BRIDGE

Have you ever seen (or, even better, earned yourself) the amazing score of +1800 on one deal at duplicate bridge?

A very unusual score to say the least but attained in logical and semi-scientific fashion by North-South when this deal was contested in an online tournament.

The bidders took a measured route to the nine-trick game after South's one notrump (forcing for one round) response and two shape-showing rebids by North. Of note: once North moved beyond two notrump he was in effect accepting the game invitation his partner had issued, the only item to be resolved was in what strain the game should be played.

South chose notrump but the auction didn't end there: not content to concede without some input, East tacked on a lead-directing double. Such a double asks for the lead of dummy's first-bid suit, the logic being that the doubler believes that lead to be his side's best chance to set the contract.

Enter some science: South's redouble wasn't some macho effort at increasing the score but an expert treatment known as “Doubt Showing Redouble”: “I've got everything I told you I'd have partner but

East seems to think a spade lead will set us, what do you think?”.

So that with spades well looked-after, North was content to pass and see how things turned out.

Very well indeed for North-South as the spade lead did no real damage and declarer quickly scooped up the spade ace and five tricks in each minor.

The score for three notrump, redoubled and vulnerable, making with two overtricks: 1800!

So much for East's “enterprise”!