Newsletter - 27 March 2020

From the President:

Some business continues in the club – a dead tree that was threatening the back of the building was removed this week.

I hope that you are all staying well and keeping in touch with each other – thank goodness for the phone and other wonderful modern inventions. The committee met via Skype this week – a new experience for me.

Best wishes,
Pam

Missing Bridge?

• Lesley is passing on Lessons to our Supervised and Wednesday and Thursday morning lesson groups.
• Some members may enjoy dipping into this website of NSW Bridge Assosiation's Expert Talks.
• Try the Australian Bridge Federation's website for good ideas, including a hand a day from Ron Klinger.
• The Bridge Shop has a "Digital Bridge Care Pack" - a number of interesting Bridge-related resources, including some free editions and trials.
• Joan Butts Bridge has a "Keep playing bridge online" offer of a free month of Online School of Bridge.

Bridge Tips

"Unblocking" is the play of an unusually high card to a trick. The purpose is to maintain communication between declarer and dummy.

In this layout, South is on lead and needs all 5 tricks. Assuming that there are no additional entries to dummy, South must play the ♠8-7-6 on the first three rounds of spades. If South starts out by leading the ♠2 to dummy, he will be forced to win the fourth round of spades in his own hand, thereby blocking the suit.

An unblocking play may also be necessary when the defence is on lead:

In this five-card ending, West leads the ♥3 to East's king. If South unblocks the ♥Q, he can win East's spade return and then finesse in hearts for two tricks

Upcoming Events

There will be no bridge sessions or lessons or social events in the club before 18 April. The committee will let you know of ongoing plans before then.

Lighter Moments

Advice from the CDC

The CDC has developed a simpe test to determine if you are at risk of developing complications from caronavirus. Do you understand the connection between them? If your answer is yes, you are in the at-risk category. Please self-isolate.

More lighter moments

Try to remember that the greener gress across the fence may be due to a septic tank issue.