EASY AUCTION BRIDGE LESSON

Putaruru Press, Volume VIII, Issue 351, 14 August 1930, Page 2

EASY AUCTION BRIDGE LESSON

No. 26. (Special to Press)

I have repeatedly warned you abo»it the risk of a long suit being run against a no trump declaration, so preventing game. It is often possible to prevent such a suit being brought in by what is known as holding up, which means allowing the opponents to make two tricks in that suit, so that one player will be unable to lead it. Last week’s hand illustrates the play, and, when using it, all finessing must be done towards the hand holding no more of the suit, usually the one on th 6 right.

The quick trick values are given at the sides of the suits. South should bid 1 no trump, and the others must agree. In this case West should not lead his fourth highest ; holding a three-card sequence, the lead is the Queen. East must unblock by playing the King on the Queen, otherwise he would not be able to return the lead if South allowed him to win the second trick with the King. When holding one or more high cards of partner’s suit, make sure you do not block it. Note that all finesses are attempted on the second round of the suit, and the Club finesse is not taken ; why risk game for one trick, 10 points? Leader. Suit Led. Cards Played.

The' result is, 3 over at no trumps, 30 points, game. This concludes the lessons dealing with the play. The next lesson consists of questions, and the concluding one of the series provides the

answers. If you would like the complete set in column form, as published in this paper, send a postal note for Is 6d to Box 401, G.P.0., Melbourne. You cannot learn bridge in one season, so read the lessons over occasionally and refresh your memory. Letters on bridge subjects sent to me at the above address will be promptly answered, provided a stamped, addressed envelope is enclosed. In any case, I would like to know if you have derived any benefit from the lessons. Contract Bridge. Contract bridge has taken a strong hold in Europe and America, and no _ doubt it will be popular in i Australia. It is a natural develop- * ment from auction, and players should know a little about the new game. The play of the hands at contract is exactly the same as at auction, but the bidding and scoring are different. To play contract you must be a good player, and, what is more important, a good bidder, because the number of tricks bid are the only ones scored below the line. If a bid of two spades is made, and four over obtained, only two spades are scored below the line, but a bonus of 50 | points per trick is scored above the line. t Game at contract is 100 points, and no trumps are worth 35 points per trick, spades and hearts 30 points, diamonds and clubs 20 points, so 3 no trumps or 4 in a major suit, and 5 in a minor suit, are required for game as at auction. 5 A side winning one game are vul- ~~ j nerable ; when game-all, they are j both vulnerable, and this vulnerable j feature strongly influences the bidding. Winning a two-game rubber is worth 700 points, and a three-game rubber 500 points, so that winning . one game in the rubber is worth 200 poi.. Fifty points are scored by opponents for all undoubled undertricks >ut when Declarer is vulnerable r d undoubled the penalty for unde~ icks is 100 points for the first and JO points for subsequent tricks. I Dou ling, of course, doubles those i values, so a vulnerable Declarer ' j doubled would lose 600 points if set - two tricks. Overbidders do not reI ceive much mercy at contract. Little slam bid and made is worth 500 points, and grand slam 750 points. When vulnerable, the above values are double, i.e., 1000 and 1500 points. The bidding system given in these lessons can be used for contract, provided a little extra strength is held. A dealer at auction is quite safe with two quick tricks, but at contract 24 quick tricks are advisable. Certain other bids made at contract make it advisable for players to study the game, either from a book or receive lessons, before attempting to play it. (Copyright by S. N. Lythgo, Box 401, G.P.0., Melbourne)

out; ciuik, uic uijc uii uic iignu NORTH. S.—A.10.7.5 (1) H.—8.7.6 D.—K.10.7 (*) C.—9.4.2 WEST. EAST. S.—6.4 S.—Q.9.8 (1) H.—Q.J.10.4.2 (i) H.—K.9 (1) D.—Q.4.2 (d) D.—8.6.5.3 C.—Q.8.3 (d) C.—10.7.6.5 SOUTH. S—K.J.3.2 (i) H.—A.5.3 (1) D.—A.J.9 (1) C.—A.K.J (2i)

West Hearts Q.6.K.3 East Hearts 9.5.10.7 West Hearts J.8.D3.A South Spades K.4.5.8 South Spades J.6.7.Q East Clubs 5.A.3.2 South Diamonds A.2.7.5 South Diamonds J.4.10.6 South Diamonds 9.Q.K.8 North Spades A.9.2.H2 North Spades 10.C6.3.H4 North Clubs 4.7.K.8 South Clubs J.Q.9.10