tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248997212024-03-13T04:44:25.689-07:00Eamons Ireland Bridge StuffGeneral Bridge News from Ireland and Online Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.comBlogger697125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24899721.post-15467951711029391092022-10-29T05:17:00.000-07:002022-10-29T05:17:33.188-07:00Camrose Trials 2022 this weekend<p> This weekend Oct 29-31 CBAI hosts the Camrose Trials. 9 teams have entered and will do a round robin to eliminate the 5 lowest scoring teams </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgOirtgDh3DvTNoupsFnGBj6Y2r3MvTFEXTguk7Hk5ruyVpa1g6C_Cysb80QDaiOO66QuEWz6lusewbnTaQzoD1Mjm_tgrutYYZES0XesxCjX6V3RlA1VZWIMdk_BjglRcQF2CwgZ1kdsW_iX6ML1swxqj5onhaWW3xe_C9zcCS5FNlHxy2iQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="571" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgOirtgDh3DvTNoupsFnGBj6Y2r3MvTFEXTguk7Hk5ruyVpa1g6C_Cysb80QDaiOO66QuEWz6lusewbnTaQzoD1Mjm_tgrutYYZES0XesxCjX6V3RlA1VZWIMdk_BjglRcQF2CwgZ1kdsW_iX6ML1swxqj5onhaWW3xe_C9zcCS5FNlHxy2iQ=w507-h263" width="507" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Teams 3 and 9 will progress to the Final 4 round robin. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">However in 6 board matches upsets can happen and VPs can be lost </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The other teams prospects are in my view.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Team 1 will struggle to find a win but the law of averages means they will beat someone and lose the majority of their matches. They are lacking a bit of experience at this level. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Team 2 anchored by Jim Doyle from Wexford and the experienced Dave Terry will come up short as Connor and Gilligan lack a little something. However in 6 board matches they could take enough points off teams 3 4 and 9 to remain competitive. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Team 4 despite having a full international squad and Senior Bowl quarterfinal experience could struggle with the 6 board format leaving them vulnerable. My first thought was they would easily qualify but </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">it is hard to rank Team 4 far and away above the Phelan and Delaney Teams </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Still they have the mercurial BJ O'Brien on point so should make the final 4. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Team 5 will struggle to complete most of their matches as they are a rather thoughtful crew. Back in the day playing in the Burke Cup in the 1990s David Dunne arrived tardily at the table to find the TD Joe Murray had already declared one of his hands for the next match. David had been slow declaring the last board of the previous match so Joe Murray solved the issue in his own way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Delaney and Roche are no slouches when it comes to winding down the clock. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">However a very capable team and can do damage to any team over 6 boards. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They will be expecting to make the final 4</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Team 6 led by the experienced Paul Porteus and anchored by the Precision Twins will play well but come up short. Their 4th man Fred Barry is well capable of declaring a few hands very well. A dangerous opponent back in the old Regent Days when even the tail end of the field could damage you. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The current day Regent is not the same power as back in the 1990s when 32 internationals regularly togged out for 2 week events. Redmond and Gaynor the pride of Mid Leinster will wield their precision club with pride but it will be Swing and a miss most likely.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Team 7 led by the mercurial John Phelan and including 4 full internationals will aim to make </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the top 4 places. However this team holds the record of being the only team to achieve a minus score</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">in a Camrose Trophy match. I recall them losing 20-0 and as the opposing team slowed them down </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">so much they had to concede a VP or half a VP in time penalty. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They will be close enough to the Final 4. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Team 8 led by Peter Stewart could lack some experience as they have some youthful players on their squad. Luca Crone being an Area Master and his partner Matthew showing up as an A2 player</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">on the CBAI online entry system. I am sorry but either the online system is broken or maybe they qualified via the Preliminary Trials in September. However I don't think they can make the Final 4. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It will be a great experience though and will help their game. However I understood folk lacking the required masterpoints had to come through the prelim. However back in the day the multi talented Derek Stokes played in Camrose Trials with Eamon. To quote " I have enough masterpoints for the 2 of us ..Would you like to play in the trials " said Derek after finding out he was no longer required as director of the international trials. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So teams 3 and 9 ..... with Phelan Delaney O'Briain battling for final spot. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Teams 2 6 and 8 will come up short. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24899721.post-16603376406199055622022-10-05T03:46:00.002-07:002022-10-05T03:46:26.469-07:00Peter Pigot hosts a Good Players Bridge Game starting Tues Oct 11th on BBO<p> To book
your slot please revert by return email or text (00-353-86-8146230) and
I'll send you the links and instructions next Tuesday 11th at 10am.</p><div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-unicode"><div dir="ltr"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Good Players Bridge Game with Expert Analysis forum...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">IMP Pairs.. 20 pre-dealt boards on Line - BBO.</span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Players... Intermediate A or better</span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">30 minute Analysis with Peter Pigot + Guest International commentators on ZOOM.</span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">€10 per session ... </span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Tournament Director </span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Commence TUESDAY 11th October 10.30 am. </span></li></ul></div></div></div>Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24899721.post-89312161112598528372022-07-31T06:37:00.003-07:002022-07-31T06:37:38.357-07:00Two sleeping Defenders and one sleepy Declarer combine to enlighten Poor Spectator<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhu6EbJaQ3xGNjcF-nzWJYnWp9G8n2HyR2wA_IUyu9UEsMpETxXaxRquHDlR7tDlz85bIGIDGWBwi1mczQtMysRPk0zm-w5-CI3Ekqe1C4MxyJCmM6qbdI1RScGIE1OBa4S0BT1imhLahaoEZSnvCTit--6tNqWQ3ErzO6De5pi5lzD2th0q_8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="1032" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhu6EbJaQ3xGNjcF-nzWJYnWp9G8n2HyR2wA_IUyu9UEsMpETxXaxRquHDlR7tDlz85bIGIDGWBwi1mczQtMysRPk0zm-w5-CI3Ekqe1C4MxyJCmM6qbdI1RScGIE1OBa4S0BT1imhLahaoEZSnvCTit--6tNqWQ3ErzO6De5pi5lzD2th0q_8=w502-h379" width="502" /></a></div>This morning I spotted this hand featuring Defender1 and Defender2 and Declarer <p></p><p>Poor Spectator watched in horror as his great friends performed surgery on the hand </p><p>The fingers would never work again </p><p>Normal 1D opening bid by West followed by 1H overcall from Defender1 ..Some might play Jump Overcall but this player obviously does not play that convention</p><p>A normal 1S bid by East and then South the barking dog roars in with a 2D bid .. This looks odd to me as it won't cause much pain for West .. I might like a 3C fit jump type bid or a combination of 2H jump and 3H support putting more pressure on East West </p><p>Any way they arrive in 4S and all looks well ... </p><p>Heart lead and the contract appears cold on any lead .. with a good guess in trumps </p><p>Act 1 .. Heart Lead won in West who leads the Spade 10 </p><p>Act 2 .. North lets Spade 10 roll to Spade queen </p><p>Act 3 ... Defender 2 on lead after winning Spade Queen for some unknown reason figures out to cash Club Ace </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFtaWL2G6exVjL2jUNRwrnn7K2V-fofxarmxdrr3zs0wDH9XpX4jPG_jS22Vo6C_lQkLgqqMNzO53zVACVln6VRTARbYzVovb0VAJn_0-BtXndHtrLzyibv-lShYHe6Y7yvN3cKTkIQKN2pdzgRC7eHq0itrTsFTjsVjyyzqvt5u0PHGtfnwg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="1019" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFtaWL2G6exVjL2jUNRwrnn7K2V-fofxarmxdrr3zs0wDH9XpX4jPG_jS22Vo6C_lQkLgqqMNzO53zVACVln6VRTARbYzVovb0VAJn_0-BtXndHtrLzyibv-lShYHe6Y7yvN3cKTkIQKN2pdzgRC7eHq0itrTsFTjsVjyyzqvt5u0PHGtfnwg=w621-h353" width="621" /></a></div><br />Now on Trick 3 Defender1 could have risen with Spade Ace and fired a Club through and taken 2 clubs and a ruff promotion <p></p><p>Also on trick 3 Defender2 could have held onto AQ clubs and when North gets in with A Spades ..a Club comes through </p><p>The final nail in this coffin is to NOTE the trump policeman ...</p><p>Declarer should have kept Spade TEN in dummy as a policeman to stop the trump promotion. </p><p>...............</p><p>I jusr spotted this hand this morning on BBO when 4 friends of mine were playing </p><p>I don't think they even noticed all the surgery they were performing </p><p>....</p><p>However luckily Murphyslaw was on site to see it </p><p><br /></p>Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24899721.post-42849791423323755022022-06-24T09:25:00.001-07:002022-06-24T09:25:10.589-07:00Last night in Sligo Take 2 <p> Last night in Sligo I saw another hand </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTVWVxILWh_NmSEilTkjBFeWZEzsvxbOQ1MEiU3sbmkVho_zf9ZjYOI4glagF_xlqk3E4qLDAvVEm3Tp6xyWch9QGjCXKdX_hy2n5f6HjreZktlWw9SSrIiOjpMrFGxotusL_oXRlLqBhIRr2Kn2n4P5mqiystXVEs0K3jHeeRmt6t3TlJ6AE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="672" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTVWVxILWh_NmSEilTkjBFeWZEzsvxbOQ1MEiU3sbmkVho_zf9ZjYOI4glagF_xlqk3E4qLDAvVEm3Tp6xyWch9QGjCXKdX_hy2n5f6HjreZktlWw9SSrIiOjpMrFGxotusL_oXRlLqBhIRr2Kn2n4P5mqiystXVEs0K3jHeeRmt6t3TlJ6AE" width="320" /></a></div><br />So the West player found a 1H bid when it seems almost normal to be bidding 1S planning to come back <p></p><p>with 2H later in the bidding. However our hero responded 1H and eventually lost the spade suit altogether. </p><p>His partner bid STOP 3D showing a fine hand with diamonds and probably not 3 card hearts. </p><p>We kind of expect 1H to show 5 cards as it is bidding over a hand that showed the majors probably. </p><p>Anyway over 3D our partner with the 54 non-stopper in the unbid suit launched into 3NT. </p><p>That contract did not last too long as the North South opponents quickly showed West the error of her ways ..... Down with No Trump </p><p>And another poor score for less than optimal bidding </p><p>Much better to respond 1S and then bid Hearts later and see how you go </p><p>4 spades happens to make despite the 4-1 trump break ... </p><p>3 spades would also be better than 3NT down as would 3D which is down the same 2 tricks as 3NT but needs perfect lead and defence to collect 2 clubs 2 ruffs a spade ................AND </p><p>THE TRUMP promotion to boot ..... Nice lessons there </p><p> </p>Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24899721.post-84119637945787463922022-06-24T09:02:00.005-07:002022-06-24T09:02:33.189-07:00Last night at the Sligo FOB I saw a hand<p> Last night at the Sligo FOB I noticed the 2nd placed pair out of 38 runners played and bid board 1 fairly sadly. There are several good lessons in this hand. Lets see </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRV7ILVj9KUauOV33_z4DvAng_MNmnsyDECNeCoO0EDAfjOS8K0vpEWQ5vcQ2hjfE2kU4PtQF6dKh989vZ1yvI2-L4iMCfddJL1wWaFY0cczLXxvz2VOb_hr-RbNgtNRvXLbmQRtIRmcD9C6uDazXJQr5o9G4QnySA54VdgFTJ66U05dmYStI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRV7ILVj9KUauOV33_z4DvAng_MNmnsyDECNeCoO0EDAfjOS8K0vpEWQ5vcQ2hjfE2kU4PtQF6dKh989vZ1yvI2-L4iMCfddJL1wWaFY0cczLXxvz2VOb_hr-RbNgtNRvXLbmQRtIRmcD9C6uDazXJQr5o9G4QnySA54VdgFTJ66U05dmYStI" width="163" /></a></div><br /> So you are dealt the above and you open 1H using 5 card majors and weak No trump <p></p><p>Your partner responds 1S so that is good for you as you have 3 cards for him and a ruffing value so all is looking good.</p><p>West now pipes in with a 2C bid ... If you are playing support doubles its grand as you can double to show 3 card spades in case partner has 5 and it would be good for him. </p><p>Other good things going for you are if 2C makes then 2S will surely not go down too much as you have diamond ruffing value and can imagine some club shortage in partners hand. </p><p>Your own hand can be deemed about a trick more than a basic opening so you should be thinking 2S is safe enough to be bid. </p><p>Anyway you are timid and you pass and its passed to partner and happily partner is able to bid 2H thinking they are showing 3 card hearts although maybe they denied 3 card hearts already by not bidding 2H instead of 1S the first time. </p><p>West opponent bids 3C and with your AKxx of clubs you are thinking 3C might go down. However the opponent bid 3C despite missing AK of trumps so must have solid trumps. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqYf8zPbZ3z3KygNQqDfsyKlW_caroHHPavk8w65JSK9hqdtGqx4YVDCXtjdMvmLRphBpJ-nWDoFgMg4slD2_cZJifWz3R5kBri8H4cwhVDECRQU3QcgslV2Ez0K1PLzUKh26t9cYmlR4tsgxHKgY0USMpgVUxoveKj22KtGPravHPxOAzWNk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="390" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqYf8zPbZ3z3KygNQqDfsyKlW_caroHHPavk8w65JSK9hqdtGqx4YVDCXtjdMvmLRphBpJ-nWDoFgMg4slD2_cZJifWz3R5kBri8H4cwhVDECRQU3QcgslV2Ez0K1PLzUKh26t9cYmlR4tsgxHKgY0USMpgVUxoveKj22KtGPravHPxOAzWNk=w435-h381" width="435" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdAwEMc3NFaM6BnkDaGwvy8XeFPdVPyV_6XVLs_ceVMXi9m2pEF7usXnnHxAsq1VmIV3lZ9gLuneI6HVNxC8MpAiohlkgSMQldoZyjCZ43USY-7n2v4m2vJjpxGBpP34xv32fbLpqQ5X2_zV3woiuWVLJ5TDGelrQXa-d8yPq7EezwxkOG7WQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="244" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdAwEMc3NFaM6BnkDaGwvy8XeFPdVPyV_6XVLs_ceVMXi9m2pEF7usXnnHxAsq1VmIV3lZ9gLuneI6HVNxC8MpAiohlkgSMQldoZyjCZ43USY-7n2v4m2vJjpxGBpP34xv32fbLpqQ5X2_zV3woiuWVLJ5TDGelrQXa-d8yPq7EezwxkOG7WQ" width="320" /></a></div><br />A look at the full hand shows 3H and 3S both make as well as 3C the other way. <p></p><p>So even if 3H or 3S go down its better than 3C making. </p><p>Thus folk need to be aware on competitive hands that there are many ways to win at bridge. </p><p>Here even the 4H minus 2 folk got a better score than the 3C person. </p><p>........................</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjN6_G-vmzn0IBNbxhUTTSQsC9nPPAI5_blaL6WZV8-2gAG8rx1zYE7jckFDxswKvZx8DMwdtWZXA1V9LQhFdAQONZvi2MkcNlrlbMv98vmxkNy2685vU3W3LDgjVVgfTK9C7hPoIv85uTekWSDVBtdA2WDhj4c4MSJtx8Ak13hBcsI_4PCfs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="1075" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjN6_G-vmzn0IBNbxhUTTSQsC9nPPAI5_blaL6WZV8-2gAG8rx1zYE7jckFDxswKvZx8DMwdtWZXA1V9LQhFdAQONZvi2MkcNlrlbMv98vmxkNy2685vU3W3LDgjVVgfTK9C7hPoIv85uTekWSDVBtdA2WDhj4c4MSJtx8Ak13hBcsI_4PCfs=w537-h249" width="537" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24899721.post-30442559692238469822022-04-22T03:47:00.006-07:002022-04-22T08:09:01.529-07:00This AM I went into Bridgez and I got a good hand ..46% .. Kelbourne musings<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixuO4nMWP1XqkLNw1tTHLH7Fsv9hViURNaB_8jFnUd_hJOkqfBX9bjWQ0iwNZgIH0SApOxeVhrsbhml4gqXbHqRuioW97BQGdY9eWtJfD9Ug7CPSlrf3_-XDDiPemfkTM3dANSVTl0hZjWRgRQCGncE4e1PTKplKYuTHiaqJ9iKiJVNwk7FYQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="660" height="109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixuO4nMWP1XqkLNw1tTHLH7Fsv9hViURNaB_8jFnUd_hJOkqfBX9bjWQ0iwNZgIH0SApOxeVhrsbhml4gqXbHqRuioW97BQGdY9eWtJfD9Ug7CPSlrf3_-XDDiPemfkTM3dANSVTl0hZjWRgRQCGncE4e1PTKplKYuTHiaqJ9iKiJVNwk7FYQ" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now I have heard of a hand like a foot before but never a hand like 2 feet. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">32 high card points ...what can one do </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">However I will not spoil anyone's fun as this hand is from today April 22nd. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you can figure out how to get on Bridgez then its well worth your while. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Its FREE but the owner is getting on a little and hopes some folk will make a donation but thats no big deal ..you either do or you don't </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How to access it ... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bridgez.net:3002/playonthecloud">PlayOnTheCloud (bridgez.net)</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Else </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wbridge5.com/">WBridge5</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.......................</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This weekend in Malahide at the new centre for bridge excellence we have the Kelbourne Trophy. I presume MR and MRs Kelbourne were bridge players who donated a trophy for the masses to compete for. Eamon won it once back in the day with Team mates and Pivot partners Dave Terry Pat Kelly and Paul Delaney. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This year sees 2 Malahide Teams competing but they will find Western SMunster and the Grinding Dublin South too hot to handle. The Brendan O'Brien powered Holders Team will also </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">be in the mix as they have Conor Boland on board too as well as the well known Brid and Terry. However negotiating the early hours of Sunday could be an issue. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fearghal touts the Western Team to win but stamina could be a problem there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think South Munster have so many natural bridge players that they should win. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is also the BORE DRAW Team led by Captain Paul Delaney. They have a good chance as </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">they will bore the other teams in a deathgrip with their grinding lots of thinking style. Also in their captain they have a man who has developed partnerships with all 3 of his team mates. So no problem for </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">them in the pivot. One of this team was once told by the man who used to run the Regent Bridge ....His name was Frank.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Mr X you will play one board per round for the rest of the session "</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I don't see any other teams making the top 4. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Declans harem could find this is one step too far. The folk in this event don't play Hackett. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Gilligan Team will play hard but lack of recent Galligan training AND the absent flare of Billy Ronan will find them out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Places 5-8 should be competed for by DN2 E ML and NE in some order</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">9-12 will be Presidents NE2 SMi and DN.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lets see how many positions I get correct </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Any offence taken from the above is purely down to thin skin. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The director Fearghal O'Boyle will do a good job unless Mairead is missing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">......................</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Meanwhile Team Grainne won something </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://wbtresults.org/event/wbt-champions-cup-iii/">https://wbtresults.org/event/wbt-champions-cup-iii/</a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some good players were playing including Thomas Hanlon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM5ZTrvGv5E24cBggqSvM6AYngCNWeotKH5ANaAI74J5YWZbNaCAB_WB4TlrpWDAJ23uYejQ0Z_J613SrPw0LYreZPU-W6SQ5CG6VrGXGs-TOzeFYMBJvM1ucleWs2JusMiwhrYkYItXpGCQQy-JTrrHZsMW2wrcDQBnD70CSlt5NhRxfIy9w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="593" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM5ZTrvGv5E24cBggqSvM6AYngCNWeotKH5ANaAI74J5YWZbNaCAB_WB4TlrpWDAJ23uYejQ0Z_J613SrPw0LYreZPU-W6SQ5CG6VrGXGs-TOzeFYMBJvM1ucleWs2JusMiwhrYkYItXpGCQQy-JTrrHZsMW2wrcDQBnD70CSlt5NhRxfIy9w" width="174" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Galligan in the middle after 6 boards of round 1</div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24899721.post-25128069035504834672022-02-27T06:03:00.004-08:002022-02-27T06:03:56.874-08:00I continued watching the Coen Trophy and I see more stuff and Phil Rice.<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQxuNkNu4cnMjOkHHAm6Nt0VxctJUIgN7LFN2kp_b9J0CTJi1E8Ki0g8YTLzlWelfCVRPWY4N9WXi8Asi2Z4GFokvm6N2I-ioLvtqnKACEu-abHCDLqBTyNemryn1wXTQU0xxtkTz4dIv2xejEs6iWWbvwkVMLr5FNr_jd7LlGIOVCJfgh-7Y" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="692" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQxuNkNu4cnMjOkHHAm6Nt0VxctJUIgN7LFN2kp_b9J0CTJi1E8Ki0g8YTLzlWelfCVRPWY4N9WXi8Asi2Z4GFokvm6N2I-ioLvtqnKACEu-abHCDLqBTyNemryn1wXTQU0xxtkTz4dIv2xejEs6iWWbvwkVMLr5FNr_jd7LlGIOVCJfgh-7Y=w422-h165" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A nice little hand with some nice bidding </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVmQ-brKrZkSRrq0yvZdwUecOtt5EyoyF7pY9laBWNWYw84gEvoabXGcX90pRk4aCOPeD-orQBhfL81OiN0RKxjgeUKCX1-NblQuFIrzsHPfL-zx8pNQjQPUk5c55u5-6SbzseIxhOCfI7D2zaUgzgsvdTe2tu5z8AgYWV-WTROYCJ8UsRG6I" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="270" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVmQ-brKrZkSRrq0yvZdwUecOtt5EyoyF7pY9laBWNWYw84gEvoabXGcX90pRk4aCOPeD-orQBhfL81OiN0RKxjgeUKCX1-NblQuFIrzsHPfL-zx8pNQjQPUk5c55u5-6SbzseIxhOCfI7D2zaUgzgsvdTe2tu5z8AgYWV-WTROYCJ8UsRG6I=w425-h306" width="425" /></a></div><br />Presume its the 14-16 1NT opening and then the Puppet Stayman 3C</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and then the 3D saying no 5 major and got a 4 card one </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and then the lad shows 4 card hearts and then the lady bids 4H. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A sense of forboding comes over the Galligan as Galligan is not declaring this. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">However maybe the defense will offer up some tempos or clues </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We look at 4333 in the East and wonder might he be better to downgrade and then emerge with highly invitational later ...but 4H it is </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The defense led off with spade 3 ...probably shows an honor but not underleading Ace ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Might keep that in mind for later </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgMyYXqiMGMd_GnWkLQydJikxBCcN0DxJByrtBv5XI3JRqGwwr57NMYA0kzFDETDYXMX_zIKJE109SmNrRkWbPyleQ5H0yN2v2VkS0dTsQCey2MeGYU3OzylPntfLkfNTebGEklc-vCtA3AuRa9MOyt8duEZIgREvzd-A7VoZ7R1X3MCekzYo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="793" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgMyYXqiMGMd_GnWkLQydJikxBCcN0DxJByrtBv5XI3JRqGwwr57NMYA0kzFDETDYXMX_zIKJE109SmNrRkWbPyleQ5H0yN2v2VkS0dTsQCey2MeGYU3OzylPntfLkfNTebGEklc-vCtA3AuRa9MOyt8duEZIgREvzd-A7VoZ7R1X3MCekzYo=w346-h345" width="346" /></a></div><br />So we arrived here with 5 tricks to play and 4H the contract and 7 tricks in the bag </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Declarer proceeded to emerge with Club Queen ...but with the outstanding clubs being </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ace Jack and Ten ... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am lost how that is going to succeed but possibly there are some distributions with </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">singleton Ace of Clubs and you get a ruff and discard ...but thats still only 9 tricks </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maybe there is a way or maybe there is not</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...........................</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">However harking back to the opening lead if we can remember that ... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We might figure on Spade Jack being up North and Spade Ace being down South</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and be able to do something with that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">............</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I understand I see bridge in a different way then most but that does not mean my way is </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the wrong way ...it might be just that I had better teachers than ye </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...........</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Like Phil Rice from the El Camino Bridge Club who was on his 5th time </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">reading Watsons Play of the Hand from cover to cover when I got a lift to the bridge club in his </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">car in 1987. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24899721.post-52172333557612923422022-02-27T05:06:00.005-08:002022-02-27T05:06:55.383-08:00First hand I spotted on Coen Trophy 2022 ...Am I missing something here<p> This afternoon I looked in on the Coen Trophy and saw this ... Board 9 I think </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYoJlw0iE8pC05BZwqppJ4PjclU1Z4dS7etB9Y5OBbDuujhmIXYhJgUGj29OmpSNWLf-m8ca1YkcKSMQUxQSrI3tBN_Xfb6vDVhRNhw-w1zy9jg9xaeiErtgroe4aBrXkhTmBQqf7bCuaFxYwQgzOnMgGrjm7vjG_lJVjI6xMijKYflqxZZD4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="301" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYoJlw0iE8pC05BZwqppJ4PjclU1Z4dS7etB9Y5OBbDuujhmIXYhJgUGj29OmpSNWLf-m8ca1YkcKSMQUxQSrI3tBN_Xfb6vDVhRNhw-w1zy9jg9xaeiErtgroe4aBrXkhTmBQqf7bCuaFxYwQgzOnMgGrjm7vjG_lJVjI6xMijKYflqxZZD4" width="166" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now am I missing something here ... Does East not play Double here as negative or takeout </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Surely one has to compete a little ...Maybe teams is different but in pairs I am definitely not passing </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Both sides were vulnerable </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Let me go see what happened </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkwWhgdnT1f8oaCIacBDQ9A-9-62dWQQplAOpmvoaR1HO0JXoJlBPCrU5dR-3dXEKLb1ZUYBXGuNfplRdygrT5MxEu4Lalq50ZhHZTOH7tzxUKU-LHEO0pb6Kgfgq9go63LjaDchgPPKep7tqmciS5-nV00MG_bOLGY-VK7FpsSrLP0yHeCJ8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="835" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkwWhgdnT1f8oaCIacBDQ9A-9-62dWQQplAOpmvoaR1HO0JXoJlBPCrU5dR-3dXEKLb1ZUYBXGuNfplRdygrT5MxEu4Lalq50ZhHZTOH7tzxUKU-LHEO0pb6Kgfgq9go63LjaDchgPPKep7tqmciS5-nV00MG_bOLGY-VK7FpsSrLP0yHeCJ8=w328-h345" width="328" /></a></div><br />2 Diamonds made for minus 90 ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lets see what comes from the ponderous Delaney table </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJhyAb69pY03rrwbKKlSnbRPBuus8WDDQSurSsDKUcmZZlPldDcV-9Twz7b601yVw2AT66nrXYc3UPJTCBhp8Dh2FNuqLKj1rNze2hlYv7ZptvsFspXPT9qcTPpEu8zC8OTQA4HTwxA5-xLXT0ZgGmiEgxoESXZadJFJUA9-njMAjZG-WhKRk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="270" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJhyAb69pY03rrwbKKlSnbRPBuus8WDDQSurSsDKUcmZZlPldDcV-9Twz7b601yVw2AT66nrXYc3UPJTCBhp8Dh2FNuqLKj1rNze2hlYv7ZptvsFspXPT9qcTPpEu8zC8OTQA4HTwxA5-xLXT0ZgGmiEgxoESXZadJFJUA9-njMAjZG-WhKRk" width="145" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Over at the other table also no double but the West and North both found further bids</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3H will probably go down 1 but lets see</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtNLE6LP5XzQDNlp3pK15B_2PQtQGEhE5ZYLWmF10s92Gvyi6pAhXnQdxWDrxLDeMHStVjf6e0RAT5R4kxFzTS4yUmW_rb3AgZ5KJy-917otp3FOtuNKB0xnzWQqi1r8M56UmEtnixif-6P9Uwly2rohBrVrjLcYc_auITHcm8u-KFEi6dtTI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="767" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtNLE6LP5XzQDNlp3pK15B_2PQtQGEhE5ZYLWmF10s92Gvyi6pAhXnQdxWDrxLDeMHStVjf6e0RAT5R4kxFzTS4yUmW_rb3AgZ5KJy-917otp3FOtuNKB0xnzWQqi1r8M56UmEtnixif-6P9Uwly2rohBrVrjLcYc_auITHcm8u-KFEi6dtTI=w418-h137" width="418" /></a></div>So after 4 scores posted we had the score </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">However neither side found the Galligan double </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24899721.post-70473271168091786802022-02-27T03:23:00.000-08:002022-02-27T03:23:01.598-08:00Coen Trophy 2022 Eamons picks and the 2Spade opening<p> The Coen Trophy takes place today. Back in the day when the Coen Trophy was limited to above Area Master Eamons team managed a 3rd session score of 148 out of 150 to ascend from the depths in the 3rd session. That was 2001 when Dario and Iva were here in Ireland. I think we just had all the luck. </p><p>Today its a different story with the masterpoint chasers out in full flow. Every match you don't lose you get masterpoints. The hunt is on. However masterpoints don't make the player they just mark your attendance. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHYJkL_DhoJRV4NPJJvshfbuGh8L4Yk-c3_UIrjtC8emkxKINYBznU3h3G-gsRZF4A884N2NdM64kXX0gVfkyt4_0YzjJXQSDl24wyT8gEGmeaTMo6aF7tUqLfGbQbNPdchtbqV26iTw1TANRsDN5u3y4WS__N5pemPEYrBu4a5U2UoCDvaZI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="668" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHYJkL_DhoJRV4NPJJvshfbuGh8L4Yk-c3_UIrjtC8emkxKINYBznU3h3G-gsRZF4A884N2NdM64kXX0gVfkyt4_0YzjJXQSDl24wyT8gEGmeaTMo6aF7tUqLfGbQbNPdchtbqV26iTw1TANRsDN5u3y4WS__N5pemPEYrBu4a5U2UoCDvaZI=w414-h262" width="414" /></a></div><br />Above is my top 14 out of the 45 teams entered on Fearghals website<p></p><p>I failed to pick the winners yesterday as I was unaware of their skill .</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSAtvAfPxG_k6EalIqEgdfEaGOmXQ-ZznUcrB3wsMkhvfYxVGS-pCp9oscLniAwm0LP4OUUyav2W_WIr-YyqzcWYYKQ2r59gcYFaFj7r-O4Tnx3MLSaoLd0qb_8Hrjj6XNfj8-usCHYJInNLNZrNvx88KWnWEeGuP97ALiqFZoFKLfzoIUpDE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="196" data-original-width="619" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSAtvAfPxG_k6EalIqEgdfEaGOmXQ-ZznUcrB3wsMkhvfYxVGS-pCp9oscLniAwm0LP4OUUyav2W_WIr-YyqzcWYYKQ2r59gcYFaFj7r-O4Tnx3MLSaoLd0qb_8Hrjj6XNfj8-usCHYJInNLNZrNvx88KWnWEeGuP97ALiqFZoFKLfzoIUpDE" width="320" /></a></div><br />What does one open with this hand ... <p></p><p>Do I hear 2S weak 2 opening ...or do I hear the Galligan opening 1S bid. </p><p>The winner of the Spiro Cup chose 2S so hence I did not consider him as a runner.</p><p>Maybe it is a 2Spade opening and I need some re education on bridge. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24899721.post-47099274052627943312022-02-26T03:14:00.002-08:002022-02-26T03:14:35.591-08:00Spiro Cup Saturday Feb 26th Eamons picks ..top 17<p> Today we have the Spiro Cup and I have picked out some good runners. </p><p>Some are good players and some are good on the computer and some need to mesh well to get a good placing. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhu_wNyv6RebLop3Epg64MOfoWP4pvrBcp1vVvbRO0HYk1UQH10jPGHbarXY4rxsj0DfK86gHsXFb_RX0qg_9WDPRGP4xVzJXOImDao9-hcjIsjNA2EMWbjlOMXGCB-JHV30qhm2lvEp6Ci_fHYhB6v3PuX2KGWhsldVsQ6S-6cLpuZkJGx5Oo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="453" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhu_wNyv6RebLop3Epg64MOfoWP4pvrBcp1vVvbRO0HYk1UQH10jPGHbarXY4rxsj0DfK86gHsXFb_RX0qg_9WDPRGP4xVzJXOImDao9-hcjIsjNA2EMWbjlOMXGCB-JHV30qhm2lvEp6Ci_fHYhB6v3PuX2KGWhsldVsQ6S-6cLpuZkJGx5Oo" width="205" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Those are my top 17 picks in roughly that order. Numbers 1 and 2 are probably the best performing mixed pairs over the years. Joan Kenny and Enda Glynn might be the most practiced partnership. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Zrinka and Cod McDaid might be the most practiced pair in the current days. Pat Quinn usually digs out a bit of class on some boards but being a pairs event this won't be of much help. The master bunny trapper BJ always has a chance in a Mixed Field. Master Declarer Corfield can bring in some goodies. Trish Stack has some good form in the recent past. Synnott and O'Dea ran a close 3rd in the recent Senior Trials. The Sheridans are always about in the Mixed things being a regular partnership also outside of Mixed. However any of the above could be in the run in as we come up the stretch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is only for fun and folk should not take offence if they are not in the list. There were 76 entries at my time of choosing. Anyone entering after 10pm Friday was not on my list of runners. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lets see how my picks run. </div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24899721.post-9977229696397760482022-02-13T08:52:00.003-08:002022-02-13T12:39:29.832-08:00The final board of the Holmes Wilson featuring 4 declarers of note<p> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMMWkjXUKRw&ab_channel=EamonGalligan">Link to Holmes Wilson 2022 vidoe</a></p><p>First out of the blocks was Bob Pattinson declaring against Moran Hanlon</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZ1m9N0QZRA35tyoEsRdLIEotmlJgG6lDADiPxvUJIvyq-dja6mv31vEl_R3RmkpmBX5SQZZP76ptN20UkX6hFH71f3dFxF8pSYGcdx59HHM-u4QiMu1090gabRR1vDXa2gzjvIK7D_vpVvhDnplGhjhOHSQZaHx7oNwO2een3gPtQMj1qACc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="272" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZ1m9N0QZRA35tyoEsRdLIEotmlJgG6lDADiPxvUJIvyq-dja6mv31vEl_R3RmkpmBX5SQZZP76ptN20UkX6hFH71f3dFxF8pSYGcdx59HHM-u4QiMu1090gabRR1vDXa2gzjvIK7D_vpVvhDnplGhjhOHSQZaHx7oNwO2een3gPtQMj1qACc" width="83" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4S is the contract and Bob had little to go on as he only got a double of a 2D bid mid auction</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">which did not really indicate the length in diamonds. So Bob won Diamond lead ,.,drew trumps </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and tried club finesse down 1</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next up was Adam Mesbur who played much the same although he has a look at the </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">hearts for a trick before going for Club finesse. Adam had got a 3D bid during the auction </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">which might have tipped him a little towards short clubs in West. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next into the hot seat we has Karel deRaeymaker who also received a 3D bid from West </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmr6mwj27uq1L3AZGb1UuHaQKjCy4ohQ4r3fVhn2CWz3I4-7OSMDENXS4wQVjXrGb2pso8TJkUigovgkXVgTS5U6nPjgd1QvzIUTMxNpNhsZHWbwGwjRXNxr1iHvz9sOdT5qgHmXerYPLn0M3cTqxsWh13zx6onrSBXiRrJ12IPy2X9lzG8GM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="772" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmr6mwj27uq1L3AZGb1UuHaQKjCy4ohQ4r3fVhn2CWz3I4-7OSMDENXS4wQVjXrGb2pso8TJkUigovgkXVgTS5U6nPjgd1QvzIUTMxNpNhsZHWbwGwjRXNxr1iHvz9sOdT5qgHmXerYPLn0M3cTqxsWh13zx6onrSBXiRrJ12IPy2X9lzG8GM=w363-h371" width="363" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Karel reached this position after having a look at hearts. East played Heart Ace which</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">does not help declarer or give the contract. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFhihzau4Cmo5fbn1c8TZmAFNicmCHyewFAQE3XeWrm0eKidsT3orrEWsQzupzNlG8QZHBCf3lMTdwgcHH7M3CUr5S_Wwy90cKF6_iYH2X9aqtcprZKNDVn3aZcd0TWb_rfyup7W5OJnBFYtc91qyabyGe4m6-_5kuE5sncCc6F_kd4D_PQ9Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="761" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFhihzau4Cmo5fbn1c8TZmAFNicmCHyewFAQE3XeWrm0eKidsT3orrEWsQzupzNlG8QZHBCf3lMTdwgcHH7M3CUr5S_Wwy90cKF6_iYH2X9aqtcprZKNDVn3aZcd0TWb_rfyup7W5OJnBFYtc91qyabyGe4m6-_5kuE5sncCc6F_kd4D_PQ9Q=w330-h343" width="330" /></a></div><br />Karel cashed Heart King and now has to play Club Jack picking up Club Queen and Club</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">10 as he goes. So 4S making and the Holmes Wilson Trophy for Karel and his team. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">....................</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Top ex-Wales many time international and sometimes Ireland Senior international Peter Goodman at </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the other table also has a go but he ended up finessing the club and going down </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...........................</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Many other great declarers also made 4S but I am not going to look at them all as most </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">of the others did not have the Holmes Wilson Trophy on the line. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHj1xVH76iSxXvZpVKm1PTMi0GroQBOGyDOQiVW7AUT_Yxn5AOkg7ZbmwxtZiaDG1a0llW-nHVjPp6-_JtmAurluhExAIOa3SUmucXCgfOHADRfBOrAuO8HKqE_oZpMUZ7T0d6o58u-pV2SsaB4H-kcc_X-3eqThhq1rIVFMbKKTwpaeFmTl8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="493" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHj1xVH76iSxXvZpVKm1PTMi0GroQBOGyDOQiVW7AUT_Yxn5AOkg7ZbmwxtZiaDG1a0llW-nHVjPp6-_JtmAurluhExAIOa3SUmucXCgfOHADRfBOrAuO8HKqE_oZpMUZ7T0d6o58u-pV2SsaB4H-kcc_X-3eqThhq1rIVFMbKKTwpaeFmTl8" width="180" /></a></div><br />I has a look and noticed Alan Roughneen making it. He got </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Heart Heart and a Heart back and daintily tossed a diamond loser. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then took the diamond return and drew trumps. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now before he got the chance to execute his magical play West followed with</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Club TEN and Alan divined that it was not QT doubleton and made the contract. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maybe West was trying to look like QT doubleton or maybe he was showing hi-lo count </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I will never know. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...............</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now I better go and see how new CBAI CEO Dermots partner got on with the hand.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have not looked yet so here I go </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Flat board 4S-1 at both tables .. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhutuIOTPN1QiSe79FaLLpkgGYFJDTPXNvGYvR6S08nRC2vGSlUL0j2X6xzEjXQyl8BXjjony6V7zruP7o7U4EmPrO8ttUstwm8l3UZ7Xr0ddtbfsUBjkJ__MzYD8zFl-DwHrrEJXeObTuUfrS0tvLhRywm9N-AGTlcSXruO1QllH3MTPq4iI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="496" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhutuIOTPN1QiSe79FaLLpkgGYFJDTPXNvGYvR6S08nRC2vGSlUL0j2X6xzEjXQyl8BXjjony6V7zruP7o7U4EmPrO8ttUstwm8l3UZ7Xr0ddtbfsUBjkJ__MzYD8zFl-DwHrrEJXeObTuUfrS0tvLhRywm9N-AGTlcSXruO1QllH3MTPq4iI" width="127" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjevPRStYsKiFHjBM77UW-yzA9o4zDXvXRfTEHGheh5WKAkW20YoGKVoTCFXm29VTqegIr6IW7el_J4EmaPxeXJ-8e1eVPuTmmSgFmek0MGs53NuWBq1zpiaUtt-In5WC02CuSdEMoQmQK6mASYmqpjy1XtJC-oqAxJbBZK-Z3sdoXpk8WwlG4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="479" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjevPRStYsKiFHjBM77UW-yzA9o4zDXvXRfTEHGheh5WKAkW20YoGKVoTCFXm29VTqegIr6IW7el_J4EmaPxeXJ-8e1eVPuTmmSgFmek0MGs53NuWBq1zpiaUtt-In5WC02CuSdEMoQmQK6mASYmqpjy1XtJC-oqAxJbBZK-Z3sdoXpk8WwlG4" width="123" /></a></div><br />And another 5 declarers also went down ... TOUGH HAND but Karel nailed it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So take credit anyone who matched Karel. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I presume its a good idea to try the Hearts first but maybe with only 4-2 it cannot gain you. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">About 10 imps swing on this hand for those who went down and made at other table. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.................................................</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another hand I liked very much was hand 17 of Sunday </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYE-2Cw8cRzc_9qla05Ie17QkyGygA5d_1WMtqkQa0v4lkj572ejc6OCfTYoKN_9LJTeDEFgDoUP_LGuUo7xOQbtCB3dD6Nh4tFwUmY0dnvBSLYttfmDBqWgvmzD_wGQmxIMDloaFQEgAi2o4YlEvX70hoyXg23TqEhRRECvCmM4qiFz3Um6E" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="789" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYE-2Cw8cRzc_9qla05Ie17QkyGygA5d_1WMtqkQa0v4lkj572ejc6OCfTYoKN_9LJTeDEFgDoUP_LGuUo7xOQbtCB3dD6Nh4tFwUmY0dnvBSLYttfmDBqWgvmzD_wGQmxIMDloaFQEgAi2o4YlEvX70hoyXg23TqEhRRECvCmM4qiFz3Um6E=w363-h359" width="363" /></a></div><br />Here we see the EW putting it over the CBAI CEO ... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Despite Dermot O'Briens opening bid of 1S the EW kept going </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A 2D multi opening bid sunk Hanlon Moran who languished in 5C </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2yX0qZaiOioogyMY-vXnfmu-lZ7d1Bd-FJxFPWE_T3KOjKQY7tLLW2WPCnHfkui2WkJbte1eg_ruyH48RR3f7FmArURMgTZCwpYImK7Lfq6gHDf8Ne5T-xY_99pNPp9U1wFbcZmYMLKLUCXjzxalJD2L_b00pyuOtEVemPk65nKuhrRX7SdQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="934" data-original-width="440" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2yX0qZaiOioogyMY-vXnfmu-lZ7d1Bd-FJxFPWE_T3KOjKQY7tLLW2WPCnHfkui2WkJbte1eg_ruyH48RR3f7FmArURMgTZCwpYImK7Lfq6gHDf8Ne5T-xY_99pNPp9U1wFbcZmYMLKLUCXjzxalJD2L_b00pyuOtEVemPk65nKuhrRX7SdQ=w293-h313" width="293" /></a></div><br />Well done to all these EWs who outran the legendary Thomas Hanlon at bidding </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lots of 2S openings ..Several Dermot O'Brien specials ... Several passes </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hanlon got a Multi fired at him by a Gavin </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">However Hanlon as is his wont still won some imps as his 5C+1 defeated the 4D+2 at the other</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">table for 6 imps gain. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Later on there should be a video on Eamon Galligan youtube on the above</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Holmes Wilson 2022</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMMWkjXUKRw&ab_channel=EamonGalligan">Link to Holmes Wilson video</a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24899721.post-85091809621986434762022-02-03T03:11:00.002-08:002022-02-03T03:12:46.758-08:00I heard about a player make no tricks in 1NT the other night .. names redacted <p> Meanwhile if there is not much new stuff here ...checkout the Galligan Youtube bridge channel</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/GalliganBridge">https://www.youtube.com/user/GalliganBridge</a><br /></p><p>6 videos of the recent Broomfield Trophy are there .. all 48 hands are covered and played. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8lfkHXdASqo5RzXNEdqKwwXZeayBI71VfgoS90CCI3h2bKk731e-_3KQG8x-HXnivw7fx6rrvxv7gTBF0mL6GNnu6wDD5xR7TZ6Mjr_I1hYLnjtKI1aF5A4xciHhXb8rE75P05l-SpqQNetqdtXA45X0PIYBg0vmtkE0sdgThFvwLYOHIYLw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="688" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8lfkHXdASqo5RzXNEdqKwwXZeayBI71VfgoS90CCI3h2bKk731e-_3KQG8x-HXnivw7fx6rrvxv7gTBF0mL6GNnu6wDD5xR7TZ6Mjr_I1hYLnjtKI1aF5A4xciHhXb8rE75P05l-SpqQNetqdtXA45X0PIYBg0vmtkE0sdgThFvwLYOHIYLw=w424-h285" width="424" /></a></div>The unsuspecting East player pulled out a 1NT opening 12-14 from its bidding box and was unaware of the horror that was about to unfold. It went PASS PASS to the North who despite having a reasonable 2S bid using whatever methods one plays eyed up the vulnerability and figured if I can make 2S then maybe I can collect some vulnerable undertricks against the 1NT contract. <p></p><p>And so it began ... Ace King and another diamond from Python Penelope and Diamonds Dora swung a 4th highest spade from her long suit blissfully unaware of the consequences for declarer. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyWs_VtYx2LW-t6pLnOHuxAS0tA6_4qrmP-QwY35Mur3LT1e0ZRIT1MVsVy-CaGnAVCKZH8gogKYerfzL1Bg64WGrjFSE4YXONK7b8BDjMJpqFt7--gwfpMDl2xCfgMa5L04JTZS1cRQ-OfgCHb4YFVY-ofbDJU28RqCqv3x60W3q7vkEjq5s" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="607" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyWs_VtYx2LW-t6pLnOHuxAS0tA6_4qrmP-QwY35Mur3LT1e0ZRIT1MVsVy-CaGnAVCKZH8gogKYerfzL1Bg64WGrjFSE4YXONK7b8BDjMJpqFt7--gwfpMDl2xCfgMa5L04JTZS1cRQ-OfgCHb4YFVY-ofbDJU28RqCqv3x60W3q7vkEjq5s=w362-h283" width="362" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the lazy 6 was played from declarers hand ... it cannot really be a play that has much hope ...surely</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">rise with King and hope it wins. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So Python Penelope wins the Spade Jack ... cashes the 13th diamond and unwaringly returns a spade. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">5 spade tricks later and declarer is here </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0lYjGiXqeW7In2gDmiEHb7bvicxRU1R7_FscSnbfXf_4ip3MJE-HwZz4eyxhy0OEuMm9ya5FA2OGpU9nRs3I26zxT0Zb5BNTT1xYC71bjlQrEilPSCAn0flkijnRaDBo17ocubKUDQHKKSHyltxjGIA4_-h32B2a10RF4W-0uspLvoDTFsU4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="647" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0lYjGiXqeW7In2gDmiEHb7bvicxRU1R7_FscSnbfXf_4ip3MJE-HwZz4eyxhy0OEuMm9ya5FA2OGpU9nRs3I26zxT0Zb5BNTT1xYC71bjlQrEilPSCAn0flkijnRaDBo17ocubKUDQHKKSHyltxjGIA4_-h32B2a10RF4W-0uspLvoDTFsU4=w409-h294" width="409" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">10 tricks lost and a small heart comes back .... Declarer rises with the Heart King </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and Penelope wins and returns a heart to Diamond Doras QT. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As the old English player Garve used to do ..."Raises the Bat " </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">13 as they say in the Bingo .. Unlucky for some. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">................</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mind you the East West dusted themselves down and powered to victory </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">albeit on a score of 54.5% </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">......................................</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_ReNxUMLpaEzyP_8K_9ZXzYz0qkh39mFNBDQxcNfzBn2Y_Qfo5xSPj7zUUNNmkvs1ACNPgf_pDjdniz-aSqyRYN80ycPpmOwdLU0QsuGr7yxcltCagU3m0My-68qAqL1vO2gGR8eJunB6BZCIsE8AsMDGm0EXkFktdvQG9kdbmj8EVOLaf2U" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="568" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_ReNxUMLpaEzyP_8K_9ZXzYz0qkh39mFNBDQxcNfzBn2Y_Qfo5xSPj7zUUNNmkvs1ACNPgf_pDjdniz-aSqyRYN80ycPpmOwdLU0QsuGr7yxcltCagU3m0My-68qAqL1vO2gGR8eJunB6BZCIsE8AsMDGm0EXkFktdvQG9kdbmj8EVOLaf2U=w425-h161" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Meanwhile the Legend of Blanchardstown was not on the same page as the First Lady </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBPFYmk1ukWVa6uFVLeUuTpo0j5Dc3bVtW_NS1pdLjptlt8iXj6Hgi9DwqoytIQjCpEtPY8pYBxvFshOmdmbfZLGr54RCquwXMEaJrnMFe0zgQHbC2Qrt70SZmaQjQlBzRlrDQgzUgsZmD3bZvjj_Abby78D56eEA6xqUW1WZ6IaVWKix_8Gg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="227" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBPFYmk1ukWVa6uFVLeUuTpo0j5Dc3bVtW_NS1pdLjptlt8iXj6Hgi9DwqoytIQjCpEtPY8pYBxvFshOmdmbfZLGr54RCquwXMEaJrnMFe0zgQHbC2Qrt70SZmaQjQlBzRlrDQgzUgsZmD3bZvjj_Abby78D56eEA6xqUW1WZ6IaVWKix_8Gg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This shows the importance and major advantage of even having a 2 pager bidding system</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">agreed between the partnership .. Two pages of system beats loads of expert card playing skills. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once you know your partner is on the same page its a big start to your bridge game. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div></div><br /><p></p>Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24899721.post-46253493140990961662022-01-03T03:25:00.004-08:002022-01-03T03:28:21.442-08:00The Magician makes a 2C opening bid but at least he was not peeking<p> This morning I spotted a lad holding a solid diamond suit AKQJxxxx and nothing outside. At the odd table in the odd club I direct in the West might consider passing as he only has 10 points. </p><p>However our Magician deems it a 2C opening ...the real deal </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-nOkU-lepv6EZOXprP4lqb2Vw-GkE9y6Btk4iNbgB9SQlyMhn_b1hQHL1TROyYYJRa9rrGr-q_5X36g40BVPP_7qJjTbAlt4PzFIrQAG5HgefV-1sSa9xYmhIHi-tPhZD9KtYgmxBhoJfkku4-mMz0mDF4PrJX5I-Zq5PyZn2VwpdCJlIeh8=s968" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="968" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-nOkU-lepv6EZOXprP4lqb2Vw-GkE9y6Btk4iNbgB9SQlyMhn_b1hQHL1TROyYYJRa9rrGr-q_5X36g40BVPP_7qJjTbAlt4PzFIrQAG5HgefV-1sSa9xYmhIHi-tPhZD9KtYgmxBhoJfkku4-mMz0mDF4PrJX5I-Zq5PyZn2VwpdCJlIeh8=w412-h303" width="412" /></a></div>So the partner opens a full blooded 2C bid and the other partner bids the hearts and then rolls out the cannon 4NT ... We call it the Cannon as it kind of looks like a cannon and is called Blackwood. <div>Then after getting the AKQ of trumps it bid 6NT. </div><div><br /></div><div>Happily the opps did not find the club lead but sadly there were only 11 tricks</div><div>Still the folks got 12.5% for their efforts </div><div><br /></div><div>There is no bridge book that exists where this is deemed a 2C opening so our Magician needs a new wand .. At least he was not peeking like some folk do </div><div><br /></div><div>As my old friend Sally used to say plus in part score beats down in slam ... </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tmBU1jGwT_g/YdLduGJqAwI/AAAAAAAAD7A/1LiDlm1JHDECVNbam68lVyUaUZ9Cgu1PgCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="106" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tmBU1jGwT_g/YdLduGJqAwI/AAAAAAAAD7A/1LiDlm1JHDECVNbam68lVyUaUZ9Cgu1PgCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="113" /></a></div><br />And as we can see ...Sally would get 56%</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24899721.post-15974585107000627142021-12-12T05:07:00.002-08:002021-12-12T05:07:37.628-08:00One suspects the North lad missed his partners PASS as dealer<p> Good afternoon folks </p><p>Here is a hand I just witnessed in the Masters Pairs from CBAI. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--jy_YeNoByc/YbXw7zjHF7I/AAAAAAAAD6I/-15KpcLH8sE93FocGKBUVL05pJttxbXGQCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="788" height="470" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--jy_YeNoByc/YbXw7zjHF7I/AAAAAAAAD6I/-15KpcLH8sE93FocGKBUVL05pJttxbXGQCNcBGAsYHQ/w440-h470/image.png" width="440" /></a></div><br />South passes as dealer and West launches a 2H weak opening ...a solid weak 2 bid which is passed back to South who had already dealt and passed. Feeling no danger ahead he contributed a reasonable 2S bid. <p></p><p>Some will say a Double for takeout would be good but that might be hanging on the telephone. It is not recommended to make a takeout double with a void in declarers suit as one likes to lead trumps when partner passes. So 2S it was ... </p><p>Sadly somehow North figured his great unproven cardplay skills could guide home 3NT despite his partners starting with a PASS. I think he missed the PASS or forgot it happened or was distracted. </p><p>Anyway he proceeded to go down 2 vulerable and lose nearly 7 imps to negate the hard earned 6 imps he had already gained </p><p>.................</p><p>I notice the fearless Robert Knight who learned the bridge in the Stables in NIHE back in the day launched a 3H bid over Karels 2S opening thing. Conor Boland was pleased to drop the hammer on that and 800 later accept the plus 12 imps. Sadly the Knights were winning the match up until board 7 and that board blew them backwards. </p><p>Kokot and McConville found the takeout double and got plus 500 for their troubles</p><p><br /></p>Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24899721.post-82023254929297486182021-12-12T03:10:00.000-08:002021-12-12T03:10:04.358-08:00A hand that shows how hard a game bridge is or is it Hanging on the Telephone<p> Good morning folks </p><p>I spotted a hand while doing my rounds this morning. It shows one of the greatest ever pairs to play at a bridge table not just in Ireland but recognized as serious opponents in any decent bridge playing country in the world. In one book I picked up one time the an early chapter talked of two opponents searching a players international shirt to find the names of his opponents. Finding nothing he emerged with the words " Mr Nobody you play awful well"</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qQmxLVtodnE/YbXUcCQLW1I/AAAAAAAAD6A/zF__f40MTTcPSIjN1tQwTRHj2hRq5FvzQCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="781" data-original-width="781" height="427" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qQmxLVtodnE/YbXUcCQLW1I/AAAAAAAAD6A/zF__f40MTTcPSIjN1tQwTRHj2hRq5FvzQCNcBGAsYHQ/w427-h427/image.png" width="427" /></a></div><br />Anyway on the hand above we see Mr Redmond open a Precision 1D opening and Mr Fitzgibbon bangs out a fairly normal 4S bid. It can be aimed at making or as a sacrifice. Depends what partner has. Mr Gaynor puts what looks to be a penalty double on this but it must be unclear or not fully discussed as Mr Redmond bids 5D. Surely Mr Redmond should bid 5C as this is one of the suits shown by a negative double. This is passed back to Mr Mesbur who produced a 5S bid which was not a success given North South had 5D down on trumps alone. <p></p><p>Now Redmond and Gaynor are regular above average performers in Irish national competitions so you would expect the 5D bid not to happen. Even more certain is the expectation of the 5S bid not to happen when holding enough trumps to take 5D down. </p><p>So if a capable Irish pair and a world renowned Irish pair have issues on bidding competitive hands then the ordinary Joe and Mary Soap will have many issues. So when Covid Doog and Covid 3000 appear banging out 70% games every night one has to wonder what kind of Bridgebase they got. </p><p>Or maybe as Blondie used to sing </p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si81OxXiWHw&ab_channel=TopPop">Hanging on the Telephone</a><br /></p><p><br /></p>Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24899721.post-33374712477214919902021-11-30T10:08:00.000-08:002021-11-30T10:08:07.515-08:00The little Transfer bid that got supported and rose higher <p> Yesterday morning out in North Dublin near the sea I spotted some folk playing a bridge hand </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oNTbYQws3y0/YaZmu-1jFlI/AAAAAAAAD5U/8wot39GBTKMoWZyAio4erooiBFoEUDyDwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="657" height="423" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oNTbYQws3y0/YaZmu-1jFlI/AAAAAAAAD5U/8wot39GBTKMoWZyAio4erooiBFoEUDyDwCLcBGAsYHQ/w596-h423/image.png" width="596" /></a></div><br />West opened weak NT 12-14 <p></p><p>East did a transfer bid to SPADES</p><p>Nasty South bid 3H just to be awkward </p><p>For some reason West decided to go further in SPADES despite only having TWO ..</p><p>Passed around to SOUTH who figured double might work </p><p>Passed back to East who figured maybe if I bid 4S they won't double me next time</p><p>...........</p><p>That was 1400 later ... Lucky it was only 1 matchpoint board as opposed to 50 cent a 100 </p><p>Strangely enough the minus 1400 pair won the event with a 68% score </p><p>You would think a pair who run from 3S doubled into 4S doubled might not be so good </p><p>...................</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NUxY0SxhLyQ/YaZoZ463hfI/AAAAAAAAD5c/YQaFTzBkdDMNSnrj5kXaJMx3nUzmLG0bwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="163" height="558" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NUxY0SxhLyQ/YaZoZ463hfI/AAAAAAAAD5c/YQaFTzBkdDMNSnrj5kXaJMx3nUzmLG0bwCLcBGAsYHQ/w340-h558/image.png" width="340" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>Its not good to raise a transfer bid unless you got 3 or 4 card support ... </p><p>And if the transfer bid is doubled ..you don't complete it unless you got 3 or more trumps </p><p>So with a Doubleton you PASS </p><p><br /></p>Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24899721.post-5712117578836941892021-11-21T02:02:00.001-08:002021-11-21T02:02:42.950-08:00DNR Regional Teams ... the winners are the Inter As leaving the Masters behind. <p> This morning while examining the Robots dash through the Dublin North Region Masters competition I spotted the robot toying with the masters. </p><p>Robot offered to win the last 3 tricks with the lowest cards the TWOS</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sVpjyuzGb_M/YZoUmuikrLI/AAAAAAAAD44/4vJBX1jGftM-VOlaS-upVl2jbhxdU0jdQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="713" height="217" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sVpjyuzGb_M/YZoUmuikrLI/AAAAAAAAD44/4vJBX1jGftM-VOlaS-upVl2jbhxdU0jdQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Robot did not rub it in though and played diamond 2 to diamond 7 ...as East <p></p><p>has diamonds higher than the 2. Still it makes a pretty picture. </p><p>..........................</p><p>Unfortunately Robot team failed to qualify for the Regional Teams as it got beaten by the powerful Intermediate A team powered by the Sutton Kellys and Sheena Duffy and Evelyn Doyle. Its interesting that an intermediate team can win a Master competition. Well done to them. </p><p>Congratulation to the Deane team who won the best Masters prize despite getting destroyed by the robot squad 19-1 in the last match. Happily they still qualify as best Master Team despite being 11 VPs behind the winners. </p><p>Big problem is will they as winners be sent forward as the Master Team and miss out on their chance to win the All Ireland. Surely a team that defeats Masters should be a warm favourite to win the As. </p><p>Were the National Finals of 2020 ever held. Did the teams who won in November 2019 ever get to play in their Nationals ... I cannot remember what happened then. </p><p><a href="https://www.bridgewebs.com/cgi-bin/bwop/bw.cgi?pid=display_rank&event=20211120_1&club=glasnevin">DNR Teams results </a><br /></p><p>Great experience for the Inter Bs to play against the DNR masters. </p><p><br /></p>Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24899721.post-47009525758887004642021-11-17T05:25:00.002-08:002021-11-17T05:25:34.078-08:00The Ducking Play takes down the Setting Trick<p> Good afternoon ...</p><p>Nope I am not taking over from John McAllister but last night I saw the Ducking Play replacing the Setting Trick. </p><p>https://soundcloud.com/john-mcallister-221670174</p><p>So the West decided he did not like the Setting Trick </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-154jrMgIlYo/YZUA1UnSeXI/AAAAAAAAD4U/zxs6k4beMhsJ-GWIgrfru7-uA6NoQ-4GACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="596" height="384" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-154jrMgIlYo/YZUA1UnSeXI/AAAAAAAAD4U/zxs6k4beMhsJ-GWIgrfru7-uA6NoQ-4GACLcBGAsYHQ/w556-h384/image.png" width="556" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last night we had the Ducker defending 3NT and with 4 tricks scored up the famous Ducker </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">decided it was time for another Duck. He got a near duck alright. Either the guy misclicked or else he was executing some far out ducking strategy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So he ducked his partners spade return thinking he was going to endplay the dummy maybe. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">or was reluctant to allow dummy win all those nice spades in dummy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Unfortunately for the ducker when declarer won with spade Jack he was locked in his hand and only </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">had winners remaining and grimly played every winner to the end </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F7xPd5kZ9eE/YZUCIDD3KSI/AAAAAAAAD4c/FiA3eiPQFB089Hb62KOfMZFlelFfC9p9wCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="590" height="369" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F7xPd5kZ9eE/YZUCIDD3KSI/AAAAAAAAD4c/FiA3eiPQFB089Hb62KOfMZFlelFfC9p9wCLcBGAsYHQ/w537-h369/image.png" width="537" /></a></div><br />No claiming here despite having all winners. Its not often that the maestro gets the better </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">of Donald the Ducker. Donald duly got almost a duck for ducking. </div><br /><br /><p></p>Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24899721.post-26425632219790144292021-10-29T13:16:00.011-07:002021-10-29T14:29:16.735-07:00I got some action on the Sligo Fast Fridays<p> Tonight a well known Master player allowed me back on Granda Tom against his pair in the Sligo Fast Fridays. Master player has the advantage as his partner is a Northern Ireland international player and Granda Tom only has Finola from Derrygonnelly. </p><p>Also I cannot watch the race as Fearghal like most other clubs has the kibitzers blocked. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PL_YVSDa5S4/YXxWg6UNavI/AAAAAAAAD3M/-Cl2kwQwvR4vg2HP-a6XZy8NUQNgVvG7ACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="297" data-original-width="561" height="169" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PL_YVSDa5S4/YXxWg6UNavI/AAAAAAAAD3M/-Cl2kwQwvR4vg2HP-a6XZy8NUQNgVvG7ACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My horse is in 2nd place after 6 boards .. However the leader is my betting opponent. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KdO6M_nQEIs/YXxbwwx7gBI/AAAAAAAAD3U/ysBim68HzqEsCx1pUkKDiElFfA0udsRZQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="273" data-original-width="522" height="167" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KdO6M_nQEIs/YXxbwwx7gBI/AAAAAAAAD3U/ysBim68HzqEsCx1pUkKDiElFfA0udsRZQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My horse dropped back after round 3 but the Granda is still running strong. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He is like Frank O'Mara in the running he has a powerful kick once </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">he don't leave too much to do. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XUi7pwXcmgM/YXxgxfzaOyI/AAAAAAAAD3c/0NoV0adYThMLTXAuovQnf-dGwbt_DwqcQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="289" data-original-width="529" height="175" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XUi7pwXcmgM/YXxgxfzaOyI/AAAAAAAAD3c/0NoV0adYThMLTXAuovQnf-dGwbt_DwqcQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />After round 4 I think my horse has climbed into the lead. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hopefully the Granda will continue to fire and make me some money </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I cannot see anything except the tables ... Fearghal does not allow gamblers in his </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">games. My opponent AKsooted is playing against the Maura O'Keefe bridge player and Mister O'Keefe so hopefully their teaching skills will hold back Chipshop boy </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8P9VmUWx-ps/YXxh5w04DFI/AAAAAAAAD3k/yfbmYK7rwuYYTECqzQufSD1V2no8GuJngCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="548" height="182" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8P9VmUWx-ps/YXxh5w04DFI/AAAAAAAAD3k/yfbmYK7rwuYYTECqzQufSD1V2no8GuJngCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div>Its Chipshop man versus Granda Tom in the battle of Butler Yeats </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I see Butcher man is also coming up on the inside too .. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Connell from high up in Donegal ..maybe Glenties</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HCAs5Ib8o4o/YXxlyIC112I/AAAAAAAAD3s/CZaO3E2-8Ms6MDvOlDqwN8ng04On3LbeQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="579" height="235" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HCAs5Ib8o4o/YXxlyIC112I/AAAAAAAAD3s/CZaO3E2-8Ms6MDvOlDqwN8ng04On3LbeQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Can you believe it ..the best player in Ireland does not know how to duck a trick at </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">trick 1 to make 3NT ... Cost me 5 euro the weak declarer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Muib-DDCdIM/YXxnG-uEXcI/AAAAAAAAD30/mx914BPSz4Mti4d81yiDuMF5tKWQgAWawCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="565" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Muib-DDCdIM/YXxnG-uEXcI/AAAAAAAAD30/mx914BPSz4Mti4d81yiDuMF5tKWQgAWawCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="306" /></a></div><br />Then on the next board he is doubled in 3S and takes the lazy route to down 2</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">instead of the good player route to one off via a possible squeeze. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Why would you lock yourself in dummy giving you no chance </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bloody hell ..don't bet on Granda Tom as he not good at the playing cards<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24899721.post-37510790085032982202021-10-23T03:18:00.005-07:002021-10-23T05:55:27.651-07:00The 1st bridge cheater in Ireland was my brother ..Wait until you see what came after him <p> Back in the early 1990s I had a bridge program called Meadowlark Bridge and PCs were becoming affordable. I was down in Cavan my home town for a few days and brought my PC with me. I was happily playing the Meadowlark every day upstairs. </p><p>Then one day in I went and played a hand and noticed I was way down the leaderboard as some Socrates has taken over. Board after Board I played but the relentless Socrates was always top on every board. </p><p>Finally I realized what had happened. My much younger brother ...21 years younger had slipped in and bid 7NT on every board and claimed 13 tricks on every board. Later on he learned double and redouble. </p><p>My Meadowlark was ruined and every time I reinstalled it ..the results remained as they must have been stored somewhere else. </p><p>So that was the first bridge cheater I encountered </p><p>Meanwhile in Ireland nearly 30 years on we have the new version of my brother </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gIeDYG5P2fk/YXPcRQIWO9I/AAAAAAAAD1k/eSKbl3kiQeM4DxsoWvdlGgAmziow83FTACLcBGAsYHQ/s868/soc1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="868" height="256" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gIeDYG5P2fk/YXPcRQIWO9I/AAAAAAAAD1k/eSKbl3kiQeM4DxsoWvdlGgAmziow83FTACLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h256/soc1.png" width="469" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think this one was a misclick ..South meant to bid 2NT </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oPVruHUn3Xg/YXPcd7muLVI/AAAAAAAAD1o/qXeQhi3tDT89KYotOCVin6GLp3cF5juCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s868/soc2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="811" data-original-width="868" height="299" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oPVruHUn3Xg/YXPcd7muLVI/AAAAAAAAD1o/qXeQhi3tDT89KYotOCVin6GLp3cF5juCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/soc2.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Our man West tried it on Real Bridge and got hosed in Camrose by England</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KStBCSJAefI/YXPcuzSgNTI/AAAAAAAAD10/0bd5JDVLVoE2AEEiLSF-S1xStnkIl_3lwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/soc3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1600" height="288" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KStBCSJAefI/YXPcuzSgNTI/AAAAAAAAD10/0bd5JDVLVoE2AEEiLSF-S1xStnkIl_3lwCLcBGAsYHQ/w417-h288/soc3.png" width="417" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here East West pushed them into the going down slam but then misdefended by grabbing Spade Queen too early ...South misplayed by floating the spade 10 ...and East grabbed the bait. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BykYA7qLBTM/YXPeFbWuALI/AAAAAAAAD2E/B6L2uDpvsr40ono2pb78h89WkGj6DS12QCLcBGAsYHQ/s611/soc4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="611" height="291" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BykYA7qLBTM/YXPeFbWuALI/AAAAAAAAD2E/B6L2uDpvsr40ono2pb78h89WkGj6DS12QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/soc4.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here it seems Mr Peeper goes for the top spot knowing about his nice diamond stopper</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In this case Mr Peeper is also the club director </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Surely when God gives you AKQJxx and 4 card support she means those as trumps.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R29MIgYSJG0/YXPeF-tVkJI/AAAAAAAAD2I/KF20lQ4LeTUzAUtwmX9VdVkDxBW9DUKFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1215/soc5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1215" height="226" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R29MIgYSJG0/YXPeF-tVkJI/AAAAAAAAD2I/KF20lQ4LeTUzAUtwmX9VdVkDxBW9DUKFgCLcBGAsYHQ/w413-h226/soc5.png" width="413" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here Mr Peeper or something roars into 3NT buying a 15 count in dummies passed hand </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tTwYWT9aGO0/YXPeGK3YnUI/AAAAAAAAD2M/aotRLsUGoYI8jmSVnLTQ8Ke8-n67i7L8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1215/soc6.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1215" height="259" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tTwYWT9aGO0/YXPeGK3YnUI/AAAAAAAAD2M/aotRLsUGoYI8jmSVnLTQ8Ke8-n67i7L8QCLcBGAsYHQ/w474-h259/soc6.png" width="474" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here we have an East seemingly knowing it is safe to introduce spades </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A different Mr Peeper </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-du5WH_9sti4/YXQGFkFm7hI/AAAAAAAAD2w/wH1BAVEBHaAtQc0iUe0APQvZ1ucjA6AKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1479/soc7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="1479" height="144" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-du5WH_9sti4/YXQGFkFm7hI/AAAAAAAAD2w/wH1BAVEBHaAtQc0iUe0APQvZ1ucjA6AKgCLcBGAsYHQ/w465-h144/soc7.png" width="465" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Above Granda tells me about someone taking him for a fool and getting hosed </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sbeJP3sYouI/YXPeGXSdNpI/AAAAAAAAD2U/VquFeBZAwjoXnlXDcJzaRhvfSZB5cHTEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1215/soc8.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1215" height="247" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sbeJP3sYouI/YXPeGXSdNpI/AAAAAAAAD2U/VquFeBZAwjoXnlXDcJzaRhvfSZB5cHTEgCLcBGAsYHQ/w452-h247/soc8.png" width="452" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here we have one of the Mr Peepers on lead ... No Spade Queen for him </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He leads 5th highest to his partners King doubleton with no bidding </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mr Peeper is the KING </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0za4qrDPk24/YXPeGr-6bAI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/a8GNDh6HRVY7rt4l7rSTmEVr52Kg801sQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1215/soc9.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1215" height="318" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0za4qrDPk24/YXPeGr-6bAI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/a8GNDh6HRVY7rt4l7rSTmEVr52Kg801sQCLcBGAsYHQ/w581-h318/soc9.png" width="581" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here is the King of the Peepers ....this chap can divine a doubleton club in his </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">partners hand and knows his partner got trump Ace ..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This man has God on his side or maybe the other chap.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Led a club and when pard won Trump Ace early ..another club and bingo ruff</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S06UDbOgv_Y/YXPeFUV0uvI/AAAAAAAAD18/FskEeLpRg2g6uuZvKIG3FfKufHJSMPTZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1215/soc10.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1215" height="175" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S06UDbOgv_Y/YXPeFUV0uvI/AAAAAAAAD18/FskEeLpRg2g6uuZvKIG3FfKufHJSMPTZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/soc10.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here Mrs Inter A2 Peeper is able to NOT lead Diamond Queen like 32 other hopeless opening leaders. NO NO NO ...Madame Peeper finds a nice Club 10 lead ...to partners A8763</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No way she leads Diamond Queen ..thats for dodos </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3NT down 1 </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh and by the way Madame Peeper looked good and did not lead 4th highest to block the suit </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ODuWP3CHAqQ/YXPeFTITVDI/AAAAAAAAD2A/-WJhyQ5X_d8p-dsQIQQE5DfnTAlb72bmACLcBGAsYHQ/s1215/soc11.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1215" height="175" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ODuWP3CHAqQ/YXPeFTITVDI/AAAAAAAAD2A/-WJhyQ5X_d8p-dsQIQQE5DfnTAlb72bmACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/soc11.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And finally he King of the Peepers ... We got KQJ53 and even God herself will lead Spade King but our Peeper is made of stronger stuff ... Spade 3 .... and Partner got ACE TEN small ....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And he don't even overtake the TEN second time ...cos its not allowed open 1NT with 5 card major in Sligo cos Feargal said so .. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24899721.post-90511924074808204602021-10-17T10:03:00.000-07:002021-10-17T10:03:11.067-07:00The in-form Paul Tranmer cruises to victory in the NIBU Camrose Trials<p> This weekend the most in-form player of the Covid era cruised to victory in the Northern Ireland Camrose trials. Aided by regular partner Wayne Sommerville a top player in his own right Tranmer Sommerville led the 4th place pair by 18 VPs at the end of 16 board match ups. </p><p>Tranmer has been the form man of the Northern section of the NIBU throughout COVID. One night himself and the missus posted a plus 135 imps total over 24 boards. Thus it was no surprise that they made the team. Of course the COVID opposition is much weaker than the Camrose Trials opposition with many multiple capped internationals in the field.</p><p>A major surprise was the failure of the NIBU most experienced pair Greenwood and Andersons failure to make the team. Possibly they were exempted due to their pedigree and only playing for the practice. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KcY5YCmsdvA/YWxTIPOXSbI/AAAAAAAAD08/qS4Wiyp29FcxBEpIHxHfkzUi7jWxeiSUQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="795" height="290" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KcY5YCmsdvA/YWxTIPOXSbI/AAAAAAAAD08/qS4Wiyp29FcxBEpIHxHfkzUi7jWxeiSUQCLcBGAsYHQ/w474-h290/image.png" width="474" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I heard about a great hand played by the famous Derry bridge star Tommy McDaid. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The incredible John Ferguson a former international player but now well past his prime rolled back the years or the curtains and found the incredible lead of small diamond from South. So 5 3 6 and Jack wins.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now its McDaid on the hot seat and he greedily goes where no woman would go and finesses a heart ,,,losing to the queen .. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back comes a diamond and down goes McDaid ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">..........................</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But no Ferguson wins with Diamond Ace and swings a heart through. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tommy McDaid says Thanks very much lad and good night. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">..................</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Meanwhile Coffey and the Bishop Lavery rolled back the years and rolled in 2nd place. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and in 3rd place was Zrinka Kokot hauling McDaid behind her. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.bridgewebs.com/cgi-bin/bwop/bw.cgi?pid=display_rank&event=20211017_10&club=niburesults">Camrose and Interpro Results</a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The results as posted on NIBU website are above. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24899721.post-25572499171147327862021-09-23T03:20:00.001-07:002021-09-23T03:23:30.714-07:00I was caught speeding by the Grandparents<p> Last night while subbing for a robot in Sligo I thought I would try out my trademark weak no points opening being favourable vulnerability. Its a bad habit I have that I cannot get rid of </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EIkUgZ32k7U/YUxTfO0YK5I/AAAAAAAAD0I/JrSztydki8gPNrKgiZ_k1VjnsgXvhRUmACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="295" height="303" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EIkUgZ32k7U/YUxTfO0YK5I/AAAAAAAAD0I/JrSztydki8gPNrKgiZ_k1VjnsgXvhRUmACLcBGAsYHQ/w321-h303/image.png" width="321" /></a></div><br />So I wheeled out my weak 2 bid with no points but the hand was such that I was doomed and robots don't like jokes. After my robot bid a forcing enquiry 2NT the ever vigilant Grandma Finola pounced with a double and the always holding good cards Granda Tom left it roll. <p></p><p>Even if I managed to escape unscathed there was no hope for me as down 3 even undoubled in a partscore board was always down bottom. </p><p>However I will always follow the lure of the favourable vulnerability as I have loads of successes. </p><p>Unfortunately I handed the Grandparents another victory in Sligo but they might have won anyway given they are so good. </p><p>I will get them the next time there is robots in Sligo </p><p>Watch this space !!</p><p>I went minus 500 for 0% score ... Bah </p><p>I think they would have still won ..playing in 2S+1 but I would have done better ..maybe in 2nd place.</p><p>but nobody remembers 2nd place</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r9MecFkG_wQ/YUxVatnEGRI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/yg-G54nkoMU25q6jo4SiZBgigSOx7D99ACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="661" height="147" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r9MecFkG_wQ/YUxVatnEGRI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/yg-G54nkoMU25q6jo4SiZBgigSOx7D99ACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mairead runs a good show most nights on BBO</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Sligo Congress face to face is coming next June 2022.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24899721.post-28312209400358260092021-09-10T06:29:00.001-07:002021-09-10T06:29:18.663-07:00Saga of Learning Bridge from scratch ..a different approach including my own experience<p> Good afternoon folks </p><p>Here is my first video on Learning Bridge from Scratch .. or Zero </p><p>Some stories some demonstration some explanations </p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmTzphJrYzM&list=PLCIzFGArxGo3j72eC9h135d6i2UrzE8pM&ab_channel=EamonGalligan">Learn to play Bridge (needs a redo)</a><br /></p><p>A link above to my first recording about how to start bridge. Unfortunately I cut off parts of the screen</p><p>so will need to redo this video showing all the information </p><p>Hmmm disaster ... and I uploaded to Youtube and did not even notice </p><p>However the content is good </p><p><br /></p>Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24899721.post-3077948103282894962021-09-10T05:53:00.003-07:002021-09-10T05:53:57.645-07:00Battle of the Egos on Youtube Nprecision versus Murphyslaw <p> Good afternoon folks </p><p>I made a few videos from a new saga where 2 bridgeplayers go into battle but are learning at the same time. </p><p>Nprecision versus Murphyslaw </p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCIzFGArxGo3-Ey3q3JKQfRRRMNMMmN42">Nprecision Murphy playlist</a><br /></p><p>Last night while running some bridge games this hand came up</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OpQCSFHmZyw/YTtRi5mS0mI/AAAAAAAADzg/t6X8CqHaS2U9t8EEFrSJ4e97-Rx3RmrBQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="889" height="360" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OpQCSFHmZyw/YTtRi5mS0mI/AAAAAAAADzg/t6X8CqHaS2U9t8EEFrSJ4e97-Rx3RmrBQCLcBGAsYHQ/w624-h360/image.png" width="624" /></a></div><br />After a pass by East the South player opened 1H. All the bridge teachers in Ireland tout open your longest suit but loads of people doubt those teachers. This chap said "But Eamon I was playing 5 card majors" <p></p><p>Big deal open 1 club and then rebid the hearts about twice thus showing 5+ hearts and a longer club suit. </p><p>Furthermore in another club from this one </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UyD9Wx_PPUA/YTtSzdEEupI/AAAAAAAADzo/u-VYZc_VmAkvefXIuOVv2TEoV_X202ArACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="375" height="398" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UyD9Wx_PPUA/YTtSzdEEupI/AAAAAAAADzo/u-VYZc_VmAkvefXIuOVv2TEoV_X202ArACLcBGAsYHQ/w370-h398/image.png" width="370" /></a></div><br />Here it is noticeable that 4 tables of the 9 only reached the 2 level in bidding but I was suggesting that the South hand bid at least 3 times almost on its own. I personally will be bidding this hand to 3H on my own before partner contributes so 2 level contracts are below my radar with this South hand. <p></p><p>At 3 tables out of 9 in an established bridge club the bidding went PASS PASS </p><p>There is a saying in bridge about 55 come alive ...well 65 is even more so </p><p>Hand Evaluation ,,,,</p><p>Method 1 ... High card points 10 plus 3 for the 5th and 6th cards in length = 13 thus an opening bid</p><p>Method 2 ... CBAI rule of 19 or 20 add high card points and 2 longest suits if 20 then open bidding so 10 high card points and 11 for the long suits means 21 CBAI points </p><p>Method 3 Zarpoints .. 26 Zars for an opening bid </p><p>Add a) high card points b) controls A=2 K=1 c) 2 longest suits d) longest minus shortest </p><p>10+3+11+6 = 30 ...well above the 26 required to open </p><p>So how did 3 pairs produce a pass as opener and how did 4 tables only reach a 2 level contract. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24899721.post-3003339840360194192021-08-30T05:38:00.003-07:002021-09-01T00:25:42.115-07:00Hanlon or Carroll ..who is the best ... I am backing Thomas Hanlon as he is olderSome website is running partner versus partner events ... New Bridge Tricks I think it is called<div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGYn436Ppj0&ab_channel=NewTricksBridgeClub">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGYn436Ppj0&ab_channel=NewTricksBridgeClub</a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>At this stage I have not watched the whole video or gone to the end to see who is the champ of Round 1</div><div>.................</div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile I has a quick look at the all conquering Granda Tom or Covid Tom as he is known in Sligo. </div><div><br /></div><div>I only looked at the first board of the most recent helping</div><div><br /></div><div>it was a 7 card trick ... 7 cards from Tom ..7 cards from Finola .... then the play was over</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IHKlndWWw2Q/YSzJ_zPfUxI/AAAAAAAADy0/qfD1C7uri78iESNFevynA6d1xDiQCDywACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="881" height="409" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IHKlndWWw2Q/YSzJ_zPfUxI/AAAAAAAADy0/qfD1C7uri78iESNFevynA6d1xDiQCDywACLcBGAsYHQ/w540-h409/image.png" width="540" /></a></div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.bridgebase.com/tools/handviewer.html?bbo=y&myhand=M-1514010935-1629744386">https://www.bridgebase.com/tools/handviewer.html?bbo=y&myhand=M-1514010935-1629744386</a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Granda fires off 4th highest lead of diamonds</div><div>Grandma fires back a spade and East understandably plays low although the 1S opener might have tipped him or her off and spade King was option. </div><div>Spade queen wins and granda backs a spade and takes a ruff ... 4 tricks for the Grandparents </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_8rxhizWCM8/YSzLlxWIBgI/AAAAAAAADy8/wrbePFN2csU2FJujS_hJpxF8gAtrM0MvACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="867" height="363" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_8rxhizWCM8/YSzLlxWIBgI/AAAAAAAADy8/wrbePFN2csU2FJujS_hJpxF8gAtrM0MvACLcBGAsYHQ/w492-h363/image.png" width="492" /></a></div><br />Next the Granda picks out the Heart King and fires that out and partner plays the H3 encouraging and takes Heart Ace and gives another ruff ...</div><div>Then its time to concede the rest and move on as the grand pair have picked this carcass clean </div><div>.............................................</div><div>Meanwhile in the European championships last week we had the Fulvio Fantoni scenario</div><div>This chap and his partner Claudio Nunes apparently got caught cheating some years ago ... </div><div><br /></div><div>They got a few suspensions from Italian bridge and European Bridge and the ACBL don't allow them play bridge in their events apparently </div><div><br /></div><div>So maybe 3 years ban from FIGB and 5 years ban from European Bridge. </div><div>However Fantoni Nunes appealed to CAS (Court of Administration for Sport) and their appeal was upheld and the bans were overturned ... So these lads are allowed play it seems </div><div><br /></div><div>.....................................</div><div>The only problem as we found out last week .... no opponents wanted to play against Mr Fantoni </div><div><br /></div><div>I am not fully sure what was achieved by this episode but it happened </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QX3Aem1fhgM/YSzOoNRSm_I/AAAAAAAADzE/SwGfZ-JZTJcV1EMlXYyJSXnjGmdjw-ogQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="966" height="519" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QX3Aem1fhgM/YSzOoNRSm_I/AAAAAAAADzE/SwGfZ-JZTJcV1EMlXYyJSXnjGmdjw-ogQCLcBGAsYHQ/w543-h519/image.png" width="543" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>Nobody showed up to play ...and Italy placed 3rd with 30 12-0 walkover victories and 1 bye. </div><div>The rules indicate that their 372 will be adjusted upwards but so far that has not happened on the website. </div><div><br /></div><div>However I don't know what was achieved as nothing has happened as far as I can see except all the international teams skipped a game against a club team that has nothing to do with Bermuda Bowl. </div><div>Most of the teams might have beaten this Italy ... </div><div><br /></div><div>CAS overturned the verdicts so there is no suspension ... Even the 5 year suspension issued by EBU is already served ... </div><div><br /></div><div>Should have let him play ...Catch him again and go back to court .. or else he is reformed and we all get on with playing </div><div><br /></div><div>From reading the CAS report it seems the EBL brought the wrong case and wrong evidence and left too many holes in their case. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://neapolitanclub.altervista.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/CAS-TAS-Decision-Fantoni-Nunes.pdf">https://neapolitanclub.altervista.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/CAS-TAS-Decision-Fantoni-Nunes.pdf</a><br /></div><div>There is the pdf ... seems pretty clear ... </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Eamon Galliganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292947987059385524noreply@blogger.com0