Dubious Logic

Suffolk v Beds (2)

Of all the deals from the most recent county match, against Bedfordshire a fortnight ago, one is destined to stay in the collective memory. The vulnerability on board eleven is a love all. There were no doubled contracts at the 'A' team tables, no slams, but the four Suffolk pairs contrived to lose eighteen IMPs. The 'B' team managed the better side of a stand-off, winning two, but the 'C' team suffered a double-figure loss, by eleven. Where did these IMPs go? The Suffolk first team conceded game at each of the four tables.

This was the auction from my table, do I regret opening a simple one heart? Well, four hearts - as found elsewhere - would have been much more successful. With one opponent already passed, there seemed much less chance of being outbid (unless that would happen anyway) and more likelihood that this was our hand, possibly in slam. That said, the West hand is not easy to express over simple responses from partner and, the more I look at it, the more culpable I feel.

Could East have taken a call over four spades? More debateable but possibly. His shape in spades and diamonds was promising and his meagre high cards surely well placed. But a bit of an ask. Five hearts was reached twice, doubled and made twice. The defence doesn't look too difficult; lead spade ace and switch to a trump but it was clearly tougher at the table.

These days it will not surprise you to learn that some partnerships have an opening bid for the South collection. Increasingly popular is a two spade call showing five spades and a four or five card minor, less than an opening hand. I'm no great fan of it myself but here it should have shown itself to good effect.

This was a 'C' team auction. For Suffolk, Norman Less found the good five heart bid as a two way shot – they might make four spades, five hearts being a cheap sacrifice, alternatively there might be eleven tricks in hearts. And, of course, there was nothing to stop both of these eventualities occurring. When Suffolk employed the gadget, and the first two bids were the same, North passed. He figured that his partner's minor was clubs and the hands would not fit. But, as was ruefully pointed out, even had South's minors been reversed, four spades would have made.

So what does this deal teach us? Nothing I suspect we didn't know already. If you think it's right to bid four spades over four hearts you should; a four heart opener with a hand that does not care to defend four spades is a good idea; bridge is a bidder's game. You just have to remember those at the table.

Published Saturday 21.Apr.2007