Bridge Column for August 30, 1992 Dealer: North Vulnerable: North-South S: Q 6 2 H: K J 10 8 D: A 8 5 C: 7 6 5 S: K J 4 3 N S: 9 H: 4 W E H: A 9 6 5 3 D: K 10 4 2 S D: Q J 9 6 3 C: A K J 4 C: 9 3 S: A 10 8 7 5 H: Q 7 2 D: 7 C: Q 10 8 2 NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST PASS PASS PASS 1C PASS 1H 1S DBL RDBL 2D 2S PASS PASS DBL PASS PASS RDBL PASS PASS PASS Who ever said that part score contracts weren't exciting is not playing with the right group. This hand is from a side game at the 1992 Summer North American Bridge Championships which ran from July 24th through August 2nd in Toronto, Ontario. Everything seemed normal until South decided to get in the middle of 2 bidding partners. It was West's intention to bid 1 spade if South had passed, and since South was an original 3rd seat passed hand, West decided to show his spades by doubling. North was looking at 11 points and 3 spades and had no doubt that his partner could make 1 spade doubled, thus the redouble. East was not overly excited about being on defense at the 1 level, redoubled, so he made a natural 2 diamond call completing the picture of his hand. South must have been encouraged by his partner's redouble because he rebid the same values he had bid the first time. Now there was no escape. After 2 passes, East doubled and when it came around to North he obviously thought there was something more to be gained. The final contract was 2 spades, doubled and redoubled (vulnerable). The opening lead was the 4 of hearts, won by West with the ace. The 9 of clubs was returned, East winning the jack and continuing with the ace and king, everyone following. The 4 of clubs was led and declarer trumped with the queen of spades in dummy, East pitching a heart. A small trump was led to the 9, 10, and jack and the 2 of diamonds was returned. Declarer played low from dummy and East won the jack. A heart return was ruffed by West and West still had to score the king of trumps. When the smoke cleared the defense had 8 tricks (the diamond trick was a gift but it hardly mattered) and declarer was down 3 for a score of -1600. East-West have a good shot at making 5 diamonds but it is unlikely that they will ever get there. _______________________________________________________________