Latest News

A strong opponent! Beware or ignore! Strong No Trump openings are not what they used to be. For many years, they would not contain less than 16 hcp and were a bid to be reckoned with, to be feared/respected. Now, they do not seem quite so... read more here

A first tournament win. Do you remember your first tournament win? For those fortunate enough to have won tournaments, the answer almost certainly is “yes”. Like one’s first A Point, it is a rather special feeling, one to... read more here

For Junior, Intermediate and Novice players…and others. It’s Fri   day. Take the guess (and the stress ) out of the finesse. Do your finesses always seem to go wrong? Well, they do not even if it seems they do. However, there... read more here

A Grand Journey. Recently, in an A Point Tournament, among 24 pairs who sat North/South, only two pairs reached any slam and only one reached grand-slam. 13 tricks were easy to make. I thought it would be instructive if the Panel gave some... read more here

When a Guess is a Certainty. Some guesses are more certain than others. In view of that, it was strange that more declarers did not make the 3NT contract on the deal below. The omens early on looked bad for the declarer: East... read more here

A “Five Level Leap”. The opposition are not vulnerable and have bid or implied the possession of three suits. We, have suggested game in the fourth. The Panel have a choice of action in what is likely to be the “pass out”... read more here

Kiwis on top in Trans Tasman Challenge The second round of the Trans- Tasman Challenge took place last Friday evening and produced another good set of results for the 8 New Zealand teams. All 8 New Zealand teams recorded victories, the biggest... read more here

for Junior, Intermediate and Novice players...and others! It's Fri Day Make the best of a bad bid! Well, you have got to, haven’t you? The bidding is in the past. You have reached the wrong game contract and you could be heading for a... read more here

Counting to 12!  Although North got to bid diamonds first naturally, it was South who became declarer in the ambitious 6D contract below. North DealsNone Vul ♠ A J 9 ♥ 3... read more here

Two Ways Home. Today’s deal came from the final round of the Auckland Easter Teams and gave both declarers a little headache. They were to solve it in different ways. South DealsBoth Vul    ... read more here

“Run, Rabbit, Run”  especially for new players. On Easter or any other day. While one usually passes with none or very few high-card points, there are times when one just has to bid. You are South and your partner has just... read more here

Guiding partner. no flash slam! Both defenders played a potentially wrong card on today’s deal but in each case, their partner was able to steer the defence back on course. It was in a “bread and butter” part-score deal. In... read more here

  Trans- Tasman Challenge Returns. A reformed Trans-Tasman Challenge started last night with the first of 8 x 16 board matches between top Australian and New Zealand teams. Teams can have up to 8 players so as to cut down on the need for... read more here

  You are on your own: you know that! Partner is there just to follow suit. The signs look ominous. What can you do to beat the contract? West DealsNone Vul ♠ A J 6 ♥ 10 5... read more here