A ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW WITH JOHNNY SUPREMO....

Interviewer ( I ) : Well Johnny ......I see you've chalked up yet another stunning victory ?

JS : Just can't help it .....too many players keep on pressing their self-destruct buttons

I : So what you're saying is ....winning at bridge is all about making fewer mistakes than your opponents

JS : Correct .....but I would also add that winning bridge is all about making zero mistakes

I : Well that makes sense.....but can you give me an illustration of mistake free bidding ?

JS : Not exactly, because bidding can never be an exact science ....making fewer mistakes has nothing to do with a sophisticated bidding system , but simply applying common sense in initial valuation and the subsequent re-valuations of your hand. For instance , opening a weak no trump for most Acol players is routine  on a balanced 12-14 count. But high card points alone should not be the sole basis on which bidding judgements should be made.

I : Go on....

JS : The presence of 10's and 8's are of vital importance , which far too many players tend to overlook. Imagine you bid 1NT vulnerable in first position with Kxx....Qxxx....Axx...Axx. Such a bid might carry a big risk. If as declarer you get a heart lead with Kx in dummy , you may only be looking at one trick in this suit ,  no matter which card you play from dummy. However if Kx is opposite Q108x , then there is every chance of making three tricks in the suit if J9x are sitting under your 4 card holding. Let's assume the weaker 1NT was doubled going off 2 .  Declarer of course might incur a horrendous minus 500 penalty...... but with the help of those two magnificent fillers ,  and the two extra tricks they pull in , a result of plus 180 makes very healthy scorecard reading indeed.

I : So in essence you choose to  devalue your  hand considerably if there are no 10's and 8's to bolster your longer suits ?

JS : Not exactly ..... but I would be  far more circumspect  when opening the  bidding on a balanced and skimpy 13 point hand.... preferring instead 1C......... or even a pass......only to  sit back and await developments .

I : I love you Johnny......you're a genius and a legend.......it's been an honour and privilege to share this minute you....