FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

RISKY BUSINESS

In a pairs event with a field of 400 pairs, steady effort may get you a 56 percent score — not close to winning. Experts who want top scores and don’t mind looking foolish often take risks.

At the Spring NABC, Mark Dahl-Richard Oshlag won the Open Pairs. They were today’s North-South, and when West opened one heart and two passes followed, Dahl operated with a bid of 1NT, showing, in the “balancing” seat, 11 to 14 points. (At least he had that number of points.) West doubled, and after two passes, Dahl produced a top-orbottom pass.

Parade

I would like to report that South got what he had coming, but when West unwisely led a low heart, Dahl won and banged down the ace of clubs, dropping the king. Then came a parade of clubs, putting West through the wringer. Dahl made four overtricks, plus 580.

Even if South goes down one, losing five spades and the A-K of diamonds, North-South will score some matchpoints for minus 100: East-West could make three spades for plus 140.

Daily Question

You hold: ♠ A K 8 7 ♥ Q 86 43 ♦ A K 4 ♣ K. You open one heart, and your partner bids one spade. What do you say?

Answer: Though the worth of your king of clubs is unclear, you can commit to game. A raise to four spades would suggest balanced pattern. Many players would try four clubs, a “splinter bid,” to show a spade fit and club shortness. Some would avoid that call with a singleton king. An option is to jump to three diamonds, then bid four spades.

West dealer

E-W vulnerable