Bridge Corner: January 25, 2018

Hello and welcome to Tidewater Bridge Club.
As mentioned in an earlier Bridge Corner article, Tidewater Bridge Unit has combined the two bridge clubs into one stronger, more efficient club. Moving forward, Tidewater Bridge Unit (consisting of two clubs: Cooke-Suburban Bridge Club and Bon Ton Bridge Club), has become Tidewater Bridge Club.

What is your bid?

Question 1: As South, what would you bid?
A. Pass
B. 3 Hearts
C. 3 Spades
D. 3 No-trumps

Your Hand
♠ A K 10 3 2
♥ Q J 10 6 3
♦ A 4
♣ 2

South West North East
1♠ Pass 1 NT Pass
2♥ Pass 2♠ Pass
?

Answer:
3♥: Partner’s (Part’s) 2♠ rebid was a “desperate preference.” He has two Spades. If he had three, with a minimum hand he would have supported to begin with. Your 2♥ bid asked him to take a preference. If he’s holding two Spades and three Hearts, he would rather put you in a 5-2 fit than the dreaded 4-3. The rebid of a secondary suit promises five, and your 3♥ bid shows a 5-5 hand with more than a minimum. This is an excellent bidding sequence to describe your hand to your partner: he now knows that you have 5 – 5 in the majors and a singleton or void in the minors. Your part’s responsibility now is to place the contract in game with an eight card fit in either major, or drop it in the best suit at the three level.

Question 2: As South, what would you lead?
A. Pass
B. 3 Hearts
C. 3 Spades
D. 3 No-trumps

Your Hand
♠ A 4
♥ 7 6
♦ Q 10 6
♣ A Q 10 7 6 4

South West North East
– – – 1NT
Pass 2♣ Pass 2♠
Pass 3NT Pass Pass
Pass

Answer:
♣A: Lead the club ace. Your partner has a near Yarborough – few or no points. There are 40 HCP in a deck, East opened 1NT = 15 to 17 pts; East’s partner, West, responded with Stayman (two clubs) asking for a four card major, so he has at least 8 or 9 pts; your hand contains 12 high card points (HCP); your partner has 0 to 5 points. Your best chance to get the clubs going is to find dummy or declarer with a doubleton jack or king of clubs. By leading the ace, you retain the lead after you have had a chance to see dummy. This preview of dummy gives you the opportunity to plan your next play.

TIDEWATER BRIDGE UNIT UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

American Bridge Association Spring National Tournament
April 12 – 18, 2018 Dearborn, MI

American Bridge
Association Summer
National Tournament
July 26 – August 4, 2018 Austin, TX

Come, Join Us For Fun And Duplicate Bridge In
PUERTO PLATA, DOMINICAN REPUBIC Oct. 25 – Nov. 1, 2018

View photos at:
www.lhvcresorts.com

For more information contact Barbara Whitfield
(917) 204-8774

Tuesday, Jan. 30
Cooke-Suburban game
10:45 a.m. – 3 p.m.
$4 – $5

Wednesday, Jan. 31
Bon-Ton bridge game
10:45 a.m. – 3 p.m.
$4 – $5

All activities, unless otherwise noted, are located at the Berkley Senior Center, 925 S. Main Street, Norfolk, VA. For additional information on classes, games, or tournaments, please call Jennifer Douglas at (757) 701-0640.