BRIDGE

North-South vulnerable. West deals.

NORTH

xA K 10 5 3

uA Q 10 6

vK 8

wK 8

WEST EAST

xQ J x9 7 6 4

u9 5 2 u8 7 3

vA 9 7 6 4 3 vQ J 5

wA 4 wJ 6 2

SOUTH

x8 2

uK J 4

v10 2

wQ 10 9 7 5 3

The bidding:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1v Dbl Pass 2w

Pass2x Pass 3w

Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Ace of v

The modern theory is that you open the bidding on the smell of an oil rag, hoping to disrupt the opponents’ bidding if the hand does not belong to you. This deal is from the Bermuda Bowl match last month between Brazil and Argentina.

Sitting North-South for Brazil were Marcelo Branco and Gabriel Chagas, who made their debut for Brazil almost a half-century ago. After West opened the bidding, Branco as North made a takeout double and bid his spades after Chagas responded two clubs. When Chagas could do no more than rebid his clubs, Branco elected to pass. With both the ace of diamonds and the jack of clubs onside and trumps 3-2, Chagas wrapped up 11 tricks.

This was the auction at the other table:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

Pass 1x Pass 1NT

2v Dbl Pass 3w

Pass 3NT Pass Pass

Pass

West led a diamond to the king, and declarer could make no more than three spades, four hearts and a diamond, down one.

So the one diamond opening bid kept North-South out of game, but there was no way to make it. Not an unqualified success!

2009 Tribune Media Services