Instructive reading in these paperbacks.

Press, 28 June 1983, Page 16

Instructive reading in these paperbacks.

Unwin Paperbacks has produced reprints of two books first published a little more than 10 years ago, both of which offer splendid value in their new format. “Acolites Quiz,” by Rhoda Lederer, contains 200 pages and retails at $7.60. It is written for players who, having learned the Acol system of bidding wish to put in a little work to improve their game. Each of the six sections covers one area of bidding, ranging from opening bids and rebids, to responses and responder’s rebids, no-trump auctions and competitive bidding. Taken together they cover the majority of situations likely to arise, though there is little attention given to the higher levels of the auction. Occasionally too, the advice given appears rather strange these days, though possibly it was accepted in the early seventies. One of the generally excellent quizzes for example asks the reader what he would bid as South on this hand: ❖ KJ 10 3 V AQ ♦ KlO 9 * K J 94 The auction has been: W. N. E. S. No No ? After reminding the reader that though an immediate over-call of one notrump shows 15 to 17 points, the author goes on to explain that in the protective position (that is to say following two passes as here) it is best reserved for a balanced hand of about 11 points. She therefore recommends that South, to show a really good hand, should make a cue-bid of two hearts.

CONTRACT BRIDGE

J.R. Wignall

That is all very well, but what does poor North do now? Holding 9 points or so with a fair diamond or club suit, is he supposed to jump to the four level? If he does, he has bypassed the probable best game contract of three notrumps. On the other hand, since he is forced to bid, a three club or three diamond call would show very little, and would certainly not justify a second. bid from South. Most of us these days would double one heart for takeout, and over North’s bid would call an appropriate number of no-trumps, a course of action that at least gives pur partner some room to express an opinion. On the whole, however, the quizzes — 30 questions in each section— are very good and highly instructive. The second book “Aces and Places,” by Rixi Markus contains 136 pages and retails at $9.95. Mrs Markus was born in Vienna, and moved to England at the beginning of the Second World War. After a long reign as the most successful woman bridge player in the world, she was only last year dethroned by the American champion, Mrs Dorothy Truscott. She now spends much of her time competing in the European tournament bridge circuit, and this book is an account of her travels. None would say that Rixi is a modest person, so the over-use of the first person singular is understandable, though at times irritating. Less so is the constant namedropping, for probably

all of us like to think that the rich and famous have the same hang-up as we have — they too are smitten by the game of bridge. In all 75 hands are presented, usually played by one of the stars in an important event. All are most interesting. Here is the first deal in the book featuring Harold Lever, as he then was, or Lord Lever as he subsequently became, the British Labour Party politician. He was South and dealt the following at game all: N. 4» 106543 V AJ ♦ AQB6 $ 104 W. E. ♦ QJ92 ’F Q 9 8 6 2 VJIO 4 ♦ K 73 ♦ 54 ❖ AKB7S ❖ Q 962 S. ❖ AKB7 V K 75 4* JlO 9 2 4 J 3 The auction was soon over: S. W. N. E. 14 Double 4 4 All Pass Against Lever’s four

spades, West led the ace and the king of clubs, before switching to a low heart. It seemed likely on the bidding that West held the king of diamonds and was short in spades. So the declarer tested the diamonds first. He won the third trick with the king of hearts and led the jack of diamonds, playing low from dummy when West declined to cover. Had the finesse lost, South would have had to rely on a two-two division of the outstanding trumps. As it was, he could now afford to lose one trick in spades but not two. The problem was quickly solved. At trick four he led the seven of spades from hand to dummy’s 10 and East’s jack. The bad break was annoying but not fatal. East returned a heart to the ace, and a low spade was led from dummy to East’s nine and declarer’s king. Crossing back to the table with a diamond to the queen, South continued with another low spade. This time East played the two, the declarer’s eight won, and the ace drew the last trump. Lever claimed the remaining tricks and, being a skilled financier, carefully entered up his score.