BRIDGE News:

There were seven tables in play at the Wednesday, Dec. 11 game, the most well attended game in several years!

During that pair game, this was Board #8. 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.

Dealer is West and passes. North has a minimum 1♦ opening bid. After East passes, South has a hand that can probably make a slam, but starts slowly by bidding 1♥. Partner cannot pass this, as the 1♥ bid is forcing. South’s hand at this point is of unlimited strength. North’s rebid of 1NT shows a balanced minimum opener, with at least 2 cards in each suit. Having only 3 losers, and a guaranteed solid 8-card heart fit, a bid of 6♥ is certainly reasonable.

The most likely lead is the ♦K, though some Wests will make a passive low spade lead.

With a diamond lead, declarer will need to find the ♠Q in order to take 13 tricks, but 12 are guaranteed. Those Wests who lead a spade make declarer’s work easy, as when declarer follows with the ♠T from dummy, East either plays the Queen or the ♠T wins, and there are no spade losers.

When this hand was played locally, two pairs played in 6♥ making 7, 1 pair played in 6♥ making 6, a fourth pair played in 3NT making 7, a 5th pair played in 4♥ making 7, and a 6th pair played in 3♥ making 6.

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 at 12:45 p.m. Mondays at the White Rock Senior Activity Center (WRSAC). Duplicate lessons are given at the BESAC 10 a.m. until noon Friday when BESAC is open. Bridge players are welcome to participate. If you need a partner, please email Bobby Haynes at rsh@valornet.com, or Jerry Fleming at peanutcat@aol.com.