AUCTION BRIDGE DIFFICULT CALLING

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18208, 15 July 1927, Page 3

AUCTION BRIDGE DIFFICULT CALLING

(Written by the “Star” by A. E. MANNING FOSTER.) A correspondent writes as follows: — A strange hand was dealt to a four recentl>'. The calling was difficult, and also probably a little eccentric, and we should very much like to know your opinion of the bidding, and on the result. The hands fell like this; — Y. H—K Q J 8 6 4 D—A 10 5 43 A. C B. S—lv QJ9 87 6 S—s 4 3 H—A 30 9 7 5 2 H—None D—None D—B 6 2 C—None C—Q 10 975 4 3 Z. S—3o 2 IT—3 D—K QJ 9 7 O-A K J 8 6 B was the dealer and the bidding went like this:—B, Two Clubs; Z, Double; A, Three Spades; Y, Three No Trumps; B, No Bid: Z, No Bid; A, Four Spades: Y, Double; and the game was played by A in Four Spades doubled. He went two down. We know B shouldn’t have opened his mouth at all. Z (who was m3'self) rued not calling Diamonds before the hand was played. Y regretted calling \ T o Trumps in favour of Hearts, but would have been downed by A. Y would have backed Z in Diamonds, and we might have got five tricks. (Why not six?—A.E.M.F.).

What’s the answer? We would be very grateful indeed if you would give it us from your vast experience. This is certainly an interesting combination of cards. I am glad my correspondent condemns B s atrocious bid of Two Clubs, for this was undoubtedly the w’orst bid of the lot. In my opinion the bidding should have gone as follows:—B, No Bid; Z, One Diamond; A, Three Spades; Y, Four Diamonds; B and Z, No Bid; A, Four Spades; Y, Six Diamonds; B and Z, No Bid; A, Five Spades; Y, Double. All pass. I admit it is an open question whether Z should bid initially One Diamond or One Club (presuming, of course, B has passed). But personall) 7 I favour One Diamond. A with a twosuiter would be quite right to make a big pre-emptive bid in Spades. The onl} 7 question is whether he should bid three or four at once. Y was quite wrong to bid No Trumps at all. He must either bid his Hearts, which were tempting, or support his partner’s Diamonds. The right course is undoubtedly to support Diamonds. The hands are freakish and therefore it is impossible to dogmatise as to correct bidding, but I certainly consider that if A had called Five Spades over Six Diamonds he would have been well justified on his peculiar holding unless Y had mentioned Hearts. I have received a long and learned letter from a reader in Edinburgh giving mathematical calculations to show that when a side holds nine of a suit, including Ace, King, Jack, it pa3'S to pla>- for the drop rather than the finesse. The advice I quoted from Mr K. V. Shepard was to finesse on the second round. My correspondent states and claims to prove by figures that the practice of finessing on the second round represents not an advantage but a definite disadvantage of 78 in 1794, equal to approximately 4 1-3 per cent. WHAT DID Z SAY? Player Y. “And she wore dancing pumps with I spike heels.” “And then I said——” “Who dealt this hand?” “Why, I never said such a thing!'* Player A. “Where did all those matches go?” “Who dealt this mess?” “Ho, hum.” “Who dealt?” Player B. “Well, my goodness!” “Then what did she say?” “Why, of course you wouldn't! ” “Is it my bid?” Player Z. Hearts—none. Clubs—none. Diamonds—none. Spades—2 9 J 10 5 A 6 7 K 3 8 4 Q.