Evening Star Newspaper, November 23, 1930, Page 96

- THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, NOVEMBER 23, 1930, & Tue BrRIDGE FOrRuM * The More Conditions Keep People at Home, the More Bridge They Seem to Play. “hard times.” For some reason the general conditions of busi- ness quietude and widespread unem- ployment seem to have no effect on the game or the extent to which it is played. Either that or they are exerting a favor- le influence, for every indication is . the two forms of bridge—auction and contract—are flourishing more than ever before. Sales of playing cards, score pads, tallies, bridge tables and everything else connected with the game are at a higher level than in previous years. Tourna- ments and bridge parties are larger and more numerous. Instructors in almost all parts of the country report an in- creasing clientele. In every way inter- est seems to be at a higher point than any hitherto attained. ‘" Can this be solely because of the never-ceasing spread of a great game from one player to a new one, steadily RIDGE is not acting “according B to Hoyle” in these so-called somewhat improved form, is having quite a vogue at present in some circles, and occasionally orre hears a question about whether it will cut in on bridge interest to any considerable extent. It will be remembered that the Chinese game mah jong had its brief moment of ularity some years ago and then appeared more suddenly than it c in. Even while it was here there little perceptible decrease in bridge pl ing, if any, the playing of the Oriental game being merely additional. Perhaps the best-fitted man in the country to express opinions on the viril- ity of a new society fad like backgam- mon is Frank Crowninshield, editor of several magazines catering to the type of people who go in most for such things. “Backgammon,” he says, “is, of course & very fine two-handed game of hasard ‘type, entirely’ different bridge, and is having the biggest of anything new since mah jong. I lieve it is pretty close to its peak nodPeand is really an important activity in many social spheres. In a group of, say, 20 people who play the various indoor games, I should judge the propor- tion is about 4 playing backgammon to 16 playing comtract.” CAZh Ll ol By Shepard Barclay. A Long W ait. When men are all the same in size, With just one shade of hair and eyes, With traits and brains of equal worth And equal standing on this earth, And equal records through the years equal hopes and equal fears; When all prefer the selfsame food, selfsame gum by all is chewed, all the former drys are wet smoke the selfsame cigarette; novelty lies the idea that learming by doing is sure fire and can never be forgotten. A Law a Week. T occurs if dummy has failed to follow suit when able to do so? Correction must be made if the error is discovered before the lead to the next trick. After such lead, no correction may be made. There is no penalty in either case. : Next week—What occurs if dummy has left the table and, during his ab- senoce, declarer revokes? Contract Systems. HOW would you bid the following hand, in which both sides are vulnerable and South is the dealer? 8Qiw0e g ¥ i it ey 148 : POUL IOLTE- ST WO A EiNYD to make partmer bid something and dis- close the best fit. : Many players would consider an in- formatory double with that hand, but in contract this risks the possibility of a pass by partner with a worthless hand, for game is not at stake in a doubled one bid. Others would bid three dia- monds, a semi-forcing bid which also risks a partner’s pass. There is omly one way that West can compel his part- ner to keep the bidding open—by bid- ° ding the adverse suit. Such a decla- ration, however, ordinarily not only signals slam likelihood, but tells partner that no tricks will be lost in the hostile suit; either the suit is void and cam be trumped, or the singleton ace is held, or the doubleton ace-king. That always is the meaning of such a bid of adverse suit if it is made after partn has bid, and also if made in the stages of any high bidding. When bidding is low it does not mnecessarily indicate an absolutely perfect condition as regards the enemy’s declaration. It does, however, proclaim virtual certainty of game and slam possibilities if part- ner’s hand fits well. In the case of a two-suiter, however, this bid would be unwise, for the second suit could not be shown inless partner can be forced to If West bids three diamonds—the pre- ferred bid—North says three spades, South four, West five clubs and East bids five spades—a bid of the adverse suit after partner has bid, showing no losers in the suit and proclaiming slam likel- hood. West then calls seven clubs. How many different grades of strength can a bidder reveal im overcalling an original suit bid made at his right? Auction Problems. “rfla’rwouldymbk!.udaler,mfl following hand? 498765432 9863 953 - . What if the long suit, instead of g the king? By the ace? By the ace and Bt o9t gl diisoraN ' SO S amver dadersient k) gy e L shud w Meoliegia Fptioe soiliteg ie soiliaed under these various conditions, if the long suit were diamonds instead of spades? Many sound auction players never open the bidding without at least two defensive tricks, variously described as high-card tricks, quick tricks, honor tricks or sure tricks. All of these would pass the hand given, except when it had the ace and king at its top, due to lack of such strength, in spite of the great number of offensive tricks. Others will make a high pre-emptive bid if the hand contains enough of- fensive probable tricks, regardless of its high-card content. These require six probable tricks for a three bid or seven for a four bid; in other words, they will the missing king. Possession of both and king, though, would make the worth seven probable tricks, justifying an original four bid. If the suit were a minor, such as dia- monds or clubs, probable tricks would count the same as in 2 major. The hand should be passed, however, if the suit were headed by anything less than the ace and king, for a three bid in a minor is not recommended; it does not pre- empt, for a bid of three in a major will overcall it~ When not strong enough to bid four in a minor, practically all authority advises a one bid in the hope that partner can take out inte a major, or into something that will result in a no trump declaration, for game is hard to make in a minor. A one bid is net justifiable, though, since it would guar- amntee at least two high card tricks. If, however, both the ace and king are on hand, the suit contains enough for a pre- emptive bid of four diamonds. The New Problem. HOW would you bid and play the. fole lowing hand, South being deater? AAIBTES voss $KS3 65 AK104 Loss In Small Timber Use 'I'EI faliacious idea prevails among many lumber men that for the manufacture of little things like wagon-wheel hubs and insula- tion pins, small trees will do. An investigation and tabulation by £5 i 5 S0, sl y.vs ki v JOBUIE ¥ 150 Do Ive HOUsE vent Vo v e But sant vy i fOEmtie it