BRIDGE News:

During the Unit Championship game on Nov. 20, this was Board #4.

Before reviewing the bidding and play, try to visualize how the bidding might proceed, and then how the hand should be played.

Board 4: West was the dealer; Both sides were vulnerable.

*Reverse (bidding a higher ranking suit after having bid a lower ranking suit), showing at least 17 points and at least 4-4 in hearts and spades

**Exclusion Blackwood, asking for aces other than in diamonds. Why might East make this bid? East’s hand might be worth a 7♣ bid if West holds the spade Ace. Regular Blackwood by East is useless here, as if West shows one Ace, East will have no idea which one it is. In the second auction, the 5♥ bid shows no Ace outside of diamonds, so 6♣ is where the hand should play.

West is the opening bidder. Most West’s will open 1♣. East has a very strong hand, but there is no need to jump in the bidding, as a 1♥ response is 100% forcing. West rebids 2♣, showing a 5+ card suit. Now East should bid 2♠, a reverse bid showing at least a game-going hand, and probably more after West showed a long club suit. West’s natural rebid is 2NT, with shortness in hearts and spades and stoppers in diamonds and clubs. In all likelihood, this hand will be played in 5 or 6 clubs, but after the above auction, West might opt to place the contract in 6NT.

When this hand was played locally, two pairs played in 3NT making 6, 2 pairs played in 6♣ making 6, and one pair played in 6NT 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 the White Rock Senior Activity Center (Mondays at 12:45 p.m.). Duplicate lessons are given at the BESAC 10 a.m. until noon Fridays 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.