CONTRACT BRIDGE The day of the Doll’s challenge match

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32634, 16 June 1971, Page 10

CONTRACT BRIDGE The day of the Doll’s challenge match

- (Contributed by ]

J.R.W.)

When I get- to Jack’s -Club the other day the Doll is saying: “Why Sammy, I am reading a most interesting and amusing book on Acol by Mr Mollo, and Mr Mollo has his picture on the cover; and Sammy he is a very nice man indeed and I am willing to bet plenty of potatoes that Acol beats all the systems these Italian foreigners invent.” One Spade Sammy ; says he by bo means disagrees with this, but he and Fred the Finesse have their owh system which is called the Big Major and to Compare it with Acol is like comparing the winner of the Grand National with a beach donkey. When she hears this the Doll is annoyed more than somewhat, and she announces that if they put their money where their mouth is she can beat them with any partner including me. I am not very flattered by these unladylike statements, especially when One Spade Sammy accepts the challenge, but I do not like to disappoint a lady, especially one stacked like the Doll. She takes me aside and says she expects no trouble in winning enough sugar to buy a new dress and maybe the fare to Hawaii to collect it, for the Big Major is without doubt the most stupid system she everTiears. It appears that if they have an opening bid they pass, but with less than six points they open one of their weaker major suit. The Doll tells me to double everything they bid which tonfuses them so much they do not know if it is Good Friday or Cup Day. Fred the Finesse deals the first hand and passes. “That means he has an-openihg bid,” says the' Doll, “atfdKJ double.” Now this is a situation One Spade Sammy never strikes before but he has a pretty good set of tickets so he says redouble. I am looking at all the rubbish in the deck, and I

know that with all thei hatred round the table if I bid anything ope of the others opts out with the old equaliser and doubles me so I say no bid quickly. The dealer passes and the Doll says it is her lead but Fred says what is the contract so we review the auction: «•"""» w" ' N** e ? No ' Dble Redble No No No Everybody then starts to talk at once with many kibitzers joining in, but nobody can decide who breaks what rules and when so eventually ; we cancel the hand and start again. Our side does not do too well on account of me , getting my usual bad cards and we are Josing a little hay when One Spade Sammy, who is North, deals this lot with his side vulnerable: :

I anr by no means happy With defending one no-trump, redoubled but I see the look M-jny partner’s eyes a®d I know I am, hi* Very serious trouble indeed if I call so I Croak co bid. The Doll leads a spade to my queen and I return the jack of hearts. Fred covers with the king and the Doll takes the ace and begins to giggle a* she leads out six more heart winners. The declarer has to find five discards and throws one club

and air his diamonds to leave this:

The Doll leads a spade to my king and I cash the ace then lead the diamond ten. Fred has to keep the jack of spades so he throws his queen of clubs. I lead my club to the Doll’s ace and her ten is the thirteenth trick for our side. Seven down redoubled and vulnerable is 4000 and the Doll makes it clear to all present that she is very pleased indeed with this result but J turn pale when I think I nearly call two spades. It is quite clear to me I am playing out of my league and I suddenly remember a horse I must back so I hand over my hot seat to Colin the Card. I dash out of the Club down the street to Lou’s Bar and I do not come out for quite some time.