Study in contradictions Best and worst of U.S. bridge

Press, 6 October 1987, Page 12

Study in contradictions

Best and worst of U.S. bridge

CONTRACT BRIDGE

J.R. Wignail

Though there is little doubt that the best bridge in the world is at present played in the United States, there are times when one has to ask oneself what on earth they do over there! Two hands from this year’s trials to select the American team for the world championships show the worst and the best in their bridge. Let me present the first as a problem. Your partner opens one no-trump showing 12 to 14 points in a balanced hand. Your right-hand opponent doubles. What would you bid on: 4 A 865 V Q 972 ♦ - 4AQJIOB There is no perfect answer, for all depends on the partnership agreement. The American expert who held these cards redoubled, and lived to regret his decision when the full deal was:

Against one no-trump redoubled, West — chortling happily — cashed seven diamonds and the ace of hearts to defeat the contract by two for a score of 600. When the board was

replayed in the other room, South passed, West opened one diamond. North made a takeout double, and South finished in four spades making 11 tricks in some comfort Indeed, most of us would prefer to play in six spades rather than one no-trump redoubled. All that contract requires are favourable breaks in the major suits, and a good guess as to the position of the jack of hearts. On the other hand, American declarer play is very competent Watch one of the best players in the world in action on this hand, dealt by West with only his side vulnerable:

The auction was:

W. N. E. S. 14 No 24 34 34 44 Dble Ail Pass It is always a risky business doubling Bob Hamman, a hardened player who has been around for a very long

time: Taking full advantage of the knowledge that after East’s double the hearts were going to break badly, he raffed the opening lead of the ace of spades and continued with the king of diamonds. When East won with the ace, he continued with a spade which South again raffed. After cashing the queen of diamonds, Hamman led the queen of dubs, covered by the king and ace. A diamond from dummy was raffed by East, who tried yet another spade. When this was tramped by the declarer the position was:

Hamman, who had so far made five tricks, continued with the nine of clubs, covered by the 10 and, jack. Returning to hand with a club to his eight, he raffed a diamond with dummy’s ace of hearts. That was. bight tricks, aiid the -king and queen of tramps brought the total to the required 10. That was a big swing to his teain when South, in the other . room, also played in four hearts, but, since he was not doubled and had no reason to suspect the bad break in trumps, played the hand differently to go a quiet two down.