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Dobbing Him In

I am not sure if it is a benefit or not in having one’s partner being a prolific writer- up of bridge hands. It has never happened to me. However, it is time for me to tell on my partner, Gary Chen, who was not previously reported for doing something rather clever on the following deal from the final Swiss qualifying round of the New Zealand Teams.

You would not think that holding the following that you would be in any position to do anything clever:

 982

 T83

 T5432

 T4

other than keep passing!

However, with Gary sitting East, his partner made a series of forcing bids that left Gary where he did not want to be…. far too high and in deep trouble.

 

 

2NT was Lebensohl style, an attempt to sign-off in 3 though Gary’s partner was having none of that. You have to admit he had quite a good hand. So, he pushed his partner to the 4 level and when Gary’s suit finally emerged, he pushed some more. After all, partner always has something. Gary thanked his partner, probably through very gritted teeth, and planned the play after receiving the K lead. What’s your choice? You can afford to lose two tricks!

 

Like a man about to make two overtricks, he cashed two high clubs on which South played the queen and the jack. He then played the 9.

You can see what should have happened. North goes up with the Q and plays back a spade. Gary can ruff but now must lose two trump tricks and the clubs are not even established yet. It is a question of how many down he goes.

Yet, we do not see all four hands when defending and North played low, the trick going to South’s king. If the contract had any chance of making, it required the heart finesse to work. South decided to play a heart. After all, his partner had something for that raise to 2. The finesse lost. At that point, not even a second spade beats the contract as Gary can ruff, draw trumps and Gary’s remaining spade can be discarded on the fourth round of hearts.

However, North played a third round of clubs. Gary seized his chance by ruffing in hand with the 10 and crossing to the ace in dummy, dropping North’s queen. J drew South's  last trump. Dummy’s two clubs took care of Gary's lowly spades and 11 tricks were secured. One could hardly say “rolled in” but +600  looked mighty good, especially when 4 was defeated at the other table.

OK, a little help from the defence but an enterprising line nevertheless. Of the 108 times the board was played, only one other declarer bid and made 5. Many went two down.

Thanks, mate. Sorry for over-bidding.

Richard Solomon

 

 

 

 

 

 

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