Aces on Bridge — Daily Columns

The Aces on Bridge: Friday, December 24th, 2021


3 Comments

Iain ClimieJanuary 7th, 2022 at 10:53 am

HI Bobby,

On BWTA if this is at pairs I’d be more tempted. There may well be be people in 2N or tight games going off having opened this rubbish 1N. Some will scramble home but I don’t think pushing for close games is nearly so sensible at pairs, especially as somebody always seems to do something daft.

One of Jeff Rubens comments (In secrets of winning bridge) was that in marginal cases, plus scores are rarely that bad.

Regards,

Iain

Iain ClimieJanuary 7th, 2022 at 10:55 am

Tempted to downgrade that is…

bobbywolffJanuary 7th, 2022 at 2:55 pm

Hi Iain,

Being tempted to downgrade is one thing. Actually doing it is another.

When the shouting and the hoorays begin, especially in the experienced and good player’s mind, optimism reigns (one quality ever present) and as Jacky Gleason (old time comedian) used to suggest and “away we go”.

Particularly so with the origination of NT.
Why? You tell me, but seemingly and for more years than I can remember, a chance to first bid NT becomes compelling, perhaps as thought to be, “the most descriptive” bid, but and whatever, it just leads the way IMO as most frequency chosen.

While no wise player likely will fail to validate the possible downgrade you suggest, it is seldom done, leaving it up to that player to then validate his optimism by making his eventual NT contract, should that nameless trump suit win the bidding battle.

Perhaps the thrill of being successful, by Chris, as in today’s hand, is just too magnificent to pass up, but for whatever reason, the beat to do it, will likely continue to rule.

Furthermore picking out NT sooner than later is often the reason for arriving at the final contract in a quicker fashion, therein giving away the least information possible to those excellent and listening opponents.

Continued thanks for bringing up often critical side issues, important to many, but the reason, guessed at by me, as the more likely answer.