CONTRACT BRIDGE Success Of A Psychic Bid

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32208, 29 January 1970, Page 7

CONTRACT BRIDGE Success Of A Psychic Bid

(Contributed by J.R.W.) Even bridge players will be surprised to learn that it is over 30 years since the first television programmes on contract bridge. Produced by the 8.8. C. in 1936, a whole series was compered by Hubert Phillips, who was to gain a wider broadcasting reputation as a member of the panel in several quiz shows. He prepared hands for four well-known players to bid and play, but they saw the cards for the first time when the cameras were turned on to them. Not surprisingly his taste ran to interesting freaks with good entertainment value such as: N. H—D—K9B72 C—Q 8 7 5 4 3 2 W. E. S—A K J 10 SS—Q 9 8 7 3 2 H—KQIOB72H—4 D—s 4 D—C— C—AKJIO96 S. S—6 H—A J 9 6 5 3 D—A Q J 10 6 3 The dealer was South and both sides were vulnerable. East-West, in a contract of six spades, after drawing one sound of trumps and conceding a trick to the ace of hearts would be able to ruff five hearts in the East hand, discard West’s two diamonds on the ace and king of clubs and trump four clubs in West But North-South have a good save against their opponent’s vulnerable slam, for they can call seven diamonds. The best defence against this contract is to cash one round of spades before switching to a trump. South can ruff four of his losing hearts in dummy, but

he is still left with one at the end and so is two down. This is still, however, a good' result

No doubt the compere was prepared to forecast how the bidding would go, and no doubt the point he was trying to make was that after very competitive bidding, unless absolutely sure of defeating an opposing slam contract it is usually correct to bid one more. Outrageous Psychic Any such ideas were shattered when the deal appeared on television, for the South hand was given to Harold Ingram who had a wellearned reputation for psychic bidding. His considerable imagination was not found wanting, for this, to the dismay of the compere, was the full auction heard by the unseen audience. S. W. N. E. 3S Dble No No Redble No 4C Dble 4D 4H 5D No No 5H AU pass. Ingram’s outrageous vulnerable three spade psychic bid was naturally doubled by West After the next two players had passed, the redouble was clearly asking his partner to call his best suit for if the opening bid were honest he would not be in a position to make a genuine redouble. Krom that point on, his opponents, both incidentally international players, were floundering and eventually were down four in their final unhappy contract of five hearts. Ingram’s nerve and imamnation were equaUed by the timing of his antics. The next time he appeared on the programme he again upset the : hand-setter’s learned predictions of the probable course of the auction by making a ridiculous intervening bid • which completely sabotaged : his opponents’ calling.

It is not surprising that on the third appearance he received a balanced Yarborough, was told his side was vulnerable and his right hand opponent opened with a forcing-to-game bid. Ingram’s part in the proceedings was restricted to following suit.

Afterwards he remonstrated with the compere, asking what was the point of giving him a hand like that The reply was that of a man whose patience had been sorely tried, and was along the lines of “I was determined to keep you quiet this time,” but was in rather stronger, distinctly un-8.8.C. terms.