Discussion #7: August 2021 - Defence - Half the Game
03 366 1516 | office@chchbridge.co.nz | www.chchbridge.co.nz
August 13, 2021
Defence - Half the Game?
By: Shirley Newton
Defence is really satisfying if you and partner get it just right and defeat a contract or hold declarer to their minimum number of tricks! The last Wednesday tutorial was very well attended with nearly 50 players coming to learn about signals and discards. Communicating with your partner is essential so that you know whether to continue a suit (or switch to another suit). Count the HCP once dummy goes down and work out your partners point range. Think about what distribution declarer has shown and where you can get tricks to defeat the contract.
LEADS: Firstly, you need to get the opening lead right. Listen to the auction and try to work out declarer and dummy’s shape. You may have several choices depending on whether it is a suit or NT contract. Some better leads will be:
- top of a sequence (KQJ6, QJ108, AK975)
- partner’s suit (95, Q72)
- small from an honour (Q752, K74, Q10652)
- high card with no honour (9864, 972)
- unbid suit – as above
- your longest suit against NT’s – as above
- opening lead of a small card is fine against a NT contract with A862. However, find another suit to lead against a suit contract. Leading the Ace promises the King, and a small card may mean you never score your ace if declarer wins with the king and dummy has a singleton!
SIGNALS: If your partner leads an honour then you need to signal whether you want them to continue:
- low = like … partner leads A and you have Q72, (or 72 vs a suit contract – can ruff the third round)
- high = hate … you have nothing to contribute 874, 7652
(With more experience you can learn about count signals to get a count of even/odd from partner depending how many cards they hold in a suit)
Apply the same leading and signalling rules in mid-game, low from an honour and high showing no honour.
It is fine to lead away from an ace mid-game, as long as you don’t think declarer has a singleton – for example, you are leading up to dummy’s 76 with A952. Declarer may hold KJ and partner the Q. If you play a small card, they will have to guess which to play, and you may score two tricks. However, if you play A then small, they will always get it right!
DISCARDS: When discarding, on your first opportunity you can play a high card from the suit you don’t want (best choice) or a low card if you like a suit 864, AJ73.
So, enjoy defending and remember to look at your partner’s signals – there will be a difference between a 7 and a 3!
Please note the following changes in dates for: November Wednesday Tutorial: has been postponed until Wednesday, December 3rd. Friday Night Bridge: has been postponed from Friday 7th November to Friday 5th December. Saturday Night Bridge: has been postponed until Saturday 22nd November. Upcoming Tuesday and Thursday session event changes: Due to the National congress week been moved this year. The events on the Tuesday and Thursday have been amended and brought forward one week. Tuesday: Winners Trophy will start next Tuesday 28th October with November 11th being an open session. Thursday: Summer Ladder will start on Thursday 30th October with the 13th November being an open session. Tournament Results: Canterbury Interclub Teams: Christchurch won the Canterbury Interclub Teams last weekend. The winning team members: OPEN: 1st Liz Fitzgerald / John Kruiniger and Pam Tibble / Sue Southen INTERMEDIATE: 2nd Jessie Pelenato / Leo Hammond and Jane Walders / Tina Sims JUNIOR: 2nd Robert Bijl /Bronwyn Bijl and Emma Fitzgerald / Finley Duncan Volunteer Register: in case of a medical emergency. If you are a doctor, nurse or first aider and would be willing to be on the Emergency register, can you please email the office and the sessions you would normally attend.
November Wednesday Tutorial: This has been postponed until the first Wednesday in December i.e. Dec 3rd. Friday Night Bridge: This has been postponed from Friday 7th November to Friday 5th December. Upcoming Tuesday and Thursday session event changes: Due to the National congress week been moved this year. The events on the Tuesday and Thursday have been amended and brought forward one week. Tuesday: Winners Trophy will start next Tuesday 28th October with November 11th being an open session. Thursday: Summer Ladder will start on Thursday 30th October with the 13th November being an open session. Volunteer Register: in case of a medical emergency. If you are a doctor, nurse or first aider and would be willing to be on the Emergency register, can you please email the office and the sessions you would normally attend.
T ournament Results: Loveblock NZ Wide Pairs Our best placed pair 88th of 818 – Fiona Temple / John Kruiniger Canterbury All Grades Open: 1st – Kathryn Tennant / Jane Lennon Restricted Open: 1st – Judy Parkinson / Megan Eddy Intermediate: 1st – Kat Holmes / Jessie Pelenato Volunteers wanted for the upcoming Tournament Director Assessment Weekend Dates: Sat 25/Sun 26/Mon 27 October The volunteers will be used for scenarios – they are ‘players’ at a table, we provided them with a situation and the directors each come over, one at a time, to make a ruling. We need 4 people at any one time. Sign up list on the foyer noticeboard or email the office. Canterbury Interclub Teams: Date & Time: Sunday, November 2nd, 10 am Venue: Crockford’s Bridge Club If you wish to be put forward for consideration to represent the Club please either enter your names in the foyer or email the Club. Entries can be as teams or pairs. The tournament sub-committee will select teams to represent the Club in the 3 categories: Junior, Intermediate, & Open (Categories based on NZ Bridge rating points). The Club pays for the entry fees. Sign up in the foyer or email the office. Obituary: It is with great sadness to hear of the passing of Anna Bullen. She was a member here for over 50 years. A service to celebrate Anna’s life will be held on Tuesday 28th October at 2pm. Venue: St Barnabas Church, 8 Tui Street, Fendalton. Labour Weekend bridge sessions: The Sunday, and both Monday afternoon and evening sessions are open to all. Added 24-Oct-2025 Club Grade Promotions: Congratulations to the players who have been promoted. There is a list of names up on the foyer noticeboard. Interclub Team members representing the Christchurch Club: Congratulations to the following players who will be representing the club in the upcoming Interclub teams. OPEN Liz Fitzgerald / John Kruiniger Pam Tibble / Sue Southen INTERMEDIATE Jessie Pelenato / Leo Hammond Jane Walders / Tina Sims JUNIOR Robert Bijl /Bronwyn Bijl Emma Fitzgerald / Finley Duncan Upcoming Tuesday and Thursday session event changes: Due to the National congress week been moved this year. The events on the Tuesday and Thursday have been amended and brought forward one week. Tuesday: Winners Trophy will start next Tuesday 28th October with November 11th being an open session. Thursday: Summer Ladder will start on Thursday 30th October with the 13th November being an open session. Volunteer Register: in case of a medical emergency. If you are a doctor, nurse or first aider and would be willing to be on the Emergency register, can you please email the office and the sessions you would normally attend.
T ournament Results: North Island Teams: 5th: Jane Lennon / David Taylor / Tania Lloyd / Hugh Grosvenor Crockfords Intermediate Pairs: 1st: Ian Beattie / Rex Green 2nd: Frank Stewart / June Jung Crockfords 5A: 1st: Max Morrison / Tony Quinlivan 2nd =: Jenny Wilkinson / Tina McVeigh and David Mikarea / Les Frater Crockford’s Restricted Open: 1st: Alan Schroeder / Partner 2nd: Jane Walders / Shawn Adriel-Ai 3rd: Megan Eddy / Sam Gurney Volunteers wanted for the upcoming Tournament Director Assessment Weekend Dates: Sat 25/Sun 26/Mon 27 October The volunteers will be used for scenarios – they are ‘players’ at a table, we provided them with a situation and the directors each come over, one at a time, to make a ruling. We need 4 people at any one time. Sign up list on the foyer noticeboard. Upcoming Tournament: Loveblock NZ Wide Pairs – Friday evening 17th October Christchurch All Grades 8B Pairs – 18th October Enter online (NZB website) Volunteer spare players wanted for this Saturday’s tournament. Please let the office know if can help. Canterbury Interclub Teams: Date & Time: Sunday, November 2nd, 10 am Venue: Crockford’s Bridge Club If you wish to be put forward for consideration to represent the Club please enter your names in the foyer or email the Club. Entries can be as teams or pairs. The tournament sub-committee will select teams to represent the Club in the three categories: Junior, Intermediate, & Open (Categories based on NZ Bridge rating points). The Club pays for the entry fees. Sign up in the foyer or email the Club. Club Trophies: Please bring any trophies back to the Club for engraving this year’s winners.
Saturday Night bridge: This Saturday night at 7pm sharp! Note: Concessions Cards can be used. Upcoming Tournaments: Loveblock NZ Wide Pairs – Friday evening 17th October Christchurch All Grades 8B Pairs – 18th October Enter online (NZB website) Club Trophies: Please bring any trophies back to the Club for engraving this year’s winners. EFTPOS Receipts: Reminder: Please put your name on the front side of the EFTPOS ticket. Property Development at the front of the Club’s Car Park: Fencing will be erected next week in front of the Club’s property ready for the start of building apartments next month. The building process may take up to a year to complete. This development will have off-street parking for the owners although members may want to consider car-pooling to Bridge in the future.
Match Programme Change - This affects Tuesday and Thursday evening sessions The Match Programmed 2025 shows this week as the National Congress. The National Congress will run from November 8th to 15th. As a consequence, the following events will start this week: Tuesday evening – Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Pairs Thursday evening – Mixed Grade Teams or Third Match Point Ladder Added 2-October-2025 Friday Social Rubber Bridge Night: October 3rd Tomorrow night! at 6.30pm til 8.30pm. No partner required! $5 Sunday Seminar: Date & Time: This Sunday Oct 5th at 10 am. Tutor: Leon Meier Sign up at the club. Cost: $15 Topic: The focus will be on 'Suit Combinations - Getting the most out of your cards'. Aimed at more experienced players but all welcome. Thursday Partner Finder: The Club is looking for a new partner finder for Thursday night for 2026. Please let the office know if you are interested or have any questions. Upcoming Tournaments: Loveblock NZ Wide Pairs – Friday evening 17th October Christchurch All Grades 8B Pairs – 18th October Enter online (NZB website) Club Trophies: Please bring any trophies back to the club for engraving this year’s winners. Eftpos receipts: Reminder: Please put your name on the front side of the eftpos ticket .
Tournament Results: Christchurch Congress Teams: Open 1st: Graeme Tuffnell / Phil Lennon / Leon Meier / Jack James Int 1st: Bridget O’Brien / Jessie Pelenato / Jane Walders / Tina Sims Junior 1st: Maria Butterfield / Lynda Roche / Emma Fitzgerald / Geogia Tan Christchurch Congress Pairs Open 1st: Jan Alabaster / Emma Strong Int 2nd: Jessie Pelenato / Kat Holmes Junior 1st: Catherine Ott / Gill Dallison Wednesday Seminar: Date & Time: October 1st at 5.50pm Cost: $5 Tutor: Shirley Newton Topic: " Simple Slam bidding! Learn the type of hands you need to start investigating the 6-level" Friday Social Rubber Bridge Night: Date & Time: Oct 3rd at 6.30pm until 8.30pm Cost: $5 No partner required! Sunday Seminar: Date & Time: Sunday Oct 5th at 10 am. Tutor: Leon Meier Cost: $15 Topic: The focus will be on 'Suit Combinations - Getting the most out of your cards'. Aimed at more experienced players but all welcome. Sign up at the Club. Upcoming Tournaments: Loveblock NZ Wide Pairs: Friday evening 17th October Enter online (NZB website) Christchurch All Grades 8B Pairs: 18th October Enter online (NZB website) Club Trophies: Please bring any trophies back to the club for engraving this year’s winners.
Tournament Results: Canterbury Regional Pairs 10A 2nd – Andrew Purves / Pavla Fenwick New Junior Session: On Monday nights, start 7.20pm Upcoming Tournament this Weekend: Christchurch Congress: Spare players/pairs wanted for this weekend either Saturday or Sunday or both. This is for Open/Intermediate and Junior grades. If you can help, please let the office know.
Added 11-Sept-2025 September Newsletter is now out!! Scroll down on the "About" page (newsletter links are near the bottom of the page) to access a link to this newsletter. Partner wanted: A National Junior grade player from Timaru wanting a partner for the Sunday Junior Pairs. Please contact the office if you would like to play. ***************** Saturday Night Bridge is back! When: Starting this Saturday 13 September at 7pm sharp . Proudly sponsored by: Arvida St Albans Retirement Village. Further information on the Club noticeboard and Home Page of this website. New Junior Session: on Monday nights, start 7.20pm. On-Line Intermediate Lessons: https://www.nzbridge.co.nz/supported-online-practice-games.html If you are not registered with HelloClub online platform, here is the link. https://nzbridge.helloclub.com/register Contact Shirley Newton if you are having trouble with the links. Cost: $8 casual per session For intermediate and experienced players. Three different topics: Lesson 1: Transfers Responses to 1NT Sunday 28th September 4-6pm and Tuesday 30th 7-9pm Lesson 2: Keycard Blackwood and Splinters Sunday 5th October 4-6pm and Tuesday 7th 7-9pm Lesson 3: Michaels Cue Bids, Unusual 2NT Sunday 12th October 4-6pm and Tuesday 14th 7-9pm Garden Working Bee: When: This Saturday 13 September. Time: 9.30am until midday. Tournament: Christchurch Congress: (refer flyer on the Home Page for more information about this Event) Enter: on-line Dates: Saturday 20th September – Teams Open / Intermediate / Junior Sunday 21st September - Pairs Open / Intermediate / Junior
Reminder added 4-Sept-2025: Friday Social Rubber Bridge tomorrow night at the Club. 6:30pm 'til 8:30pm. No partner required, see further details below. (In the "New Bridge Sessions" section.) Tournament Results: Ashburton Intermediate Pairs 5B 1st – Jessie Pelenato / Kat Holmes 2nd – Stuart Grant / Michelle Gan 3rd – June Jung / Philippa Borlase South Island Teams 20A 5th – Joan Small / Jenny Wilkinson / Shirley Newton / Arleen Schwartz Upcoming Senior/Senior Reserve Seminar: (refer flyer on the Home Page for additional information) Tutor: Jane Skipper Topic: 'Coping with Interference in the Auction' When: Sunday September 7th at 10am. Cost: $15 New Bridge Sessions: Friday Social Rubber Bridge (refer flyer on the Home Page for more details about this session) When: on the first Friday of the month. Time: 6.30pm until 8.30pm, Table Fee: $5 John Skipper will be there to give a short tutorial on how to play rubber bridge for those who would like to learn. Saturday Night Bridge is back! (refer flyer on the Home Page more details about this session) When: starting 13 September at 7pm sharp. Proudly sponsored by: Arvida St Albans Retirement Village Note: See foyer noticeboard for more details about these 2 sessions. Garden Working Bee: When: Sunday 13 September Time: 9.30am until midday. Upcoming Tournament: Christchurch Congress: (refer flyer on the Home Page for more information about this Event) Dates: Saturday 20th September - Teams; Sunday 21st September - Pairs Enter: on-line
