3NT: A Stop Sign

For the last two weeks I have been writing from an article, Rules You Shouldn’t Break, found on the ACBL website.  This rule is: 3NT ends all auctions.  When you have been in a “decision auction” and one player bids 3 NT he has made the choice that his hand is more competitive in NT than a suit.

He is saying he has values outside of your suit or suits, no good fit with you, has stops in a worrisome suit and some power.  3NT only requires 9 tricks and will give you more than a partial score in a suit.

But if you know you have a fit with partner in a major suit the major suit makes more sense and should be bid.

Once again it is time for the Charlotte Regional Tournament, held at the Charlotte Hilton from Oct. 24-30. The Hilton is off of Harris Blvd. See the tournament listings on the ACBL website or contact the chairperson at 704-547-7444.

The Friday, Oct. 29 Evergreen game was well attended. We had several visitors from the Concord bridge group and were glad to have them play with us.  They are always welcome.

Winners at this game were; N/S 1st Marie Pugh and Ruth Bowles, 2nd Jean and Loyd Hill, 3rd Toni Iossi and Pat Featherston; E/W 1st Everett Halsall and Robert Tirsch, 2nd BettyBonner Steele and Rosemary Sokolowski, 3rd Georgia Sorensen and Wade Lowder.   Featured is board # 7 from this game.

All Vulnerable          South dealer

NORTH:

S  Q J 9 7

H  A K 7 5

D  T

C  K J 7 5

WEST:              EAST:

S  A 4                S  K T 8 3 2

H  Q J T 6 2     H  ­—

D  K 9 8 7         D  A Q 6 5 2

C  T 3                 C  9 8 6

SOUTH:

S  6 5

H  9 8 4 3

D  J 4 3

C  A Q 4 2

The best N/S score was made by Anna and Dave Goff defeating 3HW 3 tricks while the best E/W score made by Genny  Mozolak and Joe O’Brien was 3HS down 2 tricks. This was a very challenging hand.  The majority of pairs were in a diamond contract E/W which would appear to be the best and most logical contract and which made every time it was played.

Tuesday, Oct. 4 Women’s Club game winners were: 1st Marie Pugh and Loyd Hill, 2nd Pat Featherston and Dick Brisbin, tied for 3rd/4th Judy Gealy and Pat Macon with Fern Albracht and Christy Cline.