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Circumstances have sadly dictated that there is not much real bridge news in this edition of the Auckland Regional Roundup. However, a few results to report before the portcullis came crashing down.

Firstly, though, a question for you to ponder. Which contract has the higher score:

3NT xx making two overtricks.... or

6 x  making 12 tricks?        both scores vulnerable

The last “live” tournaments

Back in February, Auckland’s dual Bell-Taylor Trophy was an overall win (and the Bell Trophy) for John Wang and June Lei, ratcheting up an impressive 66% overall average, with Bev Henton and Frances Ball taking the distaff side’s Taylor Trophy.

Moving south to Papakura, the Open event was a victory for Julia Zhu and Gong Yunfei, while Lenice Clarkson and Pat Williams led the field home in the Intermediate. Howick’s Open event was a well- judged effort by Paul Carson and Steve Boughey, scoring their better results in the more heavily weighted second session.

Those now familiar “burglars”, Malcolm Mayer and Ian Berrington, continued their winning ways at Auckland’s St Vincent-sponsored Thursday outing, and at Mt Albert, Rebecca Gane and Emma Sharp were the Junior gold medallists, with David Hay and Jacinda Manconi stepping up in the Intermediate.

Last cab off the rank was East Coast Bays, where Peer Bach  and Setsuko Lichtnecker walked away with the 3A points in the Open, with Jane Deacon and Sue Beale taking the crown in the Intermediates.

Finally, just one round to date in the year-long Interclub, where total entries are just very slightly down from last year’s record 53 teams. Best results on the opening night were:

 Open,                                  Auckland Watt  17.69 VPs

 Intermediate                      Orewa 5X     19.97 VPs,

Junior                                 Royle Epsom    18.90 VPs.

Hopefully, this will get back into full swing when the curfew is lifted.

No bridge but plenty of bridge

So what are we bridge addicts to do for the next wee while? Fortunately, a number of bridge clubs around the country have come to the party by organising on-line events on BBO or other platforms. Leading the charge were the Auckland Club, superbly led by Patrick Carter, Julie Atkinson and Sylvester Riddell – thanks for the life saver, guys! They have instituted twice daily tournaments for any one whose home country is New Zealand, both afternoon and evening, and these have proven immensely popular. Here is a hand from one of the early sessions, described by Richard a week or so ago.

 

After a pass from East, my partner Tracey Lewis was a little surprised to hear (see?) me open the South hand with 1– precision, but natural with at least 4 of the suit. After a double from West, there was a brief electronic pause, after which the redoubtable North leapt to 6! This was promptly doubled by West, and there I played. There was no defence to this contract, 1540 to us.

However, I did need to count trumps a couple of times ("only twice, Douglas?")  to make sure there were none out! Of the 13 times the board was played, one pair managed 3NTxx making 5 for 1600. 3 others duplicated our score. 5 played in 5 or 6 undoubled, and a few pairs managed to find the sacrifice in 6. Magic!

So, did you get the answer to the question we started with right? All on your own, without consulting Pat Carter? If you did, well done.

And another deal from a little later.

After a pass by North, what should East open? Some opted for 1, others for a game force 2. The danger with 1 is that partner will pass with something like  54 8762863 7643, when 7 is an excellent contract. As it happens, West has a straightforward, if minimal, 1NT response. Several Easts now emerged from the bushes with 6, and one with the brashness (Bradness?) of youth even bid 7. Precision pairs had a relatively easy path to the slam.

"Bradness" when playing for New Zealand Youth
where fear of missing honours just does not exist!

And, finally, a textbook hand that we could all use in our teaching as an exercise in card reading and therefore play.

 

South’s 1NT was 12-14, North’s 2 a transfer to , and East’s first double was penalties. East’s second double is not so clear-cut, but should show very good values and asks West to do something sensible.

3seems about right, and East plumps for 3NT. South duly leads 5 (low card from an honour, and must have precisely 3, as would lead the honour if they had that card and a small one), 6 from dummy, K from North, and East takes stock. She can see 23 points, leaving 17 outstanding. North’s play shows that South has the Q, and not the  J, as then,they would have led the Q. South therefore has both the missing aces and just 3 hearts. So hold up twice, and then drive out the two aces for 9 tricks. Wish every hand was that easy to read!

Cat-talk

Talking of magic, what, you might wonder, is Biritch the Russian Blue doing during his enforced solitary confinement? Well, in reality, social isolation is no hardship for our notoriously antisocial friend. However, in a rare moment of weakness, he did ask me to help him set up to play online. The major problems for him were getting his paws onto the small keys on the keyboard, and also that he relies heavily on his dominant table presence to ensure his flow of good results. Nonetheless, I was able to get him to use the mouse (after replacing the one that he ate). So, he is now happy as, well, as happy as he ever is.
The "keyboard cat"

 

Let’s hope that my next contribution will reflect the country getting back to some kind of normality. Take care and keep safe.

 

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