridge players. Players are often in doubt about borderline cases; the tips in this book will address these concerns and improve your bidding.There are many nuances to…
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
FULLY LOADED!
Match par quatre.
Sud donneur,
Nord-Sud vulnérables.
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
Find the mistake – February 2024
In this game, East-West have reached a good contract. However, mistakes were made during the auction by one or the other protagonist (and most often by both). Your job is to find those mistakes. You get 2 points for each mistake found…
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
Jump bids in competitive auctions
North-South have reached a very poor contract. As so often, each of the two players considers that his partner is responsible for the accident. And you, what do you think? This month we will be looking at:Jump bids in competitive…
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
Report – French Cup: quarter-finals.
From THE quarter-finals of the French Cup Take the place of Quentin Robert, who recently won the French mixed pairs championship, together with his partner Anne-Laure Tartarin. But today, you play in the quarter-finals of the French Cup with Pierre…
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
RESPONDING TO A TAKEOUT DOUBLE [PART 2]
Last month, we looked at the basic structure for responding to your partner’s one-level takeout double. In this continuation of that topic, we will consider two more situations that may arise after the same start to the auction. So far,…
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
SPOTTING THE SPOTS
On this deal from a top tournament, I heard of no declarer who made 4 Hearts, although a couple of declarers were heard muttering into their cappuccinos about missing a chance. W N E S 1♠ Pass Pass 2♥ Pass…
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
A WHOLE HOST OF LITTLE PROBLEMS
This Month… THIS MONTH YOU’LL BE SOLVING A WHOLE HOST OF LITTLE PROBLEMS. MAKE YOURSELF COMFORTABLE IN THE SOUTH SEAT. YOU ARE THE DEALER (NONE VULNERABLE) WITH THE FOLLOWING HAND: ♠ A93♥ A8♦ K1094♣ K1097 What is your opening bid?You…
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
Misplay this Hand with Me – February 2024
Based on his bestselling trilogy of books, Misplay These Hands with Me, Misdefend These Hands with Me and Misbid These Hands with Me, Mark Horton shows you how to avoid misplaying, misdefending and misbidding hands. In the semifinal of an…
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
WHAT DO YOU LEAD AS WEST? – February 2024
1. ♠ 932♥ 543♦ J632♣ QJ4 W N E S 1♦ 1NT Pass 2♣ Pass 2♥ Pass 3NT Discover the right lead ♦3: Lead the Diamond 3, third and fifth in partner’s suit. My advice: when partner opened 1♦, 1♥ or…
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
OPEN YOUR EYES, DON’T FALL ASLEEP!
Match par quatre.
Nord donneur,
Nord-Sud vulnérables.
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
ANTICIPATING AND STRIKING BACK
ANTICIPATING ADVERSITIES TO COME AND STRIKING BACK WISELY: THE REAL STRENGTH OF DEFENSE LIES IN FINDING THE RIGHT SWITCH. W N E S 1NT Pass 2♥ Pass 2♠ Pass 2NT Pass 3NT Lead: ♣4. The 3, 10, and finally the Ace…
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
RESPONDING TO PARTNER’S TAKEOUT DOUBLE [PART 2]
In this traditional section of BRIDGERAMA+,we invite you to bid with the partner of your choice. Ready to bid ? West’s hands East’s hands The expert’s eye You have access to this section because your partner has shared this article with…
46 - FEBRUARY 2024
ABTA Provides the Answers
This month’s questions come from a friendly match between teams representing Norway and Manchester. Grand Life Master Patty Tucker was inducted into the ACBL’s Hall of Fame in 2019. For the last several decades she has devoted more time to…
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