Hi Dear Mr. Wolff
Perhaps East at second table too should have ducked the diamond . If East had another club, taking A would have made sense as defense can cash a club trick before playing hearts and now the loser on loser play does not work as South has already lost two tricks but since East did not have another club, he could have played low
Regards

HI Bobby,

Was the double of 5S DOPI (or D0P1), I wonder? Interesting as to whether East should bid 5D trying to help West judge what to do, although the D lead that would probably ensue would NOT be helpful, while West would probably be encouraged to hit 5S anyway. It just goes to show the power of a big fit and shortages opposite length.

Regards,

Iain

Hi AVRR,

It’s plays like Tor Helness (Norway) made, ducking the ace of diamonds when and, of course, having no more clubs and positive that even one heart will not cash, which make a champion bridge player.

Simply put, and in order to both “feel” and understand what is necessary to so do, a defender (not being privy to actually seeing all 26 of his combined assets with partner) must imagine (almost always with help from the bidding) quickly visualize as much fact as he can, especially when combined with partner’s opening lead.

We can all see how necessary the diamond duck became, and with Michael Bessis of France and South having exactly KJ10x opposite the lady luck 9 in dummy, the duck by Tor became crucial. No doubt, from Michael’s position it may have become a “trick saver” to rise with the king (if West had the queen) but to do so would only have provided apple sauce instead of the whole apple by scoring up 5 spades doubled in such a grand style. When two players of that ability square off against each other, our great game wins with its magnificence.

To repeat, in answer to what it takes to make such sensational plays by our two heroes: 1. analysis of the bidding, 2. counting suits without pause (hearts around the table) 3.
understanding of whole hands, rather than just single play winners and losers, and critically 4. quick and accurate thinking so as to, in many cases, not giving even a wily declarer any additional help by sometimes telltale hesitations (not necessarily here) which often tend to give the farm away instead of extracting the proper price for it.

AVRR, please excuse the long rant above, but brilliance by both the defender and then the declarer (by letting the nine ride) does not grow in trees and thus, at least to all of us, deserves the recognition that bridge itself, and the special ones who rise to the occasion (but, in this case, neither East nor South, not brilliantly rise, at least with the diamond played).

Thanks to all who made it through the above and hopefully wound up with perhaps just a tiny smile of satisfaction for their effort.

Hi Iain,

Although I do not know the answer to your question for sure, my guess to West’s ace asking response, 4NT, was DOP1 (double zero, pass 1, instead of DOPE, double odd, pass even) since zero aces and, or, key cards is what he held.

Yes, I totally agree with your analysis and Michael’s allowing the beautiful (to him) nine of diamonds presented to him by partner allowed him to get maximum mileage, not to mention necessary, in order to score up this very elusive final contract.

I have been working on getting Wednesday’s column posted. So far .. no response. Hang in!

Will do, Judy. Thanks for that,

Iain

Hi Iain and everyone,

Our handsetter is ill and currently out of touch, but both Judy and I are both concerned for her and, of course, trying to overcome.

Please accept our apologies. Your time, responses, and allegiance to both our project and to our game itself is sacred to us and inconvenience to all of you is both untimely and unsatisfactory.

We sincerely appreciate your patience.

Bobby