BRIDGE

East-West vulnerable. North deals.
NORTH
x A 8 7 3
u J 10 9 3
v A Q J 4
w 3
WEST EAST
x 10 2 x J 5
u 7 6 4 2 u A K Q 8 5
v 9 8 6 2 v Void
w 9 7 2 w A K Q J 6 5
SOUTH
x K Q 9 6 4
u Void
v K 10 7 5 3
w 10 8 4
The bidding:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1v 6w 6v Pass
Pass 6u 6x Pass
Pass Dbl Pass Pass
Pass
Opening lead: Two of v
Assuming sane opponents, a double of a voluntarily bid slam is unlikely to yield a huge profit. In 1929, the brilliant theorist Theodore Lightner, who later became Life Master No. 7, suggested a better use for the double. If the player not on lead doubles, it conventionally asks for an unusual lead, generally the suit first bid by the dummy. It yielded a good result on this deal, but the outcome could have been different.
When North opened the bidding with one diamond, he did not expect the fireworks that followed. With what looked like 11 tricks in hand and the likelihood of a diamond lead, East bounced in with six clubs! Not to be outdone, South competed with six diamonds. East had no intention of defending with his freak, and tried six hearts, over which South ventured six spades. Now East trotted out the Lightner double.
West duly led a diamond, as requested, and East ruffed. But now East got greedy and returned a low club! Had declarer risen with the ten, it might have been the end of a very famous partnership. But South carelessly followed low! West won cheaply and returned another diamond for East to ruff -- down two.
XThis column is written by Tannah Hirsch and Omar Sharif. For information about Charles Goren's newsletter for bridge players, call (800) 788-1225 or write Goren Bridge Letter, P.O. Box 4410, Chicago, Ill. 60680
& copy;2004 Tribune Media Services