Colin's Bridge Page

Colin Ward's Bridge Page

Humour and Technical
<-- Interested in tutoring? Just click on Colin's picture.

The versatility of the Multi-2D opening bid can be easily translated to a similar response to a 1H or 1S opening. The Toddler 2D response precludes the need for a forcing 1NT reply.

The Geneva Convention

Its components named after members of the Fearsome Foursome, (McGuinty, Plaus and Parker), the Geneva Convention addresses the disparate goals of those competing over a strong versus a weak 1NT. As an alternative against strong 1NTs, consider DISHPANS.

The Golady Response

Ever wanted to pass your partner's 1-level suit response? Ever wonder why Stayman is used only opposite a 1NT opening, when at least one of you (i.e. Opener) has already voted against suit play?

The Defensive Double

Messrs Brian Thomas ("mthomas" on OKBRIDGE) and Denis Leduc taught me Defensive Doubles two decades ago. Since then, I can't remember making a bad sacrifice in a competitive situation.

The DIET TAB

Using the DIET TAB partner will know how many Key Cards you have, your general strength and your trump quality--usually before you've gone beyond the game level!

Colin's Cardracking Compensation Corollary

Are you tired of losing at rubber to players whose idea of a bad hand is a mere ONE No Trump opening? Consider switching your group's House Rules over to Colin's Cardracking Compensation Corollary.

The Three Gadgeteers

We are all familiar with the Three Musketeers, Athos, Porthos and Eramus, along with their friend, Dartagnon. Here we see their bridge equivalents, doling out bidding advice for all.

The Session From Hell

Well, you've drawn a most unusual partner here, courtesy of Ms. Bette U. Lews at the Partnership Desk. This is the "X-Files" of bridge. Still, the experience might broaden your bridge horizons...

The Great Chili CookOff

Okay, okay, so this link has nothing to do with bridge. But it's so darned funny that I could not resist including a link to it. And, hey, it is on Albert Lochli's home page and he is a bridge player...

Canadian Club Humour Section

Ignore the strange bidding methods as you enjoy the exploits of the original Fearsome Foursome. In Canadian Bridge lore this series, written in 1982, is considered something of a Classic.

Anti-Convention Bridge Lymphoma

Looked around your local club or sectional lately? Wondered where the competitive players have gone? "Tigger" suggests that many may have been been driven away by the latest contagion raging through us.

Becoming an OKBRIDGE Expert

Another satirical article from "Tigger", this one directed at some of his fellow OKBRIDGE players. Learn what it takes to be considered an "expert" on OKBRIDGE. The answer might surprise you!

Systems

Valentines

Opener

KJxxx

AJxx

West	East
1D	1S
Pass!	---

Responder

AQxxxx

Kxx

The above hand, slightly revised, is from the 1997 B-Side National Team Championship. Playing Valentines, E-W were able to stop in 1S, making 2. Their teammates bid their cold 5C contract, but failed to double 5S when the opponents bid it!
The Valentines pair also went 100% on their slam decisions. Unfortunately, their teammates, playing 2/1 GF for the 20th year together, went a disappointing 1-of-19 on their slam decisions. Colin estimates that a Valentines pair at the other table would have found at least 14 of these; a Canadian Club pair would have reached 17 or 18 of them.

Valentines shines at part score bidding, and is a devastating MatchPoints system. Indeed, it may well be the first and only system designed for this purpose. At IMPs, Valentines can be counted on to create many huge swings owing to its reliance on canape and quick disclosure of 4-card major suits. Those who try Valentines never want to return to SAYC or 2/1 GF!

The Canadian Club

Opener

Axx

AQJ

QJ109

KQJ

West	East
1C*	1H*
1NT*	2C*
3D*	3S*
3NT	Pass

Responder

Kxxxx

xxx

AKxx

This hand saw two Canadian Club players stop in 3NT by West. East's first two bids showed the 5-4 pointed suit holdings. 3D asked for control in Diamonds. 3S promised the requested control but denied 6+ HCPs outside the Diamond suit. At most other tables East's 4S contract came to grief on a Heart lead and a 5-0 Spade break.

The Canadian Club is a revolutionary approach to bidding. Loosely based on Precision (with different 2-level opening bids), it excels at slam-bidding and is a wonderful IMP-generating tool. Enthusiasts of 2/1 GF will find a cornucopia of ideas here which can be grafted piecemeal onto their own structured systems. Golady, the DIET TAB and a specialized version of the Toddler Two Diamond Response were all Canadian Club innovations.

As a system, the Canadian Club will appeal to those who appreciate elegant slam bidding at the usual cost of any forcing club system: the Club suit itself becomes somewhat awkward to bid.

If you would like to see Valentines or the Canadian Club in action on OKBRIDGE, email Colin at kaltica@mts.net to arrange a match.

Standard American Rainbow Card

Standard American Rainbow Card is now available as an alternative to SAYC. Click here to check it out and save it to your hard drive now. Alternatively, you may email me at kaltica@mts.net to request a text-only copy. Feel free to forward it to friends and partners. Available soon in French as well.

Please email us with your comments.

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