Observations

We now have many people at our games new to formal duplicate bridge play. I have purposefully kept our games light, friendly and as free of “strict” duplicate play as possible. However, there are so many of you who are interested in progressing to tournament play that you need to know what to do and what not to do at the more formal venues as tournaments.

First, we are all guilty of making spontaneous verbalizations like “oh dear,” “now what?,” “what is that?” and making comments about partner’s bidding during the auction. Any of these things can and will instigate a director call.

My best advice: stay silent at the table during bidding or you’ll lose points. Another “to do” now that the STOP card has been removed, is to be sure to pause 8-10 seconds after RHO’s jump bids as you would have if the STOP had been used.

And a reminder that the Winecoffs have resumed their bridge lessons at Rufty-Holmes center on Fridays at 10 a.m. They are repeating their series on NT bids and responses to them.

Our Friday, Sept. 29 Club Championship Evergreen game was well attended and hands were challenging. Winning were: N/S 1st Betty Bills and Beth Shafer, 2nd Andra Cozart and Pat Featherston, 3rd Nancy Brandt and Tom Johnson;

E/W 1st Dick Brisbin and Fern Albracht, 2nd Margaret and Chuck Rimer, 3rd Everett Halsall and Craig Poplin.

Featured is board # 16 from Friday’s game E/W vulnerable West Dealer

NORTH:

S  Q 9

H  J T 8 5

D  K Q 7 6 3

C  7 2

WEST:              EAST:

S  A 4 2             S  K J 8 7 5 3

H  A Q 9 4 3      H  7 6

D  J 4                  D  T 5

C  K 6 5               C  J T 4

SOUTH:

S  T 6

H  K 2

D  A 9 8 2

C  A Q 9 8 3

Best score N/S: 2DN+1 made by Marie Pugh and Ruth Bowles while BettyBonner Steele and Genny Mozolak bid and made 4SE for the best E/W score.

The Oct. 3 Women’s Club game winners were: 1st Margaret and Chuck Rimer, 2nd Becky Creekmore and Pat Macon, 3rd Dick Brisbin and Pat Featherston, 4th Fern Albracht and Christy Cline, and 2nd in strat B Ron Caudle and Jean Hill.