Bridge Column for October 11, 1992 
Dealer: South
Vulnerable: E/W 
                              S: K J 8
                              H: J 7 5      
                              D: J 8 2     
                              C: K 7 6 4

            S: 9 2              N          S: 10 7 5  
            H: K Q 8 4       W     E       H: A 10 3
            D: K 9 7 3          S          D: 10 6 4  
            C: 10 8 3                      C: J 9 5 2    
                          
                              S: A Q 6 4 3
                              H: 9 6 2    
                              D: A Q 5
                              C: A Q                
                  SOUTH    WEST    NORTH    EAST
                    1S     PASS     2S      PASS
                    3H     PASS     4S      PASS
                   PASS    PASS                 
     Golf has Arnie, basketball has Magic, and bridge has Zia. 
These are the players that attract a crowd wherever they go to
compete.  Zia Mahmood was born in Karachi, Pakistan and was
educated in England.  He started playing bridge at the age of 24
and in 1992 he was named the ACBL Player of the Year.  The story
of the odyssey that led to that honor is documented in his book
"Bridge My Way".  
     As the title implies, Zia pretty much does things his way,
including the telling of his story.  It centers around a high
stakes, invitational bridge tournament, and wanders through
wonderful hands and delightful experiences that never seem to
happen to you or I.
     For example, Zia sat North in this hand and his partner was 
Mike Passell, a world champion and one of the top players in the
United States.  After the opening bid of one spade and the simple
two spade response, Passell had every intention of going to the
spade game.  On the way he stopped to take a little insurance
against a possible heart lead.  The three heart bid is a "game
try" and tends to show declarer's second suit.  Since Zia had a
very good two spade bid, he accepted the "game try", going right
to four spades.  
     West's normal opening lead would be the king of hearts,
which would result in a one trick set, but the heart suit now
looked dangerous and so a trump was led in an attempt to give
nothing away.  Passell was able to pitch one heart on the king of
clubs and score three clubs, two diamonds, and five spades before
the defense could gather the tricks that were needed to defeat
the contract.
     Zia goes on to explain "The three heart bid is the kind of
action that cost nothing and often turns out to be very
effective."  He talks about the thought process that helps a
bridge player decide what is the right time to make this kind of
bid, and when to avoid it.
     Unlike many bridge books you may have encountered, "Bridge
My Way" is easy to read.  It is also instructive and enjoyable. 
You may not agree with all of his ideas, and in fact, some may
seem strange, but you will have to agree that Zia is truly "one
of a kind".
     "Bridge My Way" is published by Granovetter Books and is
available by mail order from "Bridge My Way", P. O. Box 1120,
Laredo, Texas 78041, or by phone; 1-800-367-9967.  The book is
250 pages, hardcover, and costs $19.50 plus $2.50 for shipping.