Bridge:

Here is another of the more competitive hands that showed up on the Oct. 28 game.

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

Board 11: South was the dealer; Nobody was vulnerable.

West opened 1♥,  East bid 1♠*, showing at least 4 spades. West  bid 2♣, East raised to 3♣ and South gambled by bidding 3NT.

*In duplicate bridge, always looking for at least an 8-card fit in a major suit.

Opening lead: ♦Q, which West wins with the Ace.  West leads a spade to dummy and leads the  ♣J.  When South covers with the ♣K, West breathes a sigh of relief, as the 3NT contract is now makeable.   Declarer wins 6 club tricks, one diamond and 3 spades, conceding the rest.

At another table, the auction went:  

North              East                South           West

                                                Pass      1♥

2♥*                  3♣                     3♦              Double

All Pass

•  Michaels cue bid, showing spades and a minor suit.

Interestingly, with careful play, declarer loses only one diamond, two spades and one club, making 3♦doubled! Duplicate bridge is a fascinating game!

When this hand was played at the local club, one N/S pair played 3♦ doubled, making 3, one E/W pair played 4♣ making 6, another E/W pair played 5♣ making 5 and 2 E/W pairs played 3NT, one pair making 4 and the other pair making 5. The unpredictability of what happens on any given hand adds greatly to the fascination for the game!

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 12:45p.m.). Duplicate lessons are given at the BESAC on Friday from 10 a.m. until noon 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.