12th World Bridge Championships Page 3 Bulletin 15 - Saturday 24 June  2006

Down Two – Good Bridge

by Matthew Granovetter

In the final of the Rosenblum Cup Teams, down two was good bridge in the third quarter, as one of the pairs on the Henner team played three consecutive deals down three tricks, three tricks and four tricks. Here is one of the three-trick contracts, which was entertaining for the spectators.

Board 6. Dealer East. E/W Vul.
 ♠ K Q J 3
♥ A 2
♦ 2
♣ A J 8 7 6 3

♠ A 10 8
♥ K 8
♦ Q 7 5 3
♣ Q 9 5 2 		Bridge deal
♠ 9 7 6 5 2
♥ Q 10 5
♦ A K J
♣ K 4
 ♠ 4
♥ J 9 7 6 4 3
♦ 10 9 8 6 4
♣ 10

WestNorthEastSouth
  1♠3♣
3♥Pass3♠All Pass

Here North had the best hand at the table but never bid. West's 3♣ showed the red suits, and Geir Helgemo (West) bid 3♥ as a limit raise in spades. Tor Helness (South) retreated to 3♠ and played it there, down two. West led his singleton club and received a ruff with his singleton trump. North still had three trump tricks and the ♥A; Plus 200 to North/South.

WestNorthEastSouth
  1NTPass
3NTDblePassPass
RdblPass4♦All Pass

Here Bertheau (East) opened a weak 1NT and his partner bid 3NT. Alan Sontag (North) doubled (asking partner to lead his weaker major). What would have happened in 3NT doubled? We don't know, but it probably would have been set. Nystrom (West), however, redoubled.

The commentators say that the redouble expressed doubt, and that is why East ran to his longer minor (better than running to spades, the suit North might hold!). Roger Bates (South) declined to join the party, content to defend 4♦ undoubled. This contract went three down for plus 300 to North/South, and a 100 net result for the Meltzer team – 3 IMPs. Welcome to the world championships! Have a nice weekend.

Bridge Today Digest Daily is edited by Pamela and Matthew Granovetter. Subscriptions or comments by return e-mail to infobridgetoday.com.


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