Bridge News:

The Los Alamos Unit of the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) held its annual sectional tournament March 21-23 at the Betty Ehart Senior Activity Center (BESAC).

The tournament drew about 50 participants from Los Alamos, Santa Fe and Albuquerque.

Here is a challenging hand from the March 24 game. Can you and your partner reach a slam on this hand? 

This is board #15. South is the dealer, and N/S are vulnerable.

South is the dealer and should pass. West opens the bidding 1♠. After North’s 2♣ overcall, I like a 4♣ response by East, showing strong spade support and 1st round control of clubs. If West bids a 4♦ control and East bids 5♦, a 6♠ contract might be reached. More likely, over the 2♣ overcall, East will respond 4♠, and that will be the end of the auction.

When this hand was played locally, one pair played in 4♠ making 4, two pairs played in 4♠ making 7, and a 4th pair played in 4♠ doubled making 6. In retrospect, 6♠ cannot be beaten!

The Los Alamos Duplicate Bridge Club games are held at the Betty Ehart Senior Activity Center (BESAC) Wednesdays starting at 12:45 p.m. and at the White Rock Senior Activity Center (WRSAC) Mondays at 12:45 p.m. Duplicate lessons are given at the BESAC on an occasional basis 10 a.m. to noon Fridays when BESAC is open. Bridge players are welcome to participate. Anyone needing a partner or wanting to know if lessons are in session should email Bobby Haynes at rsh@valornet.com or Jerry Fleming at peanutcat@aol.com.