The tension mounts. Now they are 2 IMPs apart with 2 boards to go. Will there be a follow up column? Waiting patiently 🙂 I love it.
Jeff SerandosJuly 19th, 2023 at 4:42 am
Hi Bobby,
I cannot remember ever seeing a lead-directing double get into that much trouble. I join Steve in finding these last two deals fascinating. Twice now Fleisher has acted more aggressively than you would think necessary with such a nice lead. And twice the Cope team has REFRAINED from acting aggressively despite their deficit.
The slam was particularly interesting – it is exactly the type of hand where you might expect the trailing team to press on to the questionable slam. Do you think the more conservative approach by the Cope team a deliberate strategy because they knew the Fleisher team was so aggressive and took the view that, so to speak, the best offense might be a good defense?
Can’t wait to see how the saga ends (and pointedly avoiding looking up the result – no spoilers!).
Iain ClimieJuly 19th, 2023 at 8:02 am
Hi Bobby,
Can I echo Jeff’s comments today? I did see a similar case one where somebody hit an artificial 2nd negative (2C 2D 2S 3C I think) with KQ9xx and suffered a similar fate when the next hand held AJ10xx in a semi-balanced 25 count though.
Also, on BWTA, there is a risk of pard bidding 3D but, if he / she bids 3C, is there any case for passing and taking a sure plus? There is always the risk that 3N, 5C might be on of course e.g. opposite A KJ A10xxx AKQxx.
Regards,
Iain
Iain ClimieJuly 19th, 2023 at 11:11 am
Actually I remember something more recent. I held a 5-4-3-1 12 count including a stiff DK and partner opened 1N (12-14). I used Stayman (we weren’t playing Smolen), he bid 2D, RHO hit it so I redoubled to get his better major. Partner gleefully passed with 2 spades, 3 hearts and DQ109xx and made 8 tricks with 3N marginal at best.
Regards,
Iain
bobbywolffJuly 19th, 2023 at 10:10 pm
Hi Steve,, Jeff, & Iain,
If it’s excitement one wants, the bridge table is a superior place to get it. Of course a series of hands like today, might not allow a person with a heart condition survival and a chance
to search out another bridge player to tell.
Today’s hand is especially interesting, simply because it presents an unusual way to both create an incredible positive swing, but to do so while naming one of your weaker suit fits as trump and, of course, allow your unlucky opponents to suffer what many would call, a bridge indignity.
Call bridge a mind game (which it is), but it also has much originality less explored, but ever present, especially to a partnership who prides themselves with taking advantage of their opportunities, every time (perhaps almost), they may appear.
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The tension mounts. Now they are 2 IMPs apart with 2 boards to go. Will there be a follow up column? Waiting patiently 🙂 I love it.
Hi Bobby,
I cannot remember ever seeing a lead-directing double get into that much trouble. I join Steve in finding these last two deals fascinating. Twice now Fleisher has acted more aggressively than you would think necessary with such a nice lead. And twice the Cope team has REFRAINED from acting aggressively despite their deficit.
The slam was particularly interesting – it is exactly the type of hand where you might expect the trailing team to press on to the questionable slam. Do you think the more conservative approach by the Cope team a deliberate strategy because they knew the Fleisher team was so aggressive and took the view that, so to speak, the best offense might be a good defense?
Can’t wait to see how the saga ends (and pointedly avoiding looking up the result – no spoilers!).
Hi Bobby,
Can I echo Jeff’s comments today? I did see a similar case one where somebody hit an artificial 2nd negative (2C 2D 2S 3C I think) with KQ9xx and suffered a similar fate when the next hand held AJ10xx in a semi-balanced 25 count though.
Also, on BWTA, there is a risk of pard bidding 3D but, if he / she bids 3C, is there any case for passing and taking a sure plus? There is always the risk that 3N, 5C might be on of course e.g. opposite A KJ A10xxx AKQxx.
Regards,
Iain
Actually I remember something more recent. I held a 5-4-3-1 12 count including a stiff DK and partner opened 1N (12-14). I used Stayman (we weren’t playing Smolen), he bid 2D, RHO hit it so I redoubled to get his better major. Partner gleefully passed with 2 spades, 3 hearts and DQ109xx and made 8 tricks with 3N marginal at best.
Regards,
Iain
Hi Steve,, Jeff, & Iain,
If it’s excitement one wants, the bridge table is a superior place to get it. Of course a series of hands like today, might not allow a person with a heart condition survival and a chance
to search out another bridge player to tell.
Today’s hand is especially interesting, simply because it presents an unusual way to both create an incredible positive swing, but to do so while naming one of your weaker suit fits as trump and, of course, allow your unlucky opponents to suffer what many would call, a bridge indignity.
Call bridge a mind game (which it is), but it also has much originality less explored, but ever present, especially to a partnership who prides themselves with taking advantage of their opportunities, every time (perhaps almost), they may appear.
Can anyone doubt the above?