For those of you who like bidding systems, here’s some elaboration on the methods employed by Mitch Dunitz and Iftikhar Baqui to reach 3NT on Board 7 – I kibitzed this hand at the tail end of the Thursday morning session.

Their bidding sequence (Opponents Silent): 1C – 1D – 1H – 2C – 2S – 2NT – 3NT. 

One Club Opening: Precision Club, Strong Forcing and Artificial. Promises 16 or more High Card Points, the distribution is totally unknown. 

One Diamond Response: 0-7 HCP, an artificial negative. Again, any distribution is possible. When Precision was first invented in the 1970’s, the One Diamond Response was also the bid of choice with 8 or more points and 4-4-4-1 distribution – that agreement disappeared before the eight-track did, and has stayed equally defunct.

One Heart Rebid: Natural, Forcing for 1 Round, may have only four cards – any of these hands would be suitable for that sequence: 
  A) AKx, KQTxx, KJxx, Q 
  B) KJ9x, AQTxxx, Ax, K 
  C) Kx, AKJxxx, AQTx, J 
  D) KQTx, Jxxx, A, AKJx 
  E) Jxx, AKTx, A, KQTxx 
  F) A, AQJxxxx, AKx, Qx
  G) AQx, AKQxx, AKJx, A

Two Clubs at Responder’s Second Turn: This is played as an artificial bid. Here’s a typical scheme of rebids for responder after 1C – 1D – 1H: 

This is described as “5-7 HCP, no four card spade suit, no four card hear fit. This is correct, but we might as well note here: You should probably play this bid as “No spade suit, fewer than three-card heart fit, at least a good five points up to seven – “

In other words, it’s okay to treat five (HCP) as four.

While Ifti’s hand called for a 2C re-bid, let’s look at responder’s other possible bids after this Strong Club start of 1C – 1D – 1H:

One Spade: 4 or more spades, 0-7 points – not forcing 

One Notrump: 0-5 points – denies a four card heart fit (may have three) and also denies four spades 

Two Clubs: Artificial, showing six or seven HCP (good five) – denies four spades or a three card heart fit. 

Two Diamonds: Three Card Heart Fit, 6-7 HCP. The invention of this bid is attributed to legendary bidding theorist Eric Rodwell – without it, handling these types of Strong Club sequences is much more difficult. In tribute, I named this Two Diamond bid “Indiana Drury” (Eric was originally from Indiana). 

Two Hearts: This simple raise shows 0-5 HCP, and a four card heart fit. Since One Heart by opener was forcing, responder must bid something, even with 0 HCP – One Spade, One No Trump, and Two Hearts are all acceptable, and none of them promise any points at all. 

Two Spades, Two No Trump, Three Clubs, Three Diamonds: Different partnerships play these bids differently. I’ll ask around and see how experts define these sequences these days. None of these bids are central to the general approach. 

Three Hearts: Four card heart fit, 6-7 support points 

***** 
If you are already playing a (Strong) Club System, this approach will almost certainly improve your partnership bidding accuracy in these auctions. If not, you might be interested to be more familiar with the methods your opponents may employ against you.

***** 
Follow-up on Yesterday’s Featured Bidding Problem: 

I consulted with a variety of friends and experts on how they might bid this pair of hands: AJT9x, KTx, ATx, Jx, opposite x, Jxx, Q8xxx, KQ8x – the results surprised me. 

I was surprised that most, including Jeff Rubens of Bridge World Magazine (available direct from BW and possibly through Baron-Barclay’s as well) thought the hand suitable for a One No Trump opening, assuming a range of 14-16. This jibes with the general contemporary expert philosophy “Upgrade frequently, never downgrade.” I first heard this expressed by Geoff Hampson, a Canadian-born bridge superstar, now living in Las Vegas. He’s not alone in employing this “Never downgrade” approach. Alex Kolesnik of California likes the One No Trump opening too. 
To subscribe to Bridge World magazine, or simply visit their website, click here:
https://www.bridgeworld.com/

I thought the hand an automatic One Spade opening, but that’s just me. 

If you start with One Spade, assuming a One No Trump response. Should opener take a second bid? Assume One No Trump is semi-forcing.

My thoughts ran: Why bid? If I call 2 Diamonds, then if responder has a maximum, a true invitation, he will bid 2NT or 3S over 2 Diamonds. I will expect 11 or 12 HCP. In that case I will have a close decision whether to go on to game. The great majority of the time, partner will have a “more normal” hand, Pass 1NT, I thought.

Of my patchwork panel, many thought the hand too good for One Spade in the first place. 

American Bridge Superstar Joe Grue argued strongly for both a One No Trump opening, and a Two Diamond rebid. 

On the question of whether Responder should raise, after 1S – 1NT – 2D – no consensus has emerged yet. American Superstar Joe Grue certainly wasn’t “going low” – he prefers a One No Trump opening, but if he opened in the suit (he can live with One Spade) then he would certainly bid 2 Diamonds over One No Trump.

Jeff Rubens agrees with Joe about the One No Trump opening (he would upgrade this 13), but if he “went low” with One Spade, then he would probably pass Responder’s Semi-forcing no trump response.

One day when polls are enabled here, responder’s hand here would be a good spot for one:

What do you bid with x, Jxx, Qxxxx, KQxx, after 1S – 1NT – 2D – ? 
  A) Pass 
  B) Three Diamonds 
  C) Other 
​
***** 
I mentioned yesterday that friends have been asking me who I’m playing with this week. Apparently I’m doing something of a reboot of my bridge career – I’m here to see old friends and maybe find some new partners. No burning desire to play. 

I have discovered a substantial desire to launch this blog, so I’m happy about that. 

Write to me directly at the email address listed at the end of the text if you’d like to encourage me to continue. I need to know if this is reaching anyone! 

Also, feel free to send your bridge questions or other inquiries there, and I’ll be happy to answer in a future blog. 

***** 
I mentioned in yesterday’s inaugural blog that I intend to partner Richard Oshlag in the first-ever Oshlag Fast Pairs in Toronto next summer: Richard, what method do you want to use? I’m happy to play your usual system. I’m also open to playing Precision, or Transfer Responses to One Club. Let’s use whatever will be most comfortable and fun for you.  

***** 
I had a great time last night, after the game, relaxing in the West Tower bar with Mitch Dunitz, joined by a series of others. Ron Smith, Mike and Sylwia McNamera, Olin Hubert, Magnus and Disa (from Iceland by way of Alabama and NYC). Bart Bramley and Kitty Cooper were there too – it was great to socialize with old friends. Part of the reason I came without games was in the hope of doing exactly that. Other New York friends of many decades were visible nearby. The bar on the bridge between the two towers is clearly the natural gathering place at this tournament.

I’m not much of a barfly, but I really enjoyed hanging out there last night. I hope I do that more often, at this and future nationals. 
***** 
Don’t neglect to patronize the Baron Barclay book desk, and to visit Stefan at his “Intobridge” booth nearby.

If you’re not in Louisville, you’re missing out on a fun tournament. Wherever you are, I hope that you are in good health and good spirits, and that you’ve enjoyed reading today’s “Diary of a Bridge Pro”. 
  – Brian 
   
Postscript: I’d like to hear from you! Feel free to write to me with bridge bidding questions, bidding problems, comments on this new blog, or anything else at “[email protected]” 

Bye for now. 
  – b. ​

And so we begin.
By the spirit of Hunter S. Thompson, Howard Schenken, Waldemar von Zedtwitz, Oswald Jacoby, Edgar Kaplan, Alvin Leon Roth, and finally, Alvin’s unrelated (as far as I know) namesake, novelist Phillip Roth, I vow to make a sincere and heartfelt effort to inform and entertain my readers (if any). Let’s start with a Steely Dan lyric, this came into my head right away as I began this.

https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/125020/

Steely Dan is sometimes known as “The Thinking Man’s Rock Group”. For a deconstruction of the lyrics to “Deacon Blues”, click on the link above.
For a live version of the song, click on this:

This is the lyric I can’t shake: “I cried when I wrote this song – sue me if I play too long.”

Writer’s Note: My blog entries may feel long at times – you’ve been warned!

Triggers, one event leading to another. They’re a thing. Here’s one – the event that triggered me to write this now: When I arrived at the tournament this morning (The Nationals in Louisville, I mean) – I saw dozens of people, eventually hundreds, many of whom I have known well for decades. One of the very first was Richard Oshlag – he greeted me warmly and asked, “What are you doing the last weekend of Toronto?”

Seasoned (tournament) bridge players have their (our) own dialect – “last weekend of Toronto” refers, of course, to the last weekend of the forthcoming Summer Nationals…
There at the Galt House, in that broad corridor between the coffee stand and the playing rooms (National Events in that right-hand tower, I see zillions of people from my present and past.

Nick Nickell crosses into the playing room. The Platinum Pairs will begin in this room shortly – “How’s my favorite tycoon?” I ask him. He chuckles, gracious. I don’t ask him if he’s still a billionaire, or if he’s surged past that by now. It is not the sort of thing one asks of a long-time friend, employer, partner, opponent. It is the sort of thing people with a few hundred million dollars or more wonder about one another.

My web-search for Nick (plus “Kelso Corp”) leads to a pleasant profile picture, including modest mention of his staggering tournament bridge achievements (20 National Championships, represented the US internationally in 18 of 23 years) – He really is my favorite tycoon.

Speaking of Nick, I’d love to describe the epic elevator encounter I had with him in the autumn of 2018 – we’d had in that building at 130-something East 58th Street – Honors Bridge Club leased space there for years, and Nick and Woody Allen both patronized an elite physical therapist on a middle floor. My conversation with Woody had me so engaged that it was several floors before I was like, “WTF? Nick?” But I digress.

The question arises: Brian, why aren’t you playing? Or, returning to the “Diary” format, naturally I’ve been asked, “Who are your games this week?” I had two appealing offers for the Platinum Pairs – Alex Kolesnik and Michael Xu. I let both those slide, and I’m writing this instead. I’m fine with that. I’m loving writing this. I’d told occasional partner Ed Zuckerberg, an avid bridge enthusiast and father of Facebook’s Mark, that I would keep the first Thursday open for him. He didn’t arrive until late last night, so that was a no-go. On the plus side, when NC pro Peter Boyd-Bowman asked, “Who are your games this week?”, I was able to reply, “I was supposed to play with Ed Zuckerberg today, but I’m not sure he’ll be here in time….”

Peter, no slouch at bridge or at Improvisational Comedy (the real game many of us are involved in here) countered, “Isn’t he busy helping Mark prepare for his wrestling match with Elon Musk?” Peter is happy to take a break from running his bridge club in North Carolina and play professionally in tournaments, especially those on the east coast. Contact Peter directly at: his Triad Bridge Club in Greensboro. If you’re looking for an ACBL bridge club in North Carolina, or to hire Peter for a tournament (an excellent idea, I heartily recommend this), you can find a club directory and Peter’s contact information here:

https://web2.acbl.org/as400/clubs/allclubs/uclub-nc.htm#Greensboro

Oshlag, Nick, and here are two other long-time friends I saw in those few minutes before the game started today:

​Bronia Jenkins (our new CEO of the ACBL)
“Congratulations on breaching the castle walls,” I told her. Bronia is so well-liked among the touring pros and other industry people that there is a broad feeling that “one of our own” had finally been admitted to a position of power.

Paul Lewis surged past on a beeline to the coffee stand. I’ve known Paul since the seventies.

Back then I was a teen-age bridge phenom and he was in his twenties, recently graduated from MIT. Much more recently, when I played against him at the regional in Jersey last June, he suggested I write something on my experience in bridge, some sort of memoir, perhaps. The following month, during last summer’s Chicago nationals, Paul and I had dinner at the same restaurant. Paul was there with Kitty (Munson Bethe Cooper) and Bart (Bramley). Along with Paul, Kitty and Bart were both in Boston during that golden era – Kitty at Harvard and Bart at MIT (Class of ’69, Bart wants you to be clear on this).

We all rose to leave at the same time, and Paul gave me a big grin as he threw this thought at me: “Diary of a Bridge Pro!”

Note to Paul: It looks like there’s some truth to that old adage that speaking a thought may cause it to become manifest.

Here is a pair of bridge hands that I kibitzed yesterday (Finals of the Baldwin NAOP).

Against the New England representative, a pair I didn’t recognize had these two hands facing each other:
xxxx, KQTxx, Ax, AK – This, opposite, ATxx, Axx, xxx, QJx –

The astute reader will note that declarer will probably make an easy 11 tricks in either eight-card major suit fit – 4H or 4S for plus 450 should be an almost universal result. In the year 2024, however, the bidding is more likely to go 1NT – 3NT (as it did at the table where I was kibitzing). The lead of the king of spades (from KQx) was very helpful to declarer, but there was still plenty of time to shift to diamonds when the defense was in with the second round of spades. Had declarer ducked the opening lead he would have had a fair chance to make an eleventh trick – the opening leader might not find the diamond shift from King-fourth, but what kind of player thinks it normal and auto to open a 14-16 range One No Trump with this hand? Four-five in the majors and too strong as well. Don’t get me started.

I found this meat-and-potatoes deal riveting as well: AJT9x, KTx, ATx, Jx opposite x, Jxx, Qxxxx, KQ8x – I can easily imagine a player up-grading this hand to fourteen, but our hero, in this case, chose to open One Spade. His partner responded One No Trump, which was alerted as semi-forcing. As Opener, in deciding whether to pass or take a second bid with this hand, I would reason thus:

If I bid Two Diamonds, and then partner bids Two No Trump, will I go to game?
If the answer to this is, “No, I will pass Two No Trump”, then I might as well pass One No Trump (Who put the semi-in the semi-forcing bing-bong?)

Supplemental Note:
If you replace the lyrics to the chorus above (“Ooh ee ooh ah ah, Ting Tang Walla Walla Bing – Bang – ting tang walla walla bing bang” with, “….Who put the semi in the semi-forcing no trump?” it scans almost identically.

If I rebid Two Diamonds with this hand, what will I bid if partner jumps to Three Spades (showing the classic “three-card limit raise” type hand, dontcha know)? Answer: I would probably pass Three Spades – the doubleton jack of clubs is a downgrade, so basically I have a 5-3-3-2 12-count – why would I take a third bid?

Let’s swing around and look at responder’s problem:
x, Jxx, Qxxxx, KQ8x – Partner opens One Spade, you respond One No Trump, partner bids Two Diamonds. What now? Well, pass and Three Diamonds seem like the only two possibilities. Convention Phreaks (more on this tribe as we go along) might use the Three Clubs bid here as some sort of artificial diamond raise.

At the table where I saw the deal played, responder had the good (lucky) judgement to pass Two Diamonds – since eight tricks were the limit, this decision to “Go Low” was the winner, and he duly brought in +90. On a different day, Opener has Axxxx, A, AKxxx, xx and you make four overtricks in Two Diamonds for Plus 170. Partner, the opening bidder, asks, snidely: “You didn’t want to keep it open for me?”

I think I’ll pause shortly (in another 500 words or so?) and pose those two hands as problems: As Opener, do you bid over 1NT (assuming “semi-forcing”)? As Responder, do you bid over Two Diamonds?

I’ll ask Marty (Bergen) and Larry (Cohen) for sure – Jeff Rubens, Frank Stewart – maybe some other good players who are here in Louisville, like Vince Demuy or John Hurd, I bumped into them yesterday, saw Vince twice even, the first time with his lovely wife, as the two of them were walking along the Louisville riverfront yesterday afternoon. Joe Grue for sure. Almost immediately, perhaps inevitably, Vince and I soon found ourselves engaged in that endlessly engaging, popular parlor game of contemporary bridge pros, “Name the recently deceased major client.”
“Sylvia Moss,” I began.
“Josef (Blass),” Vince countered.
“Gary Donner,” I didn’t think to say, but might have.
”Both Richies,” :Vince played, casual but decisive. Game over.

We both understood, when Vince said, “Both Richies”, he meant Richie Coren and Richie Schwartz – Vince and I played for both of those clients, transplanted Floridians originally from the northeast – Schwartz from Queens and Coren from suburban Philadelphia. They both died around the start of lockdown, Schwartz just before and Coren just after. At that point, I ceded the match to Vince – he was already two up, and I lacked an obvious reply. But I do know what I’m going to say to him next time I see him, probably later today:
"Barbara Sonsini"!

I’m reminded of the old Village Voice feature, “Stan Mack’s Real Life Funnies: (All dialogue guaranteed verbatim)”. To learn more of Stan Mack and see some of his work, click here:

https://vanishingnewyork.blogspot.com/2013/07/stan-macks-real-life-funnies.html

I’d like to recommend the Baron Barclay Bridge Supply stand just opposite the playing area in the East Tower of the host Galt House.

When Oshlag asked me earlier today what I was doing the last weekend of Toronto this summer, the subtext was: Would you like to partner me (Richard) in the “Fast Pairs” – or, more specifically, the inaugural “Richard Oshlag Fast Pairs”. Earlier this year, to honor Richard, who has served the ACBL for decades now, the event, which he has won twice already, was named in his honor. When the announcement appeared in a post on BridgeWinners, I posted my “Oshlag story” and suggested that I would be likely to accept if Richard were to ask me to play.

https://bridgewinners.com/article/view/nabc-fast-pairs-named-for-oshlag/

After all, I love playing fast, and how often does one get an opportunity like this? If von Zedwitz had asked me to partner up in the first LM Pairs after they named it for him, would I have replied, “Sorry, Baron, not really a good fit for me….”

Richard: I accept.

Furthermore, I promise to report here, in a future blog entry, on my experience with Oshlag in that event this summer. Subject, of course, to prevailing conditions, and the unlikely onset of writer’s block (“Writer’s Glu-block?”) If I neglect to write for this medium on that occasion, Richard himself can do a fine job of it.

He’s not only an excellent bridge player, but a very capable writer as well (though his command of obscure Steely Dan lyrics may or may not rival my own). To Richard and all my other friends and acquaintances at this tournament here in Louisville and throughout our bridge world:

Thanks for the validation.

​Running Word Count, Estimated:
3250
– Glubok