Judge — December 14, 1929 — page 29: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Winners in the Prize Bridge Series will be announced in the issue of De- cember 28th, The competition is very keen and quite a number of contestants stand fine chance to land the grand pri The final decision will probably rest upon a single bid. If Bric bit more like Golf and a bisque-or-two could be judiciously used, it would be of great help. At Golf the Bisque- hound grabs a stroke where it will do the most good. Strokes at Bridge « not so vital, except with high blood pressure, but a Bridge-bisque might be employed to take back a bid, or a rany play that appears to give cheer and comfor’ to the encmy. Oh, well, I won't attempt to tinker with the rules any more, at least until my Challenge Bid is universally adopt- ed. Already the Knickerbocker Whist Club and the Contract Club of New York officially use the Challenge in- stead of the Informatory double. A large number of other prominent clubs all over the country are adopting this trouble-saving devi nd before long the misunderstandings and ambigui ties of the “make-believe-doubles, will be a thing of the past. But more of this, anon. In the contest just completed, there was one outstanding question, upon which many of the leading players ap- peared to be almost equally divided. Even if this moot point was instru- mental in diverting from some earnest solver, it might almost be made worth-while by a f sion that would tend to simplify mat- when these ever-recurring situa- tions come up at the bridge-table. The question is simply whether it is the better procedure, when holding two biddable suits, to first bid the higher- ranking or the longer suit? Some authorities insist that the higher ranking suit must be shown first. Personally I much prefer to bid the longer suit first. Among the large number of letters I received in re- ard to this question, one lady says: All the authorities agree that a good finesse. a nice prize nk discus- In checking up, I find that of nine well known experts three advocate the higher-ranking suit while six favor the longer suit. advanced by the short-suit experts for their preference seem to me to be ex cellent arguments for my side. Possibly they may feel the way about my reasons, but neverthe- less, here goes: When a player bids two suits the most important thing for the partner to know is, which suit is the longer. On close hands this knowledge often makes the difference between winning the game and taking a penalty. When a minor suit is bid before a major. it is known to be the longer suit. When the major is bid first it is known to be at least as long as the minor. This bidding only applies to a four card Holding two biddable suits, one a good five-card major and the other a good six-card minor, I would prefer to hid the major. Holding two major bid the longer—not the higher ranking. Similar proced ure is followed holding minor suits. On page 118 of my “How's Your Brid; two suits, both warranting an original bid, the longer one should usually be bid first in preference to a four-c: suit, irrespective of their ranking. the problem deal shown, a demerit is given for bidding a four-card Heart suit headed by the Ace-King instead of a six-card Club suit consisting of King, Queen, 8, 7, 6, 4. On the three prize problem deals numbered eight, ten and twelve, bid- ding the long suit first would | been most helpful towards obt perfect score. F. H. A., of LeRoy, N. Y., writes an interesting letter on this subject. He prefers to show his higher-ranking suits first, and rather than “surrender his ideals” he is willing to take a small penalty. But, he says, if it is going to raise Cain with his score, he is sorry (Continued on page 32) same suit. suits, I when two latest boo T say: “With Most of the reasons | ning a | CENTURIES OLD IN ROMANCE. - 2° - yet the newest note in Christmas Gifts Different—with npelling reminiscent of e-trove. of voy very clime it dust with an is animate, interesting, con rusted ¢ are we ikely to be dupti or Stormoguide ) has a handsom ae Jnstrument ariel ROCHESTER, N.Y. ea AviLsINg! waioxT DISTRIBUTORS IN GREAT BRITAIS ON, LTD.. LONDON COUPON 7 Ames St., k ter, N.Y. U.S.A. ‘aylor Stand Pattern “Taylor Stormoguide, Jr. Enclosed is $...... and safe delivery is guaranteed.