Newsletter - 1 May 2020

From the President:

Our online bridge world is buzzing thanks to the untiring efforts of Ian Robinson, Bruce Crossman and Jodi Tutty. Two sessions have been held this week and we are building on this as time goes on – four next week. Please find more information below.

We also appreciate all the time and hard work that the Australian Bridge Federation has invested in this process.Best wishes,

Pam

Online Bridge with CBC

For the week commencing Monday 4 May – BBO sessions at the club are:

• Monday morning 10.00am
• Tuesday evening 7.30pm imps
• Wednesday morning 10.15am a relaxed game for our newer members
• Thursday morning 10.00am

So its simple – Be there or be square!

• More information on our homepage.
• For information about BBO and general BBO use help, please read our Bridge Base Online help page.
• For information about how to join into playing a CBC online session ("Tournament") on BBO, please see our specific Playing in a CBC session online webpage.

Bathroom Renovations

The new toilets and urinals have now been installed - a vast improvement in the Men’s!
We anticipate the benches being installed next week.

Photos of progress will be added to the Bathroom Renovations website gallery as work continues.

Committee Meeting Minutes

The minutes from the committee meetings on 16 and 25 March are now available to download on the Committee webpage.

Bridge Tips

Safety Play

Last week's question:

Matchpoint pairs. You are in 4S, with this as your trump suit: 

KQT98 opposite A765. Draw trumps.

Answer:

Match point pairs. You are in 4S, with a trump suit of KQT98 opposite A765. Draw trumps.

At match point pairs you do not want to concede an unnecessary trick to the defenders. If trumps break 2-2 or 3-1, no problem. But what if one defender holds J432 of trumps opposite their partner's void?

A new question to ponder

While mulling over the previous conundrum, consider this 3NT safety play:

Declarer holds strong club values of AKQT. Dummy holds weak club values of 432.

Declarer cashes the Ace then the King of clubs. Both defenders follow suit with nondescript club pips. Now declarer crosses to dummy with a different suit to lead a club towards the QT.

Should declarer cash the Queen or finesse the Ten?

"Helpful" hint - a 4-2 break is a 48% chance, while a 3-3 break is a mere 36% chance.

- Richard Hills

Combine Your Chances

	North ♠ J7 ♥ AJ7 ♦ 10 6 ♣ AKJ762
West ♠  ♥  ♦  ♣		East ♠  ♥  ♦ ♣
	South ♠ A6 ♥ Q10 98542 ♦ A2 ♣ Q5

Contract: 6H by South; Lead: 5S to KS and AS. 

Lead QH, West plays low – should you finesse?

Not on this hand. 

Play the AH – KH may drop; if not play 3 top clubs, pitching a spade.

This will work whenever the player who still holds KH holds at least 2 clubs.

(acknowledgement to David Beauchamp, hand from a teaching weekend in Canberra)

Upcoming Events

The bricks and mortar club in Deakin will be closed until the end of June. This temporary closure is in compliance with ACT law on non-essential gatherings and social distancing designed to minimise the spread of the COVID-19 virus.  The temporary closure also reflects the Canberra Bridge Club’s concern for the health of our members and the wider community.

The committee will keep members informed about ongoing plans.

Please don’t forget the online bridge!

Lighter Moments

Note in Book Shop:
The Post-apocalyptical Fiction section has been moved to Current Affairs.

2020 – the year your wheelie bin goes out more than you do.

What kind of dinosaur survived the flood?
A thesaurus.