BRIDGE

THIS coming weekend sees the most popular Bridge competition of the season, and one that is bound to attract an enormous entry to the venue — the splendid Mount Wolseley Hotel, in Tullow, Co Carlow.

And why not? With weather like this I can’t see much reason to be straying out of doors — and add the climatic conditions to the wide variety of categories on the agenda — men’s, ladies, mixed, seniors and inter-A teams, all vying for prizes. Sure you’d be mad to miss it.

And to keep everybody in action before heading for Co Carlow, we have the CBAI Sim Pairs at club level all week. Indeed, there is no rest for the wicked with Wexford Congress ending with the teams today. Not to mention the Novice and Intermediate congress in Athlone from February 15-17.

I’m a great believer in getting your tuppence worth in early. To misuse a phrase, it “marks the cards” of your opponents — and here is a perfect case in point

What? 5 pts vul. Well, that’s Sheerin for you and I am no mouse. So instead of sacrificing, EW try a double and pay very dearly. Laur’s dislike of minor pre-empts paid big dividends. His 3C shows a weak major two-suiter.

Indeed if S runs the HQ then 11 tricks can be made and who am I to cross Enda Glynn who commented in Sim Pairs?