Bridge in Oz

The really good news is that nobody in Australia is reported to have died from COVID-19 since 24 May. The reported number of active cases as of 13 June is 388. In the past most cases were imported from overseas, and that source has been shut down. What's concerning is the unknown number of undetecte...

This is an exercise in matchpoint thinking. I think many players would pass. But let's consider some points. 1. The only case for passing is if 4♣ makes and 4 ♦ is down two or more doubled. This seems unlikely because your side has at least half the points. 2. All of your cards are working on offenc...

Matchpoints, nobody vulnerable, you pick up as dealer:

♠ K42
♥ K5
♦ AQ10987
♣ 64

You open 1♦, LHO bids 2♣, partner doubles and RHO bids 4♣.

Your call.

My local club sent out an electronic questionnaire on this topic a couple of days ago. Among other things asking members' opinions about what safety measures should be taken when the club re-opens. Honestly though, I think the opinions of public health experts should matter more. I think most club p...

The problem with testing the club suit is that even if diamonds split 4-4 as expected, you will not enjoy discarding on the last two rounds of diamonds. You can comfortably lose the lead once but not twice. So let's leave clubs alone. Spades will split 3-3 or not, and if not you will need three hear...

Here's another instructive computer deal. After a routine Stayman auction you, South, are declaring 3NT with the ♦ 2 led. Scoring is IMPS. North K93,AJ93,865,A64 South AQ62,K64,AQ,9532 East plays the ♦ K. You have eight tricks with very good chances for a ninth. What do you do? I'll tell you in adva...

Julie Bryant, Secretary of the Coffs Harbour Bridge Club, yesterday announced this cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Let's hope 2021 will see a vaccine and a more normal continuation of bridge competition!

This is a marginal slam as you need either the ♦ A or ♣Q onside, plus another good thing to happen. Clearly diamonds should be tested before clubs. The devil is in the details. Ruff your ♥ 5 at trick 2 and take AQJ of spades. Assume for the moment that spades split 3-2. Play a diamond to the King (d...

Yesterday I declared this interesting hand against the computer.

North
♠ AQJ7
♥ 3
♦ 10765
♣ AKJ2

South
♠ K1042
♥ AK5
♦ KQ2
♣ 985

You're South in 6♠ with no opposing bidding. West leads the ♥J. Plan the play.

By the way if all you want is a suit symbol (as in "West led the ♦K against 4♠"), you can copy-and-paste from one of these lines.