BRIDGE NOTES.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20215, 18 April 1931, Page 8

BRIDGE NOTES.

(spiauu wwrrx* 1 von tot p&esc.) [By William Shackle.] Some interesting bidding followed when this hand was dealt.

3 Spades 4 Hearts No bid No bid ■i Spades 5 Diamonds No bid 5 Hearts 5 Spades-Double No bid 6 Hearts 6 Spades Double * No bid 7 Hearts 7 Spades Double No bid No bid No bid

Looking first at the hand and then at the bidding, ono is inclined to treat the above as a poor practical joke, yet I can assure my readers that tho above hand was actually bid as above. Both sides were out for the rubber, it was the last of the evening, and "YZ" had been penalised fairly heavily on previous hands.

As far as B" are concerned, their bidding was excellent. Each was quite honest and "B " could see an almost certain slam for "A" and desiring to win the rubber, ho preferred to score by winning rather than by the defeat of "Z" to the tune, as he thought, of perhaps 300 points, less honours. "Z" on the other hand saw that "A B" were sure of ga.me and rubber, and when "B" took "A J s" double out on two occasions, he was satisfied that "A B" would make their declared slam. He counted the cost, to himself of 4 down, doubled, less honours 90—310 net. If "A B" obtained their grand slam they would score, 100 for slam, 250 for rubber, 56 for 7 hearts, plus honours, say, another 40—446 points. Thus at the worst he would be 136 points to the good with again an equal chance of winning the rubber. Bids of-this type used to be much more common than they are to-day, as before the rule forbidding a bid of •more than the possible ■ number of 7 over, was-introduced, a certain type of player often bid an impossible eighth trick. For "the" Benefit of those of my . readers Who did not play in those days, I can assure them that the rule has been an .excellent corrective, and the, game is altogether better for the change. For Beginners. In order to play bridge intelligently it is essential to learn the method of scoring and the various, values of the different suits. First look at a score pad: On the left of the centre line one's own side's points are scored; on the right those of the opponents. Above tho line (at right angles to centre line) are scored points for honours, bonuses, penalties. Below the line points for tricks thus: —

Bonuses Penalties Honours t Tricks , Each suit has a different value thus, Glubs—r6 Spades-—9 and NoTrumps—lo points. Before _a side can score bfclow the thaymust take 6 tricks. As these JJricks are not mentioned when bidding, W Ibid of 1 means 7 tricks. the miit named, as trumps, 2 means 8 and so on. ■■i Provided one obtains at least as many tricks as. one contracts for (i.e. bids) i one scores, below -the -line, points to the value of' the number of tricks actually obtained over 61 Thus 8 tricks in clubs -rr-12, 8 tricks in hearts—l 6 and so on. A game, is scored when either side scores' 30 "or more points below the line. • I