Editorial by Paul Bowyer
Welcome to the eleventh edition of V-Blue, the interactive magazine for those "experienced learners" of the wonderful game of bridge.
In this issue there are four series. In two of them we are looking at furthering your defensive technique against the finesse.
Sometimes sneaky declarers try to make tricks that aren't theirs by right and you can catch them out. You may have heard of the adage "cover an honour with an honour" – it's old enough. In fact, it dates from the days of whist, some 200 years ago.
Here we try and unravel the mysteries of this phrase and show you why you should indeed "cover an honour with an honour". Naturally enough, we show you when not to follow this rule as well. These are murky waters, if truth be told.
When you have worked your way through these twelve highly instructive deals you may care to head for the two "General Series" of six and four hands respectively.
The first series has been written by our famous guest author from England, the prolific David Bird. There's no theme to these half a dozen deals and the level of difficulty varies from hand to hand. That’s precisely as it should be of course - when playing the game in practice some hands are easy and some... aren't.
The final set of four deals comes with a theme. What is it? We're not telling..., except to say that it is based on defence!
We also have a quiz for you to try. Ten questions on how to bid against pre-emptive opening bids.
There's plenty for you this edition – enjoy!
Series #2299 - Covering an honour with an honour - Part I (ACOL)
This series of six deals and its partner, also of six deals, are all about covering honours with honours.
There is an old adage at bridge that tells you to "cover an honour with an honour". Like all such maxims it contains a modicum of sense but should not be followed blindly as it sometimes does more harm than good.
Defending against pre-empts Quiz
This area of the game is something of a minefield. Your right-hand opponent opens the bidding at the three-level (or four-level) and you are suddenly out of your comfort zone. What do you do? Well, all you can do in retaliation to these pre-emptive strikes is to Double for take-out, bid your own suit or maybe have a shot at 3NT. One thing's for sure - this is a bear-garden. Bid and you may get Doubled for zillions. Pass and you may find you have missed a game (or even a slam). That's whart pre-emps are there fore - to put you to an uncomfortable guess.
Defending against pre-empts Quiz: click here
Series #2300 - Covering an honour with an honour - Part II (ACOL)
This second series of six deals and its earlier partner, also of six deals, are all about covering honours with honours.
This series of four deals contains a theme. You will find out what that theme is in due course - all we are willing to say is that you will be defending all four hands...
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