BRIDGE News:

Here was a potential slam hand from our Jan. 6 game. Before reviewing the bidding and play, try to visualize how the bidding might proceed, and then how the hand should be played.

Board 8: West was the dealer; Nobody was vulnerable.

*Waiting bid, tell me more
**22-24 HCP, balanced hand
***Stayman, asking for a 4-card major
****Ace asking
*****0 or 4 Aces (obviously 0)
******Do you have the spade Queen?
*******Yes, and the diamond King

The bidding can go a number of ways, depending on the partnership. After two passes, East opens with 2♣, West is likely to respond either 2♦ to get more information from opener, or 2♥ to show a decent hand with 5+ hearts. In the former case, the auction will probably go as above, with most pairs ending in 4♠. In the latter case, the auction could go either 2♣ – 2♥ – 2NT – 3NT (or 4NT asking partner to bid 6 with a maximum). Unfortunately, without a heart lead, 6NT will likely fail, while 6♠ is easily made.

When this hand was played locally, one pair played in 1NT making 5, 4 pairs played in 4♠ making 6, and a 6th pair played in 3NT making 6 (they got the ♥A lead). You never know!

The Los Alamos Duplicate Bridge Club games start at 12:45 p.m., Wednesdays at the Betty Ehart Senior Activity Center (BESAC), and at 12:45 p.m., Mondays at the White Rock Senior Activity Center (WRSAC). Duplicate lessons are given at the BESAC from 10 a.m. until noon Friday when BESAC is open. Bridge players are welcome to participate. If you need a partner, please e-mail Bobby Haynes at rsh@valornet.com, or Jerry Fleming at peanutcat@aol.com.