Daily Bridge Club

Back to Birmingham

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Every month, I go to Birmingham for dinner and bridge with old friends and teammates. They are national champions, and they beat up on me in today’s deal. I was South.

North’s balancing double was bold to say the least; the value of his king of clubs was questionable. But take my word, he has achieved many good results by competing fearlessly.

I was left to play at three hearts, and West led a spade. East won and did well to shift to the queen of diamonds. West took the ace and returned the eight (his highest spot, a suit-preference play to show a spade re-entry).

NO DOUBLE

East ruffed. Then came a spade to the queen, diamond ruff, club to the ace, diamond ruffed and overruffed by East’s jack. Down three. At least they were kind enough not to double me.

I could have saved a trick by bidding three diamonds instead of three hearts, but then East-West might have gone to three spades. (They might have won 10 tricks at spades, but to bid game would have been a tall order.)

DAILY QUESTION

at your left, opens one club. Your partner doubles, and the next player bids three clubs. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your opponent’s jump-raise is weak and preemptive. If he had a good hand, he would redouble. As it is, he is trying to get in your way. Bid three spades. You have enough strength to compete at the three level. If partner raises to game, you will have a good chance. East dealer Neither side vulnerable