Tenace by Foxymoron

 The term tenace is much older than Bridge and is at least as old as Whist. It refers to a sequence with one gap, such as AQ (a major tenace), KJ (a minor tenace) and less often QT. But not TA as the name might suggest. It actually comes from the Latin tenax or the old French tenais, and the word tenacious has the same root. 

It appears in A short treatise on the game of whist. By a gentleman, by Edmond Hoyle. (1743):

Even though in whist you cannot see partner's hand, the need to avoid leading into a tenace was apparent even in the 18th Century,

Guessing who has which card when you have a minor tenace is one of the most difficult tasks in bridge, and there were two such guesses on a hand last night:

North opened 2S at some tables, as the need to make life difficult for the opponents takes priority over suit quality these days. Some Easts overcalled in hearts and this allowed them to find a cheap save, but 4S was no sinecure.

At my table East led his singleton club and I won in North and guessed to play a spade to the king. This did not lose a trick, as East was getting a club ruff anyway, and West won and gave his partner a club ruff, fortunately with the queen. West had returned the ten of clubs, suit preference for hearts, and East duly switched to a heart, leaving me to guess the diamond "tenace".

I reasoned that East would never underlead the ace of diamonds, as North might have one diamond and two hearts, whereas he might underlead the queen of diamonds, so I decided to play a diamond to the king and this worked. Not much to go on but right on this occasion and a gain for NS.

Madeira International Bridge Open

Four Woodberry members attended the Madeira Congress from 7th to 14th November. It was a really enjoyable event. I thoroughly recommend it. A good standard of bridge played in a friendly atmosphere, in a 5 star hotel in a beautiful location. The weather was fine. Two excellent dinners were included. 

The open pairs was played over 3 days, Tuesday to Thursday. Bridge from 4pm to 8pm left plenty of time for sightseeing, swimming and other activities.

The open teams event was played from Friday to Sunday. It was a Swiss event consisting of twelve 8 board matches.

There were several additional events for those who wished to extend their visit.

Players from many countries joined in, including large contingents from the Netherlands, Iceland and the Scandanavian countries. About a dozen British players were there, and we all agreed how enjoyable it was.

My partner was Andy Clery. Anne Catchpole and Shelley Shieff were the other pair.

We formed a team together, which Shelley chose to name "The Beach Boys".

Woodberry did not distinguish themselves in either event, but we had Fun, Fun, Fun.

This board gave us some Good Vibrations:

God Only Knows how we managed to bid to 3NT by North on this hand.

But when dummy appeared, I thought I Know There's an Answer.

Unfortunately, I was not allowed to ask others how to play the hand. I would like to have consulted some California Girls - perhaps Lady Lynda would have said Don't Worry Baby; but Caroline, No.

I could have asked Wendy, what went wrong?

Or begged, Help Me Rhonda.

Tried Peggy Sue, tried Betty Lou, tried Mary Lou, but I knew they wouldn't do.

But Barbara Ann would have got me rocking and a-rolling.

Anyway, East led a spade, which I ducked to the queen.

West returned the club 10, which I won in dummy with the jack.

I played the diamond 8 to the ace. Cashed the king and then led a low diamond which East took with the queen. 

I won the heart return with the ace, cashed the remaining diamonds and finessed the spade jack to take 9 tricks.

Wouldn't It Be Nice if every board went like this?

On another matter, consider leading the 2 from a 5 card suit against 3NT. It may fool declarer into believing the suit is breaking. This manoeuvre is called the Little Deuce Coup (you don't know what I've got).

I thoroughly recommend the Madeira Congress. 

You will enjoy The Warmth of the Sun.

You might even see Bluebirds Over the Mountain.

But the waves are not big enough for a Surfing Safari.

I will certainly Do It Again.

Jack Robinson by Foxymoron

 

"Did you bid the grand?" asked my friend Ken in the pub. "Yes, when my partner, David Schiff, opened 2C, we bid it before you could say Jack Robinson", I replied. Our auction was 2C-(2S)-Pass-(Pass)-3H-(Pass)-4NT-(Pass)-5D-(Pass)-7H-(All Pass). I like the 2C opener, a hand of great power, and the only possible slip was not knowing whether we played 3041 or 4130 in response to RKCB. The play was quick as well with a diamond ruff on the go the only threat. Note that you can pick up Jxxx of diamonds in either hand, even in 7NT, but you have to say that you know that!

I mused on the way home who Jack Robinson was. Well, a mythical character who appeared first in print in Evelina, or the history of a young lady's entrance into the world in 1778:

"Howsomever, I'd lay ten pounds to a shilling, I could whisk him so dexterously over into the pool, that he should light plump upon his foretop and turn round like a tetotum."

"Done!" cried Lord Merton; "I take your odds."

"Will you?" returned he; "why, then, 'fore George, I'd do it as soon as say Jack Robinson."

Interestingly, 21st century Scrabble, which has a number of archaic words, does not permit "howsomever".