Bury the STOP

It is now official! The ACBL has finally put an end to the use of the STOP card in tournament play beginning January 1, 2018. They also suggest that clubs cease its use as well to get their members prepared to doing without it.

You must now pay attention to every bid and be aware of jumps without being hit over the head with a STOP SIGN. Our little Red Cards in Salisbury will disappear soon. Heads up!

In the auction the first 3 players have passed and your HCP count is also less than wonderful. What to do? The old Rule of 15 is possibly your answer. To review, it states that if your high card points plus the number of spades in your hand add up to 15 you may go ahead and open the hand. Of course your pair can only expect a part score but you have a better chance than not for success.

In October there are three tournaments near home. Morganton is holding one Oct. 6-8, Raleigh on Oct. 12-15 and the Charlotte Regional is Oct. 23-29. Any one or all of these are chances to win good points.

We had 7 tables in play Friday, Sept. 15 at our Evergreen game.

Winning were: N/S 1st Toni Iossi and Genny Mozolak, 2nd Pat Featherston and Dick Brisbin, 3rd Wade Lowder and Fred Bachl; E/W 1st Patty King and Becky Creekmore, 2nd John and Myrnie McLaughlin, 3rd Fern Albracht and Christy Cline.

Featured is board #27 from this game. No one vulnerable South Dealer

NORTH:

S  T 7

H  K 9 8 7 5

D  A T 3

C  A K 6

WEST:            EAST:

S  9 5 3            S  A Q J 8 6

H  A T 4 2       H  Q 6

D  4 2               D  K Q J 8 5

C  Q 8 5 3         C  9

SOUTH:

S  K 4 2

H  J 3

D  9 7 6

C  J T 7 4 2

Toni Iossi and Genny Mozolak had the best N/S score defeating their opponents 4SE contract 3 tricks, while Becky Creekmore and Patty King bid and made 4SE for the best E/W. This hand should only make 3SE.

Tuesday, Sept. 19 Women’s Club game winners: N/S 1st Marie Pugh and Dick Brisbin, 2nd BettyBonner Steele and Judy Hurder, 3rd Shirley and Ron Jeffers;

E/W 1st Carol Winecoff and Myrnie McLaughlin, 2nd Lawana Ford and Beth Shafer, 3rd Fern Albracht and Christy Cline.

Look forward to seeing you at the Bridge table.