Hand of the day #293
You can now play the hand of the day on BBO+ and compare how you get on with the...
You can now play the hand of the day on BBO+ and compare how you get on with the players in the article.
The Aces On Bridge by Bobby Wolff
The fifth session of the Cavendish began with Levin-Weinstein (who had won the title in three of the last four years) having what seemed like a nearly insuperable lead over the pack. The tournament had thus far featured wild deals, but the first three deals of the final session were quiet. Not so for the fourth.
Opening Lead: ♥K
At one table an American international player sitting North made the mistake of overcalling two clubs, then, after his opponents had reached four hearts, reopening with a bid of five clubs. He was doubled there, and the defenders collected an easy 500 — not bad, since four hearts had no play at all because of the defense’s club ruff.
Of course it was possible for North-South to do better than defend four hearts or go for a big penalty. Look at what happened to the eventual winners. Kit Woolsey, South, heard his partner, Fred Stewart, bid two clubs, then double four hearts for takeout.
He removed to four spades and, when doubled by West, ran to five diamonds. Nobody doubled that contract — which was just as well, since it proved to be unbeatable! After a top-heart lead, Woolsey ruffed in dummy, played the club ace, ruffed a club, then crossed to a top diamond and ruffed another club. East followed suit, while West could not overruff the diamond 10. Then declarer drew the last two trumps, ran the clubs, and had 12 tricks for a remarkable plus-620.
Bid with the aces
Answer: 1♥
There are two reasons to bid just one heart and not jump to two hearts. The first is that with bad hearts and scattered defensive values, you are unsuitable for a pre-empt. The second is that using a jump by a passed hand as weak when you did not pre-empt initially seems a poor use for the call. I prefer to use it as fit-showing — five decent hearts and at least four clubs with a maximum pass.
This Hand of the Day was originally published on aces.bridgeblogging.com.
You can now play the hand of the day on BBO+ and compare how you get on with the players in the article.