Big news at Bermuda Bridge Club with the announcement of a 20-lesson series of the world renowned Audrey Grant Beginners Lessons, with Audrey coming down to the island to present the first four lessons herself!

Audrey’s lessons have set the standard for many years and in 2015 she was inducted into the ACBL Hall of Fame. She has authored or co-authored some of the best bridge instruction books in the game.

As if that is not enough, she is a charming and interesting speaker and the lessons will be fun – I had the pleasure of having Audrey on one of my panel shows at the Halifax Regional many years ago and she was brilliant.

The cost of all 20 lessons, including books and videos, is $100.

Audrey herself will give the first four lessons at the Bridge Club on September 14 at 3pm, September 15 at 2pm or 7pm, September 16 at 9.30am or 7pm, and September 17 at 2pm or 7pm. Each lesson will last two hours.

On Wednesday, September 18 at 7pm, there will be a playing lesson with demonstration hands and videos.

Lessons will then continue every Monday night with local teachers at 7pm, starting on September 23 and lasting for 16 weeks.

This is a hot ticket and I would urge you to sign up as soon as possible, or you will be disappointed. The lessons are open to all in Bermuda. Sign up at this link.

If you have any questions you can e-mail lessons@bermudabridge.com.

I encourage you to sign up to learn this amazing game, no matter what your age group – once you get into it there is no going back, and as you go into your later years the game will keep you young.

Bridge not only keeps the brain cells going but also the emotions, as your results will lead to joy, frustration, exhilaration and all the other stuff that comes from competing. Add to that the social aspect of meeting new people and making new friends and you will reap great benefits from playing.

Today’s hand is a declarer play problem which falls into the category of “I don’t know which play is right, but I definitely know which play is wrong!” See the hand and the bidding in Figure 1.

The auction was fairly simple. West’s opening promised a five-card suit and the rest of the auction took its natural course. West led the King of spades and dummy’s three-card spade holding was a disappointment for declarer. It meant that East had a void and that he would ruff the ace of spades if it was played at trick one. That seemed a pointless play, as declarer would still have to lose a diamond and two spades for down one.

Then declarer reassessed the situation after noticing he had the ten, nine and eight of spades. After calling for a low card from dummy at trick one, East threw a discouraging club while declarer followed with the three of spades.

West saw no reason to shift to a minor suit and continued with the Queen of spades. Again declarer played low from table. This time East parted with a discouraging diamond while declarer followed with the five of spades.

West continued with the seven of spades to dummy’s Ace. East duly ruffed and returned the diamond suggested by the seven of spades. Declarer rose with the Ace and drew East’s two remaining trumps with the Ace and King. Next he led the ten of spades.

West covered this with the Jack and dummy ruffed. Declarer returned to hand with a club to his bare Ace and threw dummy’s five of diamonds on the established eight of spades. After ruffing the eight of diamonds in dummy, declarer had ten tricks – thoughtful play that led to a making contract. All because declarer held the eight of spades!

• David Ezekiel can be contacted at davidezekiel999@gmail.com

BRIDGE CLUB RESULTS

Friday, August 23

1. Louise Rodger-Molly Taussig

2. Judy King-Martha Ferguson

3= Richard Gray-Wendy Gray

3= Margaret Way-Jane Smith

Monday, August 26

1. Richard Gray-Wendy Gray

2= Charles Hall-Molly Taussig

2= Gertrude Barker-Jane Smith

Tuesday, August 27

North/South

1. Joanne Edwards-Marion Ezedinma

2. Sharon Andrews-Dorea Grant

East/West

1. Jean Schilling-Catherine Kennedy

2. Malcolm Moseley-Mark Stevens

Wednesday, August 28

1. Charles Hall-Margaret Way

2. Tony Saunders-Molly Taussig

3. William Pollett-Linda Pollett

Thursday, August 29

1. Linda Pollett-Kristy Pollett

2. Betsy Baillie-Lisa Ferrari