The Bridge Column

THOUGHTFUL BID East-West vulnerable, West deals

Today’s deal is from a top-level team competition. West’s decision to open a 15-17 one no-trump with his hand can only be called remarkable. To say the least, it wouldn’t be everyone’s choice. North bid five diamonds and played it there doubled, losing one trick in each red suit to make his contract.

At the other table, where West opened a more traditional one spade, North was Geoff Hampson. Hampson is a Canadian who relocated to the USA many years ago, winning two world championships representing the USA.

Hampson bid two no-trump over one spade, showing at least 5-5 in the minors, and had to decide what to do when East bid four spades. He was willing to gamble out a slam, but he wanted his partner to pick the suit. To help partner pick the correct suit, Hampson wanted to make a bid that would emphasize his diamonds. A bid of five no-trump would suggest equal strength and length in the minors. A bid of six clubs would be correctable to six diamonds, but would emphasize his clubs. Hampson made the brilliant bid of five spades, hoping that his partner would read that as forcing to slam with better diamonds. He showed great confidence that his partner would pick up on this inference when he passed six clubs.

There was nothing to the play. Playing in clubs allowed South to ruff out the queen of diamonds and bring home his slam. All of Hampson’s bidding choices would have resulted in the same contract on this deal, but we admire his bid.