BRIDGE

THE European Bridge League is worried about the amount of cheating going on in online competitions. I am not surprised, since I have experienced some of it, but it is baffling why anyone would want to ruin this so-necessary development in the game.

After all there is no prize money to speak about and you can’t withdraw any BBO money even if you do win.

Anyway, over to CBAI chief executive Paul Porteous on the latest home developments.

In the current issue of the Irish Bridge Journal he mentions that a submission has been made to the Department of Health to seek permission for a return to normal bridge. He goes on to say how fortunate they have been to have the help of Joe Barry who has recently taken up the game and is professor of public health in TCD.

Paul hopes we can resume sooner rather than later, but it seems certain there will be changes such as screens and personal safety precautions.

Never send a child on a man’s errand, my mother used to say, and here’s a case in point. If you do like a lot of players and only open 3S, S will bid and that will be that unless E goes mad and bids 4S.

Mind you, I have seen it happen.