THE deal comes from
rubber bridge, played at TGR’s Club in London, where the stakes were
100 pounds a 100! Some of the bids are surprising. East might well
have opened with a strong 2S, rather than 2C. South might perhaps have
bid 5D instead of 6D, but it is unlikely that this would have bought
the contract. West would surely have bid 5S, which cannot be beaten.
West led a spade against the doubled small slam in diamonds and Howard
Cohen ruffed in the South hand. Suppose you had been playing for such
stupendous stakes. How would you have played the contract? Cohen drew
the outstanding trumps with his ace, then advanced the nine of hearts!
West gave this a look but did not like to expend his jack. This might
well cost 300 pounds if partner held such as K-Q doubleton. He played
low and declarer’s nine won the trick. Three more top hearts
followed, allowing declarer to throw a club from dummy. The slam was
then made for the loss of just one club.
What would you bid on
the West cards?
Answer
Some players use a bid
such as 3D (over a double) as a fit-jump. This shows a good heart fit
and a diamond side suit. You are too weak in terms of points for such
a bid. I would bid a simple 4H. If North bids 4S, you can bid 5C next
time, on the way to 5H. This will suggest a good opening lead to
partner, should the opponents proceed to 5S.
THE deal comes from
rubber bridge, played at TGR’s Club in London, where the stakes were
100 pounds a 100! Some of the bids are surprising. East might well
have opened with a strong 2S, rather than 2C. South might perhaps have
bid 5D instead of 6D, but it is unlikely that this would have bought
the contract. West would surely have bid 5S, which cannot be beaten.
West led a spade against the doubled small slam in diamonds and Howard
Cohen ruffed in the South hand. Suppose you had been playing for such
stupendous stakes. How would you have played the contract? Cohen drew
the outstanding trumps with his ace, then advanced the nine of hearts!
West gave this a look but did not like to expend his jack. This might
well cost 300 pounds if partner held such as K-Q doubleton. He played
low and declarer’s nine won the trick. Three more top hearts
followed, allowing declarer to throw a club from dummy. The slam was
then made for the loss of just one club.
Some players use a bid
such as 3D (over a double) as a fit-jump. This shows a good heart fit
and a diamond side suit. You are too weak in terms of points for such
a bid. I would bid a simple 4H. If North bids 4S, you can bid 5C next
time, on the way to 5H. This will suggest a good opening lead to
partner, should the opponents proceed to 5S.