East-West vulnerable. South deals.

East-West vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
x Q J 7 6 5 2
u 6 2
v K 8
w J 6 5
WEST EAST
x 8 x 4
u K Q 7 4 u 9 8 5
v 9 6 5 v A Q 7 4 3
w 10 8 4 3 2 w A K Q 7
SOUTH
x A K 10 9 3
u A J 10 3
v J 10 2
w 9
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTHEAST
1x Pass 2x Dbl
3x Pass 4x Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: King of u
Charles Goren and Helen Sobel were one of the great pairs of the Golden Days of contract bridge. Such was the playing skill of the lovely Helen that Goren's considerable ability was sometimes overlooked. Watch him play this hand from the 1958 Life Master Pairs Championship.
South's distribution and intermediates justified a rebid over East's takeout double. North might have passed, but she was known for her fearlessness in the auction, and Goren was in a game that looked headed for defeat.
West's opening lead of the king of hearts seemed to be the death knell of the spade game. East surely held both the ace and queen of diamonds for the takeout double missing the high hearts, and there seemed to be no way to keep West off lead. However, Goren found a pretty bit of larceny.
The opening lead was won in hand with the ace, and prospects were not bright. The only place to park a losing diamond was on a heart, but West was sure to shift to a diamond on gaining the lead. But perhaps...
After winning the opening lead with the ace of hearts, Goren drew the outstanding trumps with the ace and then smoothly led the three of hearts. West swallowed the bait and, seeing no reason to squander the queen, inserted the seven and the contract was home.
East was forced to win the trick and had no way to reach partner. The king of clubs was led, followed by the ace. Goren ruffed and led the jack of hearts, covered by the queen and ruffed on the table. South returned to hand with a club ruff and led the ten of hearts, discarding one of dummy's diamonds, and the defenders collected only one trick in each suit except trumps. Goren-Sobel scored a top on the board, and they were on the way to yet another national title.
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
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