Contract Bridge

Rugged Individualism

The poker player who boasts that he’s never been bluffed has his counterpart in the bridge player who claims that he’s never missed a game. Both styles of play are expensive luxuries, largely because strict adherence to this philosophy is bound to result in substantial losses over the long haul.

In the accompanying deal, South lived up to the highest traditions of this school of players. Though his two-notrump bid might conceivably have led his side to a sound game contract had North held a somewhat better hand, his skimpy values nevertheless did not justify his optimistic outlook.

South could have passed two diamonds without criticism, or he could have raised to three diamonds. Either action would have been reasonably acceptable. But his actual two-notrump bid was too gross an exaggeration of his values. He should have had at least three points more for this bid.

Declarer was severely punished for his optimism, which often happens to players with rose-colored glasses who push the envelope on just about every deal.

West led the king of spades and shifted to the ten of clubs, East covering with the jack when declarer followed low from dummy. South took the ace, led the jack of diamonds and finessed. East won with the king and returned a spade, and the walls came tumbling down. EastWest cashed all their remaining spades and clubs, as well as the ace of hearts, and the outcome was that South was down eight — 2,300 points!

All of which goes to prove that if you venture into space without wearing a spacesuit, you’ll frequently end up with something more than a touch of frostbite!