bridge

bridge

East-West vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

x9 7 6

u10 9 8 6 2

v6 5

wA K 3

WESTEAST

xK Q 4 x10 8 5 3 2

uK 7 4 uA Q J 5

vJ 8 7 3 vQ 10

wQ 10 8 w6 5

SOUTH

xA J

u3

vA K 9 4 2

wJ 9 7 4 2

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v Pass 1u Pass

2w Pass Pass 2x

3w Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: King of x

Here’s another deal from Eddie Kantar’s award-winning series “Thinking Bridge,” published in the Daily Bulletin at the recent ACBL Fall North American Championships held in Seattle.

“As East, you aren’t strong enough to overcall one spade, but you are strong enough to bid two spades later! Why? When the opponents die out at the two-level, after having found a likely eight-card fit, keep these things in mind: 1) the high-card points are usually evenly divided between the two partnerships; 2) if they have an eight-card fit, your side almost always has one as well; 3) if they have a nine-card fit, it is 100 percent that your side has at least an eight-card fit. Now your two-spade bid should make more sense.

“It is important to try to push the opponents who have found a fit and conked out at the two-level to the three-level. If the opponents are happy to play at the two-level, how thrilled can they be to play at the three-level? Balancing at tournament bridge is a huge part of the game. One major caution: If the opponents don’t have a fit (each bidding and rebidding a different suit) your side is unlikely to have an eight-card fit. Balance against fits, not misfits!”

2012 Tribune Media Services