Concerning TOXes

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Thu, 23/11/2017 - 08:56

This deal provides us with a fine example of why we need to have, and understand, the ”takeout double”.

Board 18 from Wednesday 22/11/2017 Dealer E NS Vul

7
976
K32
AK7653
Q964
AK82
AJT
J2
AKT3
J53
9765
T9
J852
QT4
Q84
Q84

Don't let those Weak-2s snow you!

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Thu, 16/11/2017 - 15:53

Board 19 Dealer S EW Vul from Wednesday 15/11/2017

Q42
Q54
JT2
8765
A975
A83
874
KJ3
K8
KJT92
Q
AQ942
JT63
76
AK9653
T

What can we learn from this particular deal? Seemingly, quite a lot so let me start with South.

The Power of Shape

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Thu, 09/11/2017 - 10:08

As has been said so often, not just by me, it is not always the POINTS that matter. Distribution and fit are also of huge importance in evaluating the potential of any hand you are dealt. Take the South hand.

Board 11 Dealer S Nil Vul From Wednesday 10/09/2017

T8
AQT
K765
K962
K63
K7
JT932
J87
754
96
AQ8
AQT53
AQJ92
J85432
4
4

WELCOME, NEW ZEALAND, TO THE HOME OF X-CLUBS

Submitted by sitemaster on Fri, 03/11/2017 - 15:29

Did you know that X-Clubs deals are being played in just about one third of New Zealand's clubs? It's like you can have a mini-NZ-Wide Pairs every time you play at club. Check out our Results pages to see which clubs are involved. But that's just the start! James Ward, founder and CEO of Pianola has generously allowed us free use of his fantastic results reporting service. All you have to do if your club plays X-Clubs deals is to send in your email address from this site to get a personalised invitation to create a Pianola log-in for yourself.

We are very fortunate to have a regular commentator on X-Club's Wednesday Night deals. Vil Gravis is an author of long standing and we are privileged to host his lifetime's articles in pdf form on this site. Click on the Vil's Books tab above to see for yourself.

The 2017 Babich NZ-Wide Pairs was scored using Bob Fearn's Compass scoring program: the power behind X-Clubs. We had the first cut of 50 clubs out by midnight. The remaining nine results were in by midday Saturday allowing us to create the final reports for the 1018 pairs that took part - the largest number in many years.

When giving a Ruff'n'Sluff can be a good thing

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Thu, 02/11/2017 - 10:42

This was the deal featured in last week's article. There are a number of important lessons for all readers, though most may be a bit difficult for even the advanced players. Nevertheless, I suggest that even the beginner might learn something from the discussion on how South should play this contract in 4S when West leads the six of diamonds. Let's have another look:

Board 9 Dealer N EW Vul

T432
AJ92
T3
743
J6
T5
K9765
KT52
95
Q86
QJ842
AQ6
AKQ87
K743
A
J98

Something Different

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Thu, 26/10/2017 - 10:07

Board 9 Dealer N EW Vul from Wednesday 25/10/17

T432
AJ92
T3
743
J6
T5
K9765
KT52
95
Q86
QJ842
AQ6
AKQ87
K743
A
J98

When this deal was played, all the Souths at Hutt received a low diamond lead against a spade contract. Some were in 4S, others only in 3S. I won't go into the pros and cons of how to bid the NS hands today, instead I have a problem that I want to set the reader. How best to play 4S when West leads the six of diamonds.

When going down while others make is Right and Proper!

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Thu, 19/10/2017 - 09:55

Board 16 Dealer W EW Vul from Wednesday 18/10/2017

AJ3
A2
T5
KJ9865
Q2
KQT64
J632
T7
8654
9853
Q7
Q43
KT97
J7
AK984
A2

X-Clubs Best Customers

Submitted by sitemaster on Mon, 02/10/2017 - 06:05

A snapshot of who's getting the most enjoyment (ie bridge) out of life: (source - weekly Leagues table analysing the last 50 weeks - sortable by column)

Judgement called for

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Thu, 28/09/2017 - 19:23

Sometimes it isn't easy to judge just what to do with good hands, or how far to bid in competitive situations. This was one of those cases. Maybe by looking at the options we can come up with some conclusions. Don't forget that you can't possily make the right 'guess' every time and it is simply a matter of making the right decision as often as you can. Bridge is, as I have said before, a percentage game.

Board 9 from Wednesday 27th Sept. Dealer N EW Vul

KQ8
43
J742
Q752
972
652
Q86
AT64
T4
AQJT987
KJ83
AJ653
K
AKT953
9

Question from a reader

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Thu, 28/09/2017 - 19:12

First thing this morning I received the following email from one of last night's players:
“Question:
Board 7 from yesterday - was just wondering if I had grounds to search for slam. The bidding went: PASS - PASS - PASS - 1H - PASS - 3H - PASS - 4C - PASS - 4H - PASS - PASS - PASS. As you can see my partner (West) "lied" about her aces (she was pretty sick yesterday) so I left it in 4H and made 6H. I presume there are also other ways to search for/show singletons etc.”

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