N°47 • MARCH 2024
EDITORIAL
A VIEW OF THE BRIDGE
Someone logging on at the beginning of March could choose from the New Zealand Mixed Trials, the Open trials from
Chile, the English Women’s trials, the Greek trials playoff, the Romanian Teams Championship, the Italian Interclub contest and the Danish first Division.
by Mark Horton
Anyone who is remotely interested in sporting contests will appreciate how significant this is, given that the service is provided free of charge.
Using a text-based interface, spectators can chat, while the records of all the hands played in tournaments are preserved in a comprehensive archive, an invaluable tool for journalists, teachers and students.
Recognising the immense contribution of BBO and its long- term commitment to bridge, the American Contract Bridge League took the unprecedented step of inducting it into the Hall of Fame in 2018.
Number 47 – Monthly – March 2024 – Director of publication Olivier Comte – Publisher Éditions de Presse Spécialisée Le Bridgeur – 33 avenue Emile Zola, 92100 Boulogne Billancourt – 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 march 2024, N°7.680 – Joint Committee – 1118 K 85690 – ISSN 0184-8127.
CONTENTS
47 - MARCH 2024
LITTLE 8 GROWS BIG
TEAMS. DEALER EAST, N/S VUL. It happens occasionally that we don’t get spoiled when the cards are dealt. And that is exactly what you just fell victim of since your current West hand has only microscopic cards and 1 tiny…
47 - MARCH 2024
CAN DO BETTER…
In previous articles, we have discussed the importance of the extra trick in matchpoint pairs, and the measured risks that declarer was sometimes led to take in an attempt to obtain a better score. The purpose of this article is to deal…
47 - MARCH 2024
THE SLAM ZONE BLACKWOOD (AND ALL THAT JAZZ) – Part 1
Larry Cohen focuses on the aids to slam bidding, starting with a first look at one of the most famous conventions of them all. Once a partnership is in the slam zone, either player might use Blackwood. “Regular” (or “Plain”)…
47 - MARCH 2024
TWELVE IMPORTANT BRIDGE LESSONS
TWELVE IMPORTANT BRIDGE LESSONS ON DEFENSE David Bird The instructive material in this book is presented in a novel way, as if the author is delivering a series of bridge lessons to a small group of enthusiasts. Occasionally, members of…
47 - MARCH 2024
STRONGER THAN CHANCE
TEAMS. DEALER SOUTH, NONE VUL. Sitting South, you have just picked up your hand and see that it weighs no less than 23HCP: ♠ AKQJ♥ K2♦ KJ6♣ AQ43 You of course open 2♣, before rebidding 2NT. North first bids 2♦, relay, and then signs…
47 - MARCH 2024
One hand, six questions – March 2024
This month, you’ll have a single hand and will have to answer a series of questions on a variety of themes, ending with a dummy play. Sitting South, non-vulnerable versus vulnerable you hold: ♠ AKJ98 ♥ 6♦ AQJ108 ♣ A4 1 How do you open that…
47 - MARCH 2024
Major-suit raises by opener.
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: Major-suit raises by opener.…
47 - MARCH 2024
Report – American Championship on BBO
American Championship on BBO. Today, you identify with Anam Tebha, a talented young American player.She plays a championship on BBO and finds herself declaring 4 Spades after a non-contested auction. W N E S ANAM TEBHA Pass 1♣ Pass 1♠…
47 - MARCH 2024
ACES, LOVELY ACES [PART 1]
Every poker player loves to pick up Aces, aka American Airlines or Weapons of Mass Destruction. You should also get that warm, fuzzy feeling when your bridge hand contains aces. Start by considering these two hands… HAND A♠ Q7642 ♥ Q62♦ KQ7♣ K7 HAND B♠ A7642 ♥ 962♦ A73♣ A7…
47 - MARCH 2024
AVOIDING THE GUESS
W N E S 1♥ Pass 2♦ Pass 2NT(*) Pass 3♦ Pass 3♠ Pass 6NT (*) Best played as 15-19 and forcing to game facing a Two-over-One response. West led the 9 of Spades v your 6 No-Trumps, you beating East’s…
47 - MARCH 2024
The girls participate in the training session of the French Open Team
This Sunday, the Girls are allowed a table of their own at the training session for the French Open team. That way, they can compare themselves with the best French pairs. At the end of the session, Isabelle, a little disappointed, tells…
47 - MARCH 2024
ENTRY MANAGEMENT [PART 1]
In No-Trump contracts, just like in suit contracts, it is necessary for declarer to carefully manage communications between the two hands. The slightest approximation can prove fatal. Many declarers rapidly let their guard down when they have a long suit…
47 - MARCH 2024
COMMUNICATIONS AND COORDINATION
COMMUNICATIONS AND COORDINATION ARE THE KEYS TO DEFENSIVE PLAY IN BRIDGE. W N E S 1♥ Pass 1NT Pass 2NT Pass 3NT Lead: ♦3, for the 6 in dummy. Which card do you play? Whether you’re a novice or an experienced defender,…
47 - MARCH 2024
THE POWER OF ACES
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…
47 - MARCH 2024
ABTA Provides the Answers
This month’s questions come from the latest ALT Online contest: 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 teaching and developing material…
47 - MARCH 2024
LITTLE 8 GROWS BIG
TEAMS. DEALER EAST, N/S VUL. It happens occasionally that we don’t get spoiled when the cards are dealt. And that is exactly what you just fell victim of since your current West hand has only microscopic cards and 1 tiny…
47 - MARCH 2024
CAN DO BETTER…
In previous articles, we have discussed the importance of the extra trick in matchpoint pairs, and the measured risks that declarer was sometimes led to take in an attempt to obtain a better score. The purpose of this article is to deal…
47 - MARCH 2024
THE SLAM ZONE BLACKWOOD (AND ALL THAT JAZZ) – Part 1
Larry Cohen focuses on the aids to slam bidding, starting with a first look at one of the most famous conventions of them all. Once a partnership is in the slam zone, either player might use Blackwood. “Regular” (or “Plain”)…
47 - MARCH 2024
TWELVE IMPORTANT BRIDGE LESSONS
TWELVE IMPORTANT BRIDGE LESSONS ON DEFENSE David Bird The instructive material in this book is presented in a novel way, as if the author is delivering a series of bridge lessons to a small group of enthusiasts. Occasionally, members of…
47 - MARCH 2024
STRONGER THAN CHANCE
TEAMS. DEALER SOUTH, NONE VUL. Sitting South, you have just picked up your hand and see that it weighs no less than 23HCP: ♠ AKQJ♥ K2♦ KJ6♣ AQ43 You of course open 2♣, before rebidding 2NT. North first bids 2♦, relay, and then signs…
47 - MARCH 2024
One hand, six questions – March 2024
This month, you’ll have a single hand and will have to answer a series of questions on a variety of themes, ending with a dummy play. Sitting South, non-vulnerable versus vulnerable you hold: ♠ AKJ98 ♥ 6♦ AQJ108 ♣ A4 1 How do you open that…
47 - MARCH 2024
Major-suit raises by opener.
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: Major-suit raises by opener.…
47 - MARCH 2024
Report – American Championship on BBO
American Championship on BBO. Today, you identify with Anam Tebha, a talented young American player.She plays a championship on BBO and finds herself declaring 4 Spades after a non-contested auction. W N E S ANAM TEBHA Pass 1♣ Pass 1♠…
47 - MARCH 2024
ACES, LOVELY ACES [PART 1]
Every poker player loves to pick up Aces, aka American Airlines or Weapons of Mass Destruction. You should also get that warm, fuzzy feeling when your bridge hand contains aces. Start by considering these two hands… HAND A♠ Q7642 ♥ Q62♦ KQ7♣ K7 HAND B♠ A7642 ♥ 962♦ A73♣ A7…
47 - MARCH 2024
AVOIDING THE GUESS
W N E S 1♥ Pass 2♦ Pass 2NT(*) Pass 3♦ Pass 3♠ Pass 6NT (*) Best played as 15-19 and forcing to game facing a Two-over-One response. West led the 9 of Spades v your 6 No-Trumps, you beating East’s…
47 - MARCH 2024
The girls participate in the training session of the French Open Team
This Sunday, the Girls are allowed a table of their own at the training session for the French Open team. That way, they can compare themselves with the best French pairs. At the end of the session, Isabelle, a little disappointed, tells…
47 - MARCH 2024
ENTRY MANAGEMENT [PART 1]
In No-Trump contracts, just like in suit contracts, it is necessary for declarer to carefully manage communications between the two hands. The slightest approximation can prove fatal. Many declarers rapidly let their guard down when they have a long suit…
47 - MARCH 2024
COMMUNICATIONS AND COORDINATION
COMMUNICATIONS AND COORDINATION ARE THE KEYS TO DEFENSIVE PLAY IN BRIDGE. W N E S 1♥ Pass 1NT Pass 2NT Pass 3NT Lead: ♦3, for the 6 in dummy. Which card do you play? Whether you’re a novice or an experienced defender,…
47 - MARCH 2024
THE POWER OF ACES
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…
47 - MARCH 2024
ABTA Provides the Answers
This month’s questions come from the latest ALT Online contest: 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 teaching and developing material…
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