Learn Through Play

GETTING IT RIGHT

A Series of Reminders for Improvers

Inga & Neil Aiston 2014 - Spring Term 1
Learn Through Play

GETTING IT RIGHT RESPONDING TO 1NT OPENINGS

AFTER PARTNER OPENS 1NT (12-14)

Remember to
1. USE 2♣ (STAYMAN) with a 4 CARD MAJOR & 11+ pts. *(see notes below)
Do Not use Stayman with 5 card majors!

Remember to
2. TRANSFER with a 5+ CARD MAJOR (0-20 pts.)
e.g. ♠KQ932 - ♥AQ105 - ♦ 52 - ♣Q9. 13 HCPs Transfer to spades and then rebid 3♥
e.g. ♠KQ432 - ♥Q105 - ♦ 52 - ♣Q94. 9 HCPs Transfer to spades and then pass.
Remember that
3. AFTER THE COMPLETION OF A TRANSFER, NEW SUITS ARE NATURAL & FORCING.
Responder must not bid again unless there is a possibility of game - (11+ pts.)
Remember that with no major suit, you should
4. RESPOND 2NT WITH 11/12 pts. OR 3NT WITH 13+pts.
Your responding hand may be only SEMI BALANCED e.g. 3-2-2 6 2-2-5-4

As responder remember that, however the bidding goes,

5. WITH 13+ pts. YOU MUST NOT STOP SHORT OF A GAME.

6. Do Not Bid UNLESS YOU HAVE 11+ pts. OR A 5 CARD MAJOR

Ignore long-ish minor suits, voids, and singletons.
With 7+ card minors use 2♠ to transfer partner to 2NT
Then bid your 7 card minor which partner will pass.
7. Do Not (after the completion of a transfer), REBID THE 5 CARD MAJOR. (A common error)
You have already shown five with the transfer bid !!!! With 5-3-3-2 and 13+ pts. - rebid 3NTs.

Notes: for those who wish to develop their game further.

* Remember that after partner opens 1NT, YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF THE AUCTION.
So it doesn’t matter a jot if your partner expects you to have 11 HCPs when you use Stayman.

Hand 1
♠ A763 If you are weak, (0-10) with a singleton or void in clubs, respond 2♣ - Stayman.
1NT ♥ J1075
♦ 9642
Respond
2♣
Partner will answer 2♣ by rebidding 2♥, 2♠, or with no 4 card major, 2♦
With Hand 1 you will pass ANY of partner’s rebids.
♣5

Hand 2
If you are weak, (0-10) with 5/4 in the majors, use Stayman. You could simply
♠ A763 Respond
transfer into the 5 card suit but risk playing in a 5/2 rather than a 4/4 fit.
1NT ♥ J10753 2♣ With Hand 2 you will pass 2♥ or 2♠, but bid the 5 card major over a 2♦ rebid.
♦ 962
♣5

Hand 3
With this hand, you have the values for game so show your hand via a transfer.
♠ AQ632 Respond 1NT - 2♥ Showing five+ spades.
1NT ♥
♦
KJ107
K62 2♥ 2♠ - 3♥ Showing four hearts and the HCPs for game. (because it is forcing).
? - Game Depending on openers hand, the contract will be 4♠, 4♥ or 3NT.
♣ 5

Inga & Neil Aiston 2014 - Spring Term 2

Learn Through Play

GETTING IT RIGHT RESPONDING TO MINOR SUIT OPENINGS

AFTER PARTNER OPENS 1♣ OR 1♦

Remember that ? ? ?
1. YOU MUST RESPOND WITH 6+ pts.

2. YOU SHOULD END UP IN A GAME CONTRACT IF YOU HAVE 13+pts.

3. IF PARTNER OPENS 1C, 1NT SHOWS 9 HCPS AND A 3-3-3-4 SHAPE.

You have no four card suit other than clubs. With 6,7, or 8 pts. you would bid 2C

Remember
4. SUPPORTING PARTNER AT THE 2 LEVEL SHOWS ONLY 6-8 ish PTS.
“One - two that’ll do.” A weak limit bid. Support at the 3 level would show 10 ish pts. or 8 loser. (No major)

Remember to
5. BID 4 CARD SUITS ‘UP THE LINE’.
♠ K432
If partner opens 1♣, and you hold - - - - ♥ Q5
- - respond 1♦. (This DOES NOT deny a 4 card major).
♦ 9752
♣ J94

Do Not
Do Not
6. RESPOND 1NT TO SHOW 6-9 IF YOU HAVE ANY 4 CARD SUIT TO BID AT THE 1 LEVEL
If partner opens 1♣, and you hold e.g. ♠ K43
♥ Q85
♦ J975 Bid 1♦
♣ J94
Do Not
7. SUPPORT PARTNER’S MINOR IF YOU HAVE A MAJOR SUIT. Bid your major!
If partner opens 1♣, and you hold e.g. ♠ J432
♥ Q8
♦ J9 Bid 1♠
♣ KJ943
Do Not
8. JUMP TO 2NT TO SHOW 11/12 pts.
If partner opens 1♦, and you hold e.g. ♠ J43
♥ A108
♦ J9 Bid 2♣
♣ KJ943
Do Not
9. JUMP SHIFT (e.g. 1♦ - 2♥) JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE OPENING POINTS.
With no obvious fit, do not take up your own bidding space. Any simple change of suit IS forcing and
partner’s REBID will define his/her hand. But make sure you make a forcing bid on your 2nd bid!

Do Not
10. If RHO overcalls - BID 1NT UNLESS YOU CAN STOP THE OPPONENT’S SUIT
It is blindingly obvious that your right hand opponent’s bid shows at least 5 good cards in the suit.
You should not be playing in NTs unless you have at worst Kxx in the opponent’s suit so that they
cannot run 5 or 6 winners before you get in. After a suit overcall 1NT shows 8/9 HCPs AND A STOP!
Do Not
11. JUMP TO GAME IN 5♣ OR 5♦ BEFORE YOU HAVE EXPLORED GAME IN NTS.
To play in 5♣ or 5♦ should be seen as a last resort.

Inga & Neil Aiston 2014 - Spring Term 3

Learn Through Play

GETTING IT RIGHT RESPONDING TO MAJOR SUIT OPENINGS

AFTER PARTNER OPENS 1♥ or 1♠

Remember that
1. YOU MUST RESPOND WITH 6+ pts.

Remember that
2. With NO OBVIOUS FIT & 6-9 pts. ONLY RESPOND AT THE 1 LEVEL
e.g 1♥ -1♠ or 1♠ - 1NT
Remember that
3. 1NT, (THE DUSTBIN BID) ONLY SHOWS 6-9 pts. & MAY BE COMPLETELY UNBALANCED.
1♠ - 1NT on hands like this where you need to limit the hand quickly ♠4 - ♥Q1052 - ♦J2 - ♣KJ9754

Remember that
4. WITH 5-9 pts. & 4 CARD MAJOR SUPPORT, BID AT THE 2 LEVEL. (9 loser)

Remember that
5. WITH 9/11 pts. & 4 CARD MAJOR SUPPORT, RAISE TO THE 3 LEVEL. (8 loser)

Remember that
6. IF YOU HAVE AN OPENING HAND AND PARTNER OPENS - YOU MUST BID TO GAME!!!

Do Not
Do Not
7. BID A NEW SUIT AT THE 2 LEVEL UNLESS YOU HAVE 9/10 pts.
e.g.If partner opens 1♠, respond 1NT with ♠4 - ♥K10752 - ♦J2 - ♣Q9754
Without a fit, you are a 6 count - NOT a 7 loser
Do Not
8. WITH 12+ pts. & 4 CARD MAJOR SUPPORT, RAISE TO THE 3 LEVEL. - BID GAME!!!
Some players seem to think that this 1♠ - 3♠ is strong bid. IT IS NOT and it will be passed by opener
on a normal 7 loser. 1♠ - 3♠ only shows an interest in game.
Do Not, when partner opens 1♠ -
9. RESPOND 2♥ UNLESS YOU HAVE FIVE HEARTS (AND 10 ish pts).
Try to bid naturally.

Do Not
10. RESPOND IN ANY OTHER SUIT IF YOU HAVE 4 CARD MAJOR SUPPORT -
Show the fit immediately - at the appropriate level. Learning Jacoby 2NT would help.

Notes: for those who wish to develop their game.

When an 8 card fit is revealed, you should apply the LOSING TRICK COUNT (rather than High Card Points)
to assess how high you can bid.
An opening hand promises to be a 7 loser. If responder has a 7 loser, subtract the combined losers (14) from 18.
The result,(4) will tell you the level you can play at. So after a 1♠ opening by partner
Hand 1 Hand 2 Hand 3
♠ AQ63 Here, you are a ♠ A963 Here, you are an ♠ A963 Here, you are a
♥ KJ10752 6 loser hand. ♥ KJ1075 8 loser hand. ♥ QJ107 9 loser hand.
♦ 96 18 - (6+7) =5 ♦ 96 18 - (7+8) = 3 ♦ 965 18 - (7+9) = 2
♣5 BID 4♠ ♣ 52 BID 3♠ ♣ 52 BID 2♠

Inga & Neil Aiston 2014 - Spring Term 4

Learn Through Play

GETTING IT RIGHT STANDARD LEADS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Remember
1. TO LEAD PARTNER’S SUIT.
With any two cards in partner’s suit, lead the highest one first.
This Hi-Lo will show that you started with only 2. With 3 rag cards in partner’s suit,
make a MUD lead. With 3 or 4 cards to an honour, lead the lowest card first.

Remember
2. ‘TOP OF SEQUENCE’ IS ALWAYS HEADED BY AN HONOUR.
e.g. QJ10, 1098, etc. 9876 is NOT a sequence.

Remember
3 ‘TOP OF A SEQUENCE’ LEADS ARE ALWAYS BETTER THAN 4TH HIGHEST AGAINST NTs.
Embarrassingly I have seen people lead 6 from KQJ63 !?! - and declarer, holding A10, wins with 10,

Remember
4. ‘TOP OF A SEQUENCE’ ALWAYS PROMISES THE CARD IMMEDIATELY UNDER.
e.g. QJ9, 1097, etc. ARE correct (near sequences) - BUT NEVER Q1098! Q1098 Is correct.

Remember
5. A TRUMP LEAD IS USUALLY SAFE IF OPPONENTS HAVE SHOWN A GOOD TRUMP FIT.
On lead, you are usually looking for a SAFE lead. Leading a trump from xxx, xx or Kxx is good. (Not Qx)
Leading a singleton trump is not wise because it often traps your partner’s Hxx

Remember
6. KING LEADS AGAINST NO TRUMP CONTRACTS - ARE SPECIAL!
They are KQJx or at worst KQ10x and they require partner to throw any honour they have.
With no honour card, partner must give a count signal

Do Not Do Not
7. LEAD FROM A DOUBLETON HONOUR.
To lead Q from Qx is suicidal. Unless partner has bid the suit

Do Not
8. AUTOMATICALLY LEAD THE HIGHEST CARD IN PARTNER’S SUIT.
Re-read point 1.

Do Not
9. UNDERLEAD AN ACE AGAINT A SUIT CONTRACT
Never lead a small card from a suit that includes and ace. e.g. A962. Look for another suit to lead
If you HAVE to lead the suit. lead the ace - BUT - -

Do Not
10. LEAD AN UNPROTECTED ACE - especially against NT contracts.
If you lead an ace, partner will rightly think that you also have the king!

Do Not
11. LEAD A DOUBLETON (looking for a ruff) IF YOU HAVE LOTS OF HCPS.
The more points you have, the fewer partner will have to get on lead to give you the ruff!

Do Not
12. THINK THAT 9 FROM 9876 IS A “TOP OF A SEQUENCE” LEAD
“Top of a Sequence” leads are ALWAYS headed by an honour card. At worst 10973

Do Not
13. LEAD FROM HONOURS AGAINST HIGH LEVEL SUIT CONTRACTS
Again you should be looking for a lead that will not give away a trick. What will you lead agains 6♠?
♠865 - ♥K8532 - ♦K104 - ♣94. It would be unwise to lead from your kings and you won’t get a ruff!

Inga & Neil Aiston 2014 - Spring Term 5

Learn Through Play

GETTING IT RIGHT
1♠ The Takeout

X
Opponent
RHO opens 1♠
I have 12+ pts.
♠ 84   I am short in spades
N
♥ KQ97   I have four hearts. (The other major).
W E
♦ AQ3  I have at least 3 cards in the other suits.
S
♣ QJ42 USE A ‘TAKEOU X’
BUT it won’t always be as perfect as this!

What should I bid?

Opponent Partner opens 1♦ RHO overcalls 1♠.

Partner
1♠ The overcall has taken away your 1♥ response,
so you have no way to accurately describe your

1♦ N ♠ 72  
strength and distribution.
You can't bid 1NT (which would promise a
♥ KQ75   spade stopper) and you can't bid a new suit at
W E the 2-level (which promises 10+ pts.).
♦ 964  
S ♣ QJ93 So should you pass? NO!
USE A ‘NEGATIVE’ X
What can I bid? (just a special type of ‘TAKEOUT X’)

S W N E You could pass - but you shouldn’t!

P P
1♦ P 1♥ P ♠ AQ98   Opponents have found an 8 card fit and yet
2♥ P P ? ♥ 76 have stopped at the 2 level. Why?
♦ 53 Because they are weak.
♣ KJ1054 You could overcall your 5 card club suit.
You should not overcall your 4 card spade suit.
Is there anything better?
Can I bid? USE A ‘TAKEOUT X’

HAND 1. This is the most basic takeout double that EVERY bridge player uses. PLEASE USE IT!!!!

HAND 2. Unlike the normal ‘takeout double’ which is made after the opponents open the bidding,
the negative double is made after your partner has opened and an opponent overcalls.
It is used to show four cards in an unbid major. (Could be 5 but you’re too weak to show it.)
On the hand shown, X would still be correct if you held 5 hearts because you only have 8 pts.

HAND 3. In many positions you can use a ‘Takeout X’ without having opening points.
Here your X is simply showing the other two suits. If they have a fit - we will have a fit!
When partner bids one of your suits PASS. You are competing for a part score only!
Inga & Neil Aiston 2014 - Spring Term 6
Learn Through Play

GETTING IT RIGHT NEVER SUPPRESS A 4 CARD MAJOR !?

One page from a course on ‘BOG STANDARD BRIDGE’.

Partner
“What should I respond?”
1♦ ♠ 1085
THIS is the type of hand that many players misbid.
♥ 7432 They have a balanced hand with 6-9 pts.
♦ K106 and so respond 1NT.
♣ AJ4 “I had to show my points partner” is the usual excuse.

BUT the crucial point is that 1NT denies any four card
♠ 94
♥ KQJ5
With this hand suit biddable at the 1 level!
partner would rebid 2♦ and that is where
♦
♣
AQ9432
5 you play. A shame when 4♥ is cold!
Respond 1♥
Partner

1♣ ♠ 105
“What should I respond?”
2♣ (HCPs) or 3♣ (LTC) or 1NT(HCPs) or 1♥ (shape)
♥ 7432 Here is another example, where responder often gets it
♦ K10 wrong. Yes, responder has good support for partner - -
♣ AQ984 BUT it’s a minor suit.
♠ 94
♥ KQJ5
You should bid your 4 card major!
♦
♣
A3
KJ752
Respond 1♥
Partner
“What should I respond?”
1♣ ♠ AQ84 Would a response of 1♦ be suppressing a 4 card major?
♥ 7432 Of course not! The worst bid here would be 1♠!
♦ QJ75 If partner holds the hand shown, their only rebid is 2♣!
♣8
Now where do you go? If you rebid 2♥ you would be
♠ 94 telling partner that you have 5 spades and game values.
♥ KQJ5
♦ A3
♣ KJ752 Respond 1♦
Partner
opens ♠ AQJ5 Would a response of 2♣ be suppressing a 4 card major?

1♥
Well, for the time being - Yes!
♥ 94
♦ J10 BUT if partner rebids 2♥ you are STRONG ENOUGH
♣ AQ984 to bid again. So when you now bid spades, partner
knows that you have 5 clubs, 4 spades and that you are
strong enough to be in a game contract.
Partner You
and rebids 2♥
“Can I 1H 2C
Partner
1H
You
2C
♠ K872
♥ KQJ83
♠ 42
♥ KQJ83
ever suppress 2H
4S
2S 2H
3NT
2S

♦ A3 ♦ AK8 a 4 major?” The auction can proceed in a logical way towards the
♣ J7 ♣ J72 best contract. As responder, always ask yourself how
Partner Partner
many bids can I make with the hand I have.
Inga & Neil Aiston 2014 - Spring Term 7
Learn Through Play

GETTING IT RIGHT 4TH SUIT FORCING

Partner opens I respond

P LAY U NDS
1♦ 1♠ , I DONʻT CING, IT SO
“OH IT FOR S SI VE”.
U
4TH S O AG GR E
♠ AQ532
♥ 1094 O
♦ K106 FAR T
♣ K4

Partner rebids
What
There are times when you have to take a
2♣ should
I rebid? REBID 2♥
chance with your bidding.

BUT there are some simple conventional

bids that take away much of the guesswork.
Every decent bridge player uses this
convention and so should you!
♠ K94 If this were partner’s hand the bidding
♥ 5 Three suits have already been bid.
sequence would show south’s hand to be:
♦ AQ943
♣ A985 5+ diamonds
You have the values for game but don’t yet
Partner held 4+ clubs
know whether the best contract is 3NT or 4♠
3 spades
S N or 5♦ or even 6♦.
1♦ 1♠
2♣ 2♥ You are now happy to bid 4♠ IF you had a stop in hearts you could bid 3NT
2♠ - but you haven’t.

♠ 94 If this were partner’s hand the rebid To find out more about partner’s shape and
♥ AQ of 2NT would show strength use 4TH SUIT FORCE.
♦ AQ943
♣ A985
5+ diamonds
4+ clubs Bid 2♥ (This must be alerted by partner
Partner held
a stop in hearts. because it says nothing about hearts.)
S N and fewer than 3 spades.
1♦ 1♠ The bid simply asks for further definition
2♣ 2♥ You are now happy to bid 3NT about the shape of partner’s hand.
2NT

Partner opens I respond

1♦ 1♠
With this hand your rebid can be a straight
♠ KQ532 forward 3NT because all the suits are covered.
You HAVE good stops in the 4th Suit!
♥ AQ and you have a combined count of 25+ HCPs
♦ Q6
& rebids ♣ J1084 Do not worry that your hand is only SEMI

2♣ balanced. Your partner has 13 cards too!

Now this rebid is EASY “3NT”

Inga & Neil Aiston 2014 - Spring Term 8
Learn Through Play

GETTING IT RIGHT REVERSE BIDS

“OH DEAR
, I DON’T K
TO ‘REVE N
Partner opens RSE’, I DO OW HOW
N’T DRIVE
1♦ I respond
1♠ ”.
r e bi d
e r’s
p ar t n
t h an 2 , *IF
IF G H ER g s uit leve partner
I n
is H s openi ONG can ‘re(svhowing 1s0ponds at
l re
Partner rebids
i R
of h s a ST
erse +pts the
2♥ a
(Gam
e value ’ w ith 1 . ) o pene
2

he h (17+)*
e. g. 1 s 5 +pts r
H - ). .
2
D C
HAN
(which is higher 2 S
than 2♦)

Partner Me
This is the type of hand that I ♠ K82 ♠ Q1054 Now that I know partner
would expect partner to have ♥ AQ104 W E ♥ J9 has 17+pts I can bid game
if he reversed. It shows 5/4 in ♦ AKJ63 1D 1S ♦ 842 in 3NT because I have the
diamonds and hearts AND 17+ 2H 3NT 4th suit and 8 HCPs.
♣ 7 ♣ AJ102
HCPs

Partner Me
If partner reversed on this hand J82 If partner had foolishly
♠ ♠ Q1054
we would be in serious trouble. It W E reversed to 2♥ I would go
♥ AQ54 1D 1S ♥ J9
has the shape but not the strength AQ763 assume 17+ and bid 3NT.
♦ 2D pass ♦ 842
to reverse. Partner’s rebid on this 7 After the correct rebid of
♣ ♣ AJ102
hand should be 2♦ 2♦ I would happily pass.

Partner Me
Despite partner’s minimum
With a minimum opening bid, ♠ J82 ♠ KQ1054 rebid of 2♦ I can happily bid
partner cannot rebid his heart ♥ AQ54 W E ♥ K973
1D 1S again because I am stronger.
suit but when I rebid a new suit ♦ AQ763 ♦ KJ8
2D 2H (Somewhere close to an
(forcing), partner should realise ♣ 7 ♣ 10
4H opening hand.)
that my hand is stronger and
looking for game.

Partner Me I have just enough pts. to

Partner’s rebid on this hand is ♠ J2 ♠ Q10543 respond, but can only ever
NOT a reverse’. It simply shows ♥ AQ54 W E ♥ K973 bid once with this hand.
four card support for my hearts 1D 1H So I respond 1♥ rather
♦ AQ763 2H pass
♦ 4
and a normal opening hand. ♣ 75 ♣ J102 than 1♠. If I had
responded 1♠, partner
would bid 2♦. Then what?

Inga & Neil Aiston 2014 - Spring Term 9

Learn Through Play

GETTING IT RIGHT KEEP THE AUCTION ALIVE

Partner opens
“Oh Dear, ANSWER -
1♦ how do I tell Make a forcing bid - 1♠
You DO NOT have to jump shift.
partner that I Any change of suit is forcing for 1 round.
have a strong Only after partner’s rebid which shows a
minimum hand, do you need to show your
hand and
♠ AQ1092 strength.
we have to
♥ KQ9
♦ J106 reach a game Although 3NT looks like the obvious
contract, you should use 4th suit forcing to
Partner rebids
♣ A4 contract?” check that partner is not 3 - 1 - 5 - 4.

2♣
Partner opens Again simply respond 1♠ to show four

1♥ ♠
♥
AQ1092
KQ9
spades and 6 + pts.

Partner’s jump rebid shows a strong hand

♦ J106 of 17+ (or a 5 loser) with five hearts &
♣ A4 four clubs.

I respond 1♠ Partner’s 17 and your 16, put you in slam

territory and you have a juicy 5-3 fit in
Partner rebids

3♣
hearts. 4NT would confirm that there
weren’t two aces missing.

Do Not, as responder Do Not

1. JUMP SHIFT WITH A NORMAL OPENING HAND
To jump shift you need 17+ pts., a solid six card suit & some support for partner.
Not AKJ97 - Q64 - K86 - 52
Do Not, as opener
2. REBID AT THE 3 LEVEL - JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE A 6 CARD SUIT
We suggest that any jump rebid should have 17+ or be a 5 loser with six or more fairly solid trumps.
You need AKJ974 - A6 - KQ10 - 82 . Not AKJ974 - Q6 - A86 - 82
Do Not
3. OPEN A STRONG TWO WITHOUT 8 PLAYING TRICKS.
To be defined as strong, the hand should conform to the rule of 25 and/or have 16+ pts. (Benji or not)
This is what you DO need AKQ974 - KQJ - A86 - 2 (5 spades, 2 hearts 1 diamond)
Do Not
4. PASS A STRONG TWO OPENING BY PARTNER.
It is FORCING for 1 round

Do Not, as opener
5. MAKE A REVERSE BID WITHOUT 17 PTS. (15+ IF PARTNER RESPONDS AT THE 2 LEVEL.)
To rebid ABOVE your barrier is called a ‘Reverse’

Inga & Neil Aiston 2014 - Spring Term 10

Learn Through Play

GETTING IT RIGHT LIMIT BIDS.

Most NT bids are LIMIT BIDS that show a narrow point range.
Most returns to partner’s suit are LIMIT BIDS. Most rebids of your own suit are LIMIT BIDS

If partner offers a 2nd suit after your 1NT

Partner opens I respond
limit bid, give suit preference by either passing
1♠ 1NT ♠
♥
105
Q98
his 2nd suit or returning to his 1st suit which
will have five cards.

♦ K10653 The principle here is that you would need

♣ Q42 TWO MORE of partner’s 2nd suit, before
preferring it to his 1st suit.
“What On the hand shown you should return
Partner rebids should partner to spades. (5-2 is better than 4-3)

2♣ I rebid”? Rebid 2♠

Remember that
1. MOST NT BIDS ARE LIMIT BIDS (and can be passed.)
e.g. 1H - 1NT or 1H - 1S or 1NT - 2NT
1NT
Remember that
2. THE EXCEPTION IS 2NT - AFTER PARTNER HAS RESPONDED AT THE 2 LEVEL
e.g. 1H - 2C
2NT Responder has promised 10+ pts. and opener’s rebid shows a balanced hand 15+ pts.

3 OBVIOUSLY ANOTHER EXCEPTION IS THE USE OF BLACKWOOD

Once you have bid beyond 3NT, a bid of 4NT is asking for aces.

Remember that
4 MOST REBIDS OF YOUR OWN SUIT ARE ALSO LIMIT BIDS (and can be passed.)
e.g. 1H - 1S or 1D - 1H
2C - 2S Shows a six card suit with only 6 or 7 pts. 2D Shows a six card suit (12/13 pts. and
With only 5 spades give suit preference to partner. not 4 clubs or 4 spades).

Remember
5 MOST RETURNS TO PARTNER’S SUIT ARE LIMIT BIDS (and can be passed.)
e.g. 1H - 3H is NOT a forcing bid. It is a limit bid with 10 ish pts. or an 8 loser.

Remember
6 THE EXCEPTION - IS WHEN YOU ARE IN A GAME FORCING SEQUENCE
e.g. 1H - 2C (shows 10+)
2NT* 3H (the 2NT* rebid shows a balanced 15+) (3H shows three in case opener is 3 - 5 - 3 - 2.

7.
Do Not
RAISE 1NT TO 2NT WITH 13+ PTS
Do Not
Bid game in 3NT or use Stayman if you have a 4 card major. (Transfer with 5).
Do Not
8. RAISE 1♠ TO 3♠ WITH 4 SPADES & 13 + PTS. OR A 7 LOSER
Bid game in 4S or investigate slam. (Use Jacoby 2NT if you play it.)

Do Not
9. MAKE A LIMIT BID IN A MINOR WHEN YOU CAN RESPOND WITH A FOUR CARD MAJOR.

Inga & Neil Aiston 2014 - Spring Term 11

Learn Through Play

GETTING IT RIGHT CARDING FOR DEFENDERS.

“With KQJ, Why should I not win
with the king? It’s just the same
as the jack and queen isn’t it?
What difference does it make?”
As defender in 3rd position you should always try to win a trick with the lower or lowest of touching cards.
e.g. Holding KQ75, try to win with the queen. With J10953 try to win with the 9.

3NT by south. West led ♠4.

♠2 from dummy and east won with ♠K. ♠ A2 3NT
East returned ♠3. ♥ A32 by
Declarer won in dummy with ♠A and cashed ♣A ♦ KJ2 south
Then declarer finessed ♣J which lost to west's ♣Q ♣ A6542

West now considered what to do next. He worked out that - - ♠ 10654 ♠ KQJ83
♥ J107 ♥ K98
"Because east played ♠K he cannot hold ♠Q. ♦ 764 ♦ 953
Therefore south must have ♠Q. I'll switch to diamonds."!?!? ♣ Q97 ♣ 108

East exploded, but his play of the ♠K was absolutely wrong ♠ 97

and the mis-defence was entirely his fault. ♥ Q654
♦ AQ108
The guy in green should of course have won trick 1 with ♠J! ♣ KJ3
Now when declarer couldn’t beat the jack, west would know to continue spades.

LEARNING TO SEE ♠ 1054

THROUGH CARDS!
♠ Q632 ♠8
If you trust partner to play the lower or lowest
of touching cards when trying to win the trick, ♠A
you can read the suit like an open book.
You are west and lead ♠2 (4th highest) against 3NT.
Dummy goes down with ♠1054 and partner plays ♠8
Now you can tell exactly who has got what!

Who has the ♠7 ............. Declarer has ♠7 because partner would have played it, instead of ♠8

Who has the ♠9 ............. Partner has ♠9. Otherwise declarer would not have played ♠A

Who has the ♠J ............. Partner has ♠J for the same reason ♠1054

Who has the ♠K ............. Declarer, because partner would have played it. ♠Q632 ♠J98

♠AK7

YOU CAN TRAIN YOURSELF TO DO THIS!

Inga & Neil Aiston 2014 - Spring Term 12
Learn Through Play

GETTING IT RIGHT COUNT & SUIT PREFERENCE SIGNALS

South opened 2NT and north raised to 3NT
Partner leads ♥2 Declarer wins with the ♥10. “How can it “Are you
Declarer then leads ♣K and partner plays ♣6
Do you win this trick and why?
matter which saying that I
If you duck, declarer plays another club to the ♣Q.
Do you take it this time? Partner followed with the ♣2.
rubbish card shouldn’t win
Dummy I play?” the trick?”
♠ 752
♥6
Partner ♦ 965 ♠ 962 Partner
♣ QJ1098
♣62
3NT
♥ 87 Because you
♦ K872
♣ A73 play count
♣K54 signals !! YES! to stop
When following suit, playing insignificant cards in a particular sequence declarer winning 4
can tell partner how many cards you hold in that suit.
club tricks, hold off
A defender, when not playing to win the trick, should play the cards :
until the 3rd round.
High-low to show an even number of cards in the suit partner should If partner shows you
play the 6 first & then the 2. This is called a peter, or petering. TWO clubs, declarer
Low-high to show an odd number of cards in the suit.
must have three!
play the lowest card first. e.g. from 8-5-3, play the 3 first. NOT DIFFICULT!

N/S MIS-BID TO 5♥
Partner asks “How Unfortunately the game
♠ KJ94 5♥ was now over for E/W and
Q109 by
can it matter ♥
♦ Q6 south
declarer made an impossible
5♥ by throwing ♠2 on ♣J
♣ QJ104
which rubbish card WHY?
♠ Q7 ♠ A108653 Because west fell asleep
I play”? ♥ 76 ♥8 and didn’t SEE anything of
♦ A943 ♦ 8752 significance up to this point.
♣ A8653 ♣ 92
Yes, now that you can see all
2
Well, it doesn’t
♠
of the hands, you may see
♥ AKJ5432
the significance of ♦8,
♦ KJ10
matter - ♣ K7
but would you at the table?

Of course it is a SUIT
unless you 1. West led ♥7 N - ♥10 E - ♥8 S - ♥2
PREFERENCE SIGNAL
asking for a spade!
are watching2.3. North led ♥Q

North led ♣4
E - ♦8

E - ♣9
S - ♥3

S - ♣K
W - ♥6

W - ♣A
East could have signalled
with another card.
his cards 4. West cashed ♦A N - ♦6 E - ♦2 S - ♦10
Do you know which one?
Would that have been
5. West fatally led ♦3 N - ♦Q E - ♦5 S - ♦J clearer?

Inga & Neil Aiston 2014 - Spring Term 13

Learn Through Play

GETTING IT RIGHT SIGNALS

♠ KQ7 McKENNEY ♠ KJ10 McKENNEY
♥ 9832 ♥ KQ987
♦ KJ105 Lead ♥A ♦ K105 Lead ♣A
♣ KJ East plays the ♥4 (up ♣ QJ On ♣K make a discard
♠ 943 ♠ AJ86 ♠ 942 ♠ Q87653
the line) showing an 4 signal for a diamond.
♥ AKJ10 ♥ 764 ♥ 2 2 ♥
1 odd number. Declarer AQ843 Throw from a suit you
♦ 632 ♦ 987 therefore has only two.
♦ 972 ♦
1063 4 do not want - spades!
♣ ♠ 1052 ♣ 742 The ♥Q drops under
♣ AK10965 ♠ A ♣
♥ Q5 the ♥K ♥ AJ10653 The ♠3 discard, a low
♦ AQ4 On the 4th heart east ♦ J6 card, asks for the lower
♣ AQ985 should give a discard ♣ 8742 of the other two suits
signal for a spade. S W N E excluding trumps.
S W N E
INT P 2C P 1H P 4H (Not spades).
2D P 3NT P ♦9 Higher of other two
suits. (Not diamonds). West will switch to ♦7!

♠ J53 ♠ KQ2 McKENNEY

McKENNEY ♥ K109
♥ KJ103
♦ KQ9 ♦ 642 Lead ♦K
Lead ♠2. ♣ KJ93
♠ AQ92 ♣ KJ9 84 ♠ 7653 East must overtake
♠ K64 On the 4th ♠
♥ 985 765 ♥ 8432 with ♦A and return
3 ♥ 762 winning spade ♥
♦ 763 ♦ 92 ♦ KQJ9 4 ♦ A5 the suit.
make a discard ♣ AQ2
♣ 862 ♣ A7543 signal for a club. ♣ 8764 On the 4th winning
♠ 1087 ♠ AJ109
♥ AQ4 diamond make a
♥ AQJ
♦ AJ854 Discard ♦2, a low discard signal asking
♦ 10873
♣ Q10 card asking for the ♣ 105 for a club.
lower of the other ♠3 asks for the lower
S W N E S W N E
INT P 2C P suits. of the other suits
1NT P 2NT P
2D P 3NT (Not diamonds). P (Not spades).

♠ Q1076 McKENNEY ♠ 106432 McKENNEY

♥ A7 ♥ K7
♦ Q85 Lead ♥Q ♦ K7
Lead ♠A
♣ Q865 ♠ ♣ AQ32
♠ A532 On ♠A east makes ♠ AK
♠ 9 On the ♠K east
♥ QJ10 ♥ 986543 a discard signal for ♥ AQ1053 makes a discard
5 ♥ 8642 6
♦ 1093 ♦ AKJ6 a diamond. ♦ QJ3
♦ 9854 signal for a heart.
♣ 1093 ♣ 742 Either ♥9 asking ♣ 765
♠KJ984 ♣ 10984 ♠ QJ875
♥K2 for the higher of ♥ J9 ♦9 this high card
♦742 the other suits ♦ A1062 asks for the hiigher
♣AKJ (Not hearts.) ♣ KJ of the other 2 suits.
(Not diamonds.)
S W N E Or ♣2 wanting the S W N E
1S P 4S P 1S P 4S
lower of the other
suits. (Not clubs.)

♠ 86
♥ AQJ5
SPECIAL SIGNAL NO IT’S NOT!
♦ 104 Lead ♦A
♠ AQ2 ♣ KQJ82 This has gone far too
♠ 107543 East should play
♥ 10 ♥ 864 the ♦Q to show far and I don’t want
♦ AK975 7 ♦ QJ2 either ♦J or a to know.
♣ 9653 ♣ 104
♠ singleton.
KJ9 My partner could
♥ K9732
♦ 863 West can now never get this right.
♣ A7 lead ♦9 to the
♦Q. Let’s do something
N E S W my partner can
1C P 1H 2D The high diamond understand PLEASE!
2H P 3H P asks east to lead
4H spades
Inga & Neil Aiston 2014 - Spring Term 14
Learn Through Play

GETTING IT RIGHT LEADING ACES

If partner leads an ACE, assume that it’s from AK.
“What sort of signals should I play? You Play
I have been told that my partner ♠ AQ86 COUNT SIGNALS
shouldn’t lead singletons with his ♥ 1073 The old Hi-Lo will tell
left hand, (even though I alert) ? ♦ AQJ3 partner that you only
♣ 83 have two hearts and
That nice Mr. Robson sometimes ♠ 107 ♠ J53
♥ AK865
says Hi-Hate and Lo- Like but at
♦ 95 4♠ ♥
♦
94
K10862
that you can ruff the
3rd round.
other times he says Hi - Aye and
♣ J964 1072
?
♣
Lo-No ? It’s all VERY confusing”.

♠ AQ86 DO NOT play ♥4 thinking COUNT SIGNALS

♥ 1073 With three cards, play
♦ AQJ3
that it’s MUD.
the cards normally ‘up
♣ 83 You are following suit
♠ 107 ♠ J5 the line’. Follow with ♥2.
♥ AK865 not leading!
♦ 95 4♠ ♥
♦
J42
K10862 MUD is only A LEAD !*
Partner now knows ♥K
will drop declarer’s ♥Q
♣ J964 ♣ 1072

♠ AQ86
SUIT PREFERENCE SIGNALS. McKENNEY SWITCH
♥7
McKenney suit preference ♦ KJ3
Dummy has a singleton
signals are worth learning. ♣ KJ542 so it doesn’t matter how
The throw of ♥9 (a high card) ♠ 107 ♠ J53 many hearts you have or
♥ AK865 942
says “lead the higher rank, of
♦ 95 4♠ ♥
♦ AQ106
how good they are.
Tell partner that you
the other two suits. - ♣ 9643 ♣ 1087 would like a switch to
(It’s obvious once you know!)
? diamonds.

PARTNER LEADS AN ACE - THEN THE KING ♠ K10 McKENNEY DISCARD

On ♣K, make a discard signal for a diamond by ♥ KQ987 When dummy goes down,
throwing from a suit you do not want - spades! ♦ K105 Partner still has no idea what
♣ QJ
♠ 942 ♠ Q87653 to do next so he cashes ♣K.
This is your chance to tell
On this occasion that leaves only diamonds but ♥ 2
♦ 972
4♥ ♥
♦
4
AQ843 him “Not spades, not trumps
discard a low spade ♠3 to confirm the message.
♣ AK10965 4 and not clubs!
?
♣
Switch to diamonds please”.

♠ Q862 ATTITUDE SIGNAL

PARTNER STRUGGLES FOR A LEAD ♥ Q73 Partner obviously has not
Sometimes partner is really stuck for an opening ♦ KJ7
♠ 107 J5 got the king - You have!
lead and is he is forced to lead a card which doesn’t ♣ KJ5 ♠
♥ A8 ♥ K942 Tell him, by following
have what it promises. ♦ A9432
♣ 9432
4♠ ♦ 10765 with an unnecessary high
♣ 1087 card (♥9)

Adva
SOMETHING SPECIAL nced A SPECIAL SIGNAL
♠ AQ86
Ideally, west would like to get partner in to lead a ♥ 107 On partner’s ♥A lead,
club. Unfortunately east has no obvious entries. ♦ KJ7 play the ♥Q to guarantee
♠ 107 ♣ 652 ♠ J5 the ♥J. West can now lead
UNTIL east plays ♥Q on ♥A. Now west can lead ♥ AK862 ♥ QJ4
low to your ♥J. A club
H5 to east’s ♥J. Note - You cannot hi -lo from Qx ♦ 94 10765
♣ AQ9 4♠ ♦
♣ 1087
switch will set the contract.

Inga & Neil Aiston 2014 - Spring Term 15

 Learn Through Play

GETTING IT RIGHT LEADING KINGS

When partner leads a KING, agains a suit contract, assume that it’s from KQ.
“My partner would never ♠ AQ86 ANSWER
forgive me if I overtook ♥ 973 BECAUSE partner cannot get in
♦ AQJ3
her ♥K with my ace. ♣ 853
again to cash ♥Q . You would only
♠ 1074 ♠ J5
Why would I do such a make ♥A, ♥K and ♣A.
silly thing?
♥ KQ865
♦ 75 4♠ ♥
♦
A4
109862
If I play ♥4, partner will ♣ J94 ♣ A762 UNBLOCK & GET A RUFF
lead another heart ? Overtake ♥K and return ♥4.
and I will make my ace Declarer Partner wins ♥Q and gives you a ruff.
separately That is three tricks!
Cash ♣A to set the contract.
Why waste it” ?”

“Sorry
LEADING FROM DOUBLETON AK ♠ AQ86
♥ J873
Although it is normal to play the highest card from ♦ KJ4
I didn’t
♣ KJ
!”
notice
sequences, ace king doubletons, should be played the ♠ 1074 ♠ J5
other way round i.e. king followed by ace. ♥ AK
ADVANCED ♦ 10953 4♠ ♥
♦
9542
A862
IF partner notices, he can give a McKenney signal on ♣ 8654 ♣ 1072
♥A. Here ♥9 would ask for a diamond switch. ?
A 3rd heart from east will set the contract.
Declarer
ON PARTNER’S KING LEADS AGAINST NTs, THROW ANY HONOUR OR GIVE COUNT!

REMEMBER ♠ AQ86 Partner (west) leads ♥K.

KING leads ♥ 83 Oh Dear!
♦ AQJ
against NT Which card should I play now?
♣ Q1084 7, 6 or 2 and what would it mean?
contracts ♠ J53 ♠ K92
are ♥ KQ1094 1 ♥ 762
SPECIAL ♦ 862 3NT ♦ 109743 Declarer will duck ♥K!
♣ K7 ♣ 63
Top of Sequence leads against ♠ 1074
♥ AJ5
IF partner continued hearts on this
NT contracts must be from 3 card hand, declarer would make both heart
sequences. KQJ or at worst KQ10 ♦ K5
♣ AJ952 honours ♥A & ♥J - AND his contract.

♥ 83 “Am I really supposed to

HERE IS WHY!
♥ KQ1094 2 ♥ J72 throw my ♥J? ” “YES !”
3NT
“OK” Let’s try it.” 1. Play ♥2 - A count signal. West must switch.
♥ A65 knowing declarer hold ♥AJx
♥A83 “I ‘m not sure why it matters 2. Play ♥J - Throw your honour so that west
knows there is only ♥A to force out.
♥ KQ1094 3 ♥762 but with three cards I must
3NT
follow suit normally up the line”. 3. Play ♥2 - A count signal showing three cards.
♥J5
West now can see that declarer must hold
ONLY ♥Jx. West can continue with ♥Q.
♥A83
“I ‘m not sure why it matters
4. Play ♥7 - A count signal showing two. West
♥ KQ1094 4 ♥72 but with only two cards I am
must switch. knowing declarer hold ♥Jxx
3NT
supposed to play them Hi - Lo “.
♥J65

Inga & Neil Aiston 2014 - Spring Term 16

Learn Through Play

GETTING IT RIGHT TAKEOUT DOUBLES

“My partner doesn’t seem to understand that a takeout double is for TAKEOUT”.
Me E Partner W
1♠ 2♦ P P
X P ? P
After opening 1♠, opponents ♠ 1087
Partner passed the takeout X
♠ AKJ95
overcall 2♦ and partner passes. ♥ A73 ♥ 964 saying - “I couldn’t bid, I only had 1
I keep the bidding alive with a ♦ 64 ♦ 52 point” and then critically asks -
♣ KQ6 ♣ J9852 “Why did you not just rebid your
takeout X. (Called, a reopening X)
His correct bid is 2♠ five card spade suit”?

“Because PARTNER, you might ♠ 72 Partner said -

have held this hand.” ♥ K94 “I would have doubled If I had the
♦ KJ1075 opponents diamonds!” Wrong !
♣ KJ2
His correct bid is PASS

“Sorry
Me E Partner W
If partner had doubled, he would
1♠ 2♦ ? t
I forgo
have been showing a hand like this:
♠ 87
Another takeout X called a negative X, ♥ KJ94
♦ 75
again”
it shows the other two suits
♣ KJ1052
Particularly 4 of the other major.
Will he ever remember this ?!*! His correct bid is X

OK what do we know on this auction?

South has 12-15ish and north has 5-8ish.
Me N Partner S
They have a Fit!
P P P 1♠ They, (N/S) are in their comfort zone, playing in a fit
P 2♠ P P at the 2 level.
X P P *!?!?

♠ KJ97 “I have originally passed”? “What does my 2nd round X mean”?

♥ J32 It means “I WANT YOU TO BID YOUR BEST SUIT PARTNER!”
♦ 75
Me ♣ Q1052 t ?!
Can i
Partner E/W have a fit it, so cannot be for penalties?!
♠ 65 ♠ 104
♥ A1074 ♥ Q986 The X is a TAKEOUT DOUBLE asking partner to compete by
♦ KQ962 ♦ A843 bidding her best suit - Preferably the OTHER MAJOR.
♣ 76 ♣ KJ4
♠ AQ832 “WHY COMPETE”?
♥ K5
♦ J10 2♠ is an easy make for N/S. We score -110
♣ A983 3♥ makes for us. We score +140
3♠ goes one down. We score +50

and oh yes, 2♠X makes. We score -470

Inga & Neil Aiston 2014 - Spring Term 17

Learn Through Play

GETTING IT RIGHT AN ACOL CONVERSATION

Gentle Reminder
If your partner opens the bidding with 1NT, they have 12-14 HCPS, and a balanced hand.
RESPONDER controls the subsequent auction, making limit bids or forcing bids as necessary.

Bidding is a two way conversation with our partner,

Opener Responder

♠ Q103 KJ6
♠
♥ AK4 ♥ QJ872
♦ QJ863 ♦ K5
42
♣ J75
♣

"I have a balanced 12-14 pts.

I can tell partner this in one bid". 1NT "Hmm, with my 11 points and
partner's 12-14, we may have a game
here. With five hearts we will play in
either 2NT, 3♥, 3NT or 4♥.
2♦
I'll tell partner that I have five hearts.

"Partner has five hearts. I wonder

whether he has any points. 2♥
"OK, partner now knows that I have
five hearts. Now I will tell partner that 2NT
I will complete the transfer." I have 11/12 pts. and we will see what
he has to say now".

"I have only 12 HCPs to go with

partner's maximum 12. Game is not "Shame, partner hasn't the values to
on, but I do have three hearts, and I
don't fancy the doubleton club. 3♥ bid game, even though he has three
hearts".
Pass
I think this will play better in 3♥.
Partner should respect my limit bid".

Now try bidding these four hands correctly to the best contract. North to open.

♠ Axxx ♠ xx ♠ Jxx ♠ Q10x

♥ QJx ♥ AJxx ♥ KQJx ♥ KJxx
♦ xx ♦ Kxx ♦ Ax ♦ Kxxx
♣ AKxx ♣ KJxx ♣ Qxxx ♣ AJ

♠ KQxx ♠ KQxxx ♠ AQ10xx ♠ Kxx

♥ Kx ♥ Kx ♥ xxx ♥ Axxxx
♦ AQxxx ♦ Axx ♦ KQxxx ♦ Ax
♣ xx ♣ Qxx ♣ - ♣ Qxx
N S N S N S N S
..... ...... ..... ...... ..... ...... ..... ......
..... ...... ..... ...... ..... ...... ..... ......
..... ...... ..... ...... ..... ...... ..... ......

Inga & Neil Aiston 2014 - Spring Term 18

Learn Through Play

GETTING IT RIGHT RULES & ETHICS IN THE CLUB

When your next opponents arrive.
STOP discussing the previous hand. or arguing about it
GREET your opponents and
ALWAYS count your cards.

When you start bidding

LEAVE the board in the centre of the table.
USE the STOP card when you jump a level of bidding. e.g. 1NT STOP 3NT STOP
USE the ALERT card for conventional bids. ALERT
ANNOUNCE partner’s Stayman and transfer bids.
DON’T ask the meaning of opponents alerts UNLESS you were going to bid yourself.
DON’T fiddle with the bidding box. Decide what you are going to bid BEFORE reaching for your bid.

When You are Declarer

THANK partner for the dummy hand. (However bad it is!)
SPEND 10-20 seconds counting top tricks (or losers) and plan how to make the others.
ALWAYS tell dummy which card is to be played from dummy.

When You are Dummy

MAKE sure the trumps are on the left (from declarer’s perspective.)
NEVER play a card before declarer has told you which card to play.

When You are Defender

ALWAYS make your opening lead face down. (The card, not you)

BIDS OUT OF TURN BECAUSE bridge is such a complicated game, the rules, are impossibly difficult for
LEADS OUT OF TURN mere mortals like us. That is why DIRECTORS are used for all duplicate bridge events.
INSUFFICIENT BIDS If any of these situations occur, ask for the director’s help (but only after explaining to
REVOKES your opponents in a friendly way that this could be the best course of action).

HESITATIONS
For beginners this is the most frequent problem when playing in a bridge club.
If, during the auction, partner hesitates (Yes thinking counts as hesitating) AND THEN PASSES,
the ‘thinking’ suggests that partner was considering a bid.
That hesitation is unauthorised information to you.
If you now make a bid, an opponent may say to you “I reserve my rights”.
They want to confirm that you would have made the same bid if partner had passed smoothly.
If, at the end of the hand, it looks like you may have bid on the basis of partner’s hesitation, the
d irector will judge whether s/he feels that 7 out of 10 bridge players would have bid with your hand.
NOTE It now doesn’t matter whether you would always have bid with that hand, the director will judge
whether 7 out of 10 other bridge players would have bid.

Experienced bridge players will make allowances for your inexperience and will usually ignore such
hesitations but try to remember that if you do hesitate and then pass, your partner is limited in what
s/he can do.

At bridge clubs, the director is your friend and will always ‘Lean over backwards’ to support
inexperienced newcomers. If you haven’t already tried playing in a bridge club it is about time you did!

Inga & Neil Aiston 2014 - Spring Term 19

Learn Through Play

GETTING IT RIGHT DUPLICATE BRIDGE SCORING

I don’t understand this game! We were pair 8 sitting N/S We doubled our oppo-
nents in 5♠ and put them THREE DOWN and STILL got a below average score.

Our friends, pair 6, were pushed to 5H and just failed by one trick and they didn’t
score anything. A complete bottom!
FAQS
1. How are your +420s and -170s on the traveller converted into a % score?
Your scores are converted to Matchpoints. (Hence the name of this type of event - Matchpointed Pairs)

2. How is your % score arrive at?

Your Matchpoints on each board are added together. On the example below, (with 8 pairs), 14 Matchpointss is a top.
If you played 10 rounds, the maximum score would be 140. If your total matchpoints were 70, your % would be 50 %.

For each pair you beat, you score 2 Matchpoints

For each pair you draw with, you score 1 Matchpoint
Board
N/S E/W
N/S E/W Vuln. Contract By Tricks + - Matchpoints Matchpoints
1 9 N/S 3NT N 9 600 8 6
2 10 N/S 4H S 10 620 10 4
3 11 N/S 3H N 10 170 4 10
4 12 N/S 4S E 8 100 2 12
5 13 N/S 4H S 11 650 14 0 Best score for N/S

6 14 N/S 5H N 10 100 0 14 Best score for E/W

7 15 N/S 3NT N 10 630 12 2

8 16 N/S 4Sx E 7 500 6 8
N/S pair 1 scored +600. Better than the scores for N/S 3, 4, 6 and 8. They therefore score 8 (2 for each pair they beat)
N/S pair 2 scored +620. Better than the scores for N/S 1, 3, 4, 6 and 8. They therefore score 10

N/S pair 1 bid and made their game but only get a slightly above average result
E/W pair 12 were two down in 3S but score 12/14 matchpoints. (a 2nd top)
N/S pair 6 had a difficult decision, because E/W bid to N/V 4S. Should they X or bid 5H? - They got it wrong!
E/W pair 16 shows that you can sacrifice over a safe vulnerable game. Even going three off doubled for -500
was better than opponents making a safe vulnerable game for 620.
3. What Score is likely to win an event?
A winning score will usually be somewhere between 60% & 70%. Anything over 50% is good!

4. Why do E/W sometimes have to move up 2 tables?

Called a skip move, this is to avoid you meeting boards you have played coming in the opposite direction

5. Why do some clubs use an Arrow Switch on the last round?

This is to achieve one overall winning pair, rather than awarding a top N/S and a top E/W.
Inga & Neil Aiston 2014 - Spring Term 20