Aces on Bridge — Daily Columns

The Aces on Bridge: Saturday, July 23rd, 2022


6 Comments

bobbywolffAugust 6th, 2022 at 12:46 pm

Hi Everyone,

Pretty much, almost a classic real hand emerged in a first class tournament, with 1st class players,. featuring the major components of squeeze play and its necessary timing.

This hand emerged, complete with the class of players well versed in what to do and how to do it, both on offense (to whom, usually is in control) and defense, hoping for declarer to miss time and, of course, trying to lead them or sometimes force them, in that direction.

As usual, timing becomes the key, together with the often defensive layouts available for success, allowing students of the game the necessary elements of achieving the successful end position necessary. Especially the rectification of the count for the declarer, always necessary for success, and, of course the defense who should look for ways, if possible, or of course, inexperience by the declarer who could keep it from happening.

Iain ClimieAugust 6th, 2022 at 2:14 pm

Hi Bobby,

Nice hand. On BWTA, though, the description seems a little confusing. You say you wouldn’t be happy by-passing 3N (if partner bid it obviously) but then talk about bidding 4D. So, if partner does bid 3N, do you make another move? If 2/1 and IMPs, 5C should be safe if nothing else.

Regards,

Iain

Jeff SAugust 6th, 2022 at 2:52 pm

Hi Iain,

Bobby can speak for himself, of course, but when I read it, it struck me that the word “not” was making an unsanctioned drop-in. Take it out and it seems to make perfect sense. Or maybe we are both missing something.

Jeff SAugust 7th, 2022 at 5:08 am

Iain,

Hi, again. Just re-read and I see where our confusion is. We both managed to read it as not feeling comfortable going past 3NT, but that is not what it says – it says he would not feel comfortable passing 3NT so he would plan to continue 4D. Just glad I wasn’t the only one to get it twisted. 😀

Iain ClimieAugust 7th, 2022 at 3:57 pm

Hi Jeff S,

Thanks for that and yes it does make sense as written but you could mis-interpret passing 3N as going past 3N (which I promptly did).

Iain

bobbywolffAugust 8th, 2022 at 10:25 pm

Hi Iain & Jeff,

On this hand 3NT is not a contract that my partnership would ever play, once there became
a 2 club response to my opening bid of 1 heart (unless my partner than made an insufficient bid, barring me), and then chirped 3NT.