BRIDGE

There's a virus-like infection spreading throughout high-level bridge and it's my fervent hope said malady doesn't get too far out of control.

Root cause: many tournament partnerships have co-opted two diamond openings for one of a wide variety of possible artificial uses: Multi, Mexican, Ekren, MiniRoman, Flannery – the list is seemingly endless.

The trickle-down effect of all this artificiality is on (gruesome) exhibit here: with no weak two-bid in diamonds available, many pairs now open a three-bid with a hand that might not qualify for a sensible two-bid.

Note: this isn't a brandnew development in bidding practice as the same thing happened to the club suit with the near-universal popularity of two clubs as a strong and artificial opening, many choose to open three clubs with hands that aren't classical preempts.

This time? An ugly suit with no internal stuffing and a four-card major on the side?

Mere blemishes and not nearly enough to deter this South (and many others of his ilk) from opening a three-bid during an International online tournament.

East made the sensible decision to double for takeout in the pass-out seat (three notrump was an option but minimum count and no obvious source of tricks suggest the more flexible double).

And after the double,

West knew where he wanted to have the auction end as he made a well-judged decision to play for a penalty.

After the opening lead of the club ten, East won to shift to hearts and the rout was on: one defensive trick in each black suit and three in each red suit meant the cost of the “modern” threebid was a mere 800 for down four.