To The Bidders Go The Spoils

by John Gowdy

We now get contributions from around the world – this one comes from a well-known Canadian.

Canada's Open team got off to a slow (!) start in the Bermuda Bowl, but has shown a lot of grit to fight back into the mix. Arno Hobart/George Mittelman – both with WBF medals in their trophy cases – started a new partnership and came to Portugal with high expectations. Their system, based on canapé with Polish overtones, has produced some solid results, but system will only take you so far at this level. Look at this competitive auction.

Hobart faced the first problem, holding:

♠ K Q J 4 3 ♥ A 7 4 3 ♦ – ♣ 10 8 3 2

Red against white, he saw RHO open 1♦. Some might consider double, but Arno bid 1♠. LHO made a negative double, partner bid 4♠, and RHO pushed on to 5♦. What now?

The meek pass – who wants to save red against white? But the brave? Hobart bid 5♠. Not a call everyone would make, but one that can pay big dividends. Partner is vul, so has great shape (we hope), and this may produce, on its best day, a double game swing. Let's now look at Mittelman's hand:

♠ A 10 9 8 6 2 ♥ 8 ♦ K J 9 7 ♣ K Q

He had taken the low road with a heavy 4♠, but when partner pressed on to 5♠ he visualized the hand. Partner clearly has five or six spades to the king, and must (should!) have a side ace. Surely he also has a diamond void, so 6♠ must be cold, and George bid it.

Moral: if you want to win, bid – bid the cold 22-point slams! The two hands:

	♠ A 10 9 8 6 2 ♥ 8 ♦ K J 9 7 ♣ K Q
	♠ K Q J 4 3 ♥ A 7 4 3 ♦ – ♣ 10 8 3 2