BRIDGE News:
Here is a hand of the Los Alamos Duplicate Bridge Club from July 7 that should get most E/W partnerships to at least game, even though the partnership holds only 22 HCP.
Good distribution can make a big difference!
This is board #20. West is the dealer and both sides are vulnerable.
West is the dealer, and most likely will open with 1♥, though there are some who would open 1♠ to make their rebid easier later. After North makes a 2♣ overcall, a recommended response from East would be 3♣, showing a limit raise or better. For those who bid traditionally, East’s response would be 3♥, showing a limit raise. After South passes, West should bid the heart game, giving full value to his/her void in diamonds.
North’s most likely lead is the ♣K. With this lead, declarer should take the ♣A, play the ♠A, ruff (trump) a diamond, play the ♠K, discarding a diamond, ruff a spade, ruff another diamond, and ruff another spade. West’s 5th spade is now good, so play the ♥Q, give up a club, and West can now take the rest of the tricks. Making 6 with only 22 HCP between the two hands! The power of distribution often negates the need to have a huge number of HCP. Set up the hands and play it out!
When this hand was played locally, only one pair was in 4♥ making 6. One pair was in 4♥ making 4, one pair was in 3♥ making 6, 2 pairs were in 3♥ making 5, and one pair was in 3NT making 3.
As a result of this game, Jerry Fleming became a Diamond Life Master, having accumulated over 5,000 ACBL masterpoints. This is just three steps away from the highest ACBL ranking possible. Congratulations! Steve Kemic is the only local player with a higher ranking, having become a Platinum Life Master (10,000+ points), and only one step below the highest ranking possible, Grand Live Master.
The Los Alamos Duplicate Bridge Club games are held at the Betty Ehart Senior Activity Center (BESAC) Wednesdays starting at 12:45, and at the White Rock Senior Activity Center (WRSAC) Mondays at 12:45.
Check out the Los Alamos Duplicate Bridge Club’s new website at www.ladbc.net to learn what it’s all about, contact the club to get involved, join the fun, and much more.