carl3

A matchpoint event for newbies. To use minibridge in a matchpoint event for newbies is not a good idea. Having to choose the right bonuslevel without any experience will be too hard. Then the so called "Top game" works better. Here the choice of level is automatic and the only choice is between NT and suit which is usually not so difficult. Dealer starts to bid. Instead of saying your hcp you say your number of "tops"(= A,K or Q ) but if you cannot say at least 2 or higher than the bid before (if any) you must pass. The highest bidder becomes declarer. The distribution of dummy can be shown as in minibridge but if you use the game in a matchpoint event it is better just to show dummy's whole hand. The sum of dummy's number of tops and the winning bid is called the "playnumber".If the playnumber is 4 the hand is passed out. (This is extremely rare.) If the playnumber is 5 declarer has the choice between passing out the hand and 1 of a suit. If it is more than 5 declarer only has the choice between NT and suit. The number of tricks you must take to make your contract is the playnumber + 1(2) if NT (suit) is chosen. Making it gives 4 points and each overtrick is 1 point and each down is -2. If you want the game to be even sharper you use +2(3) instead but then one down should be 0 points. You may now object that giving A, K and Q the same value could hardly result in reasonable contracts but (for some reason that I admit I do not understand) this is not the case. To check it you can go to say BBO and see what would have happened if the above game had been played there. As for the matchpoint event you ask members to bring their friends to the club. Then you divide the ones who want to play in pairs (randomly) but if the number is odd, one of the members will instead help at the tables. When all have sat down (also randomly) you explain the rules and also how you score in matchpoints. Even if it is easier to count tops than hcp you should ask the players to check their bid an extra time before dummy is shown and declarer decides between NT and suit. ( Exclude hands where the playnumber is 4 or 5.) You play say 6 rounds. The easiest is of course now to let the players stay at the same table but it is more fun if they move around as usual. And in case there is a table where two players are missing this is what you have to do. At the play of the cards the defenders are expected to "keep track of" declarer so he does not revoke or play from the wrong hand. Advice like drawing trump and blocking a long enemy suit in NT is also ok but only before or after the hand is played. "Try to be as strong as possible when you let the opponents come in" is a selfevident but still good general advice. When all the hands have been played there is a review. Then not only the bidding and play in the games played but also a comment of what would have happened in regular bridge is given. The hands played with results should be available at the internet. To have bridgebooks as prices (but only for the newbies) is also a good idea. In my opinion a matchpoint event like this would be a good way for clubs to get new members. The game can also be played three-handed. Then the player who does not have the opening lead gives the information about dummy. An advanced version is at https://people.kth.se/~goranr/article7.htm This is a good alternative if you are having an evening of bridge and one player could not make it.

With AKQ&,53,K532,J83 I open 1d. After pass partner replies 1h and when RHO pass I rebid 1N. An expert at the table meant I should alert this. But if I do explaining I may have a 4-card spade does this not give the information that I have in fact a 4 card spade since without it there would be no alert? I was playing with a "pick up" partner so there was no agreement.

I have always thought that underleading sideaces in defence of trump- contracts is to be avoided. But now a good player says it is both common and often a good play. Not quite believing this I asked two other good players but they both confirmed MY view. So what is right? Note that I do not talk about the opening lead, there all three experts agree it is bad to underlead a sideace.