| Spades Connection Update
Note: Spades Connection has completed its 5th year of bringing Spades players together. Here are a few notes from their September, 2005 gathering, as written by MSN Games host, "+Doll". She and "+Catladie" are the two original organizers of the Spades Connection events, most of which are held in Nashville, TN.
"Our event went wonderfully. We have had great feedback, and I think everyone went home happy. We had 70 people that played until 3 & 4 AM. Our next event will be held in Nashville, TN., at The Hotel Preston on March 9th-12th, 2006. For more information visit:
www.thespadesconnection.com
“Our September winners of the TOC were _O_C_Princess & Icon_Mark. Runners up were Keith & Player_Josette. Winners of our Bust Tourney were MVS_Rhonda & _O_C_Ukfan. Runners up were MVS_Cable and MVS_RuRu.” | |
| Annual Holiday Quiz
Win a commemorative t-shirt from the 7th Annual Grand Prix World Series of Spades, four decks of Bicycle novelty cards, and an autographed copy of my Spades Book. The first three entries submitted (date/time of email with the most correct answers) will claim the prize!
Set up your entry sheet with the number of the hand, and your choice of the best possible answer for each hand. Explain the logic reason for each choice with one or two sentences. Please submit your entry to: heartsmoon@aol.com
Bidding Quiz
Assume the score is 0-0 and you are the Dealer, sitting South. The game limit is 500 points, No Double Nil and a ten hand limit. You are playing in a live finals game and these bids, starting with your left-hand opponent, come around to you.
West – 3; North (your partner) – 3; East – 2; You - ? (State your bid for each hand.)
This is the first hand of the game:
| |
| Opening Lead Quiz
You are sitting in the West seat, with the opening lead. It is the first hand of the game. In the first set of four hands, each player (including you) has bid three. With a 12 bid on the table, the chance for a set is always present. Take your best shot with each of these hands. Make the best lead. | |
| A Spades Crimestopper Mystery
A terrible crime has been committed. A player is missing after a game of Spades is over. What happened?
Check out this deal. I am sure you will have your comments/analysis/opinions after you have reviewed the bidding and play. Something has gone terribly wrong. The two teams are friends who have known each other for years and play "live" Spades on many occasions. The games are competitive and high-spirited. Tonight's ante is $1,000 per player and the team with the most wins after nine games takes the cash! The score is tied at 4 wins each. After a tough evening for East/West, this hand comes up. The stakes are high, and this hand will decide the outcome of the match.
Here is Exhibit # 1 – the hand.
North | |
| And now we have Exhibit #2 – the score and the bidding.
The score: North/South – 419 East/West – 485
The bidding: West (2); North (2); East (1); South (8)
I have used some chess notation to describe the bid by South. Yes, there was bag problem for the N/S team, and North's two bid was an attempt to prevent a bag in the club suit. Yes, a combined TEN bid could win the game, assuming avoidance of a bag. However, did South realistically hope to make EIGHT tricks here? You are the detective. Would you have considered a three bid with the West hand? Another sidebar - was a Nil bid by East a reasonable call? Then again, the J-10 of spades were mighty "chunky" for a Nil call! Lots and lots of second-guessing to be sure. One of your investigators claims that he would have bid five in the South seat, gone for the set, taken the bag-out, and extended the game. Really now?! And in the heat of battle, split second decisions are often made.
The combined bid of 13 tricks created some very aggressive play. After all, it was the bottom of the ninth inning for the N/S team.
Exhibit # 3 - The Queen of diamonds.
West opened with Queen of diamonds, North ditched the four, and East dropped the six. South won the Ace, and promptly played his lone club. West smoothly followed low, and after a momentary hesitation, North held his breath and finessed with the Queen. After all, this was his best chance for making his two bid. When East produced the club three, North continued with the club Ace, and South sighed, and unloaded one of his losing diamonds - a vital play. Another club by North was trumped low by South. The Ace of spades then hit the table as everyone played their lowest spade.
Exhibit # 4 - The ten of spades.
East's ten of spades was duly noted by South. Then came the Queen of spades, as West climbed, and East's discard of the Jack was observed with great interest. In the game of Bridge, this is called scooping. West now grabbed the Ace of hearts and continued with the Jack of diamonds. (Call this card, Exhibit # 5). East knew that the Jack was good and chose to duck, rather than use his King. West next played the nine of hearts. South won the King, extracted the last trump, and gleefully proclaimed victory. Ten tricks made, right on the button and the game won accordingly. And North/South won $4,000. At this point West left the table, and later that weekend, the East player disappeared without a trace! What would cause the West player to be so upset? Looking at all four hands, was there a defense (which made sense) for the E/W Team?
Use your investigative skills, and come up with a winning line of play (if it exists) for E/W. Or close the case by stating that the E/W Team did all they could do to stop N/S from winning. You have the added advantage of seeing all four hands, examining the exhibits, and observing the play.
Send in your email pronto to heartsmoon@aol.com! There are 20 questions and the essay regarding the “mystery.” Winners will be announced next month.
Happy Thanksgiving!
| |
