The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-12-16
BRIDGE

Secretary, American Bridge League
This new contract scoring has been
adopted almost universally and is
now used by everyone who claims to
keep abreast Of the times in his
bridge. However, many score pads
showing the old values are still in
use, and unless one has taken the
time to study and learn the new
scoring, he may be unable to find
the proper information when he
most needs 1t.
receive a great many letters every
day inquirying about the new no
trump count and many of my read
ers are not quite sure when a trick
counts 80 and when it counts 40.
The new undertrick penalties are
also difficult to remember, for no two
tricks have the same value. Today
am going to suggest a couple of
mathematical shortcuts which should
be Of assistance in remembering the
new count.
The new no trump scoring becomes
very simple If we handle it in the
following way-just score the no
trump tricks at the same values as
before but drop the last five when
ever it occurs.
For example, one no trump counts
30 instead of IS; three no trump
counts 100 instead of los; five no
trump counts ITO instead of ITS. Two
no trump, four no trump and six no
trump do not end in five and there
fore count 70, 40 and 210, respect
lively, as they always did.
There is complication where part
Of the tricks are bid for and part
Of them are overtricks, but this also
can be handled very simply.
Let us suppose that we bid one no
trump and made three. The total
value Of the tricks is 100 points, but
Of that only the value of the one bid
trick, namely, 80, can be scored be-
low the line. The remaining 70
points must be scored above the line.
Again, let us suppose that we bid
three no trump and made seven. The
total value Of these tricks would be
240 points, but we can only score
the value Of the three bid tricks,
namely, 100 points, below the line.
The balance Of 40 points would be
scored above the line.
\ X y
Suppose we make one no trump
and then make one no trump again
on the next hand. Does the second
trick in that case count 80 or 40
points? In that case each trick
counts 30 points, for each trick is
the first trick Of that hand.
Therefore, 1t Is perfectly possible
to make one no trump three times in
succession and still not make game.
This appeared a little strange, and
so it Is, but few Of us can remember
a case where exactly one no trump
was made on three successive hands.
One no trump plus two no trump
does produce game and we have
the peculiar anomaly that one plus
one plus one does not equal one plus
two.
The basis Of all undertrick penal
ties is the following series Of num-
bers: 100, $50, $50, TOO, 1000. The
player who has memorized that Sc
ries need have no trouble figuring
out any penalty he is likely to en-
counter.
They give these penalties for /, 2,
3, 4 and undertricks, respectively,
when doubled and not vulnerable.
The penalties for undoubled, vulner-
able, are exactly the same. Use dou-
bic the amount for doubled, vulner-
able, or redoubled, not vulnerable,
and four times the amount for re-
doubled, vulnerable.
BY using these simple memory
aids, anyone who understood the old
scoring should have no trouble with
the new.
The greatest array Of bridge talent
ever assembled under one roof met in
New York city recently to compete In
the Sixth Annual National Champion
ship Tournament Of the American
Bridge League.
During this tournament the new
duplicate rules Of the American Bridge
League were introduced and while
these included the new count recently
published by the Whist Club, for rub.
Der play, several important chances
were made In the duplicate code. The
duplicate players retained the old
grand slam bonus Of 1000 points when
not vulnerable and 1900 points when
vulnerable.
A new feature was introduced into
the game which win become effective
for both duplicate and pivot and pro-
gressive bridge. Pivot and progressive
bridge IS what Is generally known as
party bridge, and Is played by thou
sands Of people every afternoon and
evening throughout the United States.
\ \ y
This feature Is the 100 points pre-
MUM for making less-than-ga
contract. At contract bridge today,
II you bid and make slam. you re-
ceive an extra premium-for success
fully bidding and making q game YOU