Bridge

Here is another of the more competitive hands that showed up on the Oct. 16 game.

Before reviewing the bidding and play, try to visualize how the bidding might proceed, and then how the hand should be played.

Board 11: South was the dealer; Nobody was vulnerable.

Opening lead: ♣K

*Negative double, 4+ spades                     

South opened 1♦ , West bid 1♥,  and North made a negative double showing 4+ spades. After East’s pass, South bid 2♠, showing at least 4 spades and a strong hand. After West competed to 3♥, North raised spades, and South bid the 4♠ game.

The play offers a challenge to declarer. After the ♣K opening lead, West probably follows with the ♣A, which declarer ruffs. Two rounds of trumps follow, winning with the ♠QJ. With both opponents following suit. The ♦AK is played, followed with a diamond ruff in dummy, declarer noting that East holds the 4th diamond. A spade to the King followed by a small heart will elicit the ♥A, establishing dummy’s ♥K for the 10th trick.

If you like to live on the wild side, you can win an extra trick by leading a small diamond and finessing the Jack, after winning the ♠QJ. After the ♦J wins, play the ♦A and ruff a small diamond. The rest of the play is as above.

When this hand was played at the local club, one pair played 4♠ making 4, two pairs played 3♠ down 1, one pair played 3♥ down 1. Finally, one pair was allowed to play in 1♥, making 3 for a high East/West score!  The unpredictability of what happens on any given hand adds greatly to the fascination for the game!

The Los Alamos Duplicate Bridge Club games are held at the Betty Ehart Senior Activity Center (Wednesdays starting at 12:45 p.m.), and at the White Rock Senior Activity Center (Mondays at 12:45 p.m.). Bridge players are welcome to participate. If you need a partner, please email Bobby Haynes at rsh@valornet.com or Jerry Fleming at peanutcat@aol.com.