Bridge News:

Here is a hand from the May 28 game of the Los Alamos Duplicate Bridge Club that offers E/W a reasonable chance to get to a makable slam contract.

The key here is that the partnership must play super acceptances, as will be explained shortly.

This is board #6.

East is the dealer and E/W are vulnerable.

East is the dealer and opens 1NT (15-17 HCP). After South passes, West bids 2♦, a transfer to hearts (showing at least a 5-card suit). East, with a maximum NT opening and four hearts, jumps to 3♥ to show this. This is called a super acceptance of the transfer bid. West, with 14 HCP and knowing the partnership has a super heart fit, should at least consider the possibility of a slam. So, when West bids 4NT Blackwood sking for aces, East will show 3, so the slam has a pretty reasonable chance.

Looking at all four hands, after drawing trumps and losing to the ♣A, the only play left is a finesse in diamonds. When North shows up with the ♦K, the slam is cold.

When this hand was played locally, one pair played in 4♥/E making 5, two pairs played in 4♥/E  making 6, a 4th pair played in 5♥/E  making 6, and a 5th pair played in 3NT/E making 5. Sadly, nobody bid the slam.

The Los Alamos Duplicate Bridge Club games are held starting at 12:45 p.m. Wednesdays at the Betty Ehart Senior Activity Center (BESAC) and 12:45 p.m. Mondays at the White Rock Senior Activity Center (WRSAC). Check out the Los Alamos Duplicate Bridge Club’s new website at www.ladbc.net to learn what it’s all about, contact the club to get involved, join the fun and much more.