29th July

Comments back next week!

 

Merged Scores

So many people ask about why their position changes when results are merged that I think it is worth trying to explain again.

 

Imagine that in your green section, on one board, you come 5^th out of 10 ie. about 50%.

Now imagine that the 10 pairs in the red section all do worse than you. You are now 5^th out of 20 ie. 75% when the results are merged.

Conversely, all 10 reds may do better than you and you are now 15^th out of 20.

 

On each board your score may vary considerably when the sections are merged and so the final positions may change from those in the single sections.

 

 

2ndApril

Masterclass with Sandra Landy confirmed for 10^th June.

 

9^th April

Anyone who wants to know their new EBU number can either look it up on the EBU website or email Lyn. Don’t forget that you can submit your printed masterpoint certificates  -  valid for 3 years.

 

OVERCALLS

 

It is interesting to note how slack some people are getting about suit quality when they are overcalling!

Overcalling shows a very different hand from opening – it may be much weaker in points but it needs a good suit headed by 2 honours as it requires partner to lead it in the event of the opposition winning the auction.

Overcalling a suit at the 2 level (particularly after a 1NT opener) strongly suggests a 6 card suit while it may only be 10 points (although a stronger hand with 5 card suit is acceptable).

A balanced hand with opening points is usually better kept for defence after an opening bid and should be smoothly passed so that declarer cannot place the high card points.

Both Ron Klinger and Andrew Robson have formulae for suit quality tests for overcalling – if you want to know more – ask Ron or Lyn.