If EW play 5H, it seems to me they’re only down one on the lead of the CJ. Also, although you say Boehm-Pennario collect 500, it’s only 300 (1H, 1C, 1D & a D ruff).

Hi Bobby, David,

If south does bid on, dbl makes more sense showing max and some defence although DK is probably dodgy. Aren’t EW making 5D though if west gets the clubs right? I wonder if E should compete with 4N rather than a unilateral 5H although west won’t realise Hxxx is huge, to be fair.

Any thoughts on this?

regards,

Iain

Also, there is a minor typo where it should state if South (not west) held the DA. This doesn’t detract from the interest of the hand, though, although what range of weak 2 was South playing? Calling it weak is akin to calling Godzilla a gecko.

Iain

If I’m south I just open 4S and be done with it. I’ve got 6 tricks. What is the worst that can happen? I assume the South in this hand was playing Ogust or this hand is from a long time ago.

The above comment refers to the auction hand, not the BWTA hand. On BWTA I’m not sure what I would do. A lot would depend on my opponents and the vulnerability.

Hi Slar,

I sometimes bid like that too, and often get away with it. You have to be facing a partner who can see the funny side if it misfires, though.

Iain

Hi David,

Yes, it certainly appears that with the recorded vulnerability, 5 spades doubled should have only been minus 300 instead of the stated 500.

Regarding the defense against the theoretical 5 hearts, presumably doubled, the result would depend on first the opening lead, not necessarily the jack of clubs, and the actual specific play of the hand. Both the ace of spades and a trump are possible and with either lead, it seems likely to me that 5 hearts doubled will go down 2 tricks (500).

In any event I again apologize for the scoring gaffe, probably resulting because of our poor proofreading of an emergency hand moved up in the time frame to coincide with the publication of Augie Boehm’s recent book.

Thanks for your ever present “eagle eye”, especially your usually superior bridge analysis.

Hi Iain,

All of your suppositions, as usual, are on target.

Before moving to the next subject, let me repeat critical superior advice given to me so many years ago it might have been in the “stone age”. When asked a possible other name for an eight card suit or more, the answer should be “trump”!

And so it could be, when you point out that 5 diamonds, if guessed correctly, will make. Other vocal reference to the above caveat is the admonition to a player to never, or almost, lay down an eight+ card suit as dummy (as long as partner has not bid that suit first).

Yes, another proof reading error strikes home, and I, like most players, would shudder to only open South’s hand with a weak two bid, instead of the solid one bid to which this hand would surely qualify.

However, another elephant in the room (adding that animal to Godzilla and Gecko, a small lizard) might suggest what sometimes opening a weak two bid and then getting smartly jumped to game can do to the opponent’s judgment when cramped for bidding room (East bidding his relatively good 6 card suit, instead of raising partner’s suit with only a singleton queen).

Just perhaps, the above may suggest to the great unwashed (and inexperienced) bridge player, just how subjective our great game can be at times where being a tough opponent rather than a punctilious consistent, to be counted on partner, may result in more spectacular results, achieved by the simple genius of legally wrecking havoc on erstwhile excellent opponents.

Different strokes for different folks is a valid, but controversial subject, in order to rate the real effectiveness of various so called “world class” players.

Hi Slar (with also reference to Iain),

Yes, your vote for 4 spades gets there as fast as possible, and although sometimes that bid will impede your partnership from an exchange which in time, will produce a better contract, or with even worse luck be doubled and set, it definitely makes it difficult for the other 3 players, at a ratio of 2 to 1 in your favor.

Also, I agree with the factors you consider in making a bidding decision with the BWTA.

Whoever can doubt the fun present (in spite of the added intensity), when attempting to play excellent bridge with three other worthwhile players at the same table. And especially FTF instead of what is becoming more and more popular, online.

Yes, keeping bridge alive among the novices and what could be called loveable but not intense serious players, is vitally necessary, but what about the group which represent the spectacularly best mind game ever invented extolling the wonders which constantly lead to incredible mental non-violent, off-the-charts competition?

Without the above, the simple game of bridge loses all of its electricity and allure, signifying, not enough positive, to save.

What does BWT A mean?

Hi Lorraine,

I can tell you. Bid With The Aces. There is also
LWTA (Lead with the Aces).

Cheers,

Judy

Hi Lorraine,

Bid With The Aces. You’ll usually find that one of the hands from the column is used as the basis of a different problem. I’d rather not admit how long it took me before I realised this!

Iain

So I have an eagle eye, do I. OK, there’s supposed to be a hyphen between “ever” and “present”. And boy, you should see me when someone splits an infinitive.

Hi David,

Guilty as charged and ever-present forcing me to see to.

Hi again,

But not to mention it, do I not see a question mark after I?

Dear Mr Wolff

In BWTA how do you bid game against void if you bid only 3 spades ? Dimaond Ace looks to be right and West is a passer so why isnt a potshot at game ?

best regards

Shantanu Rastogi