Bridge Column for November 7, 1993 Both sides vulnerable. South deals. NORTH S: 9 6 4 2 H: 10 9 8 7 6 D: 9 4 3 C: 5 WEST EAST S: K Q J 5 S: 10 8 7 3 H: K Q J 3 H: 5 4 2 D: K Q J 8 D: 10 7 6 5 2 C: J C: 7 SOUTH S: A H: A D: A C: A K Q 10 9 8 6 4 3 2 SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 2C Dbl Pass Pass 7NT Dbl Pass Pass Rdbl Pass Pass Pass Bridge players study bidding theory in order to prepare for normal (is there such a thing?) hands because that is what they are usually faced with. Through study or experience we learn what the statistical probabilities are that certain combinations will occur. Trumps always break favorably for the opposition and adversely for us. Every once in a while, however, we are confronted by a hand with such freak distribution that there is very little theory to go by so we find ourselves all alone with what could be a monster of a bidding problem. Hands of this nature do not necessarily make good copy for the bridge writer because there is no significant point to pick on, and the situation may not come up again for five million deals. The hand shown above was dealt in a local duplicate club game in Mentor and caused a great deal of discussion for the following week or so. I heard of the hand from no less than five different players who were there. Some players holding the South cards chose to open the bidding with 7NT in order to avoid getting passed out in any other contract. More often than not West would stay silent after that call. Looking at 19 high card points it would be obvious that South was bidding on tricks and not points. But who could resist doubling a two club opening bid? And having doubled once, it becomes easier to double again. The redouble is pure gravy, and a tie for a top board. Pity the poor soul who opened 7NT and got a bottom score. Both sides vulnerable. South deals. NORTH S: 3 H: 8 D: K Q J 10 5 C: A K J 9 6 3 WEST EAST S: Q 6 4 S: 10 9 8 5 H: J H: 7 6 3 D: 8 4 3 2 D: A 9 7 6 C: Q 10 7 5 2 C: 8 4 SOUTH S: A K J 7 2 H: A K Q 10 9 5 4 2 D: Void C: Void SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 2H Pass 3C Pass 3S Pass 4D Pass 4S Pass 6H Pass Pass Pass This hand came up in a rubber bridge game with very standard bidding. South opened with a strong two heart bid and North made a positive response of three clubs. When South followed with successive spade bids, North was aware that a tremendous mis-fit existed. It was also very apparent that the South hand must have a self-sufficient heart suit, which explains the final bid of six hearts. South will make seven hearts on any lead other than a heart, but after this auction a heart lead was the only choice. Declarer drew trumps in three rounds and played four additional rounds. Both East and West retained all of their spades. Now declarer played the ace and king of spades followed by a low spade. West wins the queen and leads a diamond. Declarer ruffs and plays the jack of spades, smothering the ten and making six hearts. Lucky? Of course. But when you consider that North only needed the queen of spades and jack of hearts to make seven hearts a lay down, it seems that the opposition was lucky to hold those cards.