Scoring knowledge

Many of our newer players aren’t sure how to score and they rely on their Bridgemates to do it.

Newer players will find it most helpful in bidding when you have a full understanding of how to score.

Since the object of play is to reap the highest overall score, you need to judge from cues received from the bidding, the cards in your hand and your scoring knowledge to do a reasonable risk assessment in choosing your contract.

Can you afford to steal the bid? How high can you legitimately bid? Will it matter if you go down and how many? As all players know, in a major suit you need 10 tricks to make game, minor suit 11 tricks and NT 9 tricks.

If you are vulnerable your opponents reap 100 points for each trick you lose and 50 points if you are not vulnerable. When considering whether or not to steal the bid, vulnerability — yours and theirs — is most important.

If you aren’t vulnerable and they are, and you are close to being able to make your bid, how many tricks can you afford to lose?

Can they make their bid and will a steal by you, even if you go down, give them a worse score? If opponents are in a partial score it’s not usually a good idea to attempt a steal since there is a possibility of pushing opponents into game. Give yourself a break and learn your numbers.

Our July 21 Evergreen game was cancelled for lack of a director.

The July 25 Women’s Club game was run by Ron Jeffers and Dick Brisbin. We thank you both for all the help. Winning were: First, Shirley and Ron Jeffers; second, Nancy Brandt and Tom Johnson; third Jean and Loyd Hill. There is no featured board this week.

I apologize for the errors at the end of last week’s article. I looked up the winners, and I completed writing in the hospital the day of my surgery. I think enough said.