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Sitouts Banned!
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 & blood" players! | |
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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 | Just Because It's on Your Convention Card... |
...doesn't mean you have to use it!
This week's big deal (board 18, Monday) is a case in point: |
After East opened 1NT (15-17), South, with nary a glance at the vulnerability (and possibly not at his hand either!) trotted out his favorite convention to show 5-5 in the majors. He overcalled 2♦, which was Cappelletti, promising both majors.
West doubled, which said he could defend one or both of South's suits. This shows how little is needed for a penalty double after your partner opens 1NT. All it requires is trump tricks!
North entered the fray with 3♣, and South compounded his error by rebidding 3♥, which, of course, West doubled. When the smoke cleared, E-W were +800, instead of the +120 they were rightfully due for making 2NT.
Do you have methods for competing when the opponents overcall your notrump openers, with either natural or conventional bids?
Scroll down for some suggestions. |
Club Appreciation Month |
 This week every game, Monday through Friday, will pay extra masterpoints. Masterpoints awarded for the Club Appreciation Pair game are 100% sectional-rated black (triple points). |
Next Five Days |
We have added a quick glance calendar to the home page of our website.

If you're in a hurry and don't want to go to our full calendar, you can quickly check our homepage: bridgeace.com to see what's coming up in the next five days. |
 | Defense to Cappelletti |
If partner's 1NT opening is overcalled with a natural bid then it is generally best to play double as penalties and all other bids as natural (employing Lebensohl).
The one case where I like to differ from this philosophy is when it's a 2♣ overcall.
Over a natural 2♣ overcall I like to play double as Stayman, and other systems are off.
But when the opponent's overcall is artificial (often the case these days) then things are different. For example there is little point in doubling an artificial bid for penalties and little point in bidding Stayman if RHO has shown both majors.
Here is a scheme for combating Cappelletti:
After 2♣ showing a one-suited hand:
- pass = generally less than invitational values
- double = Stayman
- 3♣ is natural and forcing
- other bids are basically natural (Lebensohl)
After 2♦ showing both majors:
- pass = generally less than invitational values
- double = can penalize at least one major
- 3♦ is natural and forcing
- other bids are basically natural (Lebensohl)
After 2♥ showing ♥'s and a minor:
- pass = generally less than invitational values
- double = penalty for the major suit bid
- 3♥ = game forcing Stayman
- other bids are basically natural (Lebensohl)
After 2♠ showing ♠'s and a minor:
- pass = generally less than invitational values
- double = penalty for the major suit bid
- 3♠ = game forcing Stayman
- other bids are basically natural (Lebensohl)
After 2NT (Unusual) showing ♣'s and ♦'s:
- pass = generally less than invitational values
- double = can penalize at least one minor
- 3♣ = Stayman, not game forcing
- 3♦ = Stayman, game forcing
- 3♥/♠ natural and game forcing
Incidentally, if South passes 1NT like a sane person, West will pass and North will reopen with 2NT, showing the minors. N-S can actually make 3♣ on this deal (or go down one in 3♦).
You can follow the play with the Bridge Movie on our website. |
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