Ann Kuperberg
Thanksgiving is arriving soon, along with wonderful, festive meals. As we think about the weight we’ll gain, we can divert our attention to thinking of bridge games.
The MountainView Bridge Club welcomes all duplicate bridge players, whatever their level of play. Games are every Tuesday afternoon from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Catalina Room, except the second Tuesday of the month. If you need a partner or further information, contact JoAnn Aiken at [email protected] or phone 520-256-2702. Our website is www.bridgewebs.com/mountainview.
Lynn Berg wrote about overcalls. She suggested bidding a 5-card suit with honors in that suit at the 1 level. Her example was 96, KQJ92, 832, 1087.
Berg also mentioned “lead-directing doubles” to tell partner what to lead. Again, the example was LHO=1NT; partner pass, RHO=2 diamonds, you double, asking for a diamond lead.
Another overcall: Balancing.
“When auction is stopping at a low level: LHO=1 club, partner pass, RHO=1 NT, you pass, LHO pass, partner can bid.
Last bit of advice from Lynn Berg; Preempts.
“We can afford to go down only 1 doubled if we are vulnerable and they are not. We can afford to go down 2 if the vulnerability is equal. We can afford to go down 3 if they are vulnerable and we are not.”
Berg reminded us, “You shouldn’t have more than 1 top card outside your suit, especially if you are preempting in 1st or 2nd seat.”
These overcalls come in handy as defenders, as long as we don’t bid too high and get doubled.