Bridge News:
Here was a competitive hand at our Dec. 18 game. Before reviewing the bidding and play, try to visualize how the bidding might proceed, and then how the hand should be played.
Board 5: North was the dealer; North/South were vulnerable.
*Negative, promising at least 4 hearts
Dealer is North and passes, as does East. South should open 1♠, though except for the 6-card spade suit, this is not a good hand. West will likely overcall with 2♣, and North should make a negative double, promising at least 4 hearts and not at least 3-card support for spades. East has a very reasonable raise to 3♣, which now puts South at the crossroads. Vulnerability plays a big role in South’s decision. If a 3♠ bid is doubled, and declarer goes down at least one trick, North/South will receive a bad score. On the other hand, if 3♠ is not doubled, North/South will be well rewarded, as -100 is less than the +110 that East/West will probably make in a 3♣ contract.
Playing in a spade contract, North/South will probably make 8 tricks, assuming a successful finesse in the spade suit. Playing in clubs, East/West will probably take 9 tricks, finessing against the club Queen and because the ♦QJ are doubleton, eliminating a diamond loser.
When this hand was played locally, one pair played in 2♠/S making 2, two pairs played in 3♣, one pair down 2 and the other down 1, and the 4th pair played in 2♣ making 3.
The Los Alamos Duplicate Bridge Club games start at 12:45 p.m. Wednesdays at the Betty Ehart Senior Activity Center (BESAC) 12:45 p.m. Mondays at the White Rock Senior Activity Center (WRSAC). Duplicate lessons are given 10 a.m. until noon at the BESAC on Friday when BESAC is open. 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.
