By JOHN RANDALL / Guest columnist

This week I got my first triple revoke!

One of our players had a singleton ace of clubs that was stuck behind another card. Three times she ruffed her opponent’s club leads, only to play her ace the fourth time the suit was led.

“Director,” the opponents called. No, it’s not a 6-trick penalty.

However, revoking three times in the first 10 cards played completely affected the outcome of the hand. As game director, I can award an oucome that is more severe than the rules provide if the non-offending side is significantly damaged. Fortunately, the standard 2-trick penalty was enough to give them a top board in this case.

This past Friday we held an ACBL (American Contrac Bridge League)-wide charity game in lieu of our regular game. These games are always fun because the players get a handout afterwards with expert analysis of each hand played.

Winners this week:

Monday: Boots Jennings and Ida Pack; Judy Hasseld and Judie Fair; Judy Funk and Charlotte Estill; Arlene and Nadene Hilton.

Tuesday: After a nine-table workshop on Doubles, we had a very competitive 18-board game. In the closest game I’ve ever seen, three teams were virtually tied at the end; separated by fractions of a single percentage point. First were Arlene Owens and Peggy Olson (60.81 percent); followed by Martha Brand and Ruth Allen (60.46 percent), Geri Dodson and Macie Colley (60.20 percent).

Wednesday: Hazel Haas and Marion Henry; Linda Randall (Mrs. Director) and Riverchase resident Judy Converse; Judy Hasseld and Helena native Lyn Hartwell.

Thursday: In our novice game, Aileen Hill and Judy Chase finished first followed by Jill Salmon and Sarah Horn.

Friday: In the charity game, Indian Springs teachers John Lusco and Mac LaCasse finished first followed by Frances Hereford and Bernie Liberman, Judy Converse and James Lawrence, Aileen Hill and Diane Heath, Peggy and Gene Graham, Jo Weatherly and Charlotte Lusco.

Saturday: Barbara Wall and Jeanne Wamack, finished first; followed by, Arlene Owens and Frances Ubben, Lila and Bernie Barton, John Griffith and Jill Salmon.

Bridge Tip of the Week:

The old adage, “When in doubt, lead trumps,” is just an adage. You should never be in doubt when leading trump.

If the bidding has gone 1H-1NT, 2D-pass, how many hearts does the 1NT bidder have?

Only one or two. Can’t you see that short suit?

Declarer is going to want to ruff some hearts in dummy. Cut his opportunity by leading a trump.

Lead a trump after your opponent uses a Jacoby Transfer; you don’t want the short trump side to be able to trump side suits. The same applies when you’re in the lead and declarer hasn’t drawn all of his trumps yet