Pandemic play

The American Contract Bridge League, which administers most tournament bridge in North America, had to cope with COVID-19. Clubs closed and tournaments were cancelled. To provide competition, the ACBL has held events online, offering a welcome refuge for many players.

The downside is that cheating online is easy, and the ACBL has dealt with a host of cases, some involving name experts. Afraid of protracted and costly litigation, it adopted an expedient but distasteful policy of “negotiated resolutions,” letting cheaters play after a too-brief suspension in return for an admission of guilt.

Players who dishonor the game and ruin the competitive experience for others should be gone for good. Preserving the integrity of the competition is foremost. I don’t want players, especially young players, seeing a convicted cheater at a tournament 18 months later. The message that sends is more than a little dangerous.

The ACBL publishes an excellent monthly magazine to which I have contributed for 40 years. Today’s deal comes from the inimitable Eddie Kantar, a contributor for 60 years. He asks how South should play at seven hearts when West leads the king of clubs.

Ruff in dummy, ruff a diamond,