Bridge News:

Here is a hand of the Los Alamos Duplicate Bridge Club from its June 18 game that is an absolute nightmare for the South player.

It looks absolutely beautiful when you pick it up, but that’s deceiving!

This is board #18.

East is the dealer and N/S are vulnerable.

East opens the bidding with 1♠. What in the world does South do? He/she can’t bid spades, as that would show hearts and a minor (Michaels cue bid), so the only options are pass or double. Since a double will likely show support or tolerance for the unbid suits, a pass is the best option at this point, despite such a beautiful hand. If E/W are playing 1NT as a forcing bid, playing 2/1, West’s proper bid is 1NT, as 2♥ would be game forcing. Playing standard West’s call should be 2♥, showing 10+ HCP and at least 5 hearts.

Looking at all four hands, E/W playing in hearts will lose only two diamonds, making 5. N/S would be lucky to make two spades or three diamonds, but it is very unlikely they will play the hand.

When this hand was played locally, one pair played in 1NT making 5, another pair played in 3NT doubled down 2, a 3rd pair played in 2♠ making 2, a 4th pair played in 3♥ making 5, and the 5th pair played in 4♣ making 5. Somehow, one N/S pair played in spades!

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.