Aces on Bridge — Daily Columns

The Aces on Bridge: Friday, 22 September, 2023


5 Comments

bobbywolffSeptember 22nd, 2023 at 1:54 pm

Hi Everyone,

My best comment may only state that Roger Lee beautifully capitalized on the horrible trump break (all four strong adverse trumps behind declarers strength), but with excellent declarer timing, neutralizing their advantage to a disadvantage.

Especially putting paid to a young person’s early assessment in life, while a mere stud is merely learning the ropes, but likely still envisioning others in less of a complimentary mode, made convenient by his lack of status.

jim2September 22nd, 2023 at 2:09 pm

BWTA, sigh.

bobbywolffSeptember 22nd, 2023 at 2:29 pm

Hi Jim2,

Sorry, but I was only trying to play a game which featured trying to play baseball with one arm tied behind one’s back, (not opening a conventional Flannery) but taking liberties (and thus getting lucky) by having partner respond in the most favorable suit for our partnership. The other very small group who do not now choose to play Flannery, may soon change their minds (if their previous bridge choice of not playing Flannery was thought to be done by intelligence).

BTW, the player sitting West in today’s BWTA should have overcalled 2 diamonds as they had a down one save in five diamonds to which a Flannery opening would have kept him from immediately competing at the three level.

David SnookSeptember 22nd, 2023 at 6:34 pm

I gotta say, lee’s play in that hand is a thing of beauty…

It’s hands like this that drew me to bridge and keep me here.

bobbywolffSeptember 22nd, 2023 at 8:44 pm

Hi David,

Thanks for your upbeat note. If more players would seek an upbeat wonderful
game with virtually no obstacles to stop any devotee from being among the elite,
our game would be flooded.

As it is, one never reaches the zenith, similar to your referred hand above, with
more thrills, chills, and unusual situations the norm not the routine.

You’ve got to be on hand and experience it, to really appreciate the competition.
Yes, being arithmetical does help, but even if only average, the importance of
being so, will offer immediate improvement.

Thanks again for writing.