Bridge News:

Here was a wild hand from our Jan. 8 game. Before reviewing the bidding and play, try to visualize how the bidding might proceed, and then how the hand should be played.

Board 7: South was the dealer; Both sides were vulnerable.

The above is a fairly reasonable auction. Does East bid on over North’s sacrifice bid of 5♣? He/she can bid 5♠ or pass the decision to partner. It turns out that 5♠ is the winning call, because West will probably double the 5♣ sacrifice bid, which as you can see, cannot be beaten! East/West can easily make 6♠, but that contract is extremely difficult to find. Distributional hands make for some very interesting auctions!

When this hand was played locally, one pair played in 2♥ making 3, another pair played in 2♥ making 4, and a 3rd pair played in 2♥ making 5. A 4th pair played in 4♥ doubled making 7! A 5th pair played in 4♠ making 6. You never know!

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