Backpedal with balanced hands

When was this speech given? “So I come before you with a budget that is honest in its discussion of our challenges, creative in its possible solutions, compassionate in its commitment to our most vulnerable and balanced on the bottom line.”

In bridge, we have balanced and unbalanced hands. The latter tend to be more productive because of their long suits, but it is usually necessary to have a fit with partner. Balanced hands have more losers, which is not good.

In today’s deal, North was excessively optimistic. His two-no-trump response promised four-plus spades and at least game-forcing values. South jumped to four spades, which purported to show a minimum with no singleton or void. South correctly imagined his heart holding as king-doubleton. Then North, with a six-and-a-half-loser hand, should have passed. Instead, he pushed his partner into six spades.

What should South do after the diamond nine or club jack lead?

In each case, South will draw trumps, discard two diamonds on dummy’s hearts, then hope to avoid two club losers.

After the diamond lead, South will have to divine the club position, which he is most unlikely to do.

The normal start, though, is the club jack. But that would tell South that East has the king, which he will successfully hope is singleton or doubleton.

The introductory piece was said by James H. Douglas, Jr., some 85 years ago. He was an assistant secretary of the treasury for both President Herbert Hoover and President Franklin Roosevelt.