Bridge the Silver Way

Joey Silver is always a source of interesting hands and, sure enough, he called in to the Bulletin Office to talk us through a few deals from Session One of the Mixed Pairs Qualifying.

Board 15. Dealer South. N/S Vul.
	ª Q J 2 © 10 9 2 ¨ 9 6 § A K 5 3 2
ª A 8 7 4 3 © K 6 5 ¨ 5 § Q 10 9 8		ª K 5 © J 8 7 3 ¨ J 8 7 4 3 § 7 6
	ª 10 9 6 © A Q 4 ¨ A K Q 10 2 § J 4

West	North	East	South
Robson	Silver	Shugart	Habert
			1¨
1ª	1NT	Pass	3NT
All Pass

When Rhoda Habert opened 1¨, playing a weak no trump system, Andy Robson overcalled and Joey bid 1NT, raised to game by Habert. Rita Shugart led king and another spade and Robson won the ace and returned the ª3, suit preference, while Shugart threw a club. Joey was very tempted to run the ¨9 but decided to cash a top diamond then cross back to hand with a club and run the ¨9. In practice, Shugart covered with the jack so Joey won and cashed two more diamond winners. On the diamonds, Robson threw a heart, a club, then another heart. It really looked as though clubs were four-two and in that case Robson was down to a stiff heart. Joey cashed the ©A, crossed to the §K and ran the ©10 to come to ten tricks and an excellent +630.

Sometimes one can be too clever for one's own good.

Board 21. Dealer North. N/S Vul.
	ª A K Q 10 5 © A K J 7 5 2 ¨ 5 3 § -
ª J 8 7 4 3 © - ¨ Q 10 9 6 § Q 6 4 2		ª 9 6 2 © 8 6 3 ¨ J 8 4 § A K 8 5
	ª - © Q 10 9 4 ¨ A K 7 2 § J 10 9 7 3

West	North	East	South
Baze	Silver		Habert
	1©	Pass	3¨
3©	4¨	Pass	4ª
Pass	5¨	Pass	5©
Pass	6©	All Pass

Habert's 3¨ response showed a constructive four-card heart raise. When Grant Baze bid 3©, take-out, Joey decided it was time for some flair and imagination. He cuebid his two low diamonds then cuebid them for a second time. Had he bid in more straightforward fashion, he might have discovered that his partner had the required diamond controls. As it was, he eventually guessed to bid 6© and the cold grand was missed.

Board 25. Dealer North. E/W Vul.
	ª 8 3 © K 9 ¨ A Q 10 2 § A 9 7 5 2
ª A Q 10 © A Q J 8 7 ¨ K 7 6 3 § 3		ª K J 9 7 6 © 5 2 ¨ J 9 5 § 10 8 6
	ª 5 4 2 © 10 6 4 3 ¨ 8 4 § K Q J 4

West	North	East	South
	Silver		Habert
	1NT	Pass	Pass
2¨	Dble	Pass	Pass
2©	3§	All Pass

Did anybody ever tell you that when you have opened 1NT you are supposed to leave further bidding to partner because you have limited your hand? Joey judged the North hand to be a weak no trump - the alternatives of either bidding and rebidding that weak club suit or of opening 1¨ and rebidding 2§ did not appeal. However, when West made a transfer overcall, Joey took the opportunity to show his diamonds via a double, and when the bidding came back to him he took a third bid. Three Clubs was just the right spot and scored very well for the Canadians.

Board 26. Dealer East. All Vul.
	ª J 7 3 2 © 4 3 ¨ 8 7 2 § A Q J 9
ª A 4 © A K Q 8 6 5 2 ¨ A 5 § 8 5		ª K Q 10 8 5 © J 10 9 7 ¨ 9 3 § 10 4
	ª 9 6 © - ¨ K Q J 10 6 4 § K 7 6 3 2

West	North	East	South
	Silver		Habert
		Pass	2¨
4©	Pass	Pass	5§
Dble	All Pass

That South hand looks nearer to a strong two bid than a weak one but Habert chose to treat it as a weak 2¨ opening. However, remembering how often Joey had bid on the previous deal, Rhoda felt it only fair that she should be allowed to bid a second time on this one. Five Clubs doubled was a fine save and one down scored very well indeed for North/South.