Just as in Thursday’s hand, reverse the 6 & 7 of D and the result is the opposite of what transpired, only this time it is defeat instead of success. The parrot is, as usual, right as rain.

Bobby,

Yesterday is was riposte and today it is disconsolate. Why wife is a professional editor and the only other person that I know who talks this way. Well, at least, I leaned from her not to be pedantic when I contribute here.

Hi Ken,

I’m waiting for obfuscatory defence, bidding or even explanations to get a mention one day. Failing that I’ll take something in the daily quote e.g. eschewing obfuscation is important in life, so just be clear! My wife works in a library and we could probably start one of our own.

Iain

Hi David,

1. There used to be a somewhat sophisticated expression in bridge about holding poor cards as “too many sixes and sevens”, perhaps it should have read “too many sixes OR sometimes sevens.

2. To match Sir Richard Steele’s quote about fortune, since NS combined had six diamonds and only five clubs, their side was indeed fortunate that West’s minor was diamonds, not clubs. that is, unless East’s hand included both the QJ with his other one.

Yes, the above is somewhat esoteric, but in bridge and in assessment very true. However for the aspiring up and coming player, those thoughts come along somewhat naturally, indicating numeracy is alive and well within him.

Pretty clever those parrots and what they will provide for a cracker or two.

I am surprised the other better comments above missed the beer card taking trick 13. Must not have been a Junior declarer. 😉

Hi Ken,

My word, or perhaps I should pay deference to your pedantic wife and justly appreciate her always use of the most descriptive expression.

The first 100 years of my life meant little to me for that talent, to which I had almost none, but the last period, when the body decays ahead of the mind, sometimes even goes far enough to cheer up the day.

And you, the lucky husband, should appreciate that underrated pleasure. Think Shakespeare!

Hi Iain,

Again, you too, have a super educated spouse, who you, and, if necessary, for only that, should be thankful. Reason, if and when you make as many mistakes as I, to be able to virtually fly for the correction, is indeed an underrated asset, worth most of the gold in China.

However, though the sometime cost is chagrin, but that alone will tend to put paid to your discomfort, a price well worth it and more so, will deservedly swell your lovely wife’s ego.

Hi Bill,

Believe it or not, and although I have often heard people (mostly men) speak of the “beer” card, but never knew which ducat that was.

Is it truly the diamond seven, which rarely takes a trick on its own, if not trump and does it only apply to bridge since I thought it was connected to bowling, that is, American style? What am I (truly confused) missing?

For some reason, the Diamond suit gets nicknames. The Ten is Big Casino. The Nine is the Curse of Scotland. The Eight is Little Casino. Why the Seven is the Beer Card, no one knows.

Hi Bob,

Perhaps a fellow named Darvas, the Hungarian author of “Right Through the Pack” would be most likely to tell us.

However, I doubt if that deed is doable.

Bobby,

If we could get back to the game, I have always been very much conflicted by bids like todays “Michaels, five hearts and five cards in a minor” and like the Sept. 28th and 29th that are super specific. It seems to me to limit “real” bids with “real” information.

Comments on that?

Hi Ken,

As you get deeper into the game you will begin
to realize just how valuable big trump fits (10 between the partners, although the more the better) and how many tricks they can produce with only a paucity of the high cards when, in addition the two compatible hands have different short suits,

Presto, magico, bids like Michaels over a major suit opening by the opponents will show length in a random minor and in addition, of course, to the other major. IOW those weak sounding bids are well worth providing them to be shown in order to capitalize on the partnership discovering the trump fit.

Without those types of defensive bids, much of the excitement and competitive bidding is wasted, making the weaker partnership hands subject to be overrun by their well endowed much stronger (in high cards) opponents.

Of course, no trump, a popular final contract is not noticeably affected, at least by the stronger hands as long as they have all suits stopped and able to take 9 tricks for game before the opponents can establish and cash at least 5.

IOW, bridge, as a game, has far more variables than most suspect, making it, at least IMO far and away the best mind game ever invented.

Many Chess enthusiasts will argue with my conclusion, but the overall mindset including psychology of different mind tactics for different opponents, IOW bidding the same hand differently depending on who are the opponents (especially in competitive auctions) is the norm rather than the exception.

As you gain experience I would love for you to then judge if you agree with me or not at least with the general statements.