Hand of the Fortnight

 

Preface

 

¨      Purpose:

1)      Mainly to give beginners and intermediate players some suggestions for bidding and/or playing a hand.

2)      Sometimes to look at an interesting hand played atMaitland Bridge Club where some significant lesson(s) can be learnt.

¨      Notes:

1)      Bidding is designed for the majority of players i.e. players using Standard American with 4 or  5 card majors and having 4+ diamonds to open 1D.

2)      In  conjunction with 1), most bids/hands are set to avoid an opening bid of 1C.  This avoids the huge difference between a hand definitely holding 4+ clubs versus possibly only 2 clubs.  “Better Minor” is not used here.

3)      The direction, vulnerability and minor details of hands played at Maitland Bridge Club may not be the same as the original hand.

4)      Seeing all 4 hands does help one to see reasons for bidding, leads, etc. but in some cases I have deliberately chosen not to display all 4 hands.  This is closer to the realistic situation one faces at the bridge table.  (eg. When the opponents don’t bid, you don’t know where missing values/important cards are.)

5)      Comments are my suggestions.  Your opinion may differ.

6)      Some hands have more than one suggestion/major point.

·        For beginners, the “Main Points” may be sufficient.

·        For others, the “Extra Points” may also be of use.

Hoping that improved understanding of aspects of this fascinating game adds to your enjoyment,

Martin Eggins

Maitland Bridge Club

To see hand of the fortnight,

click here.