April 2007 - 31

The Bidding Box

Gloria
1
3
5

Les
Pass
3
4
Pass

Les passed the East hand initially,
but made an invitational jump to 3
at his next turn. Gloria could have
passed, but created a force when
she continued with 3. Les made a
minimal noise (4) and Gloria felt
compelled by agreement to continue
to 5.
Question: Is it ever permissible
for one member of the partnership
to create a force on a marginal hand,
but then stop short of game when the
auction goes sour?
Bridge Bulletin auction: Pass-1;
1NT-2; Pass
Scores: 3 11; 2 9; 3 7; 3
6; 4 4; 4 1
Bernsteins 28, Barts 34

Problem 6

East deals. E-W vulnerable.
West
East
J3
K8752
K6
83
 K 10 9 2
AJ73
KQ762
AJ
Cindy
1NT
3

Bob
1
2
Pass

The Bernsteins sailed to the top
spot on a simple, natural auction. 2
guaranteed four or more diamonds.
Gloria
1NT
2NT

Les
1
2
Pass

Gloria, in true matchpoint style,
rebid 2NT.
Bridge Bulletin auction: 1-1NT
(forcing); 2-3; Pass
Scores: 3 10; 3 9; 3NT, 5 8;
2 6; 2NT 5; 5 4; 3 3
Bernsteins 38, Barts 39
April 2007

Problem 7

South deals. N-S vulnerable.
South opens 3.
West
East
 A 10 9 5
3
A
KQJ86
75
AK842
KQJ963 A5

Cindy North
Gloria

Bob
Les

Pass
Pass

Dbl

(Pass)
(Pass)

Problem 8

West deals. Both vulnerable.
West
East
 K Q 10 8 7 5 2  6
-
AKJ7642
862
A7
 Q 10 4
K72
Cindy
3
Pass

South
(3)
(Pass)

This problem could have been
made more interesting by altering
the vulnerability to equal, but as it is,
most Wests will simply opt to take
the cash when East reopens with a
double. It's hard to see how South
will emerge with more than five
tricks. Down four vulnerable is 1100
which is greater than the score for
any small slam.
In order to arrive at a grand slam,
West would probably have to begin
by overcalling the preempt (3NT?
4?). Even then, there are no guarantees that a grand can be reached
because so much bidding room has
been consumed.
Bridge Bulletin auction: (3)-
3NT-(Pass)-4; 5-5; 6-Pass

Bob
3NT

The Bernsteins play that three-level
preempts show good suits, but even
so, the spade game rates to be much
easier than 3NT. Bob was unhappy
with his choice and later confessed,
"A human being would have bid 4."
Gloria
3
Pass

Les
4

Les chose 4. Note that 4 did
not even enter the picture for either
pair: It's usually better to play in the
weak hand's long suit.
Bridge Bulletin auction: 3-4;
Pass
3

Scores: 4 10; 3 8; 3 6; 4

Final score: Bernsteins 45, Barts
56
r

Scores: 7NT 11; 7 9; 7 8;
(3) dbl 7; 6NT 6; 6 5; 6 4;
games 1
Bernsteins 45, Barts 46

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31
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April 2007
