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Alan Turner along with Shirley Newton and Richard Solomon
leading the way at a National Bridge Teachers' conference. 

“And Speaking Of Gamblers”

Today’s article, like yesterday’s, is dedicated to Alan Turner. It comes from the 2006 National Congress in Hamilton with the article written by the then Bulletin Editor, Alan Taylor. Thanks to the latter for remembering this and for allowing it to be reproduced.

Do you remember this hand?

Do you want to remember it? Of course, you do. Put that pass card away! Over to Alan:

“Apparently the Earl of Yarborough would offer to wager 1000 guineas to one guinea that a player would not be dealt a thirteen card whist hand containing no card higher  than a 9. The noble earl was not a generous odds-layer as the mathematical odds against the eponymously-named Yarborough hand are 1827 to 1 against.

What then are the odds against holding a 13- card hand with only one 7 and no higher card?

By my calculation the odds are 555,049 to 1 against! This means that you can expect to play 26 boards a day for 57 years and not meet one. Presumably, this means that 118 North’s felt slightly unlucky on Tuesday evening when this one landed.

Richard Solomon was very proud of the fact that he found a free bid on this monster.

South opened 1♦ and West overcalled 2♣. Pusillanimously, Richard passed, as did East. Owen Camp doubled as South and West came again with 2♥. Richard stepped out with a 3♦ call! East raised to 4♣ and there it rested. One off was the result of Richard’s bold intervention although he did not materially contribute to the defence.

However, if you want to make bricks while strawless, Pairs champion Alan Turner is the man to see.

Bob Grover as South started proceedings with a 1♥ call which has a seemingly endless list of alternative meanings – all 14+ hcp. Alan (North) took his first bid with a 1♠ response (again with a variety of potential meanings.)

1NT from Bob saw Alan correct to his own suit with 2♦ thus becoming declarer – no doubt in an effort to protect his tenaces.

He was able to contribute to his side’s trick count, moreover, with a couple of heart ruffs.

Is there anyone else out there who

1. Made two bids on the North cards?

2. Became declarer?

3. Took 2 tricks?

4. Made an overtrick?”

Thank you, Alan T. That phrase in itself is confusing as both the bidder and the writer have long had the same initials! In the nicest possible way, Alan Turner always had plenty to say, perhaps reflected by the actions he took on the above deal.

Richard Solomon

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