BRIDGE NOTES-By Malcolm Simpson

MILLENNIUM QUIZ


WEST
S: A86542

H:A9753

D: none

C: 32

EAST
S: 973

H:KQ2

D:AK4

C:AKQJ

East is the dealer in a family rubber bridge session.North-South are competent defenders and will open with a club lead against the final contract.

i.  What is the highest contract possible, if you assume that the opponents hold the most frequent distribution in each suit?

ii.  What is the best contract, assuming a random deal and no prior knowledge of the distribution of the opponents’ cards?

iii.  What would be your plan of play in the highest contract possible?

iv.  What would be your plan of play in the best contract?

v.  What would be the bidding sequencewith your favourite partner to reach the best contract?

vi. (Tie Breaker)  Think of a witty name for the problem (e.g. “Simpson’s folly”)

A bottle of wine will be awarded for the best entry received.My decision is final.Please send entries to:- Malcolm Simpson, 82 Loyd Road, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 8JS, by e-mail to simpson@malcrose.freeserve.co.uk, or by fax to 01235 210626. Final date for receipt of entries: Friday, 7th January 2000. 

LOCAL NEWS  Wallingford: Jean Squires and Isobel Townley-Freeman won the Oxfordshire Ladies’ Pairs. In the British Bridge League November Simultaneous Pairs, Gillian Lonsdale and John Clifford came 18th out of 1,621 pairs.  Abingdon:   Nigel Wilkes won the Oxfordshire Men’s Pairs, playing with Mike Webley of Aylesbury .The only local prizewinners in this year’s Seniors Congress at Coventry were Alan Bryden, Peter Litchfield, Clive Keep and myself, who came tenth out of 121 entries in the Swiss Teams.  Len Salmon Memorial Trophy:  The annual challenge match between Abingdon and Wallingford was won this year by Wallingford by the narrow margin of four Victory Points. Twelve pairs from each club took part. Wessex League Results:

Abingdon A 16 Thame A 4, Abingdon A 6 Menagerie A 14, Wallingford B 20 University A 0, Wallingford B 14 Oxford B 6, Abingdon B 16 Abingdon C 4, Abingdon B 0 Banbury A 20, Abingdon C 19 Banbury B 1, Blewbury 16 Bicester C 4, Frilford A 18 Summertown A 2, Wallingford C 19 Frilford A 1, Wallingford C 14 Thame B 6, Wallingford B 13 Witney A 7, Alternative Club 1 Frilford B 19,Frilford B 1 Thame C 19, Wantage 19 University B 1, Wantage 3 Menagerie B 17.