Contract Bridge

NOT ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME

One advantage of playing weak twobids is that they frequently cause the opponents to bite off a bit more than they can chew. As with all preemptive bids, weak twos present a challenge to the enemy, who often overreach themselves by bidding a game or slam unwarranted on their combined values. The outcome may then depend on the proficiency of the defenders.

Consider this deal from a team-offour match. At the first table, the bidding went as shown, and North-South wound up in three notrump with only 23 high-card points. Declarer then made the contract after West led the queen of spades and East turned up with the king of hearts, allowing South to score one spade, three hearts and five clubs for nine tricks. West’s twospade bid at this table thus backfired, pushing North-South into a game they almost surely would not have reached if left to their own devices.

Not surprisingly, the bidding went the same way at the second table, but here the outcome was altogether different after West hit on the inspired opening lead of a diamond. East won the trick with the jack and shifted to a spade, taken by West with the jack.

West led another diamond, won by East with the queen, and East returned another spade. When the smoke cleared, East-West had scored six spade tricks and three diamonds to put the contract down five — 500 points — a terrible penalty to pay for a marginally ambitious contract.

The deal thus demonstrates both the advantage and disadvantage of pre-emptive bids, as well as the difference judgment can make in determining the final outcome.

©2024 King Features Syndicate Inc.