Contract Bridge

Dear Mr. Becker: I am writing to you from Sing Sing prison, where I recently acquired a rent-free apartment for life due to the sudden demise of a friend of mine with whom I had a violent difference of opinion.

We have a large group here

that greatly enjoys bridge, but lately there has been quite a bit of friction among us, and some very unkind words have been directed toward me. It all began with this deal. was West and doubled South, a four-time loser, after he opened the bidding with four spades. I led the king of diamonds, and when my partner signaled with the eight, I continued with the ace.

There was now no question about my leading another diamond, because I knew East would ruff, but I did not know whether to lead the nine or the deuce.

You see, East and I play suit-preference signals. I knew that if I led the nine, he would return a heart, while if I led the two, he would return a club. As you have said many times, in this situation a high card asks for the higher suit, and a low card asks for the lower suit. In this case, though, I did not want either suit returned. What I wanted was a trump return, so that I could give my partner another ruff.

solved the problem very neatly by playing the 9-2 together! I then apologized to South, saying: “Oh, I’m sorry, but I’ll play either card you want. It really doesn’t matter.”

East, who wasn’t born yesterday, grasped the situation immediately. After ruffing the diamond, he returned a trump. As a result, South went down two instead of one. Judging from the way South reacted to all this, I must say I think he is a sore loser.

Sincerely, No. 31416.

Tomorrow: Bidding quiz.