CONTRACT BRIDGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 16, 20 January 1939, Page 6

CONTRACT BRIDGE.

A CLEVER DOUBLE. i Raymond Balfe is an opportunist at contract. He makes many unorthodox bide, but is extremely clever at estimating the strength or weakness of the opponents. The following hand presented an opportunity, which Mr. Balfe quickly grasped, to gather in a gratifying 500-point penalty. North dealer. Neither side vulnerable. ▲ —4 3 V—lo S3 2 ♦ —,T 7 t)2 —A 7C> Mr. Balfe A— K « 5 7 v < 1 10 S 7 2 V—Q 0 7 w _ j V- A 4 3 4 __lo 4 3 w £ ♦— K Q 9 Jfa —K 10 S 2 J L+—Q 5 A— A Q 9 V—K .1 G ♦—A 8 5 *—J 94 3 The bidding: North East South West Pass Pass 1 Jft Pass 14 1 A 1 N'T Pass Pass Dbl. Pass Pass Pass North responded to Son til's third-hand Club bid with a Diamond. Mr. Balfe put in a oneSpade oven-all. and Smith's one-notrump was followed by two passes. At this point Mr. Ba Ift reasoned that. North was evidently 1111 j10 weak. Tims, if he doubled, the opponents would probably be set; and the Worst that could happen would be that one-notrump doubled would be made. Mr. Balfe's partner, having a. fair hand, was quite content to Leave in the double, and opened a small Spade. Declarer, gloomily surveying the dummy, decided to attempt to establish his Club suit. A small Club was ducked in dummy. Mr. Balfe winning with the Queen and returning a Spade. Declarer ducked once, then won with the Are and played the Ace and another Club. As West cash"<l his two Club tricks. .Mr. Balfe discarded two low Hearts and. feeling that this was a request for a Diamond lead, West led the ten. Completely woe begone, declarer won the trick with the Ace of Diamonds, whereupon Mr. Balfe spread his hand, claiming the balance. Opportunities to double a one-notrump contract, when appear weak arise frequently, and the alert player is quick to gra.-p his opportunity.-—(Copyright, by The Four Aces.)