Oxford Hills Duplicate Bridge club meets

OXFORD — Oxford Hills Duplicate Bridge club met Friday in the Rec. bldg on King St. in Oxford at 9:15 a.m. A six-table Howell movement was enjoyed.

Finishing first in flight A were Lucille Theriault (Lewiston) and Fred Letourneau (Winslow); second were Dick Allen (New Gloucester) and Pete Cummings (S. Paris). Third were Linda Leotsakos (Chelsea) and Mary Trafton (Sidney), who also were first in flight B. Fourth in flight A were Hazel Glazier (Norway) and Les Buzzell (Auburn).

Finishing second in flight B were Cynthia Clifford (Lewiston) and Claire Lyons (Lewiston); third were Milt McKeen (Bridgton) and Jim Krainin ( Windham) who also were first in flight C. Finishing second in flight C were Denny Raymond (Bridgton) and Hank Sakrison (Bridgton).

There will be no game next Friday, Christmas Eve morning,  December 24.

Next game will be December 31, New Years eve morning, same time and place. All bridge players are cordially invited. A partner is always guaranteed. For information call Les Buzzell at 783-4153 or 754-9153 or e-mail buzz116@myfairpoint.net.

This weeks bridge tip:

It is dangerous to count extra points for short suits or long suits before the bidding starts.

If partner bids your short suit, that reduces, not increases the value of your hand. If one of your opponents bids your long suit, that decreases, not increases, the value of your hand. If you let the bidding develop, you will see whether your long or short suits are working for or against you.

You hold S Axxx H x D Qxxxx xxx

What is your hand worth? If partner opens 1 H , it is a minus 6-point hand. If partner opens 1 S, it is a 9-point hand (3 points for the singleton with four card support). If LHO opens 1D and partner overcalls 1 H, the D Q has lost its value, not to mention the fifth diamond. You are now looking at a minus 4-point hand. Be patient with distributional evaluations until you hear the bidding.

See you at the bridge table. Good luck.