To stop or not to stop

Once again I have been hearing discussion and confusion about the use of the red Stop Card.

Originally it was used to allow a bid to be made out of tempo without penalty and to inform opponents of an unusual bid about to be made. It allowed thinking time.

However, it has devolved into a way to get partner’s attention and not to inform opponents. This can now be seen as “cheating” as it helps partnerships and not opponents. Partner and opponents should be paying enough attention to recognize a skip without being hit with a “brick.”

There has as yet been no official determination about its use but the ACBL has been considering its elimination. It is advised that you and partner decide before any session begins whether or not you will use the card and then consistently do so during the whole session. Penalties can be applied if it becomes obvious you are “cheating” and only trying to get partner’s attention. The consensus is for all players to pay attention to all bidding and not use the card, avoiding any implication of wrong doing.

Our Jan. 6 Evergreen game was well attended. It was good to see all of you who were going through post-holiday bridge withdrawal.

Winning N/S 1st Pat Featherston and Dick Brisbin; 2nd Ron and Shirley Jeffers; 3rd Patty King and BettyBonner Steele;

E/W 1st Carol Bachl and Judy Gealy; 2nd Betty Bills and Beth Shafer; 3rd John and Myrnie McLaughlin.

Our featured hand is #15 from Jan. 6. N/S vulnerable South dealer

NORTH:

S  T 8 6

H  J 8 6

D  A 5 3

C  A K T 8

WEST:               EAST:

S  K J 9 4           S  7 3 2

H  A 9                 H  K T 6 5 4

D  K J 7 6            D  Q 4 2

C  5 4 2                C  Q J

SOUTH:

S  A Q 5

H  Q 7 3

D  T 9 8

C  9 7 6 3

Pat Featherston and Dick Brisbin had the best N/S score bidding 1NTS making 2 while the best E/W score was 1NTE making 2 by Chuck and Margaret Rimer.

Women’s Club Jan. 10 game was a welcome break from the snow storm. We had 14 brave souls in attendance.  Winning 1st Marie Pugh and Loyd Hill; 2nd Pat Macon and Becky Creekmore; 3rd Shirley Jeffers and Georgia Sorensen.

Congratulations all.