BARBARA & ALEX'S BRIDGE NEWSLETTER

23 JANUARY, 2023

IF YOU RECEIVE A NEWSLETTER THAT ENDS WITH ANYTHING OTHER THAN ANSWERS TO QUIZ # 77, then click on link below

(where it says View as Webpage) as some devices chop the newsletter

You can  CLICK HERE View as Webpage to open the full newsletter in a different way.

MAKING UP FOR LOST TIME

Alex and I are home this winter in Toronto while he has his chemo. Toronto has been mild so far with very little snow so it is not a hardship. We borrowed this picture (left) from National Geographic.

I snuck away to Florida for four days recently to teach in Gulfstream. Glorious weather and beautiful beaches on our favourite Atlantic coast. Walking on that beach is manna for the soul. Growing up on the East coast of Barbados, the Atlantic brings me great peace. I shall head to Barbados for ten days in February and to Cayman Islands for four days in March, all for teaching. Send Alex some bridge questions to keep him from digging up telephone numbers of his old girlfriends while I am away! It is around Valentine's Day and he is diabetic so don't you be bringing him chocolates!!!

We have heard that cars are now hard to come by mainly due to a global microchip shortage. Who could have imagined? We bought our car (a van) in 2016 for $24,000.00 CAD. Concerned that one day my car might die and I would be left stranded, I called a dealer this week and found that a new one would cost $48,000.00. So then I heard that Tesla cars were on sale for only $44,000.00. So I went to my darling husband with my fantasy. He replied. "We'll keep it in mind...in someone else's mind." Looks like I will be driving the van for another five years at least! (He doesn't drive.)

In June, Alex and I will head off together to Vancouver and then Penticton, BC. Later to Fredericton for my nursing reunion at UNB and the Can-At Regional Bridge Tournament. Chicago is next in July and then Rome and Basel, Switzerland in August. September brings North Carolina.

So that is how we are making up for lost time as we stay home this winter!

BARBARA & ALEX'S BRIDGE TIPS

1.

S Q

H K9

D QJ6432

C K863

If your partner opens 2C, what will you bid?

Some will bid 2D (waiting) and some may bid 3D to show 8 or more HCP and a good quality 5 card or longer Diamond suit. The Diamond suit is not that great but there are six of them to make up for the not-great quality.

OK, let's say you bid 2D. Your partner now bids 2NT.

What is she telling you?

And what will you bid next?

We like the following NT ranges:

20-21 HCP: Open 2NT

22-23 HCP: Open 2C and then bid 2NT

24-25 HCP: Open 2C and then bid 3NT

26-27 HCP: Open 3NT

28+ HCP: Open 2C and then bid 4NT. This is not Blackwood

So, after the 2NT rebid by partner, you add your points to hers and come up with 33 HCP (11+ 22) so you bid 6NT, knowing that you cannot be missing two aces. Missing two aces, you would be missing 8 HCP and you can only be missing 7 HCP, using the Rule of 40. You do pray that you are not missing an Ace and King in the same suit but what are the odds.

Here is partner's hand:

S AK1083

H AQJ

D AK

C Q54

There are 12 happy tricks there for the taking and maybe even 13 if one of your opponents is friendly and discards a Spade from Jxxx.

2. Partner opens 2NT and you pick up this hand:

S QJ6

H Q97

D KQ764

C QJ

Let's say you bid 4C (Gerber) and opener bids 4D. What is your next bid?

How many Aces is partner saying that she has when she bids 4D?

Answer: ZERO or all FOUR.

Which is it? How can you tell? here's how. Look at your hand. If the 2NT opener has NO Aces, then in order to open 2NT, she could have had:

Remember you are thinking she has NO Aces.

So what is left, looking at your hand?

She could have

Spade King

Heart King and Jack

Diamond Jack

Club King

That totals 11 HCP. Could she have opened 2NT with only 11 HCP? NO, so now you know she has all four Aces. Bid 6NT!

If you play Puppet Stayman, the auction should go

2NT - 3C (Puppet, in case partner has a 5-card major)

She doesn't so you will rest in 6NT.

3.Here's another hand: (Hand by Rob Drummond of Toronto Bridge, who is a great teacher). Commentary by Barbara.

S 2

H AK853

D K865

C K107

Partner opens 1C and you respond 1H. Opener now bids 1S. You have enough points for game. What do you now bid?

a) 3NT?

b) 4H ? Partner could have a void in Hearts!

c) 2C: Not forcing and shows 6-9 points and preference for Clubs

d) 3C: Still not forcing and shows 10-12 pts and preference for Clubs

New suits are forcing. Old suits are not forcing.

What is the one thing you really need to know?

Answer: You need to know if opener has 3 card support for your Heart suit, in which case 4H is the safest and best contract. When you have an eight-card fit in a major, it is always better to be in a trump suit contract than in NT because you have better control in a trump suit contract.

SO, you MUST use the convention: Fourth Suit Forcing. You bid 2D which says NOTHING at all about Diamonds. You could even have a void in Diamonds. This asks partner to show three-card support for your major as # 1 priority. If she does not have that, then she shows a stopper in that fourth suit or bids that fourth suit if she owns four of them.

This is Opener's hand:

S QJ75

H 942

D Q

C AQ986

You cannot make 3NT whereas 4H plays nicely.

If you would like a write-up on Fourth Suit Forcing, click here:



https://barbaraseagram.com/pdf/FOURTH-SUIT-FORCING-Mini-handout.pdf



4.One more hand for you!

You pick up this hand:

S Q1083

H AJ732

D 5

C AK5

Partner opens 1C and you bid 1H. Partner now bids 4H. What will you now bid?

a) Pass

b) 4S

c) 5C

d) 4NT

e) 6H

How many points has opener promised now by bidding 4H?

YOU only promised 6 or more points. If you only had 6 points, partner bid like a maniac and bid 4H anyway so she must have 20 or more points (or 19+)

When you revalue your hand, you have 16 points and you expect about 20 points from partner. That is the sound of slam!

Thus, either c) d) or e) are good bids. 5C would show first-round control of Clubs. 4NT would be Keycard Blackwood and 6H is just because you cannot possibly be missing two Aces with all those points.

Partner's hand is

S AKJ4

H K965

D AK

C J97

Here is a bridge tip from Jean Collins

If you make a takeout double and partner dutifully bids a suit and then you change that suit (maybe because you didn’t like the one that partner chose), you are guaranteeing that you hold at least 18 points .

This is called “The Big Double”. Notice how this fits in with Overcalls. A one level overcall shows 8-17 points. So what do you do with 18? You double first and then bid your suit!!! And partner will know that you have the BIG hand, i. e. too many points to overcall at your first turn. Cool, eh?

SCROLL DOWN FOR QUIZ # 77

JOSEE HAMMILL HAS CLASSES

IN-PERSON IN FEB, MARCH & APRIL 2023

 [email protected] 416-300-9140

Location: Armour Heights Presbyterian Church

 105 Wilson Ave, Toronto

Bid and Play:

Tues. February 7^th, 1-3 pm & Tuesday, February 14^th, 1-3 pm

Two very gentle sessions aimed at strengthening your game. Hand evaluation, supporting partner’s suit, NT bidding and responses, competitive auctions and much more. $30.00 per session.

Introduction To Declarer Play – A 4-Week Course

DATES: Wednesdays - March 8, 15, 22, 29 - from 1 to 3 pm.

PRICE: $155 (includes Eddie Kantar’s Book Introduction to Declarer Play – new edition revised by Barbara Seagram).

Introduction To Defence – A 4-Week Course

DATES: Mondays – April 24th , May 1st , 8th , 15th – from 9:30 to 11:30 am

PRICE: $155 (includes Eddie Kantar’s Book Introduction to Defence – new edition revised by Barbara Seagram).

Basics Beginners Bridge Series: Wednesdays 1-3 pm: begins April 12th

Intermediate I Bridge Series: Wednesdays 6.30-8.30 pm begins April 12th

JAN STEWART'S NEW BOOK, HOLD ON TIGHT.

PUBLICATION DATE: MARCH 2, 2023.

Available at Indigo, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Kindle and can be pre-ordered now

www.janstewartauthor.com

Jan Stewart is one of the bravest, kindest and most interesting people I have ever had the pleasure to know. Jan is a top-level bridge player and has taken the last couple of years off to focus on writing a book and also to educate the world about mental health.

Many of us are afraid of this topic, it seems. Are we afraid of someone with cancer? With epilepsy? With MS? Likely, your answer is no. And yet, the world of mental illness makes many people uncomfortable. These are all illnesses of different parts of the body, just as mental illness is about differences in how the brain functions. A lack of education unfortunately leads to fear, misunderstandings and stigma. Erroneous impressions abound, with harmful stereotypes. We need to spread facts about mental illness and developmental disorders to demystify them and help people understand that there is nothing to be afraid of. We are all human beings, with our own strengths and challenges.

Do listen to a wonderful new interview with Jan:

https://radiopublic.com/navigating-the-spectrum-with-mich-6vzop1

You can also follow Jan on Facebook and on Instagramart

LEARN HOW TO BECOME AN ACBL CLUB DIRECTOR

FOR RUNNING FACE-TO-FACE GAMES

Martin Hunter will be teaching an in-person course this spring.

Cost: 125.00 CAD.

Martin is an excellent director and instructor.

IF you write the exam, you will receive a rebate of $50.00 per person from Unit 166 ACBL

To register and get more details, email to Martin

[email protected]

Why do this?

1.Help out your local club by being able to pitch in and assist with set-up and with movements.

2.Fill in and run games at your local club when they need someone.

3.Start a new game of your own at a new venue or at your local club.

4.Start a beginner game somewhere for newbies and give a tip before the game.

5.Help to build the world of bridge back to where it was pre-Covid. Many directors have retired and the bridge world needs you to get involved.

6.This is a super fun thing to do.

HEAPS MORE REASONS!

ENCOURAGE YOUR FRIENDS TO LEARN TO PLAY BRIDGE 

Here is a link to a FREE video of an introductory beginners bridge class. Approx. 28 minutes. A taste of bridge for brand new players. Please send this out to your friends, family, and anyone else you come into contact with.

LINK FOR

BEGINNERS' INTRODUCTION TO BRIDGE

by Barbara Seagram

https://youtu.be/V033as-0bCQ

FINDING THE MISSING QUEEN

by Andrew Robson

Join Barbara & Alex & Linda Tuff April 5-19, 2024 on our Transatlantic Bridge Cruise. 14 nights on Marina: Oceania: $4,499.00 USD or $5,799.00 CAD. For a verandah suite. Air included. Seven days at sea to hone your bridge skills: Have lessons and play and win master points. See below for details. Contact Carolyn Kremer to book this or any trip. She is excellent.

705-435-5533 or 1-800-363-5533 #1435

OR email her at [email protected]

BARBARA'S QUIZZES

NOW ON SALE: REG. PRICE: $16.00 USD/$18.00 CAD

NOW: $12.00 USD/$15.00 CAD

If you have not yet purchased this, you need one for you AND one for partner!

Such a great learning opportunity!

POSTAGE in Canada: $5.75 per book

POSTAGE TO USA: $7.50 per book

or pick up near Yonge and Lawrence in Toronto

Email Barbara to get this special deal. It is not listed in our online store

OFFER good till end of February.

TELEPATHY AT BRIDGE

THE COLOURING BOX OF BRIDGE MASTER POINTS

by Richard Ross

Manager & Director of Stephen's Bridge Club

When I first started playing duplicate bridge, master points were issued in the form of little paper certificates, which gave the player a tangible record of his or her achievement.

I treasured those slips of paper and was so proud when I had collected a bunch of them and sent them in to the ACBL to have them recorded. My friends were very blasé about their slips and saved them in the glove compartment of their cars. It was a standing joke that when the glove compartment got too full of master point slips, it was time to trade in the car.

I almost yearn for those days when I would get that little slip of paper; as dear to me as a high school diploma; my announcement to the world that I won .06 of a match point for coming fourth in a pairs event.

Nowadays, master points are recorded electronically; no little certificates, no need to submit anything. It's all done instantaneously without any effort at all - save, of course, the effort of actually winning the points.

The points awarded at the club level are Black points. These are the easiest to get.

Sectional tournaments held within the ACBL's units (we are in Unit 166) offer Silver points. You can also win silver points at STaC events (STaC = Silver points tournament at Clubs). We will be hosting STaC events from time to time so watch out for announcements in the near future.

Red points are available at Regional events except for the overall winners and section-top winners who get Gold.

Platinum points - the true hen's-teeth of the bridge world - are awarded at National championships.

Gold points are also awarded at regional tournaments' novice events. Called Gold Rush competitions, these offer a much easier way of earning gold than having to win at an Open game at a Regional. There will be Gold Rush events at the Easter Regional in Toronto this April, and I encourage you to play; especially, those of you who need gold points.

But to what end do we compete for master points? Some people play bridge for the pure enjoyment of the game. It's a social activity which keeps the mind active. Some play for that competitive edge, the need to win. But many of us strive to become a Life Master.

If you have less than five master points, you are considered a Rookie. At five, you become a Junior Master and at 10 points, you may call yourself a Club Master.

At 50 master points, you are considered a Sectional Master but here's where it gets tricky. Of those 50 points, at least five of them have to be silver.

Confused yet? No? Read on. You will be.

The next stage is Regional Master for which you'll need 100 master points of which 15 must be black, 15 must be silver and no less than five have to be red.

Then comes NABC Master which is 200 master points: at least 20 must be black, 25 silver, at least 20 red/gold/platinum and at least five gold/platinum.

You're well on your way now to Advanced NABC Master. For this lofty height, you need 300 points: 50 black, 50 silver, 50 red/gold/platinum and 25 gold/platinum.

And now we're there. Life Master. For this you require 500 master points of which no less than 75 are black, 75 silver, 100 red/gold/platinum and 50 gold/platinum.

It's a long road and not an easy journey. Some never make it; some continue to play only for the social aspect and mental challenge without masterpoint goals. But there really is a thrill opening the envelope from the ACBL, reading the letter of congratulations from the President and receiving the heavy metal card that tells the world that you're now a Life Master (I know that sounds chauvinistic, but I cannot see anyone striving to become a Life Mistress).

For me, seeing my name in print in The Bulletin was a great moment of personal satisfaction and I still read each month the names of newly crowned Life Masters. (New Life Masters is actually the second thing I read in The Bulletin).

So play often, play well and let me know if you're getting close to a milestone so we can all watch out for you and cheer you on.

BARBARA & ALEX'S BRIDGE QUIZ # 77

Answers at END OF NEWSLETTER

1.You open with 1C and partner responds 1S. What is your rebid?

S 4

H KQ54

D 432

C AKJ102

a) 2H

b) 1NT

c) 2C

d) Pass

2.What is your opening bid on the following hand?

S ----

H K954

D K765

C AK863

a) 1C

b) 1D

c) Pass

3.On this next hand, you open 1D and partner responds 1S. What is your rebid as Opener?

S 32

H 432

D AK86

C AQJ8

a) 2C

b) 1NT

4.If you open the following hand with 1D and partner responds 1S and if your next bid is 2C,.. What will you next bid if Partner's second bid is 2S?

S 32

H 432

D AK86

C AQJ8

a)2NT

b) Pass

c) 3C

5.You are the Dealer. What will you open the bidding with on this hand below?

S 32

H 432

D AK74

C AKQ6

a) 1D

b) 1C

c) 1NT

TRANSATLANTIC BRIDGE CRUISE 2024



with Linda Tuff, teacher extraordinaire, teaching and directing

Barbara & Alex will be sailing as part of the group

APRIL 5-19, 2024

OCEANIA CRUISES: MARINA

VERANDAH cabins from $5,799.00 CAD for 14 night sailing

or $4,499.00 USD

on one of the finest ships afloat. With the best cuisine

BOOK NOW FOR BEST-SITUATED CABINS

Miami, Bahamas, Bermuda, Azores, Cadiz, Grenada, Alicante, Barcelona (the last 4 are all Spain)

Call my new excellent partner in the travel industry: Carolyn Kremer

705-435-5533 or 1-800-363-5533 #1435

OR email her at [email protected]

NOTE; Monday to Friday. Off on weekends

MISTER BUTCHER

Premium meat and seafood

Delivered to you or pick up at 3359 Yonge St, Toronto, ON

www.misterbutcher.ca

416-697-9539

A Toronto-based family business.

They also deliver to Collingwood

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY BARBARA & ALEX

The crab cakes are to die for!

CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF ALL MY RECORDINGS (VIDEO & AUDIO)

OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS



https://barbaraseagram.com/pdf/Recordings-links-for-purchase-final-listing.pdf



EACH ONE COMES WITH A FULL SET OF STUDENT NOTES WHICH ARE VERY DETAILED

A stepping stone is an action that helps one make progress towards a goal.

Our first goal is to offer bridge in a fun, friendly, supportive and welcoming

environment.

Stepping Stones Bridge with Cyndy Winkler & Josée Hammill

We hold a face-to-face weekly, ACBL duplicate bridge game on Mondays at 12.30 pm for players with 0-20 master points.

Email CYNDY with questions: [email protected]

This game will continue on during the winter. In Jan and Feb, we are lucky to welcome Doug Jordan to run the Monday game in Cyndy's absence.

LOCATION: Armour Heights Presbyterian Church 105 Wilson Ave

Handicap accessible – elevator.

Coming Soon : A game for players with 0-199 master points, starting in March 2023 at 12 noon. Tuesdays. Starting March 7th.

It is difficult and intimidating for new players to compete against opponents who have years of playing experience and have earned many master points.

Both these games are aimed at players who may make mistakes but want to learn by playing and get better. Players must know how to bid, respond and rebid and know how to score.

The 0-199 game: Players must be within the 0-199 ACBL master point range to compete in this non-intimidating atmosphere where all competitors will be patient and show respect for others.

Partnerships can be arranged. Table manners and basic etiquette will be followed at all times. Games will be held on Tuesdays at noon starting on March 7.

Our second goal is for players to reach their goal, AND enjoy the process along the way. Once they outgrow this group, they can move on to the next step and more advanced games.

“Bridge is a competitive, challenging game that should be enjoyed by all who play it”

A huge thank you to the Monday games amazing volunteers:

Susan Trumper, Beth Hemstad, Ruth Oppenheim & Lynn Eplett. In January, we will also welcome Defne Berkin and Jocelyne Mongrain.

Barbara's Pre-recorded Lessons

Special Price: Now you can buy any Seminar below (with Recording & Notes) for Only $25!

Just note that these are not brand-new lessons, and you may already have a few of them but if not, now you can buy these singly. Some have CAD link and USA link (in blue), others just one link. Please choose the best for you.

Clues: Become A Deadly Declarer

An Introduction To Two Over One

End Plays Made

Simple

Reverses & Other Challenges at Bridge

New Minor Forcing

Opening Leads

Planning a trip? Call a travel agent. SO worth it. NO EXTRA cost except for air tickets. 

Call Carolyn Kremer 

705 435 5533 or toll free at

1-800-363-5533 # 1435

or email her at

[email protected]

Carolyn is excellent and can advise you and book you on anything. Ocean cruises and river boat cruises are her specialty. But she is terrific at booking anything. VISION TRAVEL/DIRECT TRAVEL. 

MENTION that you are a bridge player!

Carolyn is taking over from Paola who is slowing down and trying to gradually retire. 

ORDER OUR CHEAT SHEETS

Great hostess gifts and partnership survival gifts!!!

Laminated fold out sheets with many panels

See below for information

All cheat sheets and books available by emailing

Barbara with your postal address. We will send it to you by postal mail or you can pick up near to Yonge & Lawrence if you live in Toronto. 

OR ORDER FROM OUR NEW ONLINE STORE AT

www.barbaraseagram.com 

or email Barbara

[email protected]

INTERMEDIATE CHEAT SHEET: Regular bidding: $10.00

DEFENCE CHEAT SHEET: Strategy and signalling: $12.00

CONVENTIONS CHEAT SHEET: All the conventions (see below): $12.00

(Formerly called Advanced)

Takeout double, Support double, Negative double, Responsive, Penalty & Lead-Directing Doubles, Splinter Bids, Jacoby 2NT, Roman Keycard Blackwood, Raising Partner's Overcall (Cue Bid Raises of overcalls and opening bids), Balancing, Texas Transfers, Gerber, Bergen Raises, Cue Bidding First Round Controls, Unusual NT, Michaels Cue Bid, Fourth Suit Forcing to Game

DOUBLES CHEAT SHEET: $10.00

TWO OVER ONE CHEAT SHEET: $12.00

SPECIAL: ANY 4 cheat sheets: $40.00  plus postage

or all 5 cheat sheets for $48.00 plus postage

Special is on until March 31, 2023

OR if you live in Canada email transfer to [email protected]

Barbara Seagram

220 Lawrence Ave East

Toronto ON M4N 1T2

Canada

 BARBARA SEAGRAM BRIDGE STORE ONLINE

Buy Books & cheat sheets from our online store and we ship them to you. Great hostess gifts and gifts for partners. Click on the appropriate link below to explore.

Canadian Store: store.barbaraseagram.com

USA Store: storeus.barbaraseagram.com

ANSWERS TO BRIDGE QUIZ # 77

1.You open with 1C and partner responds 1S. What is your rebid?

S 4

H KQ54

D 432

C AKJ102

a) 2H

b) 1NT

c) 2C

d) Pass

ANSWER: The minute you hear 1S from partner, your hand is devalued and you need to deduct one length point. You have a minimum hand. If you bid 2H, this shows 17 or more points and more Clubs than Hearts. You DO have more Clubs than Hearts but you don't have 17 points. Bid 2C. Don't even think about rebidding 1NT instead. This swears to partner that you have at least two cards in Spades. It promises a balanced hand with no singletons or voids. Rebid 2C.

2.What is your opening bid on the following hand?

S ----

H K954

D K765

C AK863

a) 1C

b) 1D

c) Pass

ANSWER: You are void in Spades. That means there are 13 Spades floating around in the other three hands. Odds are very high that partner has at least four of them and if you open 1C, she will respond 1S. Then what? You must always have a rebid prepared when you open the bidding.

This one is the exception to the rule of opening with your longest suit. As opening bidder with a minimum hand and four Diamonds and five Clubs, open with 1D and if partner responds 1H, you are ecstatic and you bid 3H but if she bids 1S, your hand deflates and goes downhill and you bid 2C now. Yes, you have suggested that you have the same length of Diamonds as Clubs or that you have more Diamonds but that is way better than any other rebid you could make. You definitely cannot bid 2H as your rebid. Open with 1D.

3.On this next hand, you open 1D and partner responds 1S. What is your rebid as Opener?

S 32

H 432

D AK86

C AQJ8

a) 2C

b) 1NT

ANSWER: Opponents have been trained at mother's knee to lead the unbid major. Thus, in order to rebid 1NT, you should really have the unbid major stopped. Rebid 2C.

4.If you open the following hand with 1D and partner responds 1S and if your next bid is 2C,.. What will you next bid if Partner's second bid is 2S?

S 32

H 432

D AK86

C AQJ8

a)2NT

b) Pass

c) 3C



ANSWER: The rebid of 2S in this scenario promises 6-9 points only, a good 5-card Spade suit (or it could be a 6-card suit) and an intolerance for your two suits. You have a minimum hand and must now pass. 14+ 6 = 20 and good luck trying to make 2NT with only 20 points. Your rebid is Pass.

5.You are the Dealer. What will you open the bidding with on this hand below?

S 32

H 432

D AK74

C AKQ6

a) 1D

b) 1C

c) 1NT

ANSWER: If you open with 1D and partner responds 1H or 1S, if you now rebid 1NT, you are showing 12-14 HCP maximum. And you have 16 HCP.

If you open 1C and think you will reverse next i.e.

1C - 1S

2D

You have promised an unbalanced hand and MORE Clubs than Diamonds.

Get it off your chest right now and show your point count and your balanced hand. Open 1NT.