Goren on Bridge

The great popularity of the Multi-Two Diamond convention around the world is forging changes in other parts of the game. Using a two-diamond opening to show a weak two-bid in either major frees up the opening bids of two hearts and two spades to show other hands. Bidding theorists around the world are trying new things all the time. Today’s deal features one of those ideas. The only effect it had on this auction was to keep North-South out of a heart contract — not a big selling point for the method.

South won the opening club lead with his queen and led the nine of diamonds. West ducked, hoping to preserve an entry to his hand, so East won with his 10 and led a club, clearing the suit. Declarer knew that hearts were splitting 4-1. Even if he could hold his heart losers to one, there was no sure entry to dummy, as East was likely to hold the ace of spades.

South decided to go after diamonds. He first cashed the ace of hearts, stripping East of his heart, followed by the ace of diamonds. When that felled the king, he continued with the queen and another diamond to East. Down to nothing but spades, East led a low spade. West’s jack was captured by dummy’s king, the king of hearts was cashed, and the nine of spades was led. East could do nothing to prevent a spade entry to declarer’s hand and the contract rolled home. Both East and South could have done better in the play. Interested readers can have fun with the variations. Bob Jones welcomes readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Content Agency, LLC., 16650 Westgrove Dr., Suite 175, Addison, TX 75001. Email responses may be sent to tcaeditors@tribune.com.

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