THE NORTH PENN FINESSE
NORTH PENN DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
118 South Line Street
Lansdale, PA 19446
215-361-1436
www.bridgescore.com/npenn
A Publication of NPDBC
Copyright 2013
June 2013
Volume 6 No. 2
President’s Message: The “free play on the week of your birthday” program will end at the end
of July 2013. We ran this promotion for a full year so that it would be fair to everyone. You just
need to be a member and let the director know you are celebrating a birthday the week of your
play. If your birthday is not appearing on the sheets posted on the wall by the coffee, please let
Elaine Watters know, and she will make sure you are added to the list.
A reminder to players - please do not announce the results from the Bridgemates. Best practice
is for the East-West “approver” to examine the results and then pass the Bridgemate around the
table for others to see.
We will soon be updating our Directory which was last published in November 2010. Watch for
the old sheets to be posted at the club and update your phone number and email address. The
new directory will be based on inputs you give us.
John Dickenson, President, e-mail [email protected]
Club Manager’s Message: Winter is finally over, the snowbirds
are back, the games are bigger, and it’s NAP (North American
Pairs) season. We have ten NAP games scheduled over the
summer this year where you can qualify for the district finals and a
chance to represent District 4 in the national finals next spring.
Even if you don’t intend to go on, these games give lots of extra
masterpoints. For you ‘C’ players out there, if you want to play in
the district finals you won’t have to travel far. We will be a
hosting a flight ‘C’ district final at the club! More information will
be available on our website and in the October newsletter.
On Friday evening June 7, we’ll hold the annual World Wide Pairs. This game is scored across
the planet where matchpoint tops are 4000 or more. Pretty neat, eh? The boards are pre-duped
and hand records are in the form of a very nice booklet. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Please welcome our newest director, Belinda Rose Anderson. Belinda has been an active
member of the club for a number of years, has done some teaching and runs a non-sanctioned
game in the Quakertown area. She is taking over the Wednesday evening game as of this month.
Please wish her well and support her game. For help with partnerships, she can be reached at
215-538-7524 or at [email protected].
Mitch Snyder, Club Manager, e-mail [email protected]
Masterpoint Milestones:
Ross Currie
Mary Tweedie
Sectional Master
Sectional Master
Ginny Woodbury
Sallie Ehinger
Sectional Master
Regional Life Master
David Hallman
Dan Jacobson
Gary Hillenbrand
NABC Master
Bronze Life Master
Silver Life Master
Suzanne Liebman
Elaine Friedenberg
David Morgan
NABC Master
Bronze Life Master
Silver Life Master
Sunshine: Please welcome our new members: Rajiv Agarwal, Pat Cieslinski, Brad Barry,
David Amsterdam, Diane Morgan, Janis Kritzer, Estelle Ronderos, Connie Abel, Bob Pickard,
John Schwartz, Jane Havighurst, Bob Schmitz, Suzanne Perersen, Carl Perchonock, Pradip
Khan, Al Ronderos, Bobbi Cohen, Dave Kresge, Bill Schwartzman, Harriet Stuart, Claire Rolin,
Helen Walker, Elaine Landau, Ieve Tracey, Doug White, Mary Fehnel, Richard Godshall, and
Art Fields.
“Happy Birthday” to Jo Ferguson (6/6), Tom Salter (6/8), Donna Snyder (6/9),
Al Fitzgerald (6/15), Peter Stoll (6/15), Charlotte Perry (6/16), Belinda Rose
Anderson (6/16), Connie O'Brien (6/21), Ken Salter (6/22), Bob Mulhauser (7/1),
Binyamin Feibush (7/3), Dick Kamensky (7/3), Elaine Clair (7/4), Dave Hallman
(7/4), Beth Milton (7/7), Elaine Rhoda (7/10), John Dickenson (7/10), Anita Smith
(7/16), Peggy Hunn (7/21), Andy McGlinchy (7/29), Herb Chalek (7/29), Evelyn
Melchiorre (7/30), Sam Matlin (8/3), Lisa Collins (8/3), Dave LeGrow (8/4), Mary
Tweedie (8/5), Rene Mitchell (8/5), Alan Resnick (8/6), Stan Pauloski (8/12), Lois
Schwalb (8/13), Mark Freeman (8/17), Suzanne Liebman (8/24), Steve Becker
(8/30), Larry Umphlet (9/1), Naini Kuber (9/7/), Terry Fair (9/8), Rosie Loughnane
(9/14), Joan Marino (9/21), Ed Ritvo (9/22), and Len Ross (9/29).
In the February newsletter it was noted that George Webber's friend Edna Traub passed away.
Since then her husband, John Traub, died exactly one month later on February 24. The bridge
club sends our condolences to their family and friends.
We are saddened to report the death of Louise Teates on May 27. Louise was a long-time
member of the club going back to the days when we played at the North Wales YMCA. She was
the primary organizer of our holiday parties for many years. We will miss her and offer our
condolences to Mike and his family.
Charity Games: Since January our club has donated $180 to the ACBL Junior Fund, $180 to
the ACBL General Charity fund, $149 to Hurricane Sandy fund, and $322 to Laurel House.
Tournament Highlights: Three of our club members won District
IV’s 2012 “Ace of Clubs” awards: Elaine Clair (1000 to 2500),
Arnold Selig (5000 to 7500), and Craig Robinson (7500 to 10000).
“Mini McKenney” awards went to Elaine Clair, David Legrow,
and John Dickenson (1000 to 2500), and Craig Robinson (7500 to
10000). Congratulations to all of you!!
Something to Think About #1 Important Rules: Rule of Eleven (the inevitable trick total
whenever you bid a slam!); Eight Ever, Nine Never (the status quo whenever you raise 2 NT to 3
NT); Second Hand Low (the easiest way to lose your aces on defense!); Leading through
strength (a surefire way to make your queens disappear); What "Richard Says" (tips that work on
lesson deals, but never in real life!!)
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Miscellaneous: One of our members, Al Boyd, is looking for a partner. He likes to play
Tuesday and Friday nights. If you are interested in being his partner, please email him at
[email protected].
Novice/Intermediate Games: North Penn holds two Intermediate/Novice games each week Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. and Friday mornings at 10:00 a.m. These games are limited to
players with less than 750 masterpoints. Mitch Snyder directs the Friday game and Belinda Rose
Anderson will be running the Wednesday game.
Extra point games over the summer include charity games on Wednesdays - June 12, July 17,
and August 7. Friday charity games are on June 14, July 19, and August 9. The Friday charity
games will be Swiss teams. STaC games (Sectional Tournament at Clubs) will be held on
Wednesday, August 21 and Friday, August 23. These games award silver points, have pre-made
boards, and hand records.
There are several cancellations. Wednesday evening July 3 and games during the Valley Forge
Regional are cancelled - Wednesday, June 19 and Friday June 21.
Open Swiss Teams: There are two monthly Friday night Swiss games in June and one each in
July and August due to scheduling issues. Dates for this summer are June 14, June 28, July 19,
and August 9. Come as a team or pair (teammates guaranteed). Singles will be accommodated
if possible.
Eight is Enough Swiss Teams – Wednesdays at High Noon on June 12, July 17, and August 7.
In “Eight is Enough,” each team consists of four players whose total value does not exceed eight.
Players with 0 to 499 masterpoints are valued at 1, players with 500 to 1,499 masterpoints are
valued at 2, and players with 1500+ masterpoints are valued at 3. There are no restrictions to
partnership combinations among team members. Contact Larry Umphlet or Mitch Snyder for
more information or for help finding teammates.
Something to Think About #2- A bumbling bridge player explained to his regular partner how
he planned to improve his game: "Every night when I go to bed, I think about the mistakes I
made that day at the bridge table." "Gee," his partner said, "how do you get any sleep?"
Bridge Lessons: A bridge class is scheduled for Wednesday mornings 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. from
July 17 to August 28 (6 weeks - no class August 14). This course covers the fundamentals of
bidding and play that all bridge players should know and is the foundation to building a sound
system and a solid partnership. It is designed for new players and for those who have limited
experience and want to solidify their skills. Each class consists of a presentation interspersed
with practice hands. For more information or to register, contact Mitch Snyder at 215-723-5881
or at [email protected].
Cost is $75.
Quacks - A hand which has lots of queens and jacks ("quacks") is really not as good as its point
count would indicate. "I decided not to make a slam try because I had too many quacks." Also a
term used in discussing a certain restricted choice situation -- where you are playing a suit where
all you are missing in top cards are the queen and the jack, you can say, "When you cash the
king, a quack falls on your right; do you finesse now or go for the drop?" Here "quack" is short
for a queen or a jack.
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At The Table: This hand was played at North Penn Bridge Club on Tuesday, May 14, 2013.
Directions are rotated for convenience. As Dealer, you had: S AKQT84, H 643, D A762, C (Vul. vs non) The bidding went as follows: South-1S, West-2H, N-3H, E-P. What is your
call? Most would cuebid and what follows is up to your imagination. South jumped to 4S. I
will give you both hands and see how you proceed.
S 753
H A2
D KT9
C AKT96
South
1S
4S
6C*
P
S AKQT84
H 643
D A762
C-
West
2H
P
P
P
North
3H
4NT
6S
East
P
P
P
*Void in clubs with odd number of keycards
I was North. A nice holding of cards good for a slam got me interested. A's and K's are the key, and no quacks of
wasted value. Even if Pard had three hearts, I figured, we might do something with the clubs. How wrong I was. I
used 4NT to ask about keycards. Pard came back with 6C. You may want to check this out if you want to
implement this gadget into your partnership agreement. Answering keycards, a 6-level bid shows a void in the suit
and odd number (1 or 3) of keycards. If the void is higher than the agreed trump suit, then bid 6 of the trump suit.
With a void and even number (0 or 2) of keycards, bid 5NT. Pard could try to find out what the void suit is by
bidding 6C, and you bid the trump suit to show clubs, etc. Usually you should be able to figure out what the void
suit is.
So much for bidding, now let us get into the second stage, playing. West led the K of hearts. What would you do?
There are two ways to make the contract. One is to double finesse the diamonds after discarding two little hearts on
the AK of clubs. The other is to ruff a heart and discard two diamonds. The odds for a successful double finesse in
diamonds is 75%.
Ruffing a heart would be no problem if trump distribution outside is normal at 2-2. However, it could be tricky if
trumps are 3-1 outside. You may still be able to ruff the third heart if the last trump holder also had a heart although
unlikely.
What would you prefer, ruffing a heart or double finessing in diamonds? Any expert in statistics out there, please
chime in. It looks like having 2-2 in trumps outside plus the slim chance of hearts bidder with 3 trumps does not add
up to 75%. Besides, the overcaller should be favored to have either Q or J of diamonds. If you decide to ruff, you
have to duck the opening lead. Otherwise, a 3-1 break in trumps would give them the chance of over-ruffing or
removing your third trump on the board after they win the second heart. The whole deal:
S 753
H A2
D KT9
S 92
H KQT875
D 83
C 532
C AKT96
S J6
H J9
D QJ54
C QJ874
S AKQT84
H 643
D A762
C-
Albert Horng, Club Member
Bridge is a funny game.
Sometimes percentage play
does not work. Go for ruffing
a heart and you cannot go
wrong. Still, good technique
and percentage play pay off in
the long run.
Something to Think About #3: Air Traffic Priority - Pilot: "This is United 480 approaching at
240 degrees. Request clearance to land." Pilot (repeating): "This is United 480. Do you copy?"
Pilot (once again): "This is United 480 to Tower. Come in please." Control Tower: "Copy,
United 480. Level off at 3000 feet and maintain heading while we finish this hand!!"
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Upcoming Events
Swiss Teams
(subject to change)
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays – 12:00 noon
Tuesdays and Fridays – 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday evenings – 7:00 p.m. (0 to 750 mps)
Friday - 10 a.m. (0 to 750 mps)
Friday Evening, June 7
June 10 to 14 - all games
June 12 and 14 (Wed. & Friday a.m. & p.m. Swiss)
All club games cancelled except Monday, June 17
and Thurs. June 20
June 28 (Friday evening)
Unit Wide (hand records)
July 4 Holiday
Charity
Unit Championship
Eight is Enough Swiss
Charity Swiss Teams
Charity
ACBL Wide Intl Fund
Unit Wide (hand records)
Charity
Charity
Charity
Charity
Charity
Unit Wide Championship
Charity Swiss Teams
Unit Championship
STAC (silver points)
July 3 (Wednesday afternoon)
July 3 (Wed. evening and July 4) Cancelled
July 15 to July 19 - all games
July 16 (Tues. evening)
July 17 (Wednesday afternoon)
July 17 (Wed. noon) and July 19 (Wed. & Fri. Swiss)
July 23 (Tues. evening)
July 26 (Friday evening)
July 29 (Monday)
August 1 (Thurs. noon)
August 5 (Monday noon)
August 6 (Tuesday evening)
August 7 (Wednesday noon Swiss)
August 7 (Wednesday evening)
August 8 (Thurs. noon-hand records)
August 9 (Friday a.m. and p.m.)
August 16 (Friday evening)
August 19 to 23 (all games)
Weekly Games:
World Wide Pairs
Charity
Charity Swiss Teams
King of Prussia Regional
NORTH AMERICAN PAIRS
North Penn NAP Qualifiers (subject to change)
Monday, noon
6/3
8/12
Tuesday 7:30 p.m.
6/25
7/9
8/27
Wednesday noon
7/31
Thursday, noon
6/6
7/25
8/29
Friday, 7:30 p.m.
7/12
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The bidding is just getting started at
the Friday morning game: Connie
Wenhold, John Hitchens, Ceil
Morton, and Lorna Bearn
More Friday morning bridge players:
Connie Abel, Stan Pauloski, Suzanne
Pedersen, Bob Pickard, and Belinda
Anderson.
Gatlinburg April 2013: Dave
Legrow, Real Fradette, Elaine Clair,
Jim Watters, Elaine Watters, Kathy
Chalek, Mitch Snyder, Herb
Chalek, and John Dickenson
Enjoying the Tuesday night game are
Ginny and Woody Woodbury, Nancy
Parke, and Jim Watters.
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