Silence is golden when bidding in a duplicate situation.
Why? It keeps others at adjoining tables from getting information about a board they will be bidding soon, it is an assist for the hearing impaired at your table, and it is useful in reviewing the bidding at the end of the auction.
If there is a question about what a bid meant, and no question was raised during bidding, the question can be raised before the opening lead is made.
The method for keeping the silence is the use of bidding boxes.
Each player has one. Most people find their use self-explanatory but a quick introduction from another player is usually enlightening. Once used, boxes are preferred over voice thereafter.
The Oct. 18 game at Evergreen was well attended. Winners were: first, Judy Hurder and Gloria Bryant; second, Chuck and Margaret Rimer; third, BettyBonner Steele and Stella Shadroui; fourth, Betty Bills and Loyd Hill; fifth, Harold and Carol Winecoff.
At board No. 20 three pairs tried small slams: 6NN went down, 6SS went down but 6CN made by the Carol Bachl and Judy Gealy pair. All vulnerable West dealer.

NORTH:
S Q J 6
H A 8 7 4
D J
C A 9 7 3 2
WEST EAST:
S K 4 3 S T 8 7
H K 9 H Q J T 6 3
D Q T 9 7 3 D 8 6 5 4 2
C 8 6 4 C —
SOUTH:
S A 9 5 2
H 5 2
D A K
C K Q J T 5
On Tuesday Oct. 22 at the Women’s Club, we had a tie for first and second: Dick Brisbin and David Goff and Wayne Pegram and Loyd Hill.