Bridge News:
Here is a hand from the June 11 game of the Los Alamos Duplicate Bridge Club that offers both sides an opportunity to bid to a makable part score.
However, if West, the dealer, opens with 1♣, it is doubtful that N/S makable part score.
However, if West, the dealer, opens with 1♣, it is doubtful that N/S will ever enter the auction, though they are cold for 4♦!
This is board #12. West is the dealer and N/S are vulnerable.
| North | ||||
| ♠ A8 | ||||
| ♥ 93 | ||||
| ♦ AT96 | ||||
| ♣ KT764 | ||||
| West | East | |||
| ♠ K765 | ♠ Q93 | |||
| ♥ AQ72 | ♥ KJT865 | |||
| ♦ Q | ♦ K7 | |||
| ♣ J852 | ♣ Q3 | |||
| South | ||||
| ♠ JT42 | ||||
| ♥ 4 | ||||
| ♦ J85432 | ||||
| ♣ A9 | ||||
After West opens the bidding with 1♣, North has no bid and East should respond with 1♥. South will pass, and West should raise to 2♥. East may try for game by bidding 3♥, but, if so, West will most likely pass with such a light opener, though it’s tempting with the singleton diamond. Note that there is no reasonable way for N/S to get into the auction, even though their two hands are cold for 4♦!
Looking at all four hands, E/W playing in hearts will likely lose a spade, two clubs, and a diamond. N/S will likely lose only a spade, a heart and a diamond, but will be very unlikely to play the hand.
When this hand was played locally, all E/W pairs played in 4♥, either down 1 or down 2. Bidding the heart game with the E/W hands is quite understandable, given the strong trump fit and the distribution of the side suits.
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 BESAC).
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.
