Contract Bridge

Steve beCkeR

In a duplicate tournament, where pairs move from table to table, the potential always exists for a pair to stray off course and wind up in the wrong seats. If the error is not discovered before the errant pair begins play at the wrong table, the offenders are likely to be penalized.

Probably no pair ever paid a greater penalty than the East-West duo in today’s deal, which occurred in the Masters Pairs Championship in 1944. The bidding shown occurred at table A-1, where all-time greats Howard Schenken and John Crawford were seated North-South. East-West belonged at Table 1, but in another section.

Having already begun to play when the error was discovered, East-West were compelled by the tournament director to finish the hand out. Crawford then made the doubled slam to score a cold top!

Schenken’s jump to two notrump after South’s skimpy one-heart opening was an attempt to intimidate the opponents and keep them out of the bidding. But East-West kept right on bidding spades until Schenken bid six hearts.

The opening spade lead was ruffed in dummy, after which Crawford ran all of dummy’s hearts. On the last trump, East, down to four diamonds and the A-K of clubs, was unable to guard both suits. If he threw a club, declarer would lead a low club and make the slam, so East discarded a diamond.

Crawford thereupon cashed four diamonds, bringing his total to 12 tricks. But that was not quite the end of it. During the play, West had let go of all his spades. So Crawford took the last trick with the jack of spades to make the slam with an overtrick!

It is doubtful that this particular East-West pair ever strayed to the wrong table again.