Aces on Bridge — Daily Columns

The Aces on Bridge: Monday, August 3rd, 2020


6 Comments

A V Ramana RaoAugust 17th, 2020 at 2:44 pm

Hi Dear Mr Wolff
Quite instructive hand. It definitely appears logical from west’s point of view to lead a trump . But can east double north’s four club bid for a club lead. Certainly at that point, east does not know who holds club A and perhaps may be giving away the contract if south held club A but looks like North holds that card – based on his earlier bid of two clubs. Just loud thinking. Your opinion please
Regards

A V Ramana RaoAugust 17th, 2020 at 2:47 pm

And as an afterthought, ironically, east should certainly retain from doubling four clubs bid if he holds both K and Q of clubs as he will be hopelessly squeezed in minors. Bridge is a wonderful game
Regards

A V Ramana RaoAugust 17th, 2020 at 2:50 pm

Refrain not retain: damn autocorrect by mobile .

bobbywolffAugust 17th, 2020 at 3:32 pm

Hi AVRR,

While the constant and almost daily exercise of selecting helpful, valid, worthwhile, and authentic hands requires great effort and enterprise from my superior team of bridge lovers, today’s hand makes me proud to be connected.

When dissecting each bid necessarily bid by both partners, the final contract makes sense, although, and sometimes (even once is too many) the reward is denied by either unfortunate distribution, less than perfect declaring, or (on this one) a spectacular opening lead (club).

However, to deny any of the above description would only also not understand just how difficult, competing in high level bridge can be, and how victory and defeat need to be treated similarly and let those two imposters be the same.

However it is hands like these which continue to keep our great game IMHO, the best mind game (when all factors are considered) ever designed and then presented.

Thanks to you, AV, for your continual interest with right-on comments to always follow, which add greatly to remind others, just how thrilling (though stressful), but supremely rewarding, our game can be.

Thanks to you, all of our other wonderful regulars (you know who you are) with all of the added luster and good bridge which, in one way or the other, adds to both our fun as well as to many others who only occasionally appear.

No doubt, I enjoy it greatly and even during this awful pandemic it is still a shining light, glowing every day in my life.

Iain ClimieAugust 17th, 2020 at 5:46 pm

HI Bobby,

There is a trap here too if South ruffs two diamonds too quickly and West sheds hearts. Then when South tries to ruff a heart….. Oh for the S8 in hand not the 4! If East has 2D and 3H I think South can prevail but can he get home if West has that holding and is either 4324 or 3325?

Regards,

Iain

bobbywolffAugust 18th, 2020 at 12:45 am

Hi Iain,

Sorry for the delay, but better late ………

Yes, the text talks about the defensive heart attack, and issues directives about some distributions, and presumably all precautions against falling for them.

In any event it was a well bid hand, where their system, likely being theoretically sound, drove them to the potentially dynamic grand slam. (except for a club lead, but who thinks about leading the least rated suit).