Vil Gravis's blog

Hi there
Thank you for your interest in reading my Thursday Reviews. I hope you have enjoyed them and will continue to do so.

I would like to tell you about a new series that I am about to write: Evil Acol, a better way to play Acol. That series will introduce a number of new ideas for getting better results from the basic Acol that you may be playing at the moment. Each of the suggestions will show the reader how bidding and play could go with the basic Acol and also how it would go with “Evil Acol” which I believe is not too difficult to work with and would give you as a partnership, a considerable edge over your opposition. As an example I am attaching a chapter from the series. I am also attaching information about the series in another file. If you would like to subscribe, then please fill that form out and return to me or let me know separately. I’m sure this series will be of interest and benefit to you and your regular partner.

With best wishes,
Vil Gravis

You might be interested in the attached story. I could call it “How to lose at Rubber Bridge”. Some of you will be taking part in the Rubber Bridge NZ wide competition but even if not you may be interested in this story. It will also be sent to the subscribers to “Thirteen Tricks”.
Hope you enjoy it.
Vil

Thursday Review 18
Another weak 1NT opening but I wonder how many people know what they could, or should, do. I would think that most Wests opened 1NT and most Norths doubled. Most Easts would then bid 2C which should be a weak takeout and not Stayman. Most people have the simple agreement that after you are doubled in 1NT transfers and Stayman are off. But that is where partnership disagreements occur. I would certainly double with the North hand rather than bid a natural (if your system allows) 2D. With EW vulnerable it is simply too tempting not to double.

Do you go to the bridge club to compete, or just sit there and watch the opponents play the hand? This deal is a great one for those pairs who like to compete ... even when they don't have their normal requirement of high card points. With distributional hands there is a guideline for when you have a legitimate opening bid (the 'rule of 20'): But does that mean that you are not allowed to open the East hand? The “20” rule is a guideline, not a law that cannot be broken. Look at the East hand in the following deal:

Board 10 from Thursday 3/05/2018.
Dealer E All Vul

	7543 AQ7 T2 QT72
AJ T9863 K5 A643		T2 KJ542 AQ73 95
	KQ986 J9864 KJ8

Why am I writing up board 18, the reader may be asking.