Too much information

One of my opinions about bidding, one I cherish against strong opposition, is that players bid – and bid and bid – without regard for the consequences. Sure, climbing into the opponents’ auction can disrupt their flow of information and impede their accuracy. But uninhibited competition also has a downside: A preempt may impel the opponents to bid with all the more resolve, reach an unlikely contract – and make it. Actions as innocuous as a simple overcall and a raise may help them judge their prospects. Your bid may guide a capable declarer’s play.

In the IMP Pairs at the America Contract Bridge League’s Spring North American Bridge Championships, Ron Gerard was declarer at four hearts. He opened 1NT after three passes, and North transferred to hearts. Then West couldn’t resist coming in with two spades, after which North-south bid to game.

West led a club, and Gerard took the king, ace and jack, pitching a spade from dummy. He led a diamond to the jack, returned a trump to his queen, took the ace of diamonds and led a third diamond. West won, cashed his ace of spades and led the 10 of clubs. Gerard ruffed with dummy’s ten of trumps, and East threw a spade.

Declarer then had a distributional count, thanks to West’s bid. West had held five spades, three diamonds, four clubs – and one trump. So Gerard led dummy’s eight of trumps and let it ride. He lost only one more trick to East’s ace and made the game.

It was a fine result for North-south. The result might have been different if West had held his peace.

West dealer

Neither side vulnerable