In 2016 Monique Melchers stood in the Netherlands at the cradle of a new idea called ‘t Onstein Jeugd Toernooi Circuit. Dutch Juniors that participate in regular tournaments and national junior championships also score special tournament points (JTC-points).
KeesTammens
There are two separate rankings, one for Juniors and one for U-20 players, with special prizes for the Kids. In the first edition of the JTC ten tournaments were adopted; the best six results counting for the juniors and the best four results for the U-20’s.
Monique, the wife of long-time bridge enthusiast and sponsor Hans Melchers, provided great prizemoney as well. The 2017-2018 version grew to twelve events and at December-30 2017 the event went halfway with a match-pointed challenge in Delft. One day with three sessions of 24 boards. You could participate in one, two or three sessions, with a good bunch of juniors eagerly playing all day long.
Bridge is a bidders game? Do you agree with the bidding by South in next sequences? Remember it is match-points.
A: Dealer South E/W Vul
West
North
East
South
1
Pass
2NT
3
3
4
4
Pass
4NT
Pass
5
Pass
6
Pass
Pass
Pass
2NT: 8-10, (3) 4 cards
3: imaginative trying something
4: cuebid (for ) in diamond.
South: 8 A K Q J 9 8 7 J 9 A 7 4
B: Dealer East N/S Vul
West
North
East
South
Pass
1NT
Pass
2
Pass
2
Pass
3
Pass
3
Pass
3
Pass
4
Pass
5
Pass
Pass
Pass
South: A K J 8 K Q 8 J 8 4 Q 4 2
C: Dealer North Neither Vul
West
North
East
South
1
1NT
Dbl1
2 (=)
Dbl2
23
2NT4
Pass
Pass
Pass
1 Dbl: penalty
2 Dbl: Take out of
3 2: 3 cards
4 2NT: intended as clubs with partial diamond support.
South: 10 Q J 3 2 6 4 3 A J 8 3 2
A:
A Q 9 4
5 4 3
K 7 6 5 4 2
—
J 10 6 5 2
10
Q 8 3
Q 10 6 2
K 7 3
6 2
A 10
K J 9 8 5 3
8
A K Q J 9 8 7
J 9
A 7 4
Of course North had a great hand after 3by South and it was conceivable that he showed two aces. 6was a great contract with only one flaw: K was off- side, and 15%. Resting peacefully in game would have given you about 65%.
B:
9 7 3
A 6 5 3
3
A K 10 9 8
Q 10 4
J 10 7
A K 7 6 5
J 4
6 5 2
9 4 2
Q 10 9 2
7 6 3
A K J 8
K Q 8
J 8 4
Q 5 2
South should have realised North showed 3-4-1-5distribution, and with the good four-card ♠ South should have raised the very well bid of 3to 4scoring +650 for 75% with 5and +600 only a skinny 40%.
C;
K Q J 2
5
K Q J 5
7 6 5 4
8 7 4
K 9 7 6 4
9 8 2
10 9
A 9 6 5 3
A 10 8
A 10 7
K Q
10
Q J 3 2
6 4 3
A j 8 3 2
The obvious double at 2probably would have netted only +100. The 2NT riddle by South really impressed the whole table because West found the surprising lead of 10 against 2NT which totally messed up the defence, declarer escaping with eight tricks, and about average.
Still not enough to beat the many +300 scores in North-South. Up to the end of June there remain seven tournaments to be played in the frame of the ‘t Onstein Junior Circuit, so the Dutch juniors have ample time to come to the fullest blossom.
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