bridge


bridge

East-West vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

xA K 6

u7 5 3

v9 7 6 3

wA K 8

WEST EAST

xJ 8 7 4xQ 10 3 2

uA Q 10 6 uK J 9 8 4

vQ 5 2 vJ 10 8

wJ 6 w5

SOUTH

x9 5

u2

vA K 4

wQ 10 9 7 4 3 2

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1v Pass 2w Pass

3w Pass 5w Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Four of x

Ask anyone who knows the history of bridge to name the all-time greatest woman player, and almost without exception they will name a slight Broadway chorus girl, Helen Sobel Smith, who appeared in such shows as “Animal Crackers” before taking up bridge and becoming Charles Goren’s favorite partner. Together they represented the U.S. in several world championships and won 33 major national titles.

At one tournament, their table was surrounded (as usual) by kibitzers. One turned to Helen and asked, “What does it feel like to play with one of the world’s great players?”

“I don’t know,” shot back Helen, “ask him!”

Here she is at work on a hand from a national pairs championship. The auction would probably be duplicated today except that a few pairs might stray into three no trump since it has become unfashionable to declare five of a minor suit.

It might seem that declarer must lose a trick in each red suit, but Helen had other ideas. West’s spade lead was ducked in dummy (!) and East won with the queen. At the very worst, declarer was simply exchanging loser for loser, since a red-suit card would be discarded from the closed hand on a high spade. However, East had no idea which red suit to attack, and declarer was banking on it being a diamond.

That was indeed East’s choice. Declarer won in hand, drew trumps in two rounds and then cashed the remaining diamond honor. A spade to the king was followed by the ace of spades, declarer discarding her losing diamond. Next, a diamond was ruffed and, when the suit broke evenly, declarer’s plan reaped a rich reward. There was a good diamond on the table and a trump to provide the entry. Declarer’s heart loser went away on the 13th diamond, and the contract came home with an overtrick for a clear top!

2011 Tribune Media Services

By using this site, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use.

» Accept
» Learn More