Bridge

DO NOT BE AFRAID TO TAKE THE MONEY

Scott Alexander, a baseball pitcher who has played for both the Royals and the Dodgers, said, “Making money is a hobby that will complement any other hobbies you have, beautifully.”

At the bridge table, sometimes it is better just to take the money on offer and not try for the treasure chest at the end of the rainbow.

In this deal, East opens one no-trump, South jumps bravely to four diamonds despite being vulnerable, West makes a valueshowing double, and North passes. What should East do now?

This situation occurred 12 times at Bridge Base Online. There is only one sensible call by East -pass. Surely the contract must fail, and even if it is only down two for plus 500 when East-West could make a vulnerable game, are they sure to find the right game?

If not allowed to pass, I would bid four no-trump, preferring that strain on a deal when suits are probably breaking badly. Here, declarer rates to take one spade, four hearts, two diamonds and three clubs.

At BBO, though, 11 Easts bid four hearts, being doubled twice. How did that contract get on?

Four hearts was not a success. South led the diamond queen. North ruffed, cashed the spade king and continued with the spade ace. Almost every South, worried that East would be able to ruff the third spade high, trumped and gave partner another diamond ruff for down one. Only one South discarded, trumped the third spade and gave partner another ruff for down two, plus 500.

Four diamonds doubled can cost 800 after club ace, club to the king, club ruff, heart to the ace and await two more trump tricks.

Don’t be afraid to pass at such a high level with a balanced hand.