When I first started playing bridge, I would sometimes inadvertently "fix" my opponents--I thought it was just luck when things turned out in my favor. Now that I've been playing for awhile, I still think it's luck--good luck if my partner and I make a mistake and get a high board, bad luck if the opponents do it to us.
Yesterday evening I had some bad luck.
The Monday game started out on a good note. Then there came a time when East opened 1NT. Julie passed and West bid 2 Spades, a transfer to clubs. I was North, and was sorely tempted to bid my nice hearts; after all, I had opening. But not only were we vulnerable, we also play DONT, so I obediently passed. East accepted the transfer and West corrected to Diamonds. All passed, the opening lead was made, and dummy came down.
It took a moment to register what East meant when he said, "Partner, I forgot to tell you that we're playing 11-14 No Trump." I looked at dummy more closely and realized that there were 11 high card points, not 15-17. Julie and I looked at our opponents, baffled.
"What is he talking about?" Julie asked.
"Obviously he miscounted his cards," West replied with a good natured grin.
We proceeded to play, and at the end of the hand our opponents were down 2. This was small consolation since we had game our way; indeed, we discovered later that this was a bottom board.
"I think we were injured," Julie calmly said.
"You can call the director if you want, but I responded as if he had a 15-17 No Trump hand," West explained. "It could just as easily have gone the other way and we would have been the ones injured."
Like I said, bad luck. Don't you hate getting fixed?
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Sunday, July 27, 2014
LV: Friday, Day 5
My trip home was less eventful than my trip to the tournament, which was good since it was an early flight. This time, finding my way was easy...I just followed John and Joanne to their rental car (we were on the same flight). Getting up at 4:00 in the morning wasn't as hard as you might think, even though I was up past midnight the night before. Julie, not a morning person, says that I am "shot out of a cannon" when I get up; I suspect I was a bit chatty for the Molts, but at least they didn't ignore me.
You may be wondering what happened to Day 4 of my trip; instead of playing bridge, I spent the day just playing. I went to the pool, but not for long since lukewarm water doesn't do much to cool you off when it's 110 degrees. I played blackjack, with its endless cycle of losing and winning and losing, finally stopping when I was more or less even. I went to see "O", the water based Cirque show, which was fantastic. I ate and drank, as you are supposed to do in Las Vegas.
You may also be wondering how Amadeus fared during my absence. My brother was in charge and called to tell me that he (the cat, not Ed) was depressed (indicated by a full food bowl) and angry (indicated by aggression toward a lamp which was found on the floor with a broken shade). I was not alarmed because I knew Amadeus would eat when he got hungry enough. I also suspected that the lamp incident was caused by Ed having a few drinks and then dancing around the room with the lampshade on his head.
I did learn a few things at this tournament:
Paris serves good champagne at the gaming tables, but most other casinos don't.
"Leaping Michaels" is a great bid, although it only comes up once every 5 years or so.
There are a lot of freaks downtown.
You can meet really nice and interesting people at the partnership desk.
Asking for a free room upgrade can get you a suite at no extra charge!!
A lot of people don't seem to know standard responses to take out doubles.
Going to a tournament by yourself can be fun, especially when you know people there.
You may be wondering what happened to Day 4 of my trip; instead of playing bridge, I spent the day just playing. I went to the pool, but not for long since lukewarm water doesn't do much to cool you off when it's 110 degrees. I played blackjack, with its endless cycle of losing and winning and losing, finally stopping when I was more or less even. I went to see "O", the water based Cirque show, which was fantastic. I ate and drank, as you are supposed to do in Las Vegas.
You may also be wondering how Amadeus fared during my absence. My brother was in charge and called to tell me that he (the cat, not Ed) was depressed (indicated by a full food bowl) and angry (indicated by aggression toward a lamp which was found on the floor with a broken shade). I was not alarmed because I knew Amadeus would eat when he got hungry enough. I also suspected that the lamp incident was caused by Ed having a few drinks and then dancing around the room with the lampshade on his head.
I did learn a few things at this tournament:
Paris serves good champagne at the gaming tables, but most other casinos don't.
"Leaping Michaels" is a great bid, although it only comes up once every 5 years or so.
There are a lot of freaks downtown.
You can meet really nice and interesting people at the partnership desk.
Asking for a free room upgrade can get you a suite at no extra charge!!
A lot of people don't seem to know standard responses to take out doubles.
Going to a tournament by yourself can be fun, especially when you know people there.
Saturday, July 26, 2014
LV: Wednesday, Day 3
I don't like playing Swiss Teams. In fact, awhile ago I had decided not to play in them anymore but somehow I still end up at the table with teammates. This time I was playing with my new best friend Steve and two sisters from California (originally from New York) that Steve had picked up at the partnership desk. We quickly discovered that we all liked each other and started having fun. With a team salute I was elected Captain (Steve didn't want the honors and the sisters were somewhat new to Swiss) and the games were on.
We played 8 rounds of 6 boards each. We started out strong, way ahead of the pack. Of course that put us up against increasingly tougher teams, and we started to slide. In the end we won half of the rounds and got a pittance of MPs. However, we did have fun and there were some interesting hands. Here's how the bidding went on one memorable board:
I had nothing, so I passed. East bid 1 heart and my partner overcalled 1 spade. Hmm, I thought, I guess I could bid 2 spades; my hand wasn't quite worth the bid, but we weren't vulnerable and the opponents were. Then West bid 2 spades, effectively stealing my bid and communicating support for her partner's hearts. I passed and to my utter delight and amazement, East bid 4 spades. My partner calmly passed, as did West. Just then East noticed what had happened.
"Oh no! That's not what I meant to bid! Obviously I meant 4 hearts! Can I take it back?"
"I didn't even look at what you had bid!!" West chimed in. "Oh my God."
Steve and I remained calm. "It's too late," we both said. "But you can ask a director." East did call the director, who confirmed that since her partner had bid, her bid of 4 spades had to stand. Everyone started to gather up their bidding cards.
"Wait a minute, folks," I admonished. "I still have a bid." With a murmur, everyone put their bidding cards back on the table. Yes, I was thinking of doubling but wondering if that would be too cruel. What the heck, I decided, starting to reach for the X. Later Steve confessed that at this point his heart stopped and he silently shouted "No No NO!" I must have heard him, because somehow I suddenly realized that my double would give the opponents another bid and allow them to switch back to hearts. I smoothly reached for the green pass card instead and the bidding was over.
Our opponents went down seven, vulnerable, while our partners made game for 620; this won us the round. I guess there are some parts of Swiss Teams that I do like.
We played 8 rounds of 6 boards each. We started out strong, way ahead of the pack. Of course that put us up against increasingly tougher teams, and we started to slide. In the end we won half of the rounds and got a pittance of MPs. However, we did have fun and there were some interesting hands. Here's how the bidding went on one memorable board:
I had nothing, so I passed. East bid 1 heart and my partner overcalled 1 spade. Hmm, I thought, I guess I could bid 2 spades; my hand wasn't quite worth the bid, but we weren't vulnerable and the opponents were. Then West bid 2 spades, effectively stealing my bid and communicating support for her partner's hearts. I passed and to my utter delight and amazement, East bid 4 spades. My partner calmly passed, as did West. Just then East noticed what had happened.
"Oh no! That's not what I meant to bid! Obviously I meant 4 hearts! Can I take it back?"
"I didn't even look at what you had bid!!" West chimed in. "Oh my God."
Steve and I remained calm. "It's too late," we both said. "But you can ask a director." East did call the director, who confirmed that since her partner had bid, her bid of 4 spades had to stand. Everyone started to gather up their bidding cards.
"Wait a minute, folks," I admonished. "I still have a bid." With a murmur, everyone put their bidding cards back on the table. Yes, I was thinking of doubling but wondering if that would be too cruel. What the heck, I decided, starting to reach for the X. Later Steve confessed that at this point his heart stopped and he silently shouted "No No NO!" I must have heard him, because somehow I suddenly realized that my double would give the opponents another bid and allow them to switch back to hearts. I smoothly reached for the green pass card instead and the bidding was over.
Our opponents went down seven, vulnerable, while our partners made game for 620; this won us the round. I guess there are some parts of Swiss Teams that I do like.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
LV: Tuesday, Day 2
"I'm wearing a brown skirt and white top," I told my new partner on the phone.
"I'll be wearing a straw hat and Hawaiian shirt," was his response. "See you in half an hour."
As I disconnected my phone I wondered if I had heard correctly. Did he really just say "straw hat"? Probably not, I decided, but that's okay, he should be able to spot me.
I arrived at our prearranged location a little early and started to eyeball unaccompanied men, trying to figure out which one was Steve. By now I was also doubting the Hawaiian shirt, so he could be anyone. Men started eyeballing me back, some appearing a bit uncomfortable. I need to be more subtle, I thought, and so I approached a likely candidate.
"Are you Steve?" I inquired.
"No," he replied with a grin, and stopped to chat for a moment. Vegas is a friendly place.
Shortly after he left I heard a hearty "Hello!" coming from behind me. I turned and immediately knew that this was Steve. Yes, he had a straw hat perched on the back of his head and was wearing that Hawaiian shirt. We hit it off right sway.
Steve and I played in the Gold Rush pairs. The first game found us adjusting and learning about each other, bridge related and otherwise. Steve lives in DC and people ask him what he does there.
"I work for the FDA," he tells them.
"He's a taste tester," I add to his great amusement.
In terms of bridge, our first game was okay, but our second one much better. We came in first in our section, earning red points and T shirts. Steve has talked me into playing Gold Rush Swiss Teams on Wednesday. He assures me that we will get gold there--stay tuned to find out if he's right.
"I'll be wearing a straw hat and Hawaiian shirt," was his response. "See you in half an hour."
As I disconnected my phone I wondered if I had heard correctly. Did he really just say "straw hat"? Probably not, I decided, but that's okay, he should be able to spot me.
I arrived at our prearranged location a little early and started to eyeball unaccompanied men, trying to figure out which one was Steve. By now I was also doubting the Hawaiian shirt, so he could be anyone. Men started eyeballing me back, some appearing a bit uncomfortable. I need to be more subtle, I thought, and so I approached a likely candidate.
"Are you Steve?" I inquired.
"No," he replied with a grin, and stopped to chat for a moment. Vegas is a friendly place.
Shortly after he left I heard a hearty "Hello!" coming from behind me. I turned and immediately knew that this was Steve. Yes, he had a straw hat perched on the back of his head and was wearing that Hawaiian shirt. We hit it off right sway.
Steve and I played in the Gold Rush pairs. The first game found us adjusting and learning about each other, bridge related and otherwise. Steve lives in DC and people ask him what he does there.
"I work for the FDA," he tells them.
"He's a taste tester," I add to his great amusement.
In terms of bridge, our first game was okay, but our second one much better. We came in first in our section, earning red points and T shirts. Steve has talked me into playing Gold Rush Swiss Teams on Wednesday. He assures me that we will get gold there--stay tuned to find out if he's right.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
LV: Monday, Day 1
Arriving at the airport, I confidently found my way to "ground transportation." I had read in the bridge bulletin to go to the island where the vans were. I was to tell them I was with the ACBL and without so much as a reservation (but with some cash), I would be whisked away to my hotel.
The first problem was finding the vans. "I think you have to go down to level zero," the shuttle guy told me. So down I went to this ominous sounding place; but where were the vans? Just as i was about to give up I spotted them across the way. I trotted over in the 100 degree heat and then encountered my second problem: there was no one to tell that I was with the ACBL. But not to worry, I spotted a Hilton van dropping someone off. I eagerly approached him.
"Can I get a ride to the hotel? I'm with the bridge tournament."
"Do you have a reservation?" the driver asked as he checked a sheet of paper.
"No, but they said I didn't need one."
"Everybody needs a reservation," he told me with a baffled look. (Problem #3)
"Can I get a ride anyway? I see you're from the Wingate Hilton and that's where I'm staying."
"Sure, I couldn't leave you behind!" With a smile he put my luggage in the back and me in the front. "You're going to Henderson, right? Just want to make sure." (Narrowly missed Problem #4)
Not only was I not going to Henderson, I wasn't staying at the Wingate--my hotel, I belatedly remembered, was the Westgate. After waiting, trying a couple of other vans, and calling the hotel in vain, I abandoned level zero and got on a shuttle. That went much smoother, since it appeared that I was the driver's favorite. "You're my B-A-B," he stated with a jovial laugh. I pressed the issue and asked if I could get dropped off first. "Of course, you're my B-A-B!" While I am a bit curious as to what those letters mean, the main thing is that he did drop me off first.
So began my first day in Vegas. I didn't play any bridge, that starts for me on Tuesday. I did meet some interesting people, though, and had some fun. You didn't expect to read any of those details, did you?!
The first problem was finding the vans. "I think you have to go down to level zero," the shuttle guy told me. So down I went to this ominous sounding place; but where were the vans? Just as i was about to give up I spotted them across the way. I trotted over in the 100 degree heat and then encountered my second problem: there was no one to tell that I was with the ACBL. But not to worry, I spotted a Hilton van dropping someone off. I eagerly approached him.
"Can I get a ride to the hotel? I'm with the bridge tournament."
"Do you have a reservation?" the driver asked as he checked a sheet of paper.
"No, but they said I didn't need one."
"Everybody needs a reservation," he told me with a baffled look. (Problem #3)
"Can I get a ride anyway? I see you're from the Wingate Hilton and that's where I'm staying."
"Sure, I couldn't leave you behind!" With a smile he put my luggage in the back and me in the front. "You're going to Henderson, right? Just want to make sure." (Narrowly missed Problem #4)
Not only was I not going to Henderson, I wasn't staying at the Wingate--my hotel, I belatedly remembered, was the Westgate. After waiting, trying a couple of other vans, and calling the hotel in vain, I abandoned level zero and got on a shuttle. That went much smoother, since it appeared that I was the driver's favorite. "You're my B-A-B," he stated with a jovial laugh. I pressed the issue and asked if I could get dropped off first. "Of course, you're my B-A-B!" While I am a bit curious as to what those letters mean, the main thing is that he did drop me off first.
So began my first day in Vegas. I didn't play any bridge, that starts for me on Tuesday. I did meet some interesting people, though, and had some fun. You didn't expect to read any of those details, did you?!
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Finding a Partner
First I asked Julie. It took some convincing, because although she might seem to be a Sin City kind of girl, turns out she's not. "It'll be fun," I said. "You don't have to gamble," I added. "And we have so much more experience now, we'll do so much better than we did last time." Julie was weakening, so I threw out the clincher: "Everybody will be going."
Julie finally agreed to be my partner at the Las Vegas Nationals. But then she made plans with two of her sisters to visit Paris in June, and she didn't want to take two trips in one summer.
"Sorry," she said.
"That's okay, I understand," I replied.
Next I asked Cristi, who is my other regular partner. Turns out she is a Sin City kind of girl and did not need convincing. "I'm going to have my sisters meet us there. There's so much to do besides bridge! Is that okay with you?" Not only was it okay, but I was excited to have "permission" to play Blackjack. I was looking forward to having fun, fun, fun, until . . .
Turns out there's a river cruise that starts in Amsterdam and goes to Budapest. Cristi and her husband decided to take it, and of course it was happening at the same time as the Nationals.
"Sorry," she said.
"That's okay, I understand," I replied.
Then I asked Lee. We've had just a few games together, but we get along nicely and enjoy playing together. She agreed and we made our plans, including booking some games to make sure we were in sync. Then a family obligation forced her to cancel.
"Sorry," she said.
"That's okay, I understand," I replied.
Still determined to go to Las Vegas, I looked online for a partner. The acbl site has a nice system for that, and I quickly found someone who seemed compatible. All set! I thought. And then I got an email stating that she was so sorry, but a friend had signed her up for knockouts and she wouldn't be able to play with me after all.
"That's okay, I understand," I emailed back.
At this point someone else might have given up, thinking the universe was sending a message to stay home. But I am made of tougher stuff, and I persevered. I found another partner online and he quickly named several conventions that he played. Even though I am unfamiliar with them, my first instinct was to say YES, I play those! (At this point I'll agree to just about anything to get a partner; after all, I still have two days to learn something new.) Then I heard Bob's voice saying, "Don't let anyone talk you into playing something you aren't comfortable with," so I slept on it. I am going to email my new potential partner the truth and see what happens.
The odds are not in favor of my having a partner before I get there, but Vegas is all about beating the odds and I am a Sin City kind of girl!
Julie finally agreed to be my partner at the Las Vegas Nationals. But then she made plans with two of her sisters to visit Paris in June, and she didn't want to take two trips in one summer.
"Sorry," she said.
"That's okay, I understand," I replied.
Next I asked Cristi, who is my other regular partner. Turns out she is a Sin City kind of girl and did not need convincing. "I'm going to have my sisters meet us there. There's so much to do besides bridge! Is that okay with you?" Not only was it okay, but I was excited to have "permission" to play Blackjack. I was looking forward to having fun, fun, fun, until . . .
Turns out there's a river cruise that starts in Amsterdam and goes to Budapest. Cristi and her husband decided to take it, and of course it was happening at the same time as the Nationals.
"Sorry," she said.
"That's okay, I understand," I replied.
Then I asked Lee. We've had just a few games together, but we get along nicely and enjoy playing together. She agreed and we made our plans, including booking some games to make sure we were in sync. Then a family obligation forced her to cancel.
"Sorry," she said.
"That's okay, I understand," I replied.
Still determined to go to Las Vegas, I looked online for a partner. The acbl site has a nice system for that, and I quickly found someone who seemed compatible. All set! I thought. And then I got an email stating that she was so sorry, but a friend had signed her up for knockouts and she wouldn't be able to play with me after all.
"That's okay, I understand," I emailed back.
At this point someone else might have given up, thinking the universe was sending a message to stay home. But I am made of tougher stuff, and I persevered. I found another partner online and he quickly named several conventions that he played. Even though I am unfamiliar with them, my first instinct was to say YES, I play those! (At this point I'll agree to just about anything to get a partner; after all, I still have two days to learn something new.) Then I heard Bob's voice saying, "Don't let anyone talk you into playing something you aren't comfortable with," so I slept on it. I am going to email my new potential partner the truth and see what happens.
The odds are not in favor of my having a partner before I get there, but Vegas is all about beating the odds and I am a Sin City kind of girl!
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