BRIDGE NOTES

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21436, 30 March 1935, Page 8

BRIDGE NOTES

"NEW LAWS FOR CONTRACT" iSI'IX lALI.V WRITTEN KOK THE I'HK.SS.) [By WILLIAM SHACKLE. I As mentioned in last week's article, the Portland Club. London, has authorised certain changes in "Contract" laws to become effective from to-mor-row, the last day of March. Change of bctius for grand slam from 1500 to '.OOO when not vulnerable and from 2250 to 1500 when vulnerable: This step will be welcomed by the great majority of players, for the very large bonus previously given often seemed much too large, especially if one held a sure hand without a single finesse being necessary. Instead ol' 30-40-30-40, etc., for alternate tricks in no trumps the new ruling gives 40 points for the first trick and then 30 for each remaining one. ft still requires three tricks only for game, 40-30-30, so this rule will simply make scoring a little easier, while giving the old advantage of one trick less Tor game in no trumps than in either major suit. Under-trick penalties are also altered to simplify scoring. In effect the score will be little changed, except thai, the penalty for loss of a contract of less than a game bid will be slightly higher, while for a game bid or a slam bid the loss of several tricks will not result in quite so large a penalty as previously. Tlie old penally for looking at a quitted trick has again been reinstated One is now penalised 50 points for this offence, which in the fSJ32 laws was treated as an offence against etiquette only. Before 1932 the present penalty of 50 points was operative. The only really new rule is that which relates to dummv, and this incidentally will be founu to be a far greater change, than it may at first appeal". The name "dummy" is to become obsolete, and in future the player whose hand is on the table will be known as declarer's partner, a much or other misdemeanour without being Mo longer will one be forced to allow an opponent to get away with a revoke or other disdemeanour without being given an opportunity of calling one's pariner's attention to sucn infringement. Up till now the position ot dummy has been patently unfair and absurd, so there is little doubt thai this new departure will be very generally applauded. It must, however, be recognised that declarer's partner will not always be expected to draw attention to every transgression of opponents. For instance, suppose A leads instead of B, X, the declarer, may be quite pleased; yet if Y calls attention to the lead being made; from the wrong hand Z will be forced to call upon B t<) Jeud-r l.i diclaier's discomfiture immediately and possibly his partner's later, s The laws, relating to conventions may cause occasional difficulties, but ! llu.se troubles can readily be overcome ay each player satisfying himself that 1 wl'! not take an unfair advantage by using any conventiona 1 bids without duly advising his opponents prior in ihe commencement of play. The ■player who does so will in future be ; jirt as much a cheat as if lie had made '' .ci et signals to his partner during i : io bidoing. As these new laws tend to simplify < the scming and to adjust recognised ; anomalies they are likely to be very ■ •s'neraliv welcomed by contract enthusiasts.