bridge

bridge

Both vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

xA 6

u6 5 2

vJ 4 3

wA Q J 10 4

WEST EAST

xK 9 4 2 xQ 10

uJ 10 uK 9 7 3

vK 9 8 7 2 vA 10 6 5

w9 3 wK 5 2

SOUTH

xJ 8 7 5 3

uA Q 8 4

vQ

w8 7 6

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1w Pass 1x Pass

1NT Dbl Pass 2v

Pass Pass 2u Pass

2x Pass Pass Dbl

Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Seven of v

In the good old days, whenever the Los Angeles Dodgers came into New York, Charles Goren and Lee Hazen would go to the ballpark to play a few rubbers with Dodger manager Walter Alston and first baseman Wes Parker. All-star catcher and present-day announcer Tim McCarver is also an avid bridge player. He sat East on this deal from a National Championship event some years ago.

Bruce Keidan, West, knew his partner would have sound values for his takeout double, so he doubled two spades for penalties and attacked with a fourth-best diamond. McCarver won with the ace and shifted to the three of hearts, declarer’s queen winning.

Declarer took a losing club finesse, and back came another diamond on which declarer discarded a heart as West won with the king.

A heart was returned to declarer’s ace, but the defenders were ahead in the game. They already had three tricks in the bank and with the way the trump spots were situated, there was no way to prevent the defense from taking three more tricks.

Down 200 was worth a tie for top score on the board.

2012 Tribune Media Services