Discussion #2: March 2021 - ACRONYMS AND SAYINGS TO HELP NEW PLAYERS (and some not-so-new!)
ACRONYMS AND SAYINGS TO HELP NEW PLAYERS (and some not-so-new!)
The 3 C’s – Counting, Concentration and Confidence are the three most important factors in learning and improving your bridge game.
PST! Points, Shape, Tricks – count these on every hand, whether you are declarer or defending.
You know you go! - If you know there are game values, YOU must bid the game or make a forcing bid.
Wimps don’t win! – don’t be a timid bidder, especially with good fits and distributional hands.
Don’t fall in love with your hand! Once you’ve bid a distributional hand don’t bid it again – leave partner to decide on the action. This also applies once you have shown a strong hand.
The auction often tells you what to lead – the correct opening lead may be vital.
Don’t let opponents get under your skin – remain calm and courteous.
Lead trumps against any doubled part-score contracts.
A 9 trick game is easier than an 11 trick game! – 5 of a minor should be rare.
So now let’s focus on counting and look at the following hand (this will be a challenge for newer players):
Auction: S W N E
1NT(15-17) P 2C P
2S P 6S All P
As West you lead a small trump. Declarer draws trumps (partner following twice) then plays a diamond to the Q and a small club towards dummy. Were you prepared?
If you have counted the High Card Points you will know partner has 0 - 2 points. Declarer hasn’t claimed so East MUST hold J clubs. You need to have worked this out so you play low smoothly. Declarer will probably play the K or Q. When they return to hand with a heart or diamond and play clubs again, you must duck smoothly AGAIN! Declarer has to guess and may go wrong by playing the 10 - they are not sure who holds the Ace and Jack. I recall a very similar hand played by my partner Lyn Geursen at the 1988 Canberra Teams against the one and only Lionel Wright. Lionel ducked twice and Lyn guessed correctly to play the Q and make her slam. East could have been holding up the Ace hoping declarer would play towards the Q again! The other hands:
*This hand is courtesy of Victor Mollo
**If you don’t know who Lionel Wright is then google him 😊
