The Seven of Diamonds


Some people play bridge for fun; some for the competition; and still others play 
to meet other people. But there is a new reason for playing that is becoming more 
and more popular -- playing to win beer. 

Rumour has it that it all started in Denmark some years ago with a variant of 
bridge called Bomma Lomma. In this game, you got points for bidding and making 
contracts, but you also got points for certain card combinations, 
such as 4 of a kind, or having 13 distinct cards, to name a few. Further, it was a 
long tradiaion that the 7 of diamonds was a lucky card, so the player who 
held that card could double their bomma lommas for that hand. 

The Danes were also quite fond of beer, so they said that if their partner ever won 
the last trick of the hand with the 7 of diamonds, then they would buy their 
partner a beer. However, if their partner gave up tricks to accomplish this -- then 
they owed a beer to everyone at the table, even the kibitzers!!

It made its way to North America via some american juniors who participated in the 
World Junior Bridge Camp in Poland in 1989, particularly Mike Capalletti Jr., Rev Murthy, 
and Mike "1100" White. (Thanks to Steve Altus for providing this information). 
It is quite common at tournaments to hear juniors talking about this awesome play they 
had for the ``beer'' -- the new name for the seven of diamonds. 

This term, one student at the University of Waterloo has won over 30 beers, 
quite an accomplishment -- particularly if he actually cashes them all in. 

So if you're having a bad game, and everything is looking blue, then start working on 
winning a few beers. At least it will cheer you up after the session is over. 

If anyone has any good beer stories to tell -- let me know!

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Rules for winning the Beer:

* You must take the last trick of the hand with the 7 of diamonds, while attaining a plus score. 
* Diamonds must not be the colour of trumph.
* You can not sacrifice any over (or under) tricks in order to get the beer. 
* If you get a minus score as a result of your try for the beer, then you owe your partner a beer. 


Happy Beer Hunting!