Leap of faith!

April 28th, 2010  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  9 Comments 

It was a beautiful day as the Cessna 180 that carried me and my tandem instructor-Jerry appoched ten thousand feet, the pilot gave the signal for us to get ready. I turned towards the front of the plane, Jerry moved up behind me and fasten our harnesses together. The pilot flung the door open. We inched towards this gaping hole on the side of our tiny plane where the door once was. I knelt on the edge of the doorway with my right knee, swung my left leg outside. Resting my foot on the foot rest for a moment. With butterflies in my stomach, all the while steadying myself at the exit with both of my hands. 

Before I knew it, Jerry and I leaped out of the plane. There was nothing but air to hold us up. My heart was in my throat. I scream but no noise came out. Time seems to stand still as I put my arms up to break the fall.  We must have free fall for about fifteen seconds as mother earth rushed up to meet us. Finally, much to my relief the parachute opened, slowing our descent.

The view was amazing and I began to enjoy the experience. Our landing was perfect, we landed on the drop zone just like a feather. “Thank you Jerry!”

On the way down, I remembered the similar adrenaline rush and the sense of trust, which I had experienced the day before at a bridge game.

Playing with Brad Bart at one of our IMP matches.  Dealer North. Both sides vulnerable.

As South, I held ♠ AK103 ♥ J32 ♦ J732 ♣ K10

The auction was fast and sweet.

*5NT- Grand slam force, trump quality asking bid. Asked me to bid seven spades with two of the top three honors, six otherwise.

My hand was not that great and without first round controls in three suits. However I do have ace, king of spade. If Brad thought we have a chance for the Grand then I must trust him. I held my breath as I leaped to seven spades.

It seems forever before my left hand opponent led the club five. My heart was racing, I watched anxiously as Brad put down this dummy.

♠ Q987 ♥ A ♦ AK6 ♣ AQ983

The sight of dummy was a relief as I said “Thank you partner!”

Some days are not even worth getting out of bed.

March 29th, 2010  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  1 Comment 

It has been tough going so far at the Reno tournament. I was hoping things would change for the better for Brad and I, in the last event of the week, the NABC Swiss.

We didn’t have to wait long to test the water. Match 1. against Mary Ann Berg and John Mohan.

Board 1. Dealer North. Non vulnerable.

As South I held. ♠762 ♥ A65 ♦ 875 ♣ A1062

It is time for one of my attacking leads. I led the two of clubs.

Dummy hit with, ♠ K1095 ♥ KQ1098 ♦ 3 ♣ 753 -Just the club holding I was hoping for-John played the 3 from dummy, Brad the jack and John won with the king. Now three of spade, six, king, Brad won with the ace. What a nice partner, returned the eight of club, Queen and I took that with my ace, five. 

No sooner had I put the ten of clubs on the table, John asked us if we ever lose our aces? Hmmm was he upset that I found the lead to beat him? Being unlucky this week, you know the answer.

He ruffed my ten of club and claimed making five. Drew three rounds of trump, discarded all five of dummy’s hearts on his good diamonds and ruff the last heart!

We did have a good laugh at the table. John and I “high fived”

These were the hands. 

Dealer: North Vul: Non		Brad
		♠	A3
		♥	J743
		♦	964
		♣	J984
Mary Ann				John
♠	K1095			♠	QJ84
♥	KQ1098			♥	2
♦	3			♦	AKQJ102
♣	753			♣	KQ
		Michael
		♠	762
		♥	A65
		♦	875
		♣	A1062

So much for my brilliancy, lost an ace and an imp! 

After this weekend, will take some time off bridge and go play Acquire.

Roll of the dice

March 26th, 2010  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  1 Comment 

Being from Green Vancouver BC, where smoking is not allowed in public places, I was sick right from day one. The dry air combined with the cigarette smoke got the better of me. For the rest of the week I played like a sick puppy with a stuffy nose and a very sore throat. 

Playing the Silodor Pair with my buddy, Brad Bart. We were rolling along on the first day, when we came upon the father and son pair of Robert and Shane Blanchard from New York NY.

2nd session. Board 24. Dealer West. Neither side vulnerable.

As East I held, ♠ KJ5 ♥ 1062 ♦ KJ74 ♣ Q42

This was the auction.

After three passes, Shane and Robert explained the auction.

*Three club was natural, four club was natural raise with five cards. Four diamond was cue bid, four heart cue bid but may not have first or second round control. Four no trump was key cards for clubs, five heart showed two key cards without the trump queen. Six clubs became the final contract.

Brad found the best lead of the diamond three to no avail.  

These were the hands. 

Dealer: West Vul: None		Shane
		♠	974
		♥	Q83
		♦	85
		♣	AK753
Brad				Michael
♠	62			♠	KJ5
♥	J9754			♥	1062
♦	Q9632			♦	KJ74
♣	9			♣	Q42
		Robert
		♠	AQ1083
		♥	AK
		♦	A10
		♣	J1086

Robert made 12 tricks for plus 920 and a top. Brad and I could only suffer in silence.

Despite the fact that we got a bottom from this board, I have to say this was a well bid hand. Six clubs was a good contract, needed only trumps to break 2-2. Otherwise needed something good to happen in the spade suit.

We played well the rest of evening and made the cut to the final.

Dare I hope to feel better in the morning?

Character Building.

March 25th, 2010  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  No Comments 

The Spring North American Bridge Championship was In Reno NV. USA. Reno is Vegas’s country cousin, “The Biggest Little City in The World” The mechanical bull in the Mustangs Saloon at the Grand Sierra Resort is this town’s main attraction.

This hand in the IMP Pairs was a good lesson in character building.

Dealer West. All Vulnerable.

As North you holding ♠ 7 ♥ J109 ♦ QJ109876 ♣ 64

This was the auction at one table.

South led the spade eight, Declarer played the ten, seven and two. Club ten, four, five, won by the king. South continued the spade attack, led the spade five-at the same time excuting a Suicide Squeeze on the partnership, jack from dummy, North discarded the diamond queen, three.  Declarer procceed to run clubs, two, six, ace, three. Club queen, diamond two, heart two, diamond six. Club jack, diamond three, heart five, diamond seven. Club nine, diamond king, spade four, diamond eight. Club eight, spade nine, spade six, diamond nine.

This was the five card ending.

Dealer: West Vul: All Vul.		North
		♠
		♥	J109
		♦	J10
		♣
West				East
♠	K			♠
♥	AK7			♥	84
♦	4			♦	A5
♣				♣	7
		South
		♠	AQ
		♥	Q63
		♦
		♣

At trick nine when declarer played the club seven, spade queen, diamond four, North was squeezed between hearts and diamonds, discarded the heart nine.

At trick ten, the diamond ace squeezed South in spades and hearts, South discarded the heart three, spade king, diamond 10. Dummy’s heart ace, king, seven took the last three tricks.

To see the movie’s play by play, click on “next”

After the hand was scored up, plus 690-a good score for the opponents, North asked South “Would you like some red wine?”

Swiss cheese

December 14th, 2009  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  4 Comments 

For the last weekend in San Diego, I played the North American Swiss Teams with my Canadian friends-Jonathan Steinberg, Toronto ON; Daniel Korbel, Waterloo ON and Maurice de La Salle, Edmonton AB.

Michael, Jonathan, Daniel and Maurice.

The NA Swiss had a large-145 teams and strong field. It was two qualifying, two semifinal and two final sessions over three days. Only 36 teams made the cut into the final. On the third day, the huge ballroom playing area at the Manchester Grand Hyatt looked like a Swiss cheese after so many teams had been eliminated. 

It was tough going in the final and we finished in 19th place.

There were bright spots. Here is a hand Maurice and I bid to the grand slam in hearts.

Board 2. Dealer East. N-S Vulnerable.

I was West and held. ♠ 8 ♥ A987 ♦ K953 ♣ A642

This was the auction.

*3NT was slam try.

4♣ and 4♦  cue bids, 4♠ was kickback-RKC for hearts.

Maurice bid the grand after he found out I held A♥ K♦ and A♣ .

These are the hands. 

Dealer: East Vul: N-S		North
		♠	762
		♥	62
		♦	Q62
		♣	J8753
West Michael				East Maurice
♠	8			♠	AQ54
♥	A987			♥	KQJ1043
♦	K953			♦	A107
♣	A642			♣
		South
		♠	KJ1093
		♥	5
		♦	J84
		♣	KQ109

South made the best lead of a heart but it was to no avail. Maurice won in dummy with the seven, crossed to the spade ace, ruffed a spade then used two club ruffs as entries to ruff the rest of the spades. Only then used the diamond ace to draw trumps. Discarded the diamond loser on the club ace. Well played.

* click on Next to see the movie.

Making thirteen tricks for +1510 to win 11 imps. Our opponents stopped in the small slam.

The high power team of Carolyn Lynch, Scottsdale AZ; Mike Passell, Las Vegas NV; Cezary Balicki, Smolec Poland; Andrew Gromov – Aleksander Dubinin, Moscow Russia; Adam Zmudzinski, Katowice 40-479 Poland. Won the event running away. They started the final day of play with a carry over of 40 VP! Everybody else spent the day playing for second.

Big Thank You to Maurice, Jonathan and Daniel for the game and a nice weekend.

The Blues

December 10th, 2009  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  2 Comments 

I was in balmy San Diego for the Fall North American Bridge Championships last week. So it was a shock to my systems when I came home to a very cold Vancouver. The temperature was a freezing -3C when my flight landed! 

Played the Blue Ribbon Pairs with my friend Maurice De La Salle from Edmonton. It was a gruelling three day event with a cut each day. After two days of play, a large field of 173 tables were cut down to the 39 table final. We made the cut with an average of 54% each day.

I noticed in the second session of the final, most pairs did not “stay in the box”.  Many pairs were very active, trying their best to generating swings in order to move up the leader board.

Here is the round we played against the number one seed in our section. Zia (North) and Boye Brogeland (South).

It was a three ring circus at Zia’s table. We had to climb over kibitzers to get to our seats. Lots of people around the table were looking for actions and we didn’t disappoint.

Board 21. Dealer North. N-S Vulnerable.

I was West and held ♠ A9 ♥ K653 ♦ KJ75 ♣ QJ6

This was the auction.

* South-break in tempo before passing.

As Zia made his lead of the ♥ Queen. He said to Maurice “Sounded like your partner is waiting for a reopening double” Yes I was licking my chops while waiting.

After Maurice put his hand down, Zia turned over a few of dummy’s cards and pretended to look for some more face cards. Amidst the laughter, I turned to Zia and said in jest “He just read your book” that really broke up the crowd.

These were the hands. 

Dealer: North Vul: N-S		North Zia
		♠	105
		♥	QJ10874
		♦	963
		♣	52
West Michael				East Maurice
♠	A9			♠	KQ8642
♥	K653			♥	A92
♦	KJ75			♦
♣	QJ6			♣	10743
		South Boye
		♠	J73
		♥
		♦	AQ10842
		♣	AK98

I proceeded to make my contract. We got 34 match points on a 38 top.

Turned out 4♠ our direction was down off the top, the defense getting both club and heart ruffs! At some tables South even got doubled in 3♦ making!!

The second board was then put into play.

Board 22. Dealer East. E-W Vulnerable.

As West I held. ♠ QJ8 ♥ AJ109832 ♦ 6 ♣ 92

This was the auction.

When Maurice jumped to six hearts, Zia decided to take the sacrifice. He was hopeful the vulnerability would make it a good save.

These were the hands.

Dealer: East Vul: E-W		North Zia
		♠	K96432
		♥	7
		♦	10953
		♣	53
West Michael				East Maurice
♠	QJ8			♠	5
♥	AJ109832			♥	K5
♦	6			♦	AJ82
♣	92			♣	AKQJ64
		South Boye
		♠	A107
		♥	Q64
		♦	KQ74
		♣	1087

The lead was the club ace. We slipped a trick, defeated six spades four tricks for +800. Lucky for us that was enough, at other tables a spade lead beaten six hearts. This time we got 33 match points.

When the dust settled, Bart Bramley, Dallas TX and Bjorn Fallenius, New York NY won the event and we were in 33 place. It was fun playing against good competitions. My thanks to Maurice for the nice game.

Later on in the week, when the smoke cleared, Zia playing on the Nickell team won The Reisinger B-A-M Teams.

For results and bulletins http://www.acbl.org/nabc/index.php?a=2009&b=Fall&c=daily_bulletins

The kirkwood Trophy

November 26th, 2009  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  No Comments 

The Kirkwood Trophy was established in 1966 to honor the bridge player in D19 (Washington, British Columbia and Alaska) who did the best during each calendar year thereafter. For the first few years it was awarded to the player from District 19 who won the most points without regard to what tournaments were included. However, when the District welcomed World Champion Paul Soloway as a resident of Washington State, it was soon decided that the trophy should be awarded based solely on performances at D19 Regionals. 

This year’s contest was decided at the Vancouver Regional this November. Pat Dunn, Bellevue WA. clinched the trophy when he and I, won the Open Pairs on Friday. It is the second year in a row that Pat has won this trophy! That is quite an achievement, considering the large numbers of good players that lives in this area. 

The following hand contributed towards Pat’s success.

Open Pairs. Afternoon session. Board 33. Dealer North. None Vulnerable. 

West Michael				East Pat
♠	Q106			♠	A875
♥	Q96			♥	A10
♦	J			♦	AKQ10732
♣	KJ8542			♣

This was the auction.

When South found the low spade lead, Pat was on his way to making five no trumps for a great score. Making eleven tricks, +460 was good for 24- match points out of 26.

These were the hands.

Dealer: North Vul: None		North
		♠	K2
		♥	KJ743
		♦	64
		♣	AQ76
West Michael				East Pat
♠	Q106			♠	A875
♥	Q96			♥	A10
♦	J			♦	AKQ10732
♣	KJ8542			♣
		South
		♠	J943
		♥	852
		♦	985
		♣	1093

Congratulations Pat, for a great year and wish you many more to come. Thanks for the enjoyable game.

Simple Pleasures

November 10th, 2009  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  3 Comments 

Last week I played with Brad Bart at the local sectional. He played this hand rather well.

Dealer South. North-South Vulnerable.

I was East and held ♠ AKJ7 ♥ 2 ♦ 943 ♣ Q10543

This was the auction.

2♣*was stayman.

Brad held the west hand, even though South had doubled my two clubs bid, he shown partnership trust by passing three no-trump.

The opening lead was the queen of diamond. Brad read the hand well and at Trick 11, North was throw in with the nine of diamond, end-played into leading from eight, six of spade into dummy’s jack, seven. Very nice.

Answers to what is it all about?

October 21st, 2009  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  2 Comments 

Here are the comments from those who took time to share.

Problem 1. Teams. Dealer West. East-West Vulnerable.

As South. You hold ♠ AKQ762 ♥ Void  ♦ AQ43 ♣ K107 

The auction so far and what would you bid?  

Action             Score                Votes

Double            100                   14

2 ♥                  80                     3

1♠                   20                     1

I am not convinced double with a void is the stand out bid. The concern for most is how to tell partner the strength of their hand. Understandably most doubled.

John Carruthers : “Double. If partner has a penalty pass, it’s ok with me at this vulnerability. If not, I expect to get close to game – we may not make it, but we’ll get to game or close to it.”

David Granger (with Daniel Korbel, Doug Fraser) : “Starting with double.  Good hand, boss suit, no other choice really. Intend bidding spade later or cue bid heart.”

Karen Cumpstone : “good problem. Too strong for spade overcall, partner is not going to pass the double unless with good trumps. vulnerability is right for this action.”

Is comforting to see long time partners and friends bid the same.

Bryan Maksymetz (with Keith Dowdall, Dan Jacob) : “Double is the obvious choice – it is hard to see any option” 

Others worried that they may have missed a bigger catch with the double.  

Walter Fontaine : “Think double is best. The probability of partner converting to penalties is extremely remote and if he does I expect 800 minimum. In the more likely event that he bids a minor we can cue bid next.  Slam is possible in spades or either minor with a useful 6-9 points that had no call over one spade ”

Robert Lebi : ” Double, double, double!!! Maybe cold for a Grand in any suit but if partner passes, they are going for a big number”

John Rayner : “Cannot imagine doing anything but double. At this vulnerability, if partner leaves it in I’m thrilled. Otherwise my hand is most suitable for play in the other three suits, not just spades. We could have a slam in one of the minors. Perhaps the more difficult problems will follow, but I double for now.”

Surprise! you lost 5 imps as they bid and made 6 ♠ at the other table. Worse, they bid and made 7 ♠  or 7 ♣ .

How about the intermediate overcall, good hand with six card suit?

Bob Todd (with Nader Hanner) : “Double, too strong for intermediate 2S overcall and they are vulnerable.”

If you don’t double, then what is the alternative? So far nobody address the pitfall of doubling with a void in trumps.

Nicolas Lecuyer : “This is an awkward situation. 1. love to double but partner is likely to leave it in, which may lead to a bad result since I have no trumps to lead through declarer. It is however tempting with the colors. 2. love to jump in spades but no guarantees we can make anything. 3. could try a” tactical slow approach” of 1S with the small risk of playing in 1S when wrong. My final answer 1S.”

Not taking any chances that partner may covert their takeout double. All the people with first name that starts with B thinks big and alike! 

Boris Baran: “2H – not Michaels in this position.”

Wishing he is playing with Edgar, who said ” Takeout doubles are for takeout!”

Brad Bart : “2H-think there is a slam in these cards but OK with double as long as partner does not sit for it”

Bob Crosby : “I would bid 2H ( Goren Q bid ) As I do not want 1H doubled converted by partner. Make a bid that prevents partner from making a mistake.”

Covering all bases. Will let the Koach have the last word.

Eric Kokish: “Double. Other choices include 2H (some strong two-suiter) and 3H (a strong one-suiter lacking a stopper, intending to convert to 4S) As both of the other choices are sufficiently flawed and the bad guys are vul. I can live with a penalty pass. The main downside in doubling.

Problem 2. Teams. Dealer West. East-West Vulnerable.

As North. You hold ♠ 8 ♥ 1097543 ♦ K10 ♣ AQ65

What is your bid?

Action                Score              Votes

Pass                  100                    8

2 ♣                    80                     5

3 ♣                    70                     1

1NT                    20                     1

What can we expect a takeout double to look like? Normal expectation is a balanced or semi balanced, stronger hand, five card suit is possible.

Some chose to pass but not without reservations. Understandably most converted partner’s takeout double, seduced by the vulnerability, they were willing to exchange a big penalty for the possible game bonus. Something about a bird in hand is better then two in the bush.

Guy Coutanche: ” Pass, hope there is no overtricks.”

Stephen Brown: “I pass. I expect to beat the contract at least 1 trick vul. Game is some what unlikely on our side. Opponents likely have a 4-4 spade fit. +200 and if we are lucky maybe +500 is better than whatever we will likely contract for. It is a long way to 5C. 3NT may be down off the top. Who knows maybe partner has a stiff that is useful. Vulnerability is the key. Even is the opponents make 1H – big deal.”

Sabine Auken : ” Pass- can’t think of a convincing reason why not.” 

Some suspected there was a lead problem. There was, only if you lead a low trump.

Laurence Batts : ” Is this a lead problem?”

Ross Taylor : ” I suspect I should bid naturally and affirmatively in clubs, and see where we get to. At least I won’t be guessing (or making a unilateral action) nearly as much as if I pass the double.

I suspect at the table I would pass the double; lead a low trump and hope to score between 200 and 500, and expect if I am wrong – it is a partial at worse a game in clubs (or even NT) our way. Pass – maybe the instinctive response, but no guarantees of course. If our trump lead does not find the 8 or stiff honour with partner, declarer is en route to five trump tricks eventually (six on a very bad day), plus perhaps an Ace.”

John Duqutte : “Pass, best chance for a plus as they are vulnerable. Wonder how bad ace of club lead will be?”

Joan Eaton : ” Pass and lead a trump. Worry about making game in club and expecting to beat it at least 500.”

Deja vu for one. Can we expect partner to have at least one trump for his takeout double?

George Mittelamn : “It is interesting that Zeke Jabbour had a hand similar to this against me but he had 109876 passed 1H doubled. Led the 10 of heart, Dummy had Jx I foolishly played the J and went for 1100. So remembering that I pass at that vulnerability.

Mazal Tov. Congratulations are in order, just home from the hospital Roy Hughes reported that both mother-Erika and son-Evan are well.

Roy Hughes: “1NT. it is a little mis-directed, since we might have four top losers in the heart suit and belong in a trump suit, but 3C on a four card suit is not appealing. 2C is reasonable if can be this strong. 1NT is safer if there is no discussion.”

“I can see clearly now” by Johnny Nash.

Fred Gitelman : “In match point I probably pass. In imps I might also pass. I could see bidding 2C instead.”

Pony Nehmert : ” 2C. Where are the spades? RHO hasn’t got them and LHO didn’t bid them. Got the strong suspicion partner is sitting on a very good hand with spades. Will make another move if I bid now. Also partner may have some clubs with a void in heart. We might make 6C and if I pass, they might make 1H on a terrible day”

Bernard Ludewig : “Interesting problem. I bid 2C, I am a coward. I don’t think I can beat 1H more then 1 trick, if at all. Opposite a normal takeout double (4144 10-15) They may find spade if I pass. Second choice 1NT.”

Kiz Fung : “I bid 2C because I don’t see beating one heart opposite most balance double and we could be cold for six club if partner has a good hand. If there is a chance in balancing, we prefer to double.”

David Turner: “‘Simple’ 3C. Should have more clubs to jump opposite 4th seat double but here you have a good idea that partner’s shape will be classic or big in spade. Hate to miss game opposite a minimum KJxx x Axx Kxxxx.”

Ever the good partner.

David Lindop : “2C, perhaps 3C. Don’t want to punish partner for balancing. Trumps not good enough.”

You be warned, if David ever double you for penalty, run like the wind.

Here is the board in question. Lederer 2009. Match 7. Board 32. 

Dealer: West Vul: E-W		North gold
		♠	8
		♥	1097543
		♦	K10
		♣	AQ65
West Carroll				East Garvey
♠	J104			♠	953
♥	AKQ82			♥	J6
♦	J76			♦	9852
♣	43			♣	J982
		South Townsend
		♠	AKQ762
		♥
		♦	AQ43
		♣	K107

What is it all about?

October 20th, 2009  ~  Mike Yuen  ~  No Comments 

This was an interesting hand, for me, as I watched the Lederer match between Ireland-Tommy Garvey, John Carroll, Adam Mesbur and Nick Fitzgibbon against England Premier League-Espen Erichsen, Tom Townsend, David Gold, Nick Irens and Norman Selway.

Match 7. Board 32. East-West vulnerable.

As South you hold AKQ762 Void AQ43 K107

You hear this auction, what is your bid?

At both tables, South doubled and all passed. West got only his four trump tricks, went down three for -800. It was a pushed board.

Oh, in case anyone is interested, Ireland won the event.

Here is board 32. 

Dealer: Wesy Vul: E-W		North
		♠	8
		♥	1097543
		♦	K10
		♣	AQ65
West				East
♠	J104			♠	953
♥	AKQ82			♥	J6
♦	J76			♦	9852
♣	43			♣	J982
		South
		♠	AKQ762
		♥
		♦	AQ43
		♣	K107

You may have noticed, North-South is cold for seven spades or seven clubs but both tables defended one heart doubled.

So that beg the questions. 

1. Is double a good bid with the south hand? 

2. Is it normal for North to convert partner’s takeout double into a penalty double?