February 2009 - 47

INTERMEDIATE PLAYERS

Boehm on Bridge
The situational double
There is a poker element to bridge
in terms of bluff and intimidation.
Penalty doubles are a good example.
Intimidation at bridge cannot stem
from bullying or rude or threatening behavior. Such action leaves the
miscreant liable to suspension or even
expulsion. A legal type of intimidation, however, is part of the penalty
double. Most average players, when
doubled, tend to declare below par.
Anxiety, even panic, take over, especially if a strong opponent doubles.
This is human nature, and a respected
player might as well take advantage
of his reputation.
Playing matchpoints, none vulnerable, you (West) gaze at:
10 9 8 7 6 K Q 8 5 K 3 10 6.
The auction develops:
West (You) North

East

South
Pass
1
3

Pass
1
1
Redbl (2) 2
Dbl (1)
?
(1) Shows spades plus diamond tolerance.
(2) Three-card heart support.
How do you view your options:
Pass, 3, or double? Before answering, let's add another factor to
consider. Say that this is the last
round of the event, and you estimate
that you are having a decent game,
somewhere between 55 and 58%,
average-plus, but probably not
enough to win. Should this affect
your decision?
Before answering, one more question: What is your objective? Is it
to finish in the running for some
masterpoints, or is winning the only
February 2009

goal? This is a personal decision.
Perhaps you are trying to reach a
masterpoint plateau, and third or
fourth in the section will suffice.
Maybe you are a pro, and winning the
client some points will lead to further
bookings. Perhaps masterpoints and
bookings are irrelevant; placing first
is what counts for your self-esteem.
On this bidding problem, if you
want to avoid a zero to maintain
your average-plus game, look for a
middle-of-the-road action - pass or
3. I think it's a close decision.
If you are looking for a top,
however, and don't mind risking a
bottom, then double stands out. On
this part-score deal, plus 300 will
garner all the matchpoints. Much may
depend on the location of the heart
ace. If it is on your left with the opening bidder, your heart holding can be
finessed. If it is on your right with
the heart length, defensive prospects
are much better. And then there is the
poker element: Some declarers are
more tempting to double than others.
Not that one deal proves anything,
but double was the winning action.
North
AKQ
974
642
K532
West (You)
East
 10 9 8 7 6
J432
N
KQ85
W E J
S
K3
 A Q 10 9 5
 10 6
A87
South
5
 A 10 6 3 2
J87
QJ94

August Boehm

Provided that you lead the K (or
a club to the ace and a low diamond
switch), the contract goes down at
least two: three diamond tricks for the
defense, one club, and two hearts. A
spade lead gives declarer two quick
diamond discards, but careful defense
prevails. The defenders can take one
club, a club ruff, one diamond, and
two high hearts for down one. If declarer incautiously releases the heart
ace too soon, the defense may gain
trump control and do plenty of damage. Doubled declarers don't always
play their best.
Other sports offer analogies to this
close double down the homestretch.
In the closing seconds in basketball
or football, the coach must decide if
the objective is to play for a tie and
force overtime. Or should the team
try a three-point shot or a two-point
conversion, an instant win or loss. In
golf, shoot for the pin or the fat part
of the green? Risk-reward decisions
often depend on the score.
r
This material first appeared in
Wielding the Axe by Augie Boehm,
available from HNB publishing.

47
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2009
