N°54 • October 2024
EDITORIAL
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
That number remained constant for several years until the 2005 Championships in Estoril, when 134 teams entered. A new record was set in 2007 when Shanghai hosted 149 teams but two years later in São Paulo there were only 68 teams. When the Championships returned to Europe in 2011, Veldhoven set a record for attendance when 151 teams registered. In the events that followed in Nusa Dua, Chennai, Lyon and Wuhan that record remained intact.
The list of winners includes many famous names, including Pierre Zimmermann, Geir Helgemo, Tor Helness, Gabriel Chagas, Michel & Thomas Bessis, Franck Multon, David Berkowitz, Alan Sontag, Peter Weichsel, Piotr Gawryś and Michał Klukowski.
by Mark Horton
It therefore came as a major surprise when the WBF revealed that three weeks before the start only three teams had registered for the Paulo Lombardi Transnational Open Teams Championship in Buenos Aires. It reflects the fact that international travel has become more expensive following the pandemic but also suggests that fewer players are interested in becoming world champions. It also confirmed the widely held view that events located in Europe are inherently more popular that those staged in the other continents. Following the withdrawal of Macau as a venue for the 2025 World Team Championships, finding a host in Europe might be a winning move.
Number 54 – Monthly – October 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 october 2024, N°7.680 – Joint Committee – 1118 K 85690 – ISSN 0184-8127.
CONTENTS
54 - OCTOBER 2024
FORCING OR NON-FORCING? – DEALING WITH DOUBLES
In the concluding instalment of this three-part series Larry Cohen looks at the effect of double by either side. Auctions with Doubles The Opponents Double If we open and the opponents make a takeout double, it is a matter of…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
MY LIFE WITH BRIDGE
MY LIFE WITH BRIDGE Mike Lawrence This is an absolute classic. Apart from the fact that (whatever your standard) it will afford you some of the best advice you will ever receive about bidding, play and defence, it is full…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
READY TO TAKE THE PLUNGE?
TEAMS.DEALER SOUTH, ALL VUL. Sitting South, you open your hand with 1NT: ♠ AK108♥ K54♦ AJ92♣ 53 With no fit, you bid 3♣ after partner’s Club transfer of 2♠, not knowing yet if he wants to play a part score, game or slam. North…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
One hand, six questions – October 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, none vulnerable, you hold: ♠ 865♥ AK852 ♦ A53♣ 53 1 Do you open this hand? View solution To…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
Responses to a 1NT overcall
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:Responses to a 1NT…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
REPORT – Championship on BBO (Teams, IMPs)
Championship on BBO (Teams, IMPs). You are sitting South, in the place of Giovanni Donati, a young Italian prodigy who has already won numerous national and international titles. W N E S PERCARIO DONATI 1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass 2♥ Pass 4♥…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
PARTSCORE PROBLEMS
Multiple world champion Sally Brock examines classic problems from match pointed events. Sally: Board 6 was a partscore deal but with lots of variety. What happened to you? W N E S Pass 1♠ Dble 2♠ 3♥ Pass Pass 3♠…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
INTERESTING HEART COMBINATION
It appears you as declarer need a fourth Club trick to make this 6 Diamond slam. Or do you? W N E S 1♦ 2♦(1 2♥(2) 4♠(3) 5♣(4) Pass 6♦ (1) Michaels, showing five-five in the majors. West would probably pass if…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
Reconstruct your opponents’ hands
THIS MONTH THIS MONTH, YOU’LL HAVE TO DISCOVER YOUR OPPONENTS’ HANDS TO COMPLETE YOUR TASK. AS SOUTH YOU ARE IN FOURTH POSITION (NONE VULNERABLE) WITH THE FOLLOWING HAND: ♠ AQ9632 ♥ K75♦ 65♣ J5 West opens 1♦ your partner passes and East replies 1NT. Do you…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
Misbid this Hand with Me – October 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. Undercooked During an international online…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
WHAT DO YOU LEAD AS WEST?
1. ♠ 103♥ K10832 ♦ Q43♣ J97 W N E S 1♦ 1♠ 1NT Discover the right lead ♠10: Your partner overcalled in Spades, so you should lead his suit. The 10 of Spades, standard count. COUNT YOUR POINTS ♠10♥3♣9 1073 2. ♠ K32♥ 543♦ A1096♣ K65 W N…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
Paper Tiger
TEAMS.DEALER NORTH, E/W VUL. North, the dealer, passes. With a balanced 11HCP and no four-card major, you do the same: ♠ 43♥ K54♦ Q1087♣ AQ62 South opens 1♠ and they quickly reach 4 Spades: W N E S Pass Pass 1♠ Pass 3♥(*) Pass 4♠ (*)…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
EMERGENCY SITUATION
WHEN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION IS IDENTIFIED, YOU MUST ENGAGE IN ACTIVE DEFENSE AND IMMEDIATELY CASH OR SET UP YOUR SIDE’S TRICKS. PARTNER’S COUNT SIGNAL WILL HELP YOU DO SO. W N E S 1♠ 2♥ Pass 2♠ Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥ Lead: ♠4…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
RESPONDING TO A WEAK-TWO BID
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…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
ABTA Provides the Answers – October 2024
This month’s questions come from the English Premier League and the BK Istanbul Open. 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…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
FORCING OR NON-FORCING? – DEALING WITH DOUBLES
In the concluding instalment of this three-part series Larry Cohen looks at the effect of double by either side. Auctions with Doubles The Opponents Double If we open and the opponents make a takeout double, it is a matter of…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
MY LIFE WITH BRIDGE
MY LIFE WITH BRIDGE Mike Lawrence This is an absolute classic. Apart from the fact that (whatever your standard) it will afford you some of the best advice you will ever receive about bidding, play and defence, it is full…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
READY TO TAKE THE PLUNGE?
TEAMS.DEALER SOUTH, ALL VUL. Sitting South, you open your hand with 1NT: ♠ AK108♥ K54♦ AJ92♣ 53 With no fit, you bid 3♣ after partner’s Club transfer of 2♠, not knowing yet if he wants to play a part score, game or slam. North…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
One hand, six questions – October 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, none vulnerable, you hold: ♠ 865♥ AK852 ♦ A53♣ 53 1 Do you open this hand? View solution To…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
Responses to a 1NT overcall
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:Responses to a 1NT…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
REPORT – Championship on BBO (Teams, IMPs)
Championship on BBO (Teams, IMPs). You are sitting South, in the place of Giovanni Donati, a young Italian prodigy who has already won numerous national and international titles. W N E S PERCARIO DONATI 1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass 2♥ Pass 4♥…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
PARTSCORE PROBLEMS
Multiple world champion Sally Brock examines classic problems from match pointed events. Sally: Board 6 was a partscore deal but with lots of variety. What happened to you? W N E S Pass 1♠ Dble 2♠ 3♥ Pass Pass 3♠…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
INTERESTING HEART COMBINATION
It appears you as declarer need a fourth Club trick to make this 6 Diamond slam. Or do you? W N E S 1♦ 2♦(1 2♥(2) 4♠(3) 5♣(4) Pass 6♦ (1) Michaels, showing five-five in the majors. West would probably pass if…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
Reconstruct your opponents’ hands
THIS MONTH THIS MONTH, YOU’LL HAVE TO DISCOVER YOUR OPPONENTS’ HANDS TO COMPLETE YOUR TASK. AS SOUTH YOU ARE IN FOURTH POSITION (NONE VULNERABLE) WITH THE FOLLOWING HAND: ♠ AQ9632 ♥ K75♦ 65♣ J5 West opens 1♦ your partner passes and East replies 1NT. Do you…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
Misbid this Hand with Me – October 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. Undercooked During an international online…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
WHAT DO YOU LEAD AS WEST?
1. ♠ 103♥ K10832 ♦ Q43♣ J97 W N E S 1♦ 1♠ 1NT Discover the right lead ♠10: Your partner overcalled in Spades, so you should lead his suit. The 10 of Spades, standard count. COUNT YOUR POINTS ♠10♥3♣9 1073 2. ♠ K32♥ 543♦ A1096♣ K65 W N…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
Paper Tiger
TEAMS.DEALER NORTH, E/W VUL. North, the dealer, passes. With a balanced 11HCP and no four-card major, you do the same: ♠ 43♥ K54♦ Q1087♣ AQ62 South opens 1♠ and they quickly reach 4 Spades: W N E S Pass Pass 1♠ Pass 3♥(*) Pass 4♠ (*)…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
EMERGENCY SITUATION
WHEN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION IS IDENTIFIED, YOU MUST ENGAGE IN ACTIVE DEFENSE AND IMMEDIATELY CASH OR SET UP YOUR SIDE’S TRICKS. PARTNER’S COUNT SIGNAL WILL HELP YOU DO SO. W N E S 1♠ 2♥ Pass 2♠ Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥ Lead: ♠4…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
RESPONDING TO A WEAK-TWO BID
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…
54 - OCTOBER 2024
ABTA Provides the Answers – October 2024
This month’s questions come from the English Premier League and the BK Istanbul Open. 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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