IBPA Awards.

October 24th, 2011  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  1 Comment 

At the International Bridge Press Association-IBPA meetings this morning.

JC, Mark & Eric

The Master Point Press Book of the Year Award was given out to

Winner: The Rodwell Files. Authors: Eric Rodwell (USA) and Mark Horton (England).

Roland Wald

The Alan Truscott Award-Person whose contribution to bridge would be most appeciated by Alan.

Winner: Roland Wald (London) for his work on BBO Vugraph.

Ron, Sally, Nicola and Suzy Klinger.

 The Keri Klinger Award for Pressure Play.

Winner : Michelle Brunner and John Holland (England).  Accpted by Michelle’s long time teammates Sally Brock and Nicola Smith.

Dilip Gidwani, Marty, Mike and Brent

The Gidwani Family Trust Defence of The Year.

Winner : Mike Kamil & Marty Fleisher (USA). Journalist: Brent Manley (USA).

IBPA Auction of the Year.

Winner : Venkatrao koneru and Ira Chrush (USA). Journalist : Brent Manley (USA).

Berry Rigal & Geo Tiskvoll.

The Rose Cliff Declarer Play of the Year.

Winner : Geir Helgemo (NOR). Journalist : Geo Tislevoll (NZ).

THe Richard Freeman Junior Deal of the Year Award.

Winner : Cedric Lorenzini and Christophe Grosset (FRA). Journalist : Patrick Gogacki (FRA).

Pierre Zimmermann

IBPA Personality of the Year : Pierre Zimmermann (Monaco).

Gone biking

October 23rd, 2011  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  No Comments 

I needed a break from bridge, rented a bike from the sport center for the day. Sure feels great to get away from it all.

Eric Kokish & David Sokolow-USA 2

Kaiser, Strater, Kratz, Schinze & Klumpp-Germany

Sharyn Reus & Dianna Gordon

Herman De Wael-3 beer guy

Micke Melander-anything you can do, I can do better

Back at the Venice Cup Quarter Final 3/6 set. China had a good run 58-20 imps against France. The following deal helped.

At the other table South never bid spades, supported diamond instead. Ended up defending four hearts doubled. Beat it one for +100.

The Chinese won 11 imps on this board.

The big Zzz!

October 22nd, 2011  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  No Comments 

Shirley Newton, Kris Wooles, Jenny Wilkinson, Alan Turner, Tony Lenart & Mike Cornell

Here comes the rain again-by the Eurythmics.

The RR is over for us, earned the right to sleep in the morning.

For results, If you can’t get on to the World Bridge Fedration site you can try the Dutch site http://www.wkbridge2011.nl/en/live

RR 19. Board 11. Dealer South. None Vul.

Cristina and Pony had a nice auction to the grand in spades.

This was the auction at the other table. 

 Our opponents reached 6 ♠. We won 11imps

Jim, JC-John Carruthers & Michael

Dutch treat-Jan Van Cleeff-Bridgetopics.com

Geeske Joel & Tobi Sokolow-USA 2

Eric & Donna Rodwell

Kamel Fergani-npc Canada & Doug

Extra chances.

October 21st, 2011  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  1 Comment 

It is another cool and sunny day in Eindhoven. Our team is having a good time both at and away from the bridge table.

How would you and your partner bid these hands.

RR17. Dealer West. E-W Vul.

As North you held ♠ A9 ♥ AJ ♦ K72 ♣ AKQJ53

Your partner held ♠ KQ543 ♥ K65  ♦ 1064 ♣ 76

Dany and Sabine got to 6NT from the North side.  Their auction was 

1♣ Strong.

Got a diamond lead made 12 tricks, won our side 10 imps. At the other table, they stopped in 3NT made 12 tricks also.

RR 18. Board 24. Dealer West. None Vul.

Annaig Della Monta managed this board with the bad trump break rather well.

She set up the spade suit by playing the spade queen from dummy after she found out about the bad trump split and matained trump control. Made 10 tricks for +420. Other table was in two hearts made nine tricks for +140. That was 10 imps.

Candice Berman, Barbara Travis & Helen Snashall-Australia

Jonathan Steinberg & Jeff Polisner

Jan Cormack & Kathy Yule-New Zealand

Don Piafsky, Sheila & Fred Hoffer

The Press Room

Day 5 at the Marathon

October 20th, 2011  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  No Comments 

Day 5 is done, we had an average day and are 8 VPs out of 8th.

There were some bright spots.

RR 13. Board 12. Dealer West. N-S Vul.

As West You hold ♠ K632 ♥ K932 ♦ K7432 ♣ Void

What do you bid over 6♠ ? And what is your lead?

This was the table auction. 

Dealer:West Vul: N-S	North ♠ AQ54   ♥ A1087  ♦ J  ♣ AK97
West ♠ K632  ♥ K932 ♦ K7432  ♣		East ♠ 8   ♥ J654  ♦ Q96  ♣ 65432
	South ♠ J1097  ♥ Q  ♦ A1085  ♣ QJ108

Cristina found a double of 6 ♠ and led a professional trump! Well done. Down one for +200.

At the other table our pair stopped in 4♠ made 11 tricks. We won 13 imps.

RR 13. Board 8. Dealer West. None Vul.

Cristina and Pony bid to the small heart slam. After checking for key cards, Cristina knew the partnership had at least a nine card trump fit so bid the slam.

Won 10 imps as our opponents stopped in five hearts making 12 tricks.

Arnold Fisher, Rose Boot & Fred Hamilton USA 1

The Canuck has landed-Katrin & Aidan Ballantyne

Playing area

Rent a bike for 8 Euro/day

Pony & Cristina with Peter Friendly

How would you bid this deal?

October 20th, 2011  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  No Comments 

The half way point in the RR and everybody is still in the running for the top eight spots.

How would you and your partner bid  this hands?

As North your partner held ♠ K ♥ AQ6 ♦ AK98732 ♣ Q3

As South you held ♠ J9643 ♥ KJ53 ♦ Q6 ♣ A2

Sabine and Dany got to a good slam.

The other table, the Indonesia pair got to 5♦ Made 12 tricks for +420. We won 11 imps.

Nader & Jim

Katrin, Matt & Karen

Donna Compton npc USA 2

Janice Seamon-Molson & Sabine

Frank Burghout & Sjort Brink-The Netherlands

Vickie & John, outside for fresh air!

What would you lead?

October 19th, 2011  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  No Comments 

Our team is playing better and this deal helped.

RR 10. Dealer 26. All Vul.

As South : You hold ♠ K52 ♥ 643 ♦ 76432 ♣ 52

Here was the auction.

Dany found the ♠ 2.

Dealer:East Vul: All	North ♠ Q8743  ♥ KJ8 ♦ 108  ♣ KJ7
West ♠ J10 ♥ Q95  ♦ QJ95  ♣ AQ63		East ♠ A96  ♥ A1072  ♦ AK ♣ 10984
	South ♠ K52  ♥ 643  ♦ 76432  ♣ 52

Despite the double spade stopper, declarer went down two. Took the reasonable line of taking the double club finesse.

At the other table, the lead was the diamond 7. Declarer was not tested, made nine tricks for +600.

Our team won 13 imps.

You may have noticed Declarer could have come home if she run 4 diamonds to squeeze North between hearts and clubs!

C. Jacob & D. Sabourin with German Mascot-Peter Friendly

Kathrine Bertheau & Debbie Rosenberg

2 Dougs better then one? Baxter & Fraser

Yummy Sorbet

Moi & Vicky Smith

Tough day at the office

October 18th, 2011  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  3 Comments 

We had a bad day, lost to Sweden, USA 1 and 2.

Sabine and Dany bid and made this slam to bring us hope for the morning.

2♦ – hearts. 3NT – serious slam try.

At the other table. Our opponents bid and made 12 tricks in 3NT. We won 12 IMPs.

We are in 8th place for now. Will have to bring our A game in the morning.

Day 2 is in the books

October 17th, 2011  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  1 Comment 

Cristina, Brent Manley, Pony, Mark Horton & Ron Tacchi

It is day 2 and everybody had settled into a routine. Eat, play, eat some more then sleep. The lucky ones will get to do that next week too. Something to look forward to wouldn’t you say.

For results clik on this Link.

USA 2 Justin, Joe, Daniel, Joel, Kevin & John

Dan Jacob, Josef Harsanyi & Jurek Czyzowicz

Annaig della Monta & Barbara Hackett

Daniela & Sabine

Another Toy

October 17th, 2011  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  1 Comment 

Optional Key Card Blackwood. 

Once a minor suit is bid and raised, partner will answer key card in that minor if he is interested in slam. If not, he bid the next step, then the partnership rest in game. 

Here is Sabine Auken-North and Daniela von Arnim-South in action.

4♦ – slam Optional Key Card. 4NT – 0 or 3 key cards in diamond.  6 ♠ – choice of contract. 6NT- to play.

Here another deal they used this toy to stop in game.

4♦ – slam interest Optional Key Card. 4♥ – the next step means not interested. 4NT to play.