Aces on Bridge — Daily Columns

The Aces on Bridge: Friday, August 21st, 2020


6 Comments

Patrick CheuSeptember 4th, 2020 at 3:25 pm

Hi Bobby,Great vision by West to play QS,perhaps the singleton trump was the deciding factor plus the uncertainty of East’s diamond three on trick one. If West has two trumps AS then QS would be ok too. This is why we play this game..the challenge of attack and defence. Regards Patrick

bobbywolffSeptember 4th, 2020 at 6:05 pm

Hi Patrick,

Both your comment and your philosophy wins every logic award.

No doubt that I do not have either superior intelligence nor extraordinary “feel” for the game, but it is probably safe to say that having an above average knowledge for simple numbers (and the consistency to use them properly), is a great asset.

The ability to count to 13 (while either playing as declarer or partnering in defense) when the dummy is always in view, previous play has taken place and the bidding, (especially when hitches by whichever opponent(s) have occurred) is remembered and analyzed becomes a crucial vehicle to determine just what the individual ceiling can be reached by determined players.

Of course, that ceiling (especially among the elite) requires superior discipline, which sometimes is mistaken for brilliance, but to the player (he or she), just becomes commonplace and really nothing special, but for playing consistent excellent bridge, is definitely required.

Perhaps legends like Helen Keller (totally handicapped, but indeed sensational) is a prime example of using one’s other God given gifts to maximum use.

My guess and hope is that in the next few hundred years, the human race, instead of giving in to sloth, jealousy and hate (which often causes violence) make better use of our own minds and invent many various ways to improve life for all, which, in turn, should create a better world for all to first profit from, and then to just sit back and enjoy it’s fruit.

IOW, the human race has that potential, but will they use their key to it, for advantage?

LOVE!

Patrick CheuSeptember 4th, 2020 at 8:25 pm

Hi Bobby, This hand came up on Vugraph (2019),West A KJ82 AQJ5 K865 East 76 Q9743 K632 A7. The ‘Meckwell’ bidding went 1C* Precision 1S*(5+H)-3S*(Min and 4H) 4S*(RKCB 1430)-4N*(0-3) 6D*(Transfer to Hearts)-6H by West. In 7bids 6H was reached. Mark Horton wrote the hand up in the bulletin. Could you please recommend how we might bid it..

bobbywolffSeptember 4th, 2020 at 9:20 pm

Hi Patrick,

How about:

West East
1D 1H
3S 4C
4D 4NT (RKCB)
5C (assuming also 3), 6H
Pass

Almost exactly the same, except for the opening bid and the artificial original response.

bobbywolffSeptember 4th, 2020 at 9:37 pm

Hi again Patrick,

A huge swing could present itself if one opponent had either a singleton diamond with partner having the ace of hearts and fewer than three or held four diamonds, led one and also possessed the ace of hearts and no more than 2.

Luck of who Dame Fortune smiles upon and the defense got lucky with the opening lead, or, of course, cheating or self-kibitzing by the opening leader, and/or just plain good fortune.

Not a real special hand, but only, in addition to a good bridge hand to bid smoothly, also shows how powerful it is to cheat.

And there are many important bridge people who cannot understand lifetime banishment, or, of course, shady politics instead of “once is one time too many”!

Patrick CheuSeptember 5th, 2020 at 5:46 am

Hi Bobby,Thanks for for your thoughts on the hand.Hope all’s well with you and Judy and all the best. Regards Patrick