Page 25 - ABF Newsletter June 2024

nothing at the time. So they learn even when it’s not their turn, and are better able to discuss the hand afterwards. 3. The teacher can observe the play at any table without having to stand behind declarer. The contract is played to the point of no return – play stops when the contract is made or defeated. The players then have their own post mortem and play the hand again if they feel it would help. Each wallet has a booklet with the contract and lead on the outside and the answer inside. The suit to be established is called the ‘work suit’ and I use the mnemonic WISH (Win In Short Hand) to prevent blocking it. If the contract fails but no one knows why, the cards are left in order of play and turned over, giving a visual record of the card play – the teacher can show them easily where they went wrong. Hence a written record of card play is not needed. I put the tables in a circle; at each table the ‘true dummy’ is nearest the middle of the room and all declarers have their backs to the wall. The wallets circulate anti-clockwise and each table has an ‘IN’ and ‘OUT’ card, and they note the wallet number. They swap seats after every wallet to take turns as declarer. When explaining a hand, the teacher sits in the vacant chair, which is less intimidating than standing over the players. These hands, though, are really self- teaching, so one teacher can cope with quite a large number of tables. Each lesson has at least nine hands with duplicates, and they play three each. Some have grasped the topic after the spoken lesson and whizz through the wallets; others are just starting to get the hang of it when time is up. Hence it’s essential that the slower students go over the hands from the printouts at home, preferably playing them out with cards or on a computer. ‘Play only’ wallets are hard work for the students, and 45 minutes is long enough, so they are glad to have their tea break – after which it’s computer dealt random hands with post mortems. I have designed 100 hands in booklet form on basic notrump declarer play (like the one shown). If you would like a free PDF / Publisher copy with associ- ated lesson notes, then email ildalziel@gmail.com. Previously published in Mr Bridge, UK Board 1 \] J T x x x \[xxx \}xx \{Axx \]x \]A987 \[QJT9 \[xx \}KQJT9 \}xxx \{xxx \{QJT9 \]KQx \[AKxx \}Axx \{Kxx South to make 3NT, \}K led Play: You should hold up the \}A until the third round of the suit. Then establish spades playing \]K, \]Q first. Win In Short Hand. Short suits: 5 tricks (\[AK, \}A, \{AK). Work suit: Spades will provide 4 tricks. Danger suit is diamonds. When opponents get in with the \]A (in the work suit) they might cash enough diamonds to defeat the contract. Why: Holding up the \}A until the third round means East will have no diamond left (if diamonds are 5-3). You hope East has the \{A and when he gets in with it has no diamond to return. Australian Bridge Magazine will keep you up to date with the bridge community, and provide you with ideas to improve your game from the best writers. • Regular columns from David Bird, Andrew Robson, Ron Klinger, Larry Cohen, Tim Bourke and Paul Lavings. • Improve your skills with articles and quizzes for players of all levels. • Compete with the experts in our bidding forum and bidding challenge features. Subscriptions ($69 per year or $129 for two years) at www.australianbridge.com/subscribe.htm or contact Brad on 0412 335 840 or email mail@australianbridge.com. Australian Bridge Federation Ltd. Newsletter: June 2024 Page: 25