Bridge News:

Here is a very competitive hand from our April 14 Sectional Tournament at Clubs (STaC ) game. North/South have a great fit in hearts, while East/West have a 9-card fit in diamonds. Follow the auction below.

This is board #9. North is the dealer and E/W are vulnerable.

North is the dealer and passes, as does East, each with 10 high card points (HCP). South should open with 1♥, West passes, and North should raise to 2♥, likely showing 6-10 points.

East has a good hand at this point to make a takeout double. If South bids 3♥, that will probably end the auction. However, if South passes, West will bid 3♦, and after 2 passes,  South will again make the decision to bid 3♥, or let the opponents play in 3♦.

With careful play and good defense, N/S can make 2♥, losing 2 top clubs, a club ruff, a diamond  and a spade, and E/W can make 3♦,  losing a diamond, a heart and  2 spades.

When the hand is played, three pairs played in 4♥ down 1, one pair played in 4♥ making 4, and  the other pair played in 2♥ making 2.

The Los Alamos Duplicate Bridge Club games are held at 12:45 p.m., Wednesdays, at the Betty Ehart Senior Activity Center (BESAC), and at 12:45 p.m., Mondays at the White Rock Senior Activity Center (WRSAC). Duplicate lessons are given at the BESAC on an occasional basis 10 a.m. until noon Fridays when BESAC is open. Bridge players are welcome to participate. If you need a partner, or want to know if lessons are in session, please e-mail Bobby Haynes at rsh@valornet.com, or Jerry Fleming at peanutcat@aol.com.