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The Nicest Club in Town
(the most innovative too!) |
Greetings!
It's been a while since our last newsletter. To our snowbird friends up north, I hope you're enjoying a wonderful summer. We look forward to your return next season, which is closer than we all realize.
To those of you still here, thank you for your loyalty. It's because of you we continue to be the very best bridge club.
Meanwhile, back in sunny (and HOT) south Florida, we have some exciting events planned at Bridge Ace.
Before I make you wade through the sales pitch, I thought you might enjoy this deal from the club this week.
Cheers,
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| ♠A K 9 6 4 |
| ♥A 3 |
| ♦A K 8 6 |
| ♣A J | |
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| ♠Q T 5 |
| ♥9 5 |
| ♦Q J 9 7 |
| ♣T 8 4 2 | |
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| ♠J 7 |
| ♥T 8 7 2 |
| ♦5 3 2 |
| ♣Q 7 6 5 | |
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| ♠8 3 2 |
| ♥K Q J 6 4 |
| ♦T 4 |
| ♣K 9 3 | |
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Larry noticed that, according to the hand record, one could make 7♥ or 7NT. I checked the results and discovered he had actually bid 7♥ and gone down one. He asked me how he could have made seven with these cards.
It looks pretty straightforward to make 7♥, simply win the ♦A, cash ♣AK and ruff a club. Then run all the hearts. West is squeezed in spades and diamonds. But there is a communication problem. How do you return to the closed hand after the club ruff?
Alternatively, you could finesse the ♣J instead of ruffing a club, but that finesse would lose. Does that mean the contract is doomed to failure?
No. Look what happens if you win the first trick and lead the ♣A and then the ♣J. East must cover with the ♣Q (or you let it ride). You still have only eleven tricks but West must now protect spades, diamonds and clubs - your ♣9 has become a threat. Run all the hearts. If West abandons spades or diamonds you can claim, so he will probably pitch all his remaining clubs, establishing your ♣9. Cashing the ♣9 will squeeze West in spades and diamonds.
There are a couple of interesting things that occur in the play. Leading the ♣J, and forcing East to cover is called "transferring a menace." Originally East guarded the club suit, but now West has the club guard.
Once West is forced to throw the ♣10, South cashes the now good ♣9, squeezing West in spades and diamonds. West is squeezed twice in a row, first on the last heart and again on the ♣9. This is known as a "progressive" squeeze.
There is a moral to this story. Never bid a grand slam at the club unless you can actually count thirteen tricks before the dummy comes down.
Larry and his partner were the only pair to bid any slam on this board. Bidding seven and making six turned a top into a bottom! |
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| "Across the Pond"
(Round 2) |
Exeter Challenge
Labor Day, Sept. 7
 Always thinking about new and exciting events for our players, in June Bridge Ace challenged Exeter Bridge Club in England to a simultaneous pairs event. We played the same hands and matchpointed across sections at both clubs (top on a board was 42). It was a fun event ─ and the first ever of its kind!
The game was written up in an English newspaper. You can read the article here.
We will have a rematch on Labor Day, September 7. Come out and help us defend the trophy we won in June. |
Exeter's Web Site
Exeter Bridge Club is located in Whipton, Devon, England. Here is a link to their web site: Visit Exeter |
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| Second Annual Swiss Pairs |
Swiss Pairs
Exclusively at Bridge Ace
 September 16 we will play our second annual Swiss Pair event. Swiss Pairs is similar to Swiss Teams. But it is a pair event, not a team game. The game is scored by Victory Points and your assignment each round is dependent on your results.
Winners play winners and losers play losers. It is a lot of fun and everyone really enjoyed it last year. |
| Every Thursday
Beginning next week we will serve $1 hot dogs every Thursday. |
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| In September
Every Saturday
 With barometer scoring, everyone plays the same boards every round. For example, on round 1 boards 1-3 are played at every table, on round 2, everybody plays boards 4-6. After every round, the game is scored so you can see exactly where you stand.
It's fun. No other club in the area has the expertise to run this game. |
Contact Us
Bridge Ace
St. Demetrios Church
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304
(954) 304-3191 |
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| Save 50% |
Half Price Saturdays ─ each entry (for two) is 50% off. Two partners play for the price of one.
Bring a friend who has never played at Bridge Ace before to any session and you BOTH play free! |
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Offer valid for regular games until August 31, 2009, with coupon only. | |
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