(Updated 17 August, 2015.)
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Former GORDON BRIDGE CLUB, now part of NORTH SHORE BRIDGE CLUB.
EAST LINDFIELD VENUE:
2b Carlyle Rd, East Lindfield (Lindfield Bowling Club)
This blogsite will become dormant (but not deleted) from today. You will be able to access this site for a review of "Director, Please!" and some other special articles which will remain. Many thanks for your participation over the previous six years. You may wish to save this site to your "Favorites" on your computer so that you can get quick access to it. On iPads and mobile phones you may generate an icon for immediate access.
Although management of the Club has changed since July 1, you can assume that all sessions and directors will remain essentially the same until further notice. Your previous directors, and you, are being tutored in managing the variations in the system of recording and scoring of results of each board. This may present some of us with a few problems until proficiency is attained. Please bear with us during this transition period.
Hullo (and Farewell)
Most readers of this blog probably know that after 20+ years I have "retired" from Directing, although you will continue to see me playing (and assisting in various ways).
I thank you for those kind and generous comments.
It has been a very happy and satisfying period of my life, thanks to your warmth and support throughout.
Various innovations such as competitions, pre-session mini-lessons and the delightful Saturday afternoon teas have added an extra dimension to my directing.
Gordon Bridge Club had that very special friendly atmosphere generated by Greg, the Directors and regular players -- I shall treasure those feelings. Thank you all.
Ian
Session Times (subject to review):
EAST LINDFIELD 2015
DAY SESSIONS:
Monday 9.45 am (Transition)*
Monday 12.45 pm (Regular open session)*
Tuesday 10 am. (Regular open session)*
Wednesday 9.45 am* (Regular open session)
Thursday 9.45 am (Transition)*
Thursday 1.00 pm (Regular open session)*
Friday 10 am. (Regular open session)*
Saturday 1 pm (Regular open session with afternoon tea)
NIGHT SESSIONS
Tues 7.30 pm. *
* Indicates short pre-game lesson.
Normal table money will $10 per session for members. Visitors: $12.
YUMMY
Have you forgotten that we have a delicious afternoon tea every Saturday? These are memorable feasts. You do not need a partner -- just a feeling of Happiness!
.
Former GORDON BRIDGE CLUB, now part of NORTH SHORE BRIDGE CLUB.
EAST LINDFIELD VENUE:
2b Carlyle Rd, East Lindfield (Lindfield Bowling Club)
This blogsite will become dormant (but not deleted) from today. You will be able to access this site for a review of "Director, Please!" and some other special articles which will remain. Many thanks for your participation over the previous six years. You may wish to save this site to your "Favorites" on your computer so that you can get quick access to it. On iPads and mobile phones you may generate an icon for immediate access.
Although management of the Club has changed since July 1, you can assume that all sessions and directors will remain essentially the same until further notice. Your previous directors, and you, are being tutored in managing the variations in the system of recording and scoring of results of each board. This may present some of us with a few problems until proficiency is attained. Please bear with us during this transition period.
Hullo (and Farewell)
Most readers of this blog probably know that after 20+ years I have "retired" from Directing, although you will continue to see me playing (and assisting in various ways).
I thank you for those kind and generous comments.
It has been a very happy and satisfying period of my life, thanks to your warmth and support throughout.
Various innovations such as competitions, pre-session mini-lessons and the delightful Saturday afternoon teas have added an extra dimension to my directing.
Gordon Bridge Club had that very special friendly atmosphere generated by Greg, the Directors and regular players -- I shall treasure those feelings. Thank you all.
Ian
Session Times (subject to review):
EAST LINDFIELD 2015
DAY SESSIONS:
Monday 9.45 am (Transition)*
Monday 12.45 pm (Regular open session)*
Tuesday 10 am. (Regular open session)*
Wednesday 9.45 am* (Regular open session)
Thursday 9.45 am (Transition)*
Thursday 1.00 pm (Regular open session)*
Friday 10 am. (Regular open session)*
Saturday 1 pm (Regular open session with afternoon tea)
NIGHT SESSIONS
Tues 7.30 pm. *
* Indicates short pre-game lesson.
Normal table money will $10 per session for members. Visitors: $12.
YUMMY
Have you forgotten that we have a delicious afternoon tea every Saturday? These are memorable feasts. You do not need a partner -- just a feeling of Happiness!
.
List of Bridge Excuses:
I never ever get good cards.
I was going to bid that…
My partner doubled, so I passed.
They led the wrong card.
West was a Director, so I was disadvantaged.
I have never played a contract of 4S redoubled before.
Sorry, I played it in No-Trumps.
My hand had five suits!
All red cards look alike.
I didn't want to be Declarer.
There was a bad 3-2 split in trumps.
I was thinking about doubling, then I remembered last week, and the week before...
Sorry, I played it in No-Trumps.
My hand had five suits!
All red cards look alike.
I didn't want to be Declarer.
There was a bad 3-2 split in trumps.
I was thinking about doubling, then I remembered last week, and the week before...
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Recommended Reading for the Light Hearted:
The Art of Voiding by Woodger Ruffet
You’re The Dealer by Hugo Furst
Defensive Bridge by Ford Ourne
Aggressive Bidding by Hope Anprey
Bridge Signals for Success by Aiden Tother
How Long Do I Hold Up? by Justin Thyme
Careless Card Play by Lars Taggenn
Secrets of Silent Bidding by Dot Yerbidd
When Partner Should Pass by Pat Wunstable
Bridge Partner’s Expectations by Max E. Mumm
Sacrificing in Bridge by Will Gohdown
Support For Your Partner by Jack Singleton
Revalue Your Cards by Adam Goodand
Bridge Etiquette by Mona Lott
Find Your Opponents' Weakness by Eileen Nover
Touching Cards by Ivan Naice
The Biggest Misfits in Bridge by Hans Fromelle
Look for Hidden Winners in Bridge by Marc Adek
Psychic Bidding by Mae Wynne
Revise Your Partnership Play by Hugh Shudof
Duplicate Bridge Responses by Ray Smibyd
What Does That Bid Mean? by Howard Eyenoh
Dangers of Overbidding by Winsome Lusomme
The Art of Voiding by Woodger Ruffet
You’re The Dealer by Hugo Furst
Defensive Bridge by Ford Ourne
Aggressive Bidding by Hope Anprey
Bridge Signals for Success by Aiden Tother
How Long Do I Hold Up? by Justin Thyme
Careless Card Play by Lars Taggenn
Secrets of Silent Bidding by Dot Yerbidd
When Partner Should Pass by Pat Wunstable
Bridge Partner’s Expectations by Max E. Mumm
Sacrificing in Bridge by Will Gohdown
Support For Your Partner by Jack Singleton
Revalue Your Cards by Adam Goodand
Bridge Etiquette by Mona Lott
Find Your Opponents' Weakness by Eileen Nover
Touching Cards by Ivan Naice
The Biggest Misfits in Bridge by Hans Fromelle
Look for Hidden Winners in Bridge by Marc Adek
Psychic Bidding by Mae Wynne
Revise Your Partnership Play by Hugh Shudof
Duplicate Bridge Responses by Ray Smibyd
What Does That Bid Mean? by Howard Eyenoh
Dangers of Overbidding by Winsome Lusomme
BRIDGE DEFINITIONS . (A reprise by Grandad)
WEAK TWO: Long-term partnership with zero Masterpoints.
GRAND SLAM: Bad-tempered losing player leaving the bridge room.
SMALL SLAM: Even-tempered winning player who forgot to open the door when leaving.
ONE SPADE: Desexing progress report from the vet.
TWO SPADES: His and Hers in the garden shed.
FOUR SPADES: Last week’s special at Bunnings. (“I know, Honey, but they were so cheap…”)
SEVEN SPADES: Contents of Snow White’s cupboard.
PASS: Invitational bid (to player of opposite sex).
TAKE OUT: Acceptance of partner's Pass above.
OVER-CALL: Price you paid for that totally useless item at the fire-sale auction.
MINOR SUIT: Primary school uniform.
MAJOR SUIT: Message from your tailor.
LOSERS: Your partners.
INVERTED MINOR: Newborn babe.
VULNERABLE: Said of every player you’ve ever played with.
RESPONDER: Paramedic’s dummy.
ADVANCER: Mini cattle-prod ideal for use on ultra-slow players.
DECLARER: Anyone not carrying a small TV through Customs.
AUCTION: Obviously where u entered the action.
DUCK: Movement made when your partner has a “quack” at you.
PENALTY DOUBLES: Arguing with the tennis umpire about Aces.
JUMP SHIFT: A skip move in a very overcrowded bridge room.
STOPPER: What you usually remove for a sparkling entry.
DROP: What you imbibe after removal of a stopper.
BLIND LEAD: Card led after many stoppers removed.
HOLD UP: Support for your (distressed) partner.
RULE OF ELEVEN: The inevitable trick count of every slam you bid.
KEY CARD BLACKWOOD: Burnt-out motel door.
BALANCING: When your opponents underbid and you overbid.
HIGH-CARD POINTS: Numerical value of cards -- nominally 40 in a pack, but often extended to 80. Hence the term “Double”.
DISTRIBUTION POINTS: For a dealer, North, East, South, and West.
OVERTRICK: A rapidly moving thimble.
UNDERTRICK: The pea.
GAME: Something you have a shot at but never put result on your wall.
AVOIDANCE PLAY: Insistence on sitting N-S (or E-W).
ATTITUDE SIGNAL: An angry email to partner after the match.
MASTER CARD: Use this when cashing your winners.
DEALING: Illegal transfer. May lead to extended stay, man.
BIDDING SPACE: Paper grid about 10cm square.
BRIDGE ROOM: Traffic conditions when on Bradfield Highway at 4am.
BLOCKED: Conditions on Bradfield Highway at 4pm.
PENALTY CARD: Result of parking on Bradfield Highway at any time.
OVERTAKING: Switch made on Bradfield Highway after a failed reverse bid.
LOW ENCOURAGE: Gently kicking partner under the table.
IRREGULARITY: Insufficient bran in the diet.
MOVEMENT: Something that Directors strain to complete fully.
SQUEEZE: Uncomfortable fundamental bodily reaction upon realising your sacrifice bid is vulnerable.
RUN: Request to play your long suit while you hurriedly excuse yourself for a while.
THIRD SEAT: Available space in the toilet.
FLUSH: (Please, no more on that theme!)
ALERT: Loud call to partner who has fallen asleep.
EIGHT EVER, NINE NEVER: Your usual result in 3NT.
BID IN ROTATION: Game played at a lazy-susan table.
PACK: Collection of dogs. Usually taken on your lead.
OPENING HAND: Bodily extremity of expectant upmarket hotel porter.
BIDDING UP THE LINE: Playing at North Sydney, then Chatswood, Lindfield, etc.
DONT: Threatening look at partner who’s known to overbid when vulnerable.
DOUBLE DUMMY: A new partnership.
PLAYING TRICKS: Fooling around on April 1.
FAVOURABLE VULNERABILITY: You can kick partner quite easily.
UNFAVOURABLE VULNERABILITY Partner can kick you quite easily.
EQUAL VULNERABILITY: Last packet of sweetener at morning tea..
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The following articles are rated R*, so read with caution:
DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (1)
It is really annoying when players find they have too many, or too few, cards in their hand before, during, and at the end of play. Sometimes the correct hands cannot be restored accurately for the next table as they are not always recorded. Nobody is happy then.
Remember: you are required by The Laws of Duplicate Bridge to count your cards before inspecting them. Offenders may be subject to a penalty by the Laws. This situation never pleases the players of either side, nor the Director...
Another annoying fault is the practice of playing a card to the extreme side (i.e. not immediately before them as required by the Laws.). This has caused situations of players claiming that they did not see the card, etc. It's amazing how many different problems this causes.
Also, cards of quitted tricks must not be placed to the extreme side either. The Laws specifically state that they must be placed "near" the player, i.e. not close to the opponent's territory!
One of the most frequent "calls to director" is to correct the hands with too many or too few cards. Can you see why so many hands have too many, or too few, cards in them even though they were correct at Round 1?
Now imagine this scenario:
About half way through the game South, who has been placing his quitted cards far away towards the left edge of the table, is at last on lead. He places his led card face up on top of the far edge of this neat strip of cards! Tidy, orderly, and camouflaged red on red perhaps.
The next player, West, does not notice this, as it looks like another quitted trick, and sits silently absorbed in his thoughts. Partner finally reminds him to play. He mistakenly believes that he is required to START the next trick and leads a card of a different suit to South's. Who knows if he is discarding or not? No-one.
Inevitably there is /confusion/penalty card/a revoke/3 or 5 or even 6 cards played to the trick, etc, and then the argument starts -- followed by directorial mayhem.
DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (1)
It is really annoying when players find they have too many, or too few, cards in their hand before, during, and at the end of play. Sometimes the correct hands cannot be restored accurately for the next table as they are not always recorded. Nobody is happy then.
Remember: you are required by The Laws of Duplicate Bridge to count your cards before inspecting them. Offenders may be subject to a penalty by the Laws. This situation never pleases the players of either side, nor the Director...
Another annoying fault is the practice of playing a card to the extreme side (i.e. not immediately before them as required by the Laws.). This has caused situations of players claiming that they did not see the card, etc. It's amazing how many different problems this causes.
Also, cards of quitted tricks must not be placed to the extreme side either. The Laws specifically state that they must be placed "near" the player, i.e. not close to the opponent's territory!
One of the most frequent "calls to director" is to correct the hands with too many or too few cards. Can you see why so many hands have too many, or too few, cards in them even though they were correct at Round 1?
Now imagine this scenario:
About half way through the game South, who has been placing his quitted cards far away towards the left edge of the table, is at last on lead. He places his led card face up on top of the far edge of this neat strip of cards! Tidy, orderly, and camouflaged red on red perhaps.
The next player, West, does not notice this, as it looks like another quitted trick, and sits silently absorbed in his thoughts. Partner finally reminds him to play. He mistakenly believes that he is required to START the next trick and leads a card of a different suit to South's. Who knows if he is discarding or not? No-one.
Inevitably there is /confusion/penalty card/a revoke/3 or 5 or even 6 cards played to the trick, etc, and then the argument starts -- followed by directorial mayhem.
Don't laugh -- this has happened more than once. Variations on this theme could fill a fairly thick book on "How to Make Your Director Weep".
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DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (2)
Dummy (the player) is not allowed to control the play in Bridge. Declarer has to plan and play the contract using his own tactics, without illegal advice from his partner.
Suppose the lead is to come from Dummy (the cards) and Declarer erroneously leads a card from hand, or vice versa.
Dummy must not verbally correct that lead. Dummy must remain silent, even though the play is from the wrong hand!!
It is up to the opponents to spot that error and have Declarer correct the error, OR, the opponents can accept the error and play to it. They decide, not the Dummy player.
However, Dummy may warn Declarer before the card is led or called. I repeat and stress "before". You can see that a smart Dummy may realise that the wrongly called card is "bad" or "good" play and speak up only when it is to Declarer's benefit. That is clearly influencing Declarer's play, and that is very naughty!
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DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (3)
When scoring a hand at the bridge table the results "AVERAGE" and PASSED IN" are different scores.
Also the Director may award an Average if the cards get mixed up between players, or if some happening prevents a proper score being determined.
However, if each of the four players passed because the hands are such that they could not, or did not, open the bidding (i.e. FOUR PASSES), then the score is Passed In (or No Bid). This can end up as a top score! Let me explain...
For example, suppose EAST at every other table bid and scored something (i.e. did not go down). At the table with four Passes, the Passed In score for that board is zero for each side. EAST's score of zero is less than all the other EAST players. That is clearly a bottom board for that EAST.
A bottom for E-W is a top for N-S.
An Average usually makes only a very small difference to your final percentage of the session. It's not worth the energy of arguing about it in most circumstances.
If you are not sure what to do to record it please ask the Director.
N.B. An average would be awarded if the hands were (say) mixed during play, assuming no one side was at fault.
REMEMBER: If all four players Pass (no-one has opened the bidding), it is not an Average.
Most slow-play problems can be avoided by better table management, and your preparedness to lead, bid, or score. Also, please, no "post-mortems" between boards, only at the end of your set.
How do you count your cards? (Not picking them up singly, I hope -- that is so painful to watch and wait and wait and wait...)
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DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (4)
When a player "claims" by saying that the remaining tricks are his, and shows his hand with no further immediate comment, you should call the Director at once if you feel that your side can win a trick. No one can insist on "Play it out" in Duplicate bridge.
Of course, when you call the Director some clue is given to the claimant that there might be a way to lose a trick. Therefore if asked how the play would have proceeded the claimant may rethink about his plan and then find and state a line of play that will succeed.
The Laws of Duplicate Bridge state that the line of play that the claimant proposes to play must be stated when the claim is made. Directors are required to give the benefit of any doubt to the opponents if no clear line of play is given at the time of claiming. A detailed Law specifies this.
Also, there are special laws about claiming when there are outstanding trumps. Many claimants have lost a trick (and the contract, possibly) purely because they did not mention the existence of such a trump held by an opponent, and how they were coping with that outstanding trump. Even a small "unknown" trump could win a trick by careless play. The Laws absolutely favour the holder of that trump!! Failing to mention the outstanding trump could be considered as an example of "careless play".
Every player is considered as being able to play carelessly at times. It is no use saying, later: "Oh, I wouldn't have done that..."
EXPLAIN WHEN YOU CLAIM may seem a waste of time -- just consider it as a safety play!
If you fail to abide by the Laws of Duplicate Bridge, then please be gracious and accept that you "got it wrong".
If a Director allows an exception to this Law then the non-offending party is disadvantaged, and that's obviously contrary to the principles of fair play.
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DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (5)
Some players pass the played boards to the next table several minutes before the Director calls the next move. The table receiving the boards thus may mistakenly pass them on to their next table when the move is called. This is the BDBM transfer, (Bridge Double Board Move), not to be confused with the normal Skip, or that amazing procedure called "Play The Boards Again And Get A Worse Result".
A round or two later we now have a new game being played. It is called BEDLAM, developed as an alternative to that other somewhat confusing game called CHAOS (when East's cards become West's at the hands of the SIT-OUT).
Scoring is then done by a program called SHAMBLES, and the results are printed out in the RIOT font of hieroglyphics using the masterpoints system suitably named HAVOC.
Later, players and Director enthusiastically share their partaking in the after-game activity aptly called FRENZY.
Usually, a couple of players elect to leave the bridge room as soon as possible. (I hope they read this!!)
NB: The current National Record is an uncorrected reverse triple move of just some of the set of boards at the change. This is no mean feat, as it required high-order oblivion, blended with super slapdash concentration. Competitive play was abandoned. Again.
That Club, I believe, unsuccessfully offered $5000 for anyone to become a Director. (Per session, that is…)
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DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (6)
If the scoring is done on written scoresheets, why do some players write a different board number on the front to that on the back? And then not notice that neither matches the actual number of the board? When this happens, it usually substantially slows down the scoring of results at the conclusion of play, and also speeding up the remainder of the allotted life-span of the frantic Director.
Luckily, our Directors are trained to the level of the Bletchley Park code-breakers --- and remember, we know who you are....
(Unfortunately, we don't know what to do with you! Has anyone any suggestions? Send message in clear, please.)
...
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DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (2)
Dummy (the player) is not allowed to control the play in Bridge. Declarer has to plan and play the contract using his own tactics, without illegal advice from his partner.
Suppose the lead is to come from Dummy (the cards) and Declarer erroneously leads a card from hand, or vice versa.
Dummy must not verbally correct that lead. Dummy must remain silent, even though the play is from the wrong hand!!
It is up to the opponents to spot that error and have Declarer correct the error, OR, the opponents can accept the error and play to it. They decide, not the Dummy player.
However, Dummy may warn Declarer before the card is led or called. I repeat and stress "before". You can see that a smart Dummy may realise that the wrongly called card is "bad" or "good" play and speak up only when it is to Declarer's benefit. That is clearly influencing Declarer's play, and that is very naughty!
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DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (3)
When scoring a hand at the bridge table the results "AVERAGE" and PASSED IN" are different scores.
Also the Director may award an Average if the cards get mixed up between players, or if some happening prevents a proper score being determined.
However, if each of the four players passed because the hands are such that they could not, or did not, open the bidding (i.e. FOUR PASSES), then the score is Passed In (or No Bid). This can end up as a top score! Let me explain...
For example, suppose EAST at every other table bid and scored something (i.e. did not go down). At the table with four Passes, the Passed In score for that board is zero for each side. EAST's score of zero is less than all the other EAST players. That is clearly a bottom board for that EAST.
A bottom for E-W is a top for N-S.
An Average usually makes only a very small difference to your final percentage of the session. It's not worth the energy of arguing about it in most circumstances.
If you are not sure what to do to record it please ask the Director.
N.B. An average would be awarded if the hands were (say) mixed during play, assuming no one side was at fault.
REMEMBER: If all four players Pass (no-one has opened the bidding), it is not an Average.
Most slow-play problems can be avoided by better table management, and your preparedness to lead, bid, or score. Also, please, no "post-mortems" between boards, only at the end of your set.
How do you count your cards? (Not picking them up singly, I hope -- that is so painful to watch and wait and wait and wait...)
.
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DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (4)
When a player "claims" by saying that the remaining tricks are his, and shows his hand with no further immediate comment, you should call the Director at once if you feel that your side can win a trick. No one can insist on "Play it out" in Duplicate bridge.
Of course, when you call the Director some clue is given to the claimant that there might be a way to lose a trick. Therefore if asked how the play would have proceeded the claimant may rethink about his plan and then find and state a line of play that will succeed.
The Laws of Duplicate Bridge state that the line of play that the claimant proposes to play must be stated when the claim is made. Directors are required to give the benefit of any doubt to the opponents if no clear line of play is given at the time of claiming. A detailed Law specifies this.
Also, there are special laws about claiming when there are outstanding trumps. Many claimants have lost a trick (and the contract, possibly) purely because they did not mention the existence of such a trump held by an opponent, and how they were coping with that outstanding trump. Even a small "unknown" trump could win a trick by careless play. The Laws absolutely favour the holder of that trump!! Failing to mention the outstanding trump could be considered as an example of "careless play".
Every player is considered as being able to play carelessly at times. It is no use saying, later: "Oh, I wouldn't have done that..."
EXPLAIN WHEN YOU CLAIM may seem a waste of time -- just consider it as a safety play!
If you fail to abide by the Laws of Duplicate Bridge, then please be gracious and accept that you "got it wrong".
If a Director allows an exception to this Law then the non-offending party is disadvantaged, and that's obviously contrary to the principles of fair play.
.
DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (5)
Some players pass the played boards to the next table several minutes before the Director calls the next move. The table receiving the boards thus may mistakenly pass them on to their next table when the move is called. This is the BDBM transfer, (Bridge Double Board Move), not to be confused with the normal Skip, or that amazing procedure called "Play The Boards Again And Get A Worse Result".
A round or two later we now have a new game being played. It is called BEDLAM, developed as an alternative to that other somewhat confusing game called CHAOS (when East's cards become West's at the hands of the SIT-OUT).
Scoring is then done by a program called SHAMBLES, and the results are printed out in the RIOT font of hieroglyphics using the masterpoints system suitably named HAVOC.
Later, players and Director enthusiastically share their partaking in the after-game activity aptly called FRENZY.
Usually, a couple of players elect to leave the bridge room as soon as possible. (I hope they read this!!)
NB: The current National Record is an uncorrected reverse triple move of just some of the set of boards at the change. This is no mean feat, as it required high-order oblivion, blended with super slapdash concentration. Competitive play was abandoned. Again.
That Club, I believe, unsuccessfully offered $5000 for anyone to become a Director. (Per session, that is…)
.
DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (6)
If the scoring is done on written scoresheets, why do some players write a different board number on the front to that on the back? And then not notice that neither matches the actual number of the board? When this happens, it usually substantially slows down the scoring of results at the conclusion of play, and also speeding up the remainder of the allotted life-span of the frantic Director.
Luckily, our Directors are trained to the level of the Bletchley Park code-breakers --- and remember, we know who you are....
(Unfortunately, we don't know what to do with you! Has anyone any suggestions? Send message in clear, please.)
...
.
DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (7)
One of the left-overs from early bridge beginners’ lessons is the commenting that occurs during bidding, or even during play. Some few players are persisting in uttering remarks that may seem harmless per se , but do indicate something about the value, or nature, of their hands.
This is not in accordance with the Laws of Bridge, nor is it maintaining the correct spirit of fair play. To deliberately exploit this tactic is not fair, let alone generating bad karma at the table, and giving oneself a bad image. Just because no-one makes an objection, doesn’t make it proper.
Recently, after SOUTH opened 2S (a weak pre-empt), WEST doubled and NORTH passed. EAST paused briefly to assess the situation -- maybe to Pass and convert the Double to a penalty. Who knows? WEST (terrified of that scenario) then said: "Bid something". Do I need to explain how unfair that comment was?
Consider this extreme incident. Defender says to his partner, who was considering which opening card to lead against a high-scoring contract, “Make it a killer lead, partner!”
The unusual (and devastating) lead came down, and as a result, that Declarer was the only one who failed that board. Killed by a comment! Top board to the offending side!
One outrageous incident occurred some years ago (at another Club). Opponents were bidding a slam (with sighs and comments on the way!) and after the Grand Slam was bid, his potential Dummy despairingly said: “That’s way too high, partner”, or a similar remark. So a defender, holding a good defensive hand, naturally doubled the bid.
Dummy’s hand was a beauty, and freakish. Clearly a guaranteed 13 trick contract. Now that’s so base. Offender grinned, with no contrition.
Yes, there are despicable people like that!
..
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DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (8)
Law 73A1 states that “Communication between partners during the auction and play shall be effected only by means of calls and plays.”
This is further explained by prohibiting undue mannerisms, emphasis, inflection, undue hesitation, extraneous remarks or gestures, and alerts not properly given, etc.
When we play “kitchen bridge” in a very relaxed social setting, some of these requirements occasionally get relaxed to a small degree. We have fun -- everyone is happy.
However, in Open duplicate bridge it is impossible to conduct a fair session unless we adhere to the Laws of Bridge. We can still be friendly and warm-hearted to each other and play good bridge in a happy atmosphere if we abide by the ethical aspects of the game. Most of us do that very well.
Occasionally with transgressions of the above sort, directors can be placed in an awkward position where neither side is happy with the subsequent ruling after a complaint or dispute. Especially if these transgressions are a result of “harmless” habits that are difficult (?) to withhold in a more competitive environment.
Players may then be accused (or feel accused) of deliberate suspect behaviour and become offended at any suggestion of impropriety. It’s a fine line in competition, so we must try very hard to avoid initiating these incidents.
Consider the player who closes his cards, places them on the table and folds his arms tightly during the bidding. What does this mean? Has he forgotten to shower that day? Are his arthritic fingers giving trouble? Does he want his partner not to bid too high because his HCP are very low?
Consider the players who write their second bid in tiny, light letters while their opening bid was in large and heavier writing. Are they saving ink in an old pen? Are they hoping their opponents may have poor eyesight and get confused? Late to bed last night? Is the second-bid suit shorter or weaker than usual?
Consider the player who exhales exasperatedly after partner bids a new suit. Do they have asthma? Was the curried sausage at breakfast too fatty? Surely they are not showing displeasure with partner's suit!!
Consider the potential responder to partner's bid who says, smiling: "Oh, that's enough", and passes with a flicking action of the pen, and leans back quickly and immediately. Does this player have a train to catch? Partner had better not keep bidding -- we don't want a player to be late home ...
Sometimes it is easy to "read information" about the hands of players who give seemingly innocent and unnecessary sighs, etc, thereby often helping the opponents!!
Unfortunately, there are still a few experienced players who occasionally flout the principles of fairness by commenting or using unnecessary mannerisms during the bidding resulting in their partners getting unauthorised information. Penalties may apply!!
"BODY LANGUAGE" IS AN ILLEGAL TACTIC IN BRIDGE. IT IS ALSO A REFLECTION OF A PLAYER'S INTEGRITY.
Deliberately hovering a "helping" hand over the "recommended/suggested" card to play in Dummy is tantamount to ... well, let's say unfair play! If you do accidental or careless hovering then the other players cannot determine if you are doing it deliberately to assist the declarer, or not. It's obviously best not to do it!
The same applies to failure to alert an alertable bid which may cause grief to your opponents' bidding or play. We should try to get those procedural matters done correctly to avoid misunderstandings.
Have you seen players keeping their pen in hand right against the bidding sheet after they have bid, as if they expect partner to reply and they want to bid again? Don't they realise that other players now hold them in low esteem?
Perhaps we can solve these, and similar problems (there’s a long list of outrageous examples including occasional aggressive insults by some bad-tempered players!), by playing Rafferty’s rules and change the name of the game to Slipshod (Gotcha version). Just imagine the possibilities – abuse, tumult, violence, riot, overthrow of government, civil war, commercial TV news…
So players everywhere, let’s enjoy the fruits of our upbringing, and may the friendly and wonderful world of duplicate bridge be a happy, fair and harmonious experience in every game.
All that behaviour above (about unfairness and players flouting the Laws of Duplicate Bridge) is, luckily, rarely seen in our Club. The overwhelming majority of players manage to enjoy their games without resorting to such tactics.
.
DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (9)
When an infraction occurs (such as a REVOKE, OPENING LEAD OUT OF TURN, or INSUFFICIENT BID, etc), please don't hesitate to call the Director, whose task it is to determine the correction.
The ruling is usually based on a clear-cut situation in which the finely tailored Laws of Duplicate Bridge restore equity to all players. If the situation is difficult to adjudge immediately (because of the complexity of two or three Laws interacting) the Director may refer to the Handbook and determine a fair solution at a later time in the session.
I know of no incident in our Club where a Director has not been scrupulously fair. You can always speak to the Director at the end of the session if you feel that you have been dealt with unfairly, or if there has been a misunderstanding.
Special Note: It is particularly bad form to harass or to be nasty to any player who calls for the Director to arbitrate on some issue. That is the role of the Director.
(Secret exposed! Directors love being called to the tables.)
.
DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (10)
A lead is defined as the first card played to a trick.
If a defender leads out of turn when it is Dummy's or Declarer's turn to lead, the Declarer may accept that lead as a correct lead! Acceptance can be either verbal, or by playing next in turn in that trick, but be careful not to accidentally accept the wrong lead by playing too quickly --- you cannot retract it!!
Similarly, any lead out of turn by Declarer or from Dummy can be verbally accepted by either defender. It then becomes a correct lead.
Note that if the defenders choose differently, then the next-in-turn player has priority.
Or, if the next player plays to that lead, then the out-of-turn lead is deemed to have been accepted by that player as a correct lead.
For example, suppose Declarer (SOUTH) is running a very long suit in Dummy (NORTH) and is discarding losers in hand. Defenders seem helpless. A common scenario. Further suppose that Dummy has no entries to Dummy in other suits. Now this careless Declarer leads a potential discard card from hand. What can defenders do? They can accept the incorrect lead!
Declarer eventually realises the error and exclaims: "I've been running my long suit -- I want to keep running the suit. The lead is from Dummy".
Sorry, the Declarer cannot retract that lead if a Defender wishes to accept that unfortunate lead from SOUTH.
Careless play has its just rewards -- for the opponents!
And, please, be gracious and accept your error.
..
DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (11)
Whenever a card is exposed by a defender so that it can be seen by that defender's partner, it becomes, in general, a penalty card. Clearly therefore, Declarer and Dummy cannot have a penalty card. The partner need not have actually seen that card exposed, but could have. The penalty card is then placed face up on the table in front of the offender and is normally played at the first legal opportunity.
If a card is exposed inadvertently (e.g. dropped; or two cards played at the same time) it becomes a minor penalty card. This term "minor" does not refer to suits! An honour card dropped would be a major penalty card. Any card actually played out of turn (not dropped, etc), and not accepted by the next player, becomes a major penalty card.
If a player has a minor penalty card, an honour in that suit can be played from hand instead of that minor penalty card. But not a discard.
A player can have two or more penalty cards. Declarer must choose which penalty card is to be played first.
A player must follow suit, if able, before a penalty card of another suit is played.
If the partner of a defender on lead has a penalty card, please call the Director as there are lead options available for the Declarer.
.
DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (12)
When a revoke is suspected, or alleged, please do not pull quitted cards from their position on the table. Directors determine the outcome of actual established revokes after play is complete. Once the cards have become potentially out-of-order you may lose your rights! It is appropriate to immediately call Director to adjudicate on possible revokes.
.
DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (13)
There are specified laws relating to the conduct of duplicate bridge, but they are not always absolute. For example, a card is played out of turn, or a wrong card is played, etc, after another player makes an an unnecessary distracting remark or gratuitous statement that led to that action. The Director may award an adjusted score to "redress damage" that occurred as a result of that behaviour. The over-riding factor is "equity".
Sometimes a player may deliberately hesitate unduly long when Declarer (on his right) leads to a potential finesse in Dummy, so that the Declarer is led to assume that the finesse will succeed when, in fact, it cannot. Imagine hesitating with a low singleton! This is obviously against the spirit of the game, and unfair as well. Again, the Director may award an adjusted score to the innocent party.
DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (14)
A player is not allowed to look at the last card (or any previous card) played from his hand once the next trick has started.
A player cannot ask to see the other cards played at the last trick if he has turned his card face down. A player may require other players to expose their last card of the current trick if he has not turned his card face down.
Of course, up to the point where play ceases, only the Director may require any inspection of previously fully quitted tricks.
At the conclusion of play in a game, the played cards and unplayed cards may be inspected to settle a claimed revoke or dispute about the number of tricks won or lost.
No player shall handle cards other than his own.
If you prematurely mix your cards when a revoke or trick-count is in dispute or not yet agreed or ruled upon, the Director shall rule in favour of the opponents.
DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (15)
Players should not have a written record of the opening lead available for reference during the play. Do nor write the opening lead on the bidding sheet, unless it is covered and not inspected during play. You need to remember the lead.
If the opening lead is entered on the electronic scorers at the beginning of play, it should automatically disappear after a few seconds -- for good reason!
R* = Respect the Rules...
.
..
The aims of this blog are:
(a) to provide additional information about our Bridge Club,
(b) to raise the standards of various aspects of bridge,
(c) to further promote the friendly atmosphere we have in our sessions.
. Thanks for sharing the bridge blog -- Grandad.
.
A companion archival blogsite to this blog has selected stories, comments on Laws of Bridge and procedures, and several clearly explained lessons for improvers and Open players. These articles have been progressively published on this site over the past four years. You can visit the two posts on the archival site by clicking on http://www.gbcarchive.blogspot.com
For ease of future access, add it to your Favourites when the site opens.
.JPG)
© Copyright 2015. All photographic rights are reserved.
.
DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (7)
One of the left-overs from early bridge beginners’ lessons is the commenting that occurs during bidding, or even during play. Some few players are persisting in uttering remarks that may seem harmless per se , but do indicate something about the value, or nature, of their hands.
This is not in accordance with the Laws of Bridge, nor is it maintaining the correct spirit of fair play. To deliberately exploit this tactic is not fair, let alone generating bad karma at the table, and giving oneself a bad image. Just because no-one makes an objection, doesn’t make it proper.
Recently, after SOUTH opened 2S (a weak pre-empt), WEST doubled and NORTH passed. EAST paused briefly to assess the situation -- maybe to Pass and convert the Double to a penalty. Who knows? WEST (terrified of that scenario) then said: "Bid something". Do I need to explain how unfair that comment was?
Consider this extreme incident. Defender says to his partner, who was considering which opening card to lead against a high-scoring contract, “Make it a killer lead, partner!”
The unusual (and devastating) lead came down, and as a result, that Declarer was the only one who failed that board. Killed by a comment! Top board to the offending side!
One outrageous incident occurred some years ago (at another Club). Opponents were bidding a slam (with sighs and comments on the way!) and after the Grand Slam was bid, his potential Dummy despairingly said: “That’s way too high, partner”, or a similar remark. So a defender, holding a good defensive hand, naturally doubled the bid.
Dummy’s hand was a beauty, and freakish. Clearly a guaranteed 13 trick contract. Now that’s so base. Offender grinned, with no contrition.
Yes, there are despicable people like that!
..
.
DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (8)
Law 73A1 states that “Communication between partners during the auction and play shall be effected only by means of calls and plays.”
This is further explained by prohibiting undue mannerisms, emphasis, inflection, undue hesitation, extraneous remarks or gestures, and alerts not properly given, etc.
When we play “kitchen bridge” in a very relaxed social setting, some of these requirements occasionally get relaxed to a small degree. We have fun -- everyone is happy.
However, in Open duplicate bridge it is impossible to conduct a fair session unless we adhere to the Laws of Bridge. We can still be friendly and warm-hearted to each other and play good bridge in a happy atmosphere if we abide by the ethical aspects of the game. Most of us do that very well.
Occasionally with transgressions of the above sort, directors can be placed in an awkward position where neither side is happy with the subsequent ruling after a complaint or dispute. Especially if these transgressions are a result of “harmless” habits that are difficult (?) to withhold in a more competitive environment.
Players may then be accused (or feel accused) of deliberate suspect behaviour and become offended at any suggestion of impropriety. It’s a fine line in competition, so we must try very hard to avoid initiating these incidents.
Consider the player who closes his cards, places them on the table and folds his arms tightly during the bidding. What does this mean? Has he forgotten to shower that day? Are his arthritic fingers giving trouble? Does he want his partner not to bid too high because his HCP are very low?
Consider the players who write their second bid in tiny, light letters while their opening bid was in large and heavier writing. Are they saving ink in an old pen? Are they hoping their opponents may have poor eyesight and get confused? Late to bed last night? Is the second-bid suit shorter or weaker than usual?
Consider the player who exhales exasperatedly after partner bids a new suit. Do they have asthma? Was the curried sausage at breakfast too fatty? Surely they are not showing displeasure with partner's suit!!
Consider the potential responder to partner's bid who says, smiling: "Oh, that's enough", and passes with a flicking action of the pen, and leans back quickly and immediately. Does this player have a train to catch? Partner had better not keep bidding -- we don't want a player to be late home ...
Sometimes it is easy to "read information" about the hands of players who give seemingly innocent and unnecessary sighs, etc, thereby often helping the opponents!!
Unfortunately, there are still a few experienced players who occasionally flout the principles of fairness by commenting or using unnecessary mannerisms during the bidding resulting in their partners getting unauthorised information. Penalties may apply!!
"BODY LANGUAGE" IS AN ILLEGAL TACTIC IN BRIDGE. IT IS ALSO A REFLECTION OF A PLAYER'S INTEGRITY.
Deliberately hovering a "helping" hand over the "recommended/suggested" card to play in Dummy is tantamount to ... well, let's say unfair play! If you do accidental or careless hovering then the other players cannot determine if you are doing it deliberately to assist the declarer, or not. It's obviously best not to do it!
The same applies to failure to alert an alertable bid which may cause grief to your opponents' bidding or play. We should try to get those procedural matters done correctly to avoid misunderstandings.
Have you seen players keeping their pen in hand right against the bidding sheet after they have bid, as if they expect partner to reply and they want to bid again? Don't they realise that other players now hold them in low esteem?
Perhaps we can solve these, and similar problems (there’s a long list of outrageous examples including occasional aggressive insults by some bad-tempered players!), by playing Rafferty’s rules and change the name of the game to Slipshod (Gotcha version). Just imagine the possibilities – abuse, tumult, violence, riot, overthrow of government, civil war, commercial TV news…
So players everywhere, let’s enjoy the fruits of our upbringing, and may the friendly and wonderful world of duplicate bridge be a happy, fair and harmonious experience in every game.
All that behaviour above (about unfairness and players flouting the Laws of Duplicate Bridge) is, luckily, rarely seen in our Club. The overwhelming majority of players manage to enjoy their games without resorting to such tactics.
.
DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (9)
When an infraction occurs (such as a REVOKE, OPENING LEAD OUT OF TURN, or INSUFFICIENT BID, etc), please don't hesitate to call the Director, whose task it is to determine the correction.
The ruling is usually based on a clear-cut situation in which the finely tailored Laws of Duplicate Bridge restore equity to all players. If the situation is difficult to adjudge immediately (because of the complexity of two or three Laws interacting) the Director may refer to the Handbook and determine a fair solution at a later time in the session.
I know of no incident in our Club where a Director has not been scrupulously fair. You can always speak to the Director at the end of the session if you feel that you have been dealt with unfairly, or if there has been a misunderstanding.
Special Note: It is particularly bad form to harass or to be nasty to any player who calls for the Director to arbitrate on some issue. That is the role of the Director.
(Secret exposed! Directors love being called to the tables.)
.
DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (10)
A lead is defined as the first card played to a trick.
If a defender leads out of turn when it is Dummy's or Declarer's turn to lead, the Declarer may accept that lead as a correct lead! Acceptance can be either verbal, or by playing next in turn in that trick, but be careful not to accidentally accept the wrong lead by playing too quickly --- you cannot retract it!!
Similarly, any lead out of turn by Declarer or from Dummy can be verbally accepted by either defender. It then becomes a correct lead.
Note that if the defenders choose differently, then the next-in-turn player has priority.
Or, if the next player plays to that lead, then the out-of-turn lead is deemed to have been accepted by that player as a correct lead.
For example, suppose Declarer (SOUTH) is running a very long suit in Dummy (NORTH) and is discarding losers in hand. Defenders seem helpless. A common scenario. Further suppose that Dummy has no entries to Dummy in other suits. Now this careless Declarer leads a potential discard card from hand. What can defenders do? They can accept the incorrect lead!
Declarer eventually realises the error and exclaims: "I've been running my long suit -- I want to keep running the suit. The lead is from Dummy".
Sorry, the Declarer cannot retract that lead if a Defender wishes to accept that unfortunate lead from SOUTH.
Careless play has its just rewards -- for the opponents!
And, please, be gracious and accept your error.
..
DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (11)
Whenever a card is exposed by a defender so that it can be seen by that defender's partner, it becomes, in general, a penalty card. Clearly therefore, Declarer and Dummy cannot have a penalty card. The partner need not have actually seen that card exposed, but could have. The penalty card is then placed face up on the table in front of the offender and is normally played at the first legal opportunity.
If a card is exposed inadvertently (e.g. dropped; or two cards played at the same time) it becomes a minor penalty card. This term "minor" does not refer to suits! An honour card dropped would be a major penalty card. Any card actually played out of turn (not dropped, etc), and not accepted by the next player, becomes a major penalty card.
If a player has a minor penalty card, an honour in that suit can be played from hand instead of that minor penalty card. But not a discard.
A player can have two or more penalty cards. Declarer must choose which penalty card is to be played first.
A player must follow suit, if able, before a penalty card of another suit is played.
If the partner of a defender on lead has a penalty card, please call the Director as there are lead options available for the Declarer.
.
DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (12)
When a revoke is suspected, or alleged, please do not pull quitted cards from their position on the table. Directors determine the outcome of actual established revokes after play is complete. Once the cards have become potentially out-of-order you may lose your rights! It is appropriate to immediately call Director to adjudicate on possible revokes.
.
DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (13)
There are specified laws relating to the conduct of duplicate bridge, but they are not always absolute. For example, a card is played out of turn, or a wrong card is played, etc, after another player makes an an unnecessary distracting remark or gratuitous statement that led to that action. The Director may award an adjusted score to "redress damage" that occurred as a result of that behaviour. The over-riding factor is "equity".
Sometimes a player may deliberately hesitate unduly long when Declarer (on his right) leads to a potential finesse in Dummy, so that the Declarer is led to assume that the finesse will succeed when, in fact, it cannot. Imagine hesitating with a low singleton! This is obviously against the spirit of the game, and unfair as well. Again, the Director may award an adjusted score to the innocent party.
DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (14)
A player is not allowed to look at the last card (or any previous card) played from his hand once the next trick has started.
A player cannot ask to see the other cards played at the last trick if he has turned his card face down. A player may require other players to expose their last card of the current trick if he has not turned his card face down.
Of course, up to the point where play ceases, only the Director may require any inspection of previously fully quitted tricks.
At the conclusion of play in a game, the played cards and unplayed cards may be inspected to settle a claimed revoke or dispute about the number of tricks won or lost.
No player shall handle cards other than his own.
If you prematurely mix your cards when a revoke or trick-count is in dispute or not yet agreed or ruled upon, the Director shall rule in favour of the opponents.
DIRECTOR, PLEASE! (15)
Players should not have a written record of the opening lead available for reference during the play. Do nor write the opening lead on the bidding sheet, unless it is covered and not inspected during play. You need to remember the lead.
If the opening lead is entered on the electronic scorers at the beginning of play, it should automatically disappear after a few seconds -- for good reason!
R* = Respect the Rules...
.
..
The aims of this blog are:
(a) to provide additional information about our Bridge Club,
(b) to raise the standards of various aspects of bridge,
(c) to further promote the friendly atmosphere we have in our sessions.
.
A companion archival blogsite to this blog has selected stories, comments on Laws of Bridge and procedures, and several clearly explained lessons for improvers and Open players. These articles have been progressively published on this site over the past four years. You can visit the two posts on the archival site by clicking on http://www.gbcarchive.blogspot.com
For ease of future access, add it to your Favourites when the site opens.
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.© Copyright 2015. All photographic rights are reserved.
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