A Grand Seven Diamonds
Bridge Column for July 29, 2001, By HARVEY BERNSTEIN
Both Sides vulnerable.  East deals.
                              NORTH
                              S: 4 3 2          
                              H: 2       
                              D: A 10 8 6    
                              C: A 7 6 4 3
            WEST                             EAST
            S: 8 7                           S: Q J 10 9 6 5 
            H: 8 7 6 5 4 3                   H: Q          
            D: J 7                           D: 5 4               
            C: K 10 8                        C: Q J 5 2     
                              SOUTH                         
                              S: A K  
                              H: A K J 10 9 
                              D: K Q 9 3 2 
                              C: 9        
          The Bidding://
                   EAST   SOUTH     WEST   NORTH                  
                    2S   Double     Pass    3C  
                   Pass    3D       Pass    4D  
                   Pass    4NT      Pass    5H  
                   Pass    7D       Pass    Pass
                   Pass
     This hand was dealt at a recent Thursday afternoon duplicate
bridge game played at the Fairmount Temple, 23737 Fairmount
Boulevard, Beachwood, at 12:15 p.m.  Steve Vrooman of Beachwood
held the South cards and Mort Pierce of Chagrin Falls sat North.
     After East's weak two spade bid, Vrooman doubled.  Pierce
bid his five card suit.  Vrooman's three diamond bid was forcing
and showed a very big hand.  Alternatively, he could have bid
three spades, but that would take up a lot of productive bidding
space.
     Pierce raised diamonds and Vrooman asked for aces.  When
Pierce showed two, Vrooman was fairly certain that he could bring
in thirteen tricks.  Seven diamonds became the final contract. 
As the cards lie, seven no-trump will make, but the diamond
contract has a much higher percentage chance for success.
     The opening lead was the eight of spades but it made no
difference.  Seven diamonds, making, was a tie for top on the
board.
     Duplicate games are held at this location every Monday,
Tuesday, and Thursday at 12:15 p.m.  For more information, call
(216) 591-9566.
     The Cleveland Whist Club, Unit 125 of the American Contract
Bridge League, has established a phone number for information
concerning affiliated bridge clubs.  You may call (216) 676-9988
and obtain information about the time and location of all of the
bridge games within the unit.  There are also voice-mail boxes
available so that callers can leave messages about any related
issues (tournament information, lessons, etc.).
_______________________________________________________
Bernstein is a free-lance writer in Solon.