Goren on Bridge With Bob Jones

There is an annual bridge match every year in Great Britain between members of the House of Commons versus members of the House of Lords. The players are enthusiastic but not necessarily expert. We don’t believe it either, but North chose to open his hand one no-trump. West might have passed and enjoyed a plus score if his partner led anything but a spade, but who can blame him for bidding his suit? North decided to introduce his best suit and South, Lady Howe, “corrected” to a

contract that she expected to be a bit better. North screwed up his courage and raised to game and a surprised West found himself on lead against a game contract.

West continued with a second high club at trick two, hoping to weaken dummy’s trumps. Lady Howe ruffed with dummy’s three and East overruffed with the five. A diamond to the ace saw West continue with a third club. Lady Howe ruffed with dummy’s jack and cashed the ace of hearts, discovering the bad split. She cashed two high diamonds, discarding a club and a spade from her hand, and ruffed a diamond. She crossed back to dummy with the queen of hearts and led a good diamond.

East ruffed with his last trump. Lady Howe over-ruffed and led a spade to dummy’s ace. She discarded her last spade on dummy’s remaining diamond and claimed her contract. Everybody needed a break!

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