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Website Update  The new Bridge Ace website is finished. We think it's a great improvement. Why not stop by and see what you think? | |
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Replay At Home  You can now replay the boards you've played at the club - in the comfort of your own home. Replay the exact same hands with any of several commercial bridge programs such as GIB or Bridge Baron if you own one. If you have not purchased one, we have a free program for you to download. Click the button for instructions. |  |
| Free Bridge Lessons | |
Rich answers your questions every Tuesday prior to the game.  |
Thursdays, we have a vugraph presentation. Rich reviews interesting deals of the past week. Each board in question is projected onto our large video screen for all to see as we discuss it. |
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 | What Makes it All Worthwhile |
Six or seven years ago, I received a call from the concierge of one of the tonier condominiums on the beach. She asked if I was available to teach a group of beginners. I said I would and have been giving lessons to the same group ever since.
The group consists of three of the nicest couples you would ever want to meet. One of the couples has become very involved in the duplicate bridge scene. In fact he is on the Board of one of our local clubs. I am proud to call them all my friends.
When we first started, none of them knew a heart from a spade, but they've made great progress since. It always elates me when one of my students does well.
Here is a deal from last week's lesson:
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Irene opened 2NT in the South seat. After Diane's Stayman inquiry they settled in 3NT.
Jerry led the ♣7 to Don's ♣J. How do you plan the play?
Scroll down for the answer. |
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Online Partnership Desk |
We have added a new online
partnership desk to the website. Browse the forum to see who needs a partner.
If you need a partner yourself, enter your name, contact information and the date you want to play.
You can find the partnership desk at:
http://bridgeace.com/partnership.htm
We have also implemented a suggestion box. If you have any good ideas, we'd love to hear them. The suggestion box is located at: http://bridgeace.com/suggestions.htm |
| No More Sit-Outs! | |
We have done away with sit-outs, for once and for all. When we have a half-table in the game, we enter the computer as a participant in the game, in order to make a full table.
When it would otherwise be your turn to sit out, instead you play against the computer. Your score vs. the computer counts in the game. The computer is always disqualified, so it doesn't take away your masterpoints - in fact, the awards actually increase because the game is larger.
Everybody appreciates playing against "Ace O'Matic." In fact, some people are disappointed when we have full tables of flesh and blood players!
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| The Answer |
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Irene counted her tricks and saw she had eight tricks off the top. Where would the ninth come from?
The obvious place would be the heart suit. Knock out the ♥A and she'd establish two more tricks. But there is a problem with that plan.
The club lead exposed South's Achilles heel. Once her stopper is gone, if she loses the lead the opponents will cash out the suit and, unless the clubs split 4-4, she will go down.
Irene recognized that danger and looked for a way to take nine tricks without surrendering the lead. Instead of establishing hearts, she crossed to dummy to finesse against the ♠Q. This was the right play.
The odds of clubs splitting 4-4 are less than 32%. The odds of the finesse winning are 50%. Irene took the better line of play, and that's what winning bridge is all about!
The entire deal: |
You can follow the play with the Bridge Movie on our website. |
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The Nicest Club
815 NE 15th Ave
