Hi Bobby,

I trust that South thanked North for the CQ and was relieved that East had such good clubs. Without these, West (holding CQJxx, say) could have led a trump and then kept leading them when he got in twice with clubs. Mind you, this would need East (woth AK10x or similar) to duck any club lead from table assuming that declarer won the first trick over there. Such possibilities do highlight the advice that leading towards the closed hand can make life very difficult for the defence, or at least for declarer’s RHO.

regards,

Iain Climie

OK, LHO as well. Dummy after 1N – 3N has xxx and declarer at an early stage plays up to his K. West with Axx asks if he has KQJ(10)x, KQ10x or even Kxx trying to pull a fast one should he have nowhere else promising.

Hi Iain,

Your comment is right on target and well expressed. Everything being equal, it seemingly is always more deceptive for declarer to lead toward one’s own hand instead of dummy, since a closed hand, by nature, is more mysterious than what everyone’s eyes can see.

And to complete the description, the above is particularly effective early in the hand before all the evidence (correlated by both the bidding and the early play) has been fully noted by worthy defenders.

Iain, you have hit on yet another factor, why experience is such a large factor in the development of a superior player.

As always, thank you for your valuable contributions.

I am a rookie player and I am having trouble trying to figure out how I could have entered the auction with the following holding:
RHO opened 1 H
I held: S AK32 H KJ2 D J43 C Q92
I passed. I am ashamed to tell you that my partner held 5 spades to the Q and the Ace of H.
Do I break the rules and bid my 4-cd S suit? Do I bend the rules and bid NT? Can I cuebid Hearts to tell my partner I have 4 S? Can I double with 3 of opps Hearts?
I would like to remain nameless but I need to know. Thanks

Hi Eleanor,

At last, someone even more of a beginner than myself! I am glad you found this blog. If you read it frequently (and go back and read older columns when the mood strikes), you will be amazed at how soon bids that seem nonsensical when you first begin start to make sense.

I am fairly confident that I know how our gracious host will answer your question (although he often surprises me, even now). I am even MORE confident though that he WILL answer you. What you will soon realize is that Bobby’s love for the game is boundless and that he is incredibly generous with his time answering any and all comments and questions asked by his readers.

Welcome aboard!

Hi Eleanor,

Welcome to you, as a “rookie player” who is entering the elevator marked “up” and in the fullness of time, with some effort, but to be well rewarded with an upgraded knowledge which is surely the greatest card game ever invented and maybe even more than that.

Simple, on the hand given, start out with a take out double (simply say double) which will accomplish what you want, showing about an opening bid in strength, having 4 of the other major which is being prepared for the most likely response from partner, and not worrying about your 3 card holding in the opponents suit. Add to that, by having the KJx behind the heart bidder you will be in perfect position to make those values count big.

All players, whether intended to be social or perhaps even eventually tournament worthy need to start ASAP. Enjoyment should now be your goal and by taking one day at a time, you will feel better each day when you play our very enjoyable, but sometimes frustrating game. No pain, no gain, but I can assure you that you will have a great many more smiles than frowns.

Good luck and do not be a stranger to us.

Hi Jeff S,

I am overwhelmed with your gracious comments. You should represent bridge as an ambassador for the game. I would recommend you, if you had the time and, of course, inclination to go to work for the ACBL trying sell our game to our National educational system for inclusion in our primary and secondary schools for credit.

It is now being done in many countries (growing as we speak) in Europe and the rave notices from the students (constantly referred to in bulletins and monthly publications world wide) abound about how they wish this would have started earlier so that arithmetic would be more fun as well as learning practical logic, problem solving when presented with facts, psychology of dealing with worthy opponents and partnership communication on how to do superior things with cooperation. All of the above may dwarf before the altar of the special ethics which require both partners in full view and earshot of everyone at the table to go to extremes not to convey unauthorized information such as uncalled for intonation, body language or any other not allowed illicit communication.

Add to that the unbelievable prospect of China with its 200 million students now learning bridge throughout its school system
totally convinced that the long range effect will produce very positive results with its educational system and cause a serious movement to mature acceptance of responsibilities associated with graduating from school and proceeding to join the work force. Perhaps it will even allow more saying ‘no’ to drugs and other evil and violent alternatives which seem to tempt others in the absence of constructive alternatives.

I am forever indebted to you for your off-the-charts very kind words, and will try to live up to your expectations.

Hi Bobby,

Thank you so much for your kind comments. I wholeheartedly agree that schoolchildren would benefit from learning bridge for more reasons than I have space to enumerate.

Sadly, I am not the ambassador type. Besides, I have resided in Canada since marrying my wonderful wife whom I met eleven years ago – playing bridge on-line!

Hi Bobby,

Thanks for the kind comments (too generous as usual) and can I say Hi to Eleanor. I believe Luckhurst is a name originating in Kent, the Garden of England, where my wife was brought up. Some years before I met Lynn. I went out with a lovely girl from a village in Kent called “Pratts Bottom” – it does exist, honestly!

A famous Luckhurst (over here) was a fine cricketer (Brian) who played for England as a batsman in the 60s and 70s. Welcome to the blog and my passion for obscure information.

Regards,

Iain

Hi Iain,

Do not despair. In America its cricket to have a passion for obscure information.

And even though our country is not so slowly going broke, our national legislators have already voted themselves raises and other perks.

Aren’t we not headed in the right direction or what? That was not intended as a rhetorical question.