| The Chicago Hearts Players League - Twenty Years of Fun and Games!
This is the longest continually-running "live" Hearts Series in the country! At one time the "New England Hearts Players Association" (1972 - 1984) held this distinction; however, that record has been easily surpassed. I have had the pleasure of attending a few of these Chicago-area tournaments, and I assure you that this is a competitive, yet friendly, group of players. Newcomers are always welcome. Each event draws approximately 40 to 50 players. If you live in the northern Illinois area, check out their next gathering!
"Live" Hearts Tournament - All Hearts Players Are Welcome!
September 11, 2004 - Sponsored by The Chicago Hearts Players League
Come Shoot The Moon at the South Suburban Bridge Club - 591 Williams, Thornton, IL . Play starts at 9 a.m. The tournament includes three preliminary games, a semifinal game, and a championship game. Trophies are awarded to finalists. An optional money pool is available. Registration is $8.00 in advance or $13.00 at the door. For more information contact Keith Reifel - kgreifel@mcleodusa.net
Registration: 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m
Preliminary: Games (3) 9:00 a.m. – Noon
Lunch: Available in Area
Semifinal Game: Top 16 - Approx. 1:00 p.m.
Finals - 4 Semi Winners: Approx. 2:30 p.m
Send an e-mail to Keith, if you want to be part of the action!
Beginner's Korner: The Heart Suit - Part II - Quiz
The previous column examined the heart suit and various combinations which were potential "stoppers" against the Moon. Now we examine heart suits holdings, with an eye of possibly "shooting the Moon." Assume that you hold in spades A K Q J 2, and very safe clubs or diamonds. Spades are breaking 5-3-3-2 in your favor. Which of these hearts suits is favorable for a Moonshot attempt, and which is not?
a. A K Q 2 | b. A K Q 10 | c. A K Q J | d. A K Q 3 2 | e. A K J 3 2 | f. A K J 10 8 | g. A K Q 10 9 | h. A K Q J 2 | i. A K Q 5 4 3 2 | j. A K Q 10 9 7 6 | k. A K J 10 6 3 2 | | | | | | | |
The Answers
In the first three examples (a, b, and c) you hold four hearts, five spades, and the 3, 4, 5, and 6 of clubs. In the next five examples (d, e, f, g, and h), you hold five hearts, five spades, and the 3 , 4, and 5 of clubs. In the latter three examples (i, j, and k) you hold the singleton four of clubs, seven hearts, and five spades. Assume on every hand that someone wins a high club and immediately plays a middle spade. You are also playing the rule that the Queen of spades "breaks" hearts. What is your plan for each hand?
I will help you get started. In hand (a), the odds are clearly against you, as the likelihood of a 4-3-3-3 distribution of hearts is very unlikely. (In the game of Bridge, the 4-3-3-3 distribution of any one given suit is less than 40%). In the game of Hearts, the passing will alter the distribution (and thus the normal odds) in three out of every four hands. Still, you may rest assured that your bizarre suit distribution in most of these hands indicates that the other hands probably have unusual shapes, too.
Back to hand (a): You must hope for a diamond shift, in order to unload your spade Queen. However, if spades are led, you will take the first two rounds high and exit with the deuce (and hope for a diamond lead). If the ops are brutal, strip out your clubs, toss a heart on someone else, AND a heart is led, you must rise with the Ace and hope for a favorable break. It will now require a very lucky guess. I also like the idea of cashing out an extra spade, hoping for a heart discard. Now, you get to test the hearts and can still escape with a club. Whew!
Hand (b): Here you have very bad hearts. However the tenspot provides an extra chance here. I suggest that you cash out four spades (saving the Queen, of course), hoping for a low heart discard. Then take the top three hearts. If the Jack does not fall, then your ten of hearts will be an exit card. If a low heart is not discarded, you must play a club and pray for the chance of unloading your spade Queen on a diamond. Good opponents will not give you an easy out.
Hand (c): Basically this is the same line as in hand (b). Your heart suit is better, and barring a five card heart stack in one of the ops' hands, you will take the top four hearts and shoot the moon! If a heart is not thrown on the spade run, then bail out with a club and pray.
Hand (d): Although it may be tempting to try for the moon with your five card heart suit, the odds are slightly against you. Remember, the odds are altered in the game of Hearts. In order to "shoot", the heart suit must break 5 - 3 - 3 - 2. If anyone has four hearts, you will be stopped, unless that person carelessly drops a heart on one of your spades. You also have the bottom two hearts, and this helps. I would win the first spade and lead a low club, looking for possibilities. If a spade comes back, win it high, and cash out two more spades. (Of course, you do not take the Queen!) If a heart is now tossed on you, it will be time for a decision. Is it worth eating a boatload of hearts while exploring a moonshot? Exit out with another low club or diamond, and await developments. This hand is very tricky.
Hand (e): This hand is kindred to hand (d). However, the hearts suit is weaker. It is clearly against the percentages to drop a doubleton Queen of hearts and hope that no one has four hearts in their hand. Cash out three spades and bail out with a low club or diamond. You will take one book of hearts and you should be safe for the rest of the hand.
Hands (f) and (g): These two hearts suits are very similar, with one distinct feature. The difference here is that one hand has the heart Queen accompanying the Ace and King, and the other hand has the heart Jack. The lack of low hearts dictates the plan. Your plan is to catch a heart on the spade suit run, and if that fails, bail a low minor suit card - hoping to park the evil lady. If a heart is thrown on the spade suit, it is time to rip off three big hearts and in the case of the later hand, hope for the Jack to fall. If he does not appear, you will continue with the ten, and barring a bad heart split, you should be in the clear. In the case of hand (f), you are banking on the unlikely drop of the doubleton Queen, and/or finding the Queen third and no other hearts in an opponent's hand. This is a very tall order however; this heart suit is a real dog!
Hand (h): Here is a teaser. Run four spades. Hope for a heart discard. Does this sound like a familiarly recurring motif? Otherwise, bail the hand with a club. If someone tosses a heart on a club, you now have to find an escape if a heart is led. Here, you will probably take two heart tricks, a small price to pay for originally exploring moon possibilities.
Hands (i), (j), (k): Because you have seven hearts and five spades, the time for action is now! Run four spades, saving the evil lady. Assuming that the Rules of the game allow you to play a heart when you are reduced to nothing but hearts and the spade Queen, you should be in good shape. Take the top hearts in hands (i) and (j). In hand (k), take the Ace and King of hearts and play the Jack. If the heart Queen is doubleton, you are on the moon! In the earlier two hands, a bad break (a really rotten result) in hearts will croak you. Hand (j) has slightly better odds, as only Jack fourth in an opposing hand hurts you! Otherwise, you have reached the moon! Finally, if you are playing the rule that you cannot break hearts with a holding of all hearts and the spade Queen, you will be forced to take your Queen, then play the hearts as described.
| |
