fun&games bridge

East dealer. Both sides vulnerable.

This is a favorite story of George B. Coffin, for many years a well-known author and publisher. The bidding went as shown, but after East bid seven diamonds, West quickly passed, not waiting for South to bid. Not only that, but East-West then improperly exchanged hands, a common practice in some games.

South, a stickler for the rules named John Lawman, who by nature was inclined to exact his pound of flesh when an irregularity occurred, now said: "Just a second, please. I haven't passed. In fact, I'll bid seven notrump!" West doubled, and, after two passes, South redoubled! West then led the king of spades.

"Just a second," said South again. "Both of your hands are exposed because you've seen each other's cards, and I'm entitled to call your plays in any way I see fit."

So Mr. Lawman directed West to lead the ten of spades instead. He took the ten with the jack, continued with the nine, calling for West's eight, then cashed the seven of spades, calling for West's six.

As the spades were being led, declarer forced East to discard the A-K-Q of clubs! Mr. Lawman then cashed the J-9-7 of clubs, compelling West to play the 10-8-6 in that order, and East to discard the A-K-Q of hearts.

The same process was then repeated in hearts, declarer cashing the J-9-7 of that suit. On the hearts, East, who at this point was nearing a state of apoplexy, was forced to discard the A-K-Q of diamonds.

Mr. Lawman next cashed his heart and club fives, collecting East's J-10 of diamonds. Dummy's 9-8 of diamonds then scored the last two tricks to make the redoubled grand slam!

(c)2022 King Features Syndicate Inc.