Aces on Bridge — Daily Columns

The Aces on Bridge: Monday, June 13th, 2022


10 Comments

Iain ClimieJune 27th, 2022 at 9:57 am

Hi Bobby,

On LWTA, something is a little odd. The 1N rebid is 18 to a bad 20 I presume so LHO has got 6+ points but didn’t bid 1N, raise or double. Maybe he’s got (say) Sxxx or S10xx in a fairly flat hand and nothing else to bid but might he have a decent spade holding and feel he couldn’t stretch to 1N when a spade will have little effect. I am aware that if I try the CJ instead, partner will have SQx with the opposing spades 3-3 while if I lead the S it’ll be round tp the AQ when partner had CKQxxx and declarer only CAx of course.

Regards,

Iain

Michael BeyroutiJune 27th, 2022 at 1:13 pm

Iain,
you sound like a true TOCM believer!
Michael

Iain ClimieJune 27th, 2022 at 1:20 pm

Hi Michael,

Maybe but it is Monday – see all the Garfield cartoons about nothing good ever happening on a Monday. I mangled my foot (under absurdly silly circumstances) 3 weeks ago today but am out of plaster already and back swimming, so I’m a bit paranoid about the day too now.

Regards,

Iain

bobbywolffJune 27th, 2022 at 2:31 pm

Hi Iain & Michael,

North’s 3NT jump, instead of merely a single raise, does originally sound like some help in spades, like a maximum when passing the first time and, of course not having 4 hearts for a light negative double.

South also,with his choice of 1NT, instead of a reopening double,, tends to deny 4 hearts along with an adequate spade stop or stops.

The above favors hearts over either black suit, but the J10x is certainly an overall advantage for clubs over hearts.

However, following Steve Job’s confident quote (not to mention it being a Monday) and three possible winning choices, spades, small heart, jack of clubs, all in the running. lead one of them and later cry out to any doubters, “Damned be him who doubt’s my choice, ENOUGH!”.

Partner held: s. x, h. Axxx, d. QJ10xx c. xxx and any lead but a diamond would likely allow a make or am I just pulling
everyone’s leg?

Iain ClimieJune 27th, 2022 at 2:48 pm

HI Bobby,

Thanks and the ultimate nightmare for Jim2 who’d have a choice of 4 suit leads all of which would have failed.

Regards,

Iain

jim2June 28th, 2022 at 2:22 am

Hardly “ultimate.” Try “normal.”

🙂

Iain ClimieJune 28th, 2022 at 8:56 am

Hi Jim2,

Unexpectedly cheerful emoji or is it just stoic acceptance of TOCM and putting on a brave face?

Iain

jim2June 28th, 2022 at 11:06 am

Both, combined with the knowledge that it at least gives me good stories!

I mean, compared to me, Karapet had it good! The smile is because, unlike him, I have the good fortune to have found an audience willing to listen to them!

bobbywolffJune 28th, 2022 at 1:16 pm

Hi Jim2,

Listen to them? Anytime one admits to even a slight handicap, everyone becomes thrilled they themselves, if they are not, (only what they think) are less afflicted.

Add to that the modesty in coming out.
and every attractive girl in the room will ask you for the first dance.

jim2June 28th, 2022 at 3:17 pm

Uh, my personal collection of personal data does not support that hypothesis. (Sadly!)