Bridge: Jan. 15, 2023

“He bids too much. But you can’t change a man whose views are set in stone.”

Wendy, my club’s resident feminist, was disgusted at the result in today’s deal — and at Cy the Cynic. Wendy had been East in a penny game; Cy had been West.

Cy believes in cramming as many bids into the auction as possible. Many players embrace that approach. They bid when it’s their turn, with no regard for the possible consequences.

Cy opened one spade, and after two passes South balanced with a double. Cy then inserted two diamonds, and after Wendy took a two-spade preference, South jumped to four hearts, passed out.

Cy led the king of spades, and South ducked, won the next spade and led a trump to his ace. He next took the ace of clubs and led a second club. When the Cynic followed low, South put up dummy’s king and returned a trump … to his ten. He drew trumps and had 10 tricks.

Declarer did well. If West had ruffed the second club, he would only have ruffed South’s certain club loser. But by playing clubs, South was able to discover West’s distribution and place him with a singleton trump.

“If Cy had just kept his lip zipped at his second turn,” Wendy grumbled, “declarer wouldn’t have known about Cy’s distribution. Declarer would start the trumps with the A-K. He would lose a trick in each suit.”

Actually, Wendy was mistaken: South could still succeed. Still, I am convinced that too many players climb into the auction with no clear prospects of gain. Then their intervention helps only the opponents.

West dealer

Both sides vulnerable

NORTH

S A 4 3

H 6 3

D 8 5 3 2

C K J 6 4

WEST

S K Q J 10 7

H 4

D K Q J 10 9

C 3 2

EAST

S 9 5 2

H J 7 5 2

D 7 4

C Q 10 9 8

SOUTH

S 8 6

H A K Q 10 9 8

D A 6

C A 7 5

West North East South
1 S Pass Pass Dbl
2 D Pass 2 S 4 H
All Pass
Opening lead — S K

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