Hi Dear Mr Wolff
Yes , thank partner profusely for that wonderful nine of clubs ( without those Aces and kings, he does not have any reason to invite slam . So they are taken for granted)
Regards
AVRR

Hi AVRR,

Yes, and of course, the “problem solving” aspect of high level bridge, at least on this hand, is in full bloom and one of the strong advantages of young people encountering bridge.

Add to that the bidding twist to what you so rightly, but not in name, refer. Generally, although not always 100%, the jump to 5 of an agreed major (in this case immediately) asks partner whether if he has at least second round control of the “obvious” suit (of course, in this case, hearts)

Furthermore, when partner not only possesses 2nd round control, (a singleton or the king), to which he is expected to accept a small slam, he, with 1st round control (especially the singleton ace) would usually accept (if able) by cue bidding 6 of the opponents suit, such as this hand, but uses his bidding judgment of being minimum or below for his 2 spade overcall and thus satisfies that deficiency, by what I think is good bridge, brazenly deciding to override the above responsibility.

Therefore, much high-level bridge knowledge is captured in a single hand, with a major touch of great judgment and, of course the proper play, to virtually ensure the great small slam.

The end result is that the reader, if he so desires, can use this hand to see, and even more uplifting, “directly feel” both the expertise and the learned judgment, which being excellent at bridge, often demands, in both bidding and play.

Finally and through the years, some conscientious bridge lovers have suggested to me, that the AOB column caters too much to the high-level game, leaving beginners in the dark with their basic understandings.

My answer is that rank beginning bridge is one thing and, of course, needs to be learned before aspiring to move up the ladder. But, at that stage, bridge in itself, is nowhere near a good enough game to warrant much, if any, attention.

It is only when the later stages of bridge progression is discussed, before we can all be proud about the first time we considered learning this (at least to me) and by far, greatest of all mind games.

Furthermore, I truly believe that the ACBL and other National centers of our immensely challenging world wide mind game to NEVER underestimate just how important the highest level could result in simply improving, everyday thinking.

It is true in all Olympic sports, including, soccer, basketball, American football, track & field, baseball (to be greater emphasized), boxing, ice hockey, winter sports including skiing, ice dancing, bob-sledding and many others as well as at other seasons, boat racing and many more, why not delve in what, at least IMO, in the next hundreds of years will be the unlocking of the tremendously underrated use of the human mind which is thought to be, at least by many (certainly including me), the least used, but ever present, next breakout challenge for much greater emphasis.

Time is wasting for a much greater emphasis, especially for those who agree with me, in the wonders of what the simple game of higher level bridge can bring to the future world.

Yes – Bridge is a truly wonderful and fascinating game . Apart from the pleasure it gives in putting the grey cells to their maximum use, I for one believe that the chances for a true bridge player to contract Alzheimer are fairly poor
And ironically, bridge perhaps is the only game in which winners need not be winners and losers need not be losers. There are unlucky experts and their antitheses hovering around everywhere
Regards

Hi AVRR,

Thanks for the endorsement.

We all can now expect a talented music writer to create a new melodic song, aptly named, “Call me Antithesis”.