Re: the ACOL 1NT

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Thu, 09/03/2017 - 19:26

Why do you play a “weak No Trump”? One of the first things that you are taught when learning the Acol system is that, unless you choose otherwise, you open 1NT with a balanced hand and 12 to 14 high card points. But maybe you haven't been taught WHY you choose to play the weak No Trump, nor what to do when you or your partner does open a weak 1NT.

It's all about the Pudding

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Fri, 03/03/2017 - 10:20

Sometimes, knowing how to finesse can be a bad thing, because you also need to know when to finesse and what the odds of success are.

Board 14 Dealer E Nil Vul from 09WED on 1st of March

Q
JT9763
QJ984
5
AJT8642
AKQ
K7
3
93
854
A6
AKQ742
K75
2
T532
JT986

You Owe It to P

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Thu, 23/02/2017 - 09:24

Bidding is about discussion with partner, as I have pointed out earlier. Declarer play is about taking care of business on your own. If you discuss things properly with partner, you will end up in the correct contract. Then, if you get to play the hand, you can make sure that you fulfill the agreement you have with partner. If partner has cooperated and you have reached the best spot, don't let partner down by sloppy declarer play.
Let's take a look at Board 7 from Week 08 Wednesday night's play:

Board 7 Dealer E All Vul

AQ82
KJ8
83
AQ93
K74
964
KJ764
T6
953
52
QT
J87542
JT6
AQT73
A952
K

e-Vil Two's

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Sun, 19/02/2017 - 18:30

This Friday series is not going to be simply about “Evil Acol” but also about what we can do to improve our results when playing the sort of match point game that is being played on Friday afternoons. I would not necessarily recommend that the reader switch to “Evil Acol” but I will be talking about the philosophy of playing weak, and sometimes weaker than weak, two level openings. If the reader wishes to try something as radical and different as that, will be up to them.

Love Thy PARTNER!!

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Thu, 16/02/2017 - 15:33

From 07WED on 15th Feb.
One of the most important things you should learn about bridge is that it is a PARTNERSHIP game when it comes to bidding. Doing your own thing is very well if you are declarer, when you are totally in charge, but when it comes to bidding, you will only get the best results if you respect your partner and listen to what he or she has to say during the auction. Let's take a look at Board 10 from the day's play:

Board 10 Dealer E All Vul

987642
Q965
3
Q9
AQJ
AT98752
A63
T
AKJ742
KJ64
KT
K53
T83
Q
J87542

Evil ACOL on FRIDs

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Mon, 13/02/2017 - 10:46

Since I will be playing quite few of the Friday sessions at our club, I thought I'd do a “Friday Review” now and again. In the current event I have been playing ACOL, but with what have earlier been termed “Evil Twos”, which can basically be described as weak two suited openings at the two level, including a 2C opening. The “Evil Twos” go as follows: 2C is a weak two suited hand at least four cards in each of clubs and hearts, 2D diamonds and hearts, 2H both majors, and 2S spades and a minor, with the stipulation that we have five spades.

"Too Late!!" she cried

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Thu, 09/02/2017 - 18:01

From Wednesday 8th Feb.
I don't like to talk about slams too much but this one is worth discussion. That is because TWO pairs played in 3NT despite what should have been a known spade fit (at LEAST 4-4 no matter what your bidding system is), ONE hapless North in 4C, and one South in 4H! The people in question will know how that happened and I hope will know better next time, though 'next time' is invariably too late.

Board 13 Dealer N ALL Vul

A9865
A
KQJ2
AJ9
Q42
J53
T654
KQ4
T
QT642
9873
T72
KJ73
K987
A
8653

Careful Play Pays Off

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Thu, 02/02/2017 - 17:23

From Wednesday 1st Feb.
Apart from the need to get basic bidding right, it also helps if the newer player can get basic things right when given the responsibility of playing a hand.

Board 13 Dealer N ALL Vul

T982
Q9876
T4
AT
KJ
AT
AK987
KQJ5
AQ43
KJ
J632
873
765
5432
Q5
9642

Lessons A-Plenty

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Fri, 27/01/2017 - 06:08

From Wednesday 25th January.
Some lessons from this deal:

  • When you can open the bidding with 11 HCP
  • The need for a TAKEOUT double that is meaningful
  • Why you should draw trumps

Let's take a look ...

Season's Greetings from Vil

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Fri, 20/01/2017 - 07:16

Let's start the new year with what should be reasonably basic but is nevertheless an area in which many new partnerships have misunderstandings. This hand from Wednesday 18th January illustrates the point:
Board 19 Dealer S EW Vul

Q963
K975
653
Q5
JT7
6432
Q
AT432
54
QT8
982
KJ987
AK82
AJ
AKJT74
6

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