Dubious Logic

Spring Simul

Ah, spring is here! Official now because we've just had the English Bridge Union Spring Simultaneous Pairs. Really a fund-raising device for the EBU, it's easy to forgive the 'simul' as they are fun too. Good news for Ipswich and Kesgrave as well: Joan Spearing and Peter Markwell from the club are currently lying fifth in the national event (2034 pairs so far). I say 'currently' as there's still the possibility of late results but these days most clubs score quickly with the computer aid and additions are likely to be few.

Joan and Peter's club score improved when compared to the wider field. This phenomenon surprises some but there is no sleight of hand. Each deal was played thirteen times at Ipswich and therefore the best result was to beat twelve other pairs that played in the same direction; two points for each beaten pairs (one for each tie) gives a 'top' of 24, a 'middle' of 12 and 'bottom' of zero. In the national mix the scores are numerically larger but fundamental to this form of scoring, each board counts equally toward your final result. A middling result in the club ranking might score 12, 50% of the points available, but the same score might appear higher or lower when all club's results are put together, perhaps earning you 51% or 45% - a few precious extra points on to or off your overall (average) score.

I noticed that on Thursday most of the East-West scores improved and the North-South numbers depreciated; I guess all the good players sat East or West. Give your self a chance to excel as North-South with this lead problem, both side vulnerable:

• J43
• 1042
• A975
• A95

Diamonds and spades look very unattractive but though you have a better holding in clubs than hearts, if you start that suit, you may well lose a trick as you give up the advantage of holding the ace over the strong hand. A heart then. The usual lead is the lowest but in days long ago, top of a three card holding was a better thought of, as it made matters clearer for partner. So it transpired:

After my partner, Peter Sutcliffe, made the thoughtful choice of the ♥10, even I couldn't go wrong, holding up the heart ace twice to ensure we got our four tricks. On the ♥2 I might well have played partner for ♥K1042 and played ace and another. That got us an undisputed top at Ipswich but the dilution factor set in nation wide and registered 81% as the bidding accidents and the declarer mangles served to undercut the result. Though our overall score flattered us, I think Peter deserved better for his lead on this one.

Published Saturday 20.May.2006