In This Issue · 2 ACBL District 9 3 Palm Beach Gardens Regional Tournament May 27 throug June 2 HOSTS Shannon Cappelletti – (423) 400-0269 [email protected]

In This Issue:From the Vanderbilt by Barnet Shenkin ......................................... page 111,000,000 Deals by Larry Cohen .................................................... page 12Contract Bridge Review by Jon Shuster ......................................... page 18

3www.District9ACBL.org2 ACBL District 9

Palm Beach GardensRegional Tournament

May 27 through June 2HOSTSShannon Cappelletti – (423) [email protected] Wise – (813) 215-6623 [email protected] Higginbotham – (904) [email protected] a partner or teammates? Visit the District 9 Online Partnership Desk at: bridgefinesse.com/D9PDeskIndexHOSPITALITYCoffee & Orange Juice DailyMonday–Friday Evenings

Open Hospitality RoomEveryone Welcome

Ice Cream and/or DessertsPizza and/or Hot DogsSubsidized Sunday SnacksSTRATA Open & Senior EventsA=2000+, B=750-2000, C=0-750Florida Gold Strats:Top=300-750, Bottom=0-300 A/X Strats:A=5000+, X=0-5000299er EventsA=200-300, B=100-200, C=0-100299er Strata May Be Changed at Director's Discretion

Top KO Bracket May Be Handicapped

All Pair Games are Stratified; All KOs and Sat. 2-Session Swiss are Bracketed; All Other Swiss are Stratified By Team Masterpoint AverageDIRECTIONSFrom I-95, take Exit 78B onto PGA Blvd., travel west 2½ miles then turn left onto Avenue of Champions.

From Florida's Turnpike, take Exit 109 to Palm Beach Gardens and turn right, 1/10 of a mile, turn left into resort.

MONMAY

27

TUEMAY 28

WEDMAY

29

THUMAY

30

FRIMAY

31

SATJUN

1

SUNJUN

2

1 pm Stratified Open Charity Pairs 7 pm Stratified Open Charity Pairs 7 pm Bracketed Open Knockouts, Round 1 (cont’d Tues. 9 am, 1 pm, 7 pm)9:30 am Morning Fast Pairs Series (1 of 5)10 am 299er Pairs (1 session event)10 am & 3 pm Stratified Senior Pairs (2 session event)1 pm & 7 pm FLORIDA GOLD PAIRS, 0-750, 300-750 Strata Pays Gold (two session event)1 pm & 7 pm A/X Open Pairs, X=0-5000, A=Unlimited (two session event)1 pm & 7 pm Primetime KOs I, Rounds 1 & 2 (rounds 3 & 4 cont’d Wed. 1 pm & 7 pm)1 pm Side Game Series I (1 of 6)3 pm 299er Pairs (1 session event)7 pm Side Games Series I (2 of 6)7 pm Stratified Swiss Teams (1 session event)9:15 am-9:45 am Guest Speaker AND again at 12:15-12:459:30 am Morning Fast Pairs Series (2 of 5)9 am Compact KOs, Rounds 1 & 2 (rounds 3 & 4 cont’d Thur. 9 am , 4 person team only)10 am 299er Pairs (1 session event)10 am & 3 pm Stratified Senior Pairs (2 session event)1 pm & 7 pm FLORIDA GOLD PAIRS, 0-750, 300-750 Strata Pays Gold (two session event)1 pm & 7 pm A/X Open Pairs, X=0-5000, A=Unlimited (two session event)1 pm & 7 pm Primetime KOs II, Rounds 1 & 2 (rounds 3 & 4 cont’d Thur. 1 pm & 7 pm)1 pm Side Game Series I (3 of 6)3 pm 299er Pairs (1 session event)7 pm Side Games Series I (4 of 6)7 pm Stratified Swiss Teams (1 session event)9:15 am-9:45 am Guest Speaker9:30 am Morning Fast Pairs Series (3 of 5)9 am Compact KOs, Rounds 1 & 2 (rounds 3 & 4 cont’d Fri. 9 am , 4 person team only)10 am 299er Pairs (1 session event)10 am & 3 pm Stratified Senior Pairs (2 session event)1 pm & 7 pm FLORIDA GOLD PAIRS, 0-750, 300-750 Strata Pays Gold (two session event)1 pm & 7 pm A/X Open Pairs, X=0-5000, A=Unlimited (two session event)1 pm & 7 pm Primetime KOs III, Rounds 1 & 2 (rounds 3 & 4 cont’d Fri. 1 pm & 7 pm)1 pm Side Game Series I (5 of 6)3 pm 299er Pairs (1 session event)7 pm Side Games Series I (6 of 6)7 pm Stratified Swiss Teams (1 session event)9:15 am-9:45 am Guest Speaker AND again at 12:15-12:459:30 am Morning Fast Pairs Series (4 of 5)9 am Compact KOs, Rounds 1 & 2 (rounds 3 & 4 cont’d Sat. 9 am , 4 person team only)10 am 299er Pairs (1 session event)10 am & 3 pm Stratified Senior Pairs (2 session event)1 pm & 7 pm FLORIDA GOLD PAIRS, 0-750, 300-750 Strata Pays Gold (two session event)1 pm & 7 pm A/X Open Pairs, X=0-5000, A=Unlimited (two session event)1 pm & 7 pm Primetime KOs IV, Rounds 1 & 2 (rounds 3 & 4 cont’d Sat. 1 pm & 7 pm)1 pm Side Game Series II (1 of 4)3 pm 299er Pairs (1 session event)7 pm Side Games Series II (2 of 4)7 pm Stratified Swiss Teams (1 session event)9:15 am-9:45 am Guest Speaker9:30 am Morning Fast Pairs Series (5 of 5)10 am 299er Pairs (1 session event)10 am & 3 pm Stratified Senior Pairs (2 session event)1 pm & 7 pm Stratified Open Pairs (2 session event)1 pm & 7 pm Bracketed Swiss Teams1 pm Side Game Series II (3 of 4)3 pm 299er Pairs (1 session event)7 pm Side Games Series II (4 of 4)

10 am Stratified Senior Swiss Teams, Two-session Playthrough with short break10 am Stratified Open Swiss Teams, Two-session Playthrough with short break

PGA National Resort & Spa400 Avenue of ChampionsPalm Beach Gardens, FL(800) 633-9150(561) 627-2000

Charity Pairs—1pmOpen Knockouts (Rd. 1)—7pm (continues Tuesday)Win an Entry Pairs 7pm

Side Games —9am, 1pm and 7 pmOpen Knockouts cont. (Rds. 2,3,4)—9am, 1pm and 7pmStratified Senior Pairs—10am and 3pmGold Rush Pairs – 0-750 – 1pm and 7pmA/AX Pairs 1pm and 7pmPrime Time Knockouts I (Rds. 1&2)—1pm and 7pmOne Session Swiss Team—7pm

Side Games —9am, 1pm and 7pmStratified Senior Open Pairs—10am and 3pmGold Rush Pairs – 0-750 – 1 and 7 pmA/AX Pairs—1pm and 7pmPrimetime Knockouts I cont. (Rds. 3&4)—1pm and 7pmPrimetime Knockouts II NEW (Rds. 1&2)—1pm and 7pmOne Session Swiss Team—7pm

Side Games—9am, 1pm and 7pmStratified Senior Teams—10am and 3pmGold Rush Pairs —0-750 1pm and 7pmA/AX Pairs — 1pm and 7pm299er Novice/Intermediate (Stratified) — 1pm and 7pmPrimetime KO II cont. (Rds. 3&4) —1pm and 7pmPrimetime KO III - NEW (Rds 1&2) — 1pm and 7pmOne Session Swiss Team—7pm

Side Games—9am, 1pm and 7pmStratified Senior Open Pairs—10am and 3pm(Marilyn Brady Memorial Game)Primetime Knockouts IV (Rds. 1&2)—1pm and 7pmPrimetime KO III cont. (Rds. 3&4) —1pm and 7pmGold Rush Pairs 0-750 1pm and 7pmA/AX Pairs 1pm and 7pmOne Session Swiss Team—7pm

Side Games —9am, 1pm and 7pmStratified Senior Pairs—10am and 3pmStratified Open Pairs—1pm and 7pmPrimetime Knockouts IV (Rds. 3&4)—1pm and 7pmSwiss Teams, Bracketed by Team Masterpoints—1pm and 7pm

Stratified Senior Swiss Teams—10am-PlaythroughStratiflighted Open Swiss Teams—10am-Playthrough

Monday July 1

Tuesday July 2

Wednesday July 3

Thursday July 4

FridayJuly 5

Saturday July 6

SundayJuly 7

July 1-7, 2013HILTON

DEERFIELD BEACH100 Fairway Drive

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441I95 & Hillsboro Blvd.

Tel: 1-800-HILTONS$87.00 + tax

Make your reservation early to take advantage of the bridge rate.

PLEASE CARPOOL WHEN POSSIBLE.

Enjoy Unit 243 HospitalityCoffee,Tea and OJ

all day, dailyBagels in the AM

Evening Snacks & DessertsHospitality Suiteopen eveningsCo-Chairs:

Marty Robins 954-529-5512 Email: [email protected]

William Rauld 305-219-2800 Email: [email protected]

PartnershipCo-Chairs:

Jim Walker 954-204-2696 Email: [email protected]

Marge Pecoraro 954-204-265 Email: [email protected]

Hospitality:Carmela Knauer

GREAT LOCATIONFREE PARKINGGREAT PLAYING CONDITIONS

299er Novice/Intermediate Events (Stratified)Thursday - 1pm & 7pm • Sunday - 10am & 2pm (Single Sessions)

Top Bracket May Be Handicapped

OPEN STRAT A=2000+ B=500-2000 C=0-500

A/AX PAIRS A=3000+ X=0-3000

GOLD RUSH PAIRS TOP 300-750, BOT 0-300

STRATIFLIGHTED SWISS TEAMSA=3000+ AX=0-3000

(play together)B=750-1500 C=300-750 D=0-300

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GET FREE SBN AD.indd 1 4/12/13 12:32 PM

What is The Common Game?The Common Game is a service offered through local clubs which provides bridge players the opportunity to compare their results with players at other clubs, playing the same hands, in Florida and across the country.*

What does it offer to clubs and players?• Players can compare their results with players in Florida and across the country.

• Pro analysis of many of the interesting hands played

• Individual play analysis (if your club uses Bridgemates/BridgePads)

• Prizes awarded monthly, quarterly, and annually for both performance and attendance.

• New Contests coming soon.

How can you participate in the Common Game?Enrolling in the Common Game is simple! Ask your club manager to contact us at (941)-404-6600 or email us at [email protected]

*Participation in the Common Game does not affect a player’s score or masterpoint award at the local club. The ACBL masterpoints continue to be scored and reported as always. Common Game awards are based on match-pointed results across the larger field.Visit our website at

TheCommonGame.comto learn more!

Congratulations to OurFebruary & March Winners!

FEBRUARYOpen Game - Most Points EarnedDavid Ruskin - Bridge With Myra

299er Game - Most Points EarnedNancy Fisher - Deland BC

Open Game - Most Top Ten FinishesShelly Salvi - Pompano Beach DBC

299er Game - Most Top Ten FinishesBarbara Jenkins - Boca Grande DBC

Hilari Fix - Boca Grande DBC

Attendance - Most PlaysBella Ionis-Sorren - Ft. Lauderdale BC

MARCHOpen Game - Most Points EarnedCharles Clarke - Ventura Unit BC

299er Game - Most Points EarnedAnn Friedman - In-Between DBC

Open Game - Most Top TWENTY FinishesShelly Salvi - Pompano Beach DBC

299er Game - Most Top Ten FinishesBrett Goldstein - Hollywood BCHelen Goldstein - Hollywood BC

Attendance - Most Plays *Mel Schloss - Hollywood BC

Judith Barash - Pompano Beach DBCJames Willenborg - Ft. Lauderdale DBC

Marie Louise Steuer - Pompano Beach DBCEve Morton - Ft. Lauderdale DBC

* note: indiv iduals can only win one a t tendance award per quar ter

Sponsored by District 9


By the time you receive this bulletin, we will have already had three of our nine tournaments and are close to starting our fourth for this year.

Our last tournament was the Southeasterns Regional, held at the Fort Lauderdale Hilton. Although the turnout was a bit lower than last year, it was a very memorable one. At this tournament, we had our annual goodwill reception, organized by our Goodwill Chairperson, Carol Hamilton. That is always a great honor for me to attend, as we are able to recognize those persons who exhibit goodwill towards bridge and the players. This year will be especially memorable, as there were two very special awards presented. The first was the first Zeke Jabbour Sportsmanship Award. This award was presented to, wait for it, Zeke Jabbour!!!! Zeke was recognized not only for his sportsmanship, but also his great attitude which has earned him moniker “The Gentleman of Bridge”. From here on out this award will be presented annually to the player who has exhibited the same qualities that give bridge a good name. The second award was presented to Carla Burke, longtime Education/Youth Coordinator who unfortunately had to resign her position. This award, Volunteer of the Year Award, was presented to Carla in

recognition of her valuable contribution to the development of junior bridge in Florida. Her unselfish dedication of time and money to this endeavor is greatly appreciated. In the future this award will be presented to a person who exhibits the same dedication and passion for volunteering. We were also very glad to recognize Dr. Steve Warner, who has been a member of the Goodwill Committee for more than 50 years. That is truly an accomplishment.

We were also very pleased to have the new ACBL President, Don Mamula attend our tournament and present both of the awards. We really appreciate his presence at the tournament, and I hope that those of you who met him, could see his genuine interest in our bridge community.

Please make plans to attend the PGA tournament in Palm Beach Gardens, May 27 through June 3, and then the Deerfield Beach tournament from July 1 through July 7, 2013.

Look forward to seeing you,

Bill Rauld, District 9 President • [email protected]

Bill Rauld

PALM BEACH GARDENS REGIONAL 2

DEERFIELD REGIONAL 4

Naples Bridge Center Sectional 42

Jourdan's Sectional 43

Bridge Deck of Naples Sectional 44

Gainesville Sectional 45

Tallahassee Sectional 51

The Sunshine Bridge News is mailed six times a year to households of paid-up members of District 9 of the ACBL. The mailing list is prepared about a month before the publication arrives in your mailbox. Mailing is by bulk mail. ACBL members of other districts and non-members residing anywhere in the U.S. may subscribe. Subscriptions to the SBN are available at a cost of $15 for six consecutive issues. A check made out to Sunshine Bridge News should be sent to Shirley Seals, P.O. Box 1534, Ponte Vedra, FL 32004 with address information. Subscription issues will be mailed by first class mail, a few days after the full District 9 mailing list goes to the Bulk Mail Office for distribution. Address changes for subscriptions may be sent by email to Shirley at [email protected].©2012 by Sunshine Bridge News (aka ACBL District 9). All rights reserved. Contents of this magazine may not be reproduced in any manner without written consent from the publisher. Mention of any product does not constitute endorsement by the SBN. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, photos, art, or cartoons, and reserves the right to reject any editorial or advertising materials.

Making Life MasterMember Stories

......................... page 22

TournamenTs

The Common Game 4President’s Message by Bill Rauld 6District 9 Update by Shirley Seals 8Speaking of District 9 by Muriel Altus 10From the Vanderbilt by Barnet Shenkin 111,000,000 Deals by Larry Cohen 12Contract Bridge Review by Jon Shuster 14A Guide to Tournaments & Events by Harry Falk 16District News 18Unit 102 26Triple B Strikes Again! by Phil Altus 31Tournament Calendar 32Defense by Harry Ross 34Unit 128 36Attitude Vs Fourth Best Leads Against No‑Trump by Dr. Miles Storfer 46Unit 219 47Unit 240 52Unit 243 56District 9 Rank ChangesMarch and April 60


Shirley Seals, District 9 Director • [email protected]

Highlights from National Board meetings held in St. Louis– March 2013The Senior Age will change as of December 31, 2013.

Motion passed: The minimum age for ACBL sanctioned Senior events shall be 60 years of age. Those eligible under present rules on December 31, 2013 will remain eligible in subsequent years.

Motion passed: Playing Directors in STaCs – Playing Directors in STaC games and their partners are ineligible to received overall STaC masterpoints (silver point) awards, but are eligible to receive section awards.At Sponsor option, the above restriction may be waived. Such waiver shall be noted on the sanction application submitted to ACBL Headquarters.

Motion passed: NON-DUES PAYING PLAYERSExcept for charity events or events limited to players with no more than 20 masterpoints:

• For all Regionals, the sponsoring organization will charge a mandatory additional fee of at least $4 per person per session for non-members and non-service fee paying LMs.

• The additional fee shall be retained by the sponsoring organization.

• Effective date: January 1, 2014Except for charity events, STaCs or events limited to players with no more than 20 masterpoints:

• For all Sectionals, the sponsoring organization will charge a mandatory additional fee of at least $3 per person per session for non-members and non-service fee paying LMs.

• The additional fee shall be retained by the sponsoring organization.

• Effective date: January 1, 2014

Motion passed: The ACBL Alert Chart is amended as follows:

• A weak jump shift by advancer is not alertable. Advancer is defined as the partner of an overcaller.

• All 2 Diamond responses to a strong 2 Club opening are non-alertable.

• Effective date: January 1, 2014

Motion passed: Rule for Eight is Enoughgames are amended as follows:

Section Two: Types of Club Masterpoint Games

OFFICERSBILL RAULD District 9 PresidentPhone: 305-219-2800 [email protected] SANDIFERDistrict 9 Vice President Mobile Ph: [email protected] SEALS Tournament Committee Chair, Secretary, Treasurer & District 9 Director Home Ph.: 904-285-7767 Mobile Ph.: 904-563-0470 Fax: 904-285-7783 [email protected]

PUBLICATION STAFFRICHARD FLEISCHMANUnit 102 LiaisonPhone: [email protected] ALTUSSBN Editor & Unit 128 LiaisonPhone: [email protected] SMITHUnit 219 LiaisonPhone: [email protected] GREENEUnit 240 [email protected] DELLONUnit 243 LiaisonPhone: [email protected] CLARKCreative Director &Production ManagerPhone: [email protected] more contact information look on the District 9 web site, www.District9ACBL.org.

• A club may hold an ‘8 is Enough’ games as an Open Game. There must be no upper limit on the number of masterpoints allowed for team members.

• Effective immediately

Motion failed: The ACBL will create a dual system where face to face masterpoints are kept totally separate from on-line points.

The new 0–10,000 Swiss Team event held on the first Friday and Saturday of the 2013 Spring NABC was a smashing success. Despite predictions by some of poor attendance, the turnout was 81 tables on the first Friday. Prior to the event, the board voted that this new event would be “experimental”…I voted against the motion and The “e” word. Nevertheless, the motion passed. I feel quite sure that this event has passed the experimental test and will be a permanent event at all Spring NABCs to come. The winners received 70 masterpoints, with 10% platinum points.

The next NABC will be held August 1–11 in Atlanta. Many of you will like the starting times of 10:00 am & 3:00 pm for all major events. I personally like to play hard during the day and go out for dinner. This is always a very popular National so you should start thinking about hotel reservations right away. I know I will see many of you there.


Imagine my delight, after months of leaving great articles on the cutting-room floor (only to be dusted off and included in the next issue two months later), I finally have a page for my own ramblings to you, dear reader. This means we are all caught up with everybody's articles, and that we were able to fit in all our authors who sent us things, this time. First I'd like to talk about the district web site. You may have noticed that it's been updated, and I hope you like the new look and are finding everything you need. Every once in a while somebody contacts me when there seems to be some missing information, and often that actually does get us to be more up-to-date than we were before we received the email or phone call. When I follow up on this type of request, however, I am sometimes reminded of something that works for me and that is frustrating if I forget to do it. There's a "button" we all have up top of our browser window called the Refresh Button. Sometimes it's two arrows and sometimes it's just one, but I think it will always look like an arrow going around in a partial circle. So why is a Refresh Button important? As I understand it, a computer often stores web info. It's to make it easier for us. But if we forget to hit Refresh, sometimes we're looking at the old stuff and not getting the new stuff. So my advice is, if it looks like you're not finding something recent, try hitting Refresh. It won't work all the time, but when it does work, you might think, as I do, that's it's akin to magic. And now I'd like to tell you about our authors. As I'm sure you've noticed, we have authors of varying levels of experience. All that they write will not be applicable to YOU, the individual reader. Even more importantly, if you are reading critically, you may even find that something they say is not logical or, horrors, is even not totally accurate. This can happen! It can happen two ways. It may be a proof-reading problem; it also may be that the author is looking at a problem from one viewpoint and forgetting to factor in another. This happens in the ACBL Bulletin, also, and they often publish letters to the editor in this vein. You may feel free to write to me when you think we should publish a correction or a comment, or just to remind me that I may not have been as careful as I should have been, in allowing something to be published. On rare occasions, I ask my editorial board to help me, but in general I give our authors wide leeway to write as they wish. Please continue to enjoy reading the SBN! I enjoy the opportunty to visit with you here.

Muriel Altus - District 9 Communications Chair - [email protected]

Barnet Shenkin’sIdeas about Logical Thinking

Here is a hand from the semifinal of the Vanderbilt. The same boards were played in both matches.East dealer, both sides non vulnerable

North ♠3♥K87♦A102♣KQ10754

West East♠K ♠AQ J98542♥532 ♥J9♦Q J9653 ♦4♣983 ♣J6

South♠107♥AQ1064♦K87♣A2

West North East South- - 4♠ Pass

Pass ?

What would you bid? It is not unreasonable to pass, bid 5♣, or X. I prefer X, or 5♣.

If you X, partner bids 6♥. Try and play on the lead of the ♠K, overtaken by the Ace and a diamond shift from East. You cash the ♥A and the 9 falls. Would you

For more tips, stories and live online lessons, join Barnet’s FREE online club at www.shenkinbridge.com

From the Vanderbiltfinesse the 8, or play to the K next? While you know your RHO has 7 or 8 spades, you cannot be sure how many hearts he has. If he has only 1 heart, it was surely right for him to force dummy with a second spade after winning the first trick. This would stop you finessing against the ♥J and ensure a trick for partner. (Declarer can hardly run the ♥10 on the first round losing to all the Jacks in East.) So perhaps it is correct to take the winning play and play the ♥K, having no further problem with the contract. This is the line that Welland, the eventual winner took in his match, securing a large 13 imp swing, when 4♠ was passed out for down 2, in the other room.

In the second semi-final, North bid 5♣ and was raised to 6♣ by South. East led the ♠A, partner dropping the K, and shifted to the ♦4. Now Declarer had to guess clubs. It looked pretty certain that East had 8 spades and 5 other cards. If West had 4 clubs to the J, he had to finesse. If West had 3 clubs the odds were 3-2 that West held the J so declarer played the ♣A and finessed the ♣10. It looks the correct play to me but we all know that in the game of bridge, the correct plays are not necessarily the winning plays. Down 1 just cost 3 imps, with 4♠ down 2 in the other room, but on another day, it would have been a large swing to N/S for their bold bidding.


1,000,000 Deals by Larry Cohen

In this series, we are analyzing 1,000,000 deals which were played online. These deals cover a wide range of level of play and were provided by Stephen Pickett with Bridge Browser.

What Is The Most Likely Opening Bid? Let's start at the very beginning: 1♣ is the winner. Of course, some of this is influenced by system. Players using a strong club system open 1♣ on all good hands. Balancing that out to some effect, is the fact that they also open all minimum hands (that don't fit 1NT or 1MAJ) with 1♦. 1♣ was opened on 22.7 % of all deals, just slightly ahead of 1♦ on 21.31%. So, the opening bid is 1 of a minor on almost half of all bridge deals!

Some Questions With Logical Answers: Which is more likely to be opened: 1♠ or 1♥? Logically, there is an equal chance of getting dealt 5 spades or 5 hearts. However, a 1♠ opener is more likely for two reasons: 1) with 5-5 you open 1♠ not 1♥, and 2) Since some people use the Flannery convention (whereby a hand with 5 hearts and 4 spades is opened 2♦), that slightly cuts down on the number of 1♥ openers. The data bear this out, as 1♠ was opened roughly 7,500 more times than 1♥ on the 1,000,000 deals. Here's another question with a logical answer: Which is more likely--a 3-of-a-minor opening or a 3-of-a-major opening? Since most people use 2♣ (and a few use 2♦) as conventional, there is no way to open weak two bids there. That puts more

weight on the 3-bid. Conversely, most players can preempt on the 2-level with a major, so there should be fewer 3-level preempts in majors. Again, the data correlate. A 3-level preempt in a minor occurred on 37% more deals than a 3-of-a-major preempt. For the curious-minded, here is the full report--there are even more logical conclusions that can be drawn.

OPENING % out of 1 MILLION DEALS

1♣ 22.681♦ 21.311♥ 15.541♠ 16.311N 11.682♣ 2.022♦ 1.322♥ 2.022♠ 2.052N 1.853♣ 0.693♦ 0.683♥ 0.523♠ 0.473N 0.104♣ 0.044♦ 0.054♥ 0.324♠ 0.27

Higher 0.08

The Most Successful Openings What opening bid on the 1- or 2-level would you imagine leads to the most success? I have a feeling many readers will guess correctly. First, let me say that for the 1,000,000 deals, the records show the opening bid on every deal, and how many IMPs (or matchpoints) went to the opener's side. The most successful low-level opening was 1NT*. When the opening bid was 1NT, the side that opened gained an average of .20 IMPs per board. At matchpoints, a 1NT opening led to an average result of 51.73%. I think this is because 1NT is not only descriptive, but also preemptive. Surprisingly, the most successful opening of all was 3♣. This was worth an average of almost 1/4 imp per board and a whopping 60% of the matchpoints. This seems like an aberration to me, but this is based on 8,201 3♣ opening bids -- not exactly a small sample. If anyone wishes to opine on why this bid might be so successful, please write me. The most remarkable information I gleaned from the data was that every opening bid from 1♣ to 3♠ showed a profit at IMPs. The first "losing" opening bid was 3NT. My conclusion is something most good bridge players already know: It pays to open the bidding. Obviously, opener's side has a huge advantage--which is why experts are willing to open the bidding on the light side. Without a chart showing the

success/failure of the lightish openings, it isn't statistically accurate to conclude that opening light leads to great results, but I'll take my chances in making that assumption. *The 1NT range is unknown, but I'd guess in 90% of the 1,000,000 deals it was 15-17. In my experience, even though I don't use it, a weak notrump (maybe 12-14) is also very effective. I would like to see the breakdown for the success of each notrump range, but that data is not available.

Notrump, Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs Earlier in this series we saw that (no surprise) 3NT was the most likely final contract (on 18.1%). How often (percentage-wise) do you think notrump in general is the final strain? You'd think it more likely than anything else. How about spades? More often than any other suit, no doubt, due to its high-ranking status. And hearts? Diamonds? Clubs? On 1,000,000 deals, here are the strains and how often they were played: Notrump: 283,747 times out of 1,000,000 (28.4%) Spades: 272,344 (27.2%) Hearts: 239,847 (24.0%) Diamonds: 107,710 (10.8%) Clubs: 81,321 (8.1%) Passed Out: 15,031 (1.5%)

Contact Larry:[email protected] – You can join Larry’s email list (www.larryco.com) – You’ll receive a free monthly newsletter to entertain and enlighten you.

SBNx


♠-Q J10xxxx, so East may have a singleton ♠A. Note that declarer would be delighted to lose a spade to East, unless East has 7♣ and the rest of the hand breaks badly--an unlikely scenario. If declarer sneaks through the ♠9, declarer plays the ♠A and runs diamond, pitching a club on the fourth round. Declarer loses spade and two hearts for +620. The diamond play and trump finesse (both declarer errors) are accompanied by another risk, which can be illustrated by this EW holding:

West East♠-K2 ♠-763♥-AQ753 ♥-984♦-8654 ♦-7♣-63 ♣-KQ J842

Declarer, by leading a diamond and finessing the trump, goes down. West knows declarer would not block the diamonds with Ax, so partner has a singleton. In with the ♠K, West sees two diamond ruffs for partner, and a club trick is not even expected or needed. The ♦8 (suit preference) is ruffed, and the ♥A and another diamond ruff sink the hand. The ♣Q is gravy for down 2. Now look at this holding and see how the ♣K at trick 1 can make West desperate and the deception prevents an easy set. We look at these holdings from West’s vantage point. Declarer appears to have no club losers.

West EastWest's

Perception of East

♠-K2 ♠-763 (♠-Axx)♥-87543 ♥-AQ9 (♥-Axx)♦-8654 ♦-7 (♦-x)♣-63 ♣-KQ J842 (♣-KJ10xxx)

Declarer leads a low spade at trick 2 toward the 9. West assumes that South must have at least one of the red Aces for the bidding. To come to four tricks, it seems that the best hope is for East to hold the perceived hand above. In that case, West cannot win the ♠K, but must let East win the ♠A and clear the singleton diamond. Now West gets in with the ♠K, gives East a diamond ruff, and the ♥A is the setting trick. Note that without the ♠A, the ♥-AQ in the East hand is not enough to set the hand if indeed declarer held the (marked) ♣Q. On the actual deal, this strategy hands NS 12 tricks! Also note that if it turned out that East had the ♠-A ♥-AQ , 2♦s, and ♣-KJ10xxx, East wins the ♠A and returns a black card. When in with the ♠K, West plays a heart, setting the hand. So in theory, playing the ♠2 at trick 2, cannot harm the chances of a set. (If declarer plays the ♠A and a spade at tricks 2 and 3, this eliminates any problems for West when holding ♠-Kx and will lead to less likely errors when West holds ♠-Kxx. ♠A and a low spade does a slightly better job than low to the ♠9 when East holds the ♠-K, but that advantage is more than offset.)Lessons:1. It rarely pays to fool your partner2. At IMPs, your primary defensive goal

is to set the hand, even if failure means overtricks for the opposition.

Thanks go to Steve Becker for permission to use the hand, and for his helpful comments. He notes that space did not permit him to critique declarer’s play.

Contract Bridge Review 3/6/13Shirley: Steve Becker has an excellent syndicated column, Contract Bridge that appears Monday through Saturday in the Gainesville Sun and elsewhere in District 9. I watch his columns regularly and he is nearly always spot on with his analysis. Occasionally, all writers, including you Jon, miss the boat. Becker’s March 6, 2013 column is one of those rare instances. First, I shall describe what actually happened and then let the reader find any errors in play or defense.South deals, NS Vul vs. not, at IMPs.

North♠-94♥-KJ2♦-KQ J103♣-1075

West East♠-K72 ♠-63♥-87543 ♥-AQ9♦-854 ♦-76♣-63 ♣-KQ J842

South♠-AQ J1085♥-106♦-A92♣-A9

West North East South- - - 1♠

Pass 2♦(1) 3♣ 4♠Pass Pass Pass

(1) 10+ points, not game forcing

The opening lead by West was the ♣6, East played the ♣K (in theory denying the ♣Q ), won by the ♣A. Declarer crossed to the ♦10 in dummy, East playing the ♦7 as count. Declarer ran the ♠9 to West’s ♠K. West returned a heart, and East took two heart tricks and a club for down 1. See any errors?

Solutions: East’s play of the ♣K was well thought out, but clearly incorrect. On the actual declarer’s play, it does not matter whether East plays the ♣J or ♣K on the first trick. The hand is an open book. Had East played the ♣J at trick one, and declarer played as shown, West has an easy heart shift at trick 3. East must have the ♥A for any chance to beat the hand, and the fourth defensive trick must come from either the ♥Q or rarely from a third club (a frisky overcall with a 5 card suit rather than a Double of 2♦ would produce 1♠, at least 1♥, and 2♣ tricks for the defense). After West’s heart play, East will know which winners to cash. After the ♣K at trick 1, on declarer’s line, West will also play a heart at trick 3, just trying to prevent overtricks. Now over to declarer: Declarer is not fooled by the ♣K. Declarer credits East with 6+♣ to bid at the three level, and declarer knows that West leads the ♣Q from ♣-Qx. The proper play by declarer is a low spade toward the ♠9 at trick 2. (The ♠A then low spade is better than the actual play, but the low spade at trick 2 is better still, as we will see.) From West’s viewpoint, the jump to 4♠ could be on

The Kibitzer is Shirley WrightBy Jon Shuster


Experienced tournament goers might find my subject a bit boring this month, but since many players only come to an occasional tournament or are new to the tournament trail, it’s time to offer a little guide on types of tournaments and the events. So here we go:

TYPES OF TOURNAMENTSREGIONALS Regionals in Florida are 7 day tournaments, usually held at a hotel or convention center. Regionals offer opportunities to win both gold and red points. Gold points may be won in events which are at least 2 sessions long. There is a wide variety of events offered at regionals, including pair games, Knockout teams, and Swiss teams. Regionals are sponsored in Florida by the member units across the state. Unit 128 conducts the Southeasterns (Fort Lauderdale in spring), the Palm Beach Gardens Regional beginning on Memorial Day (this is the last year), the Naples Regional in the fall, the Daytona Regional in November, and in alternating years the Palmetto Regional. Unit 240 hosts the Orlando Regional in January, Unit 243 the Deerfield Beach Regional during the week of July 4 this year and watch for new date & location in 2014, Unit 102 the Palmetto Regional in alternating years, and Unit 219 the Destin Regional in odd-numbered years in January. Watch for Jacksonville Regional in the summer beginning in 2014 and look for future locations. District 9 will be running the 9th yearly tournament at various times on the calendar. SECTIONALS Sectionals in Florida are usually 3-4 day tournaments held in a local area. While units

are granted sectionals by the ACBL, many of the sectional tournaments are conducted by local clubs as permitted by the units. Sectionals offer silver points. Because of the shorter duration and smaller size of these tournaments, there usually are fewer events offered. SECTIONAL TOURNAMENTS AT CLUBS (STaCs) STaCs offer club players the opportunity to win silver points in the comfort of their own clubs by having their scores compared with players throughout their own units and throughout the district once each year.

TYPES OF EVENTSOPEN EVENTS Open events offer the opportunity to any player to compete, regardless of skill level or age.MASTERPOINT RESTRICTED EVENTS These events usually place an upper masterpoint limit for those competing. For instance, a common event is the “299’er pairs”, an event in which no player has more than 300 masterpoints. Another very popular event is the 2 session GOLD PAIRS for players with fewer than 750 masterpoints.

A Guide to Tournaments and Eventsby Harry Falk • [email protected]

Harry Falk's web site is harrybridge.com. It contains information about the local duplicates in his area as well as tournaments at which he officiates.

AGE RESTRICTED EVENTS These events require that players must be a certain age in order to compete. Senior events are restricted to players 55 or older. Minimum age will be raised to 60 on January 1, 2014. There are also junior events, which require participants to be under a certain age.FLIGHTED EVENTS In a flighted event, players within a certain masterpoint range play against only other players in their peer group. The North American Pairs is a flighted event, with three distinct flights, the Open Flight, the Under 2500 Flight, and the Under 500 Flight.STRATIFIED EVENTS In a stratified event, players play against each other in the same game but are ranked within their own peer groups. For example, a game may be divided into 3 strata, with the “A” group with unlimited masterpoints, “B” players under 2000, and “C” players under 750. For ranking purposes, only “C” players may place in their own stratum, “B” or “C” players can place in the “B” field, and any player may place in the “A” field.STRATI-FLIGHTED EVENTS Strati-flighted events are a blend of flighted and stratified events. For instance, players may play in an open field with two strata, the first with no masterpoint restricts, and the other with, for example,

players under 1000 masterpoints. Then, there is a second flight, with all players under a certain limit (e.g. 1500) and broken into three strats, for example 750-1500, 300-750 and 0-300.BRACKETED EVENTS Bracketed events have no pre-determined masterpoint limits (either upper or lower). Teams are ranked from top to bottom based upon the total masterpoints of all of the members of the team. The field then is broken into groups (the size of the group is determined by the number of sessions over which the event will be conducted). The goal is to place teams into groupings with players of similar levels of skill. Of course, the size of the field often determines how similar the groupings will be. The bigger the field, the narrower the masterpoint range of each grouping. In smaller tournaments, the range of players in a field may be somewhat dissimilar.HANDICAPPED EVENTS Bracketed events that are expected to be small are sometimes handicapped in an effort to make the field a little more level. Handicaps are determined by a complex mathematical formula based upon the average masterpoints of the competing teams and the number of boards being played.

SBNx


ST. LOUIS NABCsGreat Showing For District 9 Players Two days before the major NABC+ and NABC events began (and that huge array of regionally-rated events that accompanies every NABC tournament), the Baldwin Flight A North American Pairs was contested. This was a banner year for our three pairs of contestants.

1st Place -- THE WINNERS -- Kevin Dwyer, Tampa and Gavin Wolpert, Jupiter4th Place -- Richard Coren, Delray Beach and Michael Seamon, Dania6th Place -- Sally and Jeff Meckstroth, Clearwater Beach

Then more excitement. In the first-ever 0-10,000 Swiss, Barbara Kasle of Boca Raton and her teammates were the winners. One teammate, Ellen Kozlove, is rumored to be moving to Florida, so perhaps by now she is also a District 9 member. A few days later, yet another District 9 winner. Congratulations to Joanne Weingold of Boca Raton, who won the Whitehead Women's Pairs.

The tournament ended with two more District 9 winners: Richard Schwartz of Aventura captained the winning team in the Jacoby Open Swiss and Sylvia Moss of Boca Raton captained the winning team in the Machlin Women's Swiss.

Here are our members who finished second in all the prestigious events:Paul and Sandra Trent, Port St. Lucie, 0-10,000 SwissJeff Meckstroth, Clearwater Beach , Norman Kay Platinum PairsIrina Ladyzhensky, Ellenton, Whitehead Women's PairsJim Mahaffey, Winter Park, Jacoby Open Swiss

DISTRICT 9 HAS MANY HIGH ACHIEVERS For 2012, District 9 again saw several members topping the entire ACBL in Mini-McKenney and Helen Shanbrom Ace of Clubs races. Great big congratulations to them.

5-20 MP Mini-McKenney

Edward Rauch Fort Lauderdale


Brenda Starnes Navarre


Stan Tulin Highland Beach

5-20 MP Helen Shanbrom

Ace of ClubsEdward Rauch Fort Lauderdale


Ace of ClubsFred Beaudin Boynton Beach


Ace of ClubsSanford Robbins Miami Lakes


Ace of ClubsCharles Christmas Tallahassee


Ace of ClubsBella Ionis-Sorren Fort Lauderdale

7500-10,000 MP Helen Shanbrom

Ace of ClubsMartin Robins Delray Beach

And in the "specialty" races, three District 9 members topped the entire ACBL. Congratulations to Adam Kaplan of New Port Richey who won the Youth category (for the third year in a row!), John Brady of Jacksonville who won the Sectional race (for the second time in a row!) and to Lewis Finkel of Jupiter who won the Senior category. See the next two-page spread for all our highest achievers in District 9 in all categories of the Mini-McKenney and of the Helen Shanbrom Ace of Clubs contests.

SPECIAL RACES

Youth (age 19 and younger)Adam Kaplan, New Port Richey 838.01Matthew Weingarten, Safety Harbor 176.10Asya Ladyzhensky, Ellenton 144.51Raianne Heading, Ormond Beach 91.17Bandon Harper, Winter Park 84.05Evan Berman, Sarasota 82.62Henry Trautwein, Naples 59.62Katherine Bybee, Oviedo 56.51Ryan Miller, Tampa 49.02Junior (age 25 and younger)Kevin Dwyer, Tampa 1331.85Adam Kaplan, New Port Richey 838.01Andrew Cavalier, Pensacola 223.00Matthew Weingarten, Safety Harbor 176.10Asya Ladyzhensky Ellenton 144.51Points Won at SectionalsJohn Brady, Jacksonville 579.21Patricia Dovell, Ganesville 353.94Adrian Dovell, Gainesville 346.12Bruce Ohmann, Flager Beach 313.04Robert Dennard, Orlando 255.25John Moschella, Winter Springs 204.05Melvyn Klein, Tallahassee 188.05Nancy Mitchell, Jacksonville 186.97Maureen Loeb, Heathrow 167.40Tansu Aksu, Orlando 16.85Barbara McCallon, St. Augustine 156.16Harry Kaufmann, N. Redington Beach 148.09Candace Griffey, Vero Beach 145.34Craig Hemphill, Jacksonville 144.95Charles Miner, Orlando 143.04Alexander Weiss, Jacksonville 141.98Spike Lay, Daytona Beach 140.21

Seniors(points won only in senior events) Lewis Finkel, Jupiter 230.35Gaylor Kasle, Boca Raton 147.03Richard Schwartz, Aventura 145.00Martin Scheinberg, Riviera Beach 120.90Richard Schwartz, Boca Raton 120.00Jeff Meckstroth, Clearwater Beach 105.00James Marsh Sternberg, Palm Beach Gardens 100.00Paul Trent, Port St. Lucie 95.90Sanda Trent, Port St. Lucie 95.90Ed Schulte, Tampa 84.84Eugene Davidson, Boynton Beach 71.89David Berkowitz, Boca Raton 70.89Sally Meckstroth, Clearwater Beach 68.55Nancy Abrams, Longboat Key 61.69Dianne Bonney, Venice 57.61Andrea Culberson, Weston 56.55Marc Culberson, Weston 56.55Arnold Malasky, Longboat Key 56.25Jack Bonney, Venice 55.20Les Bart, Bradenton 54.46Marc Rabinowitz, Palm Beach Gardens 54.02Judy Cardin, Bonita Springs 51.98

Online PointsSandra Gebhardt, The Villages 994.44James Logan, Spring Hill 908.14Douglas Kramer, Miami 742.84Joseph Pavlik, Naples 493.53Charlotte Kartsonis, New Port Richey 471.72


District 9 2012 Mini-McKenney Awards 0 to 5 Mini-McKenney Masterpoint RaceRANK PLAYER LOCATION PTS

1 Roger McCartney Bradenton 99.322 Shirley Kravitz Boynton Beach 85.673 Susan Smith Altamonte Spg 82.46

5 to 20 Mini-McKenney Masterpoint RaceRANK PLAYER LOCATION PTS

1 Edward Rauch Fort Lauderdale 329.752 Ronald Miller Ft Myers 127.113 Joan Vanek Lantana 111.62


1 John Contarino Jr. Tallahassee 142.602 Michelle Crane Pensacola 138.423 Brenda Miller Fort Myers 128.60


1 Fred Beaudin Boynton Beach 212.802 Charles Lavarini Boca Raton 172.913 Mark Fitzmorris St Augustine 130.16


1 Brenda Starnes Navarre 341.162 Virginia Bright Nokomis 262.933 Jeffery Jones Vero Beach 237.98


1 Thomas Lane Lauderhill 259.702 Matthew Weingarten Safety Harbor 176.103 Jodi Coren Delray Beach 162.77


1 Sanford Robbins Miami Lakes 427.172 Gordon Deckelbaum Hollywood 276.313 John McClenathan Vero Beach 259.38


1 Maureen Loeb Heathrow 459.212 Terry McHenry Sarasota 400.393 David Loeb Heathrow 316.66

1000 to 2500 Mini-McKenney MP RaceRANK PLAYER LOCATION PTS

1 Michael Wolf Coral Springs 455.432 Charles Christmas Tallahassee 423.243 Kenneth Wagner Jr. Hollywood 420.42


1 Stan Tulin Highland Beach 1,253.922 Adam Kaplan New Port Richey 838.013 Zita Lechter Sunny Isles 472.53


1 Kevin Dwyer Tampa 1,331.852 John Diamond Boca Raton 905.523 Bella Ionis-Sorren Ft Lauderdale 806.30

7500 to 10,000 Mini-McKenney MP RaceRANK PLAYER LOCATION PTS

1 John Brady Jacksonville 968.082 Mike Levine Boca Raton 839.493 Patricia Dovell Gainesville 824.39

Over 10,000 Mini-McKenney MP RaceRANK PLAYER LOCATION PTS

1 Jeff Meckstroth Clearwater Bch 2,522.592 Eric Rodwell Clearwater Bch 2,364.883 Michael Seamon Dania 2,112.48

To See Full Report of the District 9 2012 Mini-McKenney Awards, go to:

http://web2.acbl.org/As400/mpraces/district/2012/mm09.htm

District 9 2012 Helen Shanbrom Ace of Clubs Awards 0 to 5 Helen Shanbrom Ace of Clubs MP RaceRANK PLAYER LOCATION PTS

1 Shirley Kravitz Boynton Beach 62.872 Kenneth Esbin Coconut Creek 54.033 Betty Hogan Indian Harbour 51.15

5 to 20 Helen Shanbrom Ace of Clubs MP RaceRANK PLAYER LOCATION PTS

1 Edward Rauch Fort Lauderdale 230.652 Ronald Miller Ft Myers 99.843 Joan Vanek Lantana 81.55


1 Brenda Miller Fort Myers 101.332 John Contarino Jr. Tallahassee 90.863 Michelle Crane Pensacola 66.22


1 Fred Beaudin Boynton Beach 157.572 Gaetano Giacobbe Miami 89.313 Roy Starr Tamarac 84.81


1 Paul Volpe Ft Myers 167.872 Patricia McCullough Spring Hill 122.153 Joanne Matchette Vero Beach 110.33


1 Thomas Lane Lauderhill 176.462 Gloria Pappalardo Vero Beach 108.633 Paul Lutzker Boca Raton 101.86


1 Sanford Robbins Miami Lakes 316.502 Ben Lew Boca Raton 178.883 Gordon Deckelbaum Hollywood 161.57


1 Terry McHenry Sarasota 241.042 Dennis Sovic Palm Bch Grdn 188.963 David Millward Vero Beach 183.69


1 Charles Christmas Tallahassee 332.832 Kenneth Wagner Jr. Hollywood 312.563 Michael Wolf Coral Springs 286.06


1 Richard Gross Boca Raton 390.172 Zita Lechter Sunny Isles 370.793 Lyle Price Delray Beach 369.54


1 Bella Ionis-Sorren Ft Lauderdale 628.812 Harry Kaufmann N Redington Bch 353.553 James Willenborg Fort Lauderdale 350.25

7500 to 10,000 Helen Shanbrom Ace of Clubs MP RaceRANK PLAYER LOCATION PTS

1 Martin Robins Delray Beach 525.222 Shelly Salvi Pompano Bch 433.843 Esther Bankuti Fort Myers 301.61

Over 10,000 Helen Shanbrom Ace of Clubs MP RaceRANK PLAYER LOCATION PTS

1 Edith Denenberg Pompano Beach 484.032 Helen Shanbrom Tamarac 393.953 Bernard Bernstein Clearwater 290.30

To See Full Report of the District 9 2012 Helen Shanbrom Ace of Clubs Awards, go to:

http://web2.acbl.org/As400/mpraces/district/2012/ac09.htm

In This Issue · 2 ACBL District 9 3 Palm Beach Gardens Regional Tournament May 27 throug June 2 HOSTS Shannon Cappelletti – (423) 400-0269 [email protected]

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