Issue 17 - Standard American

Editorial by Paul Bowyer

Welcome to the seventeenth edition of V-Blue, the interactive magazine for those “experienced learners” of the fascinating game of bridge.

In this issue there are four series. In two of them we are looking at declarer-play. Here we are revisiting an old friend – the Hold-up play. We have seen some simple examples of this in earlier editions of V-Blue. Now we are showing you some “tastier” examples and – in the second series of six deals – extending the idea to suit contracts. Not taking a trick when you are able to do so is an important tactic in this game, whether you are declaring or defending. As usual we have easy deals and we have – er – some less easy deals.

When you have worked your way through these two series 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, on how to handle suit combinations. As always we have a quiz for you to try. Ten questions on the reverse. Yes, we have looked at this topic before but it causes so much confusion that we thought we’d revisit it. Here we reinforce the idea of the “Principle of fast arrival”. Clear? It will be! There’s plenty for you in this edition – enjoy!

Series #2444 - The hold-up (harder cases) - Part I (SA)

Series #2444 - The hold-up (harder cases) - Part I (SA)

We have already seen the idea of a hold-up; a simple play of not taking an early trick when we are able to do so.

The problem that most inexperienced players have with this play is that they hold up on all sorts of unsuitable hands – ducking becomes a reflex action. In these two series in this edition of V-Blue we are challenging you to get the early play right. Sometmes is will be right to hold up the first trick (or two) and sometimes it won't.

Series #2444 - The hold-up (harder cases) - Part I (SA):

Reverse bidding Quiz

We looked at the delicate question of reverses in the last edition. Now we are going to continue with this theme here.

One of the principles that we use is that a reverse after a two-level response is forcing to game. This sometimes means that simple preference is the strongest bid you can make. Reverse bidding Quiz: click here

Series #2445 - The hold-up (harder cases) - Part II (SA)

This is the second series of deals on defensive signals. The first series can be found elsewhere in this edition of V-Blue.

The basic principle here is that a high card by third hand encourages partner to continue the led suit. A low card, though, suggests no interest in that suit (and may suggest that there are better prospects elsewhere).

Series #2445 - The hold-up (harder cases) - Part II (SA):

Series 2441 - Improve your Card Play by David Bird (SA):

Series #2447 - General Hands (SA):