Last week we reviewed Blackwood. This week we look at Gerber. This convention is used after a 1NT or 2NT was the opening bid and no suit has been established since then making a NT contract the result. A bid of 4C asks for aces. Responses: 4D=0 or 4 aces, 4H=1 ace, 4S=2 aces, 4NT=4 aces. A further bid of 5C asks for Kings. Responses are as above to show numbers of Kings. There are variations to the 4 Club ace asking bid. A direct response of 5NT to a 4C bid indicates 2 aces and a useful void. As always, be sure you and partner agree on this convention or don’t use it.

There are two Sectional Tournaments in our area soon: Winston-Salem, July 29-31 and Fayetteville, Aug. 19-21. For full information on these events go to the ACBL.org website.

The July 8 Evergreen game was well attended. Winning were: N/S 1st Toni Iossi and Beth Shafer, 2nd Marie Pugh and Ruth Bowles, 3rd Andra Cozart and Jan Glover; E/W 1st Pat Featherston and Fern Albracht, 2nd John and Myrnie McLaughlin, 3rd Georgia Sorensen and Wade Lowder.

Featured is board #28 from this game N/S vulnerable West dealer

NORTH:

S  A 3 2

H  A T 7 3

D  K J T

C  A 8 5

WEST:                   EAST:

S  J T 6 5                S  K 9

H  9                        H  K J 8 6 5 4 2

D  A 9 7 6 3 2       D  8 5 4

C  K 4                       C  J

SOUTH:

S  Q 8 7 4

H  Q

D Q

C  Q T 9 7 6 3 2

Toni Iossi and Beth Shafer had the best N/S score bidding 3NN making 4, while the best E/W score was made by Georgia Sorensen and Wade Lowder defeating 3NN 2 tricks.

Tuesday, July 12 Women’s Club winners were: 1st Marie Pugh and Loyd Hill, 2nd Anita Graham and Jean Hill, 3rd Ron and Shirley Jeffers.